She shook her head. "Nay. You feel wonderful." Far beyond wonderful, in fact. She didn't possess the words to describe how astounding he felt.
He stroked her tears away with his thumbs and again moved within her, his lips brushing against hers.
Knowing she had no control over the emotions he drew from her, she pressed her eyes closed.
The delightful sensations he propelled through her body near overwhelmed her. She held her breath, having forgotten the full impact of what he could do to her. The power hovered at the brink for long seconds, then it crashed into her with such potency and decadence her breath halted. Clutching at him, she cried out. Or was she screaming? His mouth covered hers as he drove himself into her with greater force. He drew the pleasure out, extending her enjoyment for long moments.
His jaw clenched hard, he groaned, withdrew from her and spilled his seed upon her belly. She knew 'twas for the best, but some deep part of her wished he hadn't. Was she daft to want another child from him?
Aye.
After a moment, he rolled aside, breathing hard. "Saints, Calla." He arose, poured water from the ewer into the basin and dipped a cloth in it. He returned to the bed and bathed her stomach. His affectionate gaze lifted to hers. "You are something else."
"What? Something bad?" she teased, happiness still beaming within her in the afterglow.
"Nay." He grinned. "An astonishing woman who can drive me mad with wanting you."
She savored the caring expression on his handsome face. How she loved him… she hadn't even realized until today. Tears pricked her eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to shove the spiking emotion away… love and longing. Nay, she could not be in love with him. She had to stop feeling this way.
After depositing the cloth in the basin, he returned to the bed. Lying beside her, he propped his head against his hand. "Nay, surely you're not about to cry again."
Not wanting him to see her daft tears or her emotions, she shook her head and looked down.
He lifted her chin, urging her to look at him. "Tell me why you are crying."
The words ran through her mind—I love you and we have a son.
Chapter Eleven
Nay, Calla could not tell Rebbie how she felt about him. Nor could she tell him about Jamie.
"I'm not crying." She forced a smile. "'Tisnaught. Truly."
"You don't trust me enough to tell me?" His brows held a wee, displeased frown.
"I trust you." She did indeed trust him to protect her. And she knew he would never physically harm her. But to trust him with her feelings and her secrets was another thing entirely. Revealing those would put her son's future at risk, and she could never do that.
Once Rebbie learned how she'd used him all those years ago, he'd be angry. Besides that, he was a powerful earl, with an even more powerfulmarquessfather. Either of them might take Jamie from her and expose her lies to parliament and the Kirk. She'd rather die than be brought before them, scrutinized and deemed a harlot, an adulteress and a liar. 'Twouldbe such a scandal she'd have to leave the country. She knew no one in any foreign lands, or even in England, who would help her.
She had built a house of cards, and Rebbie could easily make it all come crashing down.
"I didn't want to upset you," he murmured. "I but wanted to give you pleasure."
"You did." Surely, he knew that. Hadn't her reactions to him been obvious? "Being with you is… amazing."
"Youare amazing." He kissed her forehead.
Rebbie had never experienced anything or anyone like Calla. Such intense need, desire and pleasure she elicited from him without effort. He had only to look at her to want her. But he easily saw the pain in her eyes, the vulnerabilities she tried to hide. What caused it? Her former bastard of a husband? The idiot Claybourne who was trying to capture her and use her? Whatever it was, he wanted to take the pain away.
"How much is the debt to Claybourne?" Rebbie asked.
She eyed him suspiciously, her gaze searching his face. "Why would you ask?"
"I'm a curious person. Or nosey, depending on who you ask."
She lifted a brow slightly. "'Tissuch a large sum, I'd rather not say."
"Surely, it cannot be all that much."
