“Nay,” she said with a smoky laugh. “This”—her hand loosened his garb, she freed him, and then lowered until her soft breath spilled over his hard length. Her eyes locked on his—“is what I do if I want to drive you mad.” Her tongue flicked over hissensitive tip.
Sensation exploded, and his body trembled as her mouth continued its wondrous foray. He gasped for air. “Lass,I dinna think—”
“’Tis what I planned.” Gwendolyn slid her lips over his full length, her tongue doing magical things as her mouth possessed him, went deeper.
With a groan, Aiden caught her hair, torn between giving her free rein and taking charge. Or, with her expertly licking him, sucking his hardness as her fingers joined in their sensual assault, did he have achance of such.
Gwendolyn’s throaty purr assured him she enjoyed this sensual command. The swirl of sensation grew, built. On edge, Aiden rolled her over, pinned her beneath his body, and gritted his teeth against a wave of heat threatening to shatter his control.
“I thought you liked that?” she asked with feigned innocence.
Liked that? An understatement. It had taken the last fragment of his will not to allow her to finish. “Aye,” he rasped, “too much. A moment more and…”
She chuckled.
The lass was enjoying herself, not that he didn’t appreciate her skill. Aye, later he would allow her to touch him as she chose, and would well enjoy her clever hands. For now… “We will see who is laughing.”
After discarding the remainder of his garb, he took his time exposing her to his view, touching her, enjoying the way her body arched, how her fingers skimmed over his flesh. Their breaths merged, entwined, and he savored her each gasp, delighted in learning what pleased her, astounded by the sensations hertouch ignited.
Aiden linked his fingers with hers as he poised himself at her slick entrance, lifted her hands over her head. “I love you, Gwendolyn.”
* * * *
Gwendolyn’s heart pounded as Aiden stared down at her, humbled she’d found a man of such compassion, a stalwart warrior who had won her heart. “I love you, Aiden,” she replied on a whisper.
Heat filled his eyes as he moved his lips over hers, and she took, gave, savored the slide of their bodies, and his whispered words as his mouth worshiped her skin. Candlelight flickered against the walls in a sultry sway as she enjoyed his touch, explored his hard curves.
Sighs melded into gasps, the magnitude of what he could make her feel, of what he had given her leaving her humbled. Never had she believed she could care for a man with such intensity, much less love him and want him with her forever.
Until Aiden, she had never truly understood how a man could transform her life, not only bringing her hope but heart-felt happiness.
Gwendolyn welcomed him into her slick warmth. Ecstasy filled her as she met his every thrust, wanting him, wanting their children, and wanting their life together. Pressure built, and an explosion of intense pleasure blurred her thoughts. Then she was floating, caught in a whirlwind, slowlydrifting back.
Aiden’s cry of release joined hers, then he rolled to his side and cradled her against his chest.
Breath coming fast, her body glistening within the glow of firelight, she snuggled against him, never so happy in her life. Emotion swelled in her throat, and she damned the morning,but hours away.
Brows narrowed, he lifted her chin. “What is wrong?”
Emotion clogging her throat, she damned the passage of time, wished they could remain here forever. “I dinna want you to go.”
Fierce eyes held hers. “Neither do I want to leave you, but I will return,that I swear.”
Pushing back the tears, refusing to mar the beauty of this night with sadness, Gwendolyn lay her hand on her stomach, prayed they had created life. “Mayhap I am carrying our child.”
His eyes softened with emotion. With reverence, he threaded his fingers through hers. “I pray so; ’twould be the greatest gift,” Aiden said as he rolled her onto her back with a teasing smile, “nor am I a man who leaves naught to chance.” Catching her mouth in a fierce kiss, he again drove deep inside her.
Epilogue
Encircled within Aiden’s arms, Gwendolyn leaned against his chest. She looked down upon their sons, asleep in their crib, thankful for Aiden’s return. Tears burned her eyes at the precious memory of him holding Hughe and Ihon in his arms, and of the astonishment and love on his war-hardened face. ’Twas a memory she would cherish forever.
Pride filled Aiden’s eyes. “They arehandsome lads.”
“Liketheir father.”
He turned her in his arms and lifted abrow. “Indeed?”
“Very much so.” She exhaled with a contented sigh. “After you seized Thorburn Castle, King Robert was generous to allow you to return instead of continuingwith his men.”
