Lachlan
After ensuring Quinn was comfortable on the sofa, I slipped out of the living room, my feet padding quietly across the marble floors. The occasional flash of lightning illuminated my path as I made my way toward the staff quarters.Passing through the dimly lit kitchen, I grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the fridge before continuing down the hallway. The sound of the raging storm outside seemed muffled within these thick walls, creating a sense of isolation from the rest of the world. A world I had no intention of allowing Quinn to return to.She was mine now. The very thought sent a possessive thrill through me.Reaching the staff room, I flipped on the light switch, momentarily forgetting about the power outage. Thankfully, the backup generator kicked in, bathing the room in a soft glow. I quickly located a stack of plush towels in the linen closet and grabbed a few, along with a small basin to fill with warm water.With my arms full, I made my way back toward the kitchen, the sound of my approaching footsteps causing Sims to appear from the pantry."Sir?" he questioned, his gaze landing on the towels and basin."Don't trouble yourself," I assured him with a dismissive wave of my hand. "I'll be handling things from here."A knowing look crossed his features, but he simply nodded. "Very good, sir. Shall I have the generator restored to full power?"I considered his question for a moment, picturing the way the flickering candlelight had danced across Quinn's flushed skin, casting sensual shadows that accentuated her curves. The darkness had heightened our senses, creating an almost primal atmosphere."No, that won't be necessary," I decided. "Leave the main house on the backup generator for now. Just ensure the essential systems remain operational.""Understood." Sims made a note on the tablet he carried. "I'll isolate the power to the refrigeration units and critical infrastructure. The rest can remain offline until the storm passes.""Excellent. I'll leave you to it, then." With a nod of dismissal, I turned and headed back toward the living room, my mind already drifting back to the beautiful woman waiting for me.Quinn had fallen into a light slumber by the time I returned, her features softened by the glow of the candles I had hastily lit. I took a moment to simply admire her, committing every detail to memory. The gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way her dark lashes fanned across her flushed cheeks, the slight parting of her full lips—she was utterly captivating.Setting the towels and basin aside, I couldn't resist trailing my fingertips along the silky expanse of her thigh, exposed where the throw had shifted. Her skin was warm to the touch, and I felt my body stir with renewed desire. How could I possibly let this exquisite creature leave my island? The very thought was unthinkable.Leaning down, I brushed my lips across her forehead, allowing them to linger as I breathed in her intoxicating scent. She stirred beneath my touch, her eyes fluttering open to meet my heated gaze."Lachlan?" she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep."I'm here, leannan," I assured her, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I brought some towels to freshen up."A soft blush crept across her cheeks as she glanced down at her naked form, suddenly seemingly uncomfortable with her state of undress. Before she could cover herself, I captured her lips in a searing kiss, effectively chasing away any traces of insecurity.Breaking away, I trailed a path of open-mouthed kisses along her jaw and down the slender column of her neck. "Allow me," I murmured against her skin, my hands already reaching for the basin of warm water.With gentle reverence, I dipped the plush towel into the basin, wringing out the excess moisture before beginning my ministrations. I started at her feet, lovingly caressing each delicate toe, working my way up her calves and thighs with broad, sensual strokes.Quinn's breath caught in her throat as the towel grazed the apex of her thighs, and I couldn't resist leaning in to taste the addictive essence of her desire on my tongue. I'd only planned on cleaning us up and having some wine but once her taste hit my tongue, I was lost. She whimpered, her back arching as I lavished her with broad, languid strokes, thoroughly bathing her in my devotion.Pulling myself away with herculean effort, I continued to work my way up to her breasts stroking with the soft fabric of the towel as well as my tongue. Quinn panted heavily, her fingers tangling in my hair as she urged me closer. I obliged, capturing one dusky peak between my lips and swirling my tongue around the taut bud."Lachlan..." she gasped, her nails raking deliciously across my scalp.I hummed in response, trailing the towel across her collarbone and down her arms before reversing my path. The scent of her arousal hung thick in the air, and I felt my cock stirring to life once more.Abandoning the towel, I allowed my hands to roam freely, mapping every inch of her glorious body with my calloused palms. Quinn writhed beneath my touch, her hips undulating in a silent plea for more, her thighs widening to cradle my body.Positioning myself between her parted thighs, I wasted no more time in sheathing myself within her welcoming heat, swallowing her keening cry with a bruising kiss. We moved together in a frenzied dance, our bodies slicking with sweat and the lingering remnants of our previous passion."Come for me, leannan. Now!" I commanded, and as the storm raged outside, Quinn shattered around me, her inner walls fluttering and clenching as she rode the cresting waves of her release. The sight of her, so beautifully undone, was enough to trigger my own undoing, and I spilled myself deep within her with a guttural groan.Collapsing atop her, I buried my face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as our ragged breaths mingled. In that moment, nothing else mattered—not the raging storm, not the world beyond these walls. All that existed was Quinn, her warmth, her scent, her very essence surrounding me.And I knew, with absolute certainty, that I could never let her go.As the distant rumble of thunder echoed through the room, I tightened my embrace, silently vowing to do whatever it took to keep this incredible woman by my side. She was mine, now and forever, and no force on earth would tear her from my grasp. I always got what I wanted.Quinn's heart may not belong to me yet, but I would move heaven and earth to make it so. With time and patience, I would convince her that our destiny lay entwined, our souls forever bound.For now, I would simply hold her close, savoring the feel of her in my arms and the steady thrum of her heartbeat against my own. The rest could wait until morning. Tonight, we existed in our own private oasis, sheltered from the raging storm and the harsh realities that awaited us beyond these walls.Tonight, she was mine. Soon, she'd be mine forever soon.