His body clenched against her, and when she opened her eyes, he was panting above her, his damp head hanging against her breasts. His broad shoulders blocked everything else from her view, and in this moment as their frenzied passion calmed, only the two of them existed, joined as one against the harshness of the world.
Tosia skimmed her hands over his sweaty back, pulling him down so they touched skin to skin, and James accepted her comforting embrace. She held him as though this hardened warrior were a fragile glass, as though here in bed was the one place she might keep him safe and drive away any lingering demons.
If she could forget the world in the passion he stoked in her, then she might do the same for him.
When he finally rolledaway, the cool air raised pimples on her skin. James flipped a fur over them, chasing away the chill. Then he turned to his side and placed an arm over her, drawing her close, and pressed a kiss on her shoulder.
In these chambers, in his arms, Tosia felt a new sense of security, one she hadn’t experienced before. Oh, she hadn’t thought such a feeling possible with the Black Douglas! Yet he was her own beast, one that circled her protectively, guarded her, and brought her immeasurable joy.
Like the joy he’d shown her this night. She shivered at the lasting memory of it. James tugged the fur higher on her shoulder.
“Are ye chilled, lass?” he asked, wiping her hair to the side to kiss the back of her neck. She shivered again.
“Nay. ‘Tis the sensations ye give me.”
He chuckled behind her, his breath warm against her neck. “Ye found your pleasure then?”
She warmed as a blush flared over her skin, turning her of a shade of pale rose. “Aye,” she admitted in an embarrassed voice. “I did.”
His hand caressed her shoulder and down to her waist, encircling her. “I would have ye find your pleasure with me every time. I want ye to know all the joy that ye might have in this world.”
She moved her hand and found his hand. His fingers moved to clasp hers, as if he needed every part of their skin, even their fingers, to touch.
“’Tis a hard thing, to find joy in this world. I hope that ye find joy in it as well.” She held her breath after she spoke. Had she overstepped in her words? Reminded him of his own hard life? His lips found the back of her neck again.
“I find joy in ye,” he whispered against her skin, “and ‘tis enough to bring me joy in this world.”
Tosia smiled to herself as their breathing shifting, steadying as sleep embraced them. Any fears she’d had for her husband had evaporated, disappeared completely, and an undeniable realization washed over her. She was growing to love this man and would do everything in her meager power to keep him close to her.
And considering James’s ability to rage and destroy if provoked, Tosia pitied anyone that might try to separate them.
Chapter Fourteen: A Shocking Lack of Training
James was nothing ifnot the Bruce’s man, and only a few days after their wedding, he fully resumed his role as captain, directing the king’s armies among the lowlands and searching for rogue English and their treacherous Scottish allies.
Which meant James oft came to their chambers late, shed his harsh, military exterior as he shed his sword and tunic, and came to their bed to find his release with Tosia.
