Aiden sucked in a sustaining breath, stepped away as he secured his garb. He could do this. He had no other choice.
If they’d met under different conditions, Gwendolyn was a woman whom he’d pursue. Given their circumstance, the graveness of the situation, God’s teeth the very reason for his presence here, she was the one thing he could never have.
Now.
Or ever.
* * * *
Gwendolyn stilled, stifling her disappointment. Though she’d lain with a man, never had she experienced the raw desire Bróccín’stouch inspired.
She shuddered at the erotic promises he’d whispered, ached at thoughts of how he’d touched her, kissed her until she’d fallen over the edge. Aye, he was right. With the way he made her feel, a night making love with him wouldn’t be enough, doubted mere days would sate the feelings he inspired.
A smile touched her lips as she held his gaze. They’d known each other but days. That he could evoke such intense feelings for him in such a brief time was amazing.
Instead of a short-lived burst of intimacy, her magnificent husband offered gallantry. Heat surged through her at thoughts of sharing his bed, but more, a sense of hope, of peace in their years ahead.
Though renowned as a fierce warrior on the battlefield, ’twould seem few knew the man she’d vowed to spend the rest of her life undressing in their bedchamber. However much she wanted him, how could she not savor the thoughtfulnessof his request?
She would wait.
With her heart in her throat, and feeling as if never again would her life be the same, Gwendolyn stood, unashamed of her near nakedness. From this day on they would be man and wife, but not the artificial life she’dfirst believed.
Images of their children flickered in her mind, and her smile grew. Look at her spinning fancies from his simple request. No, ’twas naught simple about what he’d asked. A man did not make the moment of their first joining special unless he wished for their marriage to be more than mere compliance with a noble’s dictate.
He’d obviously asked the delay to bed her because he cared.
She trembled at the realization. Overwhelmed by the unexpected gift, for both their sanity, she tugged up her garb. Gwendolyn laid her fingers within his outstretched hand and fought to keep her voice smooth. “Aye, let us finish our meal.”
Then they would find their bed, except unlike before, they wouldn’t sleep apart. They wouldn’t make love, but she hadn’t promised to leave him untouched. With the boundaries drawn, heat poured through her at thoughts of the infinitely wicked ways she could tease him.
Throughout the meal, she enjoyed their animated discussion, impressed by his vast travels. With each moment they spent together, she found herself relaxing more, and if only for the few hours ahead, ignored the perils beyond the cave. The morning and the danger ahead would come soon enough.
Nor could she dismiss the underlying current between them, awareness she intended to fuel. Gwendolyn stowed the uneaten food, stood. “I will find my bed now.”
Bróccín nodded.
She walked over to the pallet, knelt and turned down the blanket. “Areyou not tired?”
“I…”
Embraced by the fire’s glow, she saw his hands fist at his sides. Gwendolyn smiled. “Our boundaries are set,” she whispered as she loosened the ties of her gown. “’Tis but yourwarmth I seek.”
Jaw tight, on an unsteady breath he remained still. “I—”
She pulled the last tie, nudged the woven cotton into a puddle around her feet. A simple white chemise clung to her curves. Pleasure swept her at the hungry flare in his eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Mayhap us sleeping together isna wise.”
Gwendolyn laughed, enjoying herself. “I far from think a simple woman like me is a threat.” Gwendolyn slipped beneath the covers, leaned forward until the top of her cleavage threatened to spill out. “Come now, my lord. You are not frightened, are you?”
Lines of strain deepened across his brow. As if a momentous task, Bróccín turned. With his back to her he stripped to his trews.
Warmth slid through her body as she took in the play of his muscles, the hewn perfection, and savored the memory of his hard length within her hand.
Her husband turned. His eyes met hers, narrowed. “I thought you were going to sleep.”
“I will,” she said, stroking her finger across the generous swell of her breasts. “I was but admiring the way you move, and envisioning how soon you will move inside me.”
