The Hawk (Highland Guard #2)(118)

“Because of me?”

“Aye.” He kissed her on the nose. “When the war is over, I’ll build you the finest castle you’ve ever seen.”

She put her head down on his chest and gave him a squeeze. “I have everything I want right here.” She paused. “How long can we stay?”

“A week, maybe a little longer.” He wanted to keep her to himself for as long as possible. Once his mother and sisters got a hold of her, he wouldn’t know a moment’s peace. “I’ll take you to Islay before I rejoin the king. You’ll be safe there with my mother and sisters.”

She paled.

He felt a pang, fearing she’d reconsidered. “Are you sorry already, love? I know you will miss your family. I’ve asked you to give up so much.”

She gave him a sideways glance. “As I recall, there wasn’t much asking.”

He grinned and squeezed her to him a little harder. “I couldn’t take a chance that you would refuse me. I’m used to getting what I want.”

She rolled her eyes.

He gave her a mock frown. “Spending time with my mother and sisters will be good for you.”

She wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”

“They’ll put you right about me being irresistible.”

She nudged him in the stomach. Laughing, he rolled her under him, kissing her until the passion burning between them ignited once more. Slowly he made love to her again, holding her hand to his chest and gazing into her eyes, as he slid in and out with long, languid strokes.

He watched the ecstasy transform her features with a heavenly light and sank into her one last time, holding her to him as the love he felt for her poured from his body in deep, shattering waves.

It was some time before he could speak again. She’d resumed her position across his chest, and he could see that slight frown had gathered between her brows.

He had that uneasy feeling again. “What is it, love? What’s bothering you?”

“Will they like me?” she asked.

He smiled, more relieved than he wanted to let on. “My mother and sisters?” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “They’ll love you as much as I do. Although …”

Her eyes opened wide. “What is it?”

He pretended to frown. “My mother is a rather traditional woman—she wouldn’t approve of your ravishing me like this—and as I have every intention of letting you continue, I’m afraid you’ll have to marry me.”

She swatted at him again. “Wretch. You had me terrified for a moment.” She gave him a long look. “I suppose I could be persuaded to marry you.”

He grinned and slid his hand over the soft curve of her bottom, pressing her more intimately to him. “Persuading is good.”

She shook her head. “Is that all you think about?”

He just grinned.

She rolled her eyes. “I was talking about a few conditions.”

The grin slid from his face. “What kind of conditions?”

“No other women, for one.” Before he could respond, she added, “No flirting, touching, kissing, and none of those little bottom taps of yours.”

He put his hand over his heart in mock horror. “Not the bottom taps?”

She pursed her mouth. “I’m afraid I must insist upon this.”

Their eyes met, and despite her playfulness, he sensed a layer of vulnerability beneath her words.

All vestiges of teasing aside, he tipped her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “I haven’t been with anyone else since I met you.”

He couldn’t blame her for the skeptical look that crossed her face.

He smiled wryly. “Believe me, it’s just as surprising to me. But after four months, nine days, and,” he gazed out the window at the angle of the sun, “eight hours, give or take, I’m convinced. I love you, Ellie; you are all I want, and all I will ever need.”

The smile that lit her features went straight to his heart. “Really?”

“Really.” He swept his fingers over her cheek. “I’m loyal, Ellie. Once given, my loyalty is yours forever.” He paused. “Perhaps I should be the one demanding conditions. It’s not me who was about to marry someone else.”

She made a face, and he was surprised at how much it still bothered him. He had no right to be jealous, but damn it, he was.

“Ah, yes, well, about that.” She bit her lip. “I’m afraid I left a rather important detail out about the wedding today.”

His brow furrowed. “What kind of detail?”

Her mouth quirked, as if she were fighting back a smile. “The identity of the bride.”

If she’d wanted to shock him, she’d succeeded. “I don’t understand. The king said his sister-in-law was marrying de Monthermer.”

“She is. My sister Matty should be marrying him as we speak.”

“Your sister?” he echoed. He couldn’t believe it.

She nodded, explaining how she’d sensed something strange going on between the two of them, but hadn’t put it all together until after she’d returned from Scotland and forced her sister to confess the source of her misery. With her father’s blessing, they’d quietly changed the names on the betrothal contract.

Erik’s eyes narrowed. The naughty vixen. “And you didn’t think to tell me this?”