Kilted Sin (Brethren of Stone 3)

She kissed him as her answer. In that moment she wanted a future with him more than anything, to let go of what had happened, the past hurts and the mistakes. “I’ll give you everything I can.” She wondered if that would ever be enough.

He quickened the pace until they were both panting with desire, their bodies moving together.

Their lovemaking had lost its slow pace, speeding up to needy urgency, but still Gemma thought it might have been the most beautiful thing she’d ever experienced. As Will growled out his climax, she fell over the edge again, crying out as she dug her nails into his back.

He collapsed on top of her, their bodies pressed together as they kissed over and over. When he slid to the side, he pulled her with him, fitting her against his body. Her eyes drifted closed.

“Don’t fall asleep yet,” he whispered. “I need to discuss a few things with ye.”

Her eyes popped back open, some tension filling her limp muscles. “What?”

“I’m going to see that couple tomorrow,” he said. “I could just write them but, if they seem genuine, I thought I could write them a reference for the orphanage. Give other children a good home. They don’t live far from here and I think their croft is on my brother’s land. I could visit Blair.”

Gemma relaxed her muscles again, sinking into the mattress. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting but somehow she’d worried that he might insist she give up the croft to Mary or that he might say he was going to send the children away after all. Why couldn’t she just trust him? But she knew. Trust hadn’t worked for her in the past. “That’s a fine idea.”

“Do ye want to stay here with the children or would you like to meet Blair and Elle?”

“Come with ye?” She lifted her

head, then rested it on her hand. “Meet yer family?” she touched his cheek with her other one. “I’d love to.”

At every turn, she braced herself for rejection and every time, Will surprised her with his kindness and consideration. It was time to learn to put her faith in someone other than herself.

Chapter Eleven

Will stared down at Gemma as she slept. He’d asked Gemma to put her future in his hands. Should she? Was he a man she could really trust?

He brushed a silky tendril of air from her face. He wanted to be. He was trying. The question was, would he succeed or fail? What if the crofts made no money, the crop died and he couldn’t support them? What would he do then? He’d taken on these children and Gemma when he wasn’t even certain he could support himself.

He’d have to work harder to make a success of it. There was no other way.

He finally drifted off to sleep but it was restless and he woke often. Gemma looked so peaceful in sleep next to him that it helped him to fall back to sleep, but it also increased his worry. She had put her faith in him.

When the morning sun finally came up, Will rose and began preparing for the day. Gemma stirred. “Up already?” she asked.

“Aye.” He crossed the room to kiss her forehead. “I’m eager to start the day.”

She gave him a sleepy smile. “All right then.” She pulled back the covers to swing her legs over the side of the bed.

He tightened at the sight of her bare body. “Or we could go back to bed for a bit.”

She let out a little breathless giggle as she lay back down but left the covers off her body. “Come here.” She pulled him closer even as she said the words.

Their lovemaking was needy and quick. By the time they were done, Will wasn’t certain he ever wanted to leave the bed but stirring from the nursery pulled them both from the cocoon where they nestled together.

After dressing, Will headed into the connecting room to start getting Fiona and Ewan ready. “Good morning,” he called, wrapping them both in a hug. “Who wants to take an adventure today?”

Ewan babbled in response but Fiona pulled away, her eyes narrowing. “What sort of adventure?” she asked. “Where are we going? Are you leaving us there?” She tightened her little hand on his arm.

He pulled her closer again. “We’re going to see a couple, but I am not leaving you there. Then, we’re going to see my brother and his wife.” He kissed Fiona’s forehead. “Now let’s get dressed. We’re going to wear our sturdiest clothes for the journey.”

Fiona gave a small nod, but she didn’t smile and her gaze was still narrowed, as though she were giving everything a great deal of thought.

They left within the hour, the sun still low in the sky. As he snapped the reins for the two horses that pulled their wagon, he looked back. Gemma held a child on either side.

He loved them. He knew that. He loved all three of them. No wonder he was so worried. He didn’t want to lose any of them, especially not Gemma.

Gemma began to sing and Fiona joined her, their voices filling the morning quiet.