The question was there in his eyes. Her breath caught. He was asking her to finish what they had started. He wanted to make love to her. She had never had this feeling before, low down in her belly. Even lower. And all he’d done was kiss her. The intensity of the kiss had set her aflame, and his steady gaze promised much. She wanted more.
“I will.”
He heaved a great breath and beamed. Her face heated under his scrutiny.
“Ethne,” Niall said. With great reluctance, she turned to him. “When will the others be back?”
With great reluctance, she raised her eyes to Niall. “Not until nightfall on the morrow.”
He and Aldred exchanged glances she couldn’t read, but she didn’t care. She wanted to be alone with Lachlann. When she turned her attention back to him, his eyes were traveling the length of her and his hand lightly caressed her back.
“Lachlann,” Niall said, “we will leave the ladder where it is so that ye can come out whenever ye are…ready to join us. Call us if ye need help.”
“I have what I need right here,” Lachlann said, his dark eyes hooded.
Sighing, Niall added, “We have information…”
Lachlann nodded, but his gaze remained on her face.
Niall paused beside them. “I suppose it can wait for now.”
Without warning, Lachlann stretched out and pulled her beneath him before the other two were even gone, and the weight of him covering her was the sweetest thing Ethne had ever known. The sound of the creaking ladder signaled they were alone, and she turned all her attention to him. He appeared much stronger.
His lips became more persistent, as if he hadn’t just kissed her, as if he was indeed hungry and she was his food.
She relaxed against his broad chest. “Ye hold me so fiercely. Are ye feeling stronger then?”
“Ye give me strength.”
When his lips traveled across her cheek and down to her neck, she shivered and rubbed her cheek against him. If she were a cat, she’d be purring.
His intensity was a bit frightening. She was afraid for him, but a warmth was steadily growing. “Ye do seem…better.”
Between little nibbles, he said, “Oh, I’m not.”
She stopped. “What are ye saying? Should we stop?”
He didn’t stop his assault on her neck, one hand at the small of her back and the other sliding along her body with purpose.
“Oh no. I have a great need.”
When he skimmed his lips toward her bosom, she stilled, but this time with nervousness.
His eyes were bright on her, the same intense gaze. “Shh, dinna be afraid,”
She took a steadying breath and said, “I am never afraid with ye.”
* * *
Lachlann cupped her cheeks to peer down at her. “Oh, my sweet Ethne. Ye are so brave, lass.” And then he kissed her soundly on the lips. “Would ye never halt me, even when I overwhelm ye with my need?”
“I want to be overwhelmed.” Her words sounded breathless.
Searching her face, he saw the tender feelings he’d longed for reflected there. He swore he could feel her need. “I was sore afeared to never have this chance with ye again.”
She ran her hand along his back, urging him closer.
“I was a fool to turn ye away.” Lachlann admitted his mistake.
