He was going to take that magnificent leap of faith that the future, no matter how cloudy and uncertain, would be right if it was one he shared with her.
He knew all of that in that moment, and his smile widened because she knew none of it.
“You look happy and I like it,” she whispered, squeezing his fingers. “But should we go back? I’m sure your people would like to return to their family celebrations and we have one of our own to attend to.”
“We do,” he signed. “We have a great deal waiting for us at home.”
Her brow wrinkled, but she smiled at him. “Good. Then let’s tell them, shall we?”
He didn’t release her hand, but guided her forward and signed, “Will you translate?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
He hesitated a moment. She would do this for the rest of her life. Be his lips, his tongue, as well as his heart. These people who already adored her, would see them as a single unit.
It was a stunning realization, and it took a moment for him to gather himself enough to sign, “This has been another very special year here on the estate, and I have each and every one of you to thank for that. Please enjoy your day and each other, and know that if you have troubles, I am very open to hearing them and trying to make it right.”
The tenants each approached, shaking his hand and murmuring their thanks. As they began to make their way to their houses, he maneuvered Charlotte toward his carriage. He helped her up, reveling in the feel of her body as she leaned into him, the smell of her skin as she passed into the vehicle. Then he joined her, placing himself across from her and drinking in the look of her in the dim light of the carriage as his driver closed the door and they began to move.
“What has come over you?” she asked with a shake of her head. “You are different somehow.”
He nodded. “I am,” he signed. “I’ll explain to you how later. But for now I only want to do this.”
He moved over to her side of the carriage and cupped her cheek. He leaned in, feeling her warm breath stir his lips. He shuddered in reaction and then claimed her mouth. She lifted into him, her arms winding around his neck, her body molding to his like it had been made to do so. In that moment he could almost believe that it had. That she was a gift for him, he for her. Fated to be, no matter how he denied it.
Now he wouldn’t deny it anymore.
“I’ve missed this so much,” she whispered as he moved his lips to her throat. “It feels like an eternity.”
He didn’t answer, but trailed his lips lower, unbuttoning her coat as he did so and opening it so he could taste the soft skin just above her gown’s neckline. She arched a little beneath him, her fingers coming up into his hair as she made a soft sound of pleasure.
He wanted her so very much, enough that his cock ached beneath his trousers. But he wanted more than just release. He wanted to giveherpleasure. To show her, even before he told her, that he would love and protect her and make her happy for the rest of her life.
He looked up, meeting those green eyes, which were now dilated with desire.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, her voice shaking in the most erotic way. Like she was on the edge of control. He was going to push her over.
He didn’t answer, just arched a brow and began to push her skirts up. Her gown was heavy, meant to keep her warm, and it seemed like he kept finding layers of fabric to the point that he shot her a look.
She laughed, and the sound was like music. “It isn’tmyfault. I wasn’t prepared to be seduced in a carriage. Had you given me advance notice, I would have worn something different.”
He grinned as he finally got the skirts up over her thighs and found the silky drawers she wore beneath. He parted them, opening the slit there as wide as it would go as he dropped down to his knees and pushed her legs apart.
“Ewan,” she gasped as he dragged a finger up her inner thigh, then parted her outer lips gently. Her sex glistened, already wet, already ready for him.
He grunted a sound of desire and then bent his head and swiped his tongue across her.
She writhed immediately and his name burst from her lips once more. “Ewan!” This time with urgency, with desire, with passion.
He stroked over her a second time, a third, increasing the pressure of his tongue each time, dancing it over her clitoris to tease her.
She dug her hands into the leather carriage seat, her head lolling back. “Please,” she breathed.
He didn’t have to be asked twice. And though he wanted to savor this, spend hours doing it until she was weak and spent beneath his mouth, he knew they had very little time before they’d be back at the estate. So he had to focus and he had to make this perfect.
He stroked firmly, over and over, the same rhythm with each lick. She lifted into him, grinding against him as her breath went short and her arms and legs began to shake. He sucked her clitoris, flicking it with his tongue as she moaned and lurched beneath him. She was almost there, so close.
He lifted his gaze as he continued to ravage her with his mouth and his tongue. She was staring at him, eyes wide, lips parted, beauty personified, desire in the flesh.
