“Yes, you can,” he said softly. “You have all of my heart and soul.”
Her eyes glistened. “For a man who claims not to have a courtier’s silvery tongue, you seem to know precisely what to say.”
He stroked her chin with his thumb. “Then you forgive me?”
Her mouth twitched, and the naughty glint in her eyes returned. “I might be persuaded. But you will have to work extra hard to prove it to me.”
He was more than equal to the task. “I love you, Flora. If I have to spend the rest of my life proving it to you, I’ll be a happy man.”
“And I love you.”
She leaned over and reached for something on the table beside the bed. It took him a moment to realize what it was. She lifted it up and he bent his head, allowing the amulet to drop over his head.
“It belongs to you now.”
A lump lodged in his throat. “Are you sure, lass?”
She nodded, her eyes damp with tears—not of sadness, but of happiness. “You have given your life for mine, and now I willingly give this to you—my husband, my love.”
He didn’t know what to say, so instead he kissed her gently. Tasting the saltiness of her tears and the warm honey taste of her lips and tongue. Before the hard pull of possession dragged him in, slowly, reluctantly, he released her.
He started to pull away, intending to give her rest, but Flora had different intentions. Her hands slid down his chest, his shirt still damp from his unplanned swim. His blood stirred hot at her touch. She peeked up at him from under her long lashes. “Hmm…I was thinking you might care to prove it right now.” She feigned a shiver. “I’m feeling chilled. These blankets don’t seem to be working. I was hoping you might be able to think of a way to warm me?”
He stilled, wanting nothing more. But he also didn’t want to risk overtiring her in her weakened state. Her hand skimmed the waistband of his trews, and he captured her wrist before she could touch him, knowing that once she did, he would be past the point of reason. His need for her was so strong, it would be like trying to harness a lightning bolt.
“Are you sure, lass?” His voice was tight with restraint. “This time there will be no going back. The marriage has not been recorded. If you want out of it, I’ve promised your brother I would not contest it.”
“I’m done looking back. I only want to look to the future. With you.”
He let go of her wrist, and when she covered him with her sweet little hand, he groaned into her mouth as he claimed the woman he loved.
Flora tasted his groan of pleasure as she slid her hand over his trews, molding him with her hand. Just touching him again made her flood with heat. He was so big and hard, and she couldn’t wait to feel him inside her—filling her as he thrust hard and deep.
Her body pulsed with desire.
She wanted to hold on to every second and make this last forever. But the touch of his mouth on hers was like wildfire, and she knew there would be no containing the passion that burned between them. It was too hot, too intense, too out of control.
After nearly losing him, she needed him too badly.
Her hands skimmed over his back and shoulders, pressing him closer.God, he was amazing.So gorgeous and strong. His warrior’s body layered with solid, thick muscle that flexed under her fingertips.
He broke the kiss only long enough to pull off his shirt and trews and then slid into the bed beside her, pulling her against him as his mouth fell on hers again. She melted into the heat, wanting to feel every powerful inch of him pressed against her. His warm, smooth skin wreaked havoc on her senses, making her tingle where they touched.
His big hands took command of her body. He touched her everywhere, stroking, caressing, igniting. His fingers plunged through her hair, down her back, and over her bottom. His rough, callused palms were both gentle and possessive as he lifted her against him.
Her body was damp and throbbing—desperate for him. The craving ran from the deepest part of her, taking hold and demanding release.
And he wanted her, though he was struggling to contain it. He kissed her harder, his tongue sliding into her mouth with deep, demanding strokes. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted him wild—beyond restraint—the way he’d been in her room last night. The way she felt right now.
“Don’t,” she murmured against his mouth.
He pulled back, and she could see his confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t hold back. I want all of you. You don’t need to protect me.” She lifted up to kiss him, sliding her tongue along the velvety crease of his mouth. “I won’t break.”
His eyes searched her face.
“You could never frighten me,” she assured him. He was so beautiful, this wild, passionate man. She kissed him again, sliding her tongue in his mouth and circling her tongue with his in a deeply erotic, deeply carnal openmouthed kiss. “Show me,” she breathed. “I want to feel your passion…unchained.” She circled him with her hand. His eyes flared, and the spark of danger urged her on.
