“Did I stutter, lass?”
“Ye’d use me in such a way?”
Though he wanted to chuckle at her silly thought, he kept a serious expression. “A man must do his duty.”
“Please get off of me. I need a drink of wine.”
“All right, lass. Since ye asked so nicely.” He repositioned himself on the bed and watched as she scurried across the room to the table where food and drink had been left for them.
With shaky hands, she poured herself a measure of wine and gulped it down, then refilled her cup.
“Easy, lass,” he advised. “If ye drink too much, it will take longer for me to do my duty.”
She slammed the cup down and thrust a hand on her hip, looking infuriated and maybe a little drunk. “Ye and yer men can ride away from here, Alex. We’re married as far as the church is concerned. Why stay when ye have so much to return to in Constantinople?”
Her easy dismissal angered him and he stood up. “And leave ye a virgin for another night? For the next man who wants ye?”
She clicked her tongue. “There isna a man left in the Highlands who would dare have me after everything that has transpired these last few days—after the humiliation I’ve suffered.”
“Ye’re wrong.”
“Am I?”
He launched himself at her, capturing her in his arms, tasting her again and again, swallowing her bitterness and the remnants of the honey wine she’d just drank. “I am a man, Keely. Ye’re husband.”
Guiding her hand over his stomach and underneath his tartan, he made sure she felt his excitement. And when she feigned innocence and tried to yank her hand free, he whispered in her ear. “Nay, lassie. Doona act as if ye’ve never felt me before.” For she had, many times under a starlit sky. They’d explored each other’s bodies freely through their clothes, kissing and petting until he’d nearly lost his mind. But honor had held him back. And by God, since she was officially his wife now, there’d be no more teasing.
“A-Alex,” she purred. She cupped his manhood and offered her mouth to him.
He tangled his free hand in her long hair, then kissed her wildly. Aye, he wanted her to melt in his arms, to beg for anything and everything he could give her. Though he knew her to be a maiden, Keely had never been shy.
He released her mouth and feathered light kisses down the column of her neck, then nipped and licked the delicate skin between her breasts. The gown hugged her curves perfectly, revealing the generous swell of her breasts. His breasts.
The more he kissed her, the more she arched into him. Alex took advantage of the opportunity, unlacing the front of her dress, until the bodice gaped open enough for him to shove the material of her shift aside. He reached out and stroked her cheek while admiring her flesh. Flesh he wanted to explore and taste. Especially her rose-colored nipple. And he did just that, circling her areola with his tongue. Breathless and weak-kneed, Alex had to hold Keely up.
“Will ye fight me now, lass?”
She shook her head, delightfully complaint and willing.
He smiled like a fool, a hungry fool at that. With little effort, he carried her to the bed. She fell back against the soft mattress. Then Alex stripped his shirt and tartan off, and his boots followed.
Candlelight filled the bedchamber, and Alex stayed still so Keely could inspect his body. Curiosity filled her eyes. But when her stare lingered on his cock, he couldna wait any longer. He lifted the hem of her gown, raising it above her hips. What greeted him made him salivate. The patch of dark hair crowning her womanhood and the sight of her slim thighs made it impossible to hold back. He cupped her arse with both hands, lifting her to his face.
He licked gently at first, her feminine scent and taste pleasing—intoxicating.
Keely buried her fingers in his hair, pleading for him to stop at the same time she pressed his head to her core. It made him smile inside, letting him know she wanted this—him—them.
“Alex. Please. What are ye doing?”
If she required further explanation… He let go of one of her arse cheeks and quickly sunk a finger inside her, stroking in rhythm with his tongue. Her legs stiffened and she cried out again and again. But he dinna relent. Nay, she would peak in his mouth, and then he’d steal her kisses, and lick her again.
Seconds later, a faint pulse started, and he sucked the little nub harder.
“Alex!”
Her body went rigid. Alex dinna stop caressing her, he welcomed her excitement. Once she stilled, the only sound in the chamber was her heavy breathing. He crawled up her spent body, finding her staring at the ceiling.
Words weren’t necessary as he continued to unlace her gown. She lifted her body so he could slide it off her, helping him with her shift next, and finally kicking off her silk slippers.
A low moan escaped Alex as he drank in every inch of her naked form. Not one detail escaped his admiration. From the shape of her breasts, flat stomach, the flare of her hips, even the tiny scar on her left knee—it all belonged to him now. She belonged to him. And now that he’d tasted her, heard her cry his name, felt the pulse of her pleasure, all he could think about was burying himself inside her—claiming her and ending the pain from the past.
He’d have waited a hundred years to have her—for her sheath was wet and tight and made for his pikk. Just like her sweet mouth was made for his lips and tongue. “Stand up, lass.”
She lowered her head, meeting his stare.
“Ye want me to get up?”
“Aye,” he said huskily. “I want to see ye—all of ye.”
She slowly climbed off the bed, standing before him.
Another man would have fallen in love with her at first sight, but another man wouldna have ever let her go. And he had, until tonight. He circled her, running his fingers over her warm skin, loving the velvety smoothness of her arms and back, the lines of her legs and that arse … that well-formed, delicious arse. Stopping behind her, he gripped his pikk and gave it a firm squeeze, groaning in need and pain. The image in his mind was filthy and purely animalistic, taking his bride in the same way a stallion mounts a mare.
He wrapped an arm about her waist, tugging her against him. The air around them crackled with dark desire. He kissed her neck, the top of her ear, licked her shoulder, and then pinched her nipples. Keely snaked her hand behind him, finding his cock and bollocks.
“Aye, lass. Touch me just like that. Give it a tender squeeze.”
She did.
“Do ye know what it’s like to wait so long, Keely? To dream of the night when all yer bloody dreams will come true?” Damn his weakness! He’d said too much, and it angered him. She must never know, dinna deserve to know how much he’d wanted her while he was away.
“Aye,” she whispered. “Those same dreams plagued my sleep every night.”
Her confession hit him in the heart. What he struggled to keep inside, she offered without hesitation. True feelings for him.
“Do ye love me, lass?”
She made no reply, but continued to provoke him with her touch.
Love had no place in this bedchamber. It would only complicate his simple plan. Duty over love—an heir to secure his clan’s future, that was all he owed Keely, his brother, sire, and the people celebrating in the great hall. That dinna mean he couldna enjoy getting his wife with child.
He walked Keely to the end of the bed, buried his face in her hair, and gathered her breasts in his hands. “Bend over the bed for me, lass. Spread those luscious legs for me.”
Keely remained ever responsive and eager to please.
Alex positioned himself at her entrance, running his fingers down her back. Then he fanned her dark tresses out and the sweet smell of heather filled the air. Testing her readiness, he gently pushed the tip of his member inside her. Aye, she was still wet, very wet. He pulled out and ran his fingers over her slick entrance. She pressed against him, urging him inside her.
“I am ready, Alexander, and know what to expect.”
“As ye wish, Wife.”
It took four gentle thrusts to open her enough to submerge himself inside her. Keely cried out in pain and pleasure, but was quick to reassure him that she dinna want him to stop. Not that he could have. He thrust again and again, satisfying that selfish need to take her from behind, but then wanted more—much more.
He pulled out, flipped her over, and draped one of her legs over his shoulder. “I want to see yer beautiful face, Keely.”
She cupped his cheek and nodded. “And I want to see yours, Alex.”
He pumped inside her again, this time with less resistance. Heat and wetness enveloped him, and he leaned forward and plundered her mouth—kissing her with a force he’d never experienced before. Keely dug her fingernails into his shoulder, her tongue wrestling with his, her lips tightly sealed over his mouth.
The moment she began to unravel, he, too, lost control. They both screamed in utter shock and pleasure, the years of waiting for fulfillment finally over.
*
When she awoke sometime in the night, Keely slipped from underneath her husband’s arm and padded to the other side of the chamber. She stopped in front of the hearth where the fire still burned warm and bright. Something magical had occurred between them, something she couldna quite explain yet. After their first joining, he washed her with a soft, wet cloth, and then cleaned himself before crawling underneath the furs with her. Then he made love to her again, less frenzied this time, but with the same care for her pleasure.
Neither said a word as they drifted into sleep, but she remembered hearing his steady breathing, even a soft snore before she faded.
Just to prove Alex’s words, she walked to the door and slid the bolt back, seeing if it would open. As he’d warned, the door was locked from the outside. She couldna get away even if she wanted to. Turning back toward the bed, she knew why she suddenly dinna have the need to run. Alex. He’d erased any doubt of where she belonged and who she belonged to. No wonder the church warned of the careless giving and taking of flesh. Something so special, so sacred, should be reserved for a husband and wife. That’s what she’d learned in her short time of intimacy with her husband.
But did he feel the same?
Could he feel anything after living as a heathen, beyond the grace of God?
“Keely?” Alex sat up. “Are ye all right, lass?”
“Aye.”
“Come back to bed then.”
“I am hungry.” Her stomach growled.
Alex grinned. “Our bedsport has given ye a better appetite.”
Keely wandered to the table and picked over the bread, cheese, and meat. Anything would taste good right now. She chewed a piece of smoked venison and swallowed it down with a sip of wine. “Are ye hungry?” She gazed at Alex.
“In a different way, lass.” The same expression that had darkened his face earlier was back. The look of lust.
She would never forget—even if she tried. No man had ever looked at her like that.
He threw the furs back.
Keely couldna keep her eyes off him as he stood up. His blond hair hung lose about his shoulders. And his powerful body, all that muscle and tanned skin, his confident stride … his erection. She closed her eyes for a quick moment and sucked in a breath. Aye, his member was long and thick and ready to be inside her again. He dinna need food or drink, he wanted her. As he reached her, he caressed her cheek, and she shivered.
“What will it take to coax ye back to bed?” he asked.
She pretended to think on it. “Something special, I think.”
“How special?”
She looked down. “Very special.”
Alex chuckled. “Kiss me, Keely.”
A foot taller than her, she stood on her toes and locked her hands behind his neck, pulling him down. Something sparked between them as their lips met, and Keely felt the wetness between her legs again.
“Is it always this easy between a man and woman, Alex?”
“Nay,” he said. “We share something rare. And I canna get enough of ye.” He dragged her from the table over to the closest chair and sat down. He patted his lap. “Straddle me.”
“How?”
“Very slowly, I doona wish to hurt ye.” Guiding her, he sunk inside her as she lowered herself on top of him.
It felt so different. Though she was overly sensitive between her legs, no pain ensued. Instinctively, she started to roll her hips while Alex held on.
“That’s it, lass. Doona stop.”
She’d never thought it possible that a woman could take control. She liked it, perhaps more than she should. But just as she was getting familiar with how to move, Alex lifted her and carried her to the wall. He pressed her back against the cold, smooth stones, holding her up while he thrust inside her. Was there no end to the pleasure? No end to how many ways her new husband could bed her?
Alex stopped moving and bit his lower lip. “I canna hold it, lass. I am sorry for it.”
She dinna care, he’d already given her so much enjoyment, so much hope.
Once he stopped convulsing, he lifted her chin and placed a kiss on her lips. “We should sleep now.”
They walked hand-in-hand back to the bed. As she slipped under the furs, Keely couldna remember a time when she felt so content. Alex turned on his side and pulled her close, keeping an arm around her. “Sleep well, milady,” he whispered.
She smiled as she closed her eyes, hoping her dreams were as sweet as the memories she’d made with her husband that night.
Chapter Fifteen
Despite the temptation to stay with his wife, Alex knew there was much work to be done. He was careful not to make too much noise as he slipped out of the bed to find his clothes. Aye—the night couldna have gone better. Keely was everything a man could want in bed. Her scent lingered all over him, and he liked it that way. He washed his face and hands, then dressed. Once his boots were on, he walked to the door and knocked four times.
The bolt slid back and one of the guards opened it for him. “Good morn, Laird Alex,” Iain said with a stupid smile.
Alex nodded and stepped into the corridor. “Let my wife sleep. When she is ready, she is free to walk about the keep and bailey. But one of ye must stay with her at all times.”
“Aye,” Iain said.
Alex made his way belowstairs, and was welcomed by the council and his captains.
“Food,” he demanded, claiming his seat at the high table.
A maid set a trencher of warm oats in front of him, then filled his cup with ale.
“Ye survived the long night. Did ye bring the sheet?” Mathe asked.
“What sheet?” Alex swallowed his first bite of food.
“The bloody sheet from yer bridal bed,” Mathe explained. “To provide the necessary evidence of yer wife’s purity. There’s been much talk of it.”
“And who is entitled to see it?”
“The council, your captains, and perhaps any clan member who is interested. This marriage isna a private affair, milord. Hundreds of people are depending on ye, on Lady MacKay, to set things right, to heal the wounds so cruelly inflicted by the past and the Sutherlands. In short, Alex, hope.”
“And a blasted sheet will give ye that hope?” He couldna understand why any of them would doubt his ability to determine whether his young bride was an innocent or not. “My word should suffice. I did see virgin’s blood.”
Mathe leaned closer and spoke quietly. “I believe ye.”
“Let that be enough.”
“Nay.”
“What do ye mean, nay?”
“There are those like Angus. Tenants filled with superstitions who need to see the physical evidence to satisfy their doubts. The sheet should be hung from the window in yer bedchamber or even here in the great hall.”
Alex growled with disapproval. “I dinna bed my wife in the usual way.”
Mathe raised a brow. “Milord?”
Alex sighed and scrubbed his face. Did he really need to explain? Perhaps. The older man clung to tradition like the superstitious crofters he spoke about. “We dinna use the bed, Mathe. Not the first time.”
The councilman’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“Are ye going to call me a heathen again?”
“I doona know what to say, Alexander. Is Lady Keely well?”
“Sleeping as sound as a babe.”
“Something must be done, milord. Quickly.”
With the sudden loss of his appetite, Alex shot up from his chair and rushed upstairs. Instead of returning to the laird’s bedchamber where Keely slept, he went to her room. Fresh linens were folded and kept on a shelf near the bed. He selected a sheet, opened it, and then used the dirk from his boot to cut himself on the wrist. Very carefully, he sprinkled a fair amount of blood on the material. “There’s yer virgin’s blood,” he said out loud.
He left the soiled linen on the bed and went back to the great hall to find a maid.
Fortunately, Leah was available. “Go to my wife’s chamber and bring the bridal sheet belowstairs. Present it to Captain Mathe and do with it as he asks.”
Leah curtsied and left.
Alex once again claimed his chair at the high table. “Leah will fetch the sheet ye asked for.”
“Good,” Mathe said. “Are ye happy, Alex? Will Keely suit?”
Alex took a drink of ale. “She’ll suit.”
He finished his meal in silence, then motioned for his captains to follow him outside. The west village must be rebuilt. If it wasn’t, the Sutherlands would see it as a sign of fear. And he’d be damned if the earl would be given any opportunity to claim victory over the MacKays.
A squire saddled his horse and brought him out of the stable. Alex mounted, waiting for the rest of his men to do the same. The west village was a short ride away. Since he hadn’t taken the time to tour it after the battle, it was a long overdue visit.
An hour later, they approached the outskirts. It dinna take long for Alex to see the devastation, burned out huts and scorched earth. The gardens were even destroyed. Nothing had been spared. It enraged Alex that such violence was directed at his people, instead of at him or the MacKay soldiers. Women and children had died or been kidnapped.
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