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It proved impossible to stop taking him in. From the impressive span of his broad chest, and wide shoulders to the ripples of his stomach. His arms were well-formed, every part of him seeming to have been created perfectly. Her eyes then moved to the sprinkle of hair across his chest and down the center trailing down to his stomach and disappearing at the belt of his breeches.

Her cheeks flared with heat but before she could feel foolish, Camden closed the distance, pulling her against him. “I am all yers, ye can look, touch, and taste every part of me.”

Tipping her face, he took her mouth, this time with undisguised hunger and before she knew it, they were on the ground, kissing, touching and she did indeed look and touch him as much as she desired.

Her breathing was harsh, every part of her screaming for release, so when he freed her breasts and took to them, one at a time, Anne had to bite down on her bottom lip to keep from crying out in relief.

“Camden!” she gasped digging her fingernails into his shoulders as she arched under him. Every sensation she’d imagined whilst lying alone at night did not compare to the reality of his touch now.

Lifting from her breast, Camden moved so that he could take her mouth again as his hand trailed up her skirt, skimming lightly over the sensitive skin of her inner thigh until hesitating at the apex between her legs.

Anne could barely breathe. She wanted him to continue. Not hesitate. Not now. “Camden, please…”

The curving of his lips was confirmation that he’d waited for her assurance before continuing. “I will only do what ye wish. Tell me to stop and I will.” His breathless words in her ear were an elixir to her soul.

“Never,” Anne replied just as breathless.

Tracing his fingertips, forming circles around her sex, he ensured she became comfortable with his touch. Anne mewled with both satisfaction and need; how both could exist at the same time was something she’d never understand.

Finally to her relief, he touched the very core of her, his middle finger sliding between her folds, sending her body alight. Over and over, the strokes of his hand sent shivers up and down her entire body. Anne lost all sense of propriety, unable to keep from bucking up into his hand needing to reach whatever it was that eluded her. Suddenly, something burst within her. Her body fragmented, and she shuddered uncontrollably as the most wonderful sensation she’d ever felt crashed over her like waves.

Camden climbed over her, pushing her legs apart, he pressed their sexes together, his hips moving upward and down. “I want ye Anne.”

His sex was hard, its length moving over her more pliant one. She wanted him more than anything else in the world.

“Take me.” The words came out and for a brief moment, Anne wondered if she should have uttered them.

“Take me in hand,” Camden said, guiding her hand to his rod. “Take me.”

She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but certainly not for the skin over his sex to be so silky. It was damp, she guessed from their touching. Guided by him, she slid her hand up and down his length, enjoying his husky grunts of pleasure. His body reacting to her touches much in the same way she had reacted to his until finally Camden pulled away his body shuddering in release.

Pulling Anne to lay her head on his shoulder, both breathless and content, Camden finally spoke. “I have thought of this moment, of ye in my arms so many times. I do love ye Anne.”

They didnae immediately let go of one another. Eventually, though, the world crept back in, the hum of insects, the sunlight warming their bodies, the creek whispering nearby as if reminding them life continued whether hearts raced or not.

Anne sat up first, though her hand lingered against Camden’s chest a heartbeat longer, and then she cleared her throat with careful dignity that fooled neither of them.

“Well,” she said, smoothing her down skirts, “I suppose we cannae remain rooted here like a pair of startled trees.”

Camden chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Aye. Though I would nae object.”

He stood and helped her to her feet, then picked up his tunic and put it back on. They began walking along the creek path, the familiar trail dappled with sunlight through the trees. For a time, neither spoke. It wasn’t awkward, merely new. The sort of silence that brimmed with awareness. Anne watched the water slip over stones, telling herself very firmly not to look at him every few seconds like an infatuated girl.

She failed. And each time she glanced his way, she found him already looking at her. Just as she turned forward again, his hand brushed hers.

She assumed it was accidental until his fingers gently closed around her own. Her gaze dropped to their joined hands, as if she’d never seen such a thing before. Camden, healer of the village, holder of herbs and salves and wisdom, was holding her hand. Her heart skipped foolishly.

“Ye take liberties, sir,” she said, attempting sternness, but her lips curved upward.

His thumb traced lightly across her knuckles. “May I?”

The simple question warmed her far more than the touch itself. “Aye,” she said quietly. They resumed walking, fingers entwined, Anne still marveling at the rightness of it.

After a moment Camden spoke, his tone thoughtful. “I would move forward properly with ye. Openly. There has been too much confusion already, and I have no wish to add to it.”

Anne glanced at him. “Forward?”

“Aye.” He inhaled slowly. “I would speak with Gowan. Ask his leave to court ye.”