It was surrender.
“Good,” he murmured, voice rough with relief. “That’s it. Let me in.” Flynn groaned into her, hands sliding around her waist, dragging her against him like he’d been starving for touch.
Her robe slouched off her shoulder, the cashmere useless now. The cool air kissed flushed skin. Flynn’s eyes flicked down, darkening, then lifted back to hers with reverence and hunger tangled together.
She dared a shaky whisper.
“Still want me now?”
His hand wrapped her thigh, lifting her effortlessly.
“God, lass,” he rasped, “I’ve never wanted anything more.”
He swept her off the floor, her legs locking instinctively around his waist as he carried her to the stairs.
“I’m not too heavy, am I?” she whispered breathlessly.
His grip only tightened.
“You weigh nothin’. And even if ye didn’t, I’d carry ye anyway.”
Her heart cracked wider, fuller.
At the landing, her robe slipped even lower, exposing more heated skin to his hands and the Highland draft. Her fingers curled in his hair, face pressing into his temple.
He nudged her bedroom door open with his shoulder, kissed her again—slow this time, grounding and claiming all at once—and carried her inside without loosening his hold.
Shefeltcarried.
Held.
Home.
Chapter 13
Heather—Present Day
Flynn’s mouth was still on hers when he elbowed the door shut, carrying her inside. His kiss was hot, insistent, every step up the stairs thrumming in her veins until there was no room left in her chest for anything but him.
He stopped just inside her room, his breath harsh, his body solid around her. He didn’t set her down right away. Just held her: strong arms braced beneath her, her legs wrapped tight around his waist, her robe falling loose over his shoulders.
Then he pulled back enough to look at her.Reallylook at her.
His blue eyes burned into hers, storm-bright, wet at the edges. He didn’t say a word.
And Heather didn’t think, didn’t second-guess, didn’t run. She only felt it, fierce and unshakable, bubbling up until it tore out of her in a whisper.
“I… I love you, Flynn.”
His body jolted, a shudder tearing through him. His mouth broke into a smile so raw, so undone, she almost wept. His eyes shone, tears gathering as if he’d been holding them back for years.
“Heather,” he rasped, voice cracking like stone.
Her name was a prayer.
He pressed his forehead to hers, then kissed her again—slow this time, like he was imprinting the moment into his bones. Between each kiss, his words spilled ragged, fierce.
“I. Love. You.” A kiss, soft and searing all at once.
