For a little while he remained inside her, breathing hard, looking into her face, seeing there an echo of his own wonder. He had expected to enjoy this; what he had not anticipated was the sheer soul-filling delight of it. Gently he withdrew and collapsed beside her, deliciously sated. He had given her pleasure in order to leave her wanting more; he had not realised that the effect might rebound on him with such force.
Beside him Ashlynn drowsed, exhausted. He smiled and drew the pelts over her again, dropping a kiss on her shoulder. Then he curled his body round hers and held her close, listening to her soft breathing until he too fell asleep.
Chapter Ten
Ashlynn stirred and then stretched luxuriously, her body filled with a sense of well being. Opening her eyes slowly to the new day she became aware of a strange room and for a moment or two couldn’t remember how she had got there. Then memory began to wake and she smiled to herself. Turning her head she let her gaze drink in the details of the sleeping face beside her. While the realities of the marriage bed had come as no surprise, she could never have imagined they would be anything like what had happened last night. The recollection sent a flood of warmth through her loins. The only cloud on her horizon was that he had not actually said he loved her. Not in so many words anyway. Cared for was not quite the same thing. Perhaps he found the words too hard to say.
In the meantime, she was aware of the advancing hour and that they had a house full of guests. Casting a furtive glance upon the sleeping figure she turned away, looking around for her clothes and finally spied them across the room. She began to ease herself from the bed. An arm closed about her waist, pulling her backwards. A moment later she was looking up at Iain’s face. He smiled.
‘Where did you think you were going, wife?’
‘We have social obligations, my lord.’
‘Let them wait.’
‘But it’s broad day. Too late to be lying abed.’
He grinned widened. ‘I assure you, ’tis early yet, my sweet, and in truth last night did but whet my appetite.’
‘You are quite shameless.’
‘You’re not the first person to say so.’
‘I can believe it. Whoever dubbed you Black Iain knew you well.’
The dark eyes gleamed appreciatively. ‘Well then, perhaps I should live up to my name.’
As the implication dawned Ashlynn’s inner demon woke. It might have been entirely seduced last night but that didn’t mean it was tamed. Without warning she twisted, trying to escape the restraining arm but it held her with consummate ease. Iain laughed softly. The sound caused her to redouble her efforts. She twisted again but instead of pulling away threw herself forward, landing across his chest, hands forcing his shoulders back against the bed. She smiled triumphantly. A moment later triumph turned to a gasp of dismay as he rolled, pinning her beneath his weight and cutting off all protest with a kiss. Pleasurable warmth spread the length of her body. Moreover, it was clear her efforts had done nothing to diminish his desire either. Ashlynn writhed, testing his hold. It yielded not an inch.
‘Let me go, villain.’
‘Not a chance, lass.’
* * *
The sun was considerably higher before they emerged to face the world. However, no one seemed to find it amiss and their arrival in the hall was greeted with amused smiles. As they broke their fast Ashlynn kept her attention on the food, feigning nonchalance and trying not to dwell on recent events in the bedchamber. Even now her flesh seemed to burn with the recollection. When at length she had finished her meal she glanced up to meet Iain’s eye and saw him smile.
‘What shall we do today?’ he asked.
‘Since the snow is here we might as well make the most of it.’
At these words the children who had been playing nearby fell silent, their eyes on her face. Seeing all those hopeful expressions Iain was intrigued.
‘What exactly did you have in mind?’
‘Well, there are some sledges in the barn,’ she replied. ‘Perhaps we could take them out on to the hill.’
A babble of excited chatter erupted and was promptly shushed by the older ones. All eyes turned to Iain and they waited, hanging on his reply with painful longing. He let the silence drag out for a few seconds more and then grinned.
‘Why not?’ he said.
A cheer rent the air. He beckoned them closer. They obeyed, though still keeping to a respectful distance.
‘The older boys can fetch the sledges from the barn.’
At the word sledges other ears pricked up.
‘We’ll go with them, my lord,’ said Hamish, throwing an eloquent look at Donald.
‘Absolutely,’ his friend replied. ‘Just to be sure they come to no harm, my lord.’