Page 26 of Cottage in the Mist (Time After Time #3)

“But if you leave me, then I’ll have to go back.

Or forward or whatever. I can’t stay here unless you’re with me.

And I can’t bear the idea of losing you again.

” Put into words, it sounded so needy. But she couldn’t help herself.

She’d lost so much already. She couldn’t stand the thought of losing him too.

“Lily, you know that I’d take you if I could, but…”

“Please, Bram.” She was begging now. “Please don’t go. Don’t put yourself in that kind of danger.”

His features tightened, his expression harsh. “I have no choice. It has to be done. And it has to be me. If you care for me at all you’ll no’ ask me to stay.”

“Fine.” She crossed her arms, anger making her brave. “Then I’m coming with you. I’ll stay out of the way. But I won’t leave you.”

His face softened, his eyes reflecting an emotion she was afraid to put a name to.

“Ach, if only it were that easy, mo ghràidh . I dinna know what it’s like in your time.

But in mine a woman is to be cherished and protected at all costs.

Nothing is more important than that. And as you’ve found your way into my heart, I willna risk your safety for my own selfish pleasure. ”

“It isn’t your choice. It’s mine. If you value me at all, then you’ll value my right to make my own decisions.

To know my own mind.” She glared at him, daring him to argue.

“I won’t be left behind. Unless you can look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t want me, I’m coming with you. It’s as simple as that.”

Silence stretched between them as she watched him digest her words. One hand clenched into a fist and then slowly, slowly he relaxed his fingers and reached out again to run the back of his hand along her cheek.

“So you agree?”

“Aye. I’ll grant that you have the right to make your own decisions. But I dinna have to like them.”

She smiled, willing to take the win any way she could get it. “I won’t get in the way. I promise.”

She lay beside him, her heart pounding, partly because she’d triumphed, and partly because that triumph would be short-lived if they both wound up dead.

His wasn’t an easy time. Men were brutal.

She’d sensed as much in her visions. And she knew that Bram was right; a battle wasn’t the place for a woman.

Especially one with modern sensibilities. But what choice did she have?

She couldn’t leave him. No matter what the cost, she needed to be here with him.

Assuming fate would allow it.

There was nothing to say she wouldn’t be ripped from his arms again. It had happened before. Panic reared its head and she fought to breathe slowly.

“I need you,” she whispered.

“As I need you.” He pulled her closer, her back nestled against his chest, his hands settling around her breasts. Deftly he stroked and circled her nipples, his touch rekindling the fire deep inside her, pushing away her fear with passion.

She started to turn but he held her firmly, one hand splayed across her belly, the other moving down from her breasts to the hot, wet juncture between her thighs.

His breath teased her ear and neck, sending shivers of need racing through her as he plunged first one finger and then a second deep inside her.

Stroking, caressing, pushing deeper and then deeper still.

She choked on a sob, wanting him inside her more than she wanted to breathe.

“Please, Bram,” she begged, her voice rough with desire. “Take me. Take me now.”

With a low growl, he pushed one of her legs upward, replacing his fingers with the head of his erection. She squirmed against him, trying to move closer. But he held her firmly in place. Then, with a single thrust, he was inside her. Deeper than before. His balls pressed against her bottom.

For a moment, he held her like that. Joined. Two parts of a whole. And then he pulled back almost to the tip. She swallowed and shifted restlessly against him.

“Patience, mo ghràidh .”

He inched back just a little more and then thrust deeply again, this time with more power.

His other hand closed around one of her breasts, his breath still hot in her ear.

He rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

Slowly he rocked back and forth, the motion sending exquisite shards of pleasure rocketing through her.

She arched her back, pushing her bottom more firmly against him, taking him deeper, the sensation almost beyond bearing, pleasure so great it was almost pain. Then slowly he withdrew again, and she whimpered with need.

His fingers tightened on her nipple, tugging as he surged into her again, and she fractured, her entire body convulsing with the power of her climax.

She spasmed around him, breath stuttering, heart pounding.

His arms tightened around her, holding her safe as she spiraled out of control.

Her mind blanked as the power of their passion overrode every other sense.

He held her for a moment, then gently rolled her over until he was propped above her, his hips nestled between her legs, his body braced on his elbows.

Their gazes collided and she struggled for breath.

Then with a slow, sure smile, he lifted and surged into her again.

Her body responded in an instant, desire building again as he began to ride.

She wrapped her legs around him, and his mouth found hers. The kiss was searing. A take no prisoners possession. Each of them claiming the other with lips and tongues and always the driving rhythm of him moving deep inside her.

Opening wider, she took him deeper, meeting him thrust for thrust. Her muscles tightened around him. Holding him. Caressing him. Taking and giving. Their fated dance beyond all time.

This was what she had been born for. This moment. This man. And nothing was going to keep them apart.

He murmured her name, and then his lips claimed hers again, their bodies moving together. The magic tension built again, stretching tighter and tighter as they continued to move together. Then suddenly the world exploded into shards of light.

He swallowed her cry, his hands linking with both of hers. And there was nothing in the world but the two of them, joined together as surely it was meant to be.