Page 72 of Forbidden Desire
“Hmmm.” He pulled me closer with a deep chuckle. “Is this going to be the reason you get your way for the next eight full moons?”
Joining his laughter, I nodded into the huge expanse of his chest. “Maybe, Maighstir, but it is as you wanted it to be.”
“Aye, it is.”
He kissed the top of my head tenderly, and a warm sense of repletion bloomed in my chest. I hadn’t wanted any of this, hadn’t foreseen a future as a wife and a mother, but now I could hardly imagine my life without Rasmie.
“That is why we’re here,” I reminded him softly. “Now we are to be parents, I have such pity for my mum. She is left, not only without two of her children but with no knowledge as to their safety or whereabouts. Imagine how torturous that must be.”
His jaw tightened as he gazed out to the relentless ocean. “I have an idea of the torment, nighean bheag.”
“Of course.” I kissed his breast bone through his plaid. “Vaila and your first child. I’m sorry.”
“They are with the gods now.” His palm rose to the back of my head, cradling me like a child. “I have a new family to relish.”
“Taing do, Maighstir.” Genuine gratitude radiated from me as I blinked the tears from my eyes. “It will mean the world to her to know we’re alive and well, and it means the world to me.”
“Aye.” His lips curled. “Come then. We shall need to go some way to access the signal on your strange device.”
I chuckled at his wary tone, watching as he pulled out my mobile phone. It was odd to see the thing again—an item I was once so devoted to, which had recently occupied so little of my time.
“Maighstir.”
Willum’s voice carried on the wind.
“The boat is ready.”
“Aye, taing do, Willum.” Stepping away, Rasmie tucked the phone into his huge belt and tugged me down the shore.
“Are you sure you do not want one of us to row for you, Maighstir?” Mawnsie’s expression was concerned. “Or there is an engine that seems to work.”
“No.” Rasmie’s gaze slid among his men. “I prefer the old ways. This is for our mathair and me, but the rest of you shall stand watch here and wait for our return.”
“But Maighstir...” Aidan stepped forward. “What if the sea takes you? She rages like a cruel mistress.”
“Indeed.” Rasmie chortled. “Yet her incessant screams do not trouble me. We have the protection of the gods, and if the worst should happen, I leave my responsibilities to Jeemie and his new wife.”
I inhaled at the thought of Elodie and Jeemie. I hadn’t had the chance to spend as much time with my sister as I would have liked, but she didn’t seem unhappy since the ritual. I hoped the two of them could find an ounce of the contentment Rasmie had conjured for me, hoped she would find serenity in the simplicity of the island, but I couldn’t be sure.
Elodie wasn’t like me. She was a younger, stronger woman, and Rasmie was wise to keep a watch over her. I also suspected she would seek another escape if the opportunity arose, and the idea concerned me. I wanted the best for my little sister, but my future was here with my baby by Rasmie’s side. If she attempted to run again, I couldn’t go with her.
“Aye, Maighstir.” Aidan moved aside. “Gods willing, though, you and our mathair shall return.”
“Of course, we shall!” Rasmie beamed, offering me his palm as he steadied the boat. “Come, Desiree.”
Grasping his hand, I climbed inside, suppressing my rising anxiety as I surveyed the angry waves. This was what I needed to do to send a message to my mum, and after all the hours of begging it had taken to bring Rasmie around to the idea, there was no way I would back out now.
“Push us out, Drewie,” Rasmie commanded as he sat opposite me, grabbing the oars.
“Aye, Maighstir.”
I glanced back, offering his men a thankful smile as the water captured the boat, and Rasmie began the slow progress away from the island.
“Nighean bheag.”
I turned back at his voice, taking a moment to enjoy the look of him. Strong and capable, Rasmie was a constant source of arousal.
“Do you know this is the first time I have ever left my isle?”