Chapter Sixteen #2
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.”
She nearly stumbled. “My brother?” Her eyes widened. “Ye intend to walk directly into that lion’s den?”
Camden smiled faintly. “I have faced worse.”
Anne considered this. “Ye clearly have never disagreed with him over supper.”
He laughed outright this time.
Still, emotion tightened her chest. “Ye are certain?” she asked more softly. “Courtship is nae a passing fancy, Camden.”
He slowed, turning toward her, their hands still linked.
“I have spent too long allowing fear and old wounds to guide my choices,” he said.
“I will nae do so again. I care for ye deeply, Anne. I wish to learn all there is to ken about ye, what makes ye laugh, what troubles yer sleep, what dreams ye keep hidden.”
Her throat tightened.
“And if, in time,” he continued gently, “ye find ye care for me in equal measure… then we will see where that path leads.”
Anne studied him, her heart far less guarded than it had been that morning.
“Ye truly mean to endure Gowan’s interrogation for this?”
His grip tightened affectionately. “I do.”
She smiled, warmth spreading through her. “Then I suppose,” she said, “I should warn ye he will ask about yer intentions, yer income, yer temper, and whether ye snore.”
Camden blinked. “Snore?”
“He is thorough.”
They both laughed, the tension easing into something light and hopeful.
Anne squeezed his hand. “I would like that,” she admitted. “Moving forward.”
They didn’t leave the sanctuary of the forest right away, instead, they wiled away several hours walking, stopping ever so often to kiss or just stare into each other’s eyes. Neither wishing to lose contact with one another.
Even as they headed back to her cottage, Anne was reluctant to let him leave. It felt as if whatever magic held them close would unravel once they parted ways.