“Then let’s bathe afore we must set sail.” He gripped her waist as he rose and set her on her feet then slung both their bags over his shoulder.
With her tartan wrapped snugly around her, she followed him as he strode along the densely wooded trail into the deeper recesses of the forest. The dampness of the earth and the fresh scent of the tall pines swirled all about. Birds twittered from high in their nests, while small creatures scurried about within the undergrowth. She danced along the trail as Ronan walked a few steps ahead of her. Each stride he took was made with such purpose, his leather pants molded to his tight buttocks and powerful thighs, and as a gentle breeze whispered through the trees, it lifted the hem of his blue tunic underneath his fur vest and gave a glimpse of his golden skin and trim hips.
“We’re here.” He held up a low branch and she passed underneath it.
“Oh.” She gasped at the stunning sight. The clear glistening surface of the small loch reflected the brilliant green and gold foliage of the trees towering all around, the sunshine dappling through in patches. “This is perfect, and so wonderfully private.”
They’d finally been granted some time alone and she didn’t intend to waste a moment of it. She dropped her tartan, seized the hem of her borrowed tunic and lifted it over her head. Black cotton swished to the ground and barefoot, she bounced toward the water. On the mossy edge, her toes curling into the lush softness, she peeked over her shoulder and beamed at her mate. “Are you coming in?”
“Hell, yes.” One low growl as he dropped his sword belt and prowled toward her, his gaze sweeping down the long length of her back then getting stuck on her backside. “You have the most luscious bottom I’ve ever beheld. Have I ever told you that?”
“Nay.” She wiggled her bottom at him. “I’ll race you to the other side. Catch me if you can.” The loch beckoned and she dove then almost lost her breath at the frigid impact with the water. ’Twas chilly, not that she’d allow that to bother her. Under the water, she kicked then broke the surface and grabbed a decent breath of air. Under she went again. Such pure bliss saturated her. This truly was a most magical—
A hand clamped around her ankle and Ronan dragged her back to the surface.
“I want that bottom of yours in my hands.” With the water lapping his bare chest and his golden eyes burning a toe-curling hue, he stroked over her lower cheeks, captured her mouth with his and kissed her, so hungrily, so greedily. “I have my beautiful bride back in my arms once again, safe and well and her creamy skin sliding against mine. This is what I’ve longed for since the moment you were taken from me. Never again will I allow you far from my sight.”
“Aye, I will enjoy having you keep a close eye on me.” Fingers digging deep in his slick dark hair, the odd strand of pale blond now poking through, she returned his kiss and devoured him, just as ravenously as he devoured her.
“I need you, Kyla.” The clear surface rippled as he scooped her higher against him, his feet touching the base as he walked her backward toward the edge, the cool water lapping her breasts and making her already hard nipples stiffen even further. He caressed her lower cheeks and she rocked against the hard length of his cock prodding into her belly.
“Is this for me?” Between them, she curled one hand around his thick shaft.
“Aye, my body is yours, just as your body is mine.” Carefully, he sat her on the embankment, her legs dangling in the water. He tipped her back onto the moss, stroked around her breasts in slow circles and licked his lips. “I’ve been denied my wife and you hold a feast I shall always crave.”
“I adore bathing with you.”
“You’re my chosen one, always mine.” He eased her breasts together and licked each nipple, the hot and heavenly stroke of his tongue making her body heat with a need only he could bring to glorious and full life. “You’ve enchanted me, Kyla, stolen my will to be anywhere else but here with you.”
“You say the sweetest things.” She stretched out on the moss, sinking deeper into the lushness of it. “I have no wish to be anywhere else either.”
“Now we’re together, we remain together.” He swirled around the tip of her nipple with his tongue, flicked the hard nub then sucked her nipple deep inside his mouth.
An avalanche of sensations raced through her and she clutched his shoulders and held on.