Bram stepped forward and kneeled down before him.
“I only ask one thing, my Lord. I wish fer yer daughter’s hand in marriage. If she will have me,” Bram asked, more nervous than he had ever felt before.
Knots formed in his stomach and his mouth felt dry. Wringing his hands together he anxiously waited for a reply.
“Will ye marry me, lass,” he asked looking back over to a stunned, wide-eyed Lara.
“Nay,” she whispered.
Bram’s sweet demeanor was quickly replaced by bitter rejection. That was not the response he had expected.
“I want to, but I can no’ marry ye. If I were to marry ye, I would have to leave here. I have just only met my father two days ago and with his illness, I may no’ have much time left wit’ him.”
Bram’s heart ached. He wanted Lara more than anything he had ever wanted.
“Then I guess ye leave me nay choice,” he responded.
Both Eric and Lara looked at him in utter confusion. Lara could feel a lump beginning to form in the back of her throat. She truly wanted to marry Bram, but her heart was pulled in two different directions. Lara felt as if he had just ripped her heart right out of her chest. But she wanted him to have it, to take it with him and know that she would forever and always love him.
“I will just have to stay here, then. But ye will marry me, that is, of course, if I may have yer blessing,” he said turning to Eric, trying to hold back his smile.
“I would be most honored, Bram MacKinnon, to call you my son,” Eric replied.
Lara leaped towards Bram and jumped into his arms. Bram lifted her up and swung her around, as Eric laughed at their youthful affectionate display.
Chapter 25
In a private ceremony, Lara and Bram exchanged vows. Bram did not want a wedding with many guests he did not know. Plus, it did not feel right without his brother or mother being there. He rather preferred the quiet intimacy of a small wedding with only those who needed to be there present, though he did consent to the Queen and King joining them in their celebration. Bram found it hard to say no to her, which was something he promised himself he would work on. He most certainly couldn’t have a lass ordering him around as though he were a lovesick puppy, obeying her every command.
As the priest announced them man and wife, Bram kissed her quickly, eager to take his new bride to their bedchamber. He did not want to wait any longer. Disappointment shot threw him like a kick to the groin, as Queen Isobel announced she had planned a celebratory meal. On the table within the great hall were platters full of roasted lamb and venison.
King Eric made a toast. “May the light find you in your darkest hours, may your home be filled with love and laughter, and may your life be full of many sweet babes. Let us eat and rejoice at this delightful celebration.”
The four of them raised their mugs and drank their bittersweet wine. As quickly as he could, Bram cleared his plate. Having a quick bite would only help increase his stamina. He knew that he was going to need all of the energy he had this night, for he planned on taking his wife more than once before the night was through.
As they finished their meal, Bram held out his arm to Lara. Excusing their early departure, they walked out of the great hall hand in hand.
“By the saints, if that damn room was no’ three flights up the stairs,” Bram growled as he picked Lara up in his arms and ran up the stairs two steps at a time. He did not want to wait another minute.
Bram carried Lara over the threshold and into their bedchamber. Tonight, he would show her pleasures she never thought possible, and he couldn’t get her into the room fast enough. His body ached with need, and though he did not know how long this night would last, he would take his time with her, to kiss and explore every inch of her soft creamy body.
As they entered the room, Bram closed the door behind him and set her down gently onto the floor. Forcefully, he pushed her up against the back of the door. Pressing his body against hers, he lowered his head and caught her lips. As he swept his tongue inside her mouth, Lara moaned.
Dropping to one bent knee, Bram slid he hands down her sides, around her hips and the full length of her legs. The fingers of one hand crawled up her leg under her skirt. He could hear the sound of Lara’s breath increase as his hand glided further north. With one hand firmly pressing on the back of her rump, he moved the other to the crevice between her legs. His fingers pushed past the apex of her thighs and slid one finger inside of her velvety wet skin.
Lara almost yelled aloud, but Bram hushed her, reminding her of the servants, and their propensity for eavesdropping. As he touched her most private parts, sparks of light flashed before her eyes and tiny vibrations sent tremors throughout her body. Wobbling at the knees, she felt as if she could barely have stood in one place had it not been for Bram’s hand holding her backside steady. As he fondled her down below, her hips involuntarily rocked, increasing his momentum.
As her body reached the height of her climax, she started to pant. Suddenly, a burst of pleasure exploded inside of her, causing her to body to quiver. Bram slid his hand back down her leg and fixed the bottom of her skirt so it draped down as it should. Standing up, he once again kissed her before lifting her into his arms.
“That was…” Lara said, still trying to catch her breath.
“Aye. And that was only the beginning,” he replied, nuzzling his nose in her hair along her neck. “Lara, I ne’er want to lose ye,” he whispered, kissing the side of her mouth, down her cheek, and trailing even further down, stopping at the base of her neck. “I want ye, always,” he said as he continued devouring her neck like a hungry wolf.
Lara took small shuffling steps backwards leading Bram towards the bed. As she gently sat on the edge, she reached up and grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him down to kiss her. Softly, she bit his bottom lip as her hands rubbed down his hard chest, stopping just above his belt line.
Scooting herself higher up the bed, she lay down, waiting for Bram to join her. With a roguish smile, he walked to the far end of the bed. With a tender touch he slipped off her slippers one at a time, and began rubbing the soles of her feet. Massaging his rough hand down the sides of her smooth legs, he caressed her left calf, kissing from her ankle to the top of her knee. Pulling his tunic over his head, he dropped it to the floor, followed by his boots and kilt.
Climbing up onto the bed, he eased himself between her thighs and hovered over her. Looking into her silvery eyes, he knew he was looking into the face of his future. With heavy breaths, his lips captured hers. Thrusting his hands onto her body, he caressed her breasts with a feverish need to touch them. Wanting to feel her skin pressed up against his own, he playfully pulled the laces of her dress loosening the top. Pulling the fabric down exposing her breasts, he teased her small buds with the tip of his nose. He growled deeply in the back of his throat when he heard a trembling sigh escape Lara’s lips.
Murmuring against her lips, he whispered, “Lass, ye can make a man die just from wantin’ ye.”
Lara smiled at his remark but there was more truth behind what he said than she could imagine. With heat searing through his veins and his manhood pulsating against her velvety skin he could very well have completed the task before they even began the coupling. Licking and tasting her sweet skin enticed him. His hands moved about her body as if they had a mind of their own, though Lara did not once complain. In fact, he believed she rather enjoyed the sweet caresses.
Hearing his seductive voice made Lara more eager for his hands to be on her body. Raising her arms, she waited as Bram lifted the dress from her. The soft fabric tickled her skin as he gently removed her gown and tossed it on the floor.