So enraptured was he, that he hadn’t blinked in some time, nor did he want to close his eyes for even a fraction of a moment. “On the morrow.”
Helen’s gaze shot to the bedchamber, then her exquisite pink tongue slipped out and moistened her bottom lip. “Eoin, I—”
He couldn’t allow her to say it. Standing, he strolled around the table and grasped her hand. “Come here.”
A wee gasp caught in her throat as she dipped her gaze to their hands, her dainty palm cradled in his. Watching, Eoin didn’t hurry her. She raised her chin and met his gaze—those sky blue eyes turning the shade of midnight. Hot, raw desire thrummed through his manhood.
With a slight tug, he pulled her into his arms. Brushing a lock of hair from her face his chest swelled. “I want to gaze upon your beauty.”
Without a word she smiled and slowly slid her hands around his waist until their bodies touched.
Damnation, she molded to him like she’d always been meant to be in his arms. He was so damned hard. He’d been hard since she’d opened the door to the cottage. There were no words to express the intensity of the love bursting from his chest. He wanted so much to protect her—to cherish her—to show her just how deeply a woman could be loved.
Her eyes watched him with a combination of fear and trust.
Eoin dipped his gaze to her lips—still moist. Searing need swirled in his groin. Heaven help him, but he wanted her. He’d wanted her every day of his life. Though he’d searched, he hadn’t found another woman who could reach his soul like Helen Campbell, and now he held the object of his passion in his arms. Before she could utter another word, he claimed her mouth. Since the day he’d kissed her in the shed, he’d relived that glorious moment over and over. Greedy for more, he slipped his tongue between her lips forcing himself to be gentle, reverent.
As they joined, Helen sighed into his mouth—her response not pensive as it had been before. She yielded to him, slipping her arms up his back and pulling him closer. Her mouth was silky, hot and wet. Eoin pressed the length of his body against her, but it wasn’t enough. He skimmed his hands down to her buttocks and tugged her hips flush against his all-demanding, mind-consuming erection.
Helen shuddered and softened her kiss until she pulled her lips away. Eoin leaned toward her, desperate for more.
“We mustn’t,” she said, her trembling voice barely audible.
He brushed the back of his finger along her cheek. She was as radiant as Aphrodite. “You have already left him.”
Her inhale stuttered. “But I have not yet been granted an annulment.”
“Will a slip of parchment make you want me all-the-more?” How could he allay her fears? Her kisses declared her love—if only she would give in to her desire.
Helen took in a deep breath. “I’m so afraid. Aleck could kill us both.”
Eoin’s jaw tensed. “That man can never touch us. I will protect you with my life. Never again will I allow him to harm you or Miss Maggie.”
“Dear Lord.” She pressed praying fingers to her lips. “I hate that I have brought you into this mess.”
“I would not have you suffer this alone.” He drew his eyebrows together. “I am here because there is no place I’d rather be. At Mingary, I made a vow that I would be your guardian knight and I will stand by that promise until I draw my last breath.”
“Your kindness exceeds all expectations.” She pressed her palm over his heart. “But I cannot rely upon you to push aside your life and hide as I am.”
“Problems have a way of finding resolve.” Eoin brushed a wisp of hair away from her face. “I ken you care for me.”
“Och,” she groaned, resuming her grip around his waist and resting her head on his chest. “I love you more than life itself. I’ve always loved you.”
“Ah, mo leannan.” He kissed her forehead. “My love for you runs deeper than the sea.”
“I cannot tell you how much your words make my heart soar. But we cannot risk being caught. Aleck would see me hanged.”
Eoin bristled at the mention of that bastard’s name. “No, lass. I will never allow him to harm you again. He has treated you with more disdain than any woman could be expected to tolerate from her spouse. Moreover, no one, save Gyllis and Mr. Keith, kens where we are.”
She raised her chin and met his gaze. “And your men suspect nothing?”
“I saw no need to tell them of your misfortune. For all they know, I’ve ridden to Kilchurn. Unless Mr. Keith says something.”
Helen shook her head. “The noble guard spirited me away. I trust him almost as much as I trust my sister.”
“True, he is indeed an ardently loyal servant.”
Helen rested against him. “I’ve grown so tired of living in fear.”
Eoin smoothed his hand over Helen’s hair and cradled her head to his heart. “I ken, my love. You are such a giving person, you deserve to be happy. You deserve to know what it’s like to be treasured.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and closed his eyes. “I love you, Helen. I meant what I said. I have always loved you. I want to be the man to protect you, to stand beside you throughout this lifetime, to be a father for Maggie and for children to come.”
“Mm. Your words are like a minstrel’s ballad. You have no idea how long I’ve yenned to hear it.” She took his hand and kissed his palm. “But what if—”
“There is no what if. There is only us.” Eoin scooped her into his arms and started for the bedchamber.
Helen pointed behind them. “But Maggie.”
“She’s sleeping.” He covered her mouth with a swirling kiss, drawing away all her doubt. She looped her arms around his neck and gave in to their passion as he crossed the threshold.
Gently, Eoin set her on the bed. Faint light from the candles in the main chamber cast flickering ochre shadows through the room. “How many years have passed since we first met?” he asked.
“Since you arrived at Kilchurn for your fostering?”
“Aye.”
She pulled the laces on his shirt, but like a timid maid, Helen released her grasp before she fully untied it. “I’d say it has been just shy of a score of years.”
“Then that is how long I’ve loved you.”
She chuckled. “Surely not when I was a child?”
“Even then.” He leaned in and nuzzled her ear. “I remember watching you when I first arrived. Your skin was flawless, your eyes blue as the sky above, and your hair reminded me of gilded thread used only to stitch royal garments.”
She twirled his shirt lace around her finger. “You thought all that at the age of four and ten?”
“I did.” Leaning in, he trailed kisses down her neck. “I’ve always wanted you for my own, Lady Helen.”
She shuddered right down to her toes. Aleck had never made her tremor with want, had never made the gooseflesh rise across her arms. But the deep rumble of Eoin’s voice caused her insides to swarm with flutters of desire. Her body came alive with need, but yet she still feared so many things.
Eoin tugged the lace of her kirtle. Helen gasped and slid away from him. He reached out for her hands and pulled her back. “You’ve nothing to fear from me. I promise.”