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H eaven. Gunn was in heaven. Surely, he’d died and was experiencing the fruits of his labors of life on earth.

Under him, Joss moaned. Deep and guttural. The noise making his cock even harder when he thought it couldn’t possibly get any more so.

He wouldn’t last long. Already he could feel his bollocks drawing up, tightening, getting ready to release his seed.

Joss’s breaths were coming out in short gasps, her nails raking his back. He was certain he’d still have the marks in the morning.

He’d wear them with pride.

Her hands on his jaw, she pulled his face down to hers, capturing his lips in a kiss so deep that he nearly lost his mind.

His hips pumped at a vicious pace, her hands grasped at his buttocks.

He squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his teeth. Trying to hold off until she found release. He pushed his hand between them, finding her pearl, and circled his finger around it.

Her hips lifted, meeting his pace.

Incoherent words spilled from her lips as she swung her head from side to side. Heels planted in the mattress, she brought her hands up to his back once again, her sharp nails piercing his skin as she called out his name.

Her limbs stiffened, and he kenned she’d reached her climax. Her sex tightening around him. Milking him.

Furiously, he pumped his hips, burying himself to the hilt, until he, too, joined her on a mutual climactic journey. He buried his face in her neck as he thrust one last time. Fully buried in her, emptying his seed, as he met his release, his body jerking violently as it overcame him.

It took a few long moments for his body to stop spasming. His breath still ragged, he flipped onto his back, dragging her with him so she could rest her head on his chest.

She turned her face, kissed his chest, before resting her head on him. Her fingers drew lazy circles on his skin, causing him to shudder, as she sighed in satisfaction.

“That was unlike anything I have ever experienced before,” she said breathlessly.

He chuckled, lifted his head so he could kiss her hair. “I am glad that I could be the one to give that to ye.”

She brought her head up, so she could look him in the eye. “Thank you.”

He frowned. “For what?”

“For treating me with such respect. For loving me thoroughly, yet gently. It was,” she paused, her blue eyes darkening. “As I said, it was something I’ve never experienced before.”

Laying her head back down on his chest, she sighed in contentment as he stroked her silky hair.

Her husband was a bastard. Jocelyn deserved to be loved like she mattered.

Like she was somebody important. And not somebody to be used for whatever selfish reasons her useless husband had.

Gunn swore when he saw the bastard he was going to beat the shite out of him so bad that the louse wouldn’t recognize himself when he gazed in the looking glass for the rest of his life.

Reaching down, he pulled the duvet over them. It wasn’t long before Joss’s breathing evened out and he kenned she’d fallen asleep.

He sighed. Her laying in his arms, here, in his chambers, seemed like fate. Like she was born to be here. Wrapping his arms around her, he closed his eyes and fell into his own blissful sleep as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

At least for this night, that was true.

*

In the morning, when Gunn woke, he found himself alone. He sat up, looking around the room to see where Joss had gone, biting his lip when he realized she more than likely returned to her own room when she’d awakened.

Quickly, he got dressed, then went to the room next door and knocked gently.

He stepped back to wait for her to open the door. After a few long moments, the knob turned, and she opened the door.

“Good morn,” she greeted. “I hope I didn’t wake you when I left.”

He shook his head. “Ye didna. But why did ye leave?”

She poked her head out of the room, looking from side to side down the hall. He assumed to see if anyone was about. There wasn’t and she spoke.

“I didn’t want to put you in an awkward position. It wouldn’t be proper for me to be found in the bed of the laird.”

“Joss, honey. Naught of what we did was proper.”

She flushed, guilt darkening her features.

He lifted her chin with his finger, drawing her eyes up to him. “That is no’ a bad thing. Nor something to regret. I have none.” Dark thoughts entered his mind. “Do ye? Do ye regret what happened betwixt us last night?”

He held his breath as he waited for her answer. He wanted her to say nay. Needed her to say nay.

“No,” she admitted. Shaking her head. “Not at all.”

Relief flooded through him.

“I just didn’t want you to lose respect with your staff. Your friends. I know they mean a lot to you.”

“Joss.” He pulled her into his arms for a hug.

Kissed the top of her head, the scent of lavender in her hair tickling his nose.

“My staff ken to mind their business, but they would ne’er say aught or treat ye or me with disrespect.

And as for my friends, have ye seen them?

Listened to them? They are cheering for our union.

Hell, we’ll probably go down to break our fast and they’ll be able to tell what we’ve done by looking at us. ”

She pulled back, a horrified look on her face.

“’Tis no’ a bad thing. ’Tis just something that happens.

I’m certain we kenned each time they’d done the same.

It changes us. Our demeanor.” He pulled her closer, close enough that she could feel the effect she had on him, as his hardness prodded her belly.

“I really dinna care if they ken. ’Tis what we wanted, aye?

Hey.” He brought his hands up to caress her cheek.

“There’s no going back. We’re moving full steam ahead. Agreed?”

Worrying her lip, she searched his face. He hoped she could see the truth in his eyes.

Finally, she nodded. “Agreed.”

Holding out his hand, he smiled when she accepted it as they made their way downstairs.

*

When Jocelyn and Gunn entered the dining room, all eyes turned to them. She couldn’t stop the blush that flushed her cheeks. It was as if she’d had what they’d done last night written on her forehead, announcing it to everyone.

The women smiled, and the men smirked.

She sat down quickly. She was so embarrassed she didn’t want to look anyone in the eye. Couldn’t look anyone in the eye.

If she did, she feared they’d be able to see everything she’d done.

“Ye two are late coming down,” Gwen said, pressing her lips together as she tried to hold back her laugh.

Jocelyn threw her hands up and rolled her eyes. “Fine. You all are too intuitive for anything to slip your notice. Jest all you want.”

She waited, the quiet lingering for long moments, until everyone broke into laughter at the same time. Loud, raucous laughter.

“We kenned ’twould be just a matter of time,” Lizzie confirmed. I mean, we werena going to say aught, but ye told on yourself anyway.” She smiled and took a bite of toast that had been slathered with butter and piled high with jam.

Gunn looked around. “Well, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way.” He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Let’s enjoy our meal. After we finish, the men and I have an appointment we must attend.”

Willamina shot Finlay a narrowed eye look. “Ye didna speak about plans for this afternoon.”

He cleared his throat, dabbing the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “’Tis a recent event. We’ll be back this eve.”

“What shall we do whilst they are away?” Clarissa asked.

“We can walk the grounds. Mayhap stroll the shore,” Gwen offered.

“That would be nice,” Jocelyn said. She loved the seaside and hadn’t had the chance to explore it since she’d arrived.

“I was thinking something more exciting, but we can do that if ye like,” Clarissa said.

Willamina scoffed. “Stop making Jocelyn feel bad. I think a walk near the water sounds lovely.” Her hands stroked her belly. “I dinna feel up for much else.”

“You didn’t make me feel bad, Clarissa. Since I haven’t seen Leyson Castle before I think I would like to explore the grounds and get to know it. Mayhap we can have afternoon tea near the shore?” Jocelyn suggested, pleased when the other ladies agreed.

Gunn smiled. “’Tis settled then. Perfect.” He finished his soft-boiled egg and sipped his tea. Giving her a wink, she tried to come to grips with the feeling that had just overcome her.

Family.

That’s what she was feeling. A sense of belonging. She hadn’t felt it since she’d left her parents’ home when she’d married.

She leaned into Gunn. “Where are you going? Is everything well?”

“’Twill be once we finish. We’re going to pay Theodore a visit at his establishment that he funded with my coin.”

Her mouth fell open and she raised her brows. “That should be an interesting conversation. His face at your arrival will be priceless.”

“I do hope so. I want to see utter shock reflecting back at me.”

Worry flashed into her mind. “You’ll be careful?” she asked. She didn’t know why she worried. Gunn alone was more than capable of holding his own. With the four of his friends accompanying him, Theodore didn’t stand a chance. But still, a little niggle of worry ate at her periphery.

“Always. Dinna fash about me. All will be well.”

After everyone had finished eating and the serving staff had cleared away the dishes, the men said their goodbyes, promising to return soon.

Jocelyn watched Gunn leave the room, his friends following him out the door.

“Finally!” Clarissa exclaimed dramatically. “I honestly thought they would ne’er leave.” She giggled. “I jest. But why should they have all the fun? Let us enjoy the day.”

And they did. They froze their toes when they dipped them into the cool sea water and walked along the water’s edge. By the time they sat down to nibble on the tea and sandwiches Jocelyn had asked the cook to prepare, their feet were red as tomatoes.

Wrapping hers in the folds of her gown, she squeezed her toes, trying to get the blood flowing through them to warm them up.

“It has been too long since I’ve spent the day at the shore,” Willamina said. “’Tis always nice to wallow in the salty air.” She sat in a chair near the table that held their luncheon fare.

“I think we need to warm up. ’Tis a beautiful day, but the water was much too cold.” Lizzie shivered. “If our husbands were here, they would scold us for putting ourselves into a situation that could make us ill.”

“Especially ye, Willamina,” Clarissa chimed in. “Finlay would have our hides if ye caught an ague. We would ne’er hear the end of it.”

Willamina held up her teacup. “’Tis why I am drinking plenty of tea.”

For the rest of the afternoon, conversation flowed easily, as if they’d all been lifelong friends and were doing a weekly meetup.

At no point did Jocelyn feel unwelcome. In fact, it was just the opposite.

It was as if she was already part of the group and had been from the beginning.

The feeling of belonging wrapped around her once again.

After, when the wind began to whip around them as if it were tinged with ice, they retreated inside. Huddling around the gigantic fireplace in the great hall, they stuck out their hands, rubbing them together to warm them.

“I must confess,” Jocelyn began. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such an enjoyable time spent with friends. Thank you.”

“Pfft. No need for thanks,” Clarissa guffawed. “We have fun whenever we’re together. Wherever we are. Ye’ll soon see.”

Jocelyn nodded, not knowing what to say. She was just so happy to be there and to be accepted.

“I think I will go upstairs and order a hot bath to warm up and wash the salt off my skin and hair,” Gwen announced.

“That’s a lovely idea,” Lizzie agreed.

“Mayhap after we can all meet in the game room for some bridge?”

They all agreed to a game after they’d bathed, and Gwen and Clarissa checked in on the wee ones.

Alone in her room, Jocelyn wondered how the meeting with Theodore was going. Hoping it went well, she was impatient for Gunn to return.

She’d had a wonderful afternoon with the wives, but she missed Gunn.

Having his arms around her would be the quickest way for her to warm up. She wanted that.

Wanted to feel that every day.

She sighed. Once again her thoughts conflicted. She was falling in love with Gunn. And she was quite certain he felt the same way.

But it was wrong.

Or was it?