Page 26 of It Began With A Kiss
“Do I?” she asked, playing with the edges of his red hair.
“Aye,” he managed to say, “but only if you are willing to offer this humble knight such a magnificent reward.”
He knew all the right words to tug at her heartstrings. She gave him what she hoped was a seductive smile. No further words were necessary between them. She gently put pressure on the back of his neck, so he had little choice other than to bend forward. His lips were so close to her own and still he waited for she knew not what. And then it dawned on her. Her kiss must be freely given. Her tongue flicked out to wet her lower lip and she swore she heard the man before her give a soft groan.
“Aiden…” His name came out as if from the depths of her very soul to reach out to the other half of herself that had been missing. She had waited an entire lifetime to find the man of her dreams. Now he stood within her arms, and she never wished to let him go again.
“Tell me what you desire, sweet Iona,” he said. It touched her soul that he was willing to let her take control of whatever may follow between them. Not only was she more than ready to take these next steps with him, but his endearments touched her heart in a way Ewan’s never did.
“Ye wish tae know what I desire?” she asked, whilst her fingers began to caress the edge of his leather jerkin.
“Aye… desperately,” he replied, gulping whilst watching her every move.
She gave him a smile that hopefully bespoke all the emotions that were currently rushing through her body. “Perchance, we can begin with a kiss…”
His eyes seemingly gleamed in excitement as she repeated the words that were once his own. ’Twas apparently the only prompting he needed, and still Iona was unprepared when his head swooped downed to claim her lips in a kiss that rattled her core. His hands moved, and suddenly she was plastered against the rock-hard muscled frame that had tempted her since she met him. He was everything she had ever wanted in the man who would hopefully someday profess his love for her.Love… aye… the emotion that had evaded her for her entire life had finally found its way into her heart, brought there by the man who took possession of her mouth… her mind… and hopefully her body.
They moved as one, never losing their lips connection and yet Iona felt as though she was soaring through the air. Aiden’s kiss was akin to magic and left her spellbound to this knight who had claimed her heart. He deepened their kiss and a moan of desire left her. She would give all to this man if he would but voice aloud his feelings for her. Aye… she was falling in love with him. Nevertheless, a part of her was afraid he did not feel the same. Would she regret their coupling if he made no promise to spend the rest of their lives together? Mayhap. She did not wish him to think her a loose woman who gave herself freely to any man of her choosing. Her doubts multiplied and drowned what she knew within her heart.
Aiden must have felt the uncertainty wreaking havoc with her mind for he halted the exquisite exploration of her mouth to stare down upon her with a frown. “Is aught amiss, Iona?” he asked, holding her at arm’s length.
She lowered her head but hiding from him was not an option. He took hold of her chin and lifted her face to meet those incredible violet eyes. “N-nay… n-nothing is the matter, Aiden,” she stammered.
He continued to watch her carefully. “Those luscious lips of yours are telling me a falsehood.”
“Ye canna be certain of such a fact,” she insisted whilst attempting to pull out of his arms. But he held her tightly and, honestly, she in truth did not wish to leave the security he offered.
“Aye, I can. You do not think I know you well enough to be able to tell when something is amiss?” he asked, but continued before she could answer. “One moment I had a willing woman in my arms and the next I was certain your ardor quickly cooled. What have I done wrong?”
Her shoulders sagged in her indecision about being honest with him. Would he laugh at her? There was only one way to be certain and that was to confess all. She took a deep breath and stared straight into those eyes that would most likely be her undoing.
“I will speak my concerns if only tae clear any uncertainties between us,” she started, stepping back from him so she could assess his features in case he attempted to lie to her. The corners of his mouth lifted in a slight smile of encouragement.
“By all means… pray tell what concerns do you have, dearest Iona?” he inquired.
“’Tis only that I do not know yer intentions where ye and I are concerned. Am I only one woman among many who shall stir yer passion or am I someone ye wish to take to wife?” She shuffled her feet in the dirt, holding her breath whilst waiting for his reply.
His brow rose before he once again stepped closer to her. He ran a finger down her cheek and placed a quick kiss upon her lips. “My sweet Iona,” he murmured, bringing her into his embrace and whispering in her ear. “I thought I had been showing you how much you have meant to me.”
His hand ran over her hair, and she held tightly onto his waist. Her head rested on his chest to hear the fierce beating of his heart. “Ye must think me foolish tae voice such thoughts aloud.”
“You? Foolish? Never,” he declared. “But I thought you and I had come to an understanding, especially since you had hinted of visiting my bedchamber but recently. You are not some one-night dalliance, my dear.”
She lifted her head from the comfort of his chest. “I am not?” she asked, with wide eyes.
He kissed her forehead. “Nay, you are not. I wish to make you my wife, Iona, and mayhap now is as good a time as any to ask you to be mine.”
She bit her lip whilst her mind wandered over his words. “What of Gregor?” she inquired, hoping her son would be included in their lives. She could not imagine her child being sent away to foster in some unknown place.
“He is your son as he will be mine. Of course, I would expect him to be a part of our lives. Never doubt it.” He hugged her close, resting his chin on the top of her head.
“Then ye care for me… for us?”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Aye, Iona, I care for you both. I cannot in truth say that I am in love yet but given time I am certain the emotion will bring us both joy as we share our lives together,” he replied. That certainly sounded like an honest answer.
“’Tis all I would ask of ye, Aiden,” she said.
His palm cupped her cheek. “Will you marry me, Iona, and take me for your husband?”
