To taste her sweetness.
Feel her tongue wrap with his.
He had no idea how long they stayed that way, kissing, losing themselves in each other, only that he couldn’t get enough. Wanted her with a fierceness that eventually became so painful, he had to stop.
“I’m sorry,mo dhraoi,” he murmured and pulled away. “If I don’t stop now, I may never.” He shook his head. “I want you too much.”
“You’re really sticking to this sex in the woods thing, aren’t you?” Yet she seemed all right with it, if not as eager. “So when are we leaving?”
“This afternoon,” he replied. “After they celebrate our engagement a tad more.”
“So this has nothing to do with a big send-off?”
“Nay.” He just couldn’t stop smiling. “You’ve won over their hearts, so our cooks are determined to feed you well before we leave.” He gestured at a nearby chair. “Several lasses provided dresses as well.”
“Ah, dresses. I’m still getting used to that.” Madison met his smile. “But that was sweet of them.” Her smile faltered. “Yet in the end, even if we’re lucky enough to stay together, you won’t be their king anymore. I won’t be their queen.”
He wished he knew what to say but didn’t because she was right. So he said all he could. That only the gods knew what would come of things in the end, so there was no use worrying about it until the time came. While he knew that was hard to hear, she took his advice, and they ended up spending an enjoyable day with their people.
“What a wonderful time,” she said as he swung up onto his horse behind her later that afternoon, and they bid everyone goodbye. “The food was amazing.”
Deirdre had already bid them farewell with a satchel full of treats, a beaming smile, and plenty of hugs.
“So ‘twas all good, even minus the whiskey cakes this time?” he teased, noticing she had steered clear of them. All alcohol, for that matter.
“Especially minus the whiskey cakes.” Madison eyed the warriors falling in around them. “I wish I knew how to ride my own horse.” She patted Tadhg. “Not that I don’t like riding yours.”
“I imagine you will be riding your own in no time.” For now, he preferred having her right where she was. “’Twas obvious in the stables that horses like you every bit as much as Tadhg, so I imagine whichever you eventually call your own will make things easy for you.”
“I look forward to it.” She shot him a telling look over her shoulder. “So we won’t be going all the way to King’s Heart today?”
“Nay, ‘tis best to camp halfway between here and there and let our scouts watch the area for the night,” he said. “We’ll head that way on the morn and be there by noon at the latest.”
Until then, he was counting down the minutes until they made camp for the night.
“Me too.” She cozied back against him. “More than you know.”
While he thought his need for her might ease a little through the day while they were enjoying everyone, it hadn’t. If anything, his desire, a raw need he didn’t know he was capable of, only grew stronger. Every time he glanced her way, she seemed to be looking at him. Admiring him in a way that said much.Everything.
Because her gaze set him on fire.
It was as though she touched him with a mere glance. Made him crave what was coming. What he would soon do to her. How he would make her feel. And it would be good. No, more than that. Far more. Outstanding based on the chemistry brewing between them.
“Congratulations on yer engagement,”Aisling said, pulling him from his lustful thoughts. His fairy flickered in the sunlit leaves beside them.“’Tis much welcome news.”
“It is,”Oran agreed, flying from tree to tree.“Most welcome.”
Madison smiled.“Thanks.”
“Any news on our surroundings?”Cian asked.
“All remains unusually quiet,”Aisling replied.“Even on King Raghnall’s border.”
“You went all the way to his border?”Cian asked, shocked.
“She did,”Oran confirmed.“Much to my surprise...and pleasure.”
Madison smirked at Cian over her shoulder and mouthed, “Pleasure?”
