“A few dozen times. Not that I mind.”
As a young woman who’d been starved for love much of her life, Beth lapped up Ian’s generous outpouring of the words. He’d surprise her with them, catching her as she walked down the hall, pushing her against a wall, breathing, “I love you.”
Or he’d tickle her awake and tell her he loved her while she tried to hit him with a pillow. The best was when he lay against her in the dark, fingers tracing her body. She treasured his whispered, “I love you.”
“I need to tell you something, Ian.”
Ian blinked. His gaze tried to slide away, but he pulled it determinedly back. “Hmm?”
“I didn’t want to say until I was absolutely certain, but I’ve seen a doctor now.” She drew a breath. “Ian, you’re going to be a father.”
Ian kept staring at her, his gaze unmoving. He blinked again, then lightly rubbed his temple. “What did you say?” “You’re going to be a father.” Beth laced her fingers through his, pulling his hand down. “I’m going to have a child. Do you hear me?”
“Yes.” Ian slid his fingers down her smooth gown to rest on her abdomen. “A child.” His eyes widened. “Oh, God. Will it be like me?”
“I hope so.”
“Why?” He closed his fingers over the fabric, crushing the taffeta. “Why would you hope he’d be like me?” “Well, he might be a she. And I can’t think of anything better than a child who’s just like his father.” She let her voice go low, seductive. “Especially when that father is you.” Ian didn’t look reassured. “He’s a Mackenzie. He’ll be mad.”
“But he’ll have an advantage. He’ll have a father and uncles who understand.” She smiled. “Or she. If it’s a girl, of course, she will be perfect.”
“I agree,” Ian said gravely.
Beth started to explain her jest, then looked up at him in surprise. “Was that a joke, Ian Mackenzie?” “You are teaching me. He leaned down to her. “With your spicy tongue.”
Beth darted out the tongue in question. “Does it taste spicy?”
“Yes.” He slid his thumb in a slow caress across her bottom lip. “But let me taste it again.”
He crushed her up to him, his hands cupping her bottom. Down the hill, Isabella laughed and the Mackenzie brothers and Daniel broke, into a rousing cheer. Then sound swirled and became meaningless as lan’s mouth covered hers, and his body curved over her. She felt the firm, hard ridge of his arousal through their layers of clothes, and her heart beat with sudden heat. Carnal pleasure, indeed, offered by the maddening Lord Ian Mackenzie.
Beth took it.