“Yes,” Anna assured him, placing a reassuring hand over his where it rested on the table. She offered him a weak smile that she hoped he would buy. “I just... I need to clear my head.”
Emeric shrugged amicably, setting aside his own goblet. “Sounds good to me. Outside then?” he said, extending a hand toward her.
Without another word, they left the boisterous festivity behind them and made their way out of the castle and along the path to the loch shore. It was early evening and the last of the swallows were skimming low over the water, catching insects. It was quiet, peaceful, with not another soul in sight. Just her and Emeric, and exactly what she needed.
They seated themselves on the springy grass of the loch shore. There was a stillness in the air, an intimate silence between them as they watched the still loch. From afar camethe distant call of a curlew. Anna sucked in a breath, feeling a deep tranquility settle into her bones. The restlessness she’d felt all her life was gone. That sense of feeling out of place, like she was a round peg in a square hole, had vanished. Irene was right. She was finally where and when she was meant to be.
“That was a heartfelt sigh, lass,” Emeric observed.
“Just...thinking.”
“About what?”
“About how much I love it here,” she said truthfully. “About how much I love you.”
Emeric’s face softened. “I’ll never tire of hearing ye say that.”
Anna found herself studying Emeric’s profile in the dimming light. His eyes were calm as he turned to stare out into the shimmering waters of the loch, his strong jaw set determinedly as if he too had made a choice and was content with it.
She reached out, brushing her fingers over his cheek and he turned towards her, their faces mere inches apart. A spark passed between them as their eyes locked, a charge so palpable that it sent goosebumps prickling up her arms. Her heart raced as Emeric’s hand came up to brush a stray strand from her face. His fingers trailed gently down her cheek, his eyes darkening with an emotion she recognized all too well.
Emeric leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. There was no gentleness in the touch. It was passionate and yearning, a kiss full of promises. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.
Anna responded with equal fervor, tangling her fingers in his hair as she deepened the kiss. It was like a forest catching fire. Passion, need, desire—all these came racing to the surface. Everything else was suddenly inconsequential—the festivities in the castle, the loch and its quiet lapping waves, the sun beginning to set on the horizon—nothing seemed to matter except the feel of his lips against hers, the touch of his hands and the unspoken words passing between them.
She began tugging at his plaid, his shirt, suddenly desperate to feel his skin. His strong fingers found the ties of her dress and deftly pulled them free. The only sounds were their mingling breaths and the soft whisper of fabric as clothes were discarded, forgotten on the cool grass.
Emeric’s calloused hands traced paths along Anna’s body, reverent and inquiring. Each slow exploration caused her breath to hitch, her heart to race. She let her own fingers trail over the rough terrain of his chest, marveling at the strength she found there. His skin was warm under her touch, his heartbeat strong and steady beneath her palm. A soft groan tumbled from his lips as Anna’s hands continued their exploration, her fingers touching, teasing, tormenting him.
In response, he kissed his way along her neck, his tongue tracing a fiery path that had her gasping for breath. They fell back onto the grass. She lost herself a little as he kissed her senseless, his hands skillfully making quick work of the remainder of her gown. All thoughts of Irene and time travel and choices seemed far away; there was only the here and now, and Emeric.
“Anna,” he whispered against her skin, his voice barely audible above the hush of the evening. “I love ye... more than I have words to express.”
“And I you,” she whispered back. “Oh, Emeric, I want you. Right now.”
A lazy smile danced on Emeric’s lips as he kissed a path to her ear. “Then ye shall have me, lass.”
With tender slowness, Emeric positioned himself above her. He stared into her eyes as he lowered his body atop hers. Then oh so slowly, he thrust his hips, guiding himself into her.
Anna gasped quietly as he filled her, arching her back and gripping his shoulders. This was what she wanted, needed. It felt...perfect. Emeric paused, holding himself perfectly still, allowing her to adjust to his considerable size. Once she had relaxed beneath him, he began to move. His rhythm was slow at first, tender and explorative, sending delicious tingles surging through her blood.
But slowly, Emeric’s movements became more forceful, until he was driving into her with a passion that left her breathless. She met him stroke for stroke, fingers digging into the muscles of his back. His lips traveled across her skin, nipping at a sensitive spot on her neck that sent shocks of pleasure radiating through her.
Emeric groaned, his breath rasping in her ear. His rhythm quickened, the pleasure mounting as their bodies rocked together under the vast expanse of the sky. The tingles in her blood began to grow, catching alight until it felt like she was on fire. Starting where their bodies met, the heatspread, burning through her body in fiery ecstasy. Burning, burning, burning...
With a cry, she reached her peak, her body arching beneath him, clinging to him as wave after wave of pleasure burned through her. A moment later, Emeric tensed and groaned, his own climax hitting him with a force that made him shudder and jerk. He collapsed atop her, his breath ragged and uneven.
For a long moment, they lay there entwined. Anna screwed her eyes tight shut as the fire consumed her from her toes to the crown of her head and only slowly, slowly, cooled. Emeric’s head was nestled against her neck, his warm breath tickling her skin as he murmured soothing words in Gaelic.
After what felt like an eternity but was probably only minutes, Emeric rolled onto his back, taking Anna with him so she lay draped across him. He traced lazy circles on the bare skin of her back as she rested her chin on his chest.
Anna reached up and ran her fingers over his strong jawline. “Promise me we’ll be like this always?”
He raised his eyebrow. “What, naked by the side of a loch?”
She scowled. “You know what I mean.”
“Aye, lass. I do. And I promise. Always.”
