Chapter Eighteen
“WE SHOULD GO,” Shannon murmured when Liam tossed aside the fur around his waist and pulled her into his arms with her fur still around her. “I sense this is important.”
“We will soon enough.” But first. “This won’t take long.”
He wrapped his hand around the side of her slender neck and angled her head until he could kiss her long. Deeply. They had experienced so much in their dreams last night. Felt so much. Enough to know he wanted her and her alone with him always. Knew he would never tire of her. Had not in their last life and certainly wouldn’t in this one.
When she groaned into his mouth, making it clear she was willing to take a few more minutes before they left, he made sure her fur stayed put around her shoulders, hoisted her onto the window ledge, and came between her thighs.
This time he groaned when he wrapped an arm around her waist and sank inside her. Felt her hot sheath welcome him every bit as much as it had last night. He kept his thoughts buried deep lest they hurt her, but he could admit she was the first lass he’d been with that he longed to see swell with his child. Not because he craved an heir but because he or she would be part of them both.
Part of the woman he loved more than life itself.
Last night had made clear how strong his feelings toward her actually were. Then and now. For as long as he could remember in both lives. He wasn’t sure how he’d ever craved another woman. How, when Shannon felt ingrained in his soul.
He needed her so badly that he didn’t last long as he held her close and thrust. She, in turn, wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned into the crook between his neck and shoulder. Something about that, the way her sweet heat felt around his cock and her hot breath on his neck, made him let go far too fast.
Fortunately, she was right there with him, crying out in pleasure against his skin as he held her even tighter and poured his seed into her. Something he seemed determined to do despite knowing nothing could come of it. After he caught his breath, he couldn’t help but kiss her again. Then one more time before he forced himself to stop.
“As much as a part of me hates to admit it, itishard stopping,” she agreed softly as he made sure she could stand okay. Her lustful gaze lingered on his face. “Really hard.”
“Why is it hard to admit?” he asked as they dressed, realizing before she had a chance to answer. It seemed she very much enjoyed their lovemaking and understood how other lasses might feel the same. She’d started feeling possessive, even jealous, after the night they just spent together, and he didn't blame her. He felt the same way about Gavin. About any man she might have been with before that.
“Ye’re taking issue with the lasses I have been with,ta?”
“Seems so, and I hate this feeling.” Shannon frowned and sighed. “I don’t dislike the women you’ve slept with. That wouldn’t be fair to them. But I am....” She shook her head, trying to say it right. “Confused. Just really confused, I guess. Because I have a feeling it shouldn’t have happened. You, sleeping with so many women. Even, Siobhán.” She shook her head. “Andme falling in love with another. That shouldn't have happened either.”
He agreed. It should not have. “You don’t think ‘twas natural, do you?”
“I don’t.” She looked at him with her heart in her eyes and swallowed hard, clearly biting back emotion. “Do you?”
“Nay.” And he was just as upset about it. Who would have such power? Only one person made sense, all things considered, and it sickened him. “If Siobhán was somehow at the root of it, we will find out.” He stopped Shannon at the door and cupped her cheek, never so certain. “And wewillhave our revenge.”
They said nothing more about it, but he felt her simmering rage that something might have come between them to such a degree. That Siobhán might have had such power over them.
Instead, they talked of more pressing issues when they joined Cian, Riona, and Declán in the stables. All of whom seemed set to travel with them. Tréan greeted Liam and Shannon good morn and fell in beside them, evidently a stout ally to them both now.
“Have you spoken with Madison?” Shannon asked Cian as they made their way over the drawbridge with a small army at their back. “Is Constance okay?”
A logical question, given they had been summoned to Aodh’s border.
“All’s well enough,” Cian replied. “If not frustrating on Madison’s behalf because Constance continues to close herself off in her room.” He shook his head. “Madison said she feels a variety of emotions coming off her but most of all fury, trepidation, and heartache.”
“That’s awful,” Shannon said.
