Page 25 of The Lass and the Laird

It was impossible to remain still, so she began rocking with his hardness moving in and out of her and her sex clenched around it taking him in a different way.

"You're my perfect fit. My beautiful lover," he told her, his gaze raking down her body. His large hands covered her breasts and kneaded them until he began to lose control. Declan grabbed her hips and helped lift and lower her while pushing his hips upward to drive into her.

They became one, both crying out in release, floating away in the abyss that raptured them. Space seemed to spin around them and Meredith was lost in Declan. Everything about him was perfection.

He pulled her against his chest and kissed her temples. For some unfortunate reason, Meredith began to cry.

"What is the matter, lass?"

"I don't know." Honestly, she didn't understand why she cried. It was clear now he desired her, but it bothered her how he'd barely spoken to her in days.

Fingers under her chin, he lifted her face. "Tell me."

"All right." She sniffed. "You don't like me. I am sad that you only want my body, but you're my husband now. I want you to care for me. Even just a bit."

An unreadable expression crossed his face. Eyes downcast, he cleared his throat. "What do you feel for me? You rebuffed my requests for weeks. It doesn't seem you care for me either."

"I rebuffed you because I was hurt. But I was about to relent. I missed you so much and wanted to see you."

He wrapped his arms around her, the steady heartbeat under her ear reassuring. "I went after you without hesitation when you were taken. Every minute that passed, I prayed for you to be alive. I never asked you if they'd raped you because it didn't matter to me. I didn't touch you because I wanted to give you time to rest. Heal, if needed. True, I didn't spend much time with you since your arrival. I feared if I would, I'd beg to be allowed into your body. It was best to wait until we were married. At least, that is what I felt was right. You are very important to me, Meredith. In my heart, I refused to lose you even though I worried about marrying you. I do hope you'll come to care for me as I do for you."

His words lulled her into a womb of warmth and safety and she listened to the deep voice, loving the sound of it as he continued. "My father was in a loveless marriage. It taught me a lesson. That type of marriage allows for evil to happen. I don't want that with you. I don't fear it with you."

Once again he lifted her face and kissed her on the lips. "Every vow I spoke today, I meant, Meredith. I will always be true to you. I promised it then and I promise it to you now. I care for you more than I should, cannot fathom a day without you."

Past the haze of tears, she smiled at him and kissed his lips. "I can tell you this, Murrough Declan Gordon, I love you, husband. I love you with all my heart and being."

He didn't reply for a long time, his softened gaze looked from her face to her breasts. His hands slid down to cup her behind. "I wish to have you again, wife." The soft words were a melody to her ears.

"As do I, husband."

Epilogue

Meredith strolled in the garden, enjoying the warmth the beginning of spring brought. Her enlarged belly made it hard to bend to pick up the yellow flowers she wanted to use to brighten up the great room and her and Declan's chamber.

"I think you've got enough." Lily, ever at her side, laid several stems into the basket. "Should we cut some of the long grass to fill in the vases?"

"Good idea." Meredith rested her hands on her stomach at spotting a rider in the distance. "Someone comes."

Lily squinted past the bright sun. "It may be your brother again. He's overly anxious to be here when you go into labor."

"True. I wonder what will happen when he marries and faces the prospect of his first-born. He'll, no doubt, go mad with nerves.” Both laughed as the horseman neared. It was, indeed, Aiden who dismounted and pulled his horse behind as he walked to her. "Should you be out and about so freely in your condition? Where is your husband? What does he say about it?"

If not for the fact she knew he cared, she would have hit him on the side of his head with her basket. "I am more than well, dear brother. Would you like to come inside? Perhaps ale will calm your nerves."

Lily excused herself when her brother's expression darkened. He took her hand and led her to sit on the garden's bench. She leaned onto his shoulder and sighed. "I miss seeing you every day. I am glad you come to visit. I am fine, I promise you."

"I know your husband cares for you, but he's not your family. I am."

How to say what she had to without hurting him? Meredith straightened and took his hand. "No, darling, you are wrong. Declan is my family now, as well. You and he are my family. Once the bairn comes, there will be one more. You are his uncle, a part of us always.” It bothered her that he seemed so alone. If only he'd marry.

"You are right, Meredith. I am glad you feel so. Laird Gordon has proved to be good to you."

"Get married, Aiden," Meredith pleaded. "I want to see you with a wife and children of your own."

He frowned and looked toward the field where the guards practiced. "Aye, maybe soon. I was close once." Meredith remained quiet, although many questions came to her mind. "I was in love. But she belonged to another world. A different people."

"Norse?"