“This.” Cailin drew her body flush against his and claimed her mouth. Instead of the previous heated demand, he took his time, skimming his tongue across her lips in slow torture, teasing until her bodyached for him.
Moaning, wanting only to stay in his arms, she forced herself to tear her mouth from his and stepped back. “We canna make love here.”
“I think,” he said as he swept her into his arms and strode toward the bed, “’tis theperfect place.”
His erotic kiss smothered any reply. Lost in his touch, her mind hazed. At what moment he’d discarded her garb as well as his, she wasn’t sure, but with his hard length pressed intimately against her, she welcomed himinto her heat.
With each stroke, her heart ached at the beauty of his touch, of how he took his time, as if this entire moment was for her.
Was that why he was here? Was this his way of convincing her to marry him? The rush of her dreams of love collided with reality.
Cailin’s pace increased, andhe drove deep.
Waves of sensation flooded her, stealing every thought as he filled her over and again. As she cried out her release, hefound his own.
Breath coming fast, he collapsedon top of her.
Elspet savored the feel of his nakedness, the subsequent ripples of pleasure, until ’twas as if every part of her was humming with pleasure. She should feel elated, pleased. Though she might never have his love, they would be together.
“I know why you are here—to convince me to wed you because I might carry your child, an heir to Dalkirk.” At the smile in his eyes, irritation filled her that when she should be overjoyed to have such a man in her life, a part of her felt empty. “I see little humorous about this situation.”
“Elspet, I—”
She pushed against his muscled chest; he didn’t move. “Let me go.”
“Never.” Eyes dark with intention, he rolled to his side and lifted her chin until their eyes met. “Elspet, what I have to tell you is that I need you and want you in my life. Not because you may carry my child, though that would have been a discussion we would have had…if I had not fallen inlove with you.”
“Merciful saints, I willna be…” She stared at him as his words sifted through her mind, igniting hope in her soul. Though she’d wished, prayed for Cailin’s love, to hear the words, the immense feeling within them, she struggled to breathe. “Y–you love me?”
“Aye.” He caressed her cheek. “Never did I expect to find a woman who I couldna live without before I met you. I was a fool to nae realize what I felt for you before, and I am never going to let you go.” He released her and knelt on the bed. As she sat up, he clasped her hand. “Marry me, Elspet. I love you and want to spend the rest of mylife with you.”
Joy exploded inside as she threw herself into his arms. “Aye!”
* * * *
Several days later, at the camp outside Tiran Castle, Elspet glanced at Cailin as he stood before his destrier. Desire swept through her as she recalled how they’d made love at Syridan Castle. Most of all, of the memories of how he’d confessed his love, and asked for her hand in marriage.
Happiness surged through her at thoughts of being his wife, of the children they would have. Aye, he would have to return to fight for King Robert. With most of Scotland beneath the rightful sovereign’s rule, she prayed that Cailin would be away a brief time.
Cailin drew her to him, gave her a deep kiss, then swung up on his destrier. “I will return shortly.” He cantered to where the Earl of Odhran and Rónán awaited him at the edgeof the forest.
From the shelter of the thick pine boughs, Elspet watched as Cailin, carrying a white flag of truce, rode with the other men towardthe stronghold.
Taog stepped next to her, rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Dinna worry. The fortress is surrounded. Even if the earl tried to attack us, his forces are greatly outnumbered. I have little doubt the earl will be forcedto surrender.”
“I pray so, but we dinna know how long his unclewill hold out.”
He grunted. “Once he learns that nay reinforcements will be coming, with his supplies running low, he will last naught more than a fortnight before he cedes.”
“You are right.” She gave a slow breath. “I wish ’twas all over.”
“As I, but the time will come.”
The distant figures disappeared down the incline, then appeared as they rode the incline toward the castle. “Cailin’s decision to wait out his uncle to spare loss of life on both sides and avoid rebuilding the stronghold is wise.”
“’Tis.”
“Taog,” a man a distance behind them called.
