Page 35 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

He meant it. Pregnancy suited her. Apart from her tiredness and her need to sleep so much more, she was the same loving woman. She kept him involved with the pregnancy and liked him to see the changes to her body. This openness connected them at a deeper level. She had never tired of sex either and that had surprised him.

It was almost as if she had read his mind as she leaned against him provocatively, sitting with her legs over his. “I can’t let you go off with some young scullery maid, can I?”

She’d smiled at him expectantly and he was happy to oblige. It took him only seconds to let desire wash over him. He almost groaned aloud at the thought of what was to come. He lifted her and prepared to enter her willing body. She was ready for him and as he sank into her depths, he sighed in pure pleasure. No movement was needed. It was enough right now to just be inside her. Her muscles rippled across his length as if playing a tune and he loved the rhythm. They were so connected. These were tender lovemaking sessions. He didn’t want to hurt the baby or her. But like this, he felt that they were a part of each other. He wasn’t excluded but they were one. He took one nipple in his mouth and licked it gently. It was all she needed before wave after wave of pure excitement built up like a crescendo and then the contractions around him teased him to his own climax.

“When our baby is born, I want to start thinking about having more children.” He murmured against the softness of her skin. “Are you willing?”

“More than willing,” she murmured back, still in the moment. “I have never felt so happy as being pregnant. It is such a miracle.”

“Two more then.”

She smiled at him, her eyes shining.

“Three more,” he corrected, then shook his head. “What am I thinking? You are still young. Five more babies before I let you rest.” He laughed loudly.

“Only five? I was thinking there would be more!” She laughed.

Groaning at the thought of leaving his loving arms, she moved away from him to fetch her clothes, struggling to pull the dresses over her expanding body. He watched as she dressed, feeling a sense of pride at how beautiful she was. He’d seen the way everyone looked at her. She was stunning and now, since the pregnancy was becoming so obvious, he knew that every male envied him. He silently thanked his father for arranging the marriage. What would he have done if he had never met her? Been in some loveless strained relationship, never knowing the joy that true love brought. He wished his father could see how happy they were.

“What are we going to do about your mother?” Heather queried. “Now that she knows about the baby, she is starting to seek me out more.”

“Is she? Are you worried?” he asked, remembering his own disturbed dreams.

“A little,” Heather admitted. “Part of me thinks that it will give her a new lease on life. The other part of me thinks that I never want her near us. I can’t forgive her for her treatment towards you or how she behaved with Connor. It was sickening.”

“Agreed,” Hiram said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “We could wait until after the baby’s born so that she has some time with the baby but then send her to her sister’s in England with the excuse that we need time alone as a new family.”

“That’s a possibility.” Heathers face brightened. “Do you think she will like that?”

“We can but hope. I have also got to sort out something for my sister.”

“What if we sent your mother away before the baby was born with a vague understanding that she would come back afterwards, but, maybe we don’t really go into detail about it?”

Hiram smiled. “Yes, go and see her sister in England now while she can but sort of leave it as a permanent arrangement. I like it. Better that she spends no time with the baby, as she might not leave willingly. I will arrange it first thing.”

As Hiram made his way down the staircase, he felt a sense of relief. He could tolerate her presence here while she had been reclusive but now that she was pestering Heather, he was reluctant for her to stay. Hiram didn’t trust her one little bit. When it came to children, who knew what she might do?

20

“It has been so peaceful without her,” Maggie admitted to Heather.

“I know, I hate to say it as she is your mother, but she brought a dark feeling to the castle.”

“Hiram seems happier too,” Maggie remarked as he served them both drinks. “You have him trained well I see.” She laughed.

“It is one of the perks of being pregnant. That and looking like a whale washed up on the coastline.” Heather looked at her expanding abdomen. “Soon, I will not be able to walk.”

“You are still very slim though. From behind you look the same. You are carrying all at the front. I think you are having a boy. It is my prediction.” Maggie reached out to touch Heather’s stomach. “May I?”

Heather nodded. “Boy or girl, there is a lot of activity going on in there.” As if on cue, Maggie squealed with delight as the baby kicked and Heather flinched. “See what I mean?”

“Aye, it is so exciting. I cannot wait to experience it for myself but that is not likely to happen.”

“Is there no one that you like Maggie?” Heather queried.

Maggie blushed bright red to the tips of her light ginger roots.

Heather gasped. ”So there is! Does Hiram know?”