Before he slipped off her, with his breathing still labored he whispered in her ear, “I love you.”
He rolled off her onto his back and lay there spent and content. He could hear her breathing had yet to calm, and wasn’t concerned when she did not immediately return his declaration of love. She would in time; he was sure of it.
He wanted her to declare her love when she was ready, not because she felt obligated. She would need to choose her time to tell him what he already knew, and he would be patient. He wanted to savor the moment as she did now, though she could be pleasantly surprised.
He turned on his side toward her, hoping to receive some comment from her and disappointedly saw that she was asleep, a slight purr pouting her lips. A pang of frustration struck him. Now he wondered if she had even heard him declare his love.
He could wake her, but he really didn’t have the heart. He’d let her sleep and when she woke they would eat and afterward make love again, and then he would tell her again, after their breathing had calmed, after she was once again fully rational, after she was completely satiated from making love…he would tell her that he loved her and wanted to marry her.
Chapter 18
Terese sat at the head of the table in the common room deep in thought while the other women took their seats. Her heart ached and she felt close to tears but she kept both contained as she had when she heard Lachlan whisper in her ear, I love you.
She had feigned sleep, though she had wanted to leap up and throw her arms around him and tell him the same. But she couldn’t, she had always known it wasn’t possible no matter how many times she dared daydream or hope for a miracle. She knew in her heart that in the end she would have to bid him farewell.
Later after they had eaten, she had taken control of their lovemaking. And she made love with him as if it were their last time, which she feared it was.
She savored every kiss, every intimate caress, lingering until she had driven them beyond reason and in their loving insanity they had joined like two lovers who could not get enough of each other or like two lovers’ last night together forever.
She wanted to cry at the aching thought, but she reminded herself that she could no longer allow this to continue. It would grow only more difficult not only for him, but for her to say good-bye.
Tears choked at her throat with the thought of never seeing him again, never talking with him, waking beside him, loving him. What a fool she had been to start this. She had thought she could easily keep it all in perspective and what did she do?
She went and fell in love with him…madly and deeply in love with him.
After they had made love, she had feigned sleep once again fearful of him not only repeating his declaration of love, but of her losing all sanity and blurting out her love for him. She had then waited until she was certain he was in the thick of sleep, and had snuck out of the cottage.
Once at the common shelter she gathered the women for a meeting.
“What’s wrong?” Rowena asked softly, knotting the tie of her night robe.
Terese glanced around at each of the women, and from the looks of concern she suspected that they all were aware of her plight.
Hester reached her hand out to her. “It’s time for the warriors to leave, isn’t it?’
Terese was glad she phrased it as she did, for the thought of hearing aloud that it was time for Lachlan to leave pained her heart.
“I don’t want Evan to leave,” Piper said tearfully.
Terese had been so concerned with her own heartache she had forgotten about the other women who would possibly be affected by the warriors’ departure.
“He’s only just kissed me,” Piper admitted. “And I liked it. And he doesn’t make fun of my connection to the woods; he shares it with me.”
“Andrew hasn’t kissed me yet, though I know he wants to,” Megan said. “He’s patient with me and so gentle.” She chuckled. “And he makes me laugh and…” She choked back tears. “Lord, I never thought I’d care for another man ever again, but I find I do care for Andrew and would love to know him better.”
“And you, Terese?” Rowena asked. “How do you feel about Lachlan?”
A tear finally spilled from one eye and she let it trail down her cheek. “I never thought I’d have the opportunity to meet a man to love, but I could easily love Lachlan. He’s charming, brave…” She laughed. “And a mighty fine lover.”
The women grinned.
Terese turned silent and the women waited, the laughter and grins fading.
She swiped the tear off her face and her words were abrupt and stern. “Lachlan loves Terese, not Alyce.” She looked first to Piper then to Megan. “I know that neither of you would leave Everagis, but you both are welcome to invite Evan and Andrew to remain here if you wish. It would give them time to see if they would want to make a permanent home here with each of you.”