“Ye are the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Ye said I did not compare to Daimhin.” She remembered the moment well. It had happened the day she’d hidden in the honeysuckle. Marcán had told her that she couldn’t swim with him and Diarmuid and then, like an idiot, she had blurted out, “Would ye say I was as comely as Daimhin?”
His eyes had darkened and he’d given her a quiet smile. “There is no comparison.”
Her comment must have caught him off guard, for his hand stilled on her skin.
Astrid regretted the words as soon as she said them. It seemed very petty to bring it up after he had lavished such love on her.
“I have never believed that. Ye are more lovely to me than a sunrise on a clear day.” He propped himself on an elbow and looked down at her. “There is no one that compares to ye.”
Realizing she was an idiot, she rolled her eyes before facing him. “Ye had said there was no comparison.”
He lightly traced her lips with the tip of a finger. “And there is not.”
Bending closer, he took her mouth again. His hands sliding along her stomach to nudge her thighs apart and slip his fingers between them. With a gentle touch, he stroked her. “Is there soreness?”
He spoke the words against her lips and his exquisite touch mesmerized her.
“I do not care if there is.”
Marcán broke the kiss, a frown creasing his brow. “That is not the answer I seek. I will never hurt ye. I do not want ye to associate anything with our joining but pleasure.” He continued his movements. “And pleasure ye will get.”
Astrid gasped as his fingers became more insistent.
“My size gives ye pain.”
Her breathing started to match the steady pace of his fingers’ movements.
Scooting down, he lowered his head, his tongue joining his fingers. And she couldn’t hold back the moan.
“Mmm.” Marcán’s sound vibrated through her.
Astrid became overwhelmed with intensifying need. When he lifted his head and watched her, she wanted to be embarrassed, but she became lost to his touch. Like water pitching over the rapids, he sent her over the edge. She pressed against him and was met with wave after wave of pleasure.
“Ah, ye are beautiful to watch.” His whispered words matched the awe on his face. She sighed as the pulsating of her body slowed down. Her eyes drifted shut and he snuggled close to her, pulling her into his arms. “I find it hard to trust that ye are here with me like this. I have loved ye for so very long.”
His steady breathing lulled her into sleep. A peaceful sleep where she stayed with the man who loved her.
Chapter 10
Astrid awoke to Marcán’s arms wrapped around her. His face so close, his gentle breath teased at her hair. She sighed her contentment and snuggled closer.
“Mmm, I have been waiting on ye. An eternity now!” Marcán’s low voice vibrated through her.
“An eternity? Oh my!”
He picked his head up, rising on an elbow to gaze down at her. A single finger traced along her face. “I wanted to see those beautiful eyes looking at me with love.”
She smiled, barely able to contain her joy. “And d’ye see that? For that is how I feel about ye.”
“I’ve lovedyeforever while ye barely noticed me. I do not expect ye to return my love, Astrid. Not yet.”
Astrid scoffed. “Then why is it I am here? Naked in yer arms?”
His gaze dropped lower, a smile blooming. “I do not ask why when I have received a wonderful…” He kissed the tip of her nose. “…never expected…” He kissed her cheek. “…longed for gift.”
With the gentlest motion, he caressed her lips with his own, gliding over them.
