She moaned when she felt him slip gently into her, and before she knew it, she felt the length of him settle inside her and begin to move. She moved along with him until she felt herself riding a crest of a wave that grew larger and larger, soaring higher and higher.
Her fingers dug into his back as she held onto him, matching his rhythm, feeling herself soar higher than she ever thought possible, feeling the sheer joy of being one with him and finally cresting and slamming to shore in a breathtaking climax that left her gasping for breath.
Cullen didn’t move off her immediately, and she didn’t want him to. She held onto him, not wanting to let him go, not wanting him to slip out of her just yet. She wanted to feel the very last pulse of him ease away inside her.
When he finally slipped off her, he took her with him, his arm firm around her, her head on his shoulder and their breathing calming little by little.
Sara heard the roll of thunder then and the rain that pelted the cottage. She hadn’t heard the rain start or the thunder draw near, having been too engrossed in making love, and now she smiled at the thought and snuggled her face to Cullen’s chest.
“That was beautiful,” she said.
“More beautiful than I ever expected,” he said with surprise.
She looked up at him. “Had you expected to be disappointed?”
“No, not at all,” he said quickly. “I just never thought…”
Sara waited for him to finish, but he seemed reluctant and she wasn’t certain if she was prepared to hear…
“…it would feel so—” He hesitated again before quickly finishing. “—perfect.”
She grinned happily. “I never thought of making love as perfect, but that’s how it felt, so very perfect.”
His agreement came in a tight hug, and she swung her leg over his and draped her arm across his middle, content with the familiar security and safety she felt beside him.
“It’s as if I’ve always known you,” she said honestly. She had picked a complete stranger to wed, one dropped on her doorstep, and found herself familiar with him. How did that happen?
You leapt and landed where God wanted you.
Her sister’s words resonated in her head. She had asked God for a husband, and he had delivered. Was she where she was supposed to be—in Cullen’s arms?
Had she found what she’d always been looking for—love?
The thought frightened her. And why wouldn’t it? If she found love, how was she ever going to let it slip out of her hands?
A clap of sharp thunder jolted the lovers, and they hugged each other, laughing.
“Are the Heavens angry with us?” Sara asked.
“Or perhaps they warn us,” Cullen suggested.
The thought sent a shiver through Sara, and Cullen held her firm.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said.
No, he wouldn’t, Sara thought, but then he could only protect her while he was here with her. What would happen when he left?
“As soon as the rain stops we should get back to the keep,” she said, feeling a sudden need for her home. But then, this was her home now, she thought, and she needed to believe it so, to make it so.
“I thought we’d stay the night here.”
“We have no food—”
“If you hadn’t noticed, your sister left the overstocked basket. We have all we need.” He grew quiet though he uttered a bare whisper.
Sara didn’t think he was aware that she’d heard him. He’d said, “We have each other.” It startled her, though she made no comment. She needed time to think on it.
“No one will miss us,” Cullen said.
“My father—”
“Will assume, and be pleased, that we’re busy giving him the grandchildren he expects.”
Sara had to laugh. “You’re right about that.”
“We need this time, Sara.”
“Why?” she asked anxiously, uncertain what she wanted to hear him say. What did she truly wish from him?
He turned her on her back, leaning over her, his fingers stroking her cheek, his dark eyes intent on her face. “I’m not sure. I only know that this time is important to us. The next few weeks are important to us.”
She turned her face to kiss the palm of his hand. “My thoughts as well, though I don’t know why.”
“It’s so strange,” Cullen said, kissing her lips gently and brushing his cheek across hers.
“How so?” she asked.
“You and me, and how we came together.”
“Perhaps the Heavens decreed it,” she said with a hint of uncertainty.
“We were meant to be?” he asked, unsure as well.
“I don’t know what to think anymore. We needed each other and found each other. We are familiar with each other, though we know each other barely a month. None of it makes sense, and yet it seems to make sense.” She shook her head.