“Only a few minutes,” she warned. “I have years to make up for.” Now that she finally had him in her bed, she didn’t want to ever leave. “We could make polite conversation.”
His eyes were shut, one arm stacked behind his head, looking quite pleased with himself. “About what?”
She only hesitated for a heartbeat. “About what ye said…right afore…”
His chest expanded as he inhaled. Then he exhaled and inhaled again, the movement bouncing her about as she held her own breath, waiting for his response.
Finally, in a measured tone, he asked, “About being mine? About now and forever?”
Had he forgotten? “Aye.”
He opened his eyes and angled his chin down to capture her gaze. “Are ye having second thoughts?”
She could feel her cheeks flushing. “Nay, I just…wondered…”
“If I meant it?” His stormy gray eyes flashed. “Now and forever, Wynda,” he growled. “Aye, I meant it.”
And she felt herself relax. “I did too.” I love ye.
Mayhap he heard the unspoken words, because one corner of his lips twitched as he settled back again, his big hand resting against her bare arse.
“Good. Dinnae forget it.” His fingers tightened momentarily, as if to remind her: mine. “I’ll have to remind ye periodically.”
“Periodically?” she burst out. “I shall demand daily!”
It wasn’t until his smile burst free that she realized he’d been teasing her.
“And, now I’ve seen yer chambers, Wynda, I can see ye were lying when ye told me ye wanted a simple cottage with plenty of natural light.”
She gasped as she jabbed him. “How could ye—? I would never—!”
Grinning, he lifted his head once more. “Ye dinnae care where ye live, as long as there’s nae damnable ghosts!”
Her expression faded ruefully. “Och, well, ‘tis possible I’ve often dreamed of living in a simple cottage with plenty of natural sunlight and nae hauntings.”
“And I assume any simple cottage would do?”
Suddenly shy, she dropped her cheek to his chest. “Nay, Pherson,” she whispered. “Only yers.”
His and Wren’s. She wanted to be a part of their lives. She wanted to teach Wren to read and cypher, to help the lassie grow strong and walk as true as anyone else. She wanted to be a partner to Pherson, and learn from him.
His fingers tightened against her arse. “Good,” he grunted, sounding satisfied. “Although…yer family? Would ye miss them?”
She shrugged awkwardly. “Da has declared we must all marry. Leanna’s already left, and if Robena gets her hooks into Laird MacBain, she’ll leave as well. Fen will still be at Oliphant Castle, and I dinnae ken about Nichola and Coira.”
When his grip didn’t ease, she lifted her head to meet his gaze once more. “My point is, our world is changing. I’ll miss my sisters if they marry and move away, but…” She shrugged again. “‘Tis the way of the world.”
“And if ye’re living in my cottage, ye’d be able to see yer parents and whatever sister remains daily, eh?”
Living in my cottage.
Now and forever.
It wasn’t the same as Marry me or I love ye, but it was close enough.
She placed a kiss on his chest, wondering if he was up for trying the Clinging Vine yet.
But to her surprise, Pherson shifted, rolling up on his side so he could drop a kiss on her forehead. “And yer brother? I didnae even ken ye had one until yer sister mentioned him.”