His Highland Prize (The Clan Sinclair Book 3)

by Celeste Barclay

  I must stop her now. If I dinna put an end to this, I’m going to deflower her right here on the floor. That isnae how any woman should make love for the first time, and certainly nae here. Make love? Where the hell did that come from? Tup. Toss her skirts. Slake ma lust. Nae make love. Bah! Who am I kidding? I would kill any mon who thought to use her like that. I want more, so much more. Even as Alex chided himself for his runaway thoughts and for not stopping them, his hands pulled up the length of her nightgown. Somewhere it registered in the back of his mind that he needed to get her some real clothes. Once they found their way to her hips, he pulled one of her legs over his hip and angled them, so he could feel the heat coming from her through his plaid and against his swollen rod.

  “Lass, do ye ken what happens between a mon and woman? I mean I ken what nearly happened to ye, but do ye ken how it works?”

  “Aye. The men were sure to tell me in great detail.”

  “I doubt any of what they said is how it should be done. I willna bed ye here on the floor, but I can bring ye some relief if ye will let me.” Please let me. Please, please, please. I will stop but I dinna want to.

  Brighde looked at him intently and slowly nodded her head. It was all the invitation that Alex needed. He pressed his mouth against hers and rolled her on top of him. He grasped her bottom and was inordinately pleased to feel it fill his very large hands. He had never been overly enamored or attracted to small or thin women. He liked that Brighde was tall enough that he did not have to stoop too far over to kiss her, or that when they lay like this, their mouths lined up just as well as their hips. He began to rock her hips back and forth as his rose to meet hers. Once she picked up on the rhythm, he untied the strings at the neck of the nightgown and pushed it off one shoulder. He freed her breasts and began to feast on them. He licked, suckled, nipped, and suckled some more like a drowning man finding a sip of water. One hand still gripped her backside as the other hand slid around so that a finger could trace over the moist seam between her legs. He could not stop the groan of pure pleasure when he felt how wet she was. He knew she would be embarrassed if she realized that she was practically drenched down there, but his male pride and stiff erection could not have been happier to know she desired him just as much as he did her. He slid a finger into her and listened to her moan. He added another finger slowly since he knew this was all new to her. When her hips rocked harder and faster of their own volition, he pressed a third finger into her and moved them as far as he could reach. He angled his hand as best he could to reach the front of her where the curls hid the source of greater pleasure. He rubbed his forefinger over the slick hood and teased the tiny bud out, so he could bring her closer to completion. As his fingers felt the beginnings of small tremors, he rolled them over again. When he pulled out of her reach, she grunted her displeasure, but before she could ask any questions, she felt his warm, smooth tongue pressing against her nether lips. He parted them with his fingers and nuzzled her then breathed in the musky scent of her. While this was something he had done before, it was far from his favorite sexual act. However, he could not wait to taste Brighde, and as he breathed her in, he reached a hand under his plaid to fist himself. He ran his tongue up and down until she began to writhe, then he pressed his tongue flat against the little button that made her back arch off the ground. He pressed three fingers back into her as he sucked on the intensely sensitive flesh. His hand squeezed his own cock as he pumped it up and down. He had more than once gone down to the loch and taken himself in hand since she arrived. The past week had seen him slipping away to relieve his aching cods more than once. The more time he spent around her, the deeper his attraction grew.

  I just need to last until she comes. I dinna want her to ken what I am doing. I dinna want to embarrass either of us, but ma bullocks will explode if I dinna find release too. Nay woman has ever tasted this good. I could feast on her morn, noon, and night. I will for a lifetime if she will let me. Where did that come from? Nay. I didna really mean that. I dinna ken her well enough to be considering a lifetime of anything with her even if this is the sweetest nectar I’ve ever tasted.

  Alex’s hand began to move faster as Brighde’s hands ran through his hair. As he felt her release sweep through her, she pulled his hair almost painfully, but the sensation only aroused him more knowing that he was the only man to have ever pleasured her. Her body was still wracked by tremors when she pushed hard against him. Balancing on only one elbow and most of his weight on one knee, he toppled quite easily. Before he knew what was happening, he felt a small hand nudging his out of the way.

  “Let me.”

  I want him to feel the pleasure he gave me, to satisfy him as much as he did me. I want him to want me again. Dear heavens, I’ve acted like a loose woman today, and I dinna even care. I just dinna want this to end, and I canna bear the idea that he would find his release elsewhere. I ken men have to be pleasured regularly to be kept interested by a woman. He so much bigger and harder than I ever imagined a mon would be. How does this even fit?

  Alex could only stare up in disbelief and nod his head as she stretched over him and held him firmly in her hand while kissing him. He could feel the passion that he had released pass through her as her tongue dueled with his. Her small, inexperienced hand stroked him as he covered it with hers and guided her into a rhythm that had his eyes rolling back. It took next to no time before he was pulling her hand away and pressing his plaid down. She reached for his cock over his plaid and continued to rub up and down until they could both feel a little dampness seep through. He pulled her tightly against his chest, and they held each other as they basked in the euphoria that was a new sensation for both of them.

  Chapter Six

  Alexander held Brighde while she dozed lightly. Even though he could tell that she was not deeply asleep, she slept peacefully. He knew it was the most peaceful sleep she had since her arrival. He was glad that he was able to provide the sanctuary that she needed, but he worried that she would regret her impulsiveness once she awoke. The sun was high overhead when she began to stir. Alex felt her move against him and realized that he had dozed off too. He looked down to see two fathomless grey eyes peering up at him from where she had once again burrowed herself into his shoulder. He could not help but smile slightly as he realized he rather liked having her tucked next to him while he slept. It felt entirely natural. He always avoided falling asleep with any of the women he bedded. He did not want to suggest any type of commitment nor did he enjoy the awkwardness that he was sure would follow if he spent the night. He had never had a woman in his chambers other than servants sent in to clean. The Sinclair men generally reserved their chambers for their wives only. Bachelors sought their pleasures outside of the keep. The current laird and those past set strict rules against members of the laird’s family dallying with the help, never wanting a woman to feel that her livelihood was dependent upon bedding the laird’s relative. As Alex returned Brighde stare, he realized that there was a certain sense of rightness with her in his chamber. This went beyond just having her remain there because of illness. No, this was decidedly more.

  I dinna ken why I feel that she belongs in here with me. We barely ken each other, or rather, I barely ken her. She kens a great deal aboot me after avoiding talking aboot herself. Even with that, I feel like I ken her or at least have learned quite a bit aboot her. There is a strength there that I cannot help but admire. Even her desire to protect us speaks to her character. She may have lied, but I can see clearly enough that she felt it was a necessity to stay alive. I wish she would open up to me more. I want to get to ken her, and I want to be the one who does the protecting. I dinna want her to feel that she is still alone.

  When she did not immediately pull away, Alexander tested the waters by brushing a kiss against her forehead. The angelic smile that she gave him almost took his breath away. She ran feather-light fingertips over the stubble on his cheeks and jaw.

  I canna believe what we did, or rather I did,
this morn. He doesnae seem repulsed by me, nor does he seem to think he can take more liberties. Nay, just the opposite. I dinna understand why he’s looking at me like this. It’s almost tender, reverent even. It isnae the lust or passion I saw earlier. Why do I feel like I could stay just like this forever and never feel like I have missed aught? His body is always so warm, and while it’s not soft anywhere, it’s incredibly comfortable. How can that be?

  Alex watched as her brow wrinkled while she was deep in thought. He could tell they were questions, but he had no idea about what. He began to worry that she was, in fact, doubting their time together.

  “Penny for yer thoughts, lass.” He lightly ran his hand up and down her back.

  “Ye would be paying far too much.” She smiled faintly.

  “Ye have a keen ability to try to evade telling me what ye’re thinking. Ye do ken that I have seen the ploy all along and have just gone along with it because it seemed so important to ye?”

  She had the good graces to blush slightly and lower her gaze. He tilted her chin up and lightly brushed his lips against hers. He pulled away before it could become anything more.

  “I was worried that ye would awaken to regret earlier.” Alex tentatively broached the subject that was causing him a surprising amount of duress. His mind could not settle until he knew where things stood.

  Brighde pushed herself up on one elbow, so she was eye level with Alex. She felt a disadvantage being so much lower than him.

  “I worried the same thing. Or rather that ye would think less of me for it. I dinna regret it. I just hope ye dinna either.”

  This time when Alex pressed his mouth to hers, he swept his tongue against her lips and pressed his way into her mouth. Her jaw relaxed immediately, and her mouth invited him in. He pulled her back on top of him, and her legs instinctively opened to wrap the sides of his hips. He forced himself to keep his hands on her waist, though the temptation to move them lower or higher was nearly unresitable. She slanted her head to deepen the kiss even further. She drew his tongue back into her mouth and lightly sucked on it. He groaned and rolled them back over, holding his weight above her so as not to crush her.

  I want to feel him closer. I dinna want any space between us. Does he really think he will hurt me if he lays upon me? Or does he nae want me to feel how hard his shaft is? Because if that’s it, he’s a mite late.

  She opened her legs once again to allow him room to settle upon her. When he still held most of his weight on his elbows, she wrapped her legs around his waist and pressed her heels into him while wrapping her arms around the middle of his body and pulled. When that still did not work, she grumbled in frustration and used one hand to fist his leine and yank him towards her. Alex chuckled and lowered himself a little more onto her, but he still kept the majority of his weight off of her.

  “Alex, dinna. Dinna hold back from me. Nae now. I want to feel all ye against me. I am made of sterner stuff than ye think. Ye willna break me, but I may bite ye if ye keep frustrating me.” With that, she nipped his shoulder. Alex stared stunned at her before smiling widely and growling in response. He pressed his weight slowly onto her, still cautious, but when she did not push him away, he cradled her head in his hand and feasted upon her mouth, cheeks, neck, and earlobes. Anything that he could reach. His other hand found the loose neckline of her nightgown, and he palmed her breast, groaning as he felt its weight and how he had to spread his fingers as wide as he could to wrap them around the warm flesh. He kneaded it gently until he felt her hips lift against his. He ground his length against the crest of her thighs and pinched her nipple. She broke off their kiss as she sucked his earlobe into her mouth. She moaned softly near his ear, and he almost spilled himself again.

  A loud clearing of the throat brought them to an instant halt. Brighde tried to shrink into the floor while Alex expanded his shoulder as best he could to shield her from whoever intruded.

  “Ye ken the door isnae locked. It isnae even closed all the way. Ye’re mighty luck it is me who found ye and not Hagatha. She’d turn ye over her knee. Both of ye.” Liam Sinclair stood just inside the door which he had the common sense to close. He looked up at the ceiling as they scrambled to their feet. Alex helped right her flannel gown and then pushed her behind him as he spun his sporran around to cover his very obvious arousal.

  “Da, I didna hear ye come in.”

  “Clearly,” he said dryly.

  “Da, it isnae what ye think,” Alex tried but paused when he saw his father’s raised eyebrow. “It may be what it looks like, but nae what ye think. I havenae, we havenae, I mean, dear God, this hasnae ever happened before today.”

  “I ken that, Alexander. I believe Mary to be a moral young lady, and besides, she’s been too ill to learn of yer charms. Until now.” He watched as Brighde sneaked a look around Alex’s shoulder. She braced herself with a hand on each arm, and Alex wrapped his arm back and around her, drawing her flush with his back.

  “Ye canna hide what I have already seen. It didna work when ye were a wean, and it isnae working now.” The Sinclair leaned slightly to peer around Alex. “Lass, ye can come out now. Dinna fash. I amnae upset. I rather suspected as much when Alex disappeared hours ago, and nay one kenned where he was. Luckily, it wasnae during the time of his usual daily visit, so nay one seems to have figured it out.”

  Brighde stepped around Alex even when he continued to try to shield her. She gave him a pointed look and stepped in front of him.

  “Brie.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed softly. The pet name did not escape the Sinclair’s notice, but he chose to not remark upon it.

  “I am happy to see that ye are much improved, lass. Ye’ve given us all a right scare,” as Laird Sinclair said the last bit, his gaze drifted purposefully up to Alex. “I think it is time that we found ye some proper clothes to wear and let ye escape these four walls. Ye must be bored stiff most of the day.”

  “Thank you, my lord. I would indeed appreciate it.”

  Alex’s grip on her shoulders tightened to an almost painful pinch for a moment when he heard her false English accent again, but he said nothing. He would question her later. It was one thing for her to be evasive with him, but when she would not tell the truth to his father, the laird, he could not risk the safety of his clan. He knew the Sinclairs to be one of the strongest clans in the northern Highlands, and he rarely feared an attack, but he was also mature enough to understand that an unknown foe is the most dangerous type of foe. He was still resolved not to push her into telling him against her will, but he would ask later.

  “Perhaps ye would care for a tour around the gardens. I’m sure Alex would be happy to accompany ye. I will send Hagatha up with some of the gowns that Mairghread left behind the last time she was here. She was expanding rapidly with the bairn and didna see the point in carrying them back. She is aboot the same size as ye.”

  He gave a pointed look to his son and stepped towards the door. He opened it and held it open for his son. Alex looked down at Brighde and only moved away when she gave him a slight nod.

  He passed through the doorway and heard his father close the door behind them. He took a deep breath and anticipated his father’s lecture. When nothing was forthcoming, he looked over at his father. He did not expect to see a broad grin on the man’s face.

  “Have ye gone daft in yer dotage?”

  “Dotage is it, ye wee laddie? I grin because I kenned it was inevitable. I am only mildly surprised that it took ye so long. She’s been up and pacing that chamber for days. Mayhap ye have been sneaking kisses these last few days, and today is just the day ye were caught with ye hand in the honey pot.”

  Alex’s cheeks flamed from his father’s analogy when he remembered what they had done the first time they had come together.

  “Hmmm. So, ma guess isnae far off. Have ye compromised her in truth?”

  “Nay! Da, I amnae like ma brothers, and ye ken that. I dinna have dalliances like them, and I would never take f
rom a woman what is only meant for her husband.”

  “I ken that, but ye have been drawn to her since the night she arrived. Ye’ve been nearly obsessed with her from the start. Remember it wasnae so long ago that I suggested that ye travel with yer brothers, and I thought ye might mutiny.”

  “I amnae obsessed, but I am drawn to her in a way I canna explain. I can honestly say that it isnae just her looks. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever met, but there is so much more. So much more that she hasnae shared with me yet, but I see hints of. I want to get to ken her better, and mayhap we will find we suit. Mayhap we dinna, but I want to ken.”

  “Ye have the right of it all, son. She has much more to tell than what she has yet, but they may be her secrets to keep for a while longer. Dinna push or rush her, or ye may find her fleeing again. She trusts ye, and I dinna think that comes easily. If ye break her trust, ye willna regain it easily. Bare that in mind.”

  “Aye, Da. I will.”

  They had reached the bottom of the stairs and moved into the Great Hall. Laird Sinclair called Hagatha over and arranged for her to take Brighde some of Mairghread’s kirtles.

  Alex did not have long to wait before Brighde came down the stairs. She was dressed in a dark blue gown that contrasted with her flaxen hair which had been swept up into a braid that hung down her back to her waist. Alex realized he was holding his breath until she reached him. Taking a deep breath, he extended his arm to her and guided her down a passageway. He knew that he could have taken her out of the main doors of the keep, but he perversely did not want to share the sight of her with anyone else. He justified it to himself by arguing that he was helping her to reenter the land of the living slowly. He did not want her overwhelmed with too many curious stares the moment she showed herself for the first time in nearly six sennights. There were constant curiosity and speculation about the mystery woman who was healing in Alexander’s chamber, but Laird Sinclair easily quelled most of the talk.