“Good morning, Leannan,” Duncan said, giving her an impish grin. “I made ye breakfast, lass.” He set two large plates of food in front of her, pouring coffee for her from the carafe that had been brought by one of Dunrobin’s serving maids earlier that morning.

She stretched, wincing at the reminder that not all her bruises and injuries had completely healed. While Fiona had healed the worst of their injuries, she knew there would be several follow up sessions in the weeks to come, especially as it related to the baby’s health. “That’s enough food for an army, Duncan,” she said, biting into a piece of toast that had been generously slathered with butter. She wiped the crumbs from her mouth.

“Yer eatin’ fer two, Alainn, and the bairn needs all the fuel he can get if he is goin’ tae grow big and strong,” he said, taking a bite of the toast from her hand. She swatted at him playfully before he sat down in the oversized chair across from her.

She stuffed a sausage into her mouth, savoring the perfectly spiced juices. “Still, we haven’t eaten this well in weeks. What is the occasion?” she asked between mouthfuls. She adjusted the pillows on the back so she was more comfortable.

“Well, if my math is correct,” he said, counting on his fingers, “this is the second time we’ve almost been killed. I felt like that alone was cause for some sort of celebration.”

She laughed.

“I love the sound of your laugh, Alainn. I want nothing more than to spend my life giving you every reason to laugh.”

“I haven’t felt this happy in a very long time,” she replied. “I didn’t think I could feel like this again. It’s been so long...”

He grinned at her. “If it makes ye happy, I can make myself available…” The promise of something more, something unbidden and sultry, sat beneath his statement. She found herself growing wet just thinking about all the delightful ways he could make himself available.

She set the food on the table and climbed out of the bed. She gave Duncan a sultry look as she crossed the room to where he was seated and climbed into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him to her. Her lips found his, her tongue tasting him, exploring him. She groaned, wanting to feel much more of him than just his lips and his tongue. She shifted uncomfortably, feeling the wetness between her legs. How she needed this man. Every fiber of her being called out to him. Her body ached to have him inside her.

“You know I don’t like being told what to do,” she quipped, nuzzling him.

“Aye. I have half a mind tae bend ye over my knee and give yer hide a good tannin’,” he said, but there was a hint of mischief in his voice.

“Maybe that’s why I’m here,” she tossed back. She leaned in close to his ear. “Turns out I may need a good tanning.” Her breath tickled the hairs on his neck and she smiled seductively as she wriggled off his lap and stepped away from him. She undid the laces on her gown, letting the garment slide to the floor.

“Och, Caitriona,” he whispered, opening his arms as she climbed into his lap once again. His mouth found hers as she groaned and parted her lips, enjoying the butterflies that surfaced again and again. His hand slid behind her neck, fisting in her hair and drawing her in even closer. His mouth covered hers, his lips forcing hers apart as his tongue raked across her teeth. His other hand slid down her shoulder and cupped her buttocks, caressing each cheek until she undulated softly beneath him. Where his hands explored, they left an electrical trail that set every nerve in her body on fire, an energy that was so uniquely theirs.

He was the first to break the kiss, his hands cupping her face. She leaned into his hands, not ready for their time together to be over. Plucking at the drawstrings of his pants, her hand gave up their task, cupping his hardness through the material of his pants instead. He groaned and tilted his head back, obviously enjoying the expert ministrations she plied. She slid off his lap and pulled him to his feet, this time easily divesting him of his trues.

Grasping his hardness in her hand, she sank to her knees, eagerly taking him into her mouth. He groaned as she sheathed her teeth and took the length of him, alternating between gliding her mouth up and down his shaft and swirling her tongue along the rim. He inhaled as her fingers trailed against his balls.

“Catie, lass,” he groaned, his voice husky with unspent need. He pulled her to her feet, his hand cupping her breast and teasing the nipple to hardness. She gasped, need filling every part of her body.

“Ye are my world, lass” he whispered against her ear. Scooping her into his arms, he backed her up against the wall, her legs eagerly parting and wrapping around him. He cupped her buttocks and thrust hard, his need matching her own. She moaned, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him deeper into her. She gasped as Duncan increased his pace, sweeping her along in a tidal wave of passion neither could control. Just as she reached her own climax, Duncan cried out, his body shaking as he reached his own climax.

They stayed like that for several minutes, Caitriona listening as his heartbeat returned to normal. Carrying her to the bed, Duncan deposited her in the middle, climbing in next to her. He kissed her sweetly, a soft kiss that held the promise of a lifetime together.

Hours later, the food cold and the sun high overhead, Caitriona nestled against Duncan, her fingers tracing the lines of his chest. He opened his eyes and kissed the top of her head.

“I wish I could stop time,” Caitriona said. “I don’t want this to end. As soon as you leave this room, the war will consume us both.”

Duncan tilted her head so that he was looking in her eyes. “I’d like nothing more than tae stay wrapped in yer arms, lass—and between yer legs—for the next hundred years.” He winked at her and she laughed at him, nestling deeper in his arms. “But ye ken I canna do that. There’s a mad man out there who will stop at nothing tae possess ye.”

She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. She knew where Duncan stood on this matter.

“What’s next?” she murmured against his chest.

“The council has requested an emergency session,” he said, frustration lacing his voice.

“What do they want?” Caitriona asked, already knowing the answer. But she needed Duncan to say it out loud.

“Yer value tae them has increased, Caitriona. And the powers yer sister has displayed are far greater than anyone had assumed. They want tae ensure ye and yer sister are well guarded and protected at all times.”

“Bullshit,” she said, pushing herself up on her elbows so that she could look at him. “That’s just political rhetoric and you know it. What aren’t you telling me?” she asked again. She didn’t like where this conversation was headed.

“Dinna fash, lass. Additional security details right now canna hurt.”

“I’m not disputing that, Duncan. Can’t you just assign more of your men to watch over Dani and me?”

“Aye,” he told her, but the conviction wasn’t in his voice. “Dinna fash yerself,” he told her again. “I will handle the council.” He pulled her back to him, his lips capturing hers, ensuring there’d be no further protests.