Love.It was the only thing he could havesaid that left her defenseless.With a little gasp she stared athim, then lifted her hand to his cheek in a gesture so tender, hefelt his heart stop.
“You truly love me?”
“Aye.”
She touched a finger to his lips.“And I loveyou, Jamie MacDonald.”
For a long moment, Jamie could not speak.Butin his eyes was a look so filled with love and longing, there wasno denying his feelings.
“Then you will stay with me?”
Lindsey could not speak over the lump in herthroat.With tears glittering like diamonds in her eyes, shenodded.
Without a word he lifted her in his arms andcarried her to his sleeping chamber.
ChapterTwenty
Asingle candleflickered on the bedside table.The only other light came from thefire that blazed on the hearth.
Through the open balcony window came thefragrance of spring flowers carried on the evening breeze.
It was quiet.The only sound in the room wasthat of strained and shallow breathing.
Jamie studied the woman in his arms.Sheshimmered in a golden halo of light.
Though he was half mad with desire, he knewthat he must go slowly.He would bank his needs and take the timeto allay all her fears.
“How long I have waited to love you.”With akind of reverence he removed the combs from her hair and watched asit drifted like a silken veil around her face and shoulders.Sheheard his quiet moan as he drew her close.With a sigh he plungedhis hands into her hair and drew her head back until he was staringdeeply into her eyes.He nibbled the corner of her mouth with greattenderness until he felt her respond, hoping it put her atease.
“Soft, my lady.You are so soft, so small anddelicate.”
“And you are so strong, it frightens me.”
“You need never be afraid of me, Lindsey.Iknow I displayed a wicked temper.But it was the passion drivingme.I would never hurt you.”I would kill for you, he thought.Iwould die for you.But I would never hurt you.
Lindsey smiled, and he saw the way her lipstrembled.“I know, Jamie.I know I am safe with you.But Iam—afraid, all the same.”
“As am I,” he whispered.
“You?”She smiled.“You tease me.”
“Nay, my lady.You terrify me.”
With a rush of feeling she wrapped her armsaround his waist and brought her lips to his throat.
Her touch brought a flare of desire thatnearly drove him mad.He dragged her against him and covered hermouth with his.Though he longed to take her, he cautioned himselfto hold back.
With great tenderness he kissed her lips, herear, her throat.When he brought his mouth to the sensitive fleshof her throat, she gave a little moan and arched her neck, givinghim easier access.He ran open-mouthed kisses along the column ofher throat, then brought his lips lower, until he encountered theruffled neckline of her gown.
He needed to rid himself of the barriersbetween them.Lingering over her lips, his fingers found thefasteners of her gown.With a rustle of satin it drifted to thefloor.He ran wet kisses across her shoulder, causing her totremble and clutch blindly at his waist.As he drew her close heuntied the ribbons that held her chemise.It drifted like a flowerpetal to the floor, where it joined the rest of her clothes.
“God in heaven, Lindsey, how lovely youare.”
His hands moved over her, touching,exploring, seducing.
With an unexpected boldness Lindsey reachedfor the buttons of his shirt.As it slipped from his shoulders shebrought her lips to his hair-roughened chest and gloried in thefreedom to touch him as he was touching her.But her courage failedher when she fumbled with the waistband of his breeches.Herfingers were stiff and awkward, and he was forced to help her,until, at last, his clothes joined hers on the floor at theirfeet.
“I want you, Lindsey.How I want you.”Hespoke the words into her mouth as he covered her lips in apossessive kiss.
