“Ye’re sure?”
She could hear the strain in hisvoice again.
“I’m sure.”
Seven
Holding himself back had been agonizing, but he’dnot wanted to hurt or scare Marion. But when she begged him to take her, hecould not contain himself any longer. He did not unleash his need; his desirefor hertookhim, and he lost control. Each of her moans increased hiscraving further until he took her first on her back, then above him while heguided her motions, and then from behind. His fingers worked franticallybetween her thighs as his body hummed with each stroke in and out of her hotslickness.
He could not get enough of her, andwhile he had a deep fear that he would hurt her, he was unable to controlhimself as he’d done all those years with Catriona. Marion was warmth andhealth and bursting with a desire that seemed to match his own. Her bodywelcomed him and wrapped around him, compelling him forward. His blood rushedthrough his veins and beat a quick cadence in his ears. He pumped into her,needing to consume her and needing to beconsumed.He forgot himself completely as the sweet, sharp ache of pleasure gripped himand he claimed her as his, now and forever.
He shuddered as his seed pouredinto her, and then he came to rest beside her, panting as he pulled her intothe crook of his arm. As he gazed up at the sky, brilliant with its specks ofstarlight, such contentment filled him that he felt at once uneasy at howsimple it would be to forget his past pain and loss. He didn’t want to forgetCatriona. Loving her and knowing her had, in part, made him the man he wastoday. Yet, deep in his gut, he feared that he might forget her with thecraving he already felt for Marion.
Marion shifted in his arms, and hegazed at her and traced the delicate slope of her cheekbone up to her closedeyes and over her pale hair. She was so different in appearance and personalityfrom Catriona, but God help him, Marion pleased him mightily, and hedesiredher in a way he’d not known before. It was an insatiable hunger, whereas it hadbeen a comfortable, careful need with Catriona. An easy slow thing, pleasurablebut not devouring, because she had been too weak for him ever to allow himselfthat sort of greedy pleasure.
Marion, however, was not weak. Shehad begged him to take what she wanted to give him, what she knew she could.
“Marion.” There was much he couldnot say—truthfully, he didn’t even begin to know how to—yet he could tell herhow she’d pleased him. He also wanted to verify that he’d satisfied her and nothurt her. “Marion,” he whispered again.
Her answer was a snore, deep andsated.
He smiled in amazement that hiswife could have fallen asleep so easily after napping not long ago, but hesupposed with the long ride, having to fight for her life, and his pleasing herso—he grinned with pride into her fragrant hair—she would be exhausted.Personally, he was starving. He gently extracted his arm and set Marion on theblanket, then retrieved his plaid and laid it over her before rummaging in thesatchel he’d brought earlier for some bread, cheese, and wine. After partakingin all three but still saving some for Marion, he lay back down on the blanketbeside her and listened to her even breaths.
Things would be good and wellbetween them. How could they not be with the desire that burned so bright foreach other? With that thought, Iain fell into the first deep sleep he’dexperienced since Catriona had died.
Iain awoke before Marion the next morning and hedisentangled himself from his wife, who had wrapped her arms and legs aroundhim during the night. He retrieved his plaid and folded the part of the blankethe’d been lying on over Marion instead. He laid the food he’d saved for her ontop of his satchel and set it by her head before going down to the river towash. Once he was clean, he dressed quickly and went to check on Angus, RoryMac, and Neil. Angus had already packed his horse, as had Rory Mac, except RoryMac was now reclined against a tree.
He grinned at Iain. “Finally ye’reawake. Late night?” he teased.
Iain ignored Rory Mac’s questionand walked over to Neil. “How do ye feel?” he asked. The man still lookedpitiful.
“I’ve felt better. I’m sorry if I’mslowing ye down.”
“Dunnae fash yerself,” Iainrebuked.
Iain sensed someone standing behindhim, so he turned to find Angus staring at him. “Did ye remember what I said teye about Marion?” Angus demanded.
Iain could have simply remindedAngus he had no right to demand anything from Iain, but instead, Iain nodded.“I remembered.”
Angus peered at him suspiciously.The older man stepped closer. “Did ye go te sleep with Marion in yer thoughtsor a ghost?”
Rory Mac sat up from his spot inthe grass with a smirk on his face. “By the screams coming from yer direction,I’d say ye went to sleep with yer new wife in yer thoughts. Ye look tired,too,” the Scot commented with a chuckle. “I ken I’m tired. I could nae sleepover the noise.”
“Shut yer mouth,” Iain and Angusordered as one. With a look of understanding, they silently agreed that hisjoining with Marion was not a topic to be discussed by anyone.
Rory Mac waved a dismissive hand atIain. “Hold yeranger. I was only teasing.I’m glad to see ye’re finally moving on. And ye, ye old goat, I suppose I’mglad an old man like ye has someone to care about.”
Iain’s worries concerning Catriona roaredto life with Rory Mac’s words and stirred his ire. “I will never forgetCatriona. No one could ever take her place.”
Rory Mac’s gaze locked on somethingor someone behind Iain.
Iain knew it was Marion even beforehe turned to see her standing close behind him. She’d donned her gown, whichwas bunched oddly as if she’d had trouble lacing it. She had a pained look onher face, and he instantly knew she’d heard his words.
“Marion—” He started to apologizeand faltered. How could he say he was sorry for something that was true? Hecould not say he didn’t mean it. He couldn’t say she’d misunderstood. “Did yesee the food and drink I left out for ye?” he asked instead, aware that he washurting her, though he didn’t want to be.
“Yes, thank you,” she replied, hertone sounding withdrawn and slightly cold to him. He could be imagining it,hesupposed.He tried to catch her gaze to meet her eyes, but she looked around the camp,evidently avoiding him. “I see we’re packed and ready to depart. I hope youwere not waiting on me.”
“Nay,” he replied and steppedcloser to her. She subtly shifted away from him.
