Don’t think about it. The warning pierced her thoughts, shattering the notion.
Terese shook her head and hurried off to see to the daily chores and the visitors that were becoming more and more permanent residents of Everagis.
Night brought with it a steady, gentle rain. It was good for the crops and though a few shelters were a tight squeeze for some, at least all were in out of the rain. The day had kept Terese and Lachlan busy with little time to spare for each other.
Meals were prepared and shared, those healing tended, the night chores finished and everyone tired for bed, though not Terese. She paced the floor of the common room feeling as if her flesh was on fire. The last hour she could think of nothing but Lachlan, the feel of his mouth hot against hers, his hand cupping her breast, his mouth nibbling her tender flesh. She shuddered with the memories.
She wanted him, good lord, how she wanted him.
All she had to do was go to him as she had this morning before dawn. So why did she hesitate?
Thunder struck and she jumped then wrapped her arms around herself. She knew why she hesitated. She knew that this was it. Once she went to him she would seal her fate. They would couple and she knew without a doubt it would be wonderful, and she would not want it to end. She would not want him to leave. She would want more and that was not possible. She had repeatedly warned herself against such senseless thoughts, but they would creep in and she couldn’t help but think what if…what if?
“Go to him and accept what is or keep your distance,” she whispered to herself. “Those are your only choices.”
She had thought she had settled this battle that brewed within her, but she hadn’t. Would she ever?
You cannot have more and you know it. She silently chided.
Take what you can. Take it now and don’t look back. No regrets. Only memories to enjoy when he is gone. Go now to him. Go now and lose yourself in him. Forget who you are and love him.
Terese refused to argue any longer with herself. She ran to the door opened it and saw that the rain had turned heavy. She didn’t care. She had to do this. She had to do this now or she never would.
She shut the door behind her and ran, and began to cry. Her tears joined the rain that rolled down her face. Why she cried she wasn’t sure. Perhaps it was for the young woman who had thought her father would let her choose a man to love, or for the young girl who had dreamt of finding love, or simply because life was nothing as she thought it would be.
But here at this moment life was hers for the choosing and she chose to love Lachlan if only for a brief time.
Through the rain and her tears she saw a figure approach. The dark shadow startled her and she slowed her pace, wiping at her eyes to see more clearly. It apparently did the same, holding back until the other could be identified.
One cautious step, two, and then she recognized at the same moment Lachlan did and they ran eagerly to each other, wrapping themselves in a tight embrace while their kiss served not to appease their hungry passion but rather to enflame it beyond reason.
Lachlan grabbed hold of her face. “Nothing. Nothing stops us, do you hear me?” he said, like a madman bent on finding sanity.
“Nothing!” she repeated with the same intensity.
He gripped her hand and hurried her along, the rain pelting them. When they reached the cottage door, he began to strip her bare.
“I want our clothes left here so that all know tonight I made you mine and we are not—not to be disturbed.”
Terese agreed, beginning to strip him bare and when they stood naked before each other, Lachlan scooped her up and whispered, “Tonight, I make love to you.”
Chapter 15
Terese shivered when she heard the click of the door even though she was wrapped snugly in Lachlan’s arms.
“You’re chilled,” he said with concern.
“No,” she was quick to say. “I’m warm and comfortable in your arms.”
“That’s because you belong there.” He kept her cradled in his embrace as he walked her over to the fireplace. “The heat will dry us some.”
The heat of the flames toasted their bodies while Lachlan continued to rain kisses along her face, neck, shoulders, and finally her breast; her nipples budding to life as he teased them with his tongue.
He lifted her and carried her to the bed and her hands went in search of him as his did to her. They were soft touches, exploring touches and touches that tantalized. His touch was often followed with lingering kisses and her passion soared as his lips continued down her body.
“Your taste intoxicates,” he whispered and then tasted some more.
She welcomed not only his kisses but his nibbles and nips that fired her body with a heated passion that had her moaning and writhing with pure pleasure.