As he moved inside her, her body became a liquid pool of heat, steaming and bubbling, eager to take him in. All of him. He thrust into her intimate depths, taking her with him as though they were one. He kissed her throat, her lips, called her name in that deep, moaning brogue of his that ignited another shower of meteors within her body. His thrusts became urgent, and his body suddenly tensed.
He grunted her name. “Lily. Lily!” And groaned as meteoric explosions took place within his own body, his powerful muscles rippling and straining, his cry ecstatic as his male essence spilled into her, marking her forever as his. She was his. Heart, body, and soul. Ewan, please be mine too.
After several climactic shudders, he collapsed atop her, his skin hot and glistening, his breaths deep and groaning. She reveled in the weight of him, still connected to him for he hadn’t pulled out of her yet. She felt a twinge of disappointment when he did ease out of her, but he didn’t let her go. Instead, he shifted their positions in one easy motion so that she lay atop him, wrapped in his protective arms. She made no protest. After all, he couldn’t stay inside her forever. This was nice, too.
He cast her a smug, supremely satisfied smile.
She grinned back at him. “Well, what did you think?”
He caressed her cheek. “Not bad for a beginner.”
“That’s all? Oh,” she said, suddenly feeling disappointed. He’d had her so hot and mindless she’d forgotten about using that female baboon trick to arouse him. In truth, he hadn’t seemed to need it.
He laughed and drew her closer for a quick, tender kiss. “No, sweetheart. You were brilliant. Spectacular. You were Lily. My fair Lily. Innocent and trusting and honest. I’ve never felt more content with anyone than with you at this moment.” Then he turned serious. “Lily, I understand the consequences of what we’ve just done. Do you?”
She frowned lightly. “I assured you that I wouldn’t hold you responsible.”
“And what if you find you’re with child? My child.” He let out a heavy breath. “Lass, I’m willing to take responsibility. I wouldn’t have touched you if I weren’t. Your family will demand it of me, perhaps not immediately, but once the joy of your safe return wears off, they’ll realize you and I spent the morning here, just the two of us alone in this chamber. They’ll expect me to marry you.”
She paled. “Did you seduce me on purpose, Ewan? Out of a misguided sense of duty to protect me?” She shoved off him and tried to draw away, but he wouldn’t allow her off the bed. He held her in the circle of his arms and turned her to face him, but she spoke first. “Is that all I am to you? Some baboon female to take into your colony, an attractive vessel upon which to breed your offspring?”
She rolled to her knees and glowered at him, hurt and aching for the words she realized he never meant to say to her. “Why mark me as your mate?” And he had marked her, spilling his seed into her and leaving his scent upon her to warn all other males away.
“Bollix, lass. We’re not baboons. I’ve asked you to marry me.”
“That’s the problem. You haven’t. You’ve given me excuses why you’ll reluctantly sacrifice your freedom. I don’t need your noble sacrifice. I can take care of myself.” She tried to hold back her tears, but felt them welling in her eyes despite her determination to stay strong. Crumpets! What had she just done?
What if she were with child? She wasn’t worried about the consequences to herself. In truth, there would be none. She was wealthy in her own right, or would be in a few years when she came of age. Unlike Ewan, she had a loving and loyal family. They’d never shun her or cast her out. However, the consequences to the child would be devastating.
“Lass, you’re overset by all that’s happened. We’ll discuss it once you’re well rested.” Then his voice gentled. “We belong together. We fit right together. You’re not forcing me to do anything I don’t wish to do.”
Did that mean he loved her? If so, why didn’t he just say it? Or were all men incapable of admitting their feelings? Her sisters often joked about it, but she’d never believed they were serious. Perhaps Ewan was right. She’d sleep on it and hope the answers would be obvious once her head was clear.
“Come under the covers, Lily.” He waited for her reluctant nod, and then drew her against his warm body, spooning her so that her back was to his chest. His arms closed around her, and he drew her legs between his, enveloping her in his heat. She didn’t feel trapped, for he held her loosely, as though wanting her to understand how it would always be between them... together because they wanted to be together, not because one had forced the other.