Page 99 of The Laird's Vengeful Desire

“Fer what?”

“Fer seein’ me,” she replied simply. “Fer seein’ past the captive, past the political advantage, past everytin’ else tae just… me. Fer givin’ me time tae heal, time tae choose, time tae love.”

Ian turned her in his arms, his green eyes serious in the moonlight. “Thank ye fer choosin’ me despite every reason ye had tae run, lass. But more than that, thank ye fer trustin’ me with yer heart when I’d done naethin’ tae earn it.”

“Ye earned it every day,” Rhona said firmly. “With every kindness, every moment of patience, every time ye chose me happiness over yer duty. Ye earned it wholeheartedly.”

The kiss they shared tasted of promises and starlight, of a future bright with possibility. When they finally broke apart, both were breathless and grinning like children with a delicious secret.

“Come along then, Lady Wallace,” Ian said, sweeping her up into his harms with theatrical gallantry. “Let me carry ye across the threshold intae our new life.”

“Och, put me down ye big brute!” Rhona laughed, but she made no real effort to escape his embrace. “What will people think?”

“They’ll think,” Ian said as he carried her toward their chambers, “that I’m a man besotted with me wife. And they’ll be absolutely right.”

But there’s more…

They survived the storm. Now… what does forever truly look like for a Highlander and his fierce lass?