Deryn grinned, a wicked glint in his eye. “Aye, we’d better had.”
He pulled her down and kissed her.
Chapter 15
The following morning Maddy woke to an aching back and stiff muscles. She was lying on her side in front of the fire with Deryn curled protectively around her.
She waggled her feet and fingers experimentally, wincing at the aches that went through her body. That’s what you got for sleeping on the floor, she supposed. Although, she suspected the antics that she and Deryn had got up to most of the night had also played a contributing role. Her toes curled as she thought of last night. It had been...she didn’t even have the words to describe what it had been. Perfect just didn’t seem to cut it. Amazing didn’t even come close.
Deryn loved her. She had felt it in his lovemaking, she had felt it in his kisses, she felt it right now in the way he held her tightly, even in sleep.
She could lie like this forever and be happy. But she knew that wasn’t possible. The light seeping under the door and the cracks in the shutters told her it was already past dawn.
She turned in Deryn’s arms, pressing her body against his, then kissed him on the nose. He stirred, smiling, although he didn’t open his eyes.
“What was that?” he said. “I didnae quite catch it.”
She kissed him again, this time on the forehead, cheeks and finally, his lips.
“I could get used to being woken like this, love,” he rumbled.
“Me too. Unfortunately, the sun is already up and I know a four-year-old boy who will be waiting for us.”
He stretched his arms over his head and then pushed himself into a sitting position. He was naked, just as she was, and she couldn’t get enough of watching him. He noticed her ogling him and grinned.
“See aught ye like?”
She batted his shoulder. “Don’t get cocky.” She made to get up but he grabbed her, pulled her close, and kissed her again. That fire lit inside instantaneously and desire swept along her nerves. She’d lost track of how many times they had made love last night but if her aching body was anything to go by, it was a lot, yet that didn’t make any difference. She wanted him again already.
She put her hands against his shoulder and broke the kiss with an effort. “Come on. You make breakfast. I’ll make coffee.”
He let her go with a wry smile. “Ye are a cruel woman, Madeleine Green. Do ye know that?”
“I’ve been told so on occasion.”
She climbed to her feet and pulled him up after her. Gathering up her clothes that were strewn across the floor, she hurried into the bedroom to dress. The air was chilly this early in the morning so she had a quick wash from the jug and basin and donned clean clothes from the chest. Clothes that she now realized must have once belonged to Lizzie.
