Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

A fter returning from her afternoon jog, Gwen went to her room to shower.

Rinsing shampoo from her hair, she closed her eyes. The image of Tristan came to mind. The morning prior, she’d been struck speechless, barely able to eat, when he’d walked into the dining room for breakfast before leaving for Edinburgh with Edith.

Emanating so much power, she understood how he’d once been head of an entire clan and led warriors into battle. His wide shoulders were showcased in the beautifully tailored black Armani jacket. Hair brushed back from his face served only to enhance the man’s handsome face and masculine jawline, the color of his eyes brought out by his matching green tie. What surprised Gwen the most was how at ease he moved in the modern clothing, as he crossed the room to greet her.

The picture of him storming into her room this morning had been totally different. In untucked pullover and slacks, he’d looked more the medieval man, especially with the added element of the angry scowl.

Tightening the towel around her, Gwen walked out of the bathroom and straight into the chest of the man who occupied all her thoughts. Startled, she gasped, jumping back.

“Ye have been avoiding me,” Tristan told her, seemingly oblivious to her state of undress. “Why?”

If she ever saw Prince Sterling again, she’d tell him how much his words affected her. The truth . Fine. She’d be totally honest, and hope for the best.

“It hurts to see you,” she began. “It hurts not to see you. When I am near you, I can’t help but think of how much it will hurt when I’m going to be away from you forever. I think that perhaps the more I avoid you, the easier it will be when I leave, only to find it hurts too. I am hoping that by spending time with you, only when others are around, it won’t be as bad. Understand me, Tristan, I’ve never felt as strongly about any man. I have never been in love, before. I’m trying to deal with everything the best I can.”

His face softened as he reached and caressed the side of her face. “I am not well trained in the ways of courting a woman. But if ye would allow me, I will tell ye what I think on the matter.”

She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and nodded.

He looked directly into her eyes, then away, seeming to gather his thoughts. “I can’t breathe.”

“What?”

“Let me speak, lass. I cannot breathe when I am not near ye. It is the reason I returned early from Edinburgh. I couldn’t sleep away from ye. I am satisfied to know ye are under the same roof as I am. When ye are with me, I feel that all will be well. Like ye, I have never felt this way, but I find that I like it.” He smiled at her and brushed a tear away as it slipped down her cheek. “I will do anything within my power so that ye never leave me. I love ye, Lady Gwyneth.”

Placing his hands on her hips, he brought her to him, his mouth crashing down on hers. Gwen sighed—never had she felt so happy.

He was hers!

Sliding her hands up around his neck, she ran her fingers through his hair as their tongues intermingled.

When he cupped her butt and pulled her closer, his hardness pulsed against her stomach. She stood on her tiptoes to allow for a more intimate closeness.

With a loud moan, he picked her up and carried her to the bed, falling onto it with her. Unfazed that her towel fell away, she quickly unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders while he unfastened his pants. Her intake of breath caught his attention, and he looked down at his black briefs.

“Wow, you look great in those briefs,” she told him, her gaze eating up the picture he made, almost nude, his bulging member restrained by the thin fabric.

“They are most uncomfortable, but if ye like them…” He shrugged and moved to her.

“I like them,” she told him, nibbling on his bottom lip. The tease worked as he came over her, kissing her neck, teasing her sensitive skin down to her breasts. One hand on one breast, while his tongue did the most delicious things to the other, sent heat coursing through her and she hissed in pleasure.

“Oh, God,” Gwen gasped, her hand tight on his shoulders.

“I must have ye now,” Tristan told her, his eyes dark emerald with passion.

He pushed his briefs down far enough so that his erection popped free. She reached to caress the velvety soft skin that covered his hardness, guiding him to her. Tristan moaned, throwing his head back.

Sliding into her, the heat of their union brought a scream from her. He moved almost completely out of her before thrusting back in. Gwen met each of his plunges, fighting to keep from losing control. She was not successful. Not even four full thrusts and she totally lost control, falling over the edge, not seeing, not caring, only she and Tristan existing. A few moments later, his loud growl told her he’d joined her.

They made love a second time, this time slowly, taking time to explore each other until not an inch of flesh was left undiscovered. Sated, Gwen lay on Tristan’s chest.

A satisfied smile on his face, he lay with one arm under his head, looking up at the ceiling, while she traced circles on his bare chest with her finger.

“You are to remain here in my home; therefore we must marry, of course,” he told her, a slight uncertainty in his beautiful green eyes when they met hers.

“I do have a question. Something that has bothered me.” Gwen looked at Tristan. “Derrick said that you were betrothed and killed her.”

His eyebrows shot up. “I was never betrothed and certainly have never killed a woman.”

Gwen shook her head. “I was certain he’d made it up to turn me away from helping to free you.”

“When I see him, I will throttle him.”

He’d always be a medieval man, no matter what, and Gwen knew she’d have to accept it.

“No you won’t, and yes, I will marry you and stay in Scotland. But promise me, no violence.” she replied, kissing him lightly on the lips.

After a moment, Tristan nodded and kissed her soundly.

“I see you two made up,” Sabrina told them. “Awesome.”

Gwen scrambled, yanking up the sheets to cover her breasts and Tristan’s nudity. “Sabrina, you could have knocked—what if you’d walked in on….” She frowned at Tristan, who smiled at Sabrina nonplussed. He was probably used to servants walking in on him nude when he’d been laird.

Sabrina shook her head. “I waited like twenty minutes after Tristan’s last growl.”

“Sabrina!” Gwen exclaimed, mortified at her sister’s words. Tristan patted her shoulder, laughter rumbling in his chest.

“Ye will make Gavin a fine partner,” Tristan told Sabrina, whose entire demeanor entirely changed to terror, her eyes wide.

“Partner?”

“Aye. Gavin has the power of seduction. It’s part of breaking his enchantment. He will seduce you into marrying him.”

Sabrina squeaked, her eyes flying to Gwen’s. “Nope, not happening.”

This time it was Gwen’s laughter that spilled over. “I can’t wait.”