Garrett turned his head slightly to kiss her palm. “I respect and admire Elwyn the more you tell me of him. Damn your miserable father. And mother, for acting as willing accomplice.”
“We should leave this in the past, where it belongs. Please, continue what you were doing,” she encouraged, giving him a sensual smile.
Garrett gently and tenderly kissed her scars, causing moisture to collect on her lashes. He slid his lips to hers and kissed her deeply. Abbie returned it, the passion between them soaring. He halted and opened a small box on the table next to them. “When I journeyed to Sevenoaks the other day, I also paid a visit to the apothecary and purchased condoms. New from America. Made of rubber, if you can imagine.”
“How forward-thinking you are. I was going to suggest withdrawal, but this is a better solution.” She gave him a teasing wink. “Shall I assist you?”
Garrett rolled over flat on his back and handed her the envelope. “Sheath me, Abbie love.”
A curious contraption, but Abbie managed to roll it on. Garrett then clasped her hips and brought her on top of him. “Ride me, my wild vixen,” he teased. Then he sobered, his expression smoldering. “Do not make me wait, I beg you,” he rasped.
Abbie clasped him, rose above him, and positioned his shaft. She plunged down on top of him, which caused them both to cry out. Oh, how he filled and stretched her. She stayed perfectly still, savoring their joining, becoming used to a man being inside her again. Never believed it would ever be Garrett, except in her dreams.
“Sweet Christ. If I could only live all my days like this,” Garrett moaned. “Inside you forever.”
“Yes,” she whispered. Abbie understood exactly what he meant. It had been too long. Why had they denied themselves this bliss? No longer. Placing her hands flat on his chest, she started to move. Garrett clasped her hips, moving her back and forth as he captured her gaze. He looked splendid, his long, fire-in-the-hearth colored hair spread out on the pillow, his eyes burning with an intensity that took her breath away.
The sensations were building at a rapid pace; it would not take her long. She leaned forward to give her swollen nub more direct stimulation. Garrett clasped her breast with his left hand, his thumb rubbing the erect nipple. She moaned with the pure joy of his touch.
“Yes, love, come for me. Don’t close your eyes. I want you to look at me.” He raised his hips to meet her rocking motion and she gasped. As he commanded, Abbie met his gaze once again. Faster he pumped into her and she met his rapid pace. A sheen of perspiration already covered them both from their exertions.
Then it happened. A roll of stinging pleasure rocked her senses. A joyous explosion. Crying his name as if it were a prayer, her release caused her to freeze in place, her back arching with ecstasy.
“I’m close, keep moving,” Garrett growled.
The room still spun about her, but she threw herself into his rhythm, this time she bounced up and down on his stiff prick and his thrusts went deeper, became wilder. “Ah!” He sat upright from the force of his climax, his body shuddering all around her. He gathered her in his arms, nuzzling her neck, groaning with each tremble and shake. “I love you, mo chridhe. Love. You.”
“And I love you, my Scottish warrior.” Abbie could not stop the words from slipping out. Caution be damned, at least in this moment. He chuckled as she held him tighter. A teasing remark, yet it held truth. She wanted nothing more than for him to fight for their love. Protect it with his last breath. Claim her as if there were no other woman on earth for him.
Abbie exhaled. Oh, be my warrior, Garrett. Never hurt me again. Love me. But in the dark corner of her heart, doubt lingered. She couldn’t help it. Though the love was always there, hidden, sometimes forgotten, the trust would have to be earned anew on both their parts. Especially for her, for a nagging part of her still did not trust him fully, specifically where the curse was concerned. And that chilled Abbie to the bone.
Chapter 13
As he had revealed to Abbie the previous night, there were affairs through the years, brief sexual episodes with women of all shapes and ages. Nothing remotely serious; his emotions had not been engaged at all. The meaningless sex grew boring, and Garrett found he’d rather stay close to home than venture into London to The Crimson Club for a discreet erotic encounter.
Regardless, it had been close to a year and a half since he’d had actual sex. This could explain the passionate climax he’d experienced moments ago. In truth, Abbie had caused his explosive reaction. As he’d revealed when she first returned to his life, no woman could compare. He and Abbie had shared a rare, sensual bond from the first moment they touched.
Holding her close like this, skin against skin, all was right with the world. If only they could stay in the small, isolated sphere he’d built for them. They lay on the chaise, a sheet across their hips, a plate of cheese, fruit, and biscuits on their laps. Garrett lazily fed Abbie grapes, popping a couple in his mouth for good measure.
They couldn’t remain here; real life beckoned. Besides, Garrett couldn’t leave Patriot out in the elements all night. The stallion was a thoroughbred, used to warm comfortable barns and paddocks, not standing outside with bitter January winds whipping about his flanks. “As much as I would love to linger, we must head to our respective residences. Especially before your absence is noticed.” He caressed her cheek with the tip of his finger. “There is no reason we cannot return here tomorrow night.”
Abbie reached for a chocolate biscuit. “And every night thereafter? I must return to Standon at some point.”
“Why?”
She leaned up on her elbow and stared down at him as she nibbled on the biscuit. “I have a home, responsibilities. Megan has school and has missed too much time already.”
Her words chilled his heart. Hell, he didn’t want her and his daughter to leave. “And what of a future, the one that you said you wished? With me? We do have a schoolmaster in the family. In fact, Riordan informed us, before returning to his position, he will be starting a progressive school here in Kent. He will put in place an education board of local members, similar to the one in Carrbury.”
“I am pleased for your nephew, but it would be a year or more before it comes into existence. What will Megan do in the interim?” Abbie gathered the sheet about her lush body. “No, I must set a date for our departure. By the end of this month, or perhaps sooner. I will discuss it with Megan.”
“That leaves barely more than two weeks.” Garrett frowned. He did not like this development at all.
Abbie stood and gathered up her garments, then began dressing. “Don’t pout. I assume you wish us to stay in touch. You can always return with us for a short visit.” She gave him a warm smile. “Perhaps Aidan will be amenable to visitors by then.”
Garrett pushed the tray of food off his lap and sat upright. “Of course I wish us to stay in touch. Regarding Aidan, according to Dr. Bevan, the family should stay well clear. Perhaps it will be difficult to comply. But the family agreed to wait until Aidan allows visitors.” He swung his legs around and reached for his trousers. “On the subject of us, there is still much to work out it seems.”
Abbie cupped his cheek. “Fourteen years past, there was no one else to consider but our youthful, selfish selves. But don’t start to think that I do not wish us to be together. On one hand I yearn for it, but I also wish for us to remain cautious. It is the prudent thing to do.”
Garrett stared at her incredulously. “You don’t trust me, not fully.”
“The curse has ruled your actions for decades. I wish to be certain that you’ve truly placed it behind you before we move forward. That is all.” She caressed his cheek with the pad of her thumb. “Considering our past, and the way you hurt me…” He stiffened at her words. “You did hurt me, Garrett. Deeply. You abandoned me. As a result, I need time. Perhaps it is selfish of me, but I am asking you to understand.”
He stood. Arguing with her would serve no purpose, for she was not completely wrong with regard to caution—or the curse. Or about him hurting her. Yet it stung. “I will try my best to understand. In light of this, I’d best return you to the Eatons.”
They did not speak as he hurriedly dressed. Then he put out the fire and locked the cabinet. Garrett struggled with his emotions, with whether to allow them to rush free or keep them under tight control. This aspect of his personality simultaneously annoyed and amused Abbie. She’d told him so in the past.
He cast a quick glance and her eyes smoldered. It was not as if she were tossing him aside—quite the opposite. No, he couldn’t blame her for wishing to take what was quickly developing between them at a slower pace. Abbie gave him a playful wink. How tempting it was to toss off his clothes, carry her to the chaise, and make love to her again. And again.
Abbie turned and reached for her cloak and the spell was broken.
Once they arrived at the rear entrance of the Eaton residence, he slipped off Patriot and helped her down.
“Well, good night.” She gave him a brief smile.
Abbie was about to head toward the door when he grasped the sides of her head, forcing her to look at him. “You’re mine, and if that sounds domineering and possessive, good, because where you are concerned, I am. I’ll be damned to a fiery hell before I let you leave me again for whatever reason.”