“Nay,” he whispered as he pressed a gentle kiss to her flesh. “I willna kill ye, but I will do my best to take ye straight to heaven.” He moved lower, replacing his very talented thumb with his even more talented mouth, kissing and suckling her aching button, while brushing his fingertips across her opening without once dipping inside her.
A scream escaped her as wave after wave of indescribable pleasure bucked her across the blankets. She clutched his head to her mound, groaning as she arched and shuddered through the wondrous release. Lim and panting, she fell back as the last wave of ecstasy washed across her. With one hand on her damp forehead, she fanned herself with the other. “Merciful heavens.”
He made his way back up her body, pecking slow kisses as his chuckle rumbled up between them. “And we didna break yer oath.”
The tiniest bit of guilt poked a sharp elbow into her conscience. “But what about you?”
He rose, stripped off his plaid and hisléine, then stood above her in all his erect glory. The sun glinted across the ridges of his muscular body, making his flesh glow like a finely chiseled statue of an erotic god. “Have ye a wee rest whilst I go for a bit of a swim.”
She bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. He looked so serious and so . . . strained. “I could help you feel better.” She reached for him. “I could help you like you helped me.”
His eyes flared wide and his hardened cock flexed a bit higher as though saluting her. “Nay.” He took a step back. “’Twould not be honorable.”
“Well, that’s not fair.” She rolled to her knees. “It’s fine for you to help me but it’s dishonorable for me to help you?”
“Aye, ’twould not be proper.” He turned and started picking his way down the hillside toward the sea. “I willna hear of it. Have ye a wee rest whilst I swim.”
Smiling at the twin dimples above each cheek of his well-sculpted ass, she straightened her skirts and reached for the skin of wine. Sudden realization hit her square in the heart like a zapping jolt of electricity. Granny and the epic tingle were dead right: There wasn’t a doubt in her mind, heart, or soul that Colum was the one—the man she was to marry.
CHAPTER14
The squirming baby grunted and grumbled until its mouth finally found its fist. Happy slurping sounds soon emerged from the depths of the blanket, spreading a warm sense of contentment throughout the darkened room.
“She’s sucking her fingers again. Do you think she’s hungry?” Kenna cuddled the bundle closer and kissed the child’s downy head. Such a sweet little angel. She breathed in the child’s enticingbaby smelland held it. A deep yearning echoed from her very core like the tolling of a solemn bell. She closed her eyes, knowing what she wanted now. She wantedthis. The perfect plan. Settle down with Colum and set to the delightful task of making their own child.
The suckling sounds grew fainter and the wriggling bundle stilled. The tiny hand slowly relaxed away from the petal pink mouth as little Chloe drifted off to sleep. Kenna brushed a light kiss against the babe’s soft, warm forehead and closed her eyes again. Trulie and Gray were so blessed.
Trulie eased onto the low bench beside Kenna and smiled down at her tiny daughter. “I don’t think she’s hungry. She’s just comforting herself. She came out sucking those fingers, so I’m guessing she’s been doing it ever since she developed fingers. I think we might as well accept that as one of little Miss Chloe’s traits.” Trulie relaxed back against the cushions and adjusted her loose-fitting shift. “Besides, I’ve already discovered my body knows when Chloe needs to eat. When my chest feels like it’s about to explode, it’s time for Chloe’s dinner.”
“I can’t believe she’s nearly six weeks old.” Kenna gently rocked back and forth. Chloe’s pouty little mouth twitched and sucked at the air as the babe drifted deeper into her dreams. Pale blonde lashes fluttered and twitched against round little cheeks as the little one traveled to the wonderland only babies know.
Glancing up at her sister, Kenna frowned at the dark circles smudged beneath Trulie’s eyes. “Are you feeling any better at all? Did Granny figure out some concoction that would get rid of your headaches but wouldn’t be passed on to Chloe?”
Trulie massaged a thumb against one temple. “I’m fine. I think it’s shifting hormones and my body changing back to nonincubator status.” She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “I didn’t make it to dinner tonight because I’m worn out trying to get adjusted to Chloe’s schedule. She appears to be a night owl and would much rather sleep during the day.”
Kenna smiled back down into the peaceful cherub’s face. The hint of a contented grin tickled at the corner of the baby’s delicate mouth as her tiny fists flexed open and closed in her sleep. Granny always said that when a baby smiled while she slept it was because angels were singing in her dreams. “I heard Gray walking up and down the hallway with her last night. You do realize your husband couldn’t carry a tune even if he put it in a bucket . . . right?”
Trulie grinned around another yawn. “I know. But at least he tries, and Chloe seems to love his singing.”
Kenna rose and slowly meandered across the room, gently swaying the baby in her arms. With a reluctant sigh, she bent and settled the babe into the low wooden cradle beside the master bed. The child’s guardian owl silently alit on the end of the cradle, tilting its gray head from side to side as he peered down at his treasured charge. He resettled his wings and tucked his beak down against his fluffy chest, his dark eyes slowly blinking as his gaze protectively scanned the room.
Kenna hovered for a brief moment, tracing her fingertips along the intricately carved knots dotting the edge of the cradle’s side. A heavy sigh left her as she stared down at the sweet bundle. She was so ready for a baby of her own. She wanted the whole package: husband, children, home. It was time. Now, all she had to do was tell Colum. “What do you think it would take to get Colum to ask me to marry him? Or should I just ask him?”
“You can’t ask him.” Trulie leaned back in the settee, still massaging her temples.
“Why can’t I ask him?” Kenna adjusted Chloe’s blanket one last time, then strolled back across the room.
“Pride,” Trulie said.
“I don’t have a problem being the one to do the asking. I figure it doesn’t matter who asks who as long as we end up together.” Kenna pulled her wrap tighter around her shoulders and headed toward the fire. Trulie’s differing opinion had made the room suddenly seem a bit chillier.
Trulie straightened and shoved more pillows behind her back. “Not your pride. Colum’s. Highlanders are a rare mix of sexiness, honor, and stubbornness.”
“So, you’re saying I need to bide my time and wait for him to ask?” Kenna scrubbed her hands up and down her arms and moved closer to the flames dancing in the hearth. The orange- red coals glowed and shimmered as the bright tongues of fire danced across the logs. “I’m tired of waiting. Granny wouldn’t have had me come back here if it wasn’t the right time. I’m not exactly getting any younger, you know.”
“I think you’re still well away from your expiration date.” Trulie rooted deeper into the pillows and propped her hands behind her head.
“Says the sister who's already married to her own hot Highlander and has a wicked cute baby to boot.” Kenna flopped down on the pillowed bench running parallel to Trulie’s settee. “I’m tired of waiting. And virginity is going to kill me.”
