Stealing the Bride by Mary Wine

fabled to raise a woman’s bottom up.” She shrugged. “I never heard of shoes doing such a thing before. I really should finish shaving you now.”
    Hayden was on his feet in a second. He took the dirk from her hand. He turned to look in a mirror and finished removing his whiskers with efficient strokes that cleared his chin and face down to smooth skin. A quick wipe to ensure the soap was gone, and the dirk was left on the table behind him without a backward glance.
    “Show me.” His voice was raspy but edged with hunger.
    She trembled, excitement leaping to life inside her again. This time it was a full blaze that sent need and desire coursing through her. She rubbed the wool of her skirt before pulling it up to display the fronts of the shoes.
    He drew in a stiff breath. But she was equally drawn to his newly shaved face. Her skirt dropped from her grip as she stepped closer to look at him.
    Slipping her hands along his jaw, she smiled at the warm feeling of his skin against her own. It was delicious and intoxicating, and she wanted more of their skin to meet. His hands cupped her hips, drawing her against his body. Her attention was centered on his lips and the prospect of another kiss. She craved it, longing for much more than a single one.
    Hayden’s eyes glittered with anticipation. “Now for that kiss I’ve been wanting.”
    His hand cupped the back of her head, tilting her chin up so that his mouth covered hers. It wasn’t slow or soft. Hayden took her mouth, demanding a hard kiss that she eagerly met. His tongue pushed against the seam of her lips and she parted them, allowing him to thrust deeply into her mouth. Her body shivered as sensation raced down her back, all the way to her toes.
    “Show me the shoes and the stockings.”
    “I shouldn’t.”
    But she was already opening the first button on her doublet. The hunger glittering in his eyes was too much to resist. She wanted to know what he’d look like if she gave him what he demanded. Boldness had invaded her, urging her to discover if the silk corset and chemise pleased him.
    “I shaved for ye, Elspeth, now ye need to give me plenty of smooth skin to kiss.”
    She gasped, her fingers fumbling the next button. Hidden between the folds of her sex, her clitoris began to throb and her mind filled with the idea of him placing a kiss against it.
    She did not fight against the idea. Instead she finished opening her doublet and allowed it to slip down her arms.
    “Holy Christ.”
    The green silk of the corset was visible now. Hayden stared at the abundance of flesh swelling above the edge of the garment.
    “I may never allow ye to dress completely again, lass. I suddenly understand why the sultans of the East keep their concubines inside wearing nothing but silk.”
    He reached out and placed his hands around her waist. He held her still and took another step that closed the space between them. Leaning down, he placed a single kiss against one breast.
    Elspeth couldn’t contain the soft sound that passed her lips. There was too much pleasure spreading out from that touch of lips to contain it. His jaw was smooth but his skin was not as soft as her own. She enjoyed the hardness, reaching up to run her hands along his arms and the ridges of muscle that lay beneath his clothing. His hands tightened around her waist, telling her how much her touch pleased him.
    That bit of knowledge increased her boldness. She found the first button that was still closed on his doublet and pushed it through its hole. Hayden nuzzled her breast before moving to its twin and kissing the eager skin. Elspeth slipped her fingers between the open sides of his doublet, seeking the warm skin hidden from her. She made only the briefest of contacts before he lifted his head.
    “Get rid of yer skirts. Let me see ye in nothing but silk.”
    He began loosening his doublet but his eyes remained focused on her. Nervousness made her fingers slow but heat was rising up inside her, making