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“Yes, of course. They all must be heading there.”
“Aye. Lead the way.”
Chapter 29
Two days later…
Rogene huddled in the dry, warm heat of Angus’s embrace and looked at the fire. His arm was around her shoulders, heavy and comforting and strong. Around them, the woods were quiet. Warm weather had replaced the storm, and the sun had shone the two whole days they’d been traveling. Thank goodness they’d found a horse, but the poor thing had been so terrified of the storm they’d had to make their way on foot at first, tugging the animal after them.
Once the storm had passed, they’d been able to continue on horseback.
Night birds were hooting, noises and rustles coming from somewhere behind the bushes and between trees, but Rogene wasn’t afraid. She felt shielded and protected by Angus.
Her belly was full from the fish he’d caught in the nearby loch and roasted over the fire.
As she looked into the flames, she remembered she had most likely killed a man back in Delny Castle. Even though freeing Angus from Euphemia’s claws felt right, she wondered if she’d interfered too much with history. Angus was supposed to have married Euphemia, who was supposed to give birth to his child, no matter how much Rogene wished it wasn’t true.
And as soon as she returned to Eilean Donan, she needed to go back to her own time.
No matter how much she wanted to stay.
“What are ye thinking of, lass?” he said.
“You don’t want to know.” She turned her face to him and looked into his eyes.
During their journey, they’d been mostly silent, listening for pursuers. Rogene didn’t mind. She had so much to think about. She needed to tell him the truth about his son. She should have told him a long time ago.
“I do,” he said softly. His eyes darkened and saddened. “Whatever it is, tell me.”
She wanted to, she really did. The knowledge weighed at the pit of her stomach like a rock. But looking at him, so relaxed, so handsome, she didn’t want to break his whole world apart.
Because he’d need to go back to Euphemia and marry her. Because he’d need to choose someone else.
Not his own happiness.
So she didn’t tell him. Instead, she leaned closer and kissed him.
He responded, kissing her back with his impossibly tender and yet demanding lips. His tongue brushed against her lower lip. He dipped his tongue into her mouth, and wildfire seethed through her veins.
His strong arms wrapped around her, pressing her against him with a groan. She turned to him, wrapping her legs around his waist. He was already hard, and she was already shamelessly rubbing herself against him. He cupped her breasts through the tunic and massaged them, rolling her hardening nipples around his thumbs. Liquid pleasure shot through her, and she was already melting under his touch.
Suddenly, they weren’t in a forest anymore, they were in a bubble of pleasure, of love, of desire.
He kissed her with such hunger, with such need, that she sagged against him. His arm was an iron bar around her waist. He was so big, and hot—as always, like a furnace—and his kisses impaired her thoughts. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought him closer.
She was already making desperate noises. Her breasts tingling and swollen from his caresses, her sex hot and wet and needy. She felt drunk and disoriented, her blood like fire.
They were covered with her cloak, which was wide enough for both of them. But it fell from the intense movements of her body. They were both breathing heavily, and she was like human ivy wrapped around him in a desperate attempt to become his second skin.
He went under her tunic and cupped her breast with his bare hand, and she moaned. Bolts of pleasure went right through her sex, and her inner muscles clenched.
“Lass,” he growled against her neck. “If ye keep making sounds like this, I wilna last long.”
“I don’t care,” she echoed his growl. “I want you.” She began fiddling with the thin leather belt at his waist.
“What are ye doing to me…?” he said as he pulled down his pants. “Ye need to be cherished.” She pulled her own pants down. “And cared for.” He took his erection into his fist and directed into her entrance. “And loved…”
They both froze at the word as he slid effortlessly into her slick core. She gasped slightly, still looking into his eyes as she took him into the very depths of her, stretching, filling, making her whole.
