“Rónán, I love you, ’tis that simple.”
Had she railed at him, that he could have defied, but with laughter in her eyes, and his feelings for her tumbling upon the other forces railing him, his defenses faded. “Lathir, this, us, isna whatI had planned.”
Her eyes softened with tenderness. “The best things arenot, are they?”
Caught within the turmoil in his heart, he cupped her face. “Never did I set out to find you, much less fall inlove with you.”
The humor on her face faded first to shock, then elation.“You love me?”
“Aye,” he rasped, still in shock from her admission, but unable to deny it to her any longer, “with my every breath. I am a foolto admit it.”
“Nay, you are the man I love. Kiss me, Rónán.”
With his last inkling of resistance, he glanced around, frowned. “’Tis unwise before the crew.”
A smile curving her mouth, she lifted on her tiptoes. “Take the risk if you dare.”
With happiness in her eyes and need pounding through him, he was lost. He claimed her mouth, and desire surged through him, stoking every dream he hadn’t dared believecould be real.
For years he’d focused on duty, never considering a home or a family. Yet Lathir made him think, believe anythingwas possible.
Rónán angled her head, took the kiss deeper, allowing the depth of his passion to infuse the kiss, needing her to understand that for her, he’d risk everything.
At shouts of approval, Rónán lifted his head, pleased by the flush on Lathir’s face as he scanned the grinning faces of the crew, having paused in their duties. He skimmed his thumb across her lower lip, still slick from their kiss. “’Twould seem that for what I wish to do with you, discretionis necessary.”
The redness on her face deepened. “Privacy we will find upon our arrival in Wynshire Castle.”
As the cog cut through a swell, with deliberation, he set her a step away. “However much I want you, I willna take you to my bed until we are married.”
She swallowed a visible gasp, watching him with her fierce yet gentle eyes.
Ignoring the members of the crew still watching them, Rónán knelt before her, took her hand. He cleared his throat. “’Tisna the way I would plan such, but marry me, Lathir. Stand beside me for the rest of my life, share my dreams, build a home and a family with me.”
Tears of joy spilled down her cheeks.“Aye, I will.”
The crew roared.
Amid the cheers, Rónán stood and kissed her thoroughly, never wanting to let her go, wishing they were alone, their vows behind them so he could take her to his bed and show her how shemade him feel.
On an unsteady breath, he drew her to him, savored the feel of her body against his. Time for intimacy would come.
“However much I would enjoy spending the day alone with you—” Rónán gave her one last kiss—“our time would be best served preparing for our arrival.”
With a twinkle in her eyes, she stepped back. “Aye. And I need to retrieve the map I drew of the river for the captain.”
He nodded. “I will meet you where Bran is workingat the stern.”
She hurried toward the bow, where he’d seen her sketching on the parchment earlier in the day.
That, he mused as he watched her comely figure depart with a fight-worthy step, is my future wife.
Lighthearted despite the lingering niggles at the back of his mind, Rónán strode toward the stern as the cog carved its way westward. He savored the mist of the salty spray upon his face, understanding the demanding life aboard a ship. The sea held its own code, one that didn’t allow for emotions, but hard work, a quick wit, and at timesa little luck.
White water curled from the bow as Rónán halted beside the captain.
A smile curved Bran’s mouth. “’Twould seem congratulationsare in order.”
“I thank you,” Rónán said, unsure if he was more stunned by his proposal or that Lathir had accepted it.
