Page 46 of Highlander’s Beautiful Liar

It was hours before they got back to what dinner remained on the table, and by then they were starving and didn’t care that it was cold or scattered across the table. There was something wild about eating dinner naked with his wife.

After he’d satisfied her several times.

“I’d offer to snag something hot from the kitchens, but I can’t stand the idea of putting on clothes,” Cora admitted as she snagged some cheese that was teetering on the edge of the plate. Breaking it in half, she offered it to him, and he nibbled on it straight from her fingers.

“Oh, if you keep doing that, we won’t be eating for long,” she said huskily.

Yes. This was a moment for him, and he savored it. Not that she wanted him, but that she was feeling more comfortable with him. More comfortable with how she felt about him.

They could be more. Now that he could put his suspicions aside, see her as his wife, he could see just how they could be. How their life could be.

Happiness. Security. He could see them with their bairns in their arms now, then later, chasing the ruffians around, while they both protected them and loved them.

She’d seen so much darkness, and he hadn’t helped, but now, he only wanted her in warmth and love. If he couldn’t give it to her, then he would help give her a whole family that would love her.

Except, why couldn’t he? He’d been raised in a loving family. When he was with Cora, he thought of nothing else and no one else. When he was away from her, she was never far from his mind.

“You’re staring,” she murmured. “Are you disgusted to learn that I am starving when you are finished ravishing me?”

“Ye should have told me sooner. Now all I can think about is how ye must have suffered before. Trapped in bed with me. No food.”

“Aye,” she said mocking his Scottish brogue with a sparkle in her eyes. “Suffered. Endlessly.”

“Sassenach wench.” With a growl, he snuck an arm around her waist and hauled her into his lap. The chair teetered, and he rocked forward to put it back on all four legs while she squealed.

“Hey! No more ravishing until I’ve had more food,” she protested.

“No ravishing.” He nuzzled her neck. “Just holding ye.” And relishing it. He’d come to enjoy his nights with her just so he could hold her while she slept. In his arms, she was warm and supple.

And safe.

“All right, but you need to eat too.” She held up a piece of cold chicken which he nibbled from her fingers and greedily licked her skin. Her smile lit up her whole face.

Cora was so beautiful. The men in England who’d looked at her and not seen her for the treasure that she was were idiots. Then again, she was a handful.

His handful.

The recent changes in her were unexpected. She’d fought him every step, even after their marriage, but now she suddenly wanted to try and make it work. Make them work.

He wanted this to work too, not just for his position in the clan, but because of her. Because she was his family now.

Curving his hand around her thigh, he kissed her neck. Already, his erection was hardening again. “I think one of us may have to go to the kitchens after all.”

“Why is that?”

Spinning her around so that she straddled him with her back pressed against his chest. Without saying a word, he reached between her naked legs and felt her wetness.

“Oh,” she breathed. “Yes. I think that might be a good idea.”

They didn’t drift off to sleep until close to dawn.

“Ye look awful,” Jamie snickered the next morning as they rode along the border.

Alec might have looked a bit rough with little sleep, but he was feeling just fine. “Any luck on tracing the owners of the arrows or finding evidence of Cora’s attacker?”

“Or yers?” Stephen pointed out. “Ye are the more likely target since Cora wields no power. Take ye out, and Innes can have the clan.”

It was true that Alec made an easier target. He was out more, and even though he was with his guards, he was more open to an attack from Innes. He had more warriors, resources, and allies. Cora rarely left the keep.