“I do love you, Kate Sinclair.”
“Then for now, that is enough.”
She kissed him, pouring her feelings into it. Letting it surround him. She felt the thud of his heart against hers, the strength in his body as she leaned into him.
“I’ll return you to your room.”
“No, I want to stay with you.”
“Kate—”
“There will be no other for me but you, Rory. You are my love.”
Chapter Eighteen
In that moment, he felt the last of his fear ease. Looking at this beautiful woman who loved him, Rory finally allowed himself to believe.
“Kate.” He pressed his lips to her neck, inhaled her sweet scent. “God, how I want you.”
“As I do you.”
“But you are injured. I would not hurt you.”
“You could never hurt me, and you are injured also, so we must be gentle with each other.”
Her eyes held so much emotion shimmering in the green depths. Love, for him.
“I love you.” Now that he’d allowed himself to believe the words, they seemed to want to spill endlessly from his lips. “So much that it terrifies me. For so long I have cared for only Maddie.”
“And now there are many more.” She smiled. Soft, knowing, the smile of woman who knew she was loved by her man. Him. The thought no longer terrified Rory.
How had he fallen so fast? He knew she was responsible. This wonderful, vivid woman.
Her hair hung in a long braid to her waist, wisps freed and curled around her face. Rory pushed the dressing gown from her shoulders exposing a white nightdress. Firelight turned her skin to a soft golden hue, and he knew her body, when uncovered, would be the same.
“Such beauty.” His hands shook as he undid the buttons that ran down the front. “Don’t be afraid.”
“I am not scared, Rory.”
Her hands went to his shirt, performing the same task as he. She laid the palm of her hand on his chest, and he could do nothing to stop the moan. It was like a brand; heat traveled through him.
“I am.”
She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips, and he held her there, felt their skin touching. It ignited him. Easing her back, he took off her nightdress.
“You are perfection.” His eyes traveled down the slender column of her neck to the rise of her lovely breasts below. When he moved lower, his body clenched as he saw the white bandage. He could have lost her and knew now everything would have changed for him if he had. He’d been lost before, but knowing he must live in a world without her would have destroyed him.
“I am here with you.” She pushed upright as he joined her.
“I knew such fear, Kate.” He held her close, needing the contact.
“And yet we are together.”
“Thank God for Lilly.”
“We should talk about that.” She eased back, laying a hand on his chest. “What we are.”
“I don’t care what you are as long as you’re mine. The rest I’ll come to understand, I’m sure, or at least try to.”
