He arched a brow. “And that would be?” Intrigued, doubting his life would ever be boring with her at his side.
“My showing you is best.” In the fading daylight, she took his hand and led him to where a sun-bleached limb lay half-buried on the shore. Eyes sparkling with mischief, she gestured to the rough charcoal outline of a man, a chunk torn free from the crudely shaded heart.
“You did this?” he asked. After witnessing her spirit since they had met, he far from found himself surprised.
“Aye. On the morning of your arrival at Latharn Castle, furious that I had to wed to keep my liege lord’s guard at the stronghold, I drew this. As I drove my dagger into the blackened heart, I told Sir Pieres that I needed nay husband.”
Aiden chuckled. “I am lucky tohave survived.”
“Your saving Kellan and her colt helped to begin to win my heart,” she said with a smile. “I was prepared to dislike you. In truth, I half-loathed youbefore we met.”
“That was unfair.”
Her smile faded and her eyes darkened with need. “It was. As angry as I was, fairness wasna in my heart to give. Then I met you.”
A simple look and he wanted her. With Gwendolyn ’twould always be so. He caught her mouth in another heated kiss, lingered. “I assure you, when I rode into your castle on that fateful day, never did I expect to stay, more so to find a woman I would respect, let alone love. And I found both.” Drawing her to his side, he glanced along the shore. “’Tis beautiful.”
Warmth touched her gaze. “’Tis my special place, one I wanted to share with you.”
He inhaled, the salty tang in the air, along with the soft cadence of the waves, spilling ashore like a balm to the soul. “Though stunning, I find myself wanting to be alone in the privacy of our chamber with my wife.” Aiden caught her mouth in a tender kiss. The spear of need was immediate, and he savored the desire, the building of heat.
She arched against him, took, demanded, her every move stealing his breath.
Blood racing hot, Aiden broke away, skimmed kisses down the silken column of her neck. “Come to bed with me, Gwendolyn. I canna wait any longer.”
Eyes dark with hunger held his. “Have youhealed enough?”
In answer, he scooped her into his arms and strode toward their home. Gwendolyn laughed, the sweetest sound to Aiden’s ears.
A short while later he secured the door behind him. Candlelight filled the chamber, illuminating her within the golden light as he lowered Gwendolyn to her feet.
On a soft gasp, she slowly turned, staring at the numerous baskets of flowers, the delicacies filling a platter: several wedges of cheese, cured meats, and pastries garnished with honey and slices of golden baked apples. In a basket to one side lay several bottles of wine. A well-planned banquet that made her eyes pool with joy and her mouth water.
“Where did all this come from?” she asked as she stared up at him with tenderness.
“I asked the cook and a maid to prepare everything while we said farewell to King Robert.” He moved his hands down the arms of her cream silk gown. “I wanted tosurprise you.”
Her eyes grew misty. “You have.”
Humbled by this woman, one who had destroyed the walls guarding his heart, he drew her closer. “Every time I look at you, you steal my breath. I canna believe you are mine.” A flush swept her cheeks, and he liked having put it there. “More so after having seen the figure with the charcoal heart slashed out.”
Gwendolyn laughed, a rich, happy sound. “There is that.”
His heart full, Aiden claimed her mouth in a deep kiss, lingered, thankful to have found her, more that they would be together for the restof their lives.
Emotion raw in his chest, he swept her into his arms, strode toward the bed. Gray eyes darkened with desire as he settled his body intimately over hers. Braced on his forearms, Aiden stared down at her, never before feeling this blessed,this complete.
He rolled onto his back, took her with him, until shestraddled him.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
“This.” Within the golden wisps of light, he skimmed his fingers along the curve of her neck, sliding lower to loosen the ties of her clothing. With reverence, he peeled away the gown, exposed the soft swell of her breasts. He swallowed hard, lifted his gaze to hers. “You steal my breath, Gwendolyn.” Hands trembling, he cupped her soft curve, raised up to taste.
At her moan, at how her body trembled beneath his touch, he slowed, took his time, his hands caressing, stroking, wanting to discover her body’s every secret.
As he moved his hands to cup her hips, like a temptress, she began to rock against his hard length with slow, mind-destroying strokes.
At the wicked smile in her eyes, Aiden realized she knew exactly what she was doing to him. “Lass,” he groaned, “you are driving me mad.”
