Chapter 28

28

O rlaith was waiting for them, unable to stay inside the walls of the castle. She paced outside, checking the path for any sign of them until finally she saw them, riding home victorious.

"It's so good to see ye," she cried, pulling everyone, even Hayden, into hugs. They all laughed and celebrated though their bodies were sore and weary from the fight and the journey.

"Ye're here," Orlaith said as she held Charlotte in front of her. Charlotte heard the question in her words, and she couldn't help the smile that spread wide across her face.

"Yes," she answered.

"Here to stay?" Orlaith's hope was nearly as strong as Alasdair's, and Charlotte felt love surge through her. Everywhere Charlotte turned, her family grew bigger and stronger.

"Here to stay," Charlotte confirmed. Orlaith let out a cry of victory and pulled Charlotte against her again.

"I'm so glad," she laughed. "Alasdair needs ye in his life."

She saw Alasdair roll his eyes at his aunt.

"Let's leave Charlotte alone," he said, pulling her away. "She's been through a lot."

But there was little rest to be had for the rest of the day. The healer was brought to the house, and Alasdair was patched up. Though he was told to stay in bed, neither the healer nor Charlotte could convince him. He pushed forward, meeting with his council to update them on the events of the day while continuing to check on Charlotte and Ben.

Ben spent the day buzzing around his father and Charlotte, back and forth between elation about the fight and his role in it and fear that Lennox's men would somehow come after them. Charlotte and Alasdair stayed with him, comforting and celebrating with him in turns.

But though their energy was on the child, Charlotte couldn't miss the way Alasdair's eyes roamed over her body. She couldn't miss the charged energy that passed between them, causing surges of desire to rear up in her chest. There was something primal and desperate in each of them, something that had been building ever since they shared I love yous on the cliffs.

"Perhaps a rest?" Alasdair asked, seeing Ben's eyes drooping closing over his stew. Ben's eyes flew open, but he didn't protest. Everyone was feeling the strain of the day and their lack of sleep from the night before. In truth, it was amazing they had made it to lunch.

Alasdair lifted Ben from the table and carried him to his bed. Charlotte followed, there to tuck Ben in beside his father. They stayed with him, making sure he felt comfortable as he drifted to sleep, an adult on either side of him.

"I think he's asleep," Alasdair whispered, and she caught the mischievous smirk Alasdair gave her, filled with memories and dreams for what might come next.

"And what about you, My Laird?" Charlotte asked as they glanced at each other across the bed. "Can you sneak away for a rest of your own?"

His hungry gaze threatened to undo her, so she was glad when Alasdair stood and circled the bed. Charlotte felt his hand wrap around her wrist as a spark of heat passed through them. A single touch and she was wild for him. He pulled her, rushing through the door.

They couldn't get out of the room fast enough.

"We aren't even in your room," Charlotte laughed as Alasdair pinned her against the wall. They were in the hallway, still a few feet away from his bedroom, but he couldn't contain himself. Alasdair pressed his hips against her as his lips found hers.

"I'm not a patient man," Alasdair growled. He dropped his mouth to Charlotte's neck and delighted in the way she threw her head backward, pressing it against the wall in a way that made her breasts press seductively toward him. He couldn't keep himself from bringing his hand up and pressing against them.

Charlotte's breath quickened as his mouth worked its way down to her collar bone and then to the top of her breast. His longing was strong for her, and he pressed his hardening desire against her hip as he caressed her breasts with his hand and kissed with his mouth.

But all at once, there were far too many clothes between them. He reached down and began pulling at her skirts, letting his hand snake down to the soft skin at the back of her knee.

"Alasdair," Charlotte gasped. He felt her knees buckle, an adorable trait he was beginning to get used to. He smiled at her before snaking his hand away, letting his fingers tease with the gentlest touch as he did so.

"Come," he said, and he pulled her with him.

They practically tumbled into the room, immediately joining their lips to one another. Alasdair kicked the door closed, and suddenly, they were alone after a long and trying day.

"I can't believe I almost lost ye," Alasdair said. He wrapped his arm around Charlotte's back and trapped her against him. And then he brought his hand back to her ankle, pulling at her skirts.

"But you didn't," she assured him. "I'm still here."

Once again, Charlotte nearly dropped at the sensation of Alasdair's fingers along her leg. Alasdair held her tighter around the back then he drew his hand up, tracing the side of her.

"Aye," he said, dropping down to kiss her deeply. "Ye are here. And I plan to see all of ye."

He loved that he could still make her shy and that he could still draw a flush to her cheeks. Alasdair pushed his hand higher, finally reaching her inner thigh before sweeping his fingers up, desperate to feel what he was doing to her.

Charlotte moaned as his fingers pressed into her wetness. He was thrilled by how eager she was for him, and he felt a jolt between his legs as his fingers were enveloped by her. He began to rock back and forth, gently exploring her.

It was Charlotte who reached around to find the laces at the back of her dress, pulling them, so her gown loosened around her. Alasdair gave her rueful smile, full of hope and a slight question she could read in his eyes.

"You said you wanted to see me," Charlotte said shyly, barely able to get out the words, but Alasdair attacked her lips with his own, pulling her into him even as his hands moved faster between her legs. He saw Charlotte close her eyes at the sensation.

"I do want to see ye," he whispered, delighting in the small cries he was eliciting from her. "Always."

Charlotte stepped back, disengaging from his mischievous fingers. He felt a flash of confusion as he watched her retreat, taking large steps away from him, but then he saw Charlotte's eyes on his. There was no disengagement there. He read hunger and vulnerability and the confidence that came from knowing you loved someone and that someone loved you back.

Charlotte pulled at her sleeves, and she dropped her gown down, revealing her breasts. He saw her hard nipples, eager and waiting for him. And then she put her hands at her hips and pushed the gown further, revealing all of her. Charlotte stood bare in front of him, all inhibitions erased. He searched her face, looking for fear, but he only saw love staring back at him. It was one of the most beautiful sights Alasdair had ever seen.

"Ye are beautiful," he said. He reached above his head to pull his shirt up and over it.

"Show me more," Charlotte said.

She couldn't believe she was so bold. Here she was, once again naked in front of Alasdair. And not only that, but now, she was begging him to take his clothes off.

"Are ye sure, lass?" he asked though there was a darkness in his voice that told her he already knew her answer. Charlotte was transfixed by Alasdair's hand hovering above his belt. She knew it was rude to stare, but she couldn't move her eyes from that belt and everything that lay just below it. She simply nodded, swallowing hard as she eagerly awaited the reveal.

Alasdair didn't make her wait. First, he untied the laces of his boots, and even this seemed like a gesture of seduction as he glanced up at her. He kicked off his shoes, and then he stepped back, bringing his hand back to his waist. He yanked hard at his belt, loosening it, and then he popped the button of his breeches. Charlotte held her breath as his hands went to his hips, hooking his thumbs into the waistband.

With a decisive move, he pushed his breeches down and kicked them off. She gasped when she saw him. And it wasn't just the hard erection she saw between his legs, though that was impressive. For the first time, she saw how much of Alasdair's body was covered in scars. There were slashes across his chest and arms, and the injuries from today would only add to the lines that crisscrossed over his skin.

"Ye asked to see me," he said. "Do ye regret yer request?"

She didn't answer with words. Charlotte stepped forward and felt the first satisfying touch of bare skin against bare skin. And then she pressed herself onto her toes, feeling her pert breasts rub tantalizingly against his chest. She kissed him, and Alasdair opened his mouth to her, deepening the kiss as he pressed his tongue into her mouth. Her body was warm and flushed from Alasdair's earlier touch, and she was quickly overcome with need. It was something strong and urgent, something primal.

"Take me," Charlotte whispered as one of Alasdair's hands began to circle her hard nipple. The other danced around her thigh, getting dangerously close to her core.

"Ye must be sure," Alasdair said. But Charlotte didn't hesitate. She walked backward, walking Alasdair with her until they reached the bed.

"I'm certain," she nodded. She grabbed hard to his arms and pulled him back, so they tumbled onto the bed. Alasdair straddled her hips, his dark hair falling around them as he stared at her with longing.

"I tried living without you," Charlotte whispered. She held Alasdair's gaze as his hand trailed along her stomach. His fingers returned to her folds, gently stroking her.

"And?" he asked with an intense gaze that made her feel like the only woman in the world.

"It didn't work," she gasped. His fingers rose higher and flicked against her most sensitive spot. And then his mouth dropped down and ensnared her nipple. Charlotte lost herself then, completely overcome by his soft tongue and insistent fingers. She felt pressure building in her core as she pressed her head against the bed and took hold of the sheets beneath her.

"Alasdair!" she cried out, but then his mouth trailed down her body and suddenly his tongue was exploring between her legs. She cried out, no longer knowing what she was doing or what sounds she was making. It was only Alasdair with his fingers pressing into her even as his tongue worked magic elsewhere.

"My love," she cried as pressure built deep in her core. Charlotte rocked her hips back and forth in rhythm with Alasdair's strokes, and then she felt herself approach the edge. Her muscles tensed, and she squeezed her fists hard against the bed, and suddenly, she was shaking. She cried out with gasping breaths and felt a tear fall down from the side of her face.

Waves of pleasure coursed through her, and all the while, Alasdair gently stroked her, letting her ride out the pleasure as long as she could. Charlotte sighed, feeling somehow empty and full at the same time, and she glanced down to see Alasdair's face smiling up at her.

"Come here," she begged. Alasdair lifted himself and dragged his body up and across Charlotte's own. She jumped as his chest rubbed against her sensitive nipples.

"Are ye alright?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered. And then, though her heart nearly beat out of her chest as she formed the words, she said, "Show me more."

Alasdair kissed her, long and hard. She felt his desire between them, strong and heavy against her stomach. It brought new butterflies to her core, a sensation she felt all the way to her toes. Alasdair shifted above her, a hand between them, and then he was lined up at her opening. He teased her gently as he circled himself against her.

"Please," Charlotte begged. She even shifted her hips toward him, desperate to curb this deep flush of desire.

"I love ye," he whispered. "I can't live without ye."

"Good," she said, gazing up at him. "Because I won't let you go."

Alasdair pushed his hips forward, eliciting a gasp as he finally pressed into her. Through narrowed eyes, Charlotte watched his mouth fall open, his face awash with rapture. He pulled back slowly, letting Charlotte feel every inch of him as a shiver coursed through her.

Alasdair pushed back in, beginning a gentle rhythm. His mouth dropped to Charlotte's neck, and he licked and kissed beneath her ear as he rocked himself in and out of her. It was a sensation like no other, and Charlotte squeezed her eyes closed at the shock of pleasure.

"Are ye alright?" he asked. Charlotte nodded at him, unable to speak as she delighted in the sensation of Alasdair's length pressing into the deepest parts of her. She wrapped her hands around his biceps, and then she pressed her hips wider. Alasdair brought his hand to her leg and guided her to wrap her foot around his thigh. He groaned as he dropped even deeper inside of her.

Their pace increased, and Charlotte held tight, her chest heaving with each breath. His hand came to the sensitive spot between her legs, and suddenly, he was teasing her there, coaxing her own readiness alongside his own.

"Oh!" she cried, sparks jolting her hips off the bed. Her muscles tensed as she built toward another release, and Charlotte forced her eyes open, locking them with Alasdair's. He stared down at her even as he pressed himself faster and faster into her. She watched the muscles of his arms and the strong set of his jaw, and suddenly, they were both crashing over the edge. Alasdair cried out above her even as Charlotte shook and moaned beneath him.

She lost herself for a moment, disappearing into the joyful and warm feelings Alasdair had coaxed out of her. When she came back to herself, she was in Alasdair's arms, her body tucked firmly against his own as her head rested on his chest.

"Marry me," he whispered.

Charlotte ran her finger along a deep scar that cut across Alasdair's chest. The cut was beautiful, an imperfection that made this man stronger than any man she knew.

"Yes," Charlotte answered. "A million times, yes."