“It’s been years, Saoirse. Even before ma time away from here.”
She nodded, and he sensed his answer reassured her. He wished they were alone, so he could hold her and remind her he wanted no one but her.
“Saoirse is right, though. Poison is a woman’s choice most of the time. Siùsan needs to learn which of the servants has been near yer food and toiletries.” Liam kissed Saoirse’s cheek before embracing Magnus. “I’m glad to see ye hale. Ye gave me an awful fright. I shall skelp ye if ye do it again.”
Magnus and Saoirse watched Liam leave the garden without them. They were alone for the first time since their tryst behind a storage building. Magnus cupped her face and gazed into her brown eyes. It was the one trait she inherited from Alex. Her hands rested at his waist.
“I’ve missed ye, wee one.”
“Ye were asleep.”
“And I dreamed of ye the entire time. Too many of them involved a gust of wind sweeping ye away from me. It made me want to hold on all the tighter. Thank ye for taking care of me.”
“Always.” Saoirse lifted her chin. His lips brushed against hers before she opened to him. The moment their tongues collided, passion exploded. Magnus guided her into a dark corner of the garden and pressed her against the wall.
“I wish to have ye as ma first meal.” Magnus whispered, his warm breath spiking her arousal. He trailed his lips along her neck and down to the crook of her shoulder. He kissed along her collarbone until he came back up her throat and found her lips once more. Saoirse could taste his hunger as it fueled hers. He gathered her skirts in the back as he slid his muscular thigh between hers. Instinct told her to move against it.
The feeling of his solid leg against her pearl set her ablaze. It was her turn to smatter kisses along his neck and jaw. When his finger slipped along the seam of her netherlips, she fisted his leine and tugged him closer. Their bodies were already pressed together, unable to get any closer with clothes as a barrier. Between his finger working her entrance and his leg against her mons, she stood no chance at keeping her ecstasy at bay. She didn’t want to, and from how Magnus encouraged her to move, she didn’t think he wanted her to cease.
“Magnus, I want more.”
“Ye shall have it,mo ghaol.” Both froze when he called her “my love.” Saoirse eased back as her whisky-hued orbs met his hazel ones. “I mean it, Saoirse.”
“How can ye be sure so soon?”
“Because even in ma delirium, I kenned when ye were near. It was the only time I felt at peace. I enjoy every minute we share, and ma admiration grows by the day. I love what I’ve learned aboot ye and the time we’ve spent together. I love watching ye with the people in yer clan and kenning ye’ll bring strength and kindness to mine. I love the feel of ye in ma arms, and there is nay where I want to be but in yers. I long to find ye at the end of each day and hear what ye did, share stories from mine. I want to make a family with ye and grow auld with ye. Mayhap it is because I’m aulder than ye. Mayhap it’s because of ma failed betrothal. Mayhap it’s God's guidance. I dinna have an answer other than I ken I love ye.”
“I love ye, Magnus. Everything ye said is how I would describe ma feelings for ye. All I wanted was to turn to ye and have ye promise all would be right again, but ye couldnae console me while I feared losing ye. We ken more aboot each other than most couples do when they wed. But mayhap it isnae truly that soon. I’ve kenned ye ma whole life. I ken the person ye are and always have been. I appreciate it differently now.”
“We arenae strangers, Saoirse. Ye arenae the young lass I once knew, but yer spirit is still the same. Now ye’re the woman I wish to marry.”
“I talked to Mama and Da earlier. They’ve agreed to give us their blessing.”
“They have?” Magnus recalled what Alex said before leaving his chamber.
“Aye.” Saoirse grinned at the wonderment that filled Magnus’s eyes. Their kiss drew out, neither in a hurry to end this poignant moment. She moved against his leg as her fingers tunneled into his hair, and her other hand cupped the side of his neck. He leaned forward and nibbled on her earlobe.
As her core tightened, she recognized the sensation. He sensed her eagerness and guided her to move faster. His hand slid over her hip and thigh until his thumb found her button. His fingers bit into her hip, controlling her speed as he rubbed tantalizingly slow circles until he sensed she was on the verge of frustration. Then he gave her what she sought. Her moan was more of a whisper, but it made his cock pulse beneath his plaid. Before he knew what she was about, Saoirse’s hand dove beneath his plaid and wrapped around his length.
“Tell me what to do, Magnus.”
“Stroke.” His voice cracked mid-word. His forehead rested against her shoulder, no longer able to focus on anything but the feel of her hand working his engorged cock. If he weren’t so engulfed by his pounding emotions, it might have embarrassed him that she only had to stroke him five times before he erupted. He shuddered as Saoirse tilted her head and snagged his mouth in a passionate kiss that ended in affection. Once they settled their clothes, they walked out of the garden with Magnus’s arm around her waist. As far as Saoirse was concerned, they were as good as betrothed. From how he smiled, she knew he felt the same.
“Saoirse, I want to speak to yer parents tonight. I dinna want to wait in case—”
“Dinna ye dare tempt fate, Magnus. We can find them now. It’s almost time for the evening meal.”
“Saoirse, nay matter what, I love ye. I willna walk away if they turn me down.”
“If ye go anywhere, I’m coming along. I love ye.”
CHAPTER12
Saoirse spotted her parents first. They stood near the barracks talking, but Alex turned to go up the wall walk.
“Da!” Saoirse hurried, and Magnus’s long legs easily carried him at her speed. Alex turned back and came to stand beside Brighde.
“I’m happy to see ye recovered, Óg. Ye worried all of us.” Brighde stepped forward and offered Magnus a warm embrace. It was the first one he’d received since he arrived, which was unusual, since Brighde had always been much like an older sister.
