Ashlyn ~ The Highland Clan Book 5 by Keira Montclair

Author:Keira Montclair
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Keira Montclair
Published: 2016-08-03T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Magnus just stared at her in shock. Something huge had hit him, and it wasn’t a wee fist from a broken woman—it was a piece of her soul. He’d sworn this would never happen again, and yet it had.

She finally fell against his chest, sobbing, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Why, Magnus? Stop me, please stop me. Why do you not stop me?”

“Because…”

“Because why?”

He held her as she continued to sob, the pain she must have endured all these years finally coming out. He might as well just say it. “Because I love you.” Magnus could feel her entire body tense in his arms, and her sobbing stopped. What kind of fool was he to have said such words? He’d sworn never to use them again. And yet he had no desire to deny them or take them back.

She pulled back, gazing into his eyes. “What did you say?” The confusion in her face told him all he needed to know. His feelings weren’t reciprocated. It hadn’t even occurred to her to consider him that way.

“I said I love you. There. I’ve said what’s in my heart. I no longer wish to deny it. I love you, Ashlyn, and I wish to help you fight your demons. And if hitting me helps you fight them, then I will allow it.”

She just stared at him, and he had no idea what to do next. Would she hate him for feeling as he did?

“Why? Why do you love me? I’m not like Rhona at all.” She swiped at the tears on her face.

He tugged her back over to the pallet and sat down with her on his lap, cocooning her in his warmth. She was still a block of ice, even after expending all that energy swinging.

“I know you’re not like Rhona, but I love you for who you are. You are a verra strong, proud, beautiful woman. I understand you may not feel the same way about me, but if you give us a chance, you may someday. I can wait. I have naught at home except my two dogs.”

She leaned against him. “I have always wanted a family,” she said in a whisper, “but I know a lass cannot carry if she will not let her husband touch her. I…I do not know if I could do that. I know how it happens, and all I ever think of is that awful man and the awful Norseman who beat my mother. I’ll disappoint you for sure, Magnus.”

“But you have not minded my touch. You have allowed it when I thought you would react negatively. Mayhap you are changing. I can be a patient man, Ashlyn. I would like to help you get past this atrocity that burdens you.”

“What you say is true. I have not minded your touch the way I have in the past. I…I trust you, I guess ‘tis what it is.”

“I’ll accept that to start. Was there another man before that? Before the Norse came?”

“Nay, my mother was protective of us.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.