With love.
It didn’t matter to him. It didn’t matter what happened. What she did. What the world thought she was.
It didn’t matter.
He was with her.
And he wasn’t going anywhere.
His arms clamped around her body, swallowing her into the mass of him and her arms snaked up, tentative, almost as though if she touched him he would jump away. Disappear.
Her fingers wrapped around his neck, the cords of muscles under his skin twitching under her touch. He didn’t step back, didn’t push her away. If anything, the kiss deepened, his tongue exploring her, tasting her, drinking in the essence of her.
He pulled up slightly, his hand cupping the side of her face. “I let this happen. I should have been there at the ball. I never should have let ye fall onto this path that has taken such joy from your eyes.”
She stared up at him. At the regret palpitating in his dark blue eyes.
His other hand lifted and he set her face between his hands. “It’s Christmas and I need a gift from you.”
“A gift?”
“Yes.” His eyes closed for a long second before his lashes opened, his gaze intent on her. “Give me you. Give me forgiveness for not acting sooner. Give me a chance to love ye like you were meant to be loved. Like I have always loved you.”
His words shook her to her soul, sending every nerve in her body to fire. A smile lifted her mouth as she tightened her hold on his neck. “And what will you give me?”
“Everything. Everything I am and will ever be.”
Her breath stopped in her chest. “I don’t think I can accept that.”
His eyebrows cocked.
“Unless you accept the very same thing from me.”
She pulled herself up to his mouth, kissing him with the very depths of her soul.
He yanked her body hard into his and his hand rolled down her spine, rounding her backside. It sent tangs of desire deep into her gut, craving all his body could do to hers.
Her heels flicked up and she took a step backward, dragging him with her. One step. Two. Her calves touched the side of her bed.
Domnall yanked his head away. “No. We stop this now.”
“What?” The word came breathless from her throat.
He shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.” She went higher on her toes, her fingers digging into the back of his neck. “I’m not the innocent virgin I once was. I—”
“No. I will have no problem taking ye, Karta.” A slow smile spread across his face. “I’m stopping because I’m taking you back to the abbey.”
“Why?”
“One, ye don’t cook and I’m starving. Two, I’m not going to let you out of my sight until springtime. Every time you’re alone in this snow ye manage to get tangled into some mishap.”
She couldn’t argue that.
“Three, and most important—there’s no one here to marry us.”
Her head snapped back. “Marry us?”