She lay very still and watched her brawny Highlander remove his belt, shoes, stockings, and shirt, and at long last, away fell his kilt. Never in her life would she grow tired of gazing upon his naked form. He was hard and sleek and desirable beyond anything she’d ever imagined.

Nestling into the crisp linen pillows on the pirate bed, Divana raised her arms to him. It didn’t matter where they were, only that they were together, pledging their love for the rest of their days. “This time I want your seed to spill inside me.”

As he kneeled over her, a low chuckle rumbled from his throat. “’Tis the only way to seal the bond.” He urged her to roll to her side. “But first we need to rid you of this hideous gown.”

“’Tis nicer than the rags I wore on Hyskeir.”

Unraveling the laces, he nibbled her neck, making gooseflesh rise across her skin. “I’ll buy you gowns of silk in every color you desire.”

He pulled the bodice away and tsked his tongue. “Stays as well?” he asked, sounding disappointed.

“What did ye expect? Aren’t all lassies supposed to wear stays? That’s what Mistress Barton says.”

“Does she now?” Deftly, he unlaced and cast them to the floor. “Not to worry, mo leannan. Taking a wife should never be done in haste.”

By the time he’d finished removing every last stitch of clothing, pausing between each garment to kiss and caress the multitude of sensitive places on Divana’s body, her flesh was steaming and tingling with want. Eager to have him beside her, she patted the mattress. “Are ye certain ye do not want to be just a wee bit hasty?”

Kennan joined her and smoothed his fingertips around her nipple. “Och aye, I want you to soar among the stars.” He slid the pad of his thumb down the center of her body, stopping when he reached the patch of red curls. “Shall I go further?”

Her tongue tapped her top lip as Divana nodded. “Ye ken I want ye to.”

His eyes grew dark as his finger skimmed the sensitive button and swirled into her moisture. It took but a few strokes to make her breathing ragged. Down and up, down and up, he teased with each stroke of his finger.

“Open,” he growled, encircling the tiny nub that always drove her mad.

She thrust her body toward him, her need already ravenous. “But—”

He pushed inside her, making slow, leisurely, torturous circles. “Wheesht.”

Needing more, Divana moved in tandem with his devilish strokes. “I need ye now.”

“Soon.”

His thumb brushed her while his finger continued to work inside, each swirl making the pleasure coil inside her, tighter and tighter. Her heart raced as her desire ratcheted higher.

Grasping his muscular shoulders, she bore down and tugged him over her. “Och, I said now, Kennan!”

“Now?” he asked, laughter shining in his eyes.