Capturing The Highlander's Heart (Lasses 0f The Kinnaird Castle Book 1)

by Kenna Kendrick

  * * *

  Fiona waited a moment after Amelia left and looked at her son, staring into the flames. “Your concern for Amelia becomes you dear. You were quite the hero, I imagine.”

  He shook his head. “Not me, ma. She was far calmer than me on our dangerous ride, and she’s none too happy with yer son.”

  “Oh?” Fiona’s curiosity was piqued, but she didn’t want to press in case it would push him further inside himself.

  He sighed and leaned his head back into the chair. After their dangerous journey, he felt the need to open up to his mother. “Aye. Ye will not like this, ma, but William and I made a bet when Amelia first arrived. He thought she was bonny and wanted me tae admit it as well. I said nay. So, William made a bet that I would kiss her and tell her she was bonny by Christmastide, and I made a counter bet. I said that she would kiss me and admit her feelings.”

  He covered his face in his hands. Fiona tsked. “Jamie, shame on ye both!” A little Scottish brogue escaped her lips, feeling it was best used in anger. “That poor girl. Does she know?”

  “Aye. She knows as Donald had told her at the Hogmanay feast. He found out from a drunken William. And the worst part is...we have kissed. After, she found out about the bet, and now she thinks it happened just because of it. And that I took sweet satisfaction in winning.”

  Jamie waited for his mother’s reaction. But she simply frowned and exhaled slightly. “I see. I asked you not to toy with a young woman’s affections, Jamie. We taught you better than that.”

  Jamie turned to his mother. “I know. ‘Twas not right. But, I was just as surprised as anyone when she kissed me.”

  Fiona desperately tried to hide her smile. This is turning out just perfectly. Now, only to add a little nudge in the right direction.

  She placed a hand on her son, ready to instruct. “Jamie, no matter who kissed who, ‘tis your duty to apologize and to apologize from the heart. You must explain to her what happened and ask for forgiveness.”

  “Aye. I had tried at first, but she was as mad as a wild boar.”

  Fiona chuckled. “Well, now she’s had time to cool down, in more ways than one. Go to her and tell her you are sorry. ‘Tis a noble thing for a laird to do and a man, when he knows he is in the wrong. It shows he is still human.” She smiled.

  Jamie returned her smile. “And a wiser woman there could never be.” He stood up and kissed his mother on the cheek and headed down the corridor to Amelia’s room.

  Amelia sat with her eyes closed, reveling in the warmth returning to her skin and bones. Her breath steadied and slowed, and she could feel the familiar embrace of sleep coming to her mind. But, before she fell into its comfortable warmth, she heard a quiet knock at the door.

  Confused, she stood, and removed the two heavy woolen plaids, the fire having done its job. She walked to the door, unlocked it, and swung it open to see Jamie on the other side.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jamie looked into Amelia’s eyes, her cheeks having been reddened by the spiced wine and the fire’s heat. Her mouth was slightly parted in surprise, and it made Jamie want to reach out and grab her to him.

  “Forgive me. I know ye have come tae rest for a bit, but I wanted tae come by tae tell ye I am sorry. We didnae think of what our actions would do tae someone. We thought only of ourselves. Forgive me. I was as surprised as anyone that ye kissed me.” He looked down and cleared his throat, his hand returning to its familiar place behind his neck, rubbing out some feeling he couldn’t handle.

  “‘Twas not something I expected. I admit I tried tae fluster ye, but I didnae dream ye’d have taken it upon yerself tae do the task. And I was surprised tae see ye staring at me in me bedchamber.”

  Amelia hadn’t spoken the whole time during Jamie’s speech. She’d just looked on, shocked at his appearance so soon after her thoughts by the fire, surprised at the words he was saying, not exactly sure how she should respond. She was angry, that she knew. But, to have him be close again, his eyes begging for her forgiveness, his smell surrounding her, his body calling to her, she couldn’t resist it. She knew she would have to give in.

  She cleared her throat after a silence, knowing it was her turn to finally speak. “Ah, yes. That was a surprise to me as well.” Normally, she would have looked away at such an admission of her own wantonness, but she kept his gaze, blue locked with green.

  Jamie smiled, and then fumbled over his words briefly. “Well, again, I am sorry. I will see ye at the evening meal. Thank ye fer coming with me tae Jessica’s house, and for the idea of the shepherd training. ‘Twas good business.”

  Jamie turned to leave, but then he heard a soft sound behind him, barely a whisper. “Wait.”

  He paused and then slowly turned around. He hadn’t moved far from the doorway. He was still close enough to hear her quickened breaths from the threshold. He turned to see her blue eyes speaking to him, the message he couldn’t quite read in Jessica’s cabin.

  Once he was facing her, she simply said, “Stay.”

  Then, Jamie grabbed Amelia to him, his lips covering hers, their bodies perfectly aligning. Amelia responded with a vengeance, her mouth opening to his, allowing his tongue to search hers, and responding in turn. This time, there was something different about the way their mouths moved. There was an urgency in their lips and their touch. Amelia’s hands traveled up Jamie’s biceps and ended around his neck, curling into his hair. Jamie’s hands moved to hold her thin waist and when the passion of the kiss increased even further, he slid down to her backside, cupping it in his hands. He was treated to a groan of pleasure from Amelia, and he kept his grasp there, slowly walking them further into the room. He moved a hand to shut the door behind them. When the door slammed, Amelia broke the kiss to stare into Jamie’s eyes. The only sound in the room was the howling of the snowy wind and the crackling of the fire.

  After a pause, she grabbed around his neck and pulled her lips back to hers, her mind a fury of fire and need, knowing this moment was all she wanted to think about. Nothing else mattered except that familiar ache throbbing to attention. To feel Jamie’s lips and hands on her was her only desire. Don’t let stubbornness get in the way of passion. She’d amended Jessica’s words slightly, but it still rang true.

  “Och lass, you’re full of fire.” Jamie had pulled away from her lips to kiss down her neck, lingering to nibble on her right ear as she tilted her neck.

  “Show me the rest of what you had talked about.” Amelia said breathlessly. Once Amelia spoke, Jamie stopped to look at her. They waited a moment, breathing in rhythm, and Jamie’s eyes were filled with green desire.

  “Aye?” he asked. She nodded. She moved them over to the chairs by the fire. Amelia wanted to see him again like she did in his bedchamber and watch the firelight glint off his skin. She undid the buttons of her bodice and removed the skirt. She was left standing in a pool of fabric, with only her corset and petticoat on.

  Jamie smiled. “Ah those perfect breasts. I finally get tae taste them.”

  Amelia breathed in slowly, her ache growing and pulsating. Jamie went to help unlace her at the back, his fingers moving too slowly for Amelia’s liking. She knew he was doing it to tease her, agonizingly making the fire in her core burn hotter. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck, and she instinctively tilted to invite him to her neck. He chuckled and followed orders, kissing her from her ear and licking the dip between shoulder and neck.

  Soon, the corset was undone, and Jamie threw it to the side. Her back was still to him, and he held her bare arms. She turned around, her breasts open to his view, and his breath caught.

  “Lass, yer bonnier than I ever expected. ‘Tis like an angel.” He took a large breast in his hand, eliciting a moan from Amelia’s parted lips, her surprise at the unexpected pleasure obvious. He held the other breast in his other hand, and he rubbed over the two pink nipples with his thumbs, staring into her eyes.

  Then, he guided her to the bed, where she laid down,
and pulled off her petticoat and undergarments. She was lying totally naked and open to his lustful gaze which swept from her face to her feet, drinking in the sight of her laying naked in the firelight, her hair spreading out like a fan underneath her head.

  He laid next to her, moving his hand from her breasts to her stomach.

  “I want to see you,” Amelia said, her voice thick with need. She reached up to rub her hand along his shoulder and back, feeling the muscles moving underneath.

  “Not yet, lass. Let me give ye pleasure first. I have taken enough of me own.”

  He took a full breast into his mouth, licking, sucking and pulling, while his hand kneaded the other. Amelia opened her eyes wide at the wicked pleasure it gave her, making her feel tingly, warm, and suddenly a wetness pooled at her center, increasing the ache she felt. With his mouth still on a taut nipple, Jamie’s hand moved down slowly, caressing her stomach and stopping at her triangle of curls, tempting and teasing before using his fingers to rub along her center. He moved with skill, soft yet firm, and his constant circling pressure made Amelia moan, feeling like she would spill over the edge. And then, Jamie slipped a finger inside of her, parting her lips and catching her surprised groan with his own mouth. His tongue twisted over hers as their mouths begged for more, all the while moving his finger slowly in and out of her, feeling the slick wetness on his hand.

  “Good God, Amelia, yer wet for me.” Jamie said against her lips.

  “Is that good?” With her urgent kiss in response, Jamie could barely respond, his need growing every second.

  “Aye, lass, put your hand on me breeches if ye don’t believe me.”

  Amelia slid her hand down, not breaking the kiss, until she gasped when she felt his hard shaft against her hand, almost ready to burst forth from its prison.

  “I forgot how big you were.” Amelia kept her hand there, marveling at the feel of it inside of his trousers, excited yet nervous to see it again. She licked her lips.

  Jamie nearly growled at that and sat up slightly to remove his shirt. Amelia sat up as well on her elbows, her breasts bouncing with her movement. She smiled as she watched Jamie remove his clothing, his chest finally close enough for her to touch its bareness. The firelight cast shadows over his muscled body, and Amelia eyed the lines heading towards his breeches hungrily. She reached out to place a soft hand on his chest, feeling the heat from his body and the soft hair there.

  She sat up to get closer, as he was on his knees in front of her on the bed. She moved her hands towards his back, and he stopped her, grasping onto her wrists.

  “Ye may not want tae feel that, lass. The skin is a bit rough there.”

  Amelia looked down and looked shamefaced for just a moment.

  Jamie, still holding her hand, chuckled. “Ah, so the vixen has returned tae the shy mouse, is it?”

  Amelia laughed and replied. “Nay! At least not tonight. I simply felt embarrassed for a moment.” She paused and sighed. “I’ve seen your scars before...in your room. They do not frighten me.” She gazed at him confidently, ready for his reply.

  He moved down to be on all fours on the bed slowly leaning towards her lips. Just before he kissed her, he smiled and said, “I thought maybe ‘twas so. In that case, put your hands around me all ye like. Are ye ready for yer pleasure now?”

  Amelia nodded before sinking into his kiss once more. His body moved above her, his arms keeping him above her chest. Amelia felt along the backs of his arms, attempting to memorize the knotted muscle in each. She had never known such a beautiful man.

  After a few moments of kissing that made Amelia feel dizzy, Jamie began to undo his breeches. His member sprung forth, casting a shadow along her body. He removed the trousers, and they stared into each other’s eyes for a moment, breathing in the stillness, seeing one another. Amelia reached out to grab Jamie’s cock and began to rub.

  “Och, nay, I willnae last if ye do that.” He moved her hand to his shoulder. He spread her legs apart and planted a soft kiss upon her core. “So beautiful.” he whispered. Then he positioned himself above her, lifting her knees slightly. “This may hurt a bit, but ye hold on tae me. ‘Twill only hurt for a moment.”

  Before Amelia could reply, Jamie plunged forward penetrating deep within her. He stilled, waiting to see her reaction. Amelia’s shock at the fullness showed on her face. Her body tensed for a moment, but she kept her hands on his shoulders. “Are ye well?” he asked.

  Amelia nodded, and then her mouth curled up into a slight smile once Jamie started moving his hips slowly, in and out.

  “I am very well. I never knew it could feel like this. So full.” She sighed with pleasure and laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes.

  Jamie smiled and leaned down to flick his tongue across each nipple. She shivered in response, and he kept his pace, slowly growing in intensity. With his arms holding him up, he could watch as Amelia writhed under him, feeling this new sensation for the first time. God, this is what he had been dreaming about. She was far more beautiful than he knew or even she realized with her blonde hair free and her breasts moving rhythmically. He wouldn’t be able to last very long. He sped up the pace, thrusting his cock in and out of her quickly, feeling her start to tighten around him.

  Amelia’s moans grew louder and more frequent, matching the pace of his thrusts. He knew his release was coming soon, and just before it did, he felt her tighten, and cry out, “Jamie, yes!” and she tensed and trembled one last time before lying against the bedclothes, sighing with pleasure and release.

  With that, Jamie’s thrusts increased even more, and he ground against her again and again, until he too cried out and spilled into her, and slumped over her shoulder.

  They lay together for a moment, side by side, until Jamie drew Amelia to his chest and covered them with a blanket. She rubbed her hand along the smoothness of his skin, breathing into his body, and then she spoke, surprise and contentment in her voice.

  “So that is the pleasure of which you spoke? No wonder men are always after it and females are locked away from it. ‘Twas like a forbidden fruit. I feel myself to be Eve.”

  Jamie laughed. “Aye. ‘Tis like a forbidden pleasure. If ye are Eve, then I must be the serpent.”

  He turned towards her to see laughter in her eyes, and he kissed her lightly on the lips.

  “Well I suppose me mother will be waiting for us at the dinner table. I shall leave to dress for dinner.”

  “Aye.” Amelia replied, sitting up again as he lifted himself off the bed, retrieving his clothing to dress before leaving the room.

  “My Sassenach with her Scottish brogue, I see.” As he tied up his breeches once again, Jamie’s eyes roved over her breasts and stomach, the bottom half of her covered over with the blanket. Amelia watched his lips as he did so and covered her breasts.

  “Nay, there is no time for that. Ye must leave and do it quietly!”

  Jamie laughed and buttoned up his shirt, winking before he left, closing the door behind him.

  Amelia lay back down on the bed, a grin on her face, wondering how she would ever tell Marianne.

  * * *

  Amelia came down to dinner, having dressed in a fresh gown, her face aglow. She spotted Jamie next to his mother at the table along with William, both dressed in new white linen shirts with woolen coats, Jamie’s hair tied back. Despite the cold of the main hall and the continued roaring of the snowstorm outside, Amelia felt a heat within her, a deep, satiated heat. Her anger from before had slowly ebbed away until it remained only slightly. She had followed her body and passions and didn’t let that anger get in the way of what pleasure could be hers. And what pleasure it had been. A sly smile was on her face as she sat down, greeting Fiona first, and then William and Jamie, her gaze lingering slightly on him.

  Fiona turned to her as servants began to serve the meal of roasted pork, potatoes, and bread. “Are you well rested, dear? I’m sure the ordeal was enough to quite send you into a daze. I know I was about
ready to faint until you both arrived.”

  Amelia tore her gaze from Jamie and replied, “Ah, yes. I daresay you’re right. I was in quite a daze.” Her eyes shot to Jamie’s face once again to find the corners of his mouth turned up in a smirk.

  Fiona noticed the interaction, and her face beamed. She quickly changed the subject. “So, tell me about your adventure out on the moors. How is your mother faring?”

  William chimed in. “Aye, I would like tae know how ye did in the storm. I had tried tae head back tae me homestead, but the snow was too fierce, and I had tae turn back.”

  Jamie and Amelia looked at each other briefly before Amelia answered, shifting in her chair slightly. “My mother fares very well. She hopes to make an herb garden once the ground softens with the weather. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have been very kind to her, so I hear. And, of course, her landlord has paid her a visit.”