Chapter Twenty

Three weeks later, after the fastest wedding planning that Alexander had ever seen, Clarissa stood before him, now his wife. The ceremony took place at Inveraray Castle with all of their families and friends in attendance. Though Christopher did not make an appearance.

"So, Your Grace," Clarissa drawled as she sidled up to him. "The guests have left or are tucked away in their rooms." She bit her lips suggestively as she swayed from side to side. "Whatever shall we do now?"

His cock strained against his breeches.

"I told ye no' to call me that." He nipped at her lips, and she giggled as he captured her in his arms.

"Aye. I remember." She kissed his lips. "But I love how ye react when I do."

Growling, he swept her into a kiss, picking her up and moving to the bed.

"Put me down!" She swatted at this chest with a giggle.

Immediately, he acquiesced. "Sorry, lass. I didna mean to frighten ye."

She rolled her eyes. "Dinna be daft." She turned and gave him her back. "I need ye to unbutton my gown," she said over her shoulder.

"Ye dinna need to tell me twice, lass." His fingers deftly worked the buttons. Goose pimples broke out on her skin as he eased the ivory satin off her shoulders and let the material pool around her feet on the floor. Dropping to his knees, he clasped her left ankle and lifted it, slipping her low-heeled shoe off and then repeating the gesture on the right. She used his shoulders to keep her balance and he savored the way her fingers dug into his skin.

He couldn't wait to feel her nails score his back as he worshipped her body. Her skin was soft under his lips as he kissed his way up her inner leg. He smiled at her sharp intake of breath. Purposely, as hard as it was, and as much as his body wanted him to, he ignored the juncture of her thighs and continued kissing his way back up her body, dragging her chemise with him as he went, before pulling it over her head and letting it fall to the floor.

A hiss escaped his lips at the epitome of perfection standing naked before him. "Ye are beautiful, lass."

Her cheeks flushed pink as her teeth worried her lower lip and she looked at him through her long lashes.

"I am a blessed man to be able to call ye my wife."

She looped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him. "I feel I am the one blessed." She kissed his neck, sending a shiver straight to his cock and he groaned. "I get ye as my husband." She kissed him again. "Nicholas no longer wants to wring your neck, which is a positive thing," she giggled against his neck. "Make me your wife in every possible way, Your Grace," she purred, lying onto the bed.

He feasted his eyes on the delectable minx before him and made quick work of his clothes. Pride burst through him as her eyes settled on his manhood and widened.

His body covering hers, the heat between them rivaled the rays of the sun on the warmest day. Clarissa sighed, her hardened nipples pressing into his chest. Taking her breasts into his hands, he massaged the soft globes that fit perfectly into his palms. He suckled on a stiff peak, drawing it into his mouth.

Arching off the bed, she pushed her breast further into his mouth and savored it as if it was his last meal on earth. He moved to the other breast and lavished it with the same attention.

Her chest heaved. "Ye like that?" he asked wickedly, already knowing her answer.

"Och, aye," she sighed. "Verra much."

With a raised brow he watched her face's reaction as he kissed his way down the valley between her breasts, lower, placing kisses on her ribs before continuing even lower. He paused at her navel, darting his tongue out and she gasped.

When he settled himself between her thighs, her sex so close he could smell the sweet scent of her, he couldn't wait to taste her. With a flick of his tongue, he touched the sensitive nub and she nearly jumped off the bed.

Chuckling against her, he put an arm across her stomach to keep her still. Dragging his tongue along her soft folds, he savored her essence. Her hips bucked with such force as he continued licking, he had to add more pressure with his arm. Incomprehensible sounds escaped from her throat. When he pushed in a finger, working it in and out, she writhed, her heels digging into the mattress. He added another finger, readying her to take him.

His cock was painfully hard, and all Alexander could think about was burying himself deep within her. But he couldn't rush her. He wanted to make this as pleasurable for her as possible. So, he took his time. Her body clamped down on his fingers, and her legs began to stiffen. He sucked her sensitive nub into his mouth and rolled his tongue around it.

With a scream, she cried out. He kept stroking his fingers in and out until her legs loosened and her chest heaved.

Moving up her body, he brought his mouth down to hers and kissed her deeply. Knowing that she could taste herself on his tongue made him harder than he thought possible. Positioned at her opening, he pushed slightly.

Wide eyes bore into his and she gasped.

"I'm sorry, love. This will hurt, but only for a moment."

She nodded, her fingers twirling strands of hair at his neck. "I ken. But I am ready."

"Are ye certain?"

"Aye."

He brought his hand down between them and his thumb found her sensitive spot and he rubbed lazy circles, kissing her neck, her breasts, until her body flared to life beneath him. Just as she was about to tumble over the edge once again, he pushed forward, breaking the barrier and quickly stilled at her sharp intake of breath.

Capturing her lips in a deep kiss, he attempted to take her mind off the pain, and waited for her to be ready to continue.

His body wanted to forge ahead. She was so tight and soft around his cock. The wait was torturous.

She shifted her hips, and he broke the kiss. Tears were in the corner of her eyes, and he kissed them away.

"I wish I could have taken that pain in your place, lass. Are ye well?"

Moving her hips again, she tested her feelings, and nodded. "Make me your wife, Your Grace."

He growled and nipped at her neck, withdrawing his cock before pushing slowly back in. They found their rhythm and soon he was lost in her body. His hips worked of their own accord. He took her bent leg and wrapped it around his waist. She yelped at the sensations the new position offered.

He felt his own body tighten, knew he was getting close. He pumped his hips harder. Clarissa met each thrust, her nails scoring his back sent him over the edge. With a growl, he emptied his seed into her. One final thrust and he collapsed onto the bed beside her, pulling her on top of him.

With strong fingers, he swept her hair out of her flushed face. "Ye are amazing." He kissed the tip of her nose and she giggled.

"Thank ye for being so gentle."

"I fear I wasna as gentle as I could have been towards the end," he confessed.

"Ye were perfect. I liked it verra much."

"Did ye?"

"Aye," she smiled, a wicked glint gleaming in her eyes. "When can we do that again?"

He barked out a laugh, making her bounce on top of him. "In due time, lass. I need a few moments first."

The rest of the night was spent keeping his promise.

*

In the morning,Clarissa awoke sore, but sated as she had never been. Alexander had proven to be a gentle and caring lover. Instructional as well. She had learned things she couldn't have imagined. And she wanted to do it all over again.

Alexander slept soundly beside her, and she watched him as his chest rose and fell with each breath. She took the time to admire his strong body. His broad shoulders and expansive chest, with just a sprinkling of hair. The muscles of his stomach showed that he remained active and took care of himself. The vee of his hips had her blushing.

She wanted to trail her fingers down the dusting of hair that led from his navel, and lower.

"Ye look ready to feast as if ye've been starving," Alexander said, his voice low, and she met his eyes. "Come here." He pulled her on top of him and lifted his hips.

His hardness poked her belly and wetness pooled between her thighs.

"Straddle me, love."

She looked at him questioningly, unsure what he meant.

Helping her to maneuver her legs to each side of him, she felt his cock at her opening and sank down onto it, filling her to the hilt. She sighed as pleasure washed over her.

"Now lift and drop back down," he instructed through his clenched jaw.

The movement felt awkward at first, but once she found her rhythm, the feeling was amazing. Wickedly delightful. And seeing the emotions play on Alexander's face, knowing she had the power to elicit such reactions from him gave her a sense of power she was unaware she had.

He sat up, sucking a taut nipple into his mouth as he began to pump his hips up. Her stomach tightened; the feeling now familiar, she savored it. Ready to ride the wave as it consumed her. With a cry, she called his name and when she tumbled over the edge into oblivion, Alexander followed.

"I love ye, lass," he said when she collapsed onto his heaving chest.

She smiled, kissing the soft hairs, reveling in his soft gasps.

Everything she dared dream had come true. Happiness enveloped her. She couldn't wait to see what their future held.