Eleven
Katie smiled as she relaxed the hand that was poised over her sword. She heard light movement nearby. While it was subtle and would force one to believe it was just an animal, she knew it was him.
Her Sweet James.
She was now able to discern different sounds such as that of small animals, larger animals, and clansmen.
She stood waiting for him, arms crossed. Once he appeared, he grinned at her.
“Certain of yer abilities, eh lass?”
She nodded, smiling. “I’ve been taught well.”
He opened his arms and she ran into them.
“I missed ye.”
He kissed her head. “Nay as much as I missed ye.”
She looked up at the towering, complicated man before her. Her eyes rested on his lips as he grinned, then moved to his dimples as they appeared. She raised her hand to his cheek.
“I doona like parting from ye.”
He moved his cheek against her hand. “Then we are of similar minds, lass, for I doona wish to leave yer side.”
“Stay?”
He shook his head. “I canna.”
“Stand behind me.”
James had a curious look to him. “Why lass?”
She looked at him sternly, and he raised his hands in playful submission, moving backwards. Katie stood in front of him, her back facing him, and raised her arms on the side of her, level with her shoulders.
And she fell backwards.
James swooped and caught her, arms wrapping around her middle.
“Are ye mad, lass?”
His whisper sent shivers through her. His mouth touched her ear subtly, and she found that she didn’t mind.
Not even a little.
“I knew ye’d catch me.”
Was her voice breathless?
“What if I hadna seen ye or reached for ye in time?”
Her whisper was quiet just as the birds around her stilled.
“I trust ye.”
He dipped his head further down. He lips touched her ears a bit more, causing a shiver to course through her.
“Thank ye, lass.”
She moved backwards, closer to him. “For what?”
“For believing me without pause. For trusting me.”
Her lips pulled at one side and a glimmer entered into her eyes.
“Why would I not? How could I not? Ye’ve been so wonderful to me, my Sweet James.”
His laugh was deep, and it vibrated within his chest. He gently turned her around, his eyes focusing first on her expanding lips and then to her twinkling eyes.
“Ye know, lass, that anymanwho would dare speak to me thusly, would face my sword.”
She rubbed his cheek again. “I consider myself most fortunate then.”
He grew serious. “I am the fortunate one, lass. That ye trust in me and my word. It is one of the greatest gifts ye could ever bestow upon me.”
“May I give ye another gift?”
He nodded, and she stood on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his.
His arms slowly wound around her as their kiss deepened. His hand traveled upwards and sunk into her glorious hair. After a few more moments, he pulled back and rested his forehead on hers.
“My beautiful stòr.”
Her eyes were watery when she spoke her next words. “I no longer hesitate.”
His smile was gentle. “Aye. And as we move forward, ye will soon feel freedom again and nay be shy about contact.”
She shook her head. “Only with ye, James.”
He kissed her forehead and spread his plaid on the ground. She relaxed upon it while he settled beside her. Katie turned then, and neared him, cuddling to his side. James wrapped his arm around her.
Sighing, she said, “Clear night. The stars are lovely and bright.”
His eyes opened to stare above him. Just having her near and next to him soothed his soul.
His worry ebbed some. He’d been sensing his father keeping something from him. Katie made those thoughts recede.
“Aye. They are.”
“Will ye leave soon?”
He nodded. “We must. After we see the bairn and Maddie, we will leave.”
“For how long?”
He slowly shook his head and kissed the top of hers.
“I’m nay sure, lass.”
“Will Kerr succeed in enforcing the pact?”
James moved fast and before Katie knew it, she was on her back with him looming above. Only his torso hovered above, his lower body remaining on the ground next to her.
She gasped.
“Never.”
The passionate way he said that word and the hard glint in his eyes made her breath hard to catch.
One hand touched the side of her face.
“It is just ye and I, Katie. If ye’ll have me.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “I want ye and nay other.”
Her eyes studied his. “But what if he makes trouble for ye and the clan.”
“I’m a simple man, Katie. I’ve never wanted much except shelter above my head, food in my belly, and a clan to call home. Since having met ye, ye caused a fourth desire to be born in my heart. I want to share my life with ye, and have bairns of our own. No one will take ye away from me. No one.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat, moved in many directions by his words. She chose her greatest concern and fear to address first.
“James, it may be all for naught. What if I canna beget a bairn with ye. We can share a kiss but I doona know how I will be able to…lay with ye.”
She wasn’t looking at him any longer.
“I’d hate to disappoint ye after ye sacrificed much for me.”
He gently turned her head towards him. He kissed her tenderly and spoke softly.
“We doona know what will occur until the moment comes upon us. The when and if of that, is entirely up to ye, lass. It is yer decision. I will take ye however I can have ye in my life. Ye are worth any sacrifice or hardship that may come.”
Her breath was tremulous. Delicate tears rolled down her cheeks. She brought her hands up, framing his face.
“I love ye, James.”
He inhaled sharply, his eyes transfixed on the green peeking through the honey of her eyes.
“I love ye, mo stòr. Deeply. In my heart. In my soul. I’ll love ye for the remainder of my life.”
She rose upwards, wrapped her arms around his wide shoulders, and kissed him. Although James wanted to devour her mouth, make love to her with his, his kiss with her was painfully slow.
Placing Katie above his lust was difficult. While he wanted to give her time to familiarize herself with him, he was not immune to her.
She was bewitching.
She was glorious.
Everything about this woman screamed to him as a man.
Katie was a beautiful woman, in appearance and in heart, and he wanted every part of her.
And he would only take that which she’d willingly give him.
Because he loved her.
Love.
Deeply and so purely, it surprised him.
James felt her shift and moved backwards. He’d cut his fighting arm off before he’d hurt her.
“Was that a bit much for ye, lass?”
She smiled and shook her head. “Nay. I believe that I am becoming accustomed to our touching and kissing.”
His smile was disarming. “That is good, lass. Our pace is solely yer decision and at yer discretion.”
She studied his face. “Thank ye, Sweet James.”
She laughed when he growled into her neck.
They returned to the keep and Douglas and James rose to meet their new granddaughter and niece.
Anne.
Katie had given them a private moment with the baby and Maddie, but not before she’d seen the glimmer of tears in Laird Menzies’ eyes.
What a shame he’d been separated from Anne, Maddie’s mother, and never knew about Maddie until a short while ago. While kidnapping Maddie’s mother for ransom had not been a noble thing to do, he’d more than suffered the consequences of his bad action when he had to live the remainder of his life without her.
But at least he had Maddie. And now he had baby Anne.
Before James and his father left, he’d shared a few private words with her.
They’d agreed to meet every fifth day at their loch. He didn’t want her to be alone there waiting for him without guard when it wasn’t certain when he’d be able to travel to see her.
They’d shared a soft kiss and James had rested his forehead on hers, something she’d grown to love. Staring into her eyes, he’d told her he loved her. Katie returned the words and he smiled at as he left.
When he was nearly out of view, he turned his horse towards her and placed two fingers over his heart. Katie mirrored his actions and kissed her two fingers.
When Katie could no longer make him and his father out in the distance, she returned to her room. The thought of not seeing him for several days made her heart hurt.
And there she had her answer.
She loved James with her entire being.
And she’d give anything to never be separated from him again.