Bedding the Highlander

by Sabrina York

  He loved that she writhed beneath him, that she’d tangled her fingers in his hair and yanked him closer, urging him on.

  He lifted his head and locked gazes with her as he reached her nest…and the warm, wet welcome there. His cock lurched, pounded, ached as he stroked and teased her.

  Her lips were parted, her eyes glazed. She shook her head back and forth as he circled the hard nub at the crux of her being. It delighted him that his attention seemed to fling her sanity into the wind. Made her plead.

  “Kirk, Kirk…”

  Ah. How magnificent to hear her cry his name.

  And then she stilled. Her eyes closed, her lips parted on a sigh, and her body seized.

  Sensing his opportunity, he did not hesitate; he thrust two fingers into her.

  Several thoughts occurred to him at once.

  First, she had indeed been a virgin.

  Second, she was so tight, it made his eyes cross.

  Third, she came again as he drove deep, closing on him with a tormenting hold.

  And finally, and most importantly, it occurred to him that he needed to be inside her. Now. He wanted to possess and fill her.

  It took all of a second for him to lift his kilt and find his cock. He fisted it, set himself between her legs, and drove home.

  It was heaven. Indescribable, immutable heaven.

  Good glory, he was large. Kate shifted to try to relieve the discomfort as Kirk pressed into her body. She had gloried in his kisses, in his caresses—even the lurid ones, and maybe especially those. Some mindless delight, a bestial pleasure, had consumed her and she’d wanted more, more, more.

  When he’d pressed his fingers inside her, there’d been a pinch, but it had been a pleasurable one. This…not so much.

  She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth as he invaded her. Though there were still ribbons of pleasure scudding through her, this incursion dominated. It felt as though he was filling her completely. That he might split her in two. She was about to complain or ask him to stop when something changed. His cock pressed against some spot deep within her, some screaming bundle of nerves…and a shower of delight flooded her.

  “Oh,” she gasped.

  He leaned up and stared down at her. “Do you like that?” he asked, as he pulled back a bit and did it again.

  She sank her nails into his back and, when that was not leverage enough, scudded her hands down beneath his kilt and found the bare globes of his ass and raked him there.

  “Lord,” he gusted. His expression firmed. His jaw clenched and he pulled out.

  She nearly wailed her protest, but he didn’t give her time. With a snarl, he thrust deep again.

  Her body swelled with pleasure and her mind spun. Absolute rapture took her as Kirk moved over her, pounding into her like a beast, drawing her higher and higher, closer and closer to some unknown peak. She fought in a frenzy, fought against him and for him as they both scrabbled and struggled to reach that place, that heaven, where two were one.

  He moved like a madman, staring into her eyes and groaning with each slick plunge. She wrapped her legs around him and locked him in, urging him on with every breath. He reached between them and pressed against her where they were joined, rubbing that tiny nubbin.

  Shards of ecstasy rose and spun through her. She began to shiver. There was a roar in her ears. Delight wound through her veins, making her go hot, then cold, then hot again.

  And then his cock swelled inside her, making it an even tighter fit, increasing the tension between them until it was utterly unbearable.

  “Please. Please,” she cried, but it was too late. Before the words emerged, the maelstrom took her. Whipped her around and sent her spinning in an eternity of absolute pleasure.

  When she came to herself again, she was out of breath. Kirk lay at her side, panting as well. He leaned up on his elbow and stroked her cheek. “Are you all right, wee Ann?” he whispered.

  All right? That had been magnificent.

  More wonderful than she’d ever dared dream.

  Of course, there was no need to admit as much. This man’s ego required little feeding to thrive. So she shook her finger at him. “Doona call me wee.”

  Apparently he took this as a jest, because he laughed and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “We forgot to eat, wee Ann,” he said.

  And though his insistence on using that endearment annoyed her, she was hungry, so she decided to let the issue drop in favor of supper.

  As they ate their humble meal of dried meats and oatcakes, washed down with ale, she relived their passion and enjoyed the ripples of pleasure that still rocked her. A lovely sense of well-being blossomed in her chest. All in all, she was pleased with the way things had worked out.

  That she and her sister had stumbled upon these men in the first place.

  And she had grasped the opportunity to scuttle her forthcoming wedding.

  She had thoroughly enjoyed seducing him…although she could not be sure she’d been the only one guilty of seduction.

  That thought thrilled her as well.

  After they ate, they curled up together and shared their warmth. Sometime in the night, she awoke to his lips on her neck, his hands on her breasts, and her body warm and ready for his invasion.

  This time, there was no pain at all.

  There was nothing but absolute bliss.

  It was a shame she was going to have to leave him the first chance she got.

  Chapter 10

  Morning came too soon. That was always the case whenever a man awoke with a lovely, passionate woman in his arms.

  This morning was even more unpleasant because it was Brodie who woke him.

  His friend stood in the opening of the cave, blocking most of the light, with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. “What the bluidy hell is this?” he barked.

  Kirk blinked and, untangling himself from Ann’s embrace, sat up and hissed, “Shh. You’ll wake her.” He glanced down at her, but shouldn’t have. His tunic, suspiciously torn at the neck, gaped open, revealing one of her perfect breasts.

  His cock went from morning-hard to hard-as-steel in a heartbeat.

  Hell. He wished Brodie had not been so enthusiastic about finding them. What he wouldn’t give for one more go with her.

  Instead, he pulled the plaid over her nakedness and feigned innocence. He stood, stretched, and guided Brodie from the cave. His friend’s horse was hobbled with his in the field, eating grass. It was a beautiful day. The sun was bright and the birds were singing and he’d had a wonderful night. All was well with the world.

  Until Brodie whirled on him as they stepped away from the cave. “What the fook was that?”

  Kirk shrugged. “That was two people taking shelter from a storm.”

  Brodie’s snort echoed across the lea. “She’s Katherine’s maid.”

  “And?”

  “Have you given a thought to the future?”

  Yes. Yes, he had. Almost all night long. He was keeping her.

  “Can you imagine how thorny this will be when Katherine marries Ben?”

  “Why would it be thorny?”

  “Katherine will not appreciate the fact that you’ve seduced her maid. She will pressure Ben to have you wed the girl. Especially if there is a child.”

  Kirk tripped over his own feet. A child? He hadn’t thought about that. For some reason, warmth swelled in his chest. He grinned at Brodie.

  “What is so amusing?”

  “I like the lass.”

  “Och. You like all the lasses, Kirk.”

  “I like this one especially.”

  “Well, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “I hope so, too. By the way, where is Katherine?”

  Brodie nodded to a stand of brush not far from the horses. “Relieving herself.”

  “And you left her alone?”

  “I couldna stand and watch.”

  “Hell, Brodie. She’s Ben’s bride. His unwilling bride. We need to kee
p an eye on her.” He rushed over to the bushes and, to his relief, saw Katherine stand and shake out her dress. “My lady.” He proffered a bow. “I hope you fared well last night.”

  She smiled demurely. “It was not pleasant, but at least we had shelter from the storm. And you?” She glanced about. “And…Ann?”

  “Aye. We found shelter as well. She’s still sleeping.” He waved at the outcropping.

  “I’d best see to her,” Katherine said, and, with a nod, headed off in that direction.

  The moment she was out of sight, Brodie rolled his eyes. “Och, she’s a virago, that one,” he muttered.

  “Is she?”

  “Aye. Several times she tried to run away.”

  “Did she? In the rain?”

  “Aye.” Brodie scowled. “Tonight, we should tie them up.”

  Kirk chuckled. “We are no’ tying them up.”

  There was no need. Not now.

  Brodie muttered something and then scowled. “I don’t envy Ben at all.”

  “Why?”

  “Lord above, Katherine complained about everything. About the weather and the ride and the bruises on her bottom.”

  “Hmm.” Ann, bless her, had not complained about a thing. In fact, she’d embraced the situation as though it had been an adventure. He liked that about her. But then, he liked everything about her.

  “We should trade,” Brodie said.

  Kirk’s head whipped around. He glowered at his friend.

  Trade? No fooking way.

  At that moment, Ann stepped out into the light and his attention snapped to her. Lord. Was it possible that she was even lovelier today?

  He made his way to her, unable to wipe the smile from his face. She’d donned her dress, and though it was still damp and stained, she looked wonderful. “Good morning,” he said with a bow. He realized at once it was not proper to bow to a maid, but neither she nor Katherine seemed to notice his mistake. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Aye,” she said with a grin. “Despite the hard floor.”

  Chagrin whipped through him. Heat rose on his cheeks. “I’m sorry for the circumstances,” he said, hoping Katherine didn’t divine his double meaning.

  “It was fine,” Ann assured him, and he loved that, as she peeped at him from beneath her lashes, there was a hint of humor in her eyes. “One must try new things once in a while.”

  Katherine snorted. “I’d rather not have tried that.” She frowned at Kirk. “Brodie snores.”

  “Does he?” Ann asked on a laugh.

  “Aye.” She pinned Kirk with a sharp look. “How about him? Does he snore?”

  Ann blinked. “I…ah…wouldn’t know.”

  “Nae?”

  She lifted a delicate shoulder. “I must have slept through it.”

  “We should be on our way,” Brodie said curtly. “If we make good time, we can stop early tonight and perhaps find some fresh meat.”

  Kirk nodded and headed for the cavern to collect his things. He was loath to leave this spot, for it would always hold a dear place in his heart.

  He would never forget what had passed between them here.

  But then, if he was lucky, there would be tonight. It might be difficult to arrange it, what with Brodie and Katherine about, but perhaps he could convince Ann to take a walk with him in the woods. If nothing else, they were only a day or so from the village of Fortingall, where they might stay at the inn. He would, of course, ensure she had a private room. It would only be gentlemanly to order a bath for her, too. Granted, he’d have to do the same for Katherine, but the cost would not break him. And they would be coins well spent.

  “Well?” Elise said when the men had headed off to ready their mounts. “What happened?”

  Kate frowned at her. Though Elise was her sister and her dearest friend, a part of her did not want to reveal this. It was too intimate. Her feelings were far too tender.

  But Elise could apparently read her thoughts, or her expression at least. “Oh, no. Never say you are falling for him?”

  Kate reared back in shock. It had only been a physical tangling. A simple act that had changed her from an eligible maiden to a woman who could make decisions on her own. There had been nothing in the least emotional about it. Simply an act she required and he desired. Nothing more.

  But those reasons did little to explain the second and third times they’d made love.

  Granted, it had been exceedingly pleasant. Surely that was excuse enough. It had to be.

  “Well? Are you falling for him?”

  “Of course not. Doona be ridiculous.”

  Elise studied her with a hint of cynicism in her eye. “He is handsome.”

  “Aye, he is.”

  “I imagine he kisses like the verra devil.”

  Och. There she went, trying to pry details from sealed lips. Kate sent her a frown. “I willna talk about it.”

  Elise huffed a breath. “Fine. Just tell me…are you deflowered?”

  How humiliating. Kate rolled her eyes. “Aye. Now stop asking.”

  “Excellent.” Elise rubbed her hands together. “That doesna mean we won’t still watch for the opportunity to slip away.”

  “Of course no’,” Kate said. Seeing the men were ready, she headed toward the horses. And she tried to ignore the sudden dark cloud that had descended upon her.

  Again, Brodie asked Kirk to switch partners, but there was no way in hell Kirk was letting Ann out of his arms. As much as he had enjoyed riding with her yesterday, today was even more delightful.

  It was also more painful, because she insisted on teasing him—rubbing her bottom against him and whispering agonizing nonsense in his ear. Things like, Och, you’re so strong, and What’s this thing poking me in the back? At one point, she actually grabbed his horn, and he nearly fell out of the saddle.

  On second thought, maybe he should have let her ride with Brodie.

  But no. He couldn’t have borne it. He might have killed his friend for putting hands on her.

  Occasionally, when the road was wide, they would ride abreast with the other pair and talk. It was during these conversations that he and Brodie learned about these women and what their life had been like in Killin Castle.

  It stunned him that they both carried a knife with them at all times.

  “For safety,” Katherine said, when Brodie asked.

  “From whom? Did not Killin’s men respect his daughters?”

  To Kirk’s shock, they both laughed. “No one respects women, let alone Killin’s daughters,” Ann said in a bitter tone.

  “Including Killin,” Katherine added.

  Ann nodded. “Not that he dinna see us as valuable property.”

  “True. But he certainly did no’ go out of his way to warn the men off.”

  “It was best to stay in our quarters. Or get verra skilled with a dirk.” Ann waved an imaginary knife in the air.

  “Aye. Especially when he had…guests.” Katherine shuddered.

  Kirk’s belly tightened. First, because the vision of wee Ann having to fight men off in her own home made him physically ill. And then, when he realized what she’d let slip.

  He took her chin in his fingers and gently turned her to study her face. Then he scrutinized Katherine’s features. He should have noticed before. The likeness was undeniable. “You’re Killin’s daughter?”

  She peered at him with an odd expression. “Of course. All the women in the keep are either his daughters, or the women who bore his children.”

  Kirk shot a look at Brodie, knowing what he’d see. And, yeah, there it was. The “I told you it would be thorny” look. Ann was not only Katherine’s maid—if she was even that—the two were sisters.

  For some reason, it was a shock to him, though it shouldn’t have been. He had not seduced Ann intending to abandon her—he fully intended to take her back to Rannoch Castle as his mistress.

  Katherine might not be able to wheedle Ben into having him make an honest woman of her maid, but a siste
r was a different story altogether.

  And Kirk was not entirely displeased with this twist of fate.

  He had enjoyed their coupling—ah, couplings—immensely. And he enjoyed her immensely. Her smile, her laugh, her sense of humor. He would not be averse to spending his life with such a woman, should such a necessity come to pass.

  These thoughts possessed him all day as they made their way north. While yesterday’s storm had slowed them considerably, they made good progress today. They were not close enough to Fortingall to enjoy those private quarters, unfortunately, but they found a nice spot to make camp.

  While Kirk set about making comfortable pallets for the women from fallen leaves and pine needles, Brodie headed into the woods to bag some rabbits for supper. The women busied themselves gathering firewood.

  Brodie came back with a healthy brace, and they all worked together skinning and preparing their dinner. What followed was a filling meal, charming conversation, and no small amount of flirting on Ann’s part, though she did work hard to keep her forays between the two of them. All in all, it was a delightful evening. The only drawback was that there was no chance for him and Ann to take a walk in the woods. Immediately after dinner, Katherine insisted she was tired and wanted to go to sleep early. Of course, Ann joined her.

  But Kirk tried not to be disappointed. It had been a pleasant day. He’d learned about his Ann and was convinced that this meeting had been fated. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of the two of them together.

  And judging on her sweet expression and sultry tone as she bade him good night, she agreed.

  He didn’t need to bed her tonight, and certainly not in the woods. Though it was better than a cave, it wasn’t by far. He could wait, especially if she would be his forever.

  It was, therefore, extremely disconcerting to wake up the next morning to find that the women had fled.

  And they had taken the horses.

  Chapter 11

  “I told you we should have tied them up,” Brodie said for the thousandth time, as they plodded down the dusty road.