Chapter 24
It ranked as one of the most perfect moments in Honoria’s life. They lay in each other’s arms, the most secluded spot in the stables, only the occasional snort of a horse or the distant music from the house infiltrating their sanctuary.
She had believed fate had sent this man on her path. She still did. But now she believed fate only offered the opportunity; it did not guarantee the conclusion. When a chance at love arrives, either nurture the shimmer or leave it to pass on. Honoria had never been more grateful she’d chosen to nurture their spark.
“This is the first time we’ve done it on a bed,” Honoria wiggled her bottom. “A bed of hay.”
“I can go my entire life and not take you on a proper bed.”
She could almost feel the heat that flared to life in his eyes. “I will hold you to that, but beds are comfortable, and I do prefer to sleep in them.”
His fingers drew circled over her breast. He loved to do that. “Is this your way of telling me we should retire to your chamber?”
“Is that your way of telling me you don’t want to?”
He kissed her temple, the tip of her nose, before softly grazing her lips. “I’ll go wherever you go,monisha.”
Honoria smiled up at him. “I can live with that so long as you don’t dare let my brothers run you off.”
“Never.” His lips twitched. “Besides, Hugh has my back.”
“He does?”
Lash nodded. “I must still find my family. Ineedto find them, but I have decided to try it your way and search from one place.”
“With me by your side?” She nudged him playfully.
“Always.”
“And when they are all found, I will take you to Edinburgh, Honoria, I swear it.”
She offered him a winning smile, her heart melting a little. “I shall hold you to that promise.”
He shifted his big body to stare down at her, his eyes fierce. “Are you sure you want me,monisha? I can never deserve you.”
“You know, you’ve never told me what that endearment means.” Though she loved it regardless.
“It means woman.”
“Woman?”Ugh.
He laughed. “It also means wife.”
Och!
Honoria kissed him. A soft peck that instantly turned sensual, thinking back to the first time he’d called her that. Her heart melted. Och, she was lost for this man.
She pulled away to catch his gaze. “I am sure I want you, Lash. I love you, and love will always be enough for me. Well,” she hedged. “That and your body, naked.”
“My body is at your disposal for your every whim,” he said in a warm, seductive rumble. Then his eyes darkened. “From the first time I opened my eyes to find you hovering at my bedside, I knew if I uttered but one word in your presence I’d be lost. You have my heart. All of it.”
“Then I have everything I need.”
Honoria reached to trail a finger over his chest and felt him shiver. She grinned. “What shall I do with all that body and heart?”
“Whatever you wish.”
“Do you know how many times I have imagined you naked after the first time I saw your chest?”
