Page 50 of Bound to a Warrior
They lingered over the food and drink and Duncan wondered if it was due to hunger or apprehension over bathing naked together. It wasn’t as though they had not been naked in front of each other before, yet this time seemed different. And he knew why.
He wanted her and not simply for the sake of satisfying his lust. No, it was more than satisfying a need. It was satisfying that wrench in his gut, or that stab to his heart. He wanted to make her his. Put his mark on her. Claim his territory.
However it was, he wanted her to belong to him and him alone.
Did he love her?
He almost laughed aloud.
What else would make him feel so strange and yet make it all seem so right?
“Have you second thoughts about this?” Mercy asked.
“No,” he said, resting his hands at her waist and squeezing lightly. “Not at all. I look forward to it.”
He saw the flash of apprehension in her brief smile. And wanting to ease her concern he scooped up the knife and held the handle out to her.
“Divest me first of these filthy garments, and then I shall do the same for you.”
Her worries seemed to melt if only a little, but it was a start.
“Wait,” he said and tugged his boots off, tossing them aside. Then he tugged at his plaid until it fell to settle around his feet. “I’m ready.”
He had to smile, for her hand did not tremble, nor did she hesitate. Courage did not fail her as she sliced at his shirt until it finally joined his plaid. He shoved both aside with his bare foot. Then he reached out to take the knife from her.
“Your turn.”
She nodded slowly and bracing her hand to his shoulder, she rid herself of her boots.
He liked that she didn’t hesitate to lean on him. It told him that she was comfortable in relying on him and he liked that.
She dropped her skirt to the ground and announced, “I’m ready.”
He made quick work of slicing off her blouse. It dropped to her feet in seconds, her glance following its descent. When she didn’t raise her head he lifted her chin with one finger.
“You have nothing to fear from me,” he said.
“I know,” she whispered.
“Then what’s wrong?”
She placed her hand to his chest.
Her innocent and gentle touch had him struggling to keep control of his passion. This was not going to be easy. He could feel desire pulsating through him like hot fire and any moment now his member would flame to life and let himself be known.
She hesitated, and he could see she struggled to speak.
He encouraged her. “You can tell me, Mercy. You can tell me anything.”
“But what of the consequences?”
He ran the pad of his thumb over her soft, rosy lips. “There are no consequences for us, only solutions.”
“Oh, if that were only true,” she said with a sigh.
“Tell me what worries you and I will provide the solution.”
“You are so sure,” she said.
