Ellenor drew closer, burying her fingers in the softness of his hair. She felt another shiver run through him and relished the newfound knowledge that she could excite and make this huge Highlander moan with need with just the mere touch of her flesh. Feeling both strangely powerful and safe to be her wild, adventurous self, she let her right hand drop from his hair to his neck, and with a featherlike caress down his spine, dip into the dark waters. Then her fingertips wandered over the dent created by his taut muscles before tightening around the round curve of his cheek.
Suddenly his hardness nestled between them grew longer and became very rigid. Cole groaned, “You’re killing me.”
Ellenor wondered if she had done something wrong, but before she could ask, Cole slid his body down until his lips were level with her nipples. “It’s dangerous to touch a man like that, love. I can barely control myself.”
Ellenor raked her fingers through his hair. “Then don’t,” she whispered and placed a loving kiss on his temple.
He lifted his head and gazed into her deep green eyes. There was no mistaking the yearning in the misty pools. Every nerve, every impulse ached to respond to her beseeching request and fulfill his own desire, which had been building since the day they met. But unless she was there with him, crying out with shared pleasure at the moment of their joining, it would be a hollow gratification. And that would be an even greater pain than the physical discomfort he was experiencing now.
He placed a soft kiss on the inside of one breast. “First, you,” he replied, and then trailed his lips all around the soft mound until he reached its peak. Laving it with his tongue, he took the already hard nipple into his mouth and teased it. His teeth lightly tantalized the pink berry until Ellenor squirmed with growing need. He held her close, massaging the muscles of her back and buttocks.
He finally freed the pink bud, and the moment the air touched the sensitive flesh, Ellenor cried out and arched upward, offering herself to his hungry mouth, hoping he would comply. Cole smiled and then roamed the valley between Ellenor’s breasts until he reached the other creamy mound. He found the nub already taut and waiting for him.
Ellenor was holding her breath, unable to speak, yet wanting to shout for him to take her in his mouth and love her as he was doing before. Slowly, his tongue traced circles around her nipple, until it flicked over the rosy peak. Ellenor gasped and clutched his shoulders. “Cole,” she moaned. It was half plea, half demand for him to do more.
Finally, he captured the throbbing nipple in his mouth and held the bloom between his lips, stroking the sensitive flesh with his tongue. Ellenor cried out and Cole began to suckle. Over and over, he stroked the hardened peak until it quivered, and then he gently pulled on the swollen nub with his teeth.
Cole shook with building need. He wanted to taste all of her, know her, feel her body react to his touch. With his mouth still warm and hot on her breast, his thumb skimmed across her other nipple one last time before sliding down under the water. Slowly his fingers trailed across her hip until he found the soft triangle of hair between her legs. He laced his fingers through its softness and tested her gently with one finger.
Ellenor cried out softly as a deep tremor shook her. She lost control of her legs and felt herself sink into the water before big, warm hands lifted her and carried her to the shore. The last time Cole had touched her like that, he had created a storm of sensations and she had lost control of her body. She wanted that again, but this time she wanted him to lose control with her, and purred her desire in his ear.
Cole almost lost his footing. He had already been shaking, and her nibbling on his earlobe had doubled the intensity growing in his loins, but when she had asked if he would like her to touch him, he had almost fallen. He wasn’t quite sure how he had managed to stay upright.
He made his way to the waiting plaid blanket and then gently eased her down on to the makeshift bed. He began to lower himself along the length of her and stopped halfway. The ground, which had never before seemed so hard, suddenly felt too severe for the soft beauty in his arms. “Are you comfortable?”
Sensing his concern, Ellenor raised an eyebrow mischievously as she slid her palm down his chest, across his belly, and lower until her hand cradled his sex. “Now I am.” She grinned.
“No, Elle…” Cole groaned in protest and was about to stop her, when she started moving the velvety skin up and down over his inner, rock-hard shaft. Instinctively, he pushed himself forward, deeper into her palm, and growled the word “yes” as she kneaded and stroked his flesh. Her semidamp hair had spilled around her head and her eyes glowed with desire as she increased the tempo of her caress. He knew he was about to lose control. Either he lie back and surrender to the climax building within him, or he had to stop her hands before he exploded.
Cole sucked in his breath slowly through his teeth and gathered all his will to pull her hand away. She was about to object when he kissed her heavily, silencing her protest and ending any other thoughts besides him. This time his hands did the roaming.
His thumbs grazed across her nipples and the curve of her hip lifted, pressing into his thigh. His mouth left hers to trail kisses down the side of her throat, until his lips found the softness of her breast and encompassed a pink bud. He began to suckle. She cried out, opening herself to him.
Ellenor lost all power over her body. His velvet tongue was both torture and exciting. And his hands were everywhere, lightly caressing, barely touching. The sensual assault was causing her to writhe and twist with a physical need she could not describe. She didn’t want him to stop what he was doing, but her body was screaming for more. All she could do was cling to his shoulders and say his name. “Ohhhh, Cole.”
Cole released her breast. It was swollen like its mate. Crushing them against his chest, his mouth found hers again with a hungry urgency. And his sweet Ellenor kissed him back, rubbing her hips against his thighs, her body desperate for more. His already aroused shaft tightened even further and the pain from holding back was mounting. He needed to be inside her. She was almost ready.
Reaching down, Cole stroked her from breast to thigh, enjoying her smooth, satiny skin. As he moved his fingers upward, she opened herself to him and arched her hips, hungry for his touch. His heart was pounding as he stopped just shy of the sultry heat that emanated from between her legs. Only his thumb moved in slow torturous circles as he waited.
Ellenor couldn’t take any more. She needed him to touch her soon or she would perish. “Please, Cole,” she begged.
“Please, what, love?”
“Touch me…I need you, please.”
Cole moved then, cupping her gently before easing one finger into her damp heat. Ellenor tipped her head back and a small cry escaped. She could hear the blood pounding in her veins as Cole moved within her, adding one then two more fingers, spreading her narrow passage. Every nerve ending in her body was alive and begging for release. She closed her eyes and forgot everything except for Cole and what he was making her feel.
His fingers probed and stroked, sliding in deeper, exploring her with a level of possessiveness that made her tremble. Then he teased the small female flesh and Ellenor no longer was in her body. The world exploded, just as it had before. This time, though, Cole didn’t hold her and rock her back to Earth.
He was hovering, waiting until she was semiaware of what was happening. “Love, I can’t wait any longer,” he groaned in obvious pain.
Ellenor blinked, trying to understand in her partially drugged state. “Wait? For what?”
“To be inside you, wrapped around me, letting me feel you tremble with need.” And to make sure she understood just what he was saying, he lifted her buttocks and pulled her against him, letting her feel all of him.
Ellenor felt his length. It was hard and impatient as it pulsated against her thigh. He was also huge and suddenly the idea of him being inside her didn’t seem possible…or enjoyable.
Cole settled himself between her legs and watched as
the fear of what was to come flashed in her green eyes. He had never bedded a virgin before and doubt swam before him as he fought the fierce desire to bury himself in her. He wanted her to enjoy the experience, not cringe with fear. “Love, I promise to go slow. We were made for each other,” he whispered against her lips, kissing her back into a state of euphoria. He could feel her tension leaving and began to penetrate.
Feeling him inside her, Ellenor’s body clenched in reaction. Cole slowed his entrance but continued pushing against the natural resistance of her wet, tight passage. His breathing became harsh, uncontrolled, and ragged with need, and Ellenor suddenly understood the pain his own patience was causing him. Unwilling to deny him the pleasure he had just given her, Ellenor sucked in her breath and surged her hips upward, sliding his hard shaft in one swift thrust into her, letting it fill her completely.
He was inside her now, throbbing with incredible need, but the desire to quench his physical yearnings ended with her soft wrenched cry of surprise. Holding her closely to him, he whispered promises of never hurting her again. That she meant everything to him and nothing else mattered as long as she loved him.
Ellenor held on to him, listening to his promises and calming down. The unexpected sharp pain of his entry was subsiding and her body was starting to accept him, despite his great size and length. She twisted slightly and the sensation it created caused her to tremble with reawakened desire. She wanted him to move, do something. Her body was screaming for him to finish what he had started.
Cole gripped Ellenor’s hips to steady her rocking movements. She groaned in protest. “Tell me what you want, love.” As badly as he wanted her, he wasn’t going to do anything until she was ready.
“I want you,” she moaned, pushing against his hands, wanting him to move within her.
Cole almost shouted to the heavens in joy as he began to craft a slow pace. Each time he pulled out, Ellenor arched her hips, ready to take him deeper inside, and Cole’s ability to control their lovemaking soon gave way to a primal need that had been waiting for this moment, this woman, since he first understood the urgings of a man.
Wrapping her legs around his waist, she surged to meet him with each deep thrust until she was crying out at the wonder of it. Her nails bit into his shoulders. She hadn’t known she could feel like this. His fingers had only introduced her to this world where sensual heat and passion overruled all other sensations. Suddenly her breathing came short and fast, and she felt herself quake with pure, unadulterated joy.
A second later, Cole’s body peaked and went into hard tight convulsions. His arms clenched around her, and with one final deep fierce thrust, he gasped, “Oh, God, Elle…” He clung to her with his face buried deep into her hair as he filled her with the gift of life.
For several minutes, he held her, unwilling to let go as his body slowly calmed from the miracle they had shared. He had taken her, possessed her, claimed her, as he had never done with any woman before. He had let go of every bit of control, and in return he had made her his own. She was now a part of his heart and soul.
Long minutes passed, and Ellenor felt Cole’s heavy weight ease as he rolled to his side, pulling her close to his frame.
She didn’t think it possible to love him more, but she did.
Toying with the crisp dark hair on his chest, she sighed with complete contentment and said impishly, “I am assuming your answer is yes then.”
Cole cocked a brow and stared at the star-filled sky. He had no idea what she was talking about, but he couldn’t imagine denying her anything at that moment. “To what I am agreeing to, I have no idea, but aye is my answer to whatever desire you have.”
Ellenor gave his shoulder a playful swat and balanced her chin on his chest. She looked at him, and when his eyes locked with hers, she caught her breath. A liquid fire still burned in the blue depths, matching the deeply sensual expression etched along his mouth. She traced the deep scar along his jaw and felt the growing tension within him. He appeared relaxed, but with a few small encouragements, she guessed he would be more than willing to join with her again. First, though, she needed to make sure just what role she was going to play in his future. “My asking you to marry me.”
Cole’s eyes widened with the memory. Her question had been a shock, but also a balm to his bleeding soul. He had reacted, not answered. Besides, he had wanted to ask her, not the other way around. “I think it was I who asked you.”
Ellenor propped herself on her elbow and shook her head. “No, I asked you, Scot, and I would like to know your answer.”
Moving to sit up, Cole pulled her across his lap so that she straddled him. “Now how would it appear for our clansmen to learn that it was their lady and not their laird who prompted our marriage?”
“It depends. To the women, you would appear quite clever, being wise enough to solicit and then accept such a request.”
“But the men?”
“Well, you Highlanders are a proud lot,” Ellenor started, “but I would think even the men would praise your ability to make an Englishwoman ask for your hand and not the other way around.”
Unable to squash the temptation, Cole bent his head and placed several feather kisses along the line of her jaw. “Aye, those answers would work,” he whispered against her skin, “but what if someone discovers that I had intended to ask you, but I waited too long, causing you to propose first?”
Ellenor tipped her head back to give him better access and moaned, encouraging Cole to continue. He nibbled at her earlobe and she lost the ability to think. “Umm, that would be a problem,” she muttered.
Cole’s mouth lifted. He cupped her cheek and then slanted his lips across hers. She immediately responded, opening her mouth to him, welcoming the hot glide of his tongue against hers. The passion building between them would quickly be unstoppable, and Cole knew it was too soon to take her again. He had never intended to ride her so hard, and in doing so, it would be days before she would be ready for any more lovemaking.
He lifted his head and grinned at her. The gleam in his eyes was full of tenderness and love, but a touch of humor was mixed in there too. “Then we agree. I asked you to marry me. And I am still waiting for my answer.”
Ellenor’s jaw opened slightly and then closed again. The man was impossible. And the sight of his dimples were making it difficult to counter his preposterous suggestion. Deciding to treat him in the same torturous way, she pushed him back down onto the blanket and covered his body with hers, recapturing his lips in a wild kiss that held nothing back. Cole instinctively returned the embrace, thrusting his tongue into her warm mouth with an almost violent need. Rolling her over to her back, he crushed her body to him. Ellenor responded and began to rhythmically flex and arch her hips into his growing shaft.
Cole broke free and pulled her into a spoon position against his frame. She was already quivering with need. He kissed her hair. “We will be married as soon as I return,” he whispered, sounding hoarse.
Ellenor tensed. “Return? Why not tomorrow? I don’t—”
“My men and I are leaving in the morning, as soon as the sun rises.”
Ellenor felt her heart begin to thump wildly. He was leaving her. He was going to Fàire Creachann without her. “I can come with you. We can marry when Father Lanaghly has time to visit—”
“No.” Cole’s voice left no room for argument. “When I take you to our home, it will be as my wife, not as an Englishwoman and not from handfasting.”
Ellenor froze. He still had not let go of who she was. “Then tomorrow. Why can we not marry in the morning and then leave for Fàire Creachann?”
“I must take care of things before your arrival. Until I do, you won’t be safe. Here, with Laurel and Conor, my mind can be at ease.”
Ellenor didn’t respond, but she didn’t argue either.
Cole stroked her hair and contemplated telling her the full truth of their situation. Knowing she would discover it herself soon enough, he decided to forewarn and
prepare her for what lay ahead. “Beyond the men I bring, I command no loyalty. I was chosen as laird because of my army. I have been given a year to gain my clansmen’s trust.”
Ellenor flipped to her side and stared quietly at his chest. Lifting her gaze, she said, “Then I guess you have a few decisions to make, beginning with if you are going to accept the offer.”
The shock of her statement hit him full force. He had never really considered the option of declining the lairdship. Oh, he had the chance, but truth was, he wanted to be chieftain and not to just anyone, but to those Highlanders. They were a proud group of clansmen who had wandered too long without a leader to guide them. He wanted to build these clans back into the force they once were and he knew he could do it.
Ellenor traced one dark eyebrow down to his cheekbone and finally his mouth. “I’m guessing that not only have you accepted, but you would again even knowing all the problems that must be handled by doing so.”
His eyes caught and held hers. “Aye, I have.”
“Then your next decision is an easier one.”
“Which is?”
“What to do about Dugan Lonnagan.”
Again, surprise registered on his face. “That I have already decided.”
“Do you think he might resist the decision? Maybe even try to fight you?”
A small smile touched his lips before fading. “Eventually, aye. And it will cost him his life. Dugan is no leader, but he is a good man and a seasoned soldier. Scotland should not lose such men.”
“So what are you going to do?”
Cole took a deep breath and exhaled. “Make him my commander. He cannot refuse without looking foolish, and his honor will force him to be loyal, at least at first.”
Ellenor nodded, understanding his logic. “And you hope that, in time, it will not be his honor, but his allegiance that keeps him by your side.”
“Aye, but until I know you will be safe amongst our combined forces, you are to remain here, helping Laurel and preparing for our wedding.”
Desiring The Highlander Page 26