THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

scowled in confusion. “I’m going to see yer stars, Duncan, or ken the reason why. So roll me over...” Thinking it must be the wine, she hummed, “ In the clover, kiss me hard, and do it again .”
    Duncan did as Beth bid, much to his own surprise, and she didn’t cry out as he did it, much to his relief.
    He brushed a lock from her face and brushed a kiss across her forehead. “Ye are a wonder, lass.”
    “No, just a woman who likes to be kissed.”
    And so he obliged.
    Thinking he best get to where he need be before matters got rock hard again, he lifted her right leg and draped it over his hip. He deepened his kiss as his hand pushed her buttocks. She sighed as she eased down on him fully.
    “Oh, lass.” She felt so tight, warm. It took all of his willpower not to start thrusting. He didn’t dare breath. “Are ye comfy?”
    She wiggled a little, as if testing a chair seat for size, making him groan. “Easy, lass. ‘Tis too soon for ye to be riding such."
      To his utter surprise she brought his hand to her breast and whispered into his mouth, “Then you better get me ready, husband.”
     
     
     
    Chapter 13
     
    Beth awoke feeling warm, fuzzy, thoroughly loved, and more than a little sore. My oh my .
    Spooned against him, she craned her neck to study the man who’d shown her the stars. Who would have thought just a month ago that she, “plain-as-pudding-Pudding”, would have such a lover? Or rather husband . Certainly not she. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of in unguarded moments, a gentle, decidedly handsome man who touched her with reverence, who whispered endearments, and brushed away her fears with his kisses.
    Her pulse escalated as she watched him sleep in the faint morning light. She studied the slow steady movements of his chest, the way the air fluttered his lower lip occasionally, and marveled at the rapid eye movement behind his heavily fringed lids. What was he dreaming about? She loved the way his shoulder-length hair waved down the sides of his face and curled up on the ends, and really loved the softness of the fine dark hair that made a dark wedge across his heavily muscled chest and abdomen. Tears welled in her eyes as she memorized the rugged plains of his face.
    Thank you, God. He’s the loveliest thing I’ve ever beheld. And he was hers. She still couldn’t believe it.
    In the wee hours of the night, after their need for each other had been satiated, she’d told him the rest of her story. He’d held her and clucked and stroked her back and told her not to fash—-worry. He would take care of everything. No one had ever said that to her before.
    She glanced toward the covered windows on her left and saw pink daylight peeping around the mustard-brown wool. Before he woke she needed to attend to one or two of life’s little duties. Privately.
    Naked, she reached for the chamber pot, did her business, and then poured cold water from the ewer into the pitcher’s matching bowl. She glanced at her container of crushed seaweed and oats and then picked up the fine sliver of Rachael’s soap. She’d rot in hell before she’d use her seaweed concoction after suffering through Duncan’s last reaction—at least, while he was still within a hundred miles of the solar. “Humph.”
      She ran a hand over her legs. Stubble. Her underarms were in similar condition. If she and Duncan were going to ‘tup’ on a regular basis she’d best get adept at using the blade. She sighed resignedly and took it out of the closet. What used to take three minutes with a safety razor now took close to a half-hour.
      Hearing water splash, Duncan slowly stretched. For the first time in his adult life his body and mind felt completely relaxed. He yawned and picked up the scent of their joining. He smiled. What a night. Given their shaky beginning, a miracle had occurred.
    Had anyone had told him a virgin could—-would—-enjoy kissing, exploring, and out right fornicating as his bride had, he would have called them a liar.
    And she did see the stars. Oh, aye, she’d made that verra clear, quite loudly, in fact. She’d even called out to God! Amazing. Truly amazing.
    What was more, she’d understood when he’d pulled away before spilling his seed. In the wee hours he’d asked if she wanted children and she’d assured him she did, not now, but eventually. That immediately put his mind at ease.
    And he liked her. Verra much. He would enjoy giving her a child if he learned her