“Enough now,” he ordered, gripping her arms to pull her up. She straightened and licked her lips—savoured the taste of him. “Katie, yer enough to send a man out of his wits.”
Knowing fingers sought out her heat, rubbing and coaxing pleasure from her. She pitched against him and traced his features and body with her gaze. Never again would she have this—have him, she reminded herself. She had to imprint him in her memory. Finn—naked and full of desire for her. It filled her with power and strength. If she was to get through the next few seasons, she would need that strength.
“Finn,” she moaned. “Finn, I need ye. Dinnae make me wait.”
“Ach, ye know I cannae deny ye.”
He grasped her hips and drove up into her. Her cry split the air. His heat speared her, shocking and soothing at the same time. Calming her need, yet igniting a new one. Finn helped her into a rhythm and warmth coiled in her belly. He stared up at her. How she wished she knew what he was thinking. Gazing into his eyes, she could almost believe he loved her. With one look, he made her feel impossibly beautiful and amazing.
Sensation built like a growing flame. Her breaths laboured as she rode him and her skin grew slick. Perspiration shimmered on Finn’s torso. Catriona scraped her fingernails down him and he groaned.
Never again.
Never again would she have him like this. She wouldn’t feel his touch or hear his laugh. See his smile or blush under his attention. An ache gathered in her throat. Her vision became cloudy. Before she realised what had happened, tears rolled down her cheeks onto his chest.
“Katie?”
Suddenly, she was lifted from him and placed onto the bed. He leaned over her, a hand pushing away the tears from her cheek. Catriona gripped his arm and fought to keep more tears at bay. This rough warrior could never know how much his actions meant to her. Without him, the past few sennights would have been torture. He gave so much but thought so little of himself. Why could he not see he deserved another chance at happiness? Finn was meant to have a woman to love.
Just not her.
Eyes squeezed shut, more tears threatened to come. She pictured a future with Finn. A life filled with love and several fair haired children. If things were different—if she wasn’t lying or committed to another—would that ever have happened or would he stay forever locked behind his wall of grief?
“Katie, look at me.” He continued to smooth his callused hands over her cheek. “Why do ye cry?”
Catriona opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile. “’Tis naught.”
“I dinnae wish to make ye cry.”
She shook her head. “’Tis nae ye.”
His expression grew grim. “’Tis Gillean?”
“In a way.”
Finn paused, his hand stilling on her cheek. She searched his gaze for an answer but none came that made any sense. Deep burning love reflected in those eyes but mayhap that was only hers. Her chest clogged with emotion again, until it became unbearable.
“Dinnae speak on it anymore. Only love me, Finn.”
He nodded, throat bobbing. “Aye, that I can do.”
He coaxed her onto her side and tucked her into the crook of his legs. He palmed a breast and she released a breath of gratification. His manhood pushed against her bottom and she wriggled as the desperate ache renewed. Scraping her hair aside, his lips met the sensitive skin of her neck and the top of her spine. Catriona leaned into his kisses while he rolled and plucked a nipple. After so long desiring his touch there, it electrified her. Skin tingled and moisture gathered.
“Love me, Finn,” she begged, unsure whether she was pleading for him to fill her or simply confess his feelings.
“I will,” he whispered in her ear. “I will love ye until ye forget yer name. Until ye can think of no one but me. Ye shall remember this, Katie. Remember me. When all has changed around ye and time has passed, still ye shall think of when ye came apart in my arms.”
Who knew if his words were meant to be comforting, but comfort her they did. He was right. She’d forever carry him in her heart and he would give her the strength she needed to protect her home and do her duty. His words were the closest thing to love she’d ever heard so she vowed to treasure them.
A hand slipped between her legs, parting her for him and he slid easily into her sheath, still slick with lust. He moved his hand to her hip and clasped it so he could glide into her with ease. Whispers slid over her skin—words of affection, how beautiful she was—as he took her higher and higher. Trembling and keening, she splintered apart, a slow, full release that brought fresh tears to her eyes.
Finn’s harsh groan echoed in her ear as he gripped her tight and convulsed against her. The fingers on her hips dug in and relaxed suddenly. Warmth filled her and she sighed, limbs loosening against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she held them there, as if to keep him with her forever.