by Lily Harlem
“Aye, aye. I have.” She sniffed. Her body barely felt like her own. It was like she was floating on the pain. The hurt, the indignation had tangled into a dream and blurred the lines of reality. Kendal’s hands on her ass and Reid holding her were all that existed.
“Good girl,” Kendal said. He smoothed his hands over her buttocks; they were as hot as her skin was. “Though a bit more flesh would serve you well in situations like this.”
She didn’t answer. Her brain was foggy, her pulse thudding in her ears.
He continued to explore her ass, then down her thighs, then to the juncture of her legs.
She gasped and held her breath as his finger probed her most intimate folds.
What’s he doing?
“You’re wet,” he said. “Which tells me a lot about the sort of woman you are.”
She found her strength and pushed to standing.
He released her, allowing her to straighten.
“You,” she said, a shake in her voice as her head spun, “have no idea about the sort of woman I am.”
He tipped his head, a slight smile growing on his roguishly handsome face. “Don’t I?”
“No, and you never will because this…” she pointed to the table, “is something I’ll never forgive you for.”
As she’d spoken the last word, blackness weaved through her peripheral vision. Her spine crumbled and her knees weakened.
“Hey, hey, I’ve got you.” Reid’s arms were around her. “I’ve got you.”
“Let me help?” Kendal’s voice. Though it sounded distant, as if he’d spoken underwater.
“No. I think you’ve found how much she can take. You’re a big brute, she’s small, remember.”
“Aye, I ken that.”
“Open the kitchen door. That’ll be help enough.”
Moira was aware of being lifted, then of being pressed against Reid’s chest. She closed her eyes, giving in to the crushing wave of fatigue that had enveloped her.
She had the sense of Reid striding into the drawing room. Her skirt had fallen back into position and each of her breaths held his scent; musk, fresh sweat, horses, and leather. She found it soothing and pulled air deep into her lungs.
“It’s okay, I’ve got you, no more,” he said against her ear as he rested her down on the big, long sofa.
She sagged against the cushions. Her ass was smarting, her breasts tingling, and Kendal had been right, she was damp between her legs. A spanking always did that to her.
“You should rest,” Reid said softly as he stroked her hair. “I’ll get you a drink.”
“No, please.” She opened her eyes and stared up at him. She shivered.
“She’s cold,” Kendal said. “I’ll light the fire.”
“In this weather?” Reid frowned at the window.
“Aye, what does it matter? We’ll be gone soon, may as well use the firewood. And I won’t have her shivering.”
“Okay, you light it.”
“Reid,” she managed, her throat dry. “I don’t want…” She couldn’t finish the words, but what she’d wanted to say was she didn’t want to be alone.
Luckily he seemed to understand that, for he shucked off his boots, then lay on the couch with her. He wrapped his thick arms around her body and pulled her close. It was as if he knew she needed holding together.
“Don’t concern yourself, Moira, close your eyes, I’ve got you,” he murmured.
She rested her face in the crook of his neck and drew her hands up beneath her chin. She felt cocooned in his strength, and safe from the world as her dreamy state lingered.
Within minutes the sound of flames crackling in the grate filled the room, and the soft fragrance of burning birch filtered up her nose.
“I’ll get her a mug of ale, for when she wakes,” Kendal said, his voice a little clearer to her than before.
She kept her eyes closed.
“Aye, you do that.” Reid tightened the arm he had wrapped around her shoulders, the other he slipped across the small of her back.
She sighed and moved closer to him.
Kendal’s footsteps faded.
“Hey, my love, are you awake?”
My love?
She nodded, just a little.
“Is it very painful?” He glided his hand over her rump.
Again she nodded.
“You understand that it had to be done.”
She tipped her chin and looked up at him. “Aye, I do, but…”
“But?”
“You’re not my husband and neither is Kendal. You do not own me to punish me the way Angus did.”
“Perhaps.” He hesitated. “But I intend to make you mine.”
“What are you saying?” He’d hinted at marriage earlier. Was it really something in their future?
“I’m saying.” He tilted her chin and kissed the tip of her nose. “That we should be wed, Moira. It will be the best way to keep you safe now that we’ve been here… and it’s proper since we’ve touched each other intimately.”
“I’m sure you’ve touched other women, Reid.” He had to have. He was too damn good at it.
“Of course, but never a lady.” He kissed her cheek, then her lips, gentle, fluttering presses of his lips that sent her giddy with desire for him again. “And don’t change the subject. I need an answer.”
“An answer?”
“Aye, will you wed me? I may not have fortunes to offer you, but I will lay down my life for you and spend the rest of my days ensuring your happiness.”
She swallowed. Never had she thought such a handsome young man would want her. She’d always presumed she was destined for an older husband; after Angus that was what people would expect and so she’d come to believe it too. But here was Reid Murray, a Scotsman in the prime of his life wanting to take her on.
“Aye,” she managed, her throat tightening. “I will marry you.”
He smiled, a lovely big grin that narrowed his eyes and balled his cheeks. “That has made me very happy.”
“And I.” She pressed closer to him. Her body was on fire now, her nipples tingling. It was as if her senses had been stoked by the spanking the way the fire in the hearth before them had also been stoked—both by Kendal.
“Just one thing,” Reid said.
“What?”
“You will obey me. It’s how I will keep you happy and safe.”
“I understand.”
“And like Angus, and Kendal just now, if necessary I will take my hand to your ass.” He gave it a gentle squeeze.
She groaned and fluttered her eyes closed.
“But that’s not a surprise, is it?”
“No.”
“And you kind of like it? Kendal found the evidence.”
She snapped her eyes open. “He had no right to touch me there.”
“He’s a good man. Don’t think too badly of him for being the one to dole out your punishment.”
She glanced away.
“And one day, perhaps I’ll let him touch you there. Give him permission to be with my wife.”
“You mean…?”
“I mean Kendal is a man I’ve shared food, water, and battles with. He’s always going to be in my life. And now you’re always going to be in my life too so it makes sense that you’re friends… more if it comes to that.”
Moira pushed thoughts of Kendal from her mind. Kendal was a man who’d angered her with his harsh treatment of her ass and his straying fingers.
It was easy to forget him as Reid captured her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. She pushed her chest to his, squashing her breasts almost flat in her earnest need to get closer.
He massaged her aching buttocks and she gasped and groaned as the dull pains moved to her pussy, making the wetness increase.
In one swift move he flipped her onto her back and was over her. His weight was a delicious pressure as she spread her legs so he could slot between them.
“I want you,” he said, his erection pressing into her.
“Now.”
She looped her hands over his shoulders. “So have me.”
“You’re okay with not waiting till our wedding night?”
“Neither of us are virgins, why wait for something we can have now?” Oh, and she did want it. Ever since she’d first seen Reid’s big cock she’d wanted it inside her body. It wouldn’t be an easy fit, she knew that, but having him inside her had dominated her dreams both at night and during the day.
“There’s been times I wasn’t sure if I’d have a morrow.” He gathered up her skirts so they were rucked at her waist. “Live for the day, that’s my motto.”
“Aye, live for the day.”
A short while ago she’d been spanked; now she was about to be made love to by the man she’d soon wed. It really wasn’t turning out to be the day she’d planned, but Moira wasn’t complaining.
“Oh, God, give me strength,” he said, parting the folds of his kilt to free his cock. “It’s been a while since I was with a woman.”
“And I… with a man.”
“And there was only Angus?”
“Aye, only ever him.” She stroked her thumb over his lips. “And you have a considerably bigger girth.”
His mouth twitched. “I’ll be gentle.”
“I’d appreciate that, I… oh…”
His cock tip nudged her entrance. He’d found it easily, and then slid in a little way, also easily because of her dampness.
“You feel like heaven,” he said. “I want to make it good for you too.”
“You will.” She looped her legs over his and angled her pelvis. “Please, give me more.”
“I want to give you so much more.”
“Oh, aye, please.”
“For always, you’ll be mine. My wife.”
“Aye.”
She held her breath as he curled his hips under, penetrating her on a long, slow, steady ride. Her pussy was stretched as his rock-hard shaft filled her. She stared into his eyes; it was even better than she’d imagined. A nip of pain with the dense filling and she could make out the ridge of his glans smoothing over her cunny.
“Ah, my love,” he said against her lips. “That’s it.”
“It’s…” She blew out a breath. “It’s so much.”
“You’ve taken all of me.”
His balls were pressed up against her.
“Now to come,” he said. “Both of us. This first time is so special.”
She ran her hands over his hair, filling her fingers with his locks. “Will you fall in love with me? I want a husband to love me.”
“I’m already falling in love with you.” He kissed her. “I just hope you can love me in return.”
As he’d spoken he’d driven his body over hers, catching her special place. The sensation rendered her speechless.
Love him. That will be easy.
“Moira,” he gasped as he partially withdrew then slid in again, full depth. “Oh, my love, that’s so…”
She gripped his shoulders and canted her hips to meet his as he set up a steady, deep rhythm. It was a familiar movement but one that hadn’t been in her life for so long.
Soon she was lost to him. Lost to the sensations he was creating in her and his cock building up the sweetest, most wonderful pressure in her cunny.
She didn’t bother to hide her moans of enjoyment, or muffle her gasps each time he thrust a little higher, knocking the air from her. As far as she was concerned there was only her and Reid in the entire world.
“I need to… damn, it’s nearly here.” He lifted his face and grimaced. “Come, my love.”
“I am, oh… I am.” She toppled into ecstasy, her pussy spasming around his cock and bliss spreading from her clit to the rest of her body. She dug her nails into his back and dragged them over his flesh.
“Ah, that’s it. Oh, Lord above.” He gave two extra hard shunts then stilled, his cock throbbing inside of her. “So perfect… I can’t.”
“Reid.”
“Oh, you’re something else.” He was panting.
She, too, was breathing hard.
“I’ll only ever need you, forever.” He ducked his head and kissed her, even as he trembled through the final spurt of his release.
She dragged him closer, locking her legs over his hips and crossing her ankles. She’d made love to Angus many times, and he’d been so special to her, but she wasn’t sure it had ever felt like what she’d just experienced.
And it was just the first of many times. The man who was going to be her husband was quite a catch.
Chapter Ten
“You’ll have to take her.” Reid nodded at Kendal’s horse. “I haven’t got the strength in my arm.”
Moira frowned. She didn’t want to ride with Kendal. She wanted to sit in front of Reid as they made their way north to Dougal’s Croft. She wanted to feel Reid’s chest on her back, his arm around her, and his breaths on her cheek.
Kendal continued to load up his horse. He didn’t say a word.
“I can hold the reins,” she said. Though it had been a while since she’d ridden. Angus hadn’t thought it fitting for the lady of the house. How hard could it be to remember a skill from her childhood though?
“No, that won’t do.” Reid held up his arm. It had yet another fresh bandage on it. There was one section that was proving stubborn to heal, where he’d torn the stitches when working on the anvil.
“Moira, do you have everything?” Kendal didn’t face her as he’d spoken.
In fact he’d barely looked at her since the spanking. After she and Reid had made love, she’d spotted a mug of ale on the table at their side. Kendal had been there, while they’d been in the act.
Had he stood and watched?
Or had he retreated quickly?
She got the distinct impression he was the type of man to stand and watch for a while. She wasn’t sure how to feel about that.
“Aye, I have.” She rested her hand on her small collection of possessions attached to Reid’s horse’s saddle.
“Good, come here.” Kendal’s voice was gruff.
She hesitated.
“Now,” he said.
She glanced at Reid.
“Do as he says, it’s for the best.”
The next thing she knew she’d been hoisted onto Kendal’s steed, legs astride and feeling very high. She gripped the front of the saddle.
“Don’t worry, I’ll have a tight hold of you,” Kendal said. “You won’t be going anywhere I don’t go.”
She pulled in a breath and turned to the house. Her home for the last ten years was locked up with the drapes closed. It was as if she’d put it to sleep. The animals would have to fare for themselves; it was too risky to take them elsewhere and have to explain why and where she was going.
But she hoped it wouldn’t be long before she returned and could wake it. Her fear was Bryce coming home and not knowing where she was.
She’d wanted to leave him a note, but of course the men had forbid that. What if it were to fall into the wrong hands? Then where would they be? Back at square one with the Red Coats knowing they were together and still at large. And this was all her fault they were having to move on before they’d planned to.
Reid mounted his horse, holding his reins in one hand. He wore a leather tunic today, over his white shirt, which she’d washed, and looked devilishly handsome. He really was going to be hers. It had only been hours since she’d agreed to marry him, and it hadn’t quite sunk in yet that it was real.
The sooner we’re man and wife the better.
She knew Angus would approve of her choice: a good, solid Jacobite who would protect her and ensure she’d be the best woman she could be. Whether or not he’d be so pleased about all the nights of fun with Reid’s big cock she wasn’t so sure.
Just as she was thinking of Reid’s big cock, Kendal heaved himself up behind her. His closeness was acute. His wide chest touched her shoulders, and when he wound his arms around her waist to gather the reins, his breat
h breezed over her cheek and down her neck.
Still he didn’t speak.
Soon they were heading away from her home and down into the glen. They steered clear of the village and of the lake. The less people who saw them leave the better.
As it turned out they rode for three hours without venturing across another soul. Kendal and Reid seemed to have a canny knack for using smaller, less used trails that, although were a little rough under hoof, gave them good cover.
Eventually, when Reid was several paces in front, Kendal spoke. “How’s your ass holding up?”
“My ass is not your problem.”
“I believe it is.”
He’d spoken against her ear. A fizz of something suspiciously like pleasure had trickled over her scalp.
Stop it, Moira. He’s a big brute and you ken it.
“Answer my question,” he said.
She had a feeling it wouldn’t do her any favours to cheek him or ignore him. “My ass is sore, thanks to your hands.” She stared at them now—his guilty hands—as he held the reins loosely. His knuckles were wide, and he had a coating of hair on the backs slipping down from his wrist. On the right index finger was a freckle, near the tip.
“I won’t apologize for spanking you,” he said. “You deserved that, and you ken it.”
She pressed her lips together and let her hips relax as the horse took several trotting paces.
“But I will apologize for being the one to do it,” he said as the horse slowed again.
“And I’m supposed to accept that.”
“Aye, your future husband thinks that’s enough of an explanation.”
“You spoke about it? Our wedding plans?” And the spanking?
“Of course, when you freshened up after lying with him, he told me you were to be wed. I guess congratulations are in order.”
“You don’t sound very happy about it.” She stared straight ahead at Reid’s back as he navigated around a copse of old oak trees.
“I’m happy for Reid, and, I suppose, for you, too.”
What the hell does that mean? “Don’t talk in riddles.”
He chuckled, his chest moving against her back. “What I’m trying to say, Moira, is I’m not happy for myself.”