“Shhhh…” He kissed her again, harder this time. She would never understand the depth of his regret, but he would spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to her. Their tongues twined together and a small sound of desire escaped her throat as he shifted his body on top of hers and she pressed her hips upward to meet his. She wanted him, and for now, that was all he needed to know. He was burning to be inside her; it had been far too long. Too much had come and gone between them. It was time to start again. He was so hard that his cock throbbed insistently to the rapid rhythm of his pounding heart. He was dizzy with need, and beyond salvation by anything other than being deep inside the woman he held captive beneath him.
He reached a hand between her thighs and stroked her softly, finding her wet and ready for him. He growled low in his throat as she sunk her nails into his skin, trying to pull him closer.
“Bridei…”
He leaned down to take her mouth again, and at the same time, he thrust his aching cock deep, groaning in ecstasy. He moved slowly and languorously, skin sliding across skin, bodies melded together. This was all he needed, ever again. Against all odds, she had come to him twice, and this time, he wasn’t going to let her go, even if he had to keep her chained to his side.
He bucked against her like a wild animal, groaning, nearly unable to contain all of the pleasure that flooded through him as his seed filled her. As the last shudder ebbed, he collapsed, spent but far from sated.
Nessasighed as she stretched out on the bed. It had been a long, but productive day working the earth and putting her green thumb to good use. It was also her first day back among the people of Tallorc. Being in the sunshine and dirt all day had left her drowsy and happy. And the hot bath by the fire had been the icing on the cake.
The door opened, and Bridei came in, ducking his head under the low doorframe. She smiled when she saw him; her very own sexy, tattooed warrior. But there was still a wall between them, and a secret. Nessa had no idea what she was to him—Consort? Girlfriend? More?—and it was driving her crazy. She wanted to be happy. Shewashappy…but even before she had left, there had never been talk of love, no mention of marriage or the future. She didn’t know if she could live as just his consort. No, she was sure of it. She would never share him.
He sat down beside her. “I’ve been thinking a lot today”, he told her, running a thumb over the seam of her lips. She playfully tried to bite it, and he pulled it away, laughing softly.
“Have you? About what?”
His expression turned serious, and Nessa grew slightly alarmed. She wasn’t yet secure in their relationship.It’s only been one day, Nessa! But last night was too perfect, and she felt as if the dream she was floating in so blissfully could come to an end at any moment and everything would fall down around her.
“It tore my heart out, to see you with him.”
Her face fell. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, but I needed closure, I think. I needed to know that part of my life was done; that I had nothing I really needed or wanted to go back to.”
“Are you sorry you came back?”
She shook her head. “No! Everything I need is here now.”
“I’m glad, because I will not have you leaving me again.”
“But I have to tell you something.” She swallowed hard. She was going to tell him, and just get it over with, here and now.
“Why are you trembling?” He picked up her hand and held it in his. It was indeed shaking.
“I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what, Ashta?” His brows drew together in concern. “You have nothing to fear anymore, not while I live and breathe.”
“I’m afraid that you won’t be happy about it.”
“What is it you want to tell me?”
“I’m…I’m pregnant Bridei. With your child.”
He smiled. “I know.”
“Youknow? How do you know?” Relief and confusion flooded her mind.
“Meara told me, before you left with…him.”
“Meara?”How could she have known, when Nessa herself hadn’t even known yet?“But I came back…I came back and youknewI was carrying your child, and you abandoned me! You let me live in the woods! I could have starved!” Without thinking, she hit him as hard as she could, but he didn’t even flinch, and her fist came away feeling like she had just slammed it into a boulder. “How could you do that to me? Tous?”
Bridei sighed. “And for that I am truly sorry, Ashta. I assumed you had gotten rid of the child. You said women can choose in your time. Choose whether to bear a child. I saw no reason you would want a child we made together when you had chosen another man.”
“Bridei! Oh my god…I would never…I could never! How could you even think I could do that?”
He shrugged, his eyes betraying the hurt she had caused him. “How could you leave with another man, and my child?”
She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I didn’t know! When I left, I had no idea I was pregnant. I didn’t find out for weeks after that. How did Meara even know?”
