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“Then I have your word that you will simply caress all of me?”
“You do,” he said, and plunged his hands into the dough.
Reeve spat out the piece of bread, and Tara laughed.
“I don’t understand what I did wrong,” he said, reaching for a hunk of Tara’s bread. He sighed with pleasure as he chewed it. “Yours is delicious.”
“Because I caressed the dough, not beat it senseless.” She continued to chuckle.
“Laugh,” he warned with a nod. “I’ll honor our bargain and do no more than caress you, but remember the bread responded with each and every touch.”
Tara stopped laughing. “Well, I could change my mind along the way.”
Reeve shook his head. “A bargain is a bargain. You won the spoils fairly, and I will see that you receive them.”
“But—”
“No buts, it is done, or it just begins,” he said, and scooped her up and carried her to bed.
Tara was soon in the throes of passionate torment, and no amount of pleading with Reeve would change his mind. He kept reminding her that a bargain was a bargain. He would do no more than caress her.
“Not fair,” she begged.
“Your choice,” he reminded her with a grin.
Then Tara realized that two could play the game, and her hand slipped down to firmly grasp his hard manhood.
It was Reeve’s turn to gasp and warn and have it do little good, and it wasn’t long after that they both enjoyed the spoils of battle.
Chapter 30
The days passed all too rapidly for Tara and Reeve, and by week’s end, and with no more snow falling, Reeve knew he’d be hearing from his family all too soon. Carnoth would have made extreme demands by now, and to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, something would have to be done.
He had enjoyed every moment he spent with Tara, especially making love until they were exhausted. He had also cherished their talks. They had shared stories of their early years and secrets they had told no one else. They had discussed their hopes and dreams and weren’t surprised at how similar they were. It had taken time, but eventually she began to discuss the future with him as a couple. They talked about having children and argued over names until he had her believing that it was all possible.
It was during those discussions that an idea took root in his mind, and it had begun with something Tara had told him. He had wondered why he hadn’t thought of it sooner, but then he supposed this time away with her was needed. Perhaps now she would have more confidence in their future and not balk at his plan, though he wondered if he should even mention it to her.
He wanted trust and honesty between them. He felt both were the makings of a good marriage; without them, respect would be lost, and once that was gone, love would soon follow.
They sat at the table, finishing the morning meal, and he decided to broach the subject and gauge her reaction before revealing his plan.
“It has been days since the snow has stopped,” he said, knowing that would speak for itself.
Tara nodded. “I expect we’ll hear from your family soon.”
“Your father probably wonders if I have found you, and if so, what has gone on between us.”
Her chin went up, and her large eyes turned wide. “I care not for what my father thinks.”
Her response warned him to proceed with caution. “Whether you care or not, your father is a powerful man. He will not allow you to reside here with the Picts. And I do not believe you would be obstinate enough to place a generous people in harm’s way.”
Her chin remained firm. “There are other places I can go.”
“Where?” He hated to back her into a corner, but he wanted her to see for herself the futility of remaining stubborn.
Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. “I have to think on it.”
“There is little time for that.”
