The Earl's Entanglement (Border Series Book 5)(80)

Not yet.

He filled his own cup and poured Emma more wine as well.

“When you spoke of your desire to see the ‘jewel of the crown.’ You said you wanted to see it even more than you wanted a family of your own.” He swallowed back the bitterness of the later part of the memory. “When I told you Graeme was a good man and would make a worthy husband . . .” What a fool he’d been. “. . . I knew then I did not want him, or any other man, to marry you. I imagined us riding side by side to the Tournament of the North, thought of your excitement and how I wanted to give you that more than I’d ever wanted anything.”

He placed his wine on the table beside them.

“That’s when I knew.” Garrick took her goblet and placed it next to his own. “I loved you then.” He took her hands in his. “And I’ve loved you every day since. I just didn’t know how to make you mine.”

He rubbed his thumbs along her palms. Slow, circular movements meant to help her relax.

“I never did properly thank you for the mare,” she said. “Where did you get her?”

“From Edward.”

Her eyes brightened. “King Edward?”

“Aye. A gift for my services. I brought the horse back from Acre. I knew she had to be yours.” He continued the slow movement of his thumbs, increasing the pressure.

“But how . . . when . . .”

“When I returned to Clave, I had him prepared and would have sent him to you sooner, but Cacho became ill and needed to recover first.”

“Cacho?”

“Edward gave him the name. ’Tis a castle in Kakoun, to celebrate our victory there. You’re welcome to change it.”

She shook her head. “I think I will keep him to . . . Oh!”

Garrick had dropped her hands and reached for her breasts instead. Through the thin fabric, he continued the same circular movements until he felt the tips of her nipples.

“You are most welcome,” he said, this time moving one hand beneath the shift. With the other, he pulled her toward him.

“When did you know?” he asked as his hand slid up her thigh and found the treasure it sought.

Propping her hands on his shoulders for support, Emma attempted to answer. “The night—”

She stopped when he slipped his finger inside her.

“The night?” Garrick tried not to think about the fact that she was already wet and ready for him. He concentrated instead on her words.

“I . . . I can’t—”

“Try.”

She was close to climax already.

“You said . . .”

Emma closed her eyes as Garrick ignored the silent screams of his body. Knowing this time he wouldn’t be forced to stop.

Nay, not yet.

“What did I say, love?”

She was so close.

“Open your eyes and tell me. What did I say?”

His cock strained as Emma’s breathing became faster and she struggled to open her eyes.

When she did, he nearly lost himself. The passion there matched his own so completely. “You said neither you nor I would ever feel that way again in our lives.”

He remembered it well. And at the time, he’d believed that.

Increasing the pressure, he vowed to prove himself wrong.

Now.

Emma throbbed beneath his fingers, but he would not relent.

“And was I right, my love?”

She clenched and squeezed, and he withdrew his hand, pulling her close enough to feel his need.

“Nay, you were not.” Emma opened her eyes. “I felt it again, just now. Exactly the same.”

Garrick stepped back and removed his tunic. Still watching her, he removed every piece of clothing, exposing himself to her completely.

Eyes round, Emma looked down. “Is it always—”

“When you’re near me? Aye.” He took a step toward her, reached down, and in one quick movement lifted the chemise above her head. Groaning, he couldn’t decide where to start.

“Garrick?”

He glanced down at her breasts. He would start there. “Aye, love?”

He reached for her, but Emma backed away. He’d hoped to distract her enough for her to forget about being worried.

“I don’t think—” She stopped, having reached the bed.

He stopped as well, and though he nearly exploded with the effort, Garrick didn’t move. He didn’t talk. He didn’t advance.

Instead, he simply watched her, waiting for her to take the lead. Looked at her beautiful breasts that he ached to touch. Glanced down and imagined himself inside her. But still, he didn’t move.

Someday, he’d think back on this night in amusement at the sheer physical pain of holding himself away from her.

Someday. But not tonight.

Oh God, Emma. I can’t wait much longer.

“Take me,” she said.

He’d never heard more beautiful words in his life.



When he lifted her onto the bed and laid her head against the long, soft bolster that she typically tossed on the floor each night, Emma forgot to worry. Well, mayhap a small part of her wondered how the long, hard length of him could possibly fit inside her. But more than anything, she just wanted to know what it felt like to truly be one with him.

She concentrated on the ridges of muscle on his stomach. Touching him there as he propped himself above her, Emma moved her hands to his shoulders, exploring. Every so often, a flicker of candlelight illuminated a different part of him that she hadn’t seen closely before. If she could sit up, she’d kiss each and every place her fingertips traced.