The Handfasting Read Free Page A

of her
life without Gavin?  Could she make it to heaven so that she would be reunited
with him?  Losing Gavin would be more than she could bear.
    “It’s alright,
sweetheart,” Gavin said tenderly, understanding the reasons behind her tears. 
He knew exactly why she was crying and there wasn’t a damn thing that he could
do to prevent her tears.
    Emma shook her
head briskly from side to side.  It wasn’t alright.  Gavin was leaving to war,
and that certainly was not alright.
    “Carry on, Jamie,”
she said tersely as she collected herself. 
    “Repeat after me
if ye will,” he said, swallowing hard as he watched Emma struggle to contain
her emotions.
    “Ye are blood of
my blood, and bone of my bone,” Emma said, looking up and speaking directly and
fervently into Gavin’s green eyes.  “I give you my body, that we two might be
one.  I give you my spirit, until our life shall be done.”
    “I love ye, Emma,”
Gavin said softly and lowered his lips to hers.  His lips were warm against her
skin, and Emma savored his sweet touch, hoping that her memories of his kiss,
his gentle touch against her skin would be enough.  They would have to be
enough.
    Gavin broke the
kiss and moved away from Emma so that Jamie could unbind their hands.
    “Jamie, with ye as
our witness, we are handfast from this day.  For a year and a day, Emma
Abernathy, ye are mine,” he said, beaming now.  A soon as his hands were
released, he reached up and wiped away her tears, just as he had been longing
to do. “I intend tae wed ye properly in kirk when I return,” he said, kissing
Emma on the forehead and pulling her into his embrace.  “And Jamie, if I doona
return, ye shall see tae it that Emma moves on.  With God as my witness I
intend tae get back tae ye, woman, but in the event that I canna, ye willna
just lie down and die.”

Chapter Three
     
    Upon entering
Mackinnon keep, Gavin swept Emma into his arms and she let out a surprised
squeal of delight.  He took the stairs up to his chamber two at a time.  Emma giggled
softly against his chest and he couldn’t help but smile.  The sound of Emma
laughing was beautiful to behold.
    “I can’t believe
that it’s proper for us to do this!  What if someone see us?  What if your
mother…”
    “We’re all but
marrit, Emma.  And when have ye ever been concerned with what’s proper?” Gavin
asked, silencing her concerns with a possessive kiss as he opened the door to
his chamber and carried Emma inside.  He slid the deadbolt into place and
turned his attention back to his bride.
    Emma fitted her
hands behind Gavin’s neck and opened her mouth so that he could deepen the
kiss.  His tongue swept into her mouth and pressed deliciously against her own,
and she moaned against him. 
    “Gavin,” she
whispered as pleasure swept over her senses.  Goosebumps broke out on her flesh
and her body thrummed with desire that was ignited further by Gavin’s kiss.
    Continuing his
complete possession of her mouth, Gavin gently slid Emma down the length of his
body and settled her feet on the flagstone floor.  His hand moved to the base of
her neck and he pressed his lips eagerly against hers.  The way that Emma’s
desire matched his own pleased him.  She was bold in her kisses, she hungered
for him.  Her tongue dueled with his, sweet and yet insistent. Her aching need
was evidenced in the way that she kissed him. 
    Gavin broke away
slightly and rested his forehead against Emma’s. 
    “I want ye sae
bad, love,” he whispered, trembling with his need.  His cock was hard and ready
beneath his kilt.  He ached to be inside of her.
    “I want you too,”
Emma said boldly, her eyes smoldering with passion.  Truth be told, she didn’t
know exactly what it was that she wanted, but she knew that whatever it was,
whatever would quell this lovely ache between her thighs, Gavin would give to
her.  “Show me,” she whispered as she bit her lower lip and took Gavin’s