Or maybe that was how it was for her. Maybe his kiss was her air, her water and life. It certainly felt that way. She wasn’t able to think of anything but him: his kiss, his touch, and the near madness of wanting more. His words washed over her, settling in her heart and warming her from the inside out. With a soft flick of his tongue, he caressed her mouth with his own, rendering her senseless. Yet a moment later he withdrew slowly, and she followed him, seeking his kiss.
And then the words came in a soft verbal caress against her lips. “Marry me.”
Her eyes flew open, and her countenance surely answered his question before she could. “Ah, is this the official proposal?”
Quin bent his head to the side, regarding her with a dangerous gleam in his eyes. “I’m happy to convince you, but yes, it is. You’ve been mine since the moment I kissed you in my waking dreams, but…” He boldly moved a hand up from its place on her hip and grasped her breast, his finger softly rounding its hard tip once more. “You deserve more than an understanding because I took your kisses. You deserve more… Will you have me?”
He caressed the soft sphere of her breast through the fabric of her dress. Gasping, she closed her eyes with the ecstasy of it. “That’s not fair. I can’t think when you touch me like that.”
“All’s fair in love and war.”
Catherine swallowed. “You never said you love me.” Her heart stuttered at the bold words, regarding him with the first sense of insecurity she’d felt since being in his arms. “Does that imply that it’s war?” Her soft voice held none of the teasing she’d intended; rather, she just pressed herself against him, needy for more.
He chuckled once, the vibrations of it echoing through his chest and against her hands placed around his neck. “There’s certainly a war going on, but not with you. It’s within me.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “It’s reminding myself of what I said a moment ago about not taking you in the library. And believe me, it’s a bloody war inside me because there’s nothing I want more than you.”
She closed her eyes, soaking in his voice.
“Catherine.” He moaned her name, resting his head against hers as his heartbeat slowed a little. She could feel his heart pounding against hers, which echoed with its own fevered rhythm.
“I loved you before I even knew how to name it,” he confessed. “And I’ve loved you more each passing day since. I dream of you, Catherine. I burn for you…”
Catherine’s heart swelled at the way his voice rang with passion. His words consumed her like his kiss, and she felt her heart swell with such happiness she wondered how she’d bear it.
“Marry me.” His fierce gaze burned through her with welcome heat.
Catherine kept her eyes downcast as she wondered at the beauty of the moment. “Yes.” She met his intense expression with her heart in her eyes.
He kissed her then, hungry and joyful. She grinned against his lips, unable to restrain her joy. He pulled back and caressed her face.
“You haven’t asked.” She arched a brow, feeling playful, almost drunk with happiness.
“Asked what?” he inquired.
“If I love you.” She tipped her chin upward flirtatiously.
“You do.” He shrugged, confident.
She arched a brow. “You’re so certain.”
“Indeed, I am.” He tapped her nose with his finger. “But you took longer.”
At this, she narrowed her eyes, but then she sobered slightly. “There were…obstacles. And I wouldn’t wish you to think I was after your title. So I regarded you as forbidden in my heart.”
Quin nodded. “I had to overcome a variant of the same obstacle.”
Catherine hesitated, and then as if he’d noted the way she seemed to debate about speaking, he nodded for her to continue.
Inhaling deeply, she pushed aside her trepidation. “I was engaged to your brother and I… That is… You need to know…” She struggled with expressing herself correctly. “Ilovedhim.” She hazarded a peek up to Quin. “But Iloveyou. It’s different, and I’m not sure how I can explain, but…”
Quin’s finger touched her lips as she struggled for the right words. “I’m not jealous…much,” he replied, a hint of chagrin coloring his tone.
Catherine gave a soft giggle at his playful confession.
“But, Catherine, I understand. I loved my brother too. And it was that loyalty to him that led me to you. We can be thankful rather than trying to explain it. Sometimes God brings things about in mysterious ways.”
Catherine nodded, then leaned forward to kiss him, needing to feel his lips against hers, the power of his love feeding her soul. “I love you,” she whispered. “Iloveyou. And I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.”
She could taste his joy as he kissed her with the deep happiness that echoed in her own heart. With a final lingering kiss, he released her. A loose curl caressed her cheek, and he smoothed it behind her ear, his eyes alight with a wild abandon that set her heart to pounding.