by C. A. Szarek
He growled and darted forward—couldn’t help it. “Dinna tease me.”
There was a gleam in her violet eyes. “Tease you?” This was a fair imitation of innocence, but just because she was a virgin didn’t mean she didn’t know exactly what she was doing to him.
He framed her cheeks, tugged up, and took her mouth again.
Alana moaned and opened for him, pressing her body close, and slipping her arms around him.
Alex slid his hands over her shoulders and down her back. When he reached the bottom of her leine, his fingertips brushed bare warm flesh and he stilled. Her bottom was perfect, and he needed more. He cupped her, kneading, caressing until she wobbled in his arms.
“Alex…” She pushed his name into their kiss, and the wanton plea made his cock pulse, his bollocks tingle like he was about to climax.
He nibbled on her mouth, dipping his tongue inside the warm recesses again to play with hers.
She whimpered and kissed him back, but her hands were busy at his belt, tugging at it. When she had it open, he backed up and caught the falling plaid.
“We can lie on this.” Alex formed a makeshift blanket with his garment, but it was narrow. He would lay in the sand before he forced her to do so.
Next time, he’d remember to bring a blanket.
Alana’s eyes were low, as if she was trying to see past his leine, which also fell mid-thigh, concealing his straining manhood—at least for the moment. “I want to touch you,” she whispered.
He shivered, despite the unmanliness of it. “An’ I ye, believe me.” He shucked his tunic and watched it fall to the sand next to his plaid.
Her gasp had him meeting her eyes, but then she was on him—her hands all over his body. Alana buried fingertips in his chest hair, dragging her other hand lower, through the dark springy curls dividing his abdominal muscles, and then swept her palm beneath his bollocks.
Alex jumped and a curse fell from his mouth.
She stilled. “Alex?”
He grabbed her wrist and kissed her knuckles. “Lass—”
Her cheeks pinkened. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to touch you. I didn’t know how it would feel.”
“What?” The word came out a croak.
“Your…hair. Fae don’t have hair on their bodies. Just on our heads. See?” She lifted her leine, revealing a bare, glistening sex.
Alex swallowed for the hundredth time. Told himself it was rude to stare at the tempting slit of her womanhood, but his eyes wouldn’t move from the apex of her thighs. “Take…take…off yer leine.”
Alana obeyed. She slipped out of her boots, and he took time to do the same, although his whole body was tremoring as if he was the innocent.
She was flawless, from the curve of her bottom to her slightly rounded hips, slender waist and the soft part of her belly. Her breasts were perfect, too. High and tight, neither too large, nor too small. Dusky nipples were peaked, begging for his lips and fingers.
Whether that was due to the cool humid air in the cave, or her arousal, he couldn’t know, but he needed a moment. If he touched her now, he was going to orgasm before he ever slid inside her.
He’d never wanted a woman like he did Alana. Combusted from the inside out.
Alex ordered himself to look away from her bare sex over and over again. He wanted to get his tongue there, too. Instinct said she’d taste as good as she smelled. “How…how does it feel?” he asked to distract himself.
She wrinkled her nose, and it was adorable. “Well, umm….rough. But not bad…” Her cheeks stained a deeper crimson and he chuckled.
“‘Tis fine, lass. Men tend ta be…hairy. Human ones, anaway.”
Alana bit her bottom lip and he groaned. With the forwardness he was coming to crave, as well as admire, she closed the distance to him and circled her hand around his hard shaft.
Alex couldn’t suck back a moan, and he closed his eyes as she explored him.
“Is…this all right, Alex?”
“Aye,” he croaked.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” She left his cock bobbing to caress his chest. “Your body is so hard. Beautiful.”
His thoughts scattered, his blood ran hot, on its way to a rolling boil. He should answer her, tell her he was flattered she thought so, but he couldn’t form words. Every touch notched him higher, until his head spun and he hollered at himself to hold it together.
He’d had lovers before; this…situation…shouldn’t be any different, should it?
Except…it was.
She was. And not because she was Fae or a princess.
“Alex? Are you well, love?”
He blinked at the endearment, and their gazes locked. If it was possible, she’d gone even redder. “Aye. Come lie wit’ me.” Instead of addressing the word she shouldn’t feel enough for him to call him, he gripped her wrist and pulled her down with him on the plaid that was still warm from his body.
Alana snuggled into Alex as soon as her shoulders touched the familiar MacLeod pattern, but a shudder traveled her slender frame he couldn’t help but feel.
“Lass, are ye well?”
“I am.” She smiled and it made his gut jump.
“I willna hurt ye.”
Her expression softened and she caressed his stubbled cheek as she gazed up at him. “Oh, I know. The first time will likely cause pain, but that’s not your fault. I still want it to be…you. I still want you and no other.”
Alex had to swallow. Heat kissed his neck and cheeks. He needed to tell her he was honored, and he wanted her, too, but his words had journeyed afar.
He’d not been with an innocent since he’d been innocent himself. He and the blacksmith’s daughter had discovered each other when she’d been seven and ten to his fifteen summers, but he’d not felt an iota for the dark-haired beauty of what he did for the Fae Princess lying naked on his plaid against him.
Which makes no sense.
He’d known Sorcha since they’d been wee.
He’d met Alana four times, including tonight.
Instead of trying to speak again, he let his eyes trail her perfect body one more time.
She had one knee bent, and she was open to him, not shy as her arms lay at her sides, leaving her breasts and sex on display. “Alex, touch me.”
Tremors chased each other down his spine and his hands lowered to her supple skin of their own accord, as if he was compelled to obey, but damn, he burned to do so anyway.
Alex cupped and kneaded her perfect globes, thumbing her nipples until a whimper drew his attention to her mouth.
She licked her lips, making the pink skin glisten and shove him beyond temptation.
He lowered himself onto her, his chest brushing hers as he sank his mouth over hers and his pelvis claimed hers, his erection trapped between them.
Alana kissed him back and snaked her arms around his neck. She trembled, but when he pulled back, she wore a grin. “Your hair…it tickles.”
He smiled, and spread a trail of kisses down her neck across her collarbones and chest, circling his tongue around her nipple before sucking her into his mouth.
His princess gasped and buried her hands in his hair. She tugged, but he didn’t care.
Alex continued to kiss his way to her belly, laving her navel until she giggled, but he didn’t want her to laugh, he wanted her to beg for more, so he moved downward.
His tongue met his fingers at the same time, as he parted her silky hairless folds and he couldn’t help his groan at the dual feelings under his lips and hand. She was hot and already wet.
Alana breathed his name and tightened her hold on his locks.
The sting felt good, urging him on as he licked up and down her sex, lapping at her moisture, and the smooth feel of her most tender flesh.
He’d been right about her flavor. He couldn’t get enough as her essence coated his tongue and he gently pulled the sensitive cluster of nerves at the top of her sex into his mouth.
She screamed and arched her hips,
pushing into him.
He cupped her bottom and urged her higher, even closer, but quickly slipped one hand back between her legs so he could touch her as he tasted her.
Alex slid two fingers inside her and her inner muscles clutched him with a surprising fierceness, but he maintained ginger thrusts, very aware that her tightness was due to the barrier he would no doubt feel if he pushed all the way forward. He didn’t want to hurt her with hand or manhood; he just wanted his princess to shatter in his arms.
“More, Alex, I need…”
Of course, he would obey any command. Alex grinned up at her, but stilled when he took in the passion on display.
Her head was thrown back, chin jutting up. Her long flaxen tresses were spread in every direction. She was flushed pink from head to toe, and so pure in her abandon.
It was going to unman him.
Not just now, but forever.
Alex had never seen a more gorgeous sight.
When she pinned in him those violet eyes—likely because he’d stopped his ministrations—they were half-lidded and hazy, making him groan again.
“Alex,” she whimpered.
“Jesu, lass,” he breathed, he couldn’t help it. He shot up her body, the demand to taste her mouth, hold her, have every inch of her under every inch of him was too much to resist.
He needed to claim her. Now.
They kissed until he couldn’t breathe. Her breasts were flattened into his chest, and they grappled at each other, holds not lasting long because they were both writhing and rocking, imitating lovemaking, but he’d not joined their bodies yet.
Alana tore her mouth from his. “Now, Alex. Now. You’re driving me mad. I need you inside me.”
Alex stilled, and their eyes locked. “Are ye sure? Yer ready? I’d wanted ye ta come first.”
She shook her head, those incredible eyes wide. “Aye, I’m sure. I’ve had pleasure before, but I haven’t had you before.”
He quivered, and shifted above her. “I need ye.”
“Have me.”
Breathe, just breathe. You need to breathe.
He kept the chant up as he gripped himself and guided his erection to her gleaming sex. She was swollen and ready, and looking at her made his desire settle even lower, the flames scorching hotter. His bollocks pulsed.
Alana grabbed his forearms, as if she knew she’d have to brace herself, but he’d still do his best not to hurt her.
They both watched as he sank into her slowly, inch by inch, until he had to close his eyes because the tight hold rocked him to his soul, and he wanted to drive forward and mark her, take her maidenhead hard and quickly, so there would be no question of who she belonged to.
Mine.
The bolt of lightning he always associated with her at first touch traversed his limbs; made his heart skip and settle in his gut, urging him on.
This time, he didn’t question was it was or what it meant.
It only solidified that the princess in his arms was all his.
Alex would never let her go.
Chapter Fifteen
Alana gasped and winced as Alex shoved forward the last inch, breeching the barrier of her virginity. Sharp pain took all her attention and made her head tip. Tears blurred her vision.
She’d been warned it would hurt, but hadn’t expected such a bite. She sucked a breath and steadied herself by meeting his vivid blue eyes.
Moments passed and he hovered above her. They didn’t speak.
Her sex clenched and quivered but it wasn’t a demand of pain like first penetration.
Her sweet lover, who’d been so gentle with her so far, groaned and whispered a curse.
She flexed her hands on his forearms and tried not to break his skin with her nails. She wanted the discomfort to pass so he’d make love to her.
“Alana,” Alex croaked. “Are ye… Do ye wanna stop? We can stop, lass.”
He was seated deep inside her, his pelvis covering hers as his muscled chest hovered over her torso. He held his back and buttocks stiff, his powerful legs between hers, but Alana wanted him closer.
His nipples brushed hers when he inhaled and his scratchy chest hair tickled her skin, which caused gooseflesh, but that only made her want him more.
“Nay. I want you inside me.”
“I am.”
She blinked away the moisture at the corners of her eyes, and smiled when he dipped down to kiss her forehead and cheeks before a tender press of his lips on hers. Alana caressed his cheek, reveling in the stubble under her palm. She’d not meant to call him love earlier, but she’d meant it.
That shouldn’t make sense, but it did, just like the shock of what’d felt like magic when Alex had first pushed all the way inside her.
She’d felt that as sure as the hurt of him tearing her maidenhead away.
We are fated.
Alana had her answer.
“Can you…move, Alex? I want to make love to you.”
He closed his sapphire eyes and made a noise in his throat. “I dinna wanna hurt ye.”
She cupped his face and made him look at her. “The sting is gone, love. I want to feel you take me. Fully.”
“Alana—” His expression was tight, pained. He was holding himself back.
“Kiss me, Alex. Show me pleasure.” He’d already given her ecstasy with his mouth, even though he’d stopped before she could climax. It didn’t matter. She still wanted all of him.
With a groan, Alex obeyed, dipping down so their mouths could meet, and he thrust forward at the same time.
The friction of his first few thrusts had more bite than positive sensation, but Alana concentrated on his mouth slanting against hers, the feel of his warm body moving over hers, and the feather-softness of his hair under her fingertips.
She was with Alex, the only man she’d ever wanted to give herself to.
Alex.
Her human laird.
Alex.
Her fate.
Other words floated around in the back of her mind, but she couldn’t let herself think them, let alone say them. Even if they were fated, the depths of her feelings for a man she barely knew were alarming, and not something she could voice—or put life to even in her own head.
She slid her hands over his shoulders and down his back. He felt so good beneath her fingertips. Rough, hot and smooth all at the same time, perfection against her whole form.
Pleasure slid into her and spread wide as he kept driving forward, kissing and touching her as they found a rhythm, and Alana gripped his muscled rear end to encourage him.
She tilted her hips and he fell even deeper, groaning against their current kiss as she started to move with him, under him.
He took them higher and higher, until her body tightened, on the brink of climax, and restlessness shot as low as her desire when she needed Alex to go faster.
“Lass, I dinna…I—”
“Alex,” Alana breathed. “Come with me. Come for me.”
He let out a growl that was more like a plea and buried his face in her neck. His back stiffened and they held each other tight as his erection jerked inside her. Alana gasped when her core clenched and relaxed as they both found release.
Alex’s lips caressed under her chin, kissing her overheated skin, and she smiled as they both panted. His weight covered her completely, but she didn’t care. She craved him on top of her, from the springy hair on his legs that tickled hers, to the dark curls on his chest that shot awareness all over her breasts as he breathed against her.
He was perfect.
And he was hers.
They both shivered as his softening manhood slipped from her body, but she felt the loss and wanted to banish it.
They were still together.
I’m fine.
Alex propped himself above her on his elbow. “Alana…tha’ was…”
“Heavenly. Everything I’ve ever wished.”
Her lover averted his gaze until she whispered his name. “I dinna wanna hur
t ye, lass.”
Alana ran her fingers through his short dark hair. “It was wonderful, love. I mean it. Thank you for being gentle and caring, but it was unnecessary. And next time, it won’t hurt at all.” She winked.
The apple of his throat bobbed. “Next time?”
She giggled and pressed a hard fast kiss to his mouth. “Of course. You don’t think I’ll walk away, now that I’ve had you?”
He shook his head, but wore a charming smirk. “The things ye say, lass.”
She stilled. “Is that bad?”
Alex flashed a lopsided grin. “Nay, a’ course no’.”
“So, you want me again?”
He chuckled, and that grin went wider as he squeezed her against him. “A’ course, lass. I willna let ye walk away, so ‘tis a good thing ye dinna wanna.”
Alex was so handsome, her insides wobbled.
Sadness closed in on her, and she didn’t want to let it chase their banter away.
How could she stay away from him?
Hadn’t she decided they were indeed fated?
Selfish. Foolish. Careless.
The words looped her head and Alana wanted to shove them away. She was with her laird, her Alex, and it was too soon for reality to encroach.
“Lass? Somethin’s wrong.”
Statement. Not question.
How to answer him?
He had a right to know about Seamus and her betrothal, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him.
“I’m…fine. I’m here with you.”
She wasn’t fine. She wanted to cry.
“Ye have ta go, dinna ye?” Alex whispered.
His face was lined, no proof he’d been laughing and smiling just moments before, and the somberness made her ache all over, despite the fact his warm body still covered hers, despite that they were still touching; they were still together.
“I do. Soon.” It wasn’t why devastation was crashing in on her, but it was convenient, and true nonetheless.
“I dinna want ye ta.”
Alana sniffled. “I don’t want to. But I’ll be expected in the morning.” She couldn’t tell him more than that, even though she should.
He sighed and rested his forehead against hers. “Aye, as will I, as much as I’d like ta stay here. With ye, always.”