Colin eased himself partway out of her channel and then pressed forward again. She lifted herself against him, silently demanding that he move more quickly. He complied. He thought he had remembered what it was like to be with Makenna, but he had been wrong. The sensations moving through him were so intense, it was impossible to breathe.
He tried to slow down. She looked so small, and he didn’t want to hurt her, but his desire had become painful, a torture Colin could no longer deny release. Again and again he plunged back into her with long, sure movements. Each time she stretched and then closed around him.
The world had disappeared and all that remained was Makenna. He heard her cry out and then felt her small convulsions as she surrendered to the wonder of their lovemaking. Colin clung to Makenna as he erupted inside her, barely aware that the exultant shout echoing in the room was his own.
For long moments, Colin didn’t think he would ever be able to move again. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to. He felt magnificent, all-conquering, and all-powerful. More so than he ever felt on the battlefield. He longed to tell her so, to tell her how much she meant to him, but his throat was so constricted with emotion, it disabled him from saying anything.
Makenna lay in Colin’s arms, truly happy for the first time since he had left her side. His head was upon her chest, his breath ragged. She reached up and stroked his hair lovingly.
There was no denying that the man had invaded her soul. Never would she want another.
Makenna had always wanted to fall in love, but never had she dreamed it would be with Colin. She had thought his love for her sister would protect her from such a foolish, vulnerable feeling. When he had left two weeks ago, she stayed up each night waiting for him, wishing for his return. She had talked herself into believing that it was their lovemaking, not Colin, she missed.
How wrong she had been. Every time they had joined, she had given a piece of herself to him. Tonight, she had given him her heart, completely, wholly, and without doubts.
Now she understood. Love was forever. It would not disappear with the body. Not when it consumed the soul. While Colin would always love her sister, she would always love him.
Colin rolled to his side and pulled Makenna’s backside against him. He kissed her hair. “What are you thinking?”
She squeezed her eyes shut and lied, “I was just wishing my clan would open themselves up and learn how wonderful you are.”
“Right now I only care what you believe. Now hush, and go to sleep, for I doubt I will last the night before needing you again,” he whispered into her hair.
Makenna nestled closer to him. His voice resonated contentment. He was happy, and it was because of her, not her sister. Her love would be enough for the both of them. She would make it be enough.
Chapter Ten
Makenna inhaled the fresh morning air as she walked across the courtyard to the Black Tower. The air was fresh and clear. It felt warm, but the color of the grass was starting to change, as well as the leaves on the village trees. Fall was on the wind and winter would soon follow.
Colin left early that morning with Dunlop, but only after he had brought them both to satisfaction yet again. Makenna smiled to herself remembering his good-bye kiss. It had taken some time and only ended with Dunlop asking if there was something wrong.
A door opened from the Black Tower, and Gannon emerged. Makenna waved to him to get his attention. He met her halfway and arched his brows knowingly. “I see your husband found you last night.”
“And why would you think that, Gannon?” Makenna countered with just a hint of challenge.
Gannon gestured for her to turn and walk with him toward Canmore Tower. “Because if he had not, I have no doubt that your husband would have returned to my quarters and not in the good mood I had first encountered him in.”
Everyone knew Colin was especially foul upon returning from a trip. Maybe he really had been pleased with her efforts. “He was in a good mood, wasn’t he?” Makenna asked merrily.
Gannon nodded. “Oh, aye. Quite unexpected, his reaction was.” Gannon had been even more surprised at his own reaction to last night’s events. He had been the Lochlen steward for over two decades and loyal to the Dunstans his whole life. Having a Highlander as his laird seemed so wrong, especially with the overly indulged Lady Makenna as his wife. But life had been taking unexpected turns the past few weeks and with each new corner, his confidence in Alexander’s decision grew.
Makenna patted the wrinkled skin of the old man and beamed him a grin. “I told you moving Colin into the solar was a smart decision. It demonstrated allegiance.”
“If you say so, milady.”
“I do.”
“Well, as your steward, I have an announcement for you. As of this morning, you now have a chambermaid. She will tend to your room, see it cleaned every morning, and ensure that there is fresh water in the decanter. Vanora is too young to be sleeping outside your chambers. Consequently, she cannot tend to you as a lady’s maid, but—”
Relieved that Colin and she would still be alone at night, Makenna hugged his wide body and kissed his cheek. Gannon blushed profusely. “I, uh, I sent Vanora to the solar. You must have just missed her.”
Makenna knew she had embarrassed the hardened steward but didn’t care. “Shall we go meet her, then?”
“Aye, but you go alone. I have work that must be tended to.”
“Should I come as well? I can meet with Vanora and then join you in the Pinnacle Tower, or will you be in the kitchens?”
Gannon waved his hand. “No, no. Meet with Vanora, but then take the day off.” He raised a finger and gave her a direct look. “Now, milady, I believe you encouraged…no, forced is the better word…everyone—including myself, the cook, and the baker—to take most of the day off yesterday.”
“If this is about the soldiers again, Gannon, I told you, if they can fend for themselves while at the training camps or when they travel, they can fend for themselves one or two days a month to allow those who support this keep a well-deserved break. I warn you now that I will order such rest again. Aye, I know winter is coming, but if we do not take time to enjoy life every once in a while, then—”
“Milady!” Gannon shouted. “You have convinced me!”
Makenna’s brows furrowed. “Then what is your argument?”
“You! I discovered you did not partake in the same break. Doreen told me this morning that she caught you trying to weave something.”
“You shouldn’t believe everything Doreen says, Gannon.”
“I don’t, but I know it was true.”
“They were blankets. And no, they were not pretty, but they will keep someone warm…or warmer.”
“I am sure they will. But it is your turn for a respite, milady. And don’t bother arguing with me. I’ve known you since you were a wee thing, and you cannot intimidate me as you do so many others. Tomorrow you may run this castle as you are so quickly becoming accustomed to doing, but not today. And if I find you sneaking into the keep and lifting a finger to do anything that does not bring you pleasure, then I shall tell the laird in detail exactly how you have been acting as auxiliary staff to keep this place running. I am beginning to wonder if I should tell him anyway.”
Makenna halted and grabbed the steward’s arm. “No, Gannon. Colin does not need to be burdened with my trials. He just needs to know that his keep is not falling apart while he focuses on the security of his people. He does not need to know how, just that it is.”
“Well, I’m not eager to receive the scolding he would give me for letting you work the way you do.”