She bit her lower lip so as not to make a sound, yet she wanted to scream out her pleasure. He moved over her and in her with ease and agility. Before she knew it, she was holding on to him for dear life as they simultaneously rode wave after wave of pleasure together.
When finally spent, they lay beside each other, hands clasped, breathing heavily, their passion fulfilled. And that was how the remainder of the day continued since neither of them seemed to be able to get enough of each other.
Only when night finally claimed the sky and the camp peacefully slept did Storm and Burke surrender to much-needed rest.
Chapter 27
Burke sat on the edge of the bed and knew he was in trouble. He and Storm hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other since they’d fallen into bed together fours days ago.
The more they made love, the more he enjoyed it and the more he wanted to make love to her—and the more he feared he was falling in love with her.
But then he had feared that before becoming intimate with her. She had, to his surprise, worked her way into his heart. He couldn’t say when he first realized how he felt about her. It had just happened. All of a sudden, it was there.
Love.
It must have sneaked in when he wasn’t looking. When he wasn’t aware of it, never even considering it, and yet it had made itself known. He didn’t mind. He rather liked the idea of loving Storm. She wasn’t your ordinary woman, which meant he’d never have an ordinary life with her. He wouldn’t be surprised if, once she arrived in America, she would find a cause to fight for and pursue it with gusto.
There was, however, one problem: How would he convince her to go with him to America?
He’d propose marriage.
That was a simple solution to his dilemma. But would she agree to marry him? She had been adamant about staying in Scotland. What made him think she would ever agree to leave her homeland?
Love.
There was that word again.
Would love prove to be the deciding factor in this difficult situation? Love would certainly not allow him to leave her behind. Someway, somehow, he would need to convince her that she had to return to America with him, preferably as his wife.
He ran his fingers through his tousled hair, having woken only a short time ago to find Storm gone from his bed. He didn’t like when she wasn’t there. He had fast grown accustomed to her sharing his bed, and he damned well favored her beside him.
She slept naked nestled against him so that anytime he woke in the middle of the night or early morning, he could touch or stroke her soft skin. He didn’t know how he’d ever sleep without her. She had in a very short time become a necessary part of him that he had no intention of relinquishing.
As far as he was concerned, she belonged to him. They committed to each other each and every time they made love and she was going to have to accept that whether she wanted to or not.
She was his and that’s all there was to it.
Unfortunately, he didn’t think she’d see it that way.
He’d have to convince her, and if he wasn’t able to do that, then he’d have to take charge and make a decision—one he wasn’t sure she’d be too happy with.
He dressed quickly and went in search of Storm. They really needed to discuss their situation. William and Philip would probably return any day now and then what time would they have? This needed to be addressed and settled now.
Burke glided to the ground on the rope and found that he was too late. William and Philip sat at the campfire with Storm. The sun had barely risen, and no doubt Storm had sensed the men’s return, which was what probably had her leaving his bed so early. She had an uncanny sense that made her a good leader and proved advantageous for her time and again.
He wasn’t happy about postponing their discussion until this evening, but he had no choice. Right now, his brother Cullen’s situation needed discussing.
“Good news I hope,” Burke said upon joining them at the campfire.
Philip nodded. “Gratefully, Lady Alaina is a woman of habit.”
“Then there is a way for me to meet with her without her father knowing it?” Burke asked.
“She takes a stroll through the huge garden every day,” Philip explained.
William grinned. “Better yet, she’s by herself.”
“Her father prides himself on the safety of his land,” Philip said. “He would never suspect or even think one would dare approach his daughter on his property.”
“She’s not watched?” Burke asked.
“The property is watched,” William informed him.
“You will need to go in without being seen,” Storm said. “That will prove more dangerous than meeting with Lady Alaina.”