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Andrew could only feel extreme satisfaction and arousal as he began to move inside her, slowly at first, but then increasing in power.

The strokes were measured and strong, and Josephine moved with him, mimicking his actions, thrusting her pelvis forward to meet each stroke.

A delicious, tingling warmth spread from her loins and filled her veins.

It was as if this action alone consumed her entire being.

The movement between them became faster and harder, and a sheen formed on their bodies as their lovemaking continued. Andrew released her hands and groped her breasts again, squeezing in rhythm with his thrusts, but then he suddenly stopped.

Before Josephine could question him, he withdrew from her body and flipped her onto her stomach. Josephine was dazed with passion as Andrew brought her up onto her hands and knees. Pulling her legs apart slightly, he drove into her from behind and immediately began firm, hard thrusts.

It was a new level of passion never before felt as Josephine experienced their lovemaking from an entirely new angle.

His hands moved to her breasts, using them as anchors to keep her from moving away from him.

Josephine moaned and thrashed her head about, completely oblivious to anything but his attentions.

But one of his hands moved to the damp curls between her legs and began manipulating her. Then, it was all over in seconds.

Josephine’s tremors consumed her, gasps of pleasure coming from her lips. Andrew followed shortly, thrusting into her one last time with a grunt of pleasure and holding Josephine to him with great ferocity as he spent himself in her sweet body. Bound to each other, they fell together on the bed.

It was a while before either one spoke. Josephine had never felt so alive, so wanted, or so loved.

Her love for Andrew knew no limits as she felt the man around her, still embedded in her.

It seemed that he had no intention of removing himself, which was fine by her.

As she lay there and her breathing eased, Andrew kissed the back of her head.

“Are you well?” he murmured.

“Aye.”

He kissed her head again. “I love you, Joey,” he whispered. “For all time, I shall love you, more than my own life.”

She snuggled into his embrace, her arms over his arms as they held her. “And I love you,” she breathed. “If you should die tomorrow in your quest to kill your brother, wait for me at Heaven’s gate. I shall not be far behind you.”

Andrew’s smile faded as he thought on her words.

Although he was deeply touched by her devotion and declaration, the thought of Josephine dead nearly drove him out of his mind.

It had never occurred to him that she would not want to live without him but, more than that, knowledge of their betrothal, when it came to Alphonse, could prove deadly for her.

“Josephine,” he said after a moment. “Whatever happens, never mention to my brother that we are betrothed. I fear… I fear his hatred of me will drive him to do unspeakable things.”

Josephine pulled away from him. Then she turned in his arms so that she could look at him. Her eyes filled with fear.

“He will not hear it from me,” she said. “Although Ridge knows, as does Nicholas. But they will not tell him, I am sure.”

Andrew wasn’t pleased that two men loyal to the king knew of their betrothal, but he didn’t scold her.

There was no point. He simply kissed her again and wrapped his arms around her, savoring the last few moments of this precious encounter.

He knew it might be a long time before he would be able to hold her again.

Each minute was stolen and precious right now and he knew he couldn’t remain with her much longer. Already, he had been far longer than he’d anticipated. With one last kiss, he released her.

“I must go,” he whispered as he sat up. “Every moment I spend here is another moment I may be seen. I am assuming there are servants all over the place.”

Josephine nodded, sitting up in bed and watching the man as he hurriedly dressed. He was so beautiful to watch, his big muscles and sleek form. But she tore her eyes away and noticed a small, colored stain on the linens. She ran her hand across it.

“They will see this,” she murmured. “They will see this and wonder.”

Andrew was pulling on his leather gloves as he glanced down at the spot. It was a colored discharge from her body, which had probably not healed since the first time he’d taken her.

“Tell them your woman’s cycle has begun,” he said without hesitation. “That should keep the king and my brother at bay for a time.”

Josephine jerked her head up to him, shocked that he should mention such unspeakable things so casually. He saw her expression and laughed.

“Do not look so horrified, Joey,” he said. “It is a natural occurrence, like eating and pissing. Women are cursed with it and men are awed by it. They will stay away from you quick enough if you tell them your woman’s time is upon you.”

It was rather clever of him, she had to admit. But she was still slightly mortified at the suggestion. Yet, she was willing to do anything at this point to keep the king and the earl away from her.

When Andrew was finished dressing, he reached down to pull her to him, his warm mouth kissing every inch of her face. Josephine clung to him, with small whimpers escaping her lips as she realized he was saying goodbye. Perhaps even forever. Her fear claimed her and she began to cry.

“Do not leave me,” she sobbed quietly. “Please do not go.”

His heart was breaking as he kissed her again as he tried to pull away from her. “I shall be nearby, always,” he assured her. “Nothing will happen to you, Joey. I promise.”

He tried to remove her arms from him, but she was like a terrified child. “I am so afraid, Andrew,” she wept. “Please take me with you.”

He wasn’t getting anywhere trying to pull away from her so he paused, clasping her face between his two big hands.

“Joey, listen to me,” he said steadily. “By tomorrow, this will all be over and you and I shall be traveling back to Torridon for our wedding. Sully and I are here; we will let nothing happen to you. Be brave, love, as I know you are. Make me proud.”

Make me proud . She very much wanted to.

Josephine’s breathing calmed and she relaxed her death grip.

She believed his words. She knew nothing would happen to her as long as he was near.

Josephine was so frightened that she had to believe him.

But in the back of her mind, she reminded herself that she was a de Carron, and Hugh did not raise weak children.

“Leave me your dirk,” she said after a moment. “At least give me the chance to protect myself.”

Andrew considered her request. He wasn’t so sure it was a good idea, but he knew she would never use it foolishly. He did not want to leave her without any personal protection. Taking his dirk from the belt at his waist, he placed the hilt of it in her palm with a deliberate motion.

“Only if necessary,” he whispered.

She nodded. “Only if necessary.”

With a lingering stroke to her silky check, Andrew departed, leaving Josephine sitting on her bed with the dagger in her hand.

As she watched, he went out the way he came in– through the window overlooking the entry door to the structure.

Long-legged, sure-gripped, Andrew moved like a spider as he climbed out and dropped to the earth several feet below.

Josephine jumped out of the bed and ran to the window, only to see him stealing off into the darkness.

Her heart was beating rapidly as she climbed back into bed, her mind whirling with the events of the evening and with what was still to come. Clutching the dirk to her breast, she fell into a fitful sleep.