Chapter 15
Reid woke from a deepsleep, better than any he could remember. His limbs felt heavy, his mind free of the constant worries that normally plagued him, replaced instead by contentment. Blinking, he turned his head to look at the source of this new sense of wonder.
Abi slept curled next to him, her head resting on his chest. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, trying to drink in every detail of her: her smell, the feel of her hair against his chin, the rise and fall of her chest, the soft hiss of her breath as she breathed, the smooth, pale skin of her naked body.
Desire stirred in him. He wanted to take her again. He wanted to hear her crying his name as she’d done so many times last night. The sound of it sent him wild, turned him into a mindless beast that could think of nothing else but claiming her, making her his.
Mine, he thought with a sense of wonder.She’s mine.
She shifted, rubbed her nose, and then blinked her eyes blearily open.
“Good morning, my lady.”
She smiled. “Good morning, my lord. Sleep well?”
“Better than I can remember.”
“Me too.”
There was a knock on the door and Thomas’s voice called, “I’ve brought ye up some hot water for washing, my lady.”
“Just leave it outside,” Reid called, making his voice as stern as he could.
There was silence from outside the door. Then Thomas said in an awkward voice, “I...um...apologies, my lord. I didnae realize ye were in there. I’ll...um...leave it here then.” The lad’s footsteps retreated down the corridor.
Abi mock-punched Reid on the shoulder. “You did that on purpose! Now Thomas won’t be able to look me in the face, nor me him!”
Reid grinned. “He’ll get over it.” He leaned forward to kiss her. He reached for Abigail but she slipped away from him with a laugh and climbed to her feet.
“Oh no, you don’t. Come on, Lord Campbell-Muir. You’ve got a hard day’s work ahead.”
Reid lay back and put his hands behind his head. “Must I? I’d rather stay here with ye.”
“Yes, you must.” Abigail grabbed his hands and hauled him to his feet. As she did, he grabbed her around the waist, yanked her against him and kissed her fiercely.
This time she melted against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wanted to walk her back to the bed, lay her down and take her again, but he knew she was right. They both had work to do.
He released her with a sigh and they both dressed. When they were ready, he twined his fingers through hers, pulled the door open, and they walked down the stairs hand in hand.
