Then soon, very soon, she and Burke would be alone for the night, and the thought tingled her skin, running gooseflesh over it.
“Mind if I join you?” Tanin asked.
She patted the ground beside her. “Have a seat.”
He plopped down beside her.
“I thought you and Ellie were busy gathering your belongings. From what Janelle told me, Ellie is thrilled to be going to America.”
“Truth be told, Storm, so am I.”
“Don’t sound so guilty,” she said. “It is I who should feel guilty for not considering that you and Ellie might want more than a life of crime.”
“It was forced on us.”
“But we didn’t need to pursue it. We could have stopped along the way and attempted to live an ordinary life. I unfortunately never gave it a thought. I believed myself a savior—”
“You are,” Tanin argued.
“For a few perhaps, but in the end what did I really accomplish? Landlords continue to treat their tenants badly. There is no justice for the poor and the starving, and few if any truly care. Better that I had lived a normal life and fought to improve conditions than fight the law. Or perhaps I should have been adventurous and left Scotland for distant shores.”
“This is your home.”
Storm shook her head. “I believed it was, but really my home is with the man I love, just like you and Ellie. Your love is your home and always will be.”
Tanin grinned. “You speak of love as one who is in love.”
She laughed and hugged the tankard more tightly in her hands. “It took a stubborn American to convince a stubborn Scotswoman that she could love again.”
“Burke is good for you,” Tanin said with a nod.
“When did you determine that?”
“From the very first day he argued with you. I knew he was a man you would respect and admire and one who would be able to penetrate the shield you kept so firm around your heart.”
“He certainly did that.”
“You let him, otherwise he would have never succeeded,” Tanin said. “You wanted to love him as much as he wanted to love you.”
Had she wanted that from the beginning? Had she been searching for someone to challenge her stubbornness? Her pain? Her hurt? And prove that she could truly love again?
“I am glad we rescued the American that fateful day, for he now rescues us.”
“He certainly does,” Storm agreed with a smile.
Tanin left Storm with her thoughts, and it didn’t take long before various people joined her for a few moments to express their appreciation for all she had done for them and the opportunity that they had been given.
By the time Burke joined her she had tears in her eyes.
He reached down and eased her to her feet.
“Your people are grateful,” he said.
“It is you they should be grateful to.”
He slipped his arm around her slim waist, and they walked from the campfire. “Not really. If it wasn’t for your courage and persistence none of this would have been possible. It is because of you that they have a chance at a new life.”
“I refuse to take all the credit.”
“Too bad, it’s yours,” he teased and hurried her along. “But if you feel you owe me something, then I suggest—” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck.
“How romantic.” She giggled and scrunched her neck, trying to prevent his sensual tickles.
“You want romance?” he whispered, and suddenly scooped her up, flinging her over his shoulder. He grabbed hold of the rope and they were up to the tree house before Storm could protest.
She sighed and rested her head on his chest while he carried her into her small quarters. Then slowly he began to undress her piece by piece while gently kissing every exposed part of her.
Her passion lit like an ignited flame, bursting with a quivering heat. She melted under his kisses, his touches, and was aching with the want of him by the time he stripped naked and took her to bed.
“Lord, I’d love to take my time with you but I want you so badly I don’t think I can wait.”
“I feel the same,” she urged, her hands reaching down to feel his readiness.
He groaned. “Damn, but I love when you touch me.”
“I love the feel of you, especially inside me.”
He took her lips in a frantic kiss before saying, “Then let me give you what you love.”
She grabbed hold of his arms, strong and taut as he eased himself inside her slowly and gently, until she swung her hips up and took him in her with a solid push.
They both groaned and set a rhythm that had the bed rocking, their hearts pounding, and their bodies sweating.
Afterward they lay beside each other, hands clasped, while their breathing eased and their satisfied bodies completely relaxed.