Chapter Twenty-Two
“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.”
~Lily Tomlin
Tantalizing smells of food on the grill woke Angel. She stretched languidly. A twitching ache of sore muscles in places she’d not known existed brought a smile to her face. They’d been insatiable, coming together two more times after their midnight disturbance from the wind. A nice hot bath would be the first thing on her agenda when they returned home. The sudden growl of her empty stomach propelled her from the warm cocoon.
Bent over a hot grill, Brian busily flipped pancakes beside sizzling bacon. His broad shoulders and muscled back made her want to scratch along their length. He, no doubt, bore a few reminders of her nails under that flannel shirt and jean jacket.
“Who taught you to make breakfast?”
He scoffed at her. “I’ll have you ken all self-respecting Highlanders are quite capable of, how do you say it, rustling up grub? However, Granny M gave me a few pointers on preparing coffee, flat cakes, and bacon on an outdoor grill. The modern convenience of this mix that only requires a bit of water and pre-ground coffee beans make the preparation verra easy.”
A deep rumble in his throat enhanced his brogue, elongated vowels and rolled r’s. “Does your brogue always thicken and increase in the early morning? I hadn’t noticed it so much on our recent dawn runs.” Even though they hadn’t gone on those runs together for over a week, she surely would have noticed that.
“Och, me bonny lass, ‘tis your lovely self that brings it out.” He chuckled and rose to his full height to wrap her in his arms. “Are you well this morning, my Angel?” He scanned her face, watching, she assumed, for any sign of regret.
“I’m excellent, though a touch sore in places.” She could feel the heat of a flush running up her neck and into her cheeks.
He pulled her against his chest and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Please tell me I wasnae too rough. The strength of our passion overwhelmed me at times. I ken I might have lost control and beg your forgiveness if I caused you pain..
“Not unpleasant in the least, just…new…different. Okay, a wee bit uncomfortable.” Lines of concern creased between his eyes. “It’s nothing a nice hot bath won’t soothe away, and I’m sure it’s perfectly normal considering—” losing her words, she snuggled into his arms.
“What about you?” He was her first lover, but she had no doubt that he’d known other lovers before her. Based on his inability to go even a few hours without reengaging, she believed he’d been well satisfied, but it didn’t hurt to ask.
He seemed about to say something but held back. What was that about? A moment of doubt and confusion made her step back and look at him. He dropped his head, rolled his shoulder. Dammit, he had something to say. His reluctance to broach the topic caused her to step out of his arms.
This could not be happening, not after their amazing night together. Damn his honor and regrets. Her arms crossed over her chest, and she raised her eyebrows. “What?” she snapped.
* * *
Brain pulled her back into his arms and squeezed her tightly, “Hush now, my beautiful Angel, I am the happiest of men. You are a miracle, a dream come to life.” And you are mine, and I’ll never let you go. Those words rolled in his mouth, but he swallowed them back. He wanted to tell her of his plans to speak with Alistair as soon as they returned home. He must. Unfortunately, he suspected she might baulk at the idea. This modern mode of female independence and reluctance to commit after engaging in carnal relations did not sit well with him. They would discuss commitment after he fed their grumbling stomachs.
Angel helped store the food and insisted on a long hike before they returned to the city. The day started out quite cool as a light drizzle settled over the woods not an hour into their climb.
They’d been quiet during most of the hike. When they reached a high peak, the rain grew heavier as the forest thinned out. Angel snuggled against him. “Perhaps we should return to our camp, love. I’ll build up the fire, and we can pull the tent close to the heat with the front opened toward the flames. We’ll slip on dry clothes, warm up, and enjoy a few quiet moments before we return to the city, aye?”
The perky tilt of her head, sparkle in her eye, and a slight lift of her lip suggested her thoughts might follow his to sensual imaginings. It took every ounce of forbearance not to throw her down on the wet, leaf-covered ground and have his wicked way with her.
She chuckled, then took off yelling over her shoulder. “I’ll race you back.”
Everything about her spirited joy enflamed his desires. She was the only thing that kept him grounded, hopeful that they’d share a blissful future in this crazy world. A future he intended to share with her until the end of his days.
They’d been sitting in silence for half an hour watching the rain intensify through the folded back tent flaps. She held his hand, rubbing her thumb in small circles over his rough knuckles. The fire sizzled and sputtered even as he struggled to keep fresh wood on the coals. It was time to broach the subject unsettling his brain.
“Angel, when we return home, I intend to ask your father for permission to court you properly. I ken it’s a bit late, considering last night.” A strangled little noise seemed to hitch in her throat as she tensed and pulled away. He tucked a finger under her chin, turning her face to his. “You ken I must do this. I want to ask for your hand.” A startled look crossed her face.
He sought to put her at ease, not rush her decision, but he wanted a commitment. The thought of her ever being with another man chocked the air right out of his lungs. He wouldn’t conceive of such a thing; he needed to act to secure their future.
“A betrothal. I wish to establish a formal betrothal and pray your father will not deny me. It can last for as long as you wish. After all, I have no means to provide a home of our own yet, but I will. This I vow to you, Angel. Please accept my proposal.”
“You don’t have to propose to me because we’ve slept together.”
The hairs bristled at his neck, causing his words to came out rougher than he intended. “What kind of man do ye think I am? It’s the right and honorable thing to do. I couldnae take your maidenhead and no’ offer to take you to wife.”
“Stop. Stop right there, Brian. Don’t spoil our time with all this honor business. If we are to move forward as a couple, and I hope we will,” she added quickly when he failed to conceal his scowl and clenched jaw. “It should be because we’ve grown to love one another. I’m grateful that you wish to be—dare I say it, honorable. However, we need to take our time. Make sure this is right for both of us. Let’s slow down a bit and see how things progress. Besides, we can’t be sleeping together at the house, you know.”
“Yes, we do need to take our time. But Angel, I already ken you are the woman, the only woman, I’ll ever consider taking as my wife. You can rely on that.” There would be no seeing how things progressed. He intended to have her as his wife. If it took a long betrothal, so be it. Once he had a conversation with Alistair, he was sure things would work out. At least he hoped they would.
Dark thoughts encroached on his euphoria. “You would not take up with another man, not after what we shared last night. Would you?” A sudden wave of nausea swirled in his gut. It seemed quite common for women to engage many lovers before taking a husband, but he’d kill any man who dared touch his woman.
When she lifted her face and beamed a bright smile at him, it was as if sunshine burst through the pouring rain. “No, Brian, I’m afraid I’m a one-man kind of gal. I would not.” She paused; her smile simmered into a wicked grin, “dishonor you in such a fashion.” Then she flopped onto her back laughing so hard she gripped at her sides.