He disappeared into the darkened recesses of the passageway while behind her, the surf crashed in and the rain eased even further, although the fog remained thick and heavy, appeared set to stay for quite some time.
Ivor returned, emerging out of the darkened recesses with his green eyes bright. “All is clear and there is indeed a pool of hot water. Steam plumes from it.” He dipped his head in reverence to her. “I wish for my lady to warm herself well. I’ll wait outside for Hamish’s return. I cannae have him sail right by and miss us.”
“Thank you, Ivor.” She reached up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Stand where you willnae get a chill though, and that’s an order.”
“Aye, my lady.” Red suffused his cheeks and he ducked his head as he shuffled past her and took his position outside at the entrance.
“Come with me.” Duncan steered her down the gloomy tunnel and halted at the end.
Within the cavern that opened up before them, water lapped onto a small curved beach of grainy white sand, the pool surrounded by massive black rocks. Steam swirled and drifted out a thin vent in the craggy ceiling high above while a trickle of light streamed through and speckled over the pool’s glassy surface.
“This place is so beautiful.” No waiting. Beyond eager to get into the hot water, she kicked off her riding boots and draped her brown leather coat over the closest rock.
“Here, let me aid you.” Duncan loosened the ties of her breeches, tugged the cloying, wet fabric down her legs and laid them over top of her coat. “Leave your shirt on.”
“Are you coming in with me?”
“Of course.” He toed off his boots, removed his weapons and jerkin then in his leather pants and tunic, scooped her up and walked into the pool with her. Deliciously warm water washed over her as he surged through to chest depth. Gently, he set her down on her feet on the sandy base and nodded. “Go down. Warm yourself through.”
“This is glorious.” Eyes closed, she sank and blessedly warm water closed in over her head. Heat washed through her, eased the chill from her skin and once she thrust back to the surface, she pushed her wet hair from her face and grinned. “Your turn.”
“Only with you.” He caught her hands, draped them around his neck and dived with her. Down they went, the water swishing all about, his arms banded tight around her waist and their bodies locked together.
Such relief burst through her and she captured her chosen one’s face in her hands while they swam deep within the pool’s depths. A more peaceful moment she’d never known.
Holding his woman safe and secure in his arms filled Duncan with such relief. He kissed her, right under the water, molded his mouth to hers and embraced the sheer magnitude of his love for her. Aye, he’d fallen so swiftly for his compeller who loved so greatly, would gladly be her slave for the rest of his days.
To the surface, he pushed them and emerged with the sweet curves of her bottom firm in his hands and unable to hold back, kissed her again. “I love you, Ella.”
“I love you too, with more love than my heart can hold at present.” She played with the opening of his tunic, loosened the ties a little more. “I also cannae help but think that our arrival here, no matter how dangerously it came about, was meant to be.”
“Aye, Hamish would surely have been forewarned about this. I cannae see how it could all have passed him by.” Although never would he allow her life to be placed in such danger again, only how to ensure that, he’d need to consider.
Pushing through the water with her in his arms, he made the ledge rimming one side and lifted her onto it, her white shirt bunched over her lap and her long legs on exquisite display. Gently, he eased his hands in under the hem and palms flush against her warm flesh, stroked higher, the wet fabric sliding over the backs of his hands like sheer silk.
With a catch to her breath, she spread her legs wider and he snuck in between them and continued exposing her body to his greedy gaze, inch by incredible inch. She had the most enticing limbs, sweetly curved calves and lithe thighs, all leading to an apex where a thatch of brown curls covered her womanhood.
Breathing deep, he took in her honeyed scent and rolled around in heaven. Everything about her called to him, from her beautiful body and free spirit, to her fierce determination and intense love for all those around her. Certainly if he ever lost her, he’d never survive it. Her safety must always come first.
“What are you thinking?” She swayed back, hands braced on the ledge either side of her and her back pressed against the rock wall.
“Of how I need to ensure your safety.” He stroked her cheeks, caught her mouth with his and sucked her tongue between his lips.