Page 46 of The Highland Heir

And then she didn’t care, for they weremoving together again. It felt different this time, with no worryover pain or the unknown.

She knew exactly what could happen, that rushof pleasure and bliss, and waited for it.

“You feel so good,” he said as he pushed upfrom beneath her. She might have argued that she couldn’t feel asgood as he felt to her but decided now was not the time for them toget into a heated argument about something that couldn’t beproven.

She just kept moving until that rush came.Kieran sat up and thrust into her a few more times before liftingher and turning away as his release came.

She knew why he didn’t spend his seed insideof her, for it could get her with child.

She felt a flare of anger, knowing they wouldnever have a child together. Kieran was destined to father childrenwith his wife.

And she would be alone.

Unless she married someone else.

As her blood cooled, she thought of Arran.Trying to imagine the two of them doing what she had done withKieran. Her mind was unable to produce such a thought. Not now,with Kieran’s clean, earthy scent surrounding her and his warm bodyunder hers where she’d collapsed.

His large hands traced up and down her back,claiming the touch he hadn’t been permitted.

They lay there until the sun started to lowerin the sky.

“I don’t think we shall make it back toCaithness today,” she said.

“Were you in a hurry to return home?” heasked with a knowing grin.

“Nay. I’m in no hurry.”

His grin faded. “I wish time would stop andwe could just stay here like this. Then I wouldn’t .. .”

Letting out a breath, he shook his head.

“Let us not think of what will come. Let ushave this time for just us.”

She nodded in agreement as her stomachgrowled.

“Aye,” he said, kissing her noisy stomach. “Iam starved as well. Do you want to set snares or start the fire?”His question was asked in the same way they always worked togetherto complete a task.

“I’ll start the fire.”

He sat up, kissing her shoulder beforeresting his chin there, his face so close to hers she could feelhis warm breath on her neck.

“We’ll have tonight, Ella.”

She knew what he meant. The next day, theywould return home, and things would continue to move forward.

But now, here in the woods, with only thebirds and animals to witness, they would have this timetogether.

Later, life would intrude, but even then, astime moved on, no one could ever take this moment from them.

*

While Kieran’s snares proved inefficient, hehad managed to catch a few fish to roast over the fire for theirmeal.

They spent the evening snuggled up togetheron their furs, watching the stars grow brighter as the night fellaround them.

“Do you remember when we were little and wewould lie in the field at the top of the hill and watch the stars?”he asked her.

“It almost seemed like you could see themmoving.”