“You meant what you said, didn’t you?”
He smoothed the lines of worry between her brows with the soft press of his lips. “Aye, lass. I meant it.” That was what was making this so difficult.
“You love me?”
“With all my heart.”
Her eyes sparked. “Then show me.”
He would, damn it. It was a challenge he could not resist. Lachlan wasn’t a man used to spouting pretty words to express his emotions—and even if he were, there were no words for what he was feeling right now. When he looked at her, he felt as if he’d been given the greatest prize in the kingdom—her love. She made him feel invincible. He wanted to tell her what he was feeling, but he didn’t know where to begin. Words were not his way, but he could show her.
He would make love to her until she could never doubt it.
She was his.
He slid his hand behind her neck, savoring the warmth and the heavy drape of her silky soft hair, and brought her mouth to his in a hungry kiss—a kiss that had been too long denied. There was nothing poignant or teasing about this kiss; this time he took her with a savageness that only hinted at the raging passion burning inside him. Passion that was part abstinence, part fear, part frustration, and all desire.
He groaned against her mouth, savoring the exquisite softness of her lips and skin, the subtle fragrance that surrounded her, the sweet taste of her…God, it had been too long. He kissed her harder, clasping her against him as his tongue delved deep into the honey recesses of her mouth. She opened against him, taking him deeper, returning the thrust of his tongue with her own—her response every bit as carnal as his. The little sounds of pleasure escaping from her lips urged him on. Her body seemed molded to his, every curve, every crevice, dissolving all that came between them.
He kissed her mouth, her chin, her neck, savoring the delicious taste of her skin. But it wasn’t enough—he wanted her naked on his bed so he could devour every luscious inch of her.
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her the few steps to his bed, laying her down gently. Then, slowly, he slid off her robe, stopping her when she tried to pull a sheet over herself.
“No. Let me look at you.” He wanted to hold on to this moment forever. To remember exactly how she looked lying on his bed, ready for him to take her. She was achingly beautiful—her blond hair shimmering in the candlelight, her flawless ivory skin as smooth as alabaster, her delicate, heart-shaped face dominated by those luminous blue eyes.
He slipped his fingers through the silk of her hair fanned out behind her head on the fluffy feather pillow and then traced her swollen lips with his thumb. His gaze moved down the length of her body, and a swift kick of lust hit him hard. Her body was incredible. Built for a man’s pleasure with her lush round breasts, the pale nearly transparent skin tipped by nipples the mouthwatering pink of ripe berries. Unable to resist, he leaned over and took one luscious tip in his mouth, rolling it gently between his teeth. She moaned with pleasure, and he forced himself to release her, not yet done with his study.
Her stomach was flat and her hips softly curved. He slipped his hand around her waist, almost spanning her. And that bottom…He moved his hands around to cup her. He’d been pressed against that soft bottom too many times this past week, he knew exactly how she felt against him. Later, he would appease her curiosity and show her exactly how it worked. How he could fill her from behind.
Her legs. Damn, her legs went on forever. Long and lean, with perfectly sculpted calves. Even her feet were small and delicately arched, with adorable pink toes.
He’d seen many naked women in his life, but none had ever affected him so. It wasn’t just her beauty that overwhelmed him, or the lust he felt for her, it was something more fundamental. Something that went to the very core of him and filled his chest with an incredible warmth. Something he hadn’t even known he was looking for, but now that he’d found it, he couldn’t imagine being without. Losing her would be like cutting himself in half. How had it happened so damn fast without his realizing it?
“Lachlan…”
He saw the embarrassment flooding her face pink. Her natural spirit and confidence sometimes made him forget just how truly innocent she was. “You’re so beautiful. It gives me pleasure to look at you.”
Her gaze slid over his naked chest and down his stomach to the heavy bulge in his trews. “I can see that.”
He smiled. “You’re a bold lass.”
She returned his smile. “Only with you.”
A fierce wave of possessiveness swept over him. The enormity of what she’d given him hit him hard.
“You humble me,mo ghradh.” My love.
She reached up and tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear; the happiness sparkling in her eyes made his chest ache.
“I’m so happy. I love you so much. I can’t believe that you feel the same.”
“Never doubt it,” he said fiercely. “No matter what happens, Flora, never doubt my feelings for you.”
The vehemence of his voice startled her; he saw the sudden flash of uncertainty in her gaze. “What could possibly happen?”
He cursed his uncharacteristic display of emotion. “Nothing,” he assured her, and started to unfasten his trews. “But after tonight, I promise you will never doubt my love for you again.”
Flora shuddered with anticipation. The sensual promise in his voice set her blood aflame. She had no doubt he meant every word.
