Page 29 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“I understand, Sorsha, why ye did. But I want there to be trust betwixt us, and soon enough, ye will have faith in me enough not to question such matters. I could not leave without ensuring Mamo was kept safe and I asked Enid to watch over her. I worry that one day I might find Mamo gone for shewants to go to the hereafter because she longs to be with my grandfather.”
Sorsha took hold of his other hand and clasped both his hands with sympathy. “Oh, that is terribly sad, Shaw. I hope she knows how much you care for her.”
“She does and now she has ye too. Together, we will look after her.”
“I will be gladdened to help you.”
He turned her back to the fief and was in no rush to enter it. Being with Sorsha lightened him and he was glad to be able to tell her of his worry about his grandmother. When he was gone, which was more often than he liked, he now had Sorsha to ensure his grandmother was cared for.
They entered the fief and then he led her to the upper floor. In the hallway, he stopped her before they entered their chamber. “Where is the lad sleeping?”
Sorsha pointed to the door in the hallway next to theirs. “I settled him some time ago. No sounds are coming from his room. I shall check on him to ensure he has settled for the night.”
“Aye, he is young, which is why I agreed to let him stay with us but eventually, he will be moved to the barracks with the other lads who foster.”
She nodded in understanding before she pressed her finger to her lips and opened Luthor’s door to peek into the darkened chamber. The lad’s soft snores reached Shaw’s ears and he smiled as she quietly closed the door once more. “He is asleep.”
“Good.” Shaw reached behind her and pressed her back toward their door. He opened it, shuffled her inside, closed the door with a thud, and then pulled her against him. His lips sought hers and he gave her the slightest peck. Then he leaned against the closed door and pulled her back against him. Her body rested against his and his hands roved over the front of her body until he was able to cup her breasts.
“I have been thinking about doing this all day. ’Tis the truth, I like touching you.” He pressed his hands over her bosom, the curves of her hips, and her sensitive torso. She giggled slightly when he touched her there which drew his smile.
“I like you touching me,” she said with a raspy breath.
Shaw set his cheek next to hers and whispered, “I like ye touching me too.”
Sorsha set her hands on his forearm which kept her against him. His need grew and the hardness pressed against her buttocks. Shaw moaned softly at the prospect of loving her again.
“Is that bath for me?”
He nodded. “Aye, I thought ye would want to wash away the travel dust. Go on. The water should still be warm.”
Sorsha undid the tie of her cloak, then the bodice of her overdress, and removed it. Beneath her garments was a thin chemise, an undergarment that showed more of her body than it hid. He thought her sweet when she shyly removed the garment and stepped into the tub trying to hide her body with her hands. With her lovely backside to him, she craned her neck to peer at him. Shaw sat on the bedside and watched her. Her movements were graceful and unbeknownst to her, she carried herself in a seductive way.
When she finished bathing, she reached for the drying cloth set on a nearby stool. He considered her abashment and stood. To distract himself, he approached the window casement, opened a shutter slightly, and gazed at the star-filled night sky. There was nary a moon to give any light about the land. Night obscured the waters that surrounded the island. The waters were still and no lapping of their waves sounded on the banks.
Shaw shook his head at his simple thoughts and wished she’d hurry.
“Shaw?”
He turned and found her standing close. Shaw pressed his hands to her waist, loving the soft, silky feel of her skin against his calloused palms, hastily lifted her, carried her to the bed, and set her in the center. With care, he removed his sword and sheath and placed them by the bed’s headboard. He removed his layered tartans and then his tunic. His belt clanked on the wooden floorboards but he cared not and shifted it under the bed with his foot. Then he knelt on the bed and used his hands to crawl toward her. As he lay next to her he tilted her chin so she would look at him.
“When we married, Sorsha, I made certain vows to ye. Ye are the only woman who will ever occupy this bed and the only woman I will lie with. Always remember that.”
“I was foolish for thinking—”
“Nay, I understand why such a notion would come to ye. This is a new situation for us both and I want us to be faithful to each other.” Shaw’s voice held a little emotion as he spoke. He hoped she felt the same.
“’Tis just…Rodick did his husbandly duty but he often bedded others. I…I was nothing but a burden to him, a chore he detested. I want us to be faithful too.” She sighed and he pressed his hand on her face, causing her to close her eyes.
“He was a fool, not ye. Any man that cannot see your worth, Sorsha, is an arse. Now kiss me, wife, because I need to touch ye and…” Shaw ceased his thought and pressed his lips to hers. He couldn’t get enough of kissing her and turned his mouth to the softness of her lips.
Sorsha joined her hands behind his neck and kept him close. His chest caressed against her breasts and brought forth a light groan from him. He wanted to take her and be joined as one. They’d had little opportunity to be together on the trek and had only coupled twice. If he had his way, he would have taken her each night. But though he desired her, he wanted to please herand show her that a man could be gentle, caring, passionate, and loving. He wouldn’t have been able to do so on the cold, hard ground so close to Walen and the lad.
Now she tried to shift him to lie beside her and he complied with her unspoken demand. Sorsha rose to kneel beside him and pressed her hands over the top of his thigh, his stomach, and chest. Her touch ignited a passion within him and his heart increased to a fevered pitch. Being with her was everything he’d ever envisioned, wanted, or needed. Shaw let her take her time exploring him. He wanted her to be comfortable with touching him.
Sorsha set her mouth on his chest and kissed her way to his mouth. The way her lips pressed against his throat along the way caused him to take in a heavy breath. Lord, he wanted her and his patience was threadbare and unraveling quickly.
Without giving her a warning, he grabbed hold of her and flipped her onto her back. His body spanned hers and he willed himself to go slow. But Sorsha urged him on with sweet moans and touches that spurred his lust. The desire between them flowed effortlessly and uncontrollably. He was about to enter her then realized that he needed to be gentle with her.