Page 33 of To Wed a Witch
He silenced her with a gentle finger against her lips."Wife, do ye think I care about such things?"
"But—"
"I dinnae come to ye untouched either," he replied quietly."I've been alone for a long time, Sìne, but I've had relations in the past."His hands framed her face tenderly."I'll not lie and claim otherwise.Does that trouble ye?"
The honesty in his voice made her chest tight."A little," she admitted."I dinnae like to think of ye with others."
A slow smile curved his lips."Good, because I dinnae like to think of ye with that bastard who abandoned ye either.The thought of any man touching ye..."Bhaltair began to scowl, and his body visibly tensed.
"He's gone," Sìne said softly, reaching out to gently caress his chest."And my feelings for him died long before he passed."
Bhaltair instantly calmed at her touch.He placed his hand over hers and held it against his heart."He was a fool, Sìne.A fool who didn't deserve ye or Aidyn."
"And now?"
"Now ye're mine," he replied fiercely."For all time.No other man will ever touch ye, and I'll touch no other woman.We're bound, ye and I.'Tis a sacred vow."
The possessive declaration should have frightened her.Instead, it sent warmth spiraling through her belly."Do ye have bairns from others?"
"No."His answer was immediate and certain."I was careful about such things.But if I had..."He paused, his thumb brushing over her cheekbone."I would acknowledge them.Provide for them.Not hide them away.No child of mine would ever wonder if their father wanted them."
Sìne felt tears prick her eyes at his understanding.
"Aidyn is blessed to have ye now," Sìne whispered.
"We're blessed," he corrected."All three of us."
He pulled her close as his arms wrapped around her, anchoring her and keeping her steady on her feet.Bhaltair leaned down and kissed her, soft and sweet at first, then deeper as she melted against him.When they broke apart, both were breathing hard.
"Sìne," he murmured against her lips."Will ye become my wife in all ways that matter?"
"Aye, husband," she breathed."I am yers."
His hands unwrapped thearisaidhwound about her, and she didn't protest when it slipped from her shoulders, pooling around her feet.Then he gently loosened the ties of her shift, until it fell away completely and she stood before him in the firelight wearing nothing but her vulnerability.
She saw his sharp intake of breath, the way his eyes darkened as they took in her body.Her hands moved instinctively to cover the silvery stretch marks on her belly and hips, but he caught her wrists gently.
"Dinnae do that," he said hoarsely."Dinnae hide from me."
"They're unsightly—"
"They're proof that ye carried life within ye.That yer body nourished and protected our daughter for months before she drew breath."He released her wrists and trailed his fingers over the faint marks with reverent touches."They're beautiful because they're part of ye."
Before she could respond, he dropped to his knees before her, pressing gentle kisses to her naked belly.The tender gesture broke something loose in her chest.
"Someday," he murmured against her skin, "I hope to see ye round with my bairns.To watch ye grow ripe with my seed, to feel our babe kick beneath my hands."
The longing in his voice made her tremble."Bhaltair..."she rasped.
He rose then, pulling her against his chest, and she could feel the evidence of his desire against her stomach.But there was more than lust in his eyes.There was tenderness, acceptance, and something deeper that made her heart race.
"Are ye certain?"he asked, his voice strained with the effort of control."We can wait if ye need more time—"
"I dinnae want to wait," she replied firmly."I want ye.I want this.I want to be yer wife in truth."
The last of his restraint snapped.Bhaltair clasped her hand and walked to their bed.
He sat down and pulled her forward so she was standing between his thighs.This way their heights were level and she could meet his gaze.He granted her a scorching kiss as his hands gently caressed her.When he pulled away, his heated gaze lowered to her sumptuous breasts.Every curve was a feast for his senses.
