Page 79 of The Lion

Her tongue darted out, licking first her top lip and then the bottom. “I ached for ye, Darach, so very much.”

Needing no further encouragement, he ripped the clothing from his body, tossing it wherever it fell, uncaring of anything other than to go to the beauty in his bed.

Their mouths met in an urgent kiss of passion and need, while he helped her pull the nightdress off.

The feel of her soft body against his was almost enough to send him to release, but he held back, needing time to relish what he’d been missing for so long. Isobel against him, under him, writhing and calling his name.

“Take me, I cannot wait,” Isobel urged. “I am on fire.”

“As am I,” Darach said slipping his hand between her legs to stroke her sex. She would come fast the first time, he needed her to find a fast release so that they could climb her second crest together.

When her nails dug into his shoulders, he knew she was close. Darach lowered, trailing his tongue down the center of her body until reaching her apex. Then he took her sex into his mouth and lapped at the engorged nub with the tip of his tongue.

Isobel lifted up from the bed with cries of passion that were like music to his ears. “Oh Darach!” she called out, her entire body shivering. He blew on her sex and suckled at the center causing her to shudder in a hard release.

As she settled, he kissed her thighs, her hips, and her stomach, allowing her time to catch her breath. When he sought her mouth, his restraint gave way and he pushed inside her.

The sensation was like no other, he gasped and blew out short breaths to keep from releasing then and there.

He drove in deeper before moving out and thrusting back into her beautiful body.

“Yes,” Isobel urged as he continued driving in and out of her, sinking deeper and deeper, unable to keep from losing control.

The release was long and so overwhelming, he cried out, Darach’s entire body tensing with uncontrollable shudders. Isobel writhed under him, lost as well, in her own cresting.

When Darach collapsed over her, he was drenched in sweat, their bodies slick with the result of lovemaking and he loved it.

She bit his shoulder playfully. “That was agreeable.”

“Aye, I found it pleasant,” he teased back.

They both chuckled, but quieted when he took her mouth. He meant to keep to his word to make love to her until the sun rose.

“I am happy that ye are going with yer husband to Barra to visit the MacNeil,” Beatrice said, watching as Isobel packed. “It will be just myself and Ella here.”

Isobel smiled at her sister. “Lady Mariel is going as well; she is a MacNeil like our mother and has family there.”

Beatrice nodded. “When Mother and I visit in the spring, we will go to Barra to visit as well. Perhaps, ye and Lady Mariel will go with us.”

“I think it sounds like a wonderful idea,” Isobel said, meaning it. “I still cannot believe our parents allowed ye to remain. Whatever did ye put in that letter?”

With a secretive expression, Beatrice stood and then smiled. “Ye look happy sister.”

“I am content for now. Happiness does not feel far away.”

Just then the door opened and Darach entered.

“I was just leaving,” Beatrice said and, after a saucy wink, walked out.

Isobel accepted a kiss to the temple from Darach. “I cannot go for a walk just yet. I have much to do. Perhaps one of yer brothers can take Albie out today.”

“I agree and will do as ye say. I also have much to see to today.” He pressed his lips to hers. “That is not what I came in here for.”

“Oh.” Isobel looked up at him reveling in his arms and the warmth of his gaze. “Why then?”

“I forgot to tell ye something.”

Whatever he was about to say made her a bit anxious. “What is it, Darach?”

“Ye should know, wife, that I have fallen deeply in love with ye. I cannot imagine a life without ye beside me.”

Her heart soared, and tears stung her eyes.

Immediately Darach hugged her to him. “Are ye upset?”

Pushing back, she chuckled. “No, I am happy. These are happy tears.” Isobel let out a sigh and gazed up at her handsome husband. “I believe that I fell in love with ye on the day we married. It was inevitable, I suppose. Ye being so handsome and roguish.”

His lips curved, and he pressed his forehead to hers. “I am glad that ours has become a love match.”

Happier than any other time in her life, Isobel pressed her head to his chest and listened to the familiar thuds of his heart. A heart that belonged only to her.