"Then let me worship ye properly."
His mouth descended, and Mhairi's entire world narrowed to the sensation of his tongue against her most intimate flesh.
She cried out, her hands flying to his hair, unsure whether to pull him closer or push him away from the overwhelming pleasure.
He took his time, learning what made her gasp, what made her moan, what made her hips buck against his mouth.
When he added his fingers, pressing inside her slowly while his mouth worked its magic, Mhairi thought she might actually die from the intensity of it.
"Alpin," she gasped. "I cannae—it's too much."
"Let go," he murmured against her. "I've got ye. Just let go."
The pleasure built and built until Mhairi couldn't breathe, couldn't think, could only feel.
When she finally shattered, his name on her lips, he worked her through it with gentle licks and soft touches until she went limp against the mattress.
Alpin kissed his way back up her body, settling beside her and pulling her against his chest. Mhairi was still trembling, aftershocks rolling through her as she tried to remember how to breathe.
"That was..." She couldn't find words.
"Just the beginnin’." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "If ye'll have me."
Mhairi tilted her head back to look at him. His eyes were still dark with desire, his body tense with unfulfilled need. But he was holding her like she was precious, stroking her hair, waiting for her to recover.
"I want all of it," she said. "All of ye. But maybe... nae all taenight?"
"Taenight was perfect." He shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable despite his condition. "We have time, Mhairi. We have all the time ye need."
She snuggled closer to him, her hand resting over his heart. "Stay with me? Just fer a while?"
"As long as ye want."
They lay together in the firelight, Mhairi's breathing gradually evening out as exhaustion from the day's events finally caught up with her. Alpin held her, his hands moving in soothing patterns across her back.
Just before she drifted off, she murmured, "I meant it, ye ken. About wantin’ a future here. With ye."
"I ken." His voice was soft, full of something that sounded like wonder. "And I meant it too. Whatever future ye want tae build, I'll be right there beside ye."
Mhairi smiled against his chest and let herself fall asleep, safe in his arms.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"Ye're starin’ at me."
Mhairi opened her eyes to find Alpin propped on one elbow in her bed, watching her with an expression somewhere between amusement and concern. Morning light streamed through the window, painting golden stripes across the rumpled sheets.
"How long have ye been awake?" she asked, her voice still rough with sleep.
"Long enough tae watch ye sleep." His mouth quirked.
He pressed a quick kiss to the nape of her neck before getting up. "Get dressed, lass. Before I forget we have responsibilities and keep ye in this room all day."
"Ye wouldnae."
"Try me."
Mhairi dressed quickly after that.
