And just when she thought she was going to burst from the inside out, Torquil entered her in one long, hard thrust, burying himself to the hilt. She screamed out his name. Not in pain. Nay, there was no pain in this act. He pushed into her, moaning her name in her ear, his hot breath tickling her neck as his hands grasped her hips to keep her steady.
Her stomach coiled, tightening with each thrust of his hips. She felt as if she were spiraling off a cliffside until suddenly, everything exploded. She saw lights behind her eyelids, as racking shudders overcame her. She called out Torquil’s name and he quickened his pace, until, he too, with a deafening roar, called out her name, driving into her one final time. His body, jerking in a series of shudders to match her own.
He collapsed beside her, panting heavily. His smooth chest heaving as he rested his forehead on hers, then captured her mouth to claim her once again.
Torquil rolled onto his back, and Eilidh lay upon him, resting her head on his chest, over his heart and listened to his heartbeat as it beat strong and fast beneath her ear. She listened as it began to slow, a steady staccato to match the sound of the raindrops outside.
“Torquil?” She asked softly.
“Hmmm,” he answered, his voice low, as he drew lazy circles on her back.
“I love ye,” she admitted and his hand stilled, making her believe she confessed her feelings too soon.
Lifting her chin with his finger he brought her face up so she could meet his gaze. “I love ye, too, Firebrand. Against my better judgment, but I do. I have for some time, methinks.”
She smiled and snuggled into him once again.
“I enjoyed that,” she said with a smile. “’Twas quite nice.” She said with a giggle.
“Did ye now?”
“Aye.”
“Me too.” He chuckled, against her ear it sounded like a deep rumble.
The storm continued to rage on as they lay there. Neither one wanting to move. Night had fallen and they were bathed in darkness. The only light coming from the hearth and the flashes of lightning.
“I dinnae want the night to end,” she murmured.
Torquil kissed her hair, nodding his head. “Nor do I. But we cannae spend the night here.”
Eilidh sat up, confused. “Then where should we go?”
He stood and offered her his hand. Accepting it, she let him lead her through a door.
Torquil’s bedchamber. The room wasn’t large, but there was enough space for a bed big enough to fit them both. A small wardrobe was set in the corner and an intricately designed chest was at the foot of the bed. He pulled back the throws and gestured for Eilidh to climbin. She did so, and he followed her into the bed, drawing the covers over them. Pulling her back close to his chest, she lay in the outline of his body.
Nuzzling her neck, he placed soft kisses against her skin.
“Sleep weel, my Firebrand.”
A crack of thunder sounded an ominous warning that Eilidh ignored. Torquil squeezed her tight. Saying without words that he was there to protect her. Soon, his soft breathing evened out as slumber overtook him. After that, it didn’t take long for Eilidh to fall asleep, feeling safe and sound in the comfort of Torquil’s strong arms wrapped around her.
Neither of them kenned how this storm would change everything for them from this point forward.
Chapter Twelve
Soft sunlight streamedinto the cottage the next morn, warm and golden on the tangled throw. Torquil woke first, sated and content from the night he and Eilidh had shared.
He watched Eilidh as she slept with a mix of admiration, wonder, and something else he didn’t want to admit—dread. Her thick, brown lashes rested on her freckled cheeks. Her long hair fanned over the pillow and his arm. Absentmindedly, he twirled a tendril around his fingers. She had one slender leg stuck out and resting on top of the throw.
Eilidh stirred, opening her eyes slowly, and meeting his gaze with a lazy smile. She stretched and turned into him, placing a kiss on his chest. “Good morn,” she greeted, her voice husky from sleep.
Torquil kissed the top of her head. “Good morn.”
They stayed silent, enjoying the quiet solitude of their sanctuary. A peace such as he had not kenned afore settled over him as he caressed Eilidh’s back.
A sharp knock sounded and they both started, shattering the mood and shaking them out of their peaceful splendor. Torquil jumped out of bed, grabbing a pair of trews from his trunk and pulling them on as the persistent knocking continued. A knock that he kenned wasn’t from his brothers.
