Page 18 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

B rianna lay beside Royce, her head resting on his shoulder. It was near dawn when she woke with a strange feeling. Royce slept quietly, no worrisome thoughts disturbing him. She could not do the same. She felt uneasy, as though something was about to happen.

What it was she did not know, but it disturbed her.

She had healed nicely over the last few weeks.

Most of her bruises had faded away or at least faded to a pale yellowish hue, reminding her that they soon would be gone.

Surprisingly, the bruise on her lower back had faded faster than she had expected, that area having given her the most discomfort.

Otherwise, she could not say that she suffered much from her ordeal.

Royce had been a kind and gentle healer, and it was because of him she had healed and felt so well.

He, however, was still healing from his wounds.

The scar on his face had crusted and looked as though it would leave him with a heavy reminder of battle.

His lip was nearly healed and barely troubled him, and the swelling around his eye had all but gone.

He appeared more human now, though the extent of damage his facial scar had caused made it difficult for her to picture him as he once was.

It mattered not to her, for she knew his heart and soul and they were beautiful. His facial features were no concern to her. How he treated her was of the utmost concern to her.

She cuddled closer to his warmth. She was comfortable lying naked beside him, which is how she now slept.

She had learned soon enough that her night shift would not remain on her when they climbed into bed together, so after several times she did not bother to put it on.

And she had to admit she liked waking in the middle of the night or in the morning and cuddling against his warm body.

He would slip his arms around her and hold her close.

She felt safe and protected and very much loved.

He had also taught her the joy and bliss of making love. There was not a day that went by that they did not make love and that she did not learn something new. He was gentle and understanding with her and encouraged her to explore.

She smiled, remembering how she had told him she wished to explore with her tongue. He quickly encouraged her, and that night was one that would live long in her memory, for she had not thought a woman could be in such control of a man.

They talked of getting wed, though he had yet to ask her.

She was confident they would, and she was confident that he would ask her in time.

She worried not about her brother’s response to their union, for her brother wished her to be happy.

Once he saw how happy she was with Royce, she was certain Ian would agree to their union.

Ian would surely ask Royce to join their clan since he seemed more on his own. If he had been a part of a large clan, he would not be alone in this cottage healing his wounds. There would be clansmen and women to help him.

Now he would be alone no more. He would become part of the clan Cameron, Ian would probably give them a keep nearby, and life would be good for all.

Why, then, this thought of impending disruption? What could possibly happen?

She knew her brother would greet Royce well, and she knew Royce would respond in kind. Whatever was disturbing her?

“What is wrong?” His arm slipped around her to draw her closer so that her head could rest on his chest, and he draped his leg over hers.

“I woke you.”

“Nay, the thought of another day with you beside me woke me.” He kissed her forehead.

“The days do seem more exciting and fuller since I began sharing them with you.”

“And they will remain so. We will share much together.”

“You sound so very certain,” she said, her strange unease continuing to disturb her.

“What troubles you?” he asked, wrapping his arm more tightly around her, assuring her that she was well protected.

She stroked his chest, needing to touch him. “I do not know. I woke feeling . . .”

Her words trailed off, for she found it difficult to explain how she felt.

He encouraged her to speak. ‘Tell me and we will sort this out together.”

Together.

They did much together, for there were

only the two of them here and now. Is that what troubled her? Did she fear returning to a world outside this cottage? What did she think would happen?

“Talk with me,” he said with a gentle squeeze.

She did not wish to spoil their day. “It is nothing, I worry needlessly.”

“Let me worry with you,” he encouraged, giving her bottom a loving pat.

She was reluctant to discuss her concerns. They were, after all, her own fears, and she should deal with them accordingly.

She moved restlessly in his arms.

“You will tell me.”

That he demanded was obvious. That he demanded out of concern was also obvious. She could not be angry with him for caring. His concern touched her heart and made her realize his love for her. It constantly amazed her that she had found such a strong, enduring love with him.

They were strangers, yet they were not.

She settled in his arms and she could feel his tension ease with her calmness.

“I have thought too much over our return.”

“All will go well,” he assured her with a confidence that startled her.

“You really have not a shred of doubt?”

“There is no reason for doubt. From what you have told me of your brother, he cares only for your happiness. He would be the only one who could prevent our union, and he will not do that; therefore, there is no cause to worry.”

“I tell myself the very same thing, but...”

Her words trailed off again as if she did not believe herself.

“Brianna.” He called to her softly.

She looked up at him in question.

“Do you love me?”

She thought to tell him that he asked a foolish question, but she felt compelled to answer from her heart.

“With all my heart and soul.”

“As do I love you, and with a love as strong as ours, do you think there is anything that can keep us apart? Do you think that I would not fight for you? Do you think that I would not die for you?”

“Hush,” she said with a finger to his lips. “My heart aches at such a thought. I do not know what I would do without you. I even find that I have grown accustomed to sharing a bed with you,” —she poked him playfully in the ribs— “though your size takes up much of the bed.”

“It is not my size that makes the bed small; it is the fact that you attach yourself to me and will give me no room to move,” he teased in return.

“I will not argue the truth, for I do find it pleasant to nestle against you while I sleep. You are warm and comfortable and I cannot resist your body.”

He poked playfully at her. “You certainly cannot resist my body; your thirst for me is insatiable.”

She buried her blushing face against his bare chest. “I had not known—” She stopped herself from admitting how much joy she had discovered in making love and how much she desired him. She did what she was accustomed to doing, apologizing. “I am sorry?—”

He stopped her this time. He grabbed her and hoisted her on top of him.

“Never apologize for wanting me. I had not known the beauty of making love until I experienced it with you. I had not known love until I found you. You are mine and I am yours forever. We will love forever and beyond, and no one, not a soul, will come between us.”

She kissed him as she often did, soft and gentle.

He, however, was feeling possessive, a need to demonstrate how strongly he cared for her, how much he wanted her, and how much that need pulsated within him.

He grabbed her about the waist and turned her onto her back, covering her body with his. He normally asked if she was all right, if anything pained her, if she was comfortable.

He asked her nothing. He looked at her with a fire in his eyes that could not be denied.

His mouth descended on hers with a heated passion, and his body moved against hers with a determined purpose.

They had loved many times and many ways, but this time there was a need in him she had never felt before, and it fired her own passion. And though his kiss demanded and his touch was forceful, she knew he would never hurt her and that thought excited her all the more.

His mouth moved to her nipples and feasted there like a starving man. She tried to touch him, stroke him, kiss him, but he rebelled. He would have the upper hand, he would control, direct, take charge.

She could do nothing but surrender to his will, enjoying every touch, stroke, and kiss he rained upon her. He was like a man with an insatiable need and she the only sustenance that could satisfy him.

Time stood still; nothing existed but the two of them and their relentless need to love.

He brought her to climax more times than she thought possible, and when she thought she was spent, unable to respond, he took her with such a loving force that she climaxed with him, his name an echoing cry on her lips.

He braced his damp body over hers, pressed his cheek to hers, and whispered in an even voice, “I will not live life without you. You are mine. I will love you forever.”

* * *

With the morning meal done and the sun bright in the blue sky, Brianna and Royce made ready for their daily walk in the woods.

Brianna was anxious to be on their way. She had been collecting twigs and small branches so that she could fashion a basket, a task she had learned from her sister-in-law’s friend Anne.

It kept her mind and hands busy and she loved seeing the end results, a creation of beauty and patience, her creation.

“Hurry,” she urged him. “I have much to collect.”

“And I have much to carry,” he teased her with an arm around her waist.

She stared at him a moment before asking, “This will not stop between us, walks in the woods, loving as we do, sharing our meals together?”

“Nay,” he said softly with a kiss to her cheek. “We will share more walks and more loving and more meals.”