“I understandwhat wounds can do to ye. I have me own to face as well. They make me do strange things like I did with Mary back at the Rose Inn. Therefore, I forgive ye,” she said.
Jaxon stared at her,something fierce and tender breaking free in his chest. “I daenae ken how ye managed it,” he said quietly. “But I’ve fallen in love with ye, lass.” His mouth twisted wryly. “Look what ye do to me, turnin’ me into a mad man.”
Her expression softened,and she stepped closer. “I love ye too,” Gracie said. Then she lifted a brow. “But if ye disappear again, I will nae let ye off so easy.” A faint smile tugged at her lips despite the warning.
Jaxon’s breathcaught as his eyes roamed over her, taking in the thin chemise clinging to her curves in the firelight. Desire stirred sharp and insistent, warming his blood and tightening his grip on restraint. He stepped closer, drawn by her as surely as the tide. “Ye are mine, lass,” he said low. “Nay one else’s.”
He crossedthe space between them and pulled her into him, his mouth finding hers in a fierce, claiming kiss. His hands trembled as they held her, as if his body had awakened all at once after a long, restless sleep. The kiss deepened, full of hunger and relief, and his heart thundered in his chest.
Jaxon feltevery inch of himself come alive, the heat of her, the taste of her, the way she fit against him like she always had.
“I’ve missed ye,”he murmured against her lips. “I’ve been a fool, but I swear I’ll nae doubt ye again.” His voice broke with feeling. “I cannae lose ye.”
Gracie pressedher forehead to his, breath unsteady. “Then daenae push me away,” she whispered.
Jaxon held her tighter,pouring every unspoken vow into the way he kissed her again. In that moment, surrounded by firelight and stone, he knew with aching certainty that allowing himself to love her was the bravest thing he had ever done.
27
Gracie met his mouth in a kiss that stole the breath from her lungs, her hands fisting in his shirt as though he were the only solid thing left in the world. She melted into Jaxon’s arms, desire unfurling through her like heat after a long winter, leaving her lightheaded and unsteady.
“Gods, Jaxon,”she whispered against his lips, her voice trembling, “ye undo me so easily.”
He answeredher with another kiss, slow and claiming, and she gave herself to it without restraint.
Her body camealive beneath his attention as his kisses traced a reverent path along her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She tilted her head back for him, breath catching as his mouth lingered, then drifted lower, unhurried and sure. Every place he touched felt newly awakened, as though she had never known her own skin until his lips taught her its language.
“I feel ye everywhere,”she murmured, her hands trembling as they held him close.
Jaxon’s praisewrapped around her as warmly as his arms, his low words spoken in a hushed tone meant only for her.
“Ye’re bonnie beyond sense,”he murmured, kissing her again, “every inch of ye.”
Gracie laughed softly,breathless, and traced her fingers along his jaw and chest.
“And ye,”she said, eyes dark with want, “are strength and fire both, made to drive a woman mad.”
His hands weregentle as he slipped the chemise from her shoulders. The fabric whispered down, and she felt the cool air kiss her skin, though his gaze warmed her more than any fire.
“Daenae look so serious,”she murmured, half shy, half bold. He smiled softly and said, “I cannae help it when ye stand there like a vision.”
She turnedto him then and helped him from his clothes, fingers working with familiarity that still felt new. Each buckle and fold drew them closer, their laughter low and intimate as the last of it fell away.
“We make a fair pair,”she teased.
He answered,“Aye, the finest I’ve kent.”
They slippedinto the bed together, the linens cool at first before their warmth spread beneath the covers. Jaxon drew her close, fitting her against him as though she belonged nowhere else. Gracie sighed and tucked her head under his chin, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “This,” she whispered, “this is where I want to be.”
He kissed her slowly,unhurried, as if there were no dawn to rush them. His hand traced lazy circles along her arm, then her back, grounding and tender all at once.
“I’ll nae leaveyer side again,” he said quietly, the words more vow than promise.
She kissedhim back and replied, “Then I’ll nae worry anymore.”
Jaxon pressedhis brow to hers, breathing her in as though she was the very air he needed.
“Gracie,”he said, the name heavy with feeling, “ye’ve changed me.”
