Chapter 23 #2
After a quarter hour, he felt the need to shift again.
Drawing away from her, he lifted his fore flippers and grasped his clawed digits into the top of the sealskin.
He dragged it down off his head, triggering the shift back into a human, then peeled the skin down over his shoulders and chest. Sitting on his knees, he looked at the stitched wound on his pectoral, then pressed his fingertips against it. It did not hurt as much as before.
She gasped, drawing his attention. "It looks so much better."
"Indeed. Most of the pain is gone."
She smiled. "I'm glad."
"I thank you for helping me."
"'Twas fun."
"I wager you are the only person who would think that."
They both rose from the floor, and he pushed the sealskin down past his hips, down his legs and off. When he stood to his full height again, he realized he should've put the shirt on before he was completely naked. Hell, 'twas too late now.
***
ELSEA TOOK IN brODIE'S gorgeous naked form—all human.
All honed warrior muscles. Saints! How had she forgotten how entrancing he was?
Heat surged through her body, and her fingers itched to touch him.
His eyes darkened more than usual when they met hers.
Only the sealskin he held in his hand concealed his most intriguing male parts.
"Why are you looking at me like that, bonnie lass?" he murmured.
"Why do you think?" She moved closer to him, wanting to grab him and kiss him. Instead, she ran her hands up the muscles bulging in his arms and shoulders while meeting his wicked gaze.
How could she express how much he meant to her?
"I'm looking at you like this because... you are the air I breathe and.... I missed you every day." She forced the whisper past her tight throat.
His gaze softening, he dropped the sealskin and framed her face with his hands. Closing his eyes, he pressed his forehead to hers. After a long moment, he brushed his lips against hers.
Her heart wrenched. Was he forgiving her? Could it be possible? She loved him with her whole being, to the marrow of her bones, and to the depths of her soul. Could he feel it? How could she show him?
Hands encircling his neck, she threaded his hair between her fingers. He slowly deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing hers, his soul wrapping around hers. Heat and tingles enveloped her, and her heart thudded fast.
Sliding his hands to her waist, he tugged her tight against his granite chest, just as he used to do when they were betrothed. She'd fallen for him so profoundly, she'd never been able to rise again.
She grew dizzy when he urged her backward onto his soft bed, indulging her with mind-stealing kisses that tasted of whisky and fiery male.
With warm fingertips, he touched her face and smoothed her hair back, hands shaking.
He kissed her with great patience and attention, the dark shadow of his stubble scraping over her chin.
He kissed the spot with soft lips, soothing it, then lavished a trail down to her neck.
He flicked his tongue at the base of her throat.
When he rose over her, she opened her eyes. The hearth fire lit half his stunning face, high cheekbones, and full lips. The yearning in his slight frown and midnight eyes mirrored her own. With unsteady hands, he drew her dress down, ripping a seam, exposing her to his hungry gaze.
"So beautiful." He drew one nipple into his hot, decadent mouth, sending need spearing through her, and cradled her other breast in his palm. Then, he devoured it in turn.
Gasping his name, she arched into him, offering all he wanted. Take more. Take all of me. She entwined his thick, silken hair around her fingers, drawing him closer.
His heated hand closing around her ankle and the hem of her gown, he pushed the material up past her knees.
Tingles showered in the wake of his hand.
He rasped his chin over her nipple then sat back on his heels.
When she opened her eyes, his mysterious gaze delved deep into hers.
He kissed her bent knee, drew her skirts higher, and smoothed his palms over her thighs.
Heavens, he couldn't mean.... She studied him for several moments. Had she deciphered his expression correctly?
She hesitated, but need weakened her resolve. When she parted her legs, her core felt like melting wax.
Dropping his gaze, he blew out a harsh breath. Urging her thighs apart more, he sank to his elbows. His hot breath arousing her even more, he licked her. She gasped and writhed, pushing against him.
"Aye, lass," he hissed, spreading her, suckling at an especially sensitive spot. "You taste like honey." He speared her with his tongue, tormenting her for several moments, his moans vibrating against her.
"Brodie," she breathed, undulating, shoving herself toward his mouth. The rush of pleasure crashed over her like a stormy ocean wave, stealing her breath, drowning her in ecstasy.
Her reasoning shattered.
He kissed the insides of her thighs while her body calmed and her breathing resumed, then his midnight gaze ensnared hers.
"I want you," she whispered.
"Are you certain?" He rose to his knees. The enthralling sight of his swollen, rock-hard shaft set flame to her desire again.
"Aye, of course."
He crawled over her, kissing her breasts again, suckling them in turn. She arched into him, thrusting her hips upward, seeking him.
Guiding himself, he stroked, then nudged inside her. The best sensation in the world. They groaned in unison.
Consumed by the fiery bliss, she cried out, then clenched on to him, wrapping her legs around his waist. The delicious power of his muscular body seeped into her.
"Brodie, please," she breathed.
He hissed, then rolled her over until she was on top, surprising her. "Get up here, bonny lass."
"Very well." She placed her hands beside his head and observed his impassioned expression, his square jaw clenched hard.
Hands on her hips, he guided her in the rhythm. Her face flushed hot, but she proceeded with slow and halting movements, for her legs were still weak.
He watched her, his heavy-lidded eyes almost closed in bliss, and thrust up into her harder, increasing the pace.
She gasped and cried out at the beautiful sensations. He stroked his wet thumb against the swollen center of her pleasure. The frenzy of delight burst within her again, her muscles gripping him, trying to hold him deep, while he growled and poured himself into her.
Losing all strength, she rested her head against his muscular shoulder and inhaled his delectable scent.
"Saints, Elsea. You're like heaven," he whispered among ragged breaths, withdrawing.
She didn't want him to; she wanted to do it again.
"You are."
He guided her to lie beside him, turned to his side and kissed her lips, her forehead. Wrapping his arms around her, he tugged her until her head was snuggled beneath his chin. "Truly... Elsea, I... forgive you," he whispered.
"Oh, I thank you." She kissed his throat and caught her breath. She believed him this time, for he'd sounded sincere, but... it was incredible. Unbelievable. One of her dreams had just come true, and a heavy boulder lifted off her chest. She breathed a prayer of thanks.
They lay resting, holding each other. Her head tucked under his chin, she kissed his collarbone. Dare she dream there could be more than forgiveness? Dare she dream that he might grow to love and trust her again?
His breathing became deep and even, and she pulled back to gaze at his sleeping face. So gorgeous, but he looked tired with those smudges beneath his eyes.
"I love you," she breathed and kissed his lips one final time. He hummed, and his hands fell aside.
'Twould be best to leave the room before someone found them like this. He was lying crosswise on the bed, but she couldn't move him. She draped his plaid over his lap, in case someone entered.
Looking down, she adjusted her gown but remembered he had ripped the shoulder seam. "Blast," she hissed. 'Twas Cat's gown. Would she be angry?
Someone could repair it, surely.
Elsea hurried to the door, opened it a crack, and listened.
The music and thumps of dancing feet echoed from the great hall.
She slipped out and closed the door quietly behind her.
When she rounded the corner, she almost bumped into Cat and Torr locked in a passionate kiss.
She bypassed them, wishing to give them privacy and hoping they didn't see her.
She hurried up the next spiral stone staircase. Footsteps padded behind her as she entered her chamber. She glanced back to see Cat.
"What are you about?" Elsea asked with a grin. "I thought you were busy."
Cat pushed in behind her and closed the door. "Look at you." Cat's mouth dropped open, and then she beamed.
Elsea's face blazed as she tried to straighten her hair. "What do you mean?"
"You're so disheveled and... the dress is torn." Cat pointed, laughing.
"I'm so sorry about that."
"Do nay fash over it. Did Brodie ravish you?"
Elsea chuckled, overheated and so happy she couldn't contain her excitement. "Aye, he did. Or mayhap I ravished him. And he said he forgives me."
"Oh, thank the saints." Cat hugged her.
"Tis a dream come true," Elsea whispered, feeling joy for the first time in eons. But he hadn't said he loved her, nor that he trusted her.
"What's wrong?" Cat asked. "Your joy disappeared so quickly."
"I've told him I love him several times recently, but he has not returned the sentiment nor said that he trusts me. The curse will remain until he feels both."