Page 58 of A Second Chance for Carys
The banging on the door was so loud it woke Carys up with a start. In front of her was a window she didn’t recognize and it took her a moment to understand where she was. Then she felt the weight of a masculine hand on her naked breast and everything came back to her in one luminous rush.
James.
Their night together. His body over her, his heat around her, his strength inside her. The tender words, the pleasure, the trust, the wonderful release, the falling asleep in each other’s arms. A smile stretched her lips. Their first lovemaking had been arebirth, for both of them. And the second one, in the middle of the night, had been just as perfect, if somewhat more frenzied.
Now that they had shared a night together, they would get the second chance at life they craved.
Still half asleep, warm and loath to shake off the delicious torpor bathing her body, she covered his hand with hers and squeezed. James groaned and tightened his hold around her breast.
“Mm, yes, mine,” he said, his voice little more than a growl. Her breath hitched when he started to play with her hardening nipple, pinching it lightly. Was he about to?—
The banging started again, more insistent. James’ eyes snapped open and he glared at the door as if he had the power to skewer whoever was on the other side with his stare.
“What is it?” The sensual growl he’d used with her had become a bark.
“Forgive me. Branwen is asking after her mother,” Richard’s voice called out. “Her pains have started.”
Carys bolted upright, fully awake. Branwen was in labor? Already? They weren’t expecting her to give birth for another month at the very least. What was going on? Either Mistress Ivy had gotten the date of conception wrong or the babe was early. Lord almighty, please let it not be a problem. Would she know no peace? Just when she’d been thinking her life was perfect, this had to happen!
Everything within her surged. Dear God, her daughter needed her and here she was, lounging in bed after a night of debauchery. Then she realized what she’d heard. Richard had been sent to get her and he’d come to James’ room? How had he guessed she would be here? Did he know what had happened between her and his friend or had Matthew told him that was where she would be? He’d seemed to guess what James neededto do the day before. Matthew, Branwen, Richard. Did anyone else at Sheridan Manor know about them?
There was no time to worry about it now. She had to get to her daughter, who was waiting for her.
“Well, don’t just lie there, you big oaf, help me get dressed!” she cried, jumping out of the bed. Her clothes were scattered about the room, a reminder of the previous night’s activities, and it would take more time than she wanted to get ready, time she did not have.
Branwen needed her.
James groaned and grumbled as he did so, but he did get up to help her. “Oaf…If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather you stuck to Welsh when you insult me, that way I might not feel the sting of it so much.”
Carys instantly regretted the outburst. It was not his fault she was fretting, and he had done nothing wrong. She turned to him, an apology already on her lips—and stilled at the sight of his naked body. Lord, had she ever seen a more arousing sight? Nothing less than the birth of her first grandchild could have dragged her away from him in this moment. The look he gave her told her he was thinking the same thing. At any other time he would have dragged her back into bed and let her kiss every inch of him.
Ignoring the temptation he presented, she lifted her shift above her head and let it fall down in one swoop. The dress proved more of a challenge, however. She gave a series of curses under her breath, in Welsh this time, as she fumbled with it. Why did she have to wear, today of all days, the only gown she possessed which laced at the back?
James, who’d retrieved her second shoe from under the bed, placed a hand over her shoulder.
“Let me.” She nodded in gratitude. He’d seen her struggle and understood she was on the verge of panic. He wanted tohelp. She almost started to sob. With quick, efficient moves, he put her to rights, then placed a swift kiss in the crook of her neck. “All done.”
“Thank you.” Not bothering with the stockings she hadn’t been able to locate, she started to fasten her shoes. “Now I need to go.”
“Wait. Carys.” Before she could reach the door, he drew her into his arms, facing him, and looked deep into her eyes. He was still naked, and deliciously warm against her. “I love you. I know the moment is ill-chosen to say it, but I do. I could not let you leave my bed without you knowing it because I do not want you to worry that this night we shared means nothing to me. It was not just a night, it was the start of something beautiful, as beautiful as you are.” He gave a rueful smile and brought his mouth to her ear. “I had intended to take you again this morning and tell you I loved you while I was inside you but I hadn’t counted on Matthew’s son wanting to be born today.”
Carys melted. Had anyone ever heard a more moving declaration? Perhaps, butshehad not.
“There is never a bad time to tell someone you love them, I don’t think.” Although she would have liked to be told while he was deep inside her, this was just as good. As long as she heard the words, she cared not when or how it happened. And he was right. This was the start of something new and they were done with waiting. Every moment had to be seized. “So I will tell you before going that I love you too.”
Only the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement when he said, his face as impassive as usual, “I thought you might. You certainly behaved as if you did last night. Or perhaps you only wanted the pleasure my body could give you.”
The teasing earned him a tap on the chest. “Awful man! As to Matthew, I fear you’ve been listening to him too much. This child might be a daughter.”
James shook his head. “He knows. Just like somehow, both times, I knew with my sons that they would be boys. I trust him. If he says it’s a son, then that’s what it is.”
Carys nodded slowly. She had heard Branwen say many times that she was convinced she was carrying a boy, without being able to explain why. So perhaps there was something in this new parent’s instinct. Unfortunately, she would never know.
“Either way, this child will be loved,” she said, placing a kiss next to his nipple, where the skin was warm and soft. “He has a big family waiting for him.”
“Yes.” James sounded suspiciously hoarse. Was he moved or aroused? Both? Before she could wonder further, he cleared his throat and gave her a tap on the buttocks. “Now, go and deliver our first grandchild.”
Chapter Sixteen
