The Angel and the Highlander(45)
It was a night she would never forget, and she had no doubt she would recall many times long after he left. And she looked forward to every memory they would make before his departure. She wanted a storage house of memories to keep and enjoy.
Sunrise wasn’t far off when Terese woke and smiled when she saw how content Lachlan was wrapped around her. She could get used to this and that’s when her smile faded, and she decided it was best that she wasn’t there when he woke.
She had reminded herself on more than one occasion to keep things in perspective and she had to make certain she did just that. He would leave, she would be alone, and she would miss him badly enough as it was. She didn’t need to miss waking up beside him.
She eased out of bed and then realized she had no clothes. They were outside on the ground probably still soaking wet, since the rain only stopped an hour or so ago.
“You’re not sneaking away are you?”
Terese turned with a start to see Lachlan on his side, elbow bent, head resting on his hand, smiling.
“I have no clothes.”
He grinned and she had to smile.
“A wise choice I made last night to strip you of leaving me.”
“Is that what you did?” she asked extending her arms out and unabashedly displaying her nakedness.
“A damn gorgeous sight to wake up to,” he claimed wholeheartedly.
She dropped her arms and headed for the door. “The sun has yet to rise. I can hurry to my quarters before anyone sees me.”
He was at the door blocking it before she reached it.
He ran his finger over her breasts, down her stomach, and slipped slowly down between her legs. “For my eyes only.”
She did the same to him, starting at his chest, swirling in circles down along his stomach to take hold of him in her hand. “It looks like someone else has risen before the sun.”
“He always does.”
“Always, not just for me?” she asked and gave a slight squeeze.
Lachlan rolled his eyes. “From now on only for you.”
How she would love that to be so, but she wasn’t foolish enough to believe this to last, for now, however…
“He’s all mine? Promise?”
“I give you my word.”
“In that case, I think I’ll kiss him good morning,” Terese said.
It wasn’t long before Lachlan scooped her up and rushed her to the bed, and there they stayed well past sunrise.
Chapter 16
“Lachlan. Lachlan. Lachlan!”
Lachlan jolted and turned to stare at Boyd.
“Have our warriors gone completely love-sick?”
“I was thinking,” Lachlan defended.
“Of Terese, no doubt. Andrew has completely lost his senses over Megan. Evan spends all his time with Piper in or out of the woods, and now Kyle is witless over one of the young women that arrived at Everagis the other day. You have all gone mad.”
“Or are you simply jealous?” Lachlan suggested, which only served to agitate Boyd all the more.
“No one has caught my fancy.”
“I see the way you watch Hester,” Lachlan said, looking over the work the men had done to extend the small stable area.
“She’s not interested, I’ve tried.”
“You’re not sincere.”
“No, I’m not,” Boyd admitted, “which she pointed out with a jab of her finger.”
“Bonnie, that sweet lassie you favor, will see to your needs when we return home.”
“Which will be?” Boyd asked anxiously.
“Want to leave already?”
“This place doesn’t suit me. It’s too remote and too damn quiet.”
“I find it peaceful,” Lachlan said.
“Because you’re as love-sick as Andrew. You mark my words, he’s not going to want to return home with us. He’ll want to stay here with Megan.”
“Megan can go with him.”
Boyd snorted a laugh. “Not a one of these women will leave here. They’ve made it their home and they’re not going anyplace. A man who loves any one of them better realize that, or he’s in for a big disappointment.”
One of the men working on another cottage called out to Boyd.
Boyd waved to the man, but before leaving he said, “You know there’s really no reason for us to remain here. A messenger can deliver the church’s decision to these women. We can be on our way whenever we please.”
“The women need protecting,” Lachlan argued.
Boyd began drifting away. “Open your eyes, Lachlan. They can protect themselves.”
Lachlan grew annoyed, since he knew Boyd spoke the truth. It was no longer necessary for him and his men to remain at Everagis. He could take his leave anytime. The truth was, he wasn’t ready to leave.