“This is beautiful,” she murmured, taking in the cozy fire and tiny orb-like lights twinkling everywhere. A basket had been left beside a bed of furs and mugs next to a pitcher of what appeared to be wine.
“I told you I wanted it to be special.” He pulled her after him until they were in the alcove. “That I wanted—”
Before he could say another word, she pulled him close, stood on her tip-toes, and brought his lips down to hers, so aroused and undoubtedly in love, it hurt. Because shewasin love. Had been for a very long time and was only just remembering it. The sweet ache of needing someone so much.
Clearly of the same mind, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Let her feel how hard he was. How much he wanted her too. Where he had ended the kiss this morning, he seemed unable to stop now as he deepened the exchange. Grew as hungry and desperate as her.
“Cian,” she groaned against his lips, needing more. All of him. “Please.”
She knew he meant to take things slow, but they were incapable as he sank to his knees and fell back against the tree, bringing her with him. He yanked his cloak off as she hiked up her skirts and straddled him. Ground against him. So needy, she was nearly in tears as he freed himself and tore away her panties.
They kept kissing as she ground against him again, trembling at the feel of his hard, hot length. His impressive size. Kissing until she cupped his cheeks, stared into his eyes, and finally sank onto him.
Both groaned this time at the feel of coming together. At the unbelievable sensation of him filling her. She swore her eyes rolled back in her head, it felt so good. So right. She could barely breathe by the time she seated herself fully. Could barely form a coherent thought.
His features twisted in bliss as he gripped her backside. Held her in place. He released a ragged breath, his voice guttural when he managed to speak. “I fear this will not last long, lass. That I do not have....”
He grunted in pleasure when she moved and took the words right out of his mouth. She knew what he was going to say. This felt too good. Somehow far overdue.
As though they had been craving it for years.
“Because we have,” she murmured hoarsely, sure of it as she braced her hands on his shoulders, slid up and down, and rolled her hips, desperate for the peak she already raced toward.
Her heart slammed into her throat.
Breathing became impossible.
Fire burned in her blood.
Right there with her, Cian braced his feet on the ground, yanked her tight against him, and moved as well. His breathing was harsh in her ear when she braced her hand against the tree trunk. Dug her nails into the bark as he moved faster, harder, racing toward the same pinnacle.
When pleasure roared up so hard she cried out and sailed over the edge, he thrust one last time, locked her in position, and released a strangled groan. Caught in a climax for the ages, she almost felt like she vibrated as he throbbed inside her. Felt like her limbs weren’t her own when her body let go, and she began shaking.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close while they struggled to catch their breath. When their hearts slammed against one another’s. As his own release seemed to be as endless as hers.
“That was,” she eventually whispered, struggling to find the right words. “So much more....”
No need to finish her sentence. She knew he understood. Felt the same. Neither had ever experienced this during lovemaking. Never been so consumed by the way another person made them feel.
“I meant to do that differently,” he finally said, stroking her hair. “I meant to take things slow. To make it unforgettable.”
“I assure you, this was definitely unforgettable.” Never so relaxed and sated yet still aroused by the feel of him inside her, she met his eyes. Ran her fingers down his strong jaw. “Truly memorable.”
“Yet far too quick.” He cupped her cheek and brushed his lips across hers. “Next time ‘twill not be. Next time I will love ye as ye deserve to be loved.”
It might seem fast,wasfast, but only if these feelings were brand new. Something they both knew without question wasn't true because they had felt these emotions before. She was sure of it. Sure of him and his love for her.
“As long as I’m loved.” She brushed her lips across his this time. “Because that’s all I want from you in the end, Cian.” She was never so certain of anything. “No matter what happens to us, as long as I know you love me, everything will be okay.”
Words she never thought she would utter, would have found ridiculous days ago, but were true nonetheless.
“Then fear naught.” He cupped both her cheeks and dropped several more kisses on her lips. “Because I will always love you,mo dhraoi. Have always loved you.”
“And I, you,” she murmured, the words coming so naturally that she knew she had said them dozens of times before. Perhaps hundreds.
She kissed him again, longer this time.
“Are you hungry?” he murmured against her lips.
