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Her heart beat shallowly, the heat of her want, the heat of the water, making her light- headed. She felt suddenly desperate for him to hold her, to anchor her. But he just watched, still as granite, his eyes smoldering and dark in the candlelight.

She slipped her hands from her breasts. Skimmed her palms along her belly to her legs. Spreading her bent knees, she stroked her hands down the inside of her thighs. An inadvertent moan escaped her, so hungry was she for the touch of his skin on hers.

Will moved then. Sudden like a panther, he leapt for her. His mouth claimed hers. He tasted of whisky, and the ghost of a beard was rough on her chin. His hands were hot on her shoulders, her body chilled where the damp skin had been exposed to air.

“You’re so bloody gorgeous,” he rasped between kisses. “It’s unbearable.” His mouth moved to her neck, nibbled and kissed. “I can’t bear it.” His kisses trailed higher, and he whispered in her ear. “My body can’t bear to watch you. I have to touch you. So lovely, Felicity.”

“So . . .” she began tentatively, lifting her chin to urge his kisses lower. Will’s words awed and pleased her, and she recalled her conversation with Lily. “So, you really think I’m pretty?”

“Och,” he growled, pulling his face from hers. Bathwater rocked and spilled from the tub. “You speak of pretty ?” His shirt had gotten soaked, and water dripped steadily from his arms back into the tub.

Cupping her cheeks in his hands, he said fiercely, “Aye, you’re pretty, and more than pretty. You’re exquisite. The fairest creature ever who lived. Pretty indeed, my Felicity,” he said, raining light kisses along her face. “My bonny, sweet love.”

He released her. Reached for the large linen square that was her towel.

“Come then,” he said. Will pulled her easily from the bath and situated her on his lap, tenderly drying and wrapping her in the towel as they sat on the stool.

How many more moments like this would they share?

She couldn’t bear it, couldn’t bear the sadness.

She placed her hands over his where they tenderly cupped her cheeks.

“I love you, you know. The fates sent me here, to you. I know you don’t believe that.

But I’m here now, and I love you. And in the end, that’s all that matters.

Being together is what’s right. We’re right.

Back in my own time, I was so lost. But you’ve shown me so much.

Like . . . like being with the horses. I’m actually good at that.

For the first time, I’m good at something that also gives me such joy.

My life is so much richer here. So much richer with you. ”

“Aye, love. As mine is, with you.” His voice was hoarse with pain, with want. “Would that we’d both been born in some other time, some other place. Sometimes I think I’ll not survive your leaving. That the moment we part will be the moment I breathe my last.”

She shivered.

“Och, love, you’re cold.” He kissed her gently on each cheek, on her mouth, and then swept his hands along the thin towel to dry her.

She sensed an infinitesimal change in his breathing. Gradually his movements slowed, became more focused. A hand that had patted her dry, chafed now, rubbing teasing circles over the points of her breasts under the coarse fabric.

“I think I’m dry,” she whispered weakly, standing and letting the towel fall to the ground. “And this is way too scratchy,” she added, tugging at the thick layers of wool he wore. Unknotting the thong at his shoulder, she pulled his plaid from him. Peeled off his wet shirt.

“Come back.” His words sounded pained, giving voice to something more far-reaching than what they were sharing in that moment. He pulled her down to straddle his legs. Will didn’t enter her, and she felt the heavy weight of him brush against her leg.

“Don’t go to the King,” she whispered, stroking her palm over his broad, smooth chest. “Stay with me. We can run away.”

“You know I would.” He shut his eyes, breathing in deep. “But you know I cannot.”

They were together now. He was by her side, right then, and she’d regret wasting a minute of their remaining time together.

Felicity hitched her hips closer, seeking him out. “Be with me, Will. I want you.”

He kissed slowly along her neck, traced his finger and his tongue along her collarbone as if he’d memorize her.

“I want you, Felicity. I’ve always wanted you.” He kissed his way down her throat, took a breast in his mouth, sucked and teased with teeth and tongue. She felt empty and needful, wanting only for him to fill her.

Tracing his hands along her thighs, Will brought his fingers to her, stroking where water still dampened the hair between her legs.

“Now,” she moaned. “I need you. Now.”

“Aye,” he said between gritted teeth. He lifted Felicity onto him and glided into her. “Now.”

She planted her feet on the ground and began to move, tilting and rocking, bringing him in and out. But Will stopped her. Gripping her hips, he drove himself into her and held Felicity tight to him.

Holding her hips immobile, Will ground her pelvis against his. A pleasure so acute swamped her, she dropped her head to his shoulder, letting him rub and grind her against his body.

“Yes,” she whispered. Felicity trembled, barely holding on. He kept her there, in a place just beyond fulfillment, shifting inside, yet not moving from her.

Will raked a hand through her hair and cupped her head, tilting it to face him. He brought his mouth to hers for a fierce kiss.

And then neither could hold on, and he kept her clutched hard and close through their climax.

Felicity, rooted to her Will.