Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

Part of Leo wanted to stride across the room at that tone, at the look in his wife's eyes, and kiss her senselessly.

Instead, he moved toward the bed and perched on the edge of it. "Fine. Speak."

"Well, I've considered your conditions," she said and stepped closer. Leo felt a peculiar warmth beneath his ribs as she surveyed him. "I understand my duty too, as your wife."

At that, Leo saw, more than felt, his fists clench on his knees. Christ above, but this wee, almost holy woman had to be testing him. He nearly asked her to repeat herself.

"I just cannot agree to such foolishness." Agnes drew herself up as Leo's lip curled. "As a compromise, though, I'll set conditions of my own." Before he could speak, she said the last thing he ever expected to hear. "First, we must spend time together every day."

Leo's fists unclenched, and he flattened his palms on the mattress. "What is the point?" he asked, his voice harsh and raspy.

Agnes flinched. "To get to know each other, of course." Her voice became quieter. "And—and you mustn't touch me on days we are fasting. Or at all, unless I explicitly ask that of you." Her voice trembled, but her green eyes sparked with emerald fire. "You asked why—I won't ask a man I don't know, Leo. You want us to stay strangers even though we are wed, and… well, strangers cannot be together like that. "

Leo's blood stirred, and a wicked, soft laugh escaped his lips. "Och, Sassenach. Is that a challenge?"

"No." She frowned, and he grinned, noting the flush creeping up her neck. "This isn't funny."

"Nay, of course nae," Leo said in a voice that sounded like a purr, the beast that he'd kept locked away from this woman for over a week slipping free with ease. He could not stop himself from standing up, slow and deliberate, listening as Agnes's breath quickened. "But there is nay need for ye to ken me when I have so many ways to make ye beg for me touch, wife."

He prowled toward her, and with one finger, he lifted her chin, unable to stop smiling as color flooded her face.

"See?" Leo leaned in. "Sometimes it's far better as strangers."

"Nay, I will not back down," she said and looked away.

For a moment, Leo felt stunned, and intrigued, too. She'd suddenly sounded Scottish to him.

"We will spend at least one hour together every day, Leo."

Leo heaved a sigh, wondering if it might be best to humor the lass for now. "Aye, perhaps."

"Aye, it will be so." Agnes's eyes flashed. "I-I would have asked that we spend more time together, but I know the Laird must be very busy." Leo saw her hands twist into her skirts. "Are there perhaps other folk that I might spend time with? I do not care for being alone."

"Of course, Agnes," Leo said and again fought the urge to stroke her cheek and her dark hair. "Briorn is overrun with our family. Ye willnae have a moment's peace if ye dinnae want it."

"Truly?" Agnes's eyes filled with relief and hope.

Something swelled in Leo's chest. "Truly."

"Do you have siblings, then?" Her face twisted suddenly—bitterness did not suit her. "As apparently, I do?"

"Aye, a younger sister, currently expecting."

"Expecting?" Agnes echoed, perplexed. Leo gave her a meaningful look, and her eyes widened. "Oh. Oh. How exciting." Then her jaw set. "That reminds me. As you well know, I have no idea how marriage works or the business in the bedroom?—"

A warm, almost delirious sensation filled Leo as he fought down laughter— real laughter—and instead fought to remain somber. He had to hear what she'd say next.

"I simply cannot believe we won't kiss, Leo." She sounded almost reproachful, and completely petulant.

"‘Tis for the best," Leo said and stepped back, fighting a roar of desire and laughter.

"But, Leo, we cannot make a baby without kissing."

Her husband gazed at her, the grim edge almost vanishing as his eyes lit up with unholy amusement, and she sensed him fighting a smile if not laughter. It stung a bit, but it was also very lovely.

How she ached to see Leo smile, truly smile, not those half-smirks and quick, cold grins.

And how she longed for a kiss, even a single kiss, from him.

Suddenly, Leo stepped closer, and Agnes bolted across the room before she realized, hovering by the bed. When she turned, she realized he'd followed her, and he stopped a foot away, offering her a lazy smile.

"You want an heir, yes?" she asked.

Leo gave a slow nod and then offered her another lazy smile. "Do the Craeghil crones teach about what happens in the marriage bed?"

"Not as such, but…"

"Hmm, I do wonder how a wee nun kens how bairns are made, then."

Agnes scoffed. "I know that Sister Theresa spoke of kissing, how it comes before making a baby, and we had to be careful, even as novices, of temptation—" She broke off as Leo took a step forward, raising an eyebrow. "Kissing is beautiful, is it not?"

"Again, what would a nun ken of kissing?"

"It's not a secret, and we have to talk about sin, and…" she trailed off as a smile tugged at Leo's lips. She straightened up, realizing he was teasing her. "Never mind."

"Nae, lass, I cannae do that," he said in a low, warm voice. One that made her think of the gold silk that had warmed her skin during the wedding.

She took a step back, but her back hit the wall. There was a burst of pain, but she could not focus on it when Leo was there. When he followed her.

Suddenly, a big hand cradled her face, his thumb pressing on her lower lip. Agnes gasped as her entire body thrummed with sensation. Heat spiraled down her belly, and she pressed her legs together. Her breasts felt heavy, and it all felt so, so good.

"Ye want me to kiss ye, is that it?" He leaned in, and she pulled in a sharp breath. "If I were to kiss ye now, ye wouldnae deny me?"

His tone was mocking, infuriatingly so, and Agnes's fists clenched, pressing against the wall. But his hand was gentle, and the look in his eyes…

It made her blush, and she shook her head.

Leo leaned closer, and her heart began to pound. "Why, Agnes? Because it's yer duty, and ye are a good, little wife?" His hand left her face to press against the wall. "Hmm?"

"No," Agnes whispered. "I don't know anything about how to be a wife."

A lazy, beguiling smirk crossed Leo's face, and his eyes gleamed like hot, heavy summer storms. She suddenly remembered how everyone called him a beast, and she flattened her hands against the wall, wondering if she was about to be devoured.

"I said I would teach ye, did I nae?" Leo murmured as he leaned in, brushing his lips over her jaw, then moving to her ear. "Seems it's me duty as yer husband. And tonight…" She shivered as he pressed closer. "Well, tonight ye will learn I dinnae need to kiss ye to seduce ye, Sassenach."

With that, he spun her around and pulled her flush against him. She trembled all over, nearly gasping for air, and then let out a whimper as he laughed against her neck.

"I can simply ask ye to open yer legs for me," Leo whispered, his lips now at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. "And ye will, Agnes." He paused. "I think ye might be as curious as I am."

She pulled in a sharp breath as something hard pressed against her lower back, and then Leo slid a hand down her side before he grabbed a handful of her skirts. His other hand was splayed over her shoulder, his long fingers teasing the base of her throat.

"Ye like that, do ye nae?" Leo asked as he nipped her ear, causing her to gasp and press against him. "Answer me, Agnes."

"Yes, yes," she said in a breathless voice. "Please don't stop."

"Open yer legs," he said and pulled her skirts higher. "And hold up yer dress."

Agnes, overcome by the delicious ache between her legs, the way her body was so awake and the way she felt so alive, did exactly as Leo commanded.

"Good, little wife," he said, and she flushed with pleasure.

Agnes's hands tightened on her skirts, and her eyes fluttered shut, only to snap open when Leo grabbed her skirts with a rough laugh and pulled them up, revealing her stockings, garters, and underclothes.

"This too," he said, pulling up her chemise to join the rest of her skirts at her waist. She stiffened, then hastened to take it.

Her breaths were coming too quickly, her anxiety suddenly outweighing her anticipation and eagerness. Was this not her one chance to convince Leo to consider a marriage without his foolish conditions? But at that moment, she realized how unsure she was—she'd been a novice until three days ago. More ignorant than her sheltered sister.

Perhaps now Leo wishes he'd wed my sister and not me.

"Where've ye gone?" Leo murmured in her ear. "Come back to me, lass." He made a sound in the back of his throat that sent a shiver down her spine, even though she did not move. "Ach, this willnae do. Lean back against me."

"But—"

His hands pressed against her, a gentle firmness that belied his strength, and then her back was flush to his front. Solid muscles surrounded her, and she felt safe, tipping her face up, her cheek pressed against his chest. He glanced down, and something in his eyes flared. She almost thought his head dipped, but then a smirk curved his lips.

"How wet are ye, wee Sassenach? I do wonder," Leo murmured.

Before Agnes could ask what that meant, big and blunt fingers slipped inside her underclothes, petting her damp center. She let out a sharp, high-pitched sound, much like a cat. Her body arched against Leo, but then he pulled away, causing her to let out a small growl of frustration.

Leo did not respond, but the hand splayed at the base of her neck slid down and tugged down her dress until her stays were revealed. Then, he suddenly snarled against her neck and yanked her stays down further until her ample breasts sprang free.

"The devil take me," he said in a harsh voice, and both his hands seized her breasts, causing her to cry out.

Her head fell back against his shoulder. Leo seemed intent on memorizing her bosom. He squeezed and twisted, no part of her untouched by those rough, callused, wicked hands.

And suddenly Agnes wanted more. So much more. She wanted Leo to rip apart her dress, rather than just hike up her skirts and stroke her breasts. And Leo seemed to know that—seemed to enjoy denying her that, too.

Another time, his wicked touch seemed to say. Another time, I will have all of ye.

A tightness was pulsing between her legs, where Leo had put his hand earlier, and she could feel the slight dampness of his right hand. Then he stroked down, over the rolls of fabric, and finally to her thighs.

His touch became softer here, his fingers trailing over her stockings, playing with her garters, teasing her bare skin, and then pulling away. Only to then slip back and grab a handful of her bum with a satisfied grunt.

"Aye, I was right about yer pretty rump," he murmured with a diabolical chuckle.

Then he slid his hand back around, stroking his fingers up and down her thigh, then doing the same to the inside of her thigh, sliding ever higher…

"L-Leo," Agnes choked out, pressing against him, and he huffed out a laugh.

Suddenly, his left hand was at her throat again, tipping her face up, and his right hand cupped her center, teasing her over the fabric of her underclothes until she thought she might lose her mind.

"Oh, please ."

"There ye are," Leo murmured. Agnes nodded, all her foolish fears gone. "D'ye want more?"

"I want everything," she whispered.

Leo stilled and then snarled against her neck, even though she could hear the fierce delight in his voice as he said, "Careful what ye ask of me, wife."

"I… Oh, oh. " She swallowed hard as he stroked her warmth. "Will you—will you tell me what this is?"

"Hmm?" Leo asked, sounding distracted.

His fingers were on her bare skin, and the heat twisting inside of her was almost intolerable, yet it was so good. She'd never wanted more of something before, never been so greedy. A hunger that felt so, so right. Yet, she also sensed a growing impatience for more—for everything .

Could it ever be sated?

"What are you doing?" Agnes twisted her head back and forth while Leo made a masculine sound that made her toes curl in her boots. "What is happening?"

Leo curled a possessive hand around her center and lightly tapped his fingers against her, causing her to jolt. For a moment, she thought he wouldn't answer, but then he growled, " Pleasure ."

Agnes let out a sound she'd never heard herself make, an almost sob mixed with a moan, and writhed against Leo, who suddenly groaned.

"Ach, lass, ye must stop movin'." She stilled with difficulty, and Leo said, "Yer bum is goin' to… Ah, just ken that I will ravish ye as I wanted to at that wee loch."

Agnes twisted to look at him, and he gave her a bemused look, for his hand was still stroking her.

He again huffed out a groan. "Wife."

Too late, Agnes realized she'd been squirming against Leo again and that the bulge in his pants seemed to be hardening. She wasn't sure what that meant, but it had something to do with the joining of a man and woman, yes? His hardness, her softness, her core and his.

"You wanted me then?" she asked in a soft voice.

Leo stared at her for a moment, then pulled in a small breath. "Och, Agnes." He leaned in close enough to kiss her and then gave her a slow, wicked grin as he pressed his thumb against a spot that made her knees wobble. "Ye have nay idea."

Tremors ran through her, and as much as Agnes wanted to keep her eyes open, she was barely able to stand. Leo, though, held her up with ease and began to do delicious, curious, wonderful things with his hand. Stroking and exploring her to wring out every last bit of pleasure, it seemed.

"This was all yers," Leo said into her neck. "This body, these untouched, pretty, little petals." Agnes began to shake. "Now it's mine." His teeth grazed her neck, and she bucked. "Ye are mine."

Agnes could barely think, but she managed to ask, "Are we not meant to share as husband and wife?"

"Nae tonight," Leo said with amusement. "Tonight, I am but a beast, Now, hush, and let me?—"

A cry escaped Agnes, who felt wanton and brazen, unable to stop her body from twisting and turning, frantically searching for something that only Leo seemed able to give her. Yet, he slowed, teasing her, and she wanted to bite him.

"Oh," Agnes gasped and bit back a yelp. "Should I be quiet?"

"Nay, forget what I said earlier," Leo said, and a harsh breath hit her bare shoulder. "Let the whole of England hear ye beg for a Scot to take ye, Sassenach."

A big hand squeezed her breast, and Leo's hand left her center, causing a sob to tear out of her, and she begged him to continue. He traced her center over her underclothes, and only when she was panting, almost insensible with sensation and want, did he touch her again.

Agnes did not know what happened next, not exactly. Heat roared through her, pleasure lighting her up, and all she could feel was Leo surrounding her. Everything inside her seemed to coil, and then she let go, his name echoing through the room. She sagged against him, and he caught her, lifting her into his arms.

He laid her on the bed, where she shuddered, boneless with a satisfaction she'd never felt before. Leo moved around the room and then came back. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"I've drawn ye a bath," he said, his eyes roaming over her. "Shall I…?"

Agnes sat up with a gasp and pulled up her stays. Her eyes darted down as she climbed out of bed and bobbed a small curtsey. "N-no. Thank you."

Fingers caught her chin, and her face was lifted to his. Leo loomed over her, and something gleamed in those silver eyes, something that called to her as much as it made her bristle.

Ye are mine, he'd said, and the small smirk that flitted across his face seemed to imply that he knew she was thinking of it, too.

Then his face darkened. "Now ye ken—and ye willnae question me again."