"Aye, but ye’re no longer that man. Ye have grown, ye’ve changed, ye’ve accepted yer mistakes and learned from them, and now ye’re back with good intentions toward the clan. Ye are still just as petty though." Gawain chuckled lightly as Davinia pressed her forehead to his, the tip of his nose brushed over hers.
"If ye keep making excuses fer me, I might just commit an actual crime." He reached for her but stopped midway to look at his hands. "Nae, I cannae stain yer dress." She said nothing in reply as she pulled away to take the cloth from the basin, squeezing out the excess water before bringing it down on his face. "Ye already knew I would be dirty?"
Davinia hummed in response as she swabbed gently at his face. "When I saw yer brother come in demanding fer a bath, I figured ye might come back looking the same way, perhaps worse, and I was correct. I thought ye might prefer a dabbing than an actual bath. It looks like ye burnt yerself a bit. I should have made the water cold."
"Nae, ‘tis fine this way too." Gawain leaned into her touch as she occasionally applied a bit of pressure in some areas. She wiped his face, arms, legs, and even his chest. He let out a low hiss when she pushed down on his shoulders. He could feel his joints loosen under her touch, but also, she was so close to him, he could smell her floral perfume, it made him giddy at the thought of having her so close to him. "Ye smell wonderful."
"Thank ye. Emer made this one just fer me. She said it suits me."
"Well, it does." Davinia pulled away from him, tossing the rag into the basin as she admired her work. "Am I clean now?"
"Just right."
"Well, does that mean I can finally hold ye?" He reached out for her hand, taking it and pulling her closer to him until his face was nestled on her stomach with his hands around her waist. "Ye smell so good."
Though flustered, she lets her hand rest on his hair, running her fingers through the soft brown hair. He continued to take small whiffs of her as he rose to his feet, towering over her, forcing her to look upward to meet his eyes. They were blue like clear waters, so calm, holding hers in a tender gaze before he beamed at her. "Ye are beautiful, Davinia." His hand rose to cup her face. She could feel the roughness of his thumb over her lips.
"May I kiss ye?"
Chapter Sixteen
Gawain nibbled on Davinia's bottom lip, earning a gasp from her. He let his kisses trail from her lips to her jaw, nipping at the soft skin gently enough not to leave a mark. He peppered his kisses down to her throat and collarbone, only stopping at the beginning of her dress. "Ye are so addictive." He whispered in her ear, and she felt a shiver run through her as his grip on her waist tightened.
Her hand left his body to reach behind her until he felt the string of her corset. Could she do it? Did she want to do it? Of course, it was Gawain, the man she yearned for. He was in front of her, whispering praises in her ear while his hands and lips left a trail of fire on her skin.
Her heart was pounding in her chest. She was scared not that Gawain would hurt her. She knew he never would. Her fear came from the uncertainty of where she stood with Gawain. She could not say if he wanted to court her. If she were to go with his confession at the garden, she could say he wanted to court her, but she still had a fear deep inside of her concerning their relationship. She was sure of what she felt for him. She knew she loved Gawain, but her fear of being used still lingered deep within her.
Still, she took a deep breath and yanked on the first string, squaring up to look Gawain in the eye. She was glad she did not need to explain. She would have backed out from the embarrassment. "Are ye sure? I do nae want ye to think I want—"
"I’m sure, Gawain." She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss as his hands returned to her waist, this time going behind her to loosen her corset string by string. Davinia closed her eyes when she felt her dress being pushed off her shoulders, Gawain by her ear whispering his encouragement. She could feel the air on her exposed skin as her dress was pooled around her ankles.
"Put yer hands around me." She obeyed, slipping her hands around his neck as he lifted her from her dress and set her down on the bed, hovering over her. "If ye want me to stop anytime, do let me ken. The last thing I want to do is hurt ye." She nodded stiffly, letting her eyes flutter close when he leaned into her, gracing her forehead with a peck of his lips. She opened her eyes at the sound of clothes rustling and shut them just as fast at the sight of her partner.
"If ye flush anymore, Davinia, ye might just turn permanently red. I ken ye’re scared, but I need ye to trust me and relax." Gawain said as he buried his face in the crook of her neck while his hands roamed down her body to rest at the curve of her hips. Her skin was soft, unmarked save for a small scar by her hip.
He filled his head for yet another kiss, not lingering as he kissed lower, letting his lips follow the curve of her breast, nipping lightly at her pale skin. He lifted his head and let his eyes roam over her nakedness. Her rosy lips parted, the rise and fall of her chest. He cupped one breast in his hand and played with the dusky crest until it became stiff.
He pressed his lips to her jaw. "I want to remember this night fer as long as I live, Davinia."
"I never want to forget this as well, so please, Gawain, etch this into me memory." Gawain settled himself between her legs, letting them wrap around his thighs. The sharp pain she had once endured was a distant memory, and nothing in her opinion was as good as the feeling of him slowly sliding into her. Gawain only managed to push away his high only by focusing entirely on Davinia. He paid the utmost attention to every detail he could, concentrating on finding just the thing that would please her. With his hips he pulled her along to the shores of pleasure and then let her pull back ever so gently, making her forget everything but him even if it would be over in a moment. She arched her back, her breasts pressed against his chest. As he drove into her, he felt her shudder against him, her arms wrapped tightly around his head as her cries against his ear increasing with every thrust.
When she closed her eyes, she felt his hands touch her everywhere. His mouth passed over her skin, and she enjoyed his weight on her. She wanted him attached to her.
She could feel the strands of his hair rubbing gently against her inner thighs, teasing her to submission. In his chest, she heard the rumbling of a growl as he exhaled. His rough hands cupped her velvet skin, pulling her toward him, only to send her back with a hard jerk of his hips. She trembled as shivers passed through her body at every long thrust, short nails digging into his back as she gasped.
It didn’t take long until they reached the precipice, seconds away from falling over the edge. Dropping his head, Gawain whispered what Davinia could only think was praise and pleas. Gawain slowed down, each thrust gentle as he eased her trembling body with fleeting kisses and constant touches that took his name from her mouth. Her moans were accompanied with his low growls and grunts. His rhythm was unbroken as he made sure she reached ecstasy with him.
Gawain relaxed, laying down gently on top of her, not hard enough to crush her as he tried to catch his breath. With his head on her chest, her supple skin pressed against his, listening to her breathing slow down, he did not resist the happiness that bubbled within him. She had given herself to him, which he was extremely grateful for. He let out a content sigh as her fingers combed through his hair. "Davinia?" He looked up at her. She hadn't said anything yet, and it made him question if he was the only one who was satisfied. "Are ye alright, or did I hurt ye?"
"Nae. ‘Tis just…‘twas different what I imagined." She avoided his gaze as her embarrassment crept up to her cheeks. "I always thought it would be painful as it was me first time, but ye proved me wrong." Gawain pulled himself out of her, rolling on the other side of the bed.
"I... I apologize fer me rashness. I could have set it at a better time and place"
"Nae, do nae be. I’m glad that it was ye and now. Are ye nae?"
"Of course, I’m, I just thought ye might have wanted a more elaborate setting." Gawain inched closer to her, wrapping an arm over her waist to pull her closer to him. "Nae man can steal ye from me now. ‘Tis just ye and I." She hummed in agreement as he pressed his lips to hers, savoring her taste. He leaned into her, letting her back fall on the bed while he draped his top half over her. He opened his mouth to speak when the door burst open, and Caillen rushed in.
A gasp tore through Davinia, who pulled the fur blankets over herself. Gawain scowled at his brother, who averted his eyes, turning around to face the door behind him. Taking this opportunity, Davinia hurried into her clothes, fighting back her tears as she struggled with her strings. How could she have been so careless to have been caught by the laird of all people. What would he think of her? He would surely tell her sister, and Emer would be extremely furious with her.
