sudden and terrifying and absolutely wonderful.
“Kier—"
He caught her scream with a kiss, swallowing her joy and her love. He kissed her, as he’d promised he would.
And then he thrust once, twice, prolonging her pleasure, and with the third thrust, he groaned against her lips, and she felt a spill of warmth against her womb.
Mine.
They were joined now; truly and irrevocably.
Forever.
They were both limp as they curled beneath the covers. Kiergan pulled her into his arms, and she loved how perfectly she fit beneath his chin as he idly twined one of her curls around his finger.
Who knew how long they lay there, silently listening as their breathing slowed and their heartbeats calmed. All she knew was she felt warm and sated and cherished.
“I love ye,” he whispered against her hair, and she smiled.
“Good, for I love ye. I fell in love with ye that verra first night, when ye were so kind and charming. But ‘twas the opportunity to spend time with ye that made me realize what a good man ye are. Ye werenae kind to me because ye were being charming…ye were kind because ye’re a kind man.”
She heard the smile in his voice, when he said, “Mayhap I was trying to charm ye, eh? I didnae want to marry, but these two lovely sisters were dropped on my doorstep. One was intriguing and witty and saw greatness in me I’d never considered before. How could I no’ set out to charm her?”
Humming, she pushed herself up on one elbow. “ ’Twas I who seduced ye though, as I recall.”
“And ye did a bloody outstanding job of it.” Kiergan smiled up at her, that heart-stopping grin of his she didn’t think she’d ever get tired of seeing. “I wouldnae have considered marriage otherwise, ye ken, and now look at me!”
“I am.” She made a show of dragging her gaze over his naked body.
Chuckling, he smacked her rear. “I meant, I’m a happily married man and poised for leadership.” His other hand dropped to her stomach. “And I’m surprised to discover I’m excited about the possibility. No’ just of leadership, but of becoming a father.” His voice caught on the final word, and he swallowed. “I love ye, and I love the idea of watching yer belly swell with our bairn.”
She had to blink back tears but managed to smile as she leaned down and gently brushed a kiss across his lips. “Ye’ll be a good da. I ken it. Just as I ken ye’d be a good laird if given the chance.”
He hummed thoughtfully, then, in a movement which surprised a shriek out of her, flipped her over on her back.
“If I’m truly serious about becoming laird—either Oliphant or MacKinnon—there’s one thing I can do to increase my chances.”
From the wicked gleam in his eyes, she knew he was talking about getting her with child and found herself squirming excitedly. “I agree with this endeavor, husband. Quickly, please.”
His grin grew as he rolled between her legs, then pushed her knees apart and began to slide down her body as he clucked his tongue. “So impatient, Katlyn. Some things are to be savored, ye ken.”
He said this from down around her navel and, confused, she levered herself up on her elbows to stare down her body at him. “What are ye doing?” she asked, breathlessly.
He nuzzled at her curls. “I promised I’d kiss ye, love. I’m going to kiss ye everywhere. Lie down and quit giving me orders for once.”
Chuckling, she did as he suggested, but her laughter turned to gasps, then moans, as his lips touched her innermost core.
And she knew this would definitely be a happy sort of forever.
Epilogue
As much as Graham enjoyed his new brothers’ company, it was a bit of a relief when Malcolm and Rocque’s wives came to fetch them. Evelinde was a beautiful dark-haired, green-eyed woman who led a sweet little lad by the hand, listening to him chatter. Rocque’s wife, Merewyn, was a vivacious redhead he introduced proudly as the clan’s healer and midwife. Though he remembered their names at that moment, Graham was sure it was going to be difficult to keep them all straight for a while.
Merewyn was laughing when she latched onto her husband’s big arm and demand he dance with her. He rolled his eyes, handed Graham his half-eaten leg of mutton, and muttered, “Work, work, work,” as he led his wife away with a grin.
Malcolm’s wife waited for her son to take a breath, then smiled shyly