Rory took Amber’s hand and kissed the back of it. “M’lady. I never thought I’d have the pleasure.”

“Thank you.”

Rory winked and said, “Good luck with that one.”

She smiled though Kincaid knew her thoughts were still on her brother’s reaction.

“Until we meet again.”

They both stood back while Rory chanted and shifted forward in time.

****

The house had yet to stir. Their presence went undetected. Gavin drew a warm bath and joined her in the scented soap.

“Is this going to be our life?” she asked him as he ran a hand down her arm and chased the bubbles in his path.

“What do you mean?”

“Moving in and out of time, following the path set by the warriors in your time?”

He released a long-suffering sigh. “I don’t know, Amber. I can’t help but believe we are exactly where we need to be for now. Look how quickly we left your home. I think we both doubted your mother’s words.”

“My mother has never been wrong.”

“Then I doubted her enough for both of us.”

Amber laughed and the sound warmed him. “You simply didn’t want to get out of bed.”

She felt his lips on the side of her neck and she moaned.

“Why would I want to leave my bed with you in it?”

Her head rolled back onto his shoulder and she offered him her lips. He kissed her thoroughly and ran his hand down her body.

She broke away. “I have a feeling we’ll be spending a lot of extra time in our bed.”

“There are more places to make love than a bed.” To emphasize his words his hand slid up her legs and in-between the heated folds of her sex.

“Aye. You’ve already shown me that.”

His hand fell away, and he grasped her hips and lifted her to the edge of the tub. “I have many, many things to teach you.”

The chill of the outside air didn’t compare to the excitement of seeing Gavin kneel before her and lean in to kiss her breast. She squeezed his shoulders as he worked his way to her other side. This would never get old. She understood now why her sisters were always so animated when they talked about sex.

Gavin slid down farther.

I’m going to taste you now.

She didn’t understand, not completely. Yet when she opened her eyes, she saw him hovering over her most intimate parts as if he were about to embark on a feast.

Gavin, no. Embarrassment flooded her mind.

One taste, and if you want me to stop, I will.

His feather light touch on her thighs reassured and coaxed her to open for him. One.

She couldn’t watch him, not while he was so close.

That’s it, love, close your eyes and just feel.

Then he tasted her, his tongue sought her tight bundle of nerves and she cried out, God’s teeth.

More?

Yes. A million times, yes.

He did…a million times more, until she saw stars and climaxed harder than she ever had before.

The world didn’t still before Gavin pulled her from the tub and carried her to their bed. He was on her, in her, in seconds. The sensation was different from the first time. He didn’t push thoughts of his pleasure into her head, and she experienced more of hers. Where his thickness scared her before, it excited her now.

He touched the very back of her core, finding another spot that made her need of him even stronger.

Gavin’s hungry kisses continued as he rolled her on top of him. The change of angle brought on a small burst of his seed.

“I want all of it,” she told him as she met his pace and felt her body grow tight again.

“Together,” he said and hissed out with each thrust of his hips.

The wave was nearly on her. The desire to feel him release inside her, against her deepest spot, drove her harder. Now, Gavin. Finish me now.

Their surrender shattered them both.

Her breath came in short pants, and the walls around them grew silent. “Please tell me no one else heard that.”

Gavin laughed beneath her. “Only me.”

She laughed a big hearty laugh until Gavin joined her.

“The next time I say no, please remind me of our bathtub.”

“I’ll do that.” Gavin ran his hands down her body that had collapsed against his. “And then I’ll taste you again.”

“That really was magnificent. Does it feel the same for you?”

“You mean your lips on me?”

“Aye.”

“I’ve always thought men had the better end of that bargain, but after feeling your pleasure, I’m not so sure.”

“You felt my pleasure?”

“Every drop.”

She couldn’t be embarrassed. Not with him.

“Well, we will just have to see if you feel the same.”

Gavin threw his arms to the side. “I’ve created a monster.”

“I think you like the monster.”

He rolled her under him in the space of one breath. “I think I love the monster.”

Amber’s laugh caught in her throat. You think you love me?

He placed a palm to her face. “I don’t know what else to call the emotion inside of me, Amber. I only know I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you.”

“What if it’s just our bond ruling your heart?”

Gavin shook his head. “Then sign me up to say the vows again. I would never have chosen to leave my home for anyone, but I can’t think of going anywhere without you. It’s as if I found my place in this crazy world, and that place is with you.”

“You’ve taken the words out of my mouth. I thought the knowledge I wasn’t to live in my parents’ time would bother me, but all I thought of was you. Of us. If this is love I don’t want the feeling to ever end.”

Gavin leaned down and kissed her softly.

“We’ll figure it out together.”

“Aye, together.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Amber chose a pair of black pants and a pull over knit shirt that hugged her body to wear for the day. It reminded her of her husband, of his dress and demeanor. The fabric was flexible and, to add to her mobility, she pulled her hair back into a band so only one long strand fell down her back. She should probably remove some of the length. It simply wasn’t practical in this time. Maybe Helen could help her with that later in the day.

She stood by the window and watched the hues of the sun stretch over the horizon.

Those in the house were just starting to stir. She thought of her gift and opened herself up to the emotions of others. Slowly the pulse of Helen and Simon seeped into her. Their anxiety rolled from their images in Amber’s head. Giles, if she had to guess, slept with disturbing dreams.