Page 55 of Highlander’s Claim

And terrifying.

Because she would still need to leave one day. And what would be left of her if all this happiness was taken away?

CHAPTER 22

As he woke up the next morning with Jenny in his arms, Aulay felt like he’d found treasure. He’d been looking for a treasure ship—but instead, he’d found this woman.

She understood him and challenged him. She fit him. She was perfect.

She was insatiable. They had made love four times last night, like a pair of horny adolescents. Feeling her tightness around his erection, thrusting into her over and over again, made him feel like they were both in the presence of the divine.

Jenny stirred in his arms and opened her eyes. “Good morning,” she said and stretched, pressing herself tightly to him. He kissed her, morning breath and all.

“Good morning,” he murmured. “My sweet, soft, beautiful lass.”

She had told him that faerie, Sìneag, had sent her through time to him because they were meant for each other. And he’d started to think that may be true. It was still hard to believe he got two great loves in his life. How happy and lucky and blessed he was.

She nuzzled against his shoulder. “I need to go and check on Mhairi and the baby.”

“Nae.” He tugged her to him. “Nae yet, lass.”

“I must, Aulay.”

“What about checking on me first?”

“Right, I do need to look at your wound…”

“Nae that.” He pulled her on top of him, and when his erection brushed against her, she giggled.

“That must wait, I’m afraid.”

Despite his protests, she got out of bed and dressed. She tied her long hair in a simple tail that hung down her back and grinned at him. “I’ll see you later.”

Aulay stood up and began dressing, too. Yesterday, Colum had come back from another sea expedition with no signs of the shipwreck. It might have sunk after all. They’d search again today, and if they didn’t find anything, they’d need to go to the Isle of Man, which had been claimed by the English, tomorrow. If the shipwreck was there, Aulay was ready to fight for the treasure.

As he pulled on his braies, he realized he didn’t want to be apart from Jenny. She had him wrapped around her finger.

When he was dressed, he went to Seoras’s room. Jenny was there, holding wee Sìomon and talking to Mhairi. Both the new mother and the beautiful bairn were well. Bhatair was there, too, and he was looking at the wound on Mhairi’s stomach.

Bhatair wasn’t complaining or starting a fight with Jenny. It seemed his attitude had changed completely towards her since last night.

“How are ye, lass?” Aulay asked Mhairi.

“I’m all right,” she said as she winced.

“She’s in pain,” said Jenny. “But the wound looks good.”

“I’ll give ye more willow bark,” said Bhatair as he covered Mhairi’s stomach. “It does surprise me how good it looks.”

Jenny smiled, and Bhatair nodded to her. For a proud man like him, this was a big acknowledgment of respect. A wet nurse came into the room together with the woman Aulay had asked to take care of Mhairi. Jenny gently passed the lad to the wet nurse.

Peace covered Aulay like a warm blanket. Sìomon’s birth and Mhairi’s survival had healed something within him. It gave him hope and joy and blurred the memories of the terrible loss and heartache he’d felt with every failed birth and Leitis’s death.

“We will feast tonight,” said Aulay. “In honor of Sìomon. And in yer honor, Mhairi.”

Jenny frowned at him. “She can’t move or stand up.”

“Aye, I understand. The best food will be brought to ye, Mhairi, but I feel like this is a great blessing, and God kens we all need a blessing in our lives these days. May I show the lad to the clan tonight, Mhairi?”