“I’m afraid,” she said.
Terese sat on the bed beside her. “What have you got to lose by getting to know him? You are safe here. No one will let any harm come to you.” She smiled. “Andrew cares for you and would kill anyone who dares to hurt you.”
Megan pulled Terese closer to her and whispered, her voice breaking with fear, “A man told me that once and I believed him. I trusted him. I loved him.” Tears filled her green eyes. “He kept me isolated, beat me senseless, and nearly killed me.”
Terese took firm hold of her hand and listened.
Megan choked on her tears as she said, “I had no choice. I had to do it. I had to kill him.”
Megan burst into tears and Terese wrapped the sobbing woman in her arms, her own eyes filling with tears for the horror Megan must have suffered.
“You did what you had to do to survive,” Terese assured her. “It is over now and done, has been for years. He can hurt you no more. Unless…”
Megan turned wide, frightened eyes on her.
Terese pushed the dark curls off Megan’s forehead. “Unless you allow the fear he instilled in you to stop you from finding and loving a truly good man.”
“I don’t know if—”
“Give Andrew a chance,” Terese encouraged and laughed. “Good lord, the man offered to shrink himself down when you said he was too tall, and he’s forever there to help you and not once has he raised his voice or spoken badly to you.”
“I am safe here,” Megan said wiping away the last of her tears.
“You know not a one of us would let any harm befall you. You may still have trouble accepting it, but you are safe here and will remain so.”
Hester peeked her head in. “Andrew would like to see you to ascertain for himself that you are well and not burning up with fever.” She giggled. “He’s beside himself with worry, Megan. You have to put him out of his misery.”
Terese looked to Hester. “What of Talon? He is only two doors down.”
“Rowena went to sit with him, since he seems to fancy her company,” Hester said. “I told her I’d let her know when Andrew was gone.”
“I could go outside and visit with him,” Megan suggested.
“No,” both women said.
“Rowena said at least two, maybe three days, off that foot,” Terese said.
Megan threw the blanket off her. “Then just get me to a chair near the hearth in the common room. It’s not wise for us to take a chance of Talon being discovered.”
“She’s right,” Hester said and Terese agreed.
The two women supported Megan with their shoulders under her arms, lifting her off the ground, their heights a good four to five inches over her petite one.
As soon as Andrew saw her he went to her aid, scooped her up, and plopped down in the chair near the hearth with her in his lap. He swiped the blanket out of Hester’s hand before she could cover Megan’s legs and he tucked it in securely around her. Then with his arms around her he insisted she tell him what happened, he wanted to hear it all.
Hester grinned at Terese and disappeared behind the curtain to the women’s living quarters where Terese was sure she would wait to give the all-clear signal to Rowena. While Terese took hold of Lachlan’s hand and walked out of the cottage, the pair in the chair never noticed anyone’s departure.
“Tell me that I am right about Andrew, that he is a kind, good man,” Terese said as they walked over the convent grounds.
“That would depend,” Lachlan said.
“On what?” she asked anxiously.
“If I must include this morning’s incident when he intruded upon us at the most inopportune time,” he said with a grin.
She laughed. “Under the circumstances I think you should forgive him.”
“I will only forgive his foolish actions because he is a man in love.”
Terese stopped. “You truly believe that Andrew loves Megan?”
“I know he does,” Lachlan confirmed. “I have never seen him make a fool of himself for any woman, therefore, he must be in love.”
Boyd shouted for Lachlan and gave an impatient wave.
“Something must be amiss,” Lachlan said and gave her cheek a peck. “I will return as soon as I can.”
“It seems we both promise that.”
Lachlan cupped her chin. “A promise, that I assure you, will be kept.”
“Go, I will see you later,” she said, though her heart ached when he took off. Time was growing short for them and while there was no talk of love between them and certainly no necessity for it since it could never be, she couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to truly be loved.
Don’t think about it. The warning pierced her thoughts, shattering the notion.
Terese shook her head and hurried off to see to the daily chores and the visitors that were becoming more and more permanent residents of Everagis.
Night brought with it a steady, gentle rain. It was good for the crops and though a few shelters were a tight squeeze for some, at least all were in out of the rain. The day had kept Terese and Lachlan busy with little time to spare for each other.
Meals were prepared and shared, those healing tended, the night chores finished and everyone tired for bed, though not Terese. She paced the floor of the common room feeling as if her flesh was on fire. The last hour she could think of nothing but Lachlan, the feel of his mouth hot against hers, his hand cupping her breast, his mouth nibbling her tender flesh. She shuddered with the memories.
She wanted him, good lord, how she wanted him.
All she had to do was go to him as she had this morning before dawn. So why did she hesitate?
Thunder struck and she jumped then wrapped her arms around herself. She knew why she hesitated. She knew that this was it. Once she went to him she would seal her fate. They would couple and she knew without a doubt it would be wonderful, and she would not want it to end. She would not want him to leave. She would want more and that was not possible. She had repeatedly warned herself against such senseless thoughts, but they would creep in and she couldn’t help but think what if…what if?
“Go to him and accept what is or keep your distance,” she whispered to herself. “Those are your only choices.”
She had thought she had settled this battle that brewed within her, but she hadn’t. Would she ever?
You cannot have more and you know it. She silently chided.
Take what you can. Take it now and don’t look back. No regrets. Only memories to enjoy when he is gone. Go now to him. Go now and lose yourself in him. Forget who you are and love him.
Terese refused to argue any longer with herself. She ran to the door opened it and saw that the rain had turned heavy. She didn’t care. She had to do this. She had to do this now or she never would.
She shut the door behind her and ran, and began to cry. Her tears joined the rain that rolled down her face. Why she cried she wasn’t sure. Perhaps it was for the young woman who had thought her father would let her choose a man to love, or for the young girl who had dreamt of finding love, or simply because life was nothing as she thought it would be.
But here at this moment life was hers for the choosing and she chose to love Lachlan if only for a brief time.
Through the rain and her tears she saw a figure approach. The dark shadow startled her and she slowed her pace, wiping at her eyes to see more clearly. It apparently did the same, holding back until the other could be identified.
One cautious step, two, and then she recognized at the same moment Lachlan did and they ran eagerly to each other, wrapping themselves in a tight embrace while their kiss served not to appease their hungry passion but rather to enflame it beyond reason.
Lachlan grabbed hold of her face. “Nothing. Nothing stops us, do you hear me?” he said, like a madman bent on finding sanity.
“Nothing!” she repeated with the same intensity.
He gripped her hand and hurried her along, the rain pelting them. When they reached
the cottage door, he began to strip her bare.
“I want our clothes left here so that all know tonight I made you mine and we are not—not to be disturbed.”
Terese agreed, beginning to strip him bare and when they stood naked before each other, Lachlan scooped her up and whispered, “Tonight, I make love to you.”
Chapter 15
Terese shivered when she heard the click of the door even though she was wrapped snugly in Lachlan’s arms.
“You’re chilled,” he said with concern.
“No,” she was quick to say. “I’m warm and comfortable in your arms.”
“That’s because you belong there.” He kept her cradled in his embrace as he walked her over to the fireplace. “The heat will dry us some.”
The heat of the flames toasted their bodies while Lachlan continued to rain kisses along her face, neck, shoulders, and finally her breast; her nipples budding to life as he teased them with his tongue.
He lifted her and carried her to the bed and her hands went in search of him as his did to her. They were soft touches, exploring touches and touches that tantalized. His touch was often followed with lingering kisses and her passion soared as his lips continued down her body.
“Your taste intoxicates,” he whispered and then tasted some more.
She welcomed not only his kisses but his nibbles and nips that fired her body with a heated passion that had her moaning and writhing with pure pleasure.
“Your tongue is talented,” she said giddily when his lips reached for hers once again.
“Ah, but there’s more, so much more.
His suggestive remark sent a frenzy of desire shooting through her and she said, “Show me.”
Lachlan grinned. “With pleasure.”
He started at her neck and worked his way down, slowly tasting her as if she was an exquisite wine that needed to be savored to fully enjoy. He drank deeply of every inch of her and when he spread her legs apart to delve into her sweetness she startled and he chortled and…
Terese was screaming out with pure pleasure and as he moved over her, he whispered, “That’s just to start, as I promised you there’s much, much more.”
And she wanted more, she wanted everything he could give her and then some. She welcomed him, her arms going around him, her body rising up to greet him.
“I want you,” she said softly.
He brushed her lips with a kiss. “And you shall have me forever and always.”
For now, she reminded herself. For now. And tears formed in her eyes.
“No, love, no tears.” He soothed and kissed at the corner of her eyes. “This is good. This is right and I will never, ever hurt you. You have my word on that. Trust me, always trust me. I will never fail you.”
She wanted to believe. She wanted to hope, but then hope had died a long time ago for her. But she had this moment, this time with him and she would enjoy it.
“I have never known such pleasure, such utter joy as I do here with you.”
He grinned, that charming grin of his and it made her smile.
“I will make sure that you always know pleasure and joy with me, and in a moment I’m going to make you mine forever and always.”
“I’d like that,” she whispered, for she truly would like to be his forever and always, though again, it could never be.
He kissed her then and touched her, here, there, and everywhere setting her flesh on fire, her skin tingling with a heat that ached for relief. He slipped full over her and captured her hands, she gladly locking hers with his and then he slipped gently into her.
He took his time, though she rather he didn’t. The deeper he got the deeper she wanted him until she rose up to meet him forcing the final thrust that had her moaning with the sheer joy of it.
He set the rhythm and she joined in. It was so very natural, so very good, so very right, and she lingered in the budding sensation that grew and grew until she was digging her fingers into his back and begging for…something.
It came like a flood that engulfed her, swallowed her and left her barely able to breath. She gasped and clung to him as ripple after ripple vibrated through her body and she felt when his body did the same, and he held on to her as she did to him.
He kept her at his side when he slipped off her and she was glad of it for she didn’t want to separate from him just yet. Though their bodies were damp, this time with perspiration, she wanted to feel every inch of his flesh beside hers.
He was a magnificent creature, not lean or large, which made him perfect in shape and form, muscled but naturally so, though he was endowed with a sizeable manly organ and that gave her a chuckle.
“I amused you?” Lachlan asked with a laugh.
Terese was blunt and gently cupped him in her hand though he was more than a handful. “My thought was of your size.”
“And you find that amusing?” he asked with a teasing poke to her arm.
She giggled and jiggled him in her hand. “I find you endowed beyond expectations.”
“Be careful, he’ll respond to your charm,” he warned playfully.
She returned his playfulness. “I haven’t worn him out?”
“You have a long way to go for that.”
“Promise?”
“I’ll do better then that, I’ll show you all night long,” he said.
“Promise,” she repeated with a soft franticness. “Promise me you’ll show me all night and all the days we have left together.”
He looked at her strangely then took hold of her face. “All the days we have left together I will make love to you.”
He kissed her and she felt tears well in her eyes. She didn’t want him to see and so when their kiss ended she rested her head on his shoulder and forced not one tear to spill. She wouldn’t let him see her cry, wouldn’t let him know her pain. She would love him while she could and then they would be no more.
Lachlan kept his promise; they made love throughout the night, the thunder punctuating a climax or two and the steady rain falling outside a soothing melody. Sleep was stolen between bouts of lovemaking and then there was the talk, she encouraging Lachlan to share his family memories and she envious of his close family ties.
It was a night she would never forget, and she had no doubt she would recall many times long after he left. And she looked forward to every memory they would make before his departure. She wanted a storage house of memories to keep and enjoy.
Sunrise wasn’t far off when Terese woke and smiled when she saw how content Lachlan was wrapped around her. She could get used to this and that’s when her smile faded, and she decided it was best that she wasn’t there when he woke.
She had reminded herself on more than one occasion to keep things in perspective and she had to make certain she did just that. He would leave, she would be alone, and she would miss him badly enough as it was. She didn’t need to miss waking up beside him.
She eased out of bed and then realized she had no clothes. They were outside on the ground probably still soaking wet, since the rain only stopped an hour or so ago.
“You’re not sneaking away are you?”
Terese turned with a start to see Lachlan on his side, elbow bent, head resting on his hand, smiling.
“I have no clothes.”
He grinned and she had to smile.
“A wise choice I made last night to strip you of leaving me.”
“Is that what you did?” she asked extending her arms out and unabashedly displaying her nakedness.
“A damn gorgeous sight to wake up to,” he claimed wholeheartedly.
She dropped her arms and headed for the door. “The sun has yet to rise. I can hurry to my quarters before anyone sees me.”
He was at the door blocking it before she reached it.
He ran his finger over her breasts, down her stomach, and slipped slowly down between her legs. “For my eyes only.”
She did the same to him, starting at his chest, swirling in circles down along his stoma
ch to take hold of him in her hand. “It looks like someone else has risen before the sun.”
“He always does.”
“Always, not just for me?” she asked and gave a slight squeeze.
Lachlan rolled his eyes. “From now on only for you.”
How she would love that to be so, but she wasn’t foolish enough to believe this to last, for now, however…
“He’s all mine? Promise?”
“I give you my word.”
“In that case, I think I’ll kiss him good morning,” Terese said.
It wasn’t long before Lachlan scooped her up and rushed her to the bed, and there they stayed well past sunrise.
Chapter 16
“Lachlan. Lachlan. Lachlan!”
Lachlan jolted and turned to stare at Boyd.
“Have our warriors gone completely love-sick?”
“I was thinking,” Lachlan defended.
“Of Terese, no doubt. Andrew has completely lost his senses over Megan. Evan spends all his time with Piper in or out of the woods, and now Kyle is witless over one of the young women that arrived at Everagis the other day. You have all gone mad.”
“Or are you simply jealous?” Lachlan suggested, which only served to agitate Boyd all the more.
“No one has caught my fancy.”
“I see the way you watch Hester,” Lachlan said, looking over the work the men had done to extend the small stable area.
“She’s not interested, I’ve tried.”
“You’re not sincere.”
“No, I’m not,” Boyd admitted, “which she pointed out with a jab of her finger.”
“Bonnie, that sweet lassie you favor, will see to your needs when we return home.”
“Which will be?” Boyd asked anxiously.
“Want to leave already?”
“This place doesn’t suit me. It’s too remote and too damn quiet.”
“I find it peaceful,” Lachlan said.
“Because you’re as love-sick as Andrew. You mark my words, he’s not going to want to return home with us. He’ll want to stay here with Megan.”
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