“I expect we’ll be back by supper,” Ian told the cook. “But if we’re no’, no need to delay anyone else’s meals.”
“As ye say, my laird.”
They rode through the gates, and Rhiannon’s gaze toward the ocean drew her husband’s attention.
“Can ye see Noah and Douglass’s castle from here?”
“Aye. ’Tis beautiful, but I can see why when you look out, it might have felt isolating here.”
“Do ye feel isolated?” His brow wrinkled in concern.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“Wait until ye see the waterfall. Then ye may change your mind.”
“Sounds splendid. Lead the way.”
They raced over flat ground and picked their way along the more uneven terrain. Once out of sight of the men on the battlements, Ian pulled their horses to stop often, if only to pull her close for a kiss.
By the time they made it to the waterfall, she was half-mad with wanting of him, but the beauty of it took away her breath.
Nestled in the thickness of the trees was a steaming spring pool with water as clear as fine crystal. What light streamed through the trees made colorful rainbows on the surface, and in the mist of the falls, it poured from a ledge up high down into the pool.
“This is magical,” Rhiannon breathed, climbing down from her horse.
“Aye. My favorite place on the isle.” He dismounted, took out a blanket and laid it out.
“I can see why.” She glanced up at him expectantly. “Can we get in?”
“Aye.” He started to unlace his boots, and she followed suit until she stood in her chemise, her bare feet sinking into the mossy ground, and he in only his shirt.
She started to dip a toe into the surprisingly warm water when he said, “Och, nay, remove your chemise.”
“We’re to swim naked?”
“Is there any other way?” Ian tore off his shirt and dove into the pool as if to prove his point.
Rhiannon stood still, stunned at the strength and build of his physique and his perfect form as he dove in. Was there anything her husband wasn’t good at?
He came to the surface, his hair wet against his forehead until he flicked it back.
“Are ye coming, lass?”
“Aye. Though I fear my dive will not be as appealing.”
He chuckled. “Everything about ye is appealing to me.”
“In that case…” She stripped off her chemise and took a running leap into the water.
Ian was momentarily surprised and then laughed as she landed with a hearty splash beside him. The pool was surprisingly deep, and her feet did not touch the bottom. When she resurfaced, she was beside him. She flashed him a saucy grin, water sluicing off her naked shoulders. And yet she didn’t care how exposed she was, not with him.
“Perfect, my love,” he said, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, their wet bodies flush in the warm water. His eyes were hooded, his expression full of desire.
She had seen that look before, whenever they kissed, their passions mounting until they were both out of breath. Confidence filled her when he looked at her like that. Her lip curled up in a seductive smile. Ian ran his hands through her hair.
“Ye smell delicious,” he whispered as he buried his face in the crook of her neck.
The tingling sensation that only Ian could elicit spread through her body. Her nipples pebbled, and between her legs pulsed with need. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hoping, praying he would ease her suffering.
