“Be careful,” she whispered, still gasping and giggling. “It’s so dark. It would be a shame if you—­”

Thunk.

He bashed his head against the overhanging part of the bedframe.

He cursed. Together they tumbled to the mattress. Maddie scrambled to assess his wounds.

She pushed the hair back from his brow, skimming her fingertips over his temple and crown. “Are you all right? Are you bleeding? Do we need to stop?”

He didn’t answer right away.

She caressed his scalp again. “Logan?”

“I’m fine, mo chridhe. I’d have bashed my head like that days ago if I knew you’d touch me like this.” He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing first the backs of her fingers.

Then her palm.

Then that sensitive bracelet of flesh at her wrist.

And from that moment on, everything between them was a little less frantic and a great deal more tender. As he moved above her, rolling the stockings down her legs and helping her free of her gown, she felt treasured. Precious.

Loved.

Once she was bared, he laid her flat on the bed and began to caress her everywhere. His palms swept over her breasts, her legs, her hips, her belly.

Her own fingers itched for their turn.

She wanted to touch him.

In all their previous encounters, Logan had been very much in control. He’d decided when and where to touch her. Or even when and where she should touch herself. This time, Maddie was determined to be an equal participant. Even if she felt timid or unsure, she wouldn’t allow herself to be deterred. Not if she knew what she wanted, and she did.

She went straight for the kilt.

He helped her with the fastenings in front, and then the heavy pleats of plaid fell slack. Pushing the fabric aside, she reached eagerly for the man beneath.

And she didn’t have to search long to find him.

His erection all but sprang into her hand, filling her grip with hard, heated flesh. She stroked up and down his length the way she’d watched him stroke himself that night, and he groaned with helpless pleasure. His skin was softer than she’d imagined it could be. Like ridged velvet. She circled her thumb around the broad, smooth crown, then stretched her fingertips to explore the thick root of his cock and the vulnerable sac beneath.

She was just beginning to enjoy herself, when Logan pulled her hand away.

“That’ll have to be enough for now, mo chridhe. Or this will be over before it starts.”

“But—­”

“Later.” He caught her hands in his and pushed back, pinning her arms against the mattress on either side of her head. “I canna risk unmanning myself. I’ve waited too long for this.” He lavished kisses along her neck. “Days. Weeks. Years.”

Holding her arms pinned to the mattress, he licked and kissed his way down the center of her body. When he reached her navel, he paused.

“I mean to taste you, mo chridhe. Try not to kick me in the head this time.”

Despite the warning, her hips still bucked when he laid his tongue to her most intimate place.

Oh, he was good.

Verra . . . verra . . . verra good. Within moments, he had her writhing beneath him. He explored every fold and hollow with his tongue, circling her bud before sliding down to dip his tongue inside her.

“Logan, please. I’m too close to—­”

He showed no signs of stopping. Or even acknowledging her pleas. To the contrary, he redoubled his efforts, nuzzling and licking her to a fierce, sudden climax.

“That’s unfair,” she pouted between labored breaths. “You wouldn’t even let me touch you.”

He released her arms and sat back on his haunches.

“It’s better this way. The joining will go easier for you if you’ve already found your peak.” He caressed her cheek. “I’ve no wish to hurt you.”

As he settled himself between her thighs, she slid her hands up his bare arms, enjoying the contours of his strength.

“Ready?” he asked, positioning himself on his elbows.

“Yes.”

Yes.

When he pushed inside her, it did hurt. Maddie had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. He nudged deeper in patient strokes, and she felt her body slowly stretching to accommodate his.

When at last he was fully seated within her, he remained motionless for a long moment. Just holding her, as she held him. Her body began to relax.

“Are you well?” he asked.

She nodded.

He carefully withdrew a fraction, then pushed back in, reaching a new depth within her. They both groaned.