If You Ask Me To: A Highland Romance - Book 3

Chapter 2

Two

Taking a deep breath, I run my hands over the skirt of my wedding gown. I purchased it before the accident, and fortunately it still fits me well. Never one to go for the princess or prom look, I had chosen a modest, white ankle-length sheath covered in embroidered lace with a matching long-sleeve shrug. I chose to leave my hair down and unadorned because Ian loves it that way. In my hands is a small bouquet of red, white and yellow roses – red for the consuming love I carry for Ian, white for the sacredness of our union, and yellow because I am eternally binding myself to my best friend.

Following in the footsteps of my sisters and their mates, Ian and I marry privately in our back yard with only a couple of people from my church in attendance.

"Ye're beautiful," Ian tells me as he kneels by my wheelchair, dressed in a traditional wedding kilt. His hair hangs loose, the golden locks brushed back from his face, and I can't resist touching it.

"So beautiful," he repeats, his eyes holding mine.

"So are you."

He smiles and kisses my hand, then we face the bishop. After he speaks to us for a moment and shares a few thoughts on the importance of the step we are taking, we exchange vows, pledging ourselves to one another. As we are pronounced Mr. and Mrs. McLeod, my new husband presses his lips to mine and I push away the intruding doubts and concerns, promising myself I will trust in his love for me, hoping it will be strong enough to overshadow any and all trials that come.

~ ~ ~

Ian keeps his hand in mine as we drive up Ogden Canyon to the Alaskan-themed bed and breakfast inn and I finger our matching wedding bands, taking in the scenery. We are honeymooning at an adults-only inn nestled in the mountains. It is a popular northern Utah getaway for newlyweds and anniversary couples. Ian booked us one of the Alaskan-inspired private cabins for the next four days. Because of the accident, I felt it was best that we stay somewhere close. It would be less difficult, though Ian had firmly disagreed because he loves me and wanted to take me somewhere more exotic. To him, nothing concerning me is ever difficult, but it was what I wanted and he relented. I passed by the place a few times in the past when taking drives through the canyon and had always wondered what it was like. When I mentioned it to Ian, he looked at the photos online, said it was perfect, and decided to book it.

"I love you, lass," he says, squeezing my hand and I smile, resting my head against the seat.

"I love you too."

When we reach the inn, Ian helps me into my wheelchair and pushes me into the lobby where we check in. Afterward, we follow the walkway through the cabins until we come to ours. We are staying in the inn's largest cabin. It is beautiful and unlike any place I have ever stayed. It has a perfect rustic elegance. It is cozy and has a fireplace, as well as a sunken jetted tub right in the middle of the room. Polished wood beams cross the ceiling, matching the molding framing the doors and the other wooden accents. The small kitchen area is tiled, and wooden stools line the bar. Plush carpet covers the floor, giving the room a comfort and warmth that makes it feel like home. A bottle of sparkling cider is chilling in a bucket of ice on the counter next to a tray of cheese and fruit. There is also a basket of sweet treats. Ian had thought of everything.

Ian goes back out for our luggage and I wheel myself over to the large four-poster bed, nervousness slowly filling me, and fear. Not fear of Ian. I could never fear Ian. My fear stems from the fact that I might be damaged from the accident. I have never been sexually intimate with a man before, and when we became engaged, I dreamed of sharing that act with Ian. Now I am afraid it won't be as good as it could be. Part of me is also afraid that over time he will grow tired of living with half a woman and come to regret marrying me. My feelings are not fair to him, I know. I just wish I could shake the doubts that are crowding my mind and heart.

"Here we are," Ian says entering the cabin with the suitcase, a carryon bag, and the large shopping bag of snacks we brought with us. He sets the luggage down next to the leather sofa at the foot of the bed and places the bag on the counter. He comes back to me and smiles. "Shall we get ye out of that chair?" When I nod, he gently lifts me, cradling me against him for a moment before placing me on the sofa. "I'll put our things away, but first, can I get ye anything?"

"No, I'm okay. Thank you."

"In that case, you want ta supervise while I unpack and tell me what goes where?"

I snort and he laughs. He knows my OCD habits well. But in this case I say, "No, wherever you choose is fine."

He takes my bag with my toiletries to the bathroom and unpacks our things, filling the dresser drawers.

"How did I do?" he asks when he's done.

"Perfect," I tell him and chuckle at his wide grin. He is completely adorable. I watch him walk over and open the cider. He take two champagne glasses from the cupboard and fills them.

"Here you go," he says, handing one to me and joining me on the sofa. "To us," he says, lightly touching his glass to mine.

"To us," I softly say. We sip our cider, watching one another, and the yearning in his eyes is unmistakable. His gaze drops to my lips and I am suddenly warm, amazed that he can affect me so with just a look.

Taking my free hand in his, he leans in and presses his lips to mine. His kiss is warm, sweet, and tender, with an all too familiar passion seeping through. Drawing back, he takes the glass from my hand and carries them over to the counter before returning to my side and pulling me into his arms. Looking into my eyes, he murmurs, "I'm achin' for ye, lass. Will ye let me love you?" Then his mouth comes down on mine again and the nervousness and fear flee, his kiss and his touch making everything else fade into nothingness. "Let me love ye, my own," he whispers.

As my arms go around his neck and my body fuses to his, he lifts me and carries me to the bed. And for the next while, the only world I know is the one his love creates for me alone.