Love's Call

by C. A. Szarek

  Leargan shook his head and grinned, tossing her short pants over his shoulder as if they were offensive. His eyes zoned in on her nudity, and Ansley squirmed, her cheeks hot. His gaze devoured her.

  “I need you. I love you, Ansley.”

  Ansley smiled and reached for him. “I love you, too. Lose the clothes so I can show you how I feel.” She pressed a kiss to his hand like he’d done so many times to hers.

  “You’ve always shown me,” Leargan whispered, discarding his shirt. “Sorry I was so bad at doing the same for you.”

  She would have answered, but she couldn’t stop staring at his chest. How could he have gotten even more beautiful in their time apart? Ansley’s mouth went dry.

  Leargan pushed his breeches off his hips slowly, a twinkle in his dark eyes as he watched her stare.

  Impatience had her on her knees at the edge of the bed, grabbing his wrist and dragging him closer so she could finish the job herself.

  He chuckled, cupping her face and kissing her deeply after stepping out of his breeches and boots.

  Ansley sighed against his mouth as their tongues danced. She dragged her fingertips down his chest, teasing the tip of his erection until he groaned.

  He wrapped his arms around her, and they fell into his bed in a tangle of limbs, their mouths never parting.

  Their naked skin met from head to foot and she shivered in anticipation of his touches, kisses, the feel of him inside her.

  Leargan pushed her down even further, parting her thighs with a knee as his hands roved her body.

  Ansley writhed as he devoured her mouth and skimmed over her sex with passing fingers. She rocked, lifting her hips in a demand for more.

  He broke the seal of their lips, dragging warm wet kisses down her neck and onto her breasts. Leargan circled and teased her nipples into taut peaks before sucking her until it drove her mad. Her core pulsed, begging him to join them. His erection rested against her inner thigh. Hot and hard, but too far from where she needed him.

  “Leargan,” Ansley moaned.

  “I know, love. I’m torturing us both.”

  “I…need…”

  “I know.” He leaned down and took her mouth in a kiss that curled her toes and made her even hotter for him.

  She felt his hand shoot between them, positioning his erection to take her. Then with one long stroke, Leargan joined them, filling her exquisitely and completely.

  Ansley cried out, lifting to meet his first thrust and entwining their legs so she could move with him. She caressed his back as he took her mouth again, kissing her deep and hard, like the movement of his hips.

  Their lovemaking was fast and frenzied and exactly what she needed.

  The reconnection with Leargan was perfect.

  “Love, I…” he whispered near her ear.

  “I know,” Ansley groaned, throwing her head back and closing her eyes as her muscles tightened. She tilted her hips as climax hit her with the force of a storm, her muscles contracting against Leargan, inside and out. She cried out, squeezing his rear end with both hands as he came back to her with a firm thrust.

  He called her name and buried his face against her neck, his back stiffening as his release shot into her.

  Heavy breathing was all she could hear as Ansley’s vision cleared.

  They panted against each other, Leargan still on top of her. She loosened her grip on his buttocks, but ran her hands up and down his damp back until he moaned against the overheated skin of her neck, his warm breath tickling.

  When he lifted his head, their eyes met. “I love you, Ansley.”

  ****

  A warm smile curved her lips. “I love you, too.”

  Leargan stared into her teal eyes. Sweat bathed her forehead. Her cheeks were flushed pink and damp, her freckles prominent. Her lips were swollen from his kisses and her glorious red tresses were spread out on his pillow like they belonged. In his bed. Always.

  She was his again.

  This time, he wasn’t going to let her go.

  He slipped from her body and rolled over, taking her with him. Leargan kissed her forehead as she nestled close, propping herself on his chest to look down at him.

  “I’ve loved you for turns you know,” Ansley whispered, her cheeks even pinker.

  Leargan cupped her face before she could avert her gaze. “For turns?”

  “Aye. Since I was about eighteen.”

  Shock rolled over him. He’d seen her in Terraquist, of course. Leargan had known who she was, but other than polite conversation in passing, had never spoken to her. She was just another Senior King’s Rider, but more than that, she was his captain’s daughter.

  Her father had said he was afraid she wouldn’t marry if it wasn’t Leargan, but had Sir Murdoch known how long Ansley had loved him?

  He could’ve had her turns ago, in his arms, in his heart. His wife. “Why didn’t you approach me, love?” Leargan whispered.

  “You never looked at me,” Ansley said, one corner of her mouth up. “I was that lanky freckled redhead, your captain’s daughter. I mean, even if you knew that.”

  Leargan laughed. “I knew who you were, love.”

  “And never looked at me twice.” Her teal gaze challenged him.

  He kissed her. “And I was a fool for it. You’re gorgeous, and you’re mine.”

  Ansley grinned and snuggled close. When she met his eyes again, her beautiful face was somber. She licked her lips and his heart fluttered. “I’m sorry.” She averted her gaze, and he let her. Obviously his love needed a moment to gather her words. “Sometimes…because of how long I’ve loved you…you just seem too good to be true. That’s why I didn’t believe you wanted me. Why I thought I was just an order to you.”

  “Oh, love.”

  Their eyes locked and she flashed a watery smile. “It doesn’t excuse what I said.”

  “Nothing compares to what I said, Ansley.”

  “Leargan…”

  “No. I mean it. What I said to you was inexcusable. No matter our situation, it was…unforgivable.”

  Ansley grinned when their eyes met.

  Leargan paused, staring. A smile wasn’t unwelcome, but it wasn’t exactly what he’d expected in response.

  “So, you won’t take our child away from me?”

  Shame rolled over him, and he looked away, closing his eyes. He felt Ansley’s hands on his stubbled cheeks, pulling his face back to hers, then her lips on his eyelids and forehead before she pressed a tender kiss to his mouth.

  He met that blue-green gaze.

  Ansley quirked a half-smile and kissed him again. “I suppose that was in poor taste. I was…trying to tease you. I need to tell you something.” Her face reddened, but she didn’t look away.

  Leargan’s heart started to gallop. “Tell me what?”

  Her gorgeous breasts rose and fell against his chest as she inhaled deeply. “You weren’t wrong when you spoke of a child.”

  “What?” His pulse thundered in his ears.

  “We’re going to have a baby, Leargan.”

  They stared at each other in silence.

  When Ansley smiled, his stomach jumped.

  He cupped the back of her head and pulled her gently toward him. She met his mouth with hers, twisting their tongues as he slid his hands down over her shoulders and back, holding her gingerly to him.

  Ansley laughed into his kiss. “Leargan, I won’t break.”

  Panic squeezed his chest. “Blessed Spirit, I took you so roughly—”

  “Leargan.” Her voice steadied him. “I’m fine. Our child is fine. I promise. You didn’t hurt either of us when we made love. You touched me how I wanted you to.” Their eyes met and held. “Wow, you’ve paled out…” She caressed his cheeks again, calming him with her touch and small kisses she placed all over his face.

  “Promise?” Leargan croaked. He grabbed her wrists.

  “Aye. But we’ll go see Tristan if you like.”

  He nodded, his shoulders relaxin
g into the bed. They sighed at the same time and he stroked her back, holding her closer. “Will you marry me now?”

  She studied his face before she spoke. “Because of the baby?”

  “Because you both belong to me.”

  Tears slipped down her cheeks and his heart clenched. “I love you,” Ansley whispered.

  Thumbing her tears away, Leargan smiled. “I love you, too. But you didn’t answer me.”

  “You didn’t answer me, either.”

  “It’s no secret I want this child, Ansley. I told you from the start that I wanted children. They have to be your children, love. The baby isn’t why I want to marry you.”

  “Why do you want me, Leargan?” Ansley quirked one red eyebrow. Her full mouth quivered as if she was fighting a smile.

  “Well, you see, I was given this scroll, and there was this order…”

  “Wretch!” Ansley pummeled his chest until he caught her wrists and showered kisses over her fists.

  When their eyes met, she giggled and he laughed. “I love you, Ansley. I want this child because it belongs to us both.”

  “Then I have no choice but to marry you, I suppose.” She rolled her eyes but scooted closer.

  Her mouth hovered over his, teasing, but Leargan closed the distance and tasted her again. It grew desperate and heated in moments. He buried his hand in the soft hair at the back of her neck, holding her closer as she kissed him harder.

  His arousal throbbed, trapped pleasantly between them but it wasn’t enough. Leargan yanked his mouth from hers before he lost the ability to think. “Did I answer correctly this time?”

  “I think so.” She straddled him, their bodies coming together in the right places. They both groaned.

  “Did you come back to me because you discovered the presence of our child?”

  Concentration was difficult as she started to rock, pressing her wet hot sex against his erection.

  “No.”

  “Then why?” He grabbed her hips to hold her still.

  She moaned and ground against him.

  Leargan’s manhood pulsed, but he ignored the demands of his body.

  “Because you were miserable.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  Ansley grinned pure mischief, but said nothing.

  “Is that all?” he prompted.

  “No.” Ansley leaned down, her nipples brushing his. She licked his bottom lip.

  Leargan groaned. “What…what…else?” Running his hands down her back, he followed the curve of her bottom, cupping her with both hands and pulling her down as she rocked and rubbed against him again.

  Ansley trembled but sucked in a breath, her lips only millimeters above his. “I was miserable, too.” She made a move to kiss him, but Leargan tilted his head away.

  “What about now?”

  “I’m not miserable, are you?”

  “No.” Miserable couldn’t be farther from his current truth. “I don’t want to talk right now.”

  “Then shut up and show me what you’d rather be doing.” Ansley braced herself on his chest and sat up.

  His retort dissolved on his tongue as she tilted her hips and impaled herself on him.

  She wiggled, making them both gasp.

  Leargan pulled her down for a kiss and thrust upward to meet her first downward stoke, proving he’d be happy to do just that.

  Epilogue

  Ansley looked down at the two perfect little forms. Brogan slept with his tiny face buried against her breast, his red hair tickling her bare arm as it stood out in several directions.

  Brynn faced the opposite of her brother, her linen padded rump against Ansley’s stomach and her cheek on Ansley’s forearm as she too, slept. Her dark hair curled at the ends.

  Her father was proud his grandson was a redhead, going around proclaiming himself world’s-greatest-Grandfa already. Prattling on and on about what he would teach Brogan, much to Leargan’s amused chagrin.

  Ansley’s daughter wouldn’t be slighted by Sir Murdoch in the least. One look from the tiny girl, and Brynn already had the huge man wrapped around her little pinky finger. Ansley could only imagine what it would be like when her children were walking and talking.

  Leargan and Ansley had been honest with her father the morning after they had righted things between them. Admitted she was carrying Leargan’s child—children—and that they intended to marry.

  Sir Murdoch had ranted and raved, but King Nathal had calmed him, and they’d had a very nice wedding a few days later.

  Her father had vehemently refused the delay, but Cera had insisted she be given time to arrange a nice ceremony and celebration feast.

  Although he’d grumbled, her father had walked Ansley down the aisle in Castle Aldern’s chapel with a smile on his face. He’d never admit it, but his eyes were misty as he’d handed her over to Leargan.

  Cera had surprised Ansley with a lavish wedding gown. The pale green of Greenwald, intricately embroidered as was her friend’s favorite style. Ansley had cried—of course. Cera had planned the gown sevendays before, and had her dressmaker working on it for almost the same period of time. It was gorgeous and perfect, and Ansley would cherish it always.

  Her wedding had been equally perfect.

  The day almost nine months ago was like yesterday. Just as loving and sweet.

  Brynn made a sound in her sleep, and Ansley rocked her daughter, careful not to disturb her napping husband or their son on her other arm. She smiled as the baby girl settled, her little chest rising and falling in a deep rhythm.

  Of course, Cera already had Fallon betrothed to Brynn. Tristan and Aimil had also had a baby girl, Aislinn. In turn, the duchess now had her paired with Brogan. When Ansley reminded her friend they’d all married for love and would expect no less for their children, Cera would smile and insist it wouldn’t be a problem.

  Ansley almost asked if the duchess had Gamel draw up marriage contracts.

  Two babies were more of a challenge than one. They’d been a surprise. Even Tristan hadn’t known Ansley had carried twins until he’d delivered Brynn, and the healer realized she wasn’t yet done giving birth. About ten minutes later, Brogan had graced them with his presence, screaming louder than his sister had.

  Leargan joked his son was offended they hadn’t known he was there.

  The healer speculated Brynn had magic. Her brother did not—or it was much less than hers—so when he’d used his healing touch to track her health and the health of the babies during Ansley’s pregnancy, Brynn’s magic called to his and effective masked Brogan.

  Raising children with magic might be difficult, but they already sensed magic within little Fallon, so at least Ansley wouldn’t be alone.

  Ansley loved the twins so much, and even though they were only three sevendays old, she couldn’t have imagined her life without them, or their father.

  It was like Cera had said; her husband and these children were her life.

  Leargan shifted in his sleep, and she glanced at him, a warm smile curving her lips. Since the night of the babies’ birth, her husband had insisted on getting up when she had to nurse during the night, so he was just as exhausted as Ansley, but it was a good kind of exhausted. It only made her love him more.

  Dark eyes fluttering, he sighed as he came around, giving a loud yawn.

  “Hi there,” Ansley whispered.

  His mouth curved in a smile that made her heart skip as he sat up, pressing a tender kiss to her mouth. “Hello, love.”

  Leargan leaned over, kissing his son’s little hand and caressing Brynn’s downy dark hair before pressing his lips to her tiny cheek, since she was closer.

  Ansley smiled. She couldn’t get enough of seeing him with their children. “Did you get enough sleep?”

  “Aye, what time is it?”

  “Late afternoon.”

  Dark brow drawn tight, concern clouded his expression. “Did you sleep?”

  “Aye.” Ansley nodded. “The twins woke me not
long ago. I fed them and got a bite to eat. Morag brought a tray and fussed at me, of course.”

  Leargan chuckled, his shoulders relaxing. “What about?”

  “Oh, I’m to let Daicy take them to the wet nurse and take a long hot bath. I’m so exhausted because I’m not caring for myself.”

  Her husband cupped her cheeks and studied her face. “She’s got a point, love.”

  “She does not. I can care for our children.”

  “We can care for our children,” Leargan said. “But we do have people to help us. People that want to help because they care for us as well.”

  Ansley smiled and leaned over to kiss him. “I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

  “Good thing. Because I love you, too.” He pressed a lingering kiss to her mouth, then gently took their daughter into his arms. Brynn snuggled into his broad chest as if she’d not switched parents. “I love them, too. More than I ever thought possible, Ans.”

  Grinning, she leaned into him, nestling their son higher against her. She loved when Leargan called her by Cera’s nickname for her.

  “I can’t believe Brynn looks so much like me,” Leargan mused as he stared into the sleeping little girl’s face, running fingertips over her dark hair.

  “And Brogan resembles me.” Ansley smoothed the tiny lad’s wild red locks. No matter what she did, her son’s hair preferred to stick out in all directions.

  When she looked up, her gaze locked with Leargan’s. Her heart sped up. Like it always would.

  His dark eyes were intense, and she melted instantly. “I need to thank King Nathal for his meddling ways.”

  “My father, too.”

  “He gave me you,” they whispered at the same time.

  Leargan flashed a smile and pulled her to him gently with one arm, caressing his son’s cheek and kissing Ansley’s lips tenderly. “Scroll or not, you and the twins are mine forever,” her husband whispered against her mouth.

  “Forever,” Ansley echoed.

  THE END

  About the Author

  C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She works with kids when she’s not writing. She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world.