“That’s nae what I meant,” Elena said.
“Then what?”
“Ye’ve planned all this from when we were children, did ye nae?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I had an idea of how I wanted things to go. Only God can make things happen though. And I believe he sent ye to me.”
“How can ye be so certain?”
“Because the love I have for ye will never fade,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel brushed his fingers across her bare shoulders and watched as she shivered. They both knew it had nothing to do with the chilly gust of wind kicking up around them.
Without warning, Gabriel pressed his lips to hers once again as another crack of lightning illuminated the night sky.
Chapter 21
The soundof birds chirping near the window lured Elena from her sleep. She squinted her eyes trying to cling to the last remnants of her dream. Lurking behind her eyes she saw Gabriel in all his splendor. He stood before her, hand extended, helping her through the misty forest. But it was his kiss that lingered longer in her mind than anything else.
She let out a soft moan as his tender lips caressed her neck and bare shoulders. The way he nibbled on her made her body tingle. Although a part of her wanted to squirm, she found real pleasure in succumbing to the passions his kisses drew out of her.
With her chest heaving, she tried to catch her breath. The heat from his body came off him in waves that crashed against the vastness of her body. There was no place on her where she didn’t feel him. Gabriel was inside of her, throbbing and teasing her. Elena didn’t know how much more she could handle as images of making love to him last night merged into her dream and set her body ablaze.
“Daenae move, and daenae open yer eyes,” Gabriel whispered. His voice was sharp and clear, not someplace in the distance as she expected, but right there beside her. Elena nodded and remained as still as she could. The tips of his fingers grazed over her skin causing little bumps to rise. She could feel his hand brush against her knees. She didn’t need him to tell her what to do, instinctively, she opened her legs for him.
Elena knew exactly what Gabriel was hunting for. He wanted the tender bulb of flesh hidden between her legs. Digging her fingers into the bearskin rug, she clawed as he slipped a finger into her to explore her body from the inside. Elena let out a gasp the moment she felt his tongue on her.
Her eyes popped open. The dream still fresh and vivid in her mind made her wish it was real as the room came into view. Blinking she tried to remember where she was. The memories flooded her mind the moment she wanted to see them. A smile curled at the corners of her mouth as she pulled the fur over her bare skin. The sensation of the fur rubbing against her only heightened her desires.
Turning her head, she spied Gabriel resting beside her with one arm draped over her waist, holding her close. Lifting her head she noticed the fire dying in the fireplace. A sense of panic shot through her as she realized they never made it to her room, or Gabriel’s chambers.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noticed the bookshelves and the desk. They were sleeping on the floor of Gabriel’s study.
Gabriel let out a soft little moan as she shifted a bit only to have his arm tighten around her. He pulled her closer to him and snuggled her. Elena never felt so secure and loved as the strand of pearls was the only thing still on her.
“Tell me it is nae mornin’,” Gabriel mumbled. Rubbing his arm, Elena nodded.
“It is, I’m afraid.”
“Nay, let it be night still so that we may dream some more,” he said. Elena’s mind shifted back to her dream as the images racing through her mind aroused her. She couldn’t deny the fact that she too wanted to continue sleeping.
“Do we have to get up?” Elena asked, nudging herself into the nook of Gabriel’s arm. The morning air was chilly and Elena found the only warm place to be beside Gabriel.
“If ye wish, we can stay here all day,” Gabriel answered as he lifted his head to kiss her before dropping it again.
“That would be lovely, would it nae? To waste the day like this.” Elena’s sigh was full of longing.
“Then it is done,” Gabriel announced as he pounded his knuckles on the wooden floor.
The door to the study flew open. Terror coursed through Elena as Gabriel hunted for the source of their disruption.
“What is it, Emily?” Gabriel asked, plopping his head down as he realized there was no threat. Emily nearly let out a scream as she turned quickly to avert her eyes.
“I’m so sorry, M’Laird and Lady,” Emily said. “I dinnae ken ye were in here.”
Mortified, Elena curled into Gabriel as much as she could to shield her nakedness from Emily’s eyes.
“Well, what is it? Ye barged in here for a reason. So, out wit’ it,” Gabriel said as Elena tucked her head into his shoulder, praying for the moment to end. Even when she was a young girl, she was never without clothes before. The servants ever only saw her in a shift. Yet, here she was, stark naked on the floor beside Gabriel. Heat rushed through her as she tried to tell herself it was alright. After all, she is married to the man.