She nuzzled into the crook of his arm, every muscle limp, every breath shallow.
“And what’s that?” she murmured.
“That ye’re mine now.”
The sun rays spilled through the narrow crack in the curtain, slicing through the shadows. Lavina stirred beneath the furs, stretching the sleep from her limbs. A lazy smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she recalled the reason her body ached so deliciously. Heat blossomed in her cheeks, and her gaze shifted to the man beside her.
Theo.
Last night had not been a dream. His weight pressed gently into the mattress beside her, one arm flung over his head.
“Ye’re starin’,” he mumbled, his eyes still closed.
Lavina smiled wider, drinking him in. “Nay, I’m nae,” she lied sheepishly.
Theo peeked through slitted lids.
Even groggy with sleep, he was devastatingly handsome, more so in the golden hush of morning light than she could have imagined. His hair was mussed, his lips still puckered from sleep—or something else—and his stubble caught the sun just right.
Before she could admire him any longer, he suddenly bolted upright.
“What time is it?” he asked, his voice strained.
“I dinnae ken. Why?”
“There’s a council meeting this morning—first thing.” His eyes went wide. “I’ve got to go.”
Without hesitation, he threw the covers back and leaped from the bed. His tall frame moved quickly, almost comically, as he scrambled to gather his clothes from various corners of the room.
Lavina couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. Memories of him tossing each garment aside with reckless abandon the night before made her cheeks flush.
He slipped on whatever he could to cover what he could, mumbling curses as he stepped on a boot and nearly tripped over his discarded belt. His focus was singular, all urgency and motion, as he charged toward the door.
Not a pause. Not a kiss. Not a backward glance.
Lavina’s heart sank.
But just as his hand gripped the door handle, he turned. His expression softened the moment their eyes met.
“Sorry,” he whispered, before rushing back to the bed. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his lips warm and lingering. “I’ll have to get used to wishin’ ye a good day.”
Lavina looked up at him, trying not to let the tears of affection blur her vision.
“I’ll send ye a tray, so ye dinnae have to do anything today. Just rest. Take care of yerself.” His hand brushed her cheek before he straightened.
And with that, he was gone.
Lavina lay back against the pillows, her heart soaring even as the door clicked shut.
She pulled the furs up to her chin, breathing in his scent as she realized one thing was certain—Theo had changed her. For better or worse, she was his now, and she reveled in it.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Theo shifted in his seat as he brushed his fingers over his upper lip. Lavina’s scent lingered, pulling his focus from the council meeting. Images of her pulling him into the shadows of the garden flashed through his mind.
“Laird McGowan?”
He blinked until the garden faded into the council chambers. Arching an eyebrow, he shifted his attention to the councilman across from him.
