Epilogue I

2 months later

"D o ye find me bonny?" The lass gave Knox's ear a playful nip, her heated breath fanning over it.

"Of course I do. Why else would I be here?" He'd tupped the lass before. She was without complications, never demanding anything from him. Knox found it best not to ponder too much on why she didn't seem to mind if he didn't call on her regularly.

"What makes ye think I will give ye what ye want?" She leaned back to meet his gaze, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Knox smiled. "I dinnae ken for sure. Ye may nae." Just as he was about to kiss her, the breaking of a branch sounded. The lass leaned forward, eyes closed, with expectation, but Knox was distracted.

It would be disgraceful to be caught or attacked whilst unawares under a woman's skirts.

"Wait here," he whispered. "If ye hear fighting run home."

Wide-eyed, the lass silently nodded.

Despite the fact it could be no more than a deer, or someone out walking, Knox crept in the direction of the sound. There was no one in sight. He scanned the surrounding area and then studied the ground. He was known for his tracking abilities, expertly able to follow the path of whomever he sought.

The broken branch was just ahead on the path. Interesting, Whatever direction the person or beast went was hard to tell. It seemed as if they moved away from the way leaves on one bush were brushed.

Walking around a tree, he bent just in time to avoid being whacked by a long branch. The crunch of the wood against the tree's bark made a loud sound. Before he could say anything, the branch swung again, its wielder letting out a loud screech. This time he jumped back to avoid being hit.

The wee branch wielding woman was no match for Knox. He waited for the next swing, grabbed the branch, and gave it a strong tug. She released it as she tumbled forward to land on her stomach on the ground.

"Are ye daft?" he yelled, yanking the woman up by an arm. "What are ye doing in the woods alone Sencha?"

She looked a proper mess. Skirts torn. Half her hair had fallen over her face. Somehow, she remained fetching even in that state.

"Let me go!" She tried to pull away, whilst sweeping hair away from her flushed face. Her chest lifted and lowered, harsh breaths exploding.

When she tried to kick him, Knox whirled her around and pulled her against his chest. "Sencha stop."

All at once she stopped struggling and turned her head to look up at him. The bright blue eyes took him in.

"What are ye doing here?" Sencha asked.

She smelled of lavender and nature, the delicate figure fit perfectly between his arms and Knox was reluctant to release her.

"I will let ye go if ye promise not to try to hit me again." He purposely held her tighter, not as a warning, but because he'd always wondered what it would feel like to have the fiery lass in his arms.

"I will be still. I thought ye were one of the attackers and meant to kill me."

After one last inhalation of her hair, Knox released her, and she spun to look up at him. "Knox, I didnae ken it was ye. Are ye here alone? I thought to have heard more than one voice."

The way she tilted her heart-shaped face as she studied him made him want to lie. He glanced over his shoulder to the area where he'd been with the other lass. She was gone. Had probably fled when she heard the tussling.

"I am alone," he replied, not a lie, per se. "And ye, what are ye doing?"

"Looking for Blossom, my wee dog. She ran off earlier." She glanced around. "She's probably hightailed it home if she heard us."

He studied her torn skirts and messy hair. "What happened to ye?"

Brows lowered, she looked down at her dress. "It is nae easy to traipse about the woods in skirts. Branches reach out and snag everything, my clothes, my hair…" She motioned to her head.

Knox nodded. "It is best ye return home. I will walk ye back. Dogs are smart and return home when it is time to eat. Dinnae worry yerself."

Sencha didn't look convinced. She looked away from him, a frown on her features, seeming to consider whether or not to continue her search. Then she studied him. "I am surprised ye are nae in the village chasing after women. Where's yer horse?"

"I return from visiting my parents. Ye ken they live near ye." He pointed to the right. "My steed is there."

Her eyes narrowed in thought, looking from the horse to him. "Why is he tethered and ye are walking about the woods?"

The lass was smart. He had to acknowledge that a man involved with her would have to be someone who was either quick on his feet, or totally honest at all times.

"I walked into the woods to find relief and was about to do just that when I heard ye step on a branch." Again not a lie.

"Oh,"—she blushed—"I see." She made shooing motions with her hands. "Well go on then. I will look a bit more for Blossom then go home."

Now he had to pretend to relieve himself. Knox let out a breath. "I will walk ye about. Ye should nae be about on yer own. Even with the branch, which ye did wield well, harm can come to ye."

Knox held up a hand. "Wait here."

He went to where his horse was, nibbling on the grass, seeming oblivious to what occurred. Taking the reins, he guided the huge warhorse to where Sencha awaited.

It was the first time he'd had the opportunity to spend time alone with the pretty lass. Sencha was one of the few women who seemed immune to his charms. Each time he'd tried to get her attention, she'd rebuffed him. That he knew of, no one had yet to court the flame haired beauty. Not for lack of trying, but because she pushed away every attempt at conquest.

"We have known each other for a long time," Knox said by way of conversation. It was time to try a new tactic with her and perhaps friendship could lead to more.

"Aye, since we were wee," she replied giving him a sideways glance. "Ye are older, so we were nae friends."

His smile was careful, controlled. "We can be friends now."

"Aye, I suppose."

"My heart melts from yer enthusiasm," he teased.

The words elicited a laugh, a throaty sound. "I dinnae mean to sound less than enthusiastic, it is just that I am truly worried. My Blossom is wee and alone. What if something gets her?"

Knox whistled several times, whilst Sencha called out the dog's name. They continued in a wavy pattern heading back towards where Sencha lived. Knox was sure the dog was home by now, but he didn't wish to end the time he spent with the lass.

"Ye've had the dog for long?"

Sencha nodded. "Aye, for years. She is getting old. Cannae see well."

As they walked down the last patch of woods, Sencha looked as if she were about to cry. "Where can she be?" Her shiny eyes lifted to his. "Do ye really think she went home?"

It took all his willpower not to pull her close and comfort her. Instead he acted as a friend would and placed a hand on her slight shoulder. "Let us go and find out. If she is nae at yer house, I will ride back out and search for her."

"Thank ye, I do appreciate it." To his surprise, she threw her arms around his waist and hugged him. It wasn't a long hug and certainly not meant to be in any way flirty, but it made Knox feel as if he'd won first place in a competition.

The dog was nowhere to be found and as they neared Sencha's house, Knox noted a dog did not trot out to greet Sencha. She was just as disheartened. "It seems she is nae here."

Just then the door opened and a woman, whom he recognized as Sencha's mother, stepped out. She wore a serviceable, but well-tailored dress, and her hair was styled in a fashion that told she'd had help from a maid. Sencha's family-owned lands were connected to Ross lands. Her family was not as wealthy as Nala's, but they were able to hire farmhands and servants to care for the large house.

"I was worried. Where have ye been?" the woman called out as they neared. "Knox," she acknowledged him.

Sencha let out a shaky breath. "Searching for Blossom. I cannae find her."

Shaking her head, her mother's gaze scanned from Sencha's disheveled hair to her torn skirts. "Lass, ye look a fright. The dog returned a long while ago and is sleeping by the hearth. I was about to send someone out to search for ye."

"Oh," Sencha exclaimed, hands clutched over her chest. "I was so worried." She gave Knox an apologetic look. "Thank ye for helping me."

Her mother eyed Knox, seeming to see through him. "I am grateful she came upon ye. This foolish lass went traipsing in the woods alone. Anything could happen, Sencha," she finished pinning her daughter with a look.

The older woman once again turned her attention to Knox. "Come in for some cold ale before ye continue wherever it is ye were heading."

"I best not," Knox replied, not liking the way the woman watched him. It was as if she knew how strongly he was attracted to her daughter. "I am expected at the keep."

As he rode away, he glanced over his shoulder toward the house and a smile played on his lips. Perhaps he'd finally made headway towards getting to know Sencha. Then, with a bit of patience, he would use all his well-honed skills to seduce the lass.

Seduce. The word didn't give him the thrill of the hunt that it would normally. Something in his gut told him that if he ever accomplished this particular goal, there would be no going back. Sencha was not a one-time woman, but the kind of woman that bespelled a man to remain forever. For whatever reason, the idea of it didn't terrify him.

That changed his decision. Perhaps it was best to use all means possible to stay far away from her.

Lips pressing against his then moving to his jawline sent heat through him. The comfort of the moment was surreal. He didn't want to wake from this wonderful dream. His body was coming to life. Soft hands slid up and down his chest. The plush lips continued to press kisses, making him turn his face toward her.

He became hard as stone. His body demanding more than the feathery touches. More than the light kisses.

When Alexander finally managed to open his eyes, he looked directly at the most beautiful creature he'd ever known. Ringlets surrounded a breathtaking face, half-closed eyes met his as kissable lips curved into a seductive soft smile.

"Nala." His voice was hoarse from sleep, but it conveyed the message because her hand continued a path downward past his stomach, then her thin fingers wrapped around his hardness.

At the touch, all air left his lungs. When her grip caressed from the tip to the base of his shaft, a moan escaped from his lips.

"Take me," he demanded, praying she would. "I need to be in ye."

Nala's agreement sounded like a purr in his ear as she gave him one last kiss before climbing over him and straddling his midsection.

She was perfection. From the tussled dark curls and pert breasts to the slender waist and the flare of her hips above her powerful thighs.

Leaving a trail of fire, her eyes moved from his face to hesitate on his lips before moving past his stomach to his hard sex. "Ye do want me."

To his delight, she lifted up just high enough for him to enter her. Unable to withstand another moment without taking her, Alexander grasped her hips to help her, and himself. He needed to set the pace or else he'd spill immediately.

She shifted so that they were aligned and slowly lowered. Taking him in, inch by inch. All the while, her eyes never leaving his.

Upon taking him fully, both let out a groan of satisfaction and she threw her head back, her already snug sex tightening around him.

Lovemaking with his wife was nothing like it was with any other woman, Alexander had never known the act could be so intimate, so personal, and so satisfying all at once. Each motion with Nala was so much more enjoyable than entire interludes with other women.

Enjoying the view of her, he wanted nothing more than to watch as she lost control. Knowing what she liked, what overwhelmed her, he took each breast in hand and circled the taut peaks with the pads of his thumbs. She instantly reacted, letting out short breathy gasps.

Then to his delight, she leaned over him, the tips of her breast teasing his mouth until he took one in. Sucking first one and then the other hard. Loving the way she quivered around him in response.

"Alexander," she gasped out his name as she began lifting up until only his tip remained inside her. Then lowering and taking him fully. Time and again, she moved slowly. Deliberately. Tantalizing him. Knowing he would be unable to take it for much longer.

Barely able to keep his tenuous control, he pushed his head back onto the bedding, and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her lush curves, her tight sex, and her heated breaths fanning over his face.

"Nala." He breathed more than said her name, unsure what he wanted to say. Though it didn't matter because she chose that time to take his mouth as she began to ride him harder, faster.

She continued taking him, over and over, her body becoming slick from the exertion. He didn't want it to ever stop, but his reaction was becoming fevered, and he had to take over.

Alexander tightened his grip on her hips, taking her fully by lifting his own, thrusting into her heat.

"Ah!" She began to shake as her first release assaulted her, and she pushed into him. Once she relaxed, he swiftly rolled her over and pulled her legs up and over his shoulders.

Nala let out a loud moan as he pushed in fully. Steadily driving deeply into her wet center. Suddenly, all control was lost, both of them thrashing, pushing for the other to find release.

The sound of their bodies colliding filled the room, fueling the fire that was raging inside him. Alexander drove over and over into her willing body, his release so eminent, he could barely breathe.

He came. It was as if his entire body shattered in the most satisfying way. He was aware that Nala was lost in her own wave of passion as she stiffened and then went slack. But he was too consumed by his own to do anything more than allow the waves to wash over him.

Collapsing over her, Alexander couldn't move. Nala's eyes were closed.

He had to move, was too heavy to lay atop her, but his bones felt like water.

"Alexander, I can't breathe," Nala said nudging him.

"Sorry." He managed to lower her legs, before collapsing beside her. Then he pulled her against him. They'd have to sleep for a bit longer before being able to head down to first meal.

Nala snuggled against him, and he kissed her temple. "I love ye with all my being, wife."

"I can scarcely believe I get to wake up to ye every morning. I love ye more than ye can imagine," Nala told him in a sleepy voice.

Her hand reached up to cup his jaw and they looked into each other's eyes. Nothing more needed to be said.