THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

brushed his lips against her forehead. He heard her little intake of breath when he drifted lower to kiss her eyelids. When his lips slid over her soft cheeks to hover over her lips, the pressure she applied to his chest eased.
    Ah. Apparently, she didn’t mind being kissed, perhaps was even curious. He’d not argue with that. He’d been staring at her lush, full lips for days wondering how they’d feel.
    He ran his tongue along the crease of her trembling lips then nibbled on her plump lower one. Plain though she be, his lady did have a nicely shaped mouth, full and nearly liquid under his. He licked and she gasped, opening for him.
    Never one to miss an opportunity, he delved into her. Ah. To his delight she tasted of wine and mint, her tongue felt like velvet as it slid slowly against his. He deepened the kiss, languishing in the silken interior of her mouth as her warm feminine scent filled his chest. When he changed angles to plunge deeper still, she moaned. Her velvet growl set his heart racing. He could not remember when that had happened last. Mayhap, never.
    His blood heating, he ran a gentle hand up from her waist to caress the sweet fullness of her breast, only to have her stiffen in his arms. Ah. She did mean slow . No matter. ’Twas all the better for his purposes.
    With any luck the priest hidden behind the wall was already in his cups and half way to sleep. Since noon, Angus had been pouring as much mead as possible down the damn man’s gullet. Hopefully, he’d be out cold when they joined or near enough that he’d not dare naysay their coupling done.
    Duncan refocused on the task at hand—his assault against his bride’s shy nature. Since she’d not pushed his hand from her breast, he gently swirled his thumb along the side of the decidedly firm globe. He could have hoped for more to hold, but what he stroked felt deliciously female and his manhood rose.
    He cradled her to his hips. As his fingers captured her nipple, to stroke it firm, she gasped and he deepened his kiss. To his delight her breath heated, as did her skin. Her hands began inching up his chest to his shoulders, traveled as if by their own accord. When they slid around his neck, fingers burrowing deep into his hair, he groaned into her mouth and slid a hand to her buttocks. Delighted with her unexpected response, with the taste and feel of her, he gently drew her against his throbbing need and slowly backed her toward the bed.
    His height, while a good thing in battle, made aligning inflamed body parts while standing with a woman nigh onto impossible. He needed her on her back, and he needed it now.
    He deepened his kiss before lifting her with his good arm. She mewed into his mouth as he slowly lowered her onto the bed. He settled as best he could—-given her blasted skirt—between her warm thighs. Her tongue caressed his. Ah, yes, this is what a man lives for. A woman not afraid to show pleasure, a woman willing to give as well as receive.
    He cradled her left breast in his palm, his thumb finding joy as it traced the firm nub of her nipple. Would they be pink or a deep caramel, he wondered, sliding his lips along her jaw and settling on her shoulder. He needed to taste her, needed to suckle her nipples like a hungry babe. Needed to rock into her hips, to feel the heat and moisture that hid beneath the layers of fabric keeping him at bay.
    He shifted his weight to his left arm, much to his shoulder’s dismay, and slid his free hand down her leg.
    Her hands suddenly slammed into his chest.
    “No!” She pushed again at his chest. “Duncan, please, we can’t.”
    He blinked. “Huh?” What in God’s name had taken her out of her warm lassitude so suddenly? He rocked up onto his elbows, his hands now on either side of her face. “What’s wrong, lass?” He studied her anxious expression and silently cursed. Had he been moving too quickly? Had he been too rough? What?
    “I...” Her pupils were still dilated with lust as her gaze darted from his face to the door. She nibbled on her lower lip, her breath still hot and fast from their kissing. Nothing made sense to him.
    She swallowed hard. “I...I have my flowers.”
    Her flowers? Nay. This couldna be. He’d have noticed her waddling like a babe with a load in its nappy. At the least, she would have occasionally cradled her belly.
    He inhaled, his nares flaring slightly as he sampled the heated air between his face and hers. Nay, ‘tis nothing here to indicate