hands, her dainty palm cradled in his. Watching, Eoin didn’t hurry her. She raised her chin and met his gaze—those sky blue eyes turning the shade of midnight. Hot, raw desire thrummed through his manhood.
With a slight tug, he pulled her into his arms. Brushing a lock of hair from her face his chest swelled. “I want to gaze upon your beauty.”
Without a word she smiled and slowly slid her hands around his waist until their bodies touched.
Damnation, she molded to him like she’d always been meant to be in his arms. He was so damned hard. He’d been hard since she’d opened the door to the cottage. There were no words to express the intensity of the love bursting from his chest. He wanted so much to protect her—to cherish her—to show her just how deeply a woman could be loved.
Her eyes watched him with a combination of fear and trust.
Eoin dipped his gaze to her lips—still moist. Searing need swirled in his groin. Heaven help him, but he wanted her. He’d wanted her every day of his life. Though he’d searched, he hadn’t found another woman who could reach his soul like Helen Campbell, and now he held the object of his passion in his arms. Before she could utter another word, he claimed her mouth. Since the day he’d kissed her in the shed, he’d relived that glorious moment over and over. Greedy for more, he slipped his tongue between her lips forcing himself to be gentle, reverent.
As they joined, Helen sighed into his mouth—her response not pensive as it had been before. She yielded to him, slipping her arms up his back and pulling him closer. Her mouth was silky, hot and wet. Eoin pressed the length of his body against her, but it wasn’t enough. He skimmed his hands down to her buttocks and tugged her hips flush against his all-demanding, mind-consuming erection.
Helen shuddered and softened her kiss until she pulled her lips away. Eoin leaned toward her, desperate for more.
“We mustn’t,” she said, her trembling voice barely audible.
He brushed the back of his finger along her cheek. She was as radiant as Aphrodite. “You have already left him.”
Her inhale stuttered. “But I have not yet been granted an annulment.”
“Will a slip of parchment make you want me all-the-more?” How could he allay her fears? Her kisses declared her love—if only she would give in to her desire.
Helen took in a deep breath. “I’m so afraid. Aleck could kill us both.”
Eoin’s jaw tensed. “That man can never touch us. I will protect you with my life. Never again will I allow him to harm you or Miss Maggie.”
“Dear Lord.” She pressed praying fingers to her lips. “I hate that I have brought you into this mess.”
“I would not have you suffer this alone.” He drew his eyebrows together. “I am here because there is no place I’d rather be. At Mingary, I made a vow that I would be your guardian knight and I will stand by that promise until I draw my last breath.”
“Your kindness exceeds all expectations.” She pressed her palm over his heart. “But I cannot rely upon you to push aside your life and hide as I am.”
“Problems have a way of finding resolve.” Eoin brushed a wisp of hair away from her face. “I ken you care for me.”
“Och,” she groaned, resuming her grip around his waist and resting her head on his chest. “I love you more than life itself. I’ve always loved you.”
“Ah, mo leannan.” He kissed her forehead. “My love for you runs deeper than the sea.”
“I cannot tell you how much your words make my heart soar. But we cannot risk being caught. Aleck would see me hanged.”
Eoin bristled at the mention of that bastard’s name. “No, lass. I will never allow him to harm you again. He has treated you with more disdain than any woman could be expected to tolerate from her spouse. Moreover, no one, save Gyllis and Mr. Keith, kens where we are.”
She raised her chin and met his gaze. “And your men suspect nothing?”
“I saw no need to tell them of your misfortune. For all they know, I’ve ridden to Kilchurn. Unless Mr. Keith says something.”
Helen shook her head. “The noble guard spirited me away. I trust him almost as much as I trust my sister.”
“True, he is indeed an ardently loyal servant.”
Helen rested against him. “I’ve grown so tired of living in fear.”