Their breathing turned as frantic as their movements and it wasn’t long before Cree threw his head back and roared, his climax so powerful that it wracked his whole body with wave after wave of pleasure.
Dawn once again lay in the aftermath of a climax that she always found difficult to believe could be better than the last one. Making love with Cree was like finding happiness over and over and over. It was pure magic.
Cree dropped on his back beside Dawn to catch his breath. He reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers, then brought it to his mouth to kiss a couple of her fingers before resting their joined hands on his chest.
In a moment, when he regained his breath he intended to finally tell her how much he loved her that nothing would stop him from loving her and that he would always love her. It was time she heard it from; she had to know how he truly felt about her. And he had to tell her; felt compelled to tell her, to pledge his love to her.
Sleep had a different idea and before their breathing completely calmed their eyes closed and sleep claimed them both.
Morning and a frantic pounding at the door brought an interruption of their peaceful sleep and had them both dressing quickly. A light snow flurry followed Elwin into the cottage when Cree opened the door.
He shook his head as he spoke. “Chaos reigns in the keep. Lord Gerwan is demanding the return of his daughter’s servant. Lady Ann is driving Flanna crazy with her demands, insisting that extra servants help finish Lucerne’s wedding attire even if it means working on it day and night. And Lucerne is insisting that she speak to Turbett directly concerning the food for the wedding celebration.” Elwin stopped shaking his head. “And Kirk McClusky wants to speak with you.”
“And I want to speak to him. Have him sent to my solar.” Cree said and turned to Dawn. Last night came rushing back to him and he dismissed Elwin with a wave wanting to be alone with Dawn.
Elwin had barely closed the door when Cree had Dawn in his arms. “I had hoped for a leisurely morning before I had to take my leave.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I love the feel of you.” He couldn’t seem to come right out and tell her that he loved her. Last night had been the perfect time, this morning and his need to rush was not a good time. “Last night was… magic.”
Dawn smiled and nodded feeling the same.
“There is much I must see to today. I will return when I can.”
She nodded understanding, then remembered that she had hoped to convince him to take her to the spot where the tracks of her attacker had suddenly vanished. She wondered if he would allow her to go with her guards and so she asked.
“Absolutely not,” he said empathically. “You will stay put in the safety of this cottage until we catch the culprit.”
Dawn stepped away from him and planted her hands on her hips and sent him a wicked glare. She could not continue to be confined to the cottage, and she let him know it with quick, jabbing gestures.
Cree recalled how she had told him that she felt like a prisoner and though she wasn’t, he could understand why she felt as she did. And so he relented… somewhat. “You may go out as long as you remain in the confines of the village. You are not, I repeat, you are not to go into the woods.” He reached for the door latch. “I mean it, Dawn. Do not test me on this for you will suffer the consequences.”
She jutted her chin out and kept her hands planted firmly on her hips.
“You’ll not have your way in this; I’ll make certain of it.” With that he stormed out the door.
Her hands fell off her hips and her shoulders slumped. She didn’t like that he left angry with her and without kissing her. They had had such a wonderful night together and it disturbed her that the very next morning could be so opposite.
The door suddenly flung open and Cree strode in kicking it closed behind him. He stood there a moment and then he began walking toward her as he did his hand went to his chest and tapped it, then he rested his hand over his heart and when stopped in front of her he pressed his hand over her heart.
He had just told her that he loved her and with gestures the way she did. Tears pooled in her eyes and before she could respond his arm caught her around the waist and he yanked her against him. “You’re my woman and I love you. I love you more than I ever thought I could possibly love anyone. You’re my breath, my heart, my very being and if anything should happen to you I could not bear it. I will make time later this morning and take you into the woods where you want to go, but for now I ask you to stay put so that I will not go out of my mind with worry.”