Highland Temptation

by Lori Ann Bailey

  Something about the words sent delicious tremors soaring through her. She almost begged for him to do that now, but his head dipped to her other thigh where he continued to adorn the sensitive flesh with featherlight kisses.

  His fingers sunk lower and slid across her sensitive bud that vibrated with need. Oh heavens, do that again, she thought, but his finger continued down into her slick folds.

  “Ye are so ready for me.” The raspy voice sent waves of warmth over her.

  His gaze returned to hers, and this time his smile was strained and filled with something she couldn’t place. Looking dangerous and on the edge of control, he slipped one finger into her tight sheath, and she nearly cried out. She felt as if she would explode right there. He pumped in and out, in and out, while he kept his gaze locked on hers.

  “I am going to taste ye now.” His head dipped, and all she could see was his thick dark brown hair in between her legs. The sight sent a primal urge to her core, but she was not prepared when he pulled his finger free and started to lathe at her wetness.

  He continued to lick and then suck at the sides of her passage. She hadn’t known this was possible, but now that she did, she wanted this all the time. The tip of the tongue tormenting her rose and started a slow deliberate rhythm up and down. Each time it made a pass, she could feel the waves building.

  His finger returned to her center and dove in. Her hips moved on their own, seeking farther penetration and more pressure from his mouth. He inserted another finger. It was tight, but he moved them around and the pressure built to a crescendo that threatened to make her fall apart.

  And then she did. Waves of unimaginable pleasure washed over her and dragged her under again and again. The electric pulses shook her and rocked her. She threw her head back and fell the rest of the way onto the bed. She gasped for air over and over as the waves continued to claim her.

  They finally stilled, and she opened her eyes to see Alan watching her, his fingers still inside her.

  “Ye are so bonny like this.” His finger slid from her, but his hands didn’t move from her body; instead, they skimmed up to her waist and pushed her farther onto the bed. He stood above her, and she noticed he remained fully dressed.

  She thought to be embarrassed by her state except that she was sated and boneless and he could do anything right now as long as he promised to do that to her again. She felt the smile curve her lips when his control snapped.

  Clothes flew through the air, and he was naked on the bed in almost a heartbeat. His mouth was on hers in a desperate kiss where he took everything he could and she let him. His hand pulled her thigh to the side to make room for him in between her legs.

  He pulled his mouth from hers and studied her with heated, intense eyes as he drove his cock inside her. He started pumping, not taking his eyes off hers. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen, him truly wanting and needing her. She reveled in the desire she saw there as he thrust in and out.

  He screamed out as his seed spilled into her, filling her and making her his. She wanted to be his, always had and always would.

  Wiggling his hips again, he burred, “I could get used to this.”

  “Me, too.”

  Laughing, he kissed her then pulled out to settle down in the bed beside her.

  “Why did ye no’ ever find a lass after I left?”

  “I didnae want one.”

  That was not an acceptable answer. “Did ye no’ have feelings for another?”

  “Nae, I was done the moment ye kissed me in the stables.”

  She turned her head toward him. “Ye pushed me away that night.”

  “I did.”

  “Why? I have gone this whole time thinking I wasnae good at kissing.”

  “I still had blood on my fists from beating Angus.”

  Looking heavenward, she shook her head. “Now that makes complete sense.”

  “I found him forcing himself on Arabella.”

  Kirstie’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t sure if it was because of what Angus had done or the mention of Arabella herself, the woman who had betrayed her brother. “Why did that matter? Ye did the right thing, if the advances were no’ wanted.”

  “I almost killed him. I had become a madman and couldnae stop. I wanted ye, but I kenned then that ye wouldnae be safe around me. I thought I would turn into my father, and the last thing I wanted was to hurt the one lass that I wanted.”

  “Ye wanted me?”

  “Aye.” He drew her to his side.

  He lay there quite for a few minutes. “Did ye ever find someone else ye cared for?”

  She turned and met his gaze. “Aye.”

  Alan’s expression darkened. “Who?”

  “He is a bonny specimen.” She said it with the real admiration that she’d always had for him.

  Alan leaned up on an elbow and loomed over her. “I need to ken who I should kill for touching ye.”

  She couldn’t hide the wicked smile that spread across her lips. “I am certain he would fight ye for my affections. ’Twould probably trample all over ye.”

  Alan’s jaw started to tick.

  She’d taken this far enough. “Poseidon. He has had my heart from the moment I met him.”

  “Is that no’ yer horses name?” His tense jaw slackened slightly.

  “Aye, ’tis the only male I have had eyes for since I left Kentillie.” She gently pushed at his shoulder.

  His muscles relaxed, and his eyes brightened. “Ye wench. Are ye trying to drive me mad?”

  “Aye, I want ye mad with jealousy. So much so that ye run away with me and we never come out of hiding.” Och, she’d not meant to say that, not meant to give away her true heart.

  She slid her fingers over his strong, firm abdomen and found his ribs. Her fingers frolicked across his skin. Alan folded over and laughed uncontrollably. The sound was like bells to her ears. It evoked memories of tickle fights and rolling around in the heather and playing chase on the hills near Kentillie.

  She continued to tickle him as he twitched in all directions trying to escape. His hand shot up and caught her wrist and pulled it above her head, then took her injured arm by just above the elbow and gently did the same. He moved on top of her.

  He caught his breath, and when his gaze met hers, they were hooded and dark. He wanted her. The hard length of his arousal pressed to her leg.

  “Ah, kitten, looks like ye have put yerself in a vulnerable position.”

  She felt the rise and fall of her breast as he held her arms above her head. She was pinned to the bed beneath him, helpless, no way to wrestle free and completely at his mercy. Somehow, this excited her more than anything he’d done to her.

  Her hips rose and sought out the one thing that could sate the sudden craving that had taken over. A fierce yearning grabbed her.

  “Mmm, I do like how eager ye are, lass, but I think I should teach ye a lesson for trying to get the upper hand.”

  She tried to pull her arm free from his, just to reach out and touch him. If she could caress him, he would want to be inside her, and that would make this burning need go away.

  “Ah, ye wanted to play, kitten, but ye should ken I am in charge.”

  Her breasts ached to be held. She was so sensitive all over that she felt on fire. “Please. I call mercy. I want ye inside me.”

  His lips spread in a wide, satisfied smile. His gaze flared with need as he moved one wrist to meet the other and then held both with one hand. It left his other free to slide down her arm, exciting the sensitized flesh as it slowly teased and dipped lower to change course. It skimmed across her collarbone to her neck then trailed a fine line to her engorged breast.

  His heated gaze drank in the desire she couldn’t hide. He knew exactly what she wanted, and he was holding back and torturing her with her own clawing need.

 
He kneaded her flesh, and desire rushed through every part of her being. “Look at me,” he commanded, and she couldn’t help but obey the only person who could ever make her feel this way.

  He pinched her nipple and then held it. Pleasure ignited in the spot and shot down to her legs. She inhaled sharply and arched up into him. She started to pant. “Please.” She wiggled her hips into his.

  “Please what?”

  “Take me. Alan, I need ye. Please.”

  He thrust his penis inside her. Her tight insides stretched to accommodate his hard, ready staff. She rose off the bed to meet him. His free hand left her breast and slid behind her, grasping her bottom and pulling her up as he seated himself farther inside her.

  Her eyes flew back to his, and she saw that he had lost the control he’d wielded so deftly just moments earlier. No sign of the calm, patient man was left. He was all beast and primitive male claiming what was his. His pelvic bone rubbed against her as he thrust and filled her.

  Waves of pleasure assailed her as the pressure built and beckoned her beneath the current. She felt her eyes roll as she tried to focus on his intent gaze. Her breath was short and shallow and coming in pants.

  His hands left her wrists and rear to grasp the sides of her face. He held her focus on him as the dam inside her broke and overflowed with pulse after pulse of shocks as her release claimed her.

  He tensed almost immediately and groaned. She could still feel his seed filling her when his lips crashed down on hers. The kiss was hard and possessive and said everything she felt.

  He pulled back, and they watched one another, lost in each other’s eyes. She didn’t know what to say, how to express the emotions swirling inside, so she just gazed into his soul. It was as if they understood each other and that their world had changed for the better. She felt in that moment that nothing could ever tear them apart again, and the certainty felt good. Surely after this, he would ask her to be his wife and bring her home.

  When he finally slid down to her side, she turned, draping her arm around his chest. His fingers made small circles along her shoulder. He didn’t say anything, but she couldn’t talk, either. After what they had just shared, she was happy just to be in his arms.

  Chapter Eleven

  Alan trailed his fingers along Kirstie’s silky smooth skin as she lay sleeping in his arms. She had always had a special place in his heart, and if anything ever happened to her, his world would crash down around him.

  He was already planning their years together, and he hadn’t even been able to speak to Lachlan yet. What if his friend really didn’t approve? And if his laird had known both his and Kirstie’s true feelings, why had he not pushed to bring them together earlier? What if it was because he truly didn’t approve of the match? He couldn’t betray Lachlan, but neither could he give up Kirstie. It would be a tough conversation to have with the man who was his laird, his brother, and his friend.

  He’d been so angry with Kirstie that he could have turned into the devil himself, but he’d never had the urge to lay a hand on her. After years of telling himself he was like his father and their family, he had finally realized he wasn’t like his blood kin; he was like the family that raised him. The cycle had been broken. Kirstie would be safe with him.

  He looked forward to quiet nights alone with her and whatever bairn they were blessed with. He would make sure their children were brought up like the Camerons had raised him, with love, understanding, kindness, and a good education. In the evenings, he would play with them and Kirstie would read to them until they fell asleep, with him patiently listening until he could take her to bed each night.

  The sun rose high in the sky, and he thought about the day ahead. He looked forward to going back to being a Cameron and forgetting this farce, going home with Kirstie and his family to start the life he should have made for them years ago.

  He felt confident the Covenanters would tell him the plan tonight. He would get word to his brothers and make certain Kirstie and the other lasses were sequestered in the castle where no harm could come to them. The last thing he needed while protecting her brothers was worrying over her safety in the mix. He wouldn’t be able to think clearly if she were in danger.

  Reluctantly he shifted, and the light weight of her arm fell from his chest. She was such a heavy sleeper; he admired that, because he woke with every sound. Probably due his nights worrying about his father coming home drunk and angry.

  Dipping his head, he kissed her sweet red lips. He stretched back and noticed she still slept but had a smile as if a pleasant dream had claimed her. He looked forward to many mornings of waking her as he slid into her body.

  It was time to get to this summit and put on the performance of a lifetime. He would pull it off for his family.

  He shook her. “Kirstie, ’tis time to go.”

  She shook her head with her eyes still closed. “Just a few more minutes.”

  “Now,” he persisted.

  She blinked and focused on him then gave a small, pleased smile that went straight to his heart.

  “I have to get ye back to the castle and get to the summit. Take this.” He held out a holster and dirk he usually kept strapped to his thigh.

  Her smile disappeared, but she took the knife. She rubbed her eyes and stretched. “What time is it?”

  “Time to get moving. The meeting starts soon.”

  She sat up slowly. “Och, can we no’ just take everyone and leave?”

  “I wish we could, kitten, but this has to be done.”

  She slid from beneath the covers and retrieved her clothes. She turned, and he hardened instantly. Her hair was disheveled and she was naked, and it was the bonniest sight he’d ever seen.

  She reached down, and he was rewarded with a nice view of her backside and long legs leading to that sweet spot he wanted to dive into again. She pulled the shift on, and he inched toward the edge of the bed.

  “What will ye do while the meeting is going on?”

  “I will probably pace the floor outside the door.”

  “Mayhap ye should take a ride with Blair and Finlay. ’Twill do ye and them good to get out.”

  “Ye just want to keep me from spying.” After picking up his shirt, she threw it at his chest, but he easily caught it.

  “That, too.”

  “Ye dinnae have to worry. I learned my lesson. I willnae go into any rooms where I dinnae belong.”

  “If I catch ye spying again, I will waste no time sending ye back to Kentillie.”

  “I think ’twill do Blair some good to get out.”

  “Is she all right?”

  “I hope so. She does need a friend right now.”

  “Ye arenae going to tell me what is going on.”

  “Nae, tis no’ my place. What kind of friend would I be if I told ye all her secrets?”

  He liked that about her. She was loyal.

  “Can ye help me with the buttons?” Taking her long brown curls in hand, he draped them over her shoulder as he helped her fasten the gown.

  “’Twas more fun undoing them.”

  “Ye will get the chance to do it again soon enough.”

  They finished dressing, and she placed the plaid over her head to once again hide her identity. Once Kirstie left the stable on his horse, she led the way to the fortress on the hill with just enough space ahead of him so he could keep an eye on her the whole way back, but no one would be able to tell they had been together.

  At the castle, he found chairs were set on opposing sides of the great hall and a stand had been erected for those who wished to speak. The Covenanters had wanted to have this meeting at Greyfriars Kirk, but the Royalists had only agreed if it took place on neutral ground.

  Niall and his cousin, the Earl of Argyll, weren’t yet present, so Alan went to Hamish’s side and put his facade in place. It was going to be a lo
ng day. Between the meeting and Hamish’s boring diatribes on religion, the day was sure to be divided between heated arguments and mind-numbing lectures.

  Then he remembered he hadn’t talked to Kirstie about Hamish. She’d not said a word about the proposal, and he needed to make certain after this meeting, she was kept as far away from him as possible. He’d meant to ask her this morning, but once they’d arrived in his room, they had made love then talked about the past. For a while he’d been lost in her and the rightness of being together. The outside world had barely intruded.

  Men with solemn determined demeanors drifted into the hall while Hamish proselytized on the virtues of the Presbyterian religion. Most of the points were good ones; it was just this forcing of religion on others Alan couldn’t abide.

  Lachlan and Malcolm strode into the great hall and studiously avoided glancing his way. Good, he avoided theirs, as well. Any tell that he was acting could get him or them killed.

  Niall and Argyll entered together and came straight toward Hamish and him. He was surprised they’d not gone directly to Robert Baillie, who moved toward the front to speak. It was a good sign they believed his ruse if Argyll himself was willing to sit with him.

  After hours of contentious arguments and name-calling, it was clear no resolution would be met here today. Angry faces and shouts of outrage spilled from the room as men stomped out. Alan’s shoulders sank as he realized he would be walking with his enemies to a tavern to plan the death of his best friend.

  …

  Kirstie tried to cling to thoughts of how perfect the morning with Alan had been, but Blair’s unusual silence, Finlay’s solemn face, and dread of the coming afternoon filled her with gloom. The meeting had been going on for hours with loud voices occasionally reverberating from the closed room into the hollow halls where they echoed ominously.

  She paced outside in the fresh air as heated words like traitor, king, and Parliament escaped through the open windows, but she knew in her heart neither side would give. The Covenanters wanted no less than the acceptance of their religion from the Royalists, who would never give it. The Royalist lairds couldn’t ask their clansman to fight for something they didn’t believe in.