Page 101 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
Astrid wrapped her arms around him as tight as she could and squeezed. It wasn’t like him to apologize, let alone understand that his actions had consequences.
He pulled in a deep breath and let it out quickly. “Thinkin’ back on it, I was foolish. It was sheer luck that I found a way out without bein’ killed. I’ll never do that again.”
“Well, let’s hope that we dinnae have any reason to go back to the bog,” Astrid said.
“How many enemies do ye have, woman?”
Astrid shook her head. “I have none, thanks to ye.”
“How about we make a decree and keep people away from that place,” Thomas suggested.
“How many people do ye think are goin’ to venture in there because they think it’ll be a good idea? Give people more credit.”
“Ye went out there. Out of all the places ye could have picked, ye chose that one. Why? Did ye even think of the dangers it posed?”
Astrid paused running her fingers through his hair as she mulled over his words. By all accounts, he was right. She had picked the bog for a quick death. How was she to know that Laird Chalium would be so at home in such a gloomy place? The fact that he died there was a bit comforting. At least no one would stumble upon his body.
“I wasnae thinkin’,” she conceded. “I just wanted a place that would leave nay evidence. I couldnae bear ye findin’ my remains. I couldnae imagine findin’ yers. It’s something I dinnae ever want to come across.”
“Because of yer sister?” Thomas asked.
Astrid nodded her head. “I found her hangin’,” she whispered. “If it had to be me or Melody, I wouldnae change a thing.”
“I’m sorry ye had to deal wit’ so much for so long on yer own. But ye have to ken by now that ye’re me home, Astrid. Ye’re the one thing that brings me peace at the end of the day. I can give up the lairdship and everything I own so long as ye’re at me side, lovin’ me.”
“And I do love ye, Thomas. Ye stole me heart. Against me best efforts to keep me wits about me, ye came in and picked me up. I’ve never come down since.”
“I wouldnae say never,” Thomas said as he looked over her bare breast and pinched her hardened nipple. “I’m sure there was a time ye thought all was lost.”
“Nothing is ever lost,” Astrid sighed. “It’s just misplaced for the time being.”
“Is that so?” Thomas asked as he started kissing her stomach. His kisses tickled, causing her to squirm under him. “Is theresomething wrong? Ye are a bit wiggly this evening. If I didnae ken any better, I’d think ye had fleas in yer bed.”
Thomas propped himself up on his elbows and climbed over her. A playful, mischievous grin played on his lips and he leaned down to kiss her.
“But seein’ as how this is me room, I assure ye, Me Lady, that I dinnae have fleas. At least me healer would have told me if I had. She was the last person to see me bare, and I’m certain she would have mentioned it,” he rambled between light kisses down the curve of her neck.
“Fleas? That’s what ye want to talk about right now?” Astrid scoffed as she looked at him with bewildered eyes. “While we’re in bed, naked?”
“Aye.” Thomas chuckled as he pressed a kiss to her neck once again. “Pesky critters that we should get rid of as soon as we can—they’ll be horrid come summer.”
“Thomas.” Astrid giggled as he mimicked the bite of a flea on her nipple.
Her mouth dropped open in shock as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“Dinnae tell me ye didnae like it even a little,” he said, flashing her a crooked grin.
“I can say I didnae.”
“Well then, that willnae do. Nae at all,” Thomas purred as he bent his head to steal a kiss.
His manhood throbbed against her leg, begging for entrance once again.
Astrid opened her legs and welcomed him in, knowing she was home and safe.
The End?