The Imposter Part 9

"Wait until I get ye alone," he growled softly.

"Is that a challenge or an invitation?" I asked, provoking him.

"Both," he said, eyes flaming. "Are ye ready to get out of here?" he whispered, breath hot against my ear.

"Let's go," I whispered in return, eager to leave the prying eyes of the great hall and to continue what I had started with Devon when I bit my lip. I loved that my smallest action could affect him so greatly.

My response was all the encouragement that Devon needed and he took my hand, leading me away from the crowd and out of the great hall.

"Give it tae her good!" came the first shout from an unknown male voice.

"I ken that yer Da would have!" shouted a second voice above the crowd.

I wanted to die from embarra.s.sment and I knew that Devon was not pleased as he let loose a low growl underneath his breath, almost dragging me up the stairs. He must have decided that my progress was not quick enough, because in one svelte move, he swept me from my feet and carried me up the stairs two at a time.

"a.r.s.eholes," he muttered underneath his breath as we reached the top of the stairs and headed towards his chambers, which I just now realized, we would share from now on. He walked swiftly down the hall, still carrying me in his arms and opened the heavy wooden door, setting my feet onto the flagstone floor.

Devon closed the chamber door, silencing the ruckus, bawdy shouts from below the stairs. As he lowered the bar into place, locking the door from the inside, there was a heavy, final clunk as it settled into place. The reality of my situation hit me with a deafening blow. He knows nothing about how I came here or where I am from. I am living a lie and he is married to a lie.

"Are ye alright, la.s.s?" he asked, seeing the emotions play across my face. He tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired from the party."

He knew that I was lying, reading me like an open book.

"Sorry about that," he said, clearly embarra.s.sed by the suggestive shouts that had sent us into married life. "I'll make them pay for it tomorrow," he promised in an effort to make me feel better.

Silently, he grasped my hand and walked over and sat on the edge of the giant bed. I nervously sat down next to him, heart beating uncontrollably fast. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt enveloped by his immense strength. It had been a long time since I had felt safe. He raised his hand to my cheek and guided my head to his expansive chest.

"Lay yer head la.s.s. It's been a long day," he said as he smoothed my hair and held me close. He settled his chin atop my head and held me. "We went through with it. Can ye imagine yet that we're marrit?"

"Crazy isn't it?"

"Crazy indeed. I'm still having a hard time believing that yer mine."

I let out a deep sigh and leaned into his warmth. I don't know if it was the wine that I drank at the party or the feeling of security that washed over me, but the next thing that I knew, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. Devon kissed my forehead and wiped the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs as he cradled my face. How embarra.s.sing, I thought. This was not how I had envisioned my wedding night and I was surprised that he wasn't looking for a way out the door. He kissed me again and raised my chin with his index finger so that my gaze met his. I was reluctant to meet his eyes, but slowly raised my gaze to his deep green eyes.

"I know that this is not what ye wanted, Kate. It wasna what I had planned either," he forced a slight smile.

I pulled away and wiped the silly tears from my cheeks, knowing that now my eyes were puffy and my nose was red. Some blus.h.i.+ng bride I had turned out to be.

"It's not that, Devon. It's not you, I promise. I'm just feeling overwhelmed. I've drank too much, and you're right, it's been a long day," I sniffed my nose in a most unlady-like fas.h.i.+on, which made him chuckle. "Honestly, I just feel safe, and that's something that I haven't felt in a long time. I feel safe because of you," I smiled shyly as I looked up at him, sure that my eyes were bloodshot and that I looked awful.

A broad smile broke across his solemn face. "Ye don't know how much that means to me, la.s.s. Ye'll have the protection of my name and my body until my last breath leaves me," he vowed, raising my chin to force my eyes to meet his. "As yer husband, I will protect ye with my life, Kate."

He wrapped me up in his arms and I melted into him, enjoying the warmth of his arms and the heady feeling from the wine that I had been drinking. "I guess that I hadna ken just how unsafe ye felt here," he confessed, hand stroking my back in support. "Ye keep bringing it up and I'm glad that now I can be here for ye."

I knew that he meant it. My inner self caught upon the word "husband." This word drew me back to the reality that I must prepare myself for. Wives had duties to their husbands, one of which I would unquestionably be expected to perform tonight. It wasn't that I was not attracted to Devon, but, my G.o.d, I hardly knew the man and I was terrified and embarra.s.sed about the intimate act that would soon take place between us. I felt a flush spread to my cheeks as I thought about what would transpire tonight in this giant bed.

Devon absently stroked my hair and rested his cheek atop my head. He pulled away and spoke clearly and directly from his heart.

"There's something that I must ask of ye, Kate," he said, his green eyes pierced my being as he rested one hand on each of my shoulders. "I must ask ye for honesty and faithfulness. I got tae thinking about what ye said earlier, about how there's the two of us now. There aren't many people that I can trust, Kate, and I'm counting on being able tae trust ye. I pledge ye my faithfulness, and honesty, and I ask that ye do the same. I ken that we don't know much about each other, but I think that if we have this, this commitment, it's a good start for us. Can ye pledge the same, la.s.s?" his gaze held mine, probing, questioning.

"Of course," I said, eyes meeting his, brought close to tears again by the sincerity in his request. "I will be faithful to you, and I'll always be honest with you, even when it hurts," I said as I met his gaze, whole heartedly meaning each word, but knowing that there were things about my past that I simply could not tell him yet.

His hand slid from my shoulder up to the base of my neck, guiding my lips towards his. He kissed me softly, but pa.s.sionately, his probing tongue a question at my lips. I met his question with intensity, staking claim to him. My lips parted, allowing him entry that he eagerly took, his mouth claiming my own. The pa.s.sion and tenderness in his kiss conflicted with each other, igniting a fire within me. I knew that he was holding back, struggling to retain control. He shuddered as he drew himself away from me. Electricity coursed through my veins, Devon's controlled pa.s.sion and his palpable need for me awakened my desire for him. I could not help but acknowledge the way that my body responded to this man.

Shaken by his response to our kiss, Devon pulled himself farther away from me and sat up straighter on the bed. "Thank ye, Kate. If nothing else, we have a start. There's the two of us now." A genuine smile spread across his face as admired me, brus.h.i.+ng a strand of hair from my face and trailing his fingers lightly over my exposed collarbone. "Yer beautiful, my wife."

I suddenly felt very shy and looked away, wondering how he thought bloodshot eyes and a stuffy nose could be beautiful.

"Ye are beautiful, Kate," he looked deep into my eyes, demanding me to look at him.

"I can see that yer no at ease, that this is hard for ye," his hand reached out, and cupped my cheek, encouraging my eyes to meet his. His eyes were sincere, locked with my own, daring me to look away. "If it makes ye feel better, I'm nervous too," he smiled, green eyes intent on me as he pushed my hair back and settled it behind my ear. "We're in this together, Kate, and I think that it could be a great thing if we let it," he said encouragingly.

"Can I tell you something?" I asked, suddenly emboldened.

"Sure," he said, rubbing my back in an effort to put me at ease.

"I'm glad it's you, and not your Dad, or the Cameron Laird," I confessed, with sincerity.

Devon smiled, "I'd hoped that ye'd feel that way. I mean, I'd not expected tae take a wife, but I'm glad that I was able to save ye from that Cameron b.a.s.t.a.r.d, and as for my Da, well, I would have been jealous as h.e.l.l if he had taken ye tae wife," he said.

"It's funny to think that you might have been my step-son!" I giggled, wiping the last remnants of my tears away and settling closer to Devon on the bed.

"I've a feeling that I'll never live that one down," he said, taking my hand in his, and continuing. "Kate, I want this tae work between us. I want it tae be more than just a marriage of necessity."

"Me too," I said sincerely, stroking the back of his hand with my thumb, enjoying the warmth of his skin.

"I think that we may have a tough road ahead of us, with my brother and all," he said sternly. Life may not always be easy with me, but I want ye tae ken that I'll do my best to keep ye safe, keep ye fed and most of all, keep ye happy. Life with me will take ye tae some crazy places and all I ask is that no matter where life takes us, that ye'll be my home."

I was taken aback by his tenderness and sincerity. The way that he spoke this vow resounded deep within me. I knew that he meant it. Without thinking, I heard my voice, "I will always be your home, Devon." A tear rolled down my cheek, and it was met by his strong hand. He moved slowly towards me and kissed the stray tear, knowing that I had meant what I said as well.

Emboldened, I raised my lips to his and captured them in a seductive kiss. He was fueled by my boldness and I felt the stinging of his stubble as his lips opened over mine, urging, pressing for more. I gave him what he was boldly seeking, and met his kiss with equal fire and pa.s.sion. His lips slanted above mine, hungrily daring me to press for more. I acknowledged the fire growing within me. I slowly broke the kiss and pulled slightly away.

"I want this to work," I whispered, inhaling his scent, memorizing the smell of him. My hands drifted over the unfamiliar terrain of his broad chest, tracing the contours of his body. His body felt foreign beneath my fingertips, but my senses hungered for more of him.

"Me too," he said in return, resting his forehead against mine. "Now that I have ye for my own, I want this more than ye can imagine."

"I like it when you kiss me," I whispered boldly.

His lips curled into a delicious smile. "Aye, I like it too," he said so close that his lips hovered just above mine.

My fingers continued familiarizing themselves with his shoulders, his back and his neck. They twined themselves in the thick tail of hair at the base of his neck. Devon closed his eyes, gooseflesh spreading over his skin beneath my fingers. I felt him swiftly intake a breath. His response to my touch made me feel powerful. It felt good to evoke such a response with just a light touch of my fingertips. I felt his muscles tense as my fingers moved from his neck and slid down across the expansive muscles of his chest.

He placed a soft kiss in the hollow between my ear and my neck, and slowly trailed kisses down the length of my neck, languis.h.i.+ng as his lips brushed the sensitive skin of my collarbone. I reached my hand up behind his neck and his arms encircled me as he lowered my body towards the bed.

The weight of his body on top of mine was solid, reminding me how small I was in comparison to this warrior. Yet, he was gentle, supporting his weight on his elbows as he continued his a.s.sault of kisses across the tops of my b.r.e.a.s.t.s and up the other side of my neck. He worked his way back up to my mouth, settling his lips over mine in a heated kiss, staking claim to them as he demanded for me to meet his pa.s.sion.

"I could kiss ye all day, Mrs. McClain," he confessed, eyes devouring me.

I bit my lower lip under the heat of his gaze.

"I warned ye about what that does tae me," he said as he captured my lips again, his kiss demanding now. He nibbled my lower lip with his teeth and s.h.i.+vers of pleasure ran down my spine.

I felt the solid heat of his erection pressed against me, evidence of his desire to claim me as his own. My body surprised me, emboldened by his kisses, I pressed myself against him, urging him onward. Showing him that I wanted him as well. Devon's muscles tensed and he slowly broke our kiss, hovering mere centimeters above me. His green eyes looked down at me intently and I noticed that his angular jaw was clenched in an effort to restrain himself.

"I think that we've had enough for the night," he said, slowly pulling away from me as he raked his hand through his newly unbound hair. Had I done that, I wondered? He pulled out the leather throng and efficiently tied the thick ma.s.s of chestnut hair at the base of his skull, smiling as he did so, no doubt relis.h.i.+ng in the manner in which it had become so disheveled.

There was an awkward silence and I was unsure of how to proceed. My lips burned from his kisses and I was disappointed that he had stopped.

What did I do wrong?

"Can you unlace this, please?" I asked turning my back to him so that he wouldn't see the disappointment in my eyes, exposing the back of my wedding gown.

"Ye surely wish tae drive me to insanity, la.s.s. Here I am trying to be a gentleman and ye ask me tae unlace yer gown!" he laughed, hands already on the laces, working swiftly and diligently, loosening the stays. His breathing was heavy. I could tell that he had not wanted to stop. He had enjoyed kissing me, touching me.

I clutched the satin gown to my b.r.e.a.s.t.s as I turned around and looked at Devon. What did he mean by "trying to be a gentleman?" I held his gaze as I removed my arms from the sleeves and continued to hold the midnight blue gown to my chest. Beneath the gown was a sheath of the lightest silk, which I knew would drive him over the edge.

"La.s.s, I um......" he swallowed hard, struggling to retain his last shreds of composure.

I began to slowly release my grip on the bodice of the gown and he jumped at me.

"No!" he shouted. Startled, I clasped the gown about myself. "Och, that didn't come out right, la.s.s." he smiled, chuckling slightly. "Believe me, I would love to see what's under there, but I made a vow to myself, and I canna... I canna let ye do that tonight." he stammered.

It was surprising to see Devon so unnerved. He was usually so calm and in control. "They may have forced us tae marry against our will, but I'll be d.a.m.ned if they can force me tae take my bride against her will. I willna touch ye tonight, la.s.s," he said firmly.

"But, Devon," I said, my eyes searching his. "You certainly wouldn't be forcing me, I want to. I am your wife." The words felt new and strange on my lips.

"When I take ye la.s.s, ye will ask me. I hope that ye will beg me," he smiled that devilish smile. "Ye will ask me because ye want tae be my wife, not because ye were forced tae be my wife. I will ken when ye really mean it," his eyes smoldered with desire, but he was dead serious.

The tenderness of this gesture struck me to the core. Although we had been forced into this marriage, Devon was allowing me a choice. He was asking for my willingness to be his wife, before we consummated out marriage.

"Thank you," I uttered with sincerity.

With that, he grabbed a blanket from the bed and began making himself a bed upon the floor.

Chapter Nine.

I awoke startled, instantly aware that I was not alone in the chamber. Instinctively, I clutched the sheets around me and I felt Devon's presence in the chair next to the fire, felt his eyes studying me from across the room.

"Good morning, sleepy head," he smiled from across the room.

He rose from the chair and walked over to the bed. He wore only his kilt and I was again struck by how gracefully he moved and also by the beauty of his well muscled, smooth chest and his narrow waist.

He is mine now. This thought sent s.h.i.+vers trailing up my spine. This beautiful man is my husband.

I mustered what I could of a smile in return, and grumbled, "good morning," as I raked a hand through my tangled hair. I was embarra.s.sed, thinking that I must look frightful.

Devon flopped on the bed and settled next to me as I relaxed back against the pillows, still clutching the sheets across my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He lay on his side, head propped up with one arm, elbow resting on the bed. His hair was unbound and a night's growth of beard lent him a handsome, rugged look as his eyes took me in.

"No a morning person, I see?" he smiled, examining me with his green cat's eyes.

"Mmghm," I grumbled in response, causing him to chuckle.

"Would tea help?" he offered, rising from the bed before I had a chance to answer. He padded barefoot over to the table by the door, poured two cups of the steaming liquid and returned to the bed. He handed me a cup of tea and settled himself back onto the bed, this time sitting next to me.

"I'll take it that you are a morning person?" I said, sitting up in the ma.s.sive bed and running my fingers through my hair to make my appearance more presentable.

"Kate, doona fuss with yer hair. Ye look beautiful" he said as if reading my mind. He looked directly into my eyes, his look was desirous, hungry. The intensity of his gaze caused me to break away. I felt the burn of color flus.h.i.+ng my face. "Yer beautiful and ye were meant to be marrit to the Laird. Up until yesterday, ye were the most eligible, most sought after la.s.s in the keep. And now yer mine," he said, possessiveness heavy in his voice.

I released my grip on the sheet and settled both hands around the warm, soothing cup that he offered, eyebrows raised as he awaited my response. Devon's statement sped up my pulse, and I felt my body stir in response to his open statement of possession. He was lying half naked on my bed. I wanted him to touch me.

I studied him over the rim of my tea cup, my blue eyes meeting his green. There was a peculiar look in his eyes as he watched me.

"What?" I asked, my voice sounding harsher than I had intended.

Devon chuckled and then raked his hand through his tousled hair. "I was just thinking of how this is a first for me," he said, eyes blazing, something close to amus.e.m.e.nt in his expression.

"What is a first?" I asked, perplexed by his statement.

"Allowing a woman to sleep in my bed."

"Have you had many women in your bed, Devon?" I asked emboldened stinging feelings of jealousy. He had not said that women had not been in his bed, he had only said that they were not allowed to sleep there.

"No, not many," Devon said calmly, the topic leaving him unfazed. "I'll no lie tae ye and tell ye that there have no been others before ye," he said, eyes steely and intense.

Jealousy burned hot within me. I did not like thinking of Devon with other women.

"I liked having ye in my bed," Devon confessed, eyes hungry as he watched me. "I liked waking up tae find ye still sleeping beside me."

I bit my lower lip in response to his blatant approval of me occupying his ma.s.sive bed.

"What are ye sae afraid of, Kate," he asked, voice now serious.

Terror struck suddenly. What was he talking about?

"I don't know what you're talking about," I lied coolly, casting my eyes away from his intense stare. The truth was that I was afraid of so many things.

"Ye had a nightmare last night. Ye were talking in yer sleep, almost screaming at times."

Oh my G.o.d! What had I said?