He dropped his head back and let out a moan that probably reverberated right through the cottage walls and surrounding area. What made it all the more pleasurable was that dawn climaxed right along with him.
When she collapsed against him, his arms went around her and he held her close. He didn’t want her getting off him anyway. He knew that with a bit of shifting she could very well come again since she always had multiple climaxes. And he smiled when she shifted once, twice, and grabbed his arm as she came again.
Damn, but he loved this woman and the thought that she could be taken away from him filled him with a helpless fear he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He couldn’t lose her; life would be worthless without her.
A knock had Cree cursing, though not nearly as badly as he would have if he had been interrupted a bit earlier.
“You’re needed, my lord,” Elwin called out.
“A moment,” Cree yelled back.
Dawn went to lift herself off him but he stayed her with his hands at her waist. He brushed his lips over hers and whispered, “You are mine.”
The last time that she told Cree that she loved him did not go well and he warned her not to love him, but that was not possible. And she wanted him to know once again how she felt.
She pressed her hand to her heart and then pressed it to his heart and leaving it there she kissed him gently.
He sighed and shook his head. “You shouldn’t love me.”
She pressed her hand to her heart again and then to his.
He swiftly lifted her off him, stood, and went to the door. Before he lifted the latch he turned to her. “You shouldn’t love me, but I’m so glad you do.”
The door closed with a click behind him and Dawn smiled. At least this time he hadn’t gotten angry with her and that gave her hope. She would tell him that she loved him more often and perhaps, just perhaps, one day he would tell her the same.
Chapter Fourteen
“The men have been dispatched with extra supplies and one of the women Elsa has been training as a healer has gone along in case anyone needs tending,” Sloan said joining Cree at the dais the next morning. “It should be two or more days before they return.”
“Good, it gives us time to prepare for them,” Cree said. “I’ve spoken to the men who continue to hunt for the intruder. They have searched the entire keep three times and have found no one.”
Sloan scratched his head. “Why would the person purposely break through the boarded door? He would alert everyone to his presence. It makes no sense.”
“Perhaps that was his intention, to let us know that he is among us and yet undetectable.” The idea did not sit well with Cree. He worried that it might have something to do with those who meant Dawn harm.
Sloan lowered his voice. “Here comes your intended looking penitent, if you can believe it.”
Cree looked to see Lucerne approaching the dais, her head bowed and her hands clasped together and pressed firmly against her stomach. She was a strikingly beautiful woman and the deep red velvet dress she wore paid homage to her creamy skin. It was a shame that her callous nature did not match her fine features.
She stopped close to the table and bowed her head. “My lord, I wish to thank you for releasing me from my punishment so that I may see to the preparations for my parents’ arrival.”
“Don’t make me regret it,” Cree said, “or reinforce it.”
“I realize that you are lord and master and that I must obey you as a dutiful wife should. It is my hope that you will come to recognize my strengths and allow me to ease some of your burdens.”
“Time will tell.” And Cree hoped time would help in finding a way of getting out of this marriage to her. He abhorred the thought of having her as his wife, though perhaps it was more that he hated the thought of marrying anyone other than Dawn.
“Now if you will excuse me, my lord, I will see to having quarters prepared for my parents.”
“Flanna already has the servants working on the task,” Cree said and saw Lucerne bristle. “Tell her what more you need and she will see it done.”
“My father also likes his food prepared a certain way. I would like to discuss his preferences with the cook if you will permit it.”
“Discuss it with Flanna and she will relay your suggestions to Turbett.” Cree could see that she wasn’t pleased, though she had little choice in the matter.
“As you wish, my lord,” she said. “I assume the McCluskys will be gone before my parents arrive?”
“They will be staying on for a while yet.”