Twenty-Five
James was kissing her growing, rounded belly as they rested in the sun. Katie had a smile on her face as he kissed a path from her belly to the sensitive area below her left ear.
“Are ye nay tired, husband? We’ve made love three times this morn, and ‘tis nay even midday.”
James smiled as he nuzzled her neck. Lips next to her ear, he whispered, “I canna control myself with ye, mo stòr. Ye are so verra beautiful with my bairn in yer belly, I find myself wanting ye the whole day.”
Katie laughed, her fingers moving through his hair. She brought his face to hers and began kissing him as if they hadn’t kissed in years. His hand touched her bare belly, feeling the soft skin protecting their child.
“Ye did good with yer chemise. ‘Twas clever.”
She shrugged. “Growing bigger and bigger so quickly, I didna have a choice. ‘Tis nay a surprise that the babe would be large early on, seeing as how my husband is a giant.”
James’ laugh was deep and rich, causing a rush of warmth to flow through her. There was no better sound to her ears.
Katie had cut the chemise up the front middle of the garment until the slit reached just below her breasts. Underneath, to cover her lower half, she wrapped plaid around her waist, below her belly. Another thin strip of plaid wrapped around her breasts, over the portion of the chemise that remained intact.
“It can accommodate a growing belly, no matter the size.”
James trailed kissed down to her neck, to her collarbone, and to her breasts.
“Yer belly isna the only part of ye growing.”
Katie laughed as he untied the plaid covering her breasts, pushed the chemise up, and began licking them.
“James…”
Her hands flew to his head as she moaned. At the same moment, her stomach growled. Laughing, James looked up from her breasts.
“Someone is hungry…or mayhap ‘tis ye both.”
Smiling at him. “Both, I’m thinking.”
James stood and grinned at Katie. “Then I shall nay have both my treasures hungry.”
Katie made to move but he stayed her. “I will bring ye what remains on the spit, and leave to hunt more.”
A light blush covered her cheeks as she sat up. “I apologize, my heart. I canna believe how much my appetite has grown.”
James kissed her nose. “Doona apologize, mo stòr. This is my purpose- to provide for ye and for my bairn. My family. It taxes me not, but instead, provides me with one of life’s greatest duties and sources of pride.” He ran a hand over her head, his thumb circling on her pink cheek. “I can well believe how yer appetite has increased. Ye are growing a bairn, Love. And ye are a wee little lass.”
Katie laughed, kissing his lips. “Wee, eh? I willna be for long.”
James walked to the spit to get what was remaining of the fish.
“‘Tis good that I can eat rabbit and fish again.”
He nodded. “Why do ye nay finish off this fish, and I will hunt now for rabbit for this evening since it has become yer favorite anew.”
She yawned. “Aye. Sounds lovely, thank ye. I canna have enough of it. The bairn seems to be causing me to want it in excess.” Yawning again, she plopped a piece of fish into her mouth. “Would ye like some?”
He shook his head, his gaze noticing the darkness under her eyes.
“Ye eat yer fill, mo stòr. Then ye should rest. Go rest under our hut. ‘Tis a hot day.”
James helped her up and Katie gathered her food.
“Ye’re leaving now?”
He nodded. “Aye. I have a few traps set that I need to check, but if they’re empty, I will be gone longer to hunt.”
“James, please. I doona wish to tire ye. Fish will be fine.”
Gifting her with a smile, he lifted an arm to show her his muscles. “Lass, does this body look tired to ye? I am an active man and need to remain so. If my wife desires rabbit, rabbit she shall have. I will gladly provide that for her, and aught else she desires.”
He kissed her before settling her in. “Ye need to rest, Love. I will return before ye have an opportunity to miss me.”
She reached her hand up to caress his face. “I always miss ye when ye are nay near. I love ye with my whole heart, James Rhiseart Menzies.”
She placed his hand over her belly, and the baby kicked at that moment, causing the two to smile at one another.
“We love ye.”
“I love ye, my treasures, more than my life.”
They shared another kiss before James gathered his bow, arrows, dagger, and sword. He tapped her dagger while looking at her, and a few other smaller ones that he thought were a good fit for her small hands. He had continued his instructions while they were there, and James had been satisfied at the progress she’d made.
“Aye, husband, I see them.”
With one last kiss, he walked out. The notches had already passed one-hundred. He briefly considered whether he should return with Katie. Something was nagging at him. He trusted in his father’s ability, but surely by now they would’ve discovered who was aiding Kerr and halt that, and overpowered Kerr and his allies. He looked back at Katie. Soon, they’d have to return to either her family’s keep, or take her home to his.
What if she had an issue with the unborn bairn? He was no healer. What if she has what Maddie had experienced during her term? Maddie had suffered from pains months prior to Anne’s arrival.
James’ blood froze in his veins.
What would he do if there was a complication with Katie? Whichever holding he chose to go, it would take days to reach- two for hers, three to four for his. He had not exaggerated the vastness of the Menzies’ lands, or the remoteness of the waterfall.
His gaze returned to Katie, who looked at peace. He would simply need to have faith that she would not have any complications. They would wait a few more weeks, mayhap a meager fortnight, and then return.
James wanted to know what was transpiring that would cause such a lengthy wait for their families to retrieve them. Surely his father would have told Connor where they were.
Questions abounded, and it made James uneasy that he’d settled into passivity here with his bride. How could he not have questioned this sooner? Was the love of a woman so blinding that he hadn’t thought of why they’d not been sought out yet?
Moving to Katie’s face, he knew the truth- aye, the love of a woman could make a man, a warrior, do many things, including forget how and why the days pass while oblivious in the love they shared.
James looked at the notches again, and made to hurry. He did not wish to leave her alone for long.
Katie heard his footsteps fade into a good distance. She was proud of herself for all that she’d learned. She owed her husband a great deal for all that he’d shown her, and all that he’d given back to her.
Her violation had taken much from her-
Her sense of independence.
Her feeling of comfort and safety.
Her feeling that her body was hers alone to command and share.
James had returned all those assurances and confidences back to her and much more. Not only did she have her independence, comfort, safety, and dominion over her body, but she now had gained the ability to defend herself.
Katie closed her eyes, a small smile appearing on her face. She touched her lips where she still felt his kiss. She felt warmth around her shoulders where she felt his arms. She brought her hand to her chest where her heart overflowed with his love.
This man, this wondrous man, had made her happier than she’d ever thought possible, and the love she had for him was greater than she could ever show him by actions and words. She would always endeavor to try, however.
Yawning, Katie settled on her side, one hand to her chest and the other curved over her belly. Her breathing slowed and she fell into an easy sleep.