His Bonnie Highland Temptation (The Clan Sinclair Book 2)

by Celeste Barclay

  “Mmm-mmm,” she mumbled as she began to suck his cock in earnest. She used her hand to stroke the length of him that she could not take into her mouth. As her mouth slid up, she stroked him with a twisting of her wrist. Callum could not believe how good it was to feel her small hand and warm mouth on his shaft. He watched in amazement as Siùsan worked his cock. He felt himself creeping closer to release and needed to stop her before he lost the opportunity to reciprocate the pleasure.

  “Siùsan, I’m close, lass. I dinna want to end this so soon. If ye keep going, it will be over before I have a chance to enjoy the rest of ye.”

  Siùsan eased off his rod and inched up his body so that the tip of his swollen sword rubbed against the entrance of her sheath. Callum could feel the heat coming from her core, and his cock slid against the dew that met him at her entrance. He rocked his hips up and she slid down into him. Siùsan moaned at the feel of Callum sliding into her. She had concluded several couplings ago that the feeling of joining with Callum, of taking him into her body, was almost as good as the feeling of release that he brought her. She leaned forward and braced her hands by his head. Callum pulled her head down to his mouth. He caught her lip between his teeth. He tugged gently on her bottom lip and she flicked her tongue into his mouth. Their tongues dueled as their bodies rocked together. Each gave as good as they got. They bodies slapped together in a rhythm that had become uniquely theirs and familiar to them both.

  Callum grasped Siùsan’s hip and dug his fingers in as he guided her into a faster pace. The headboard of the bed slammed rhythmically against the wall. The bed ropes creaked with the force of their motions. Siùsan suddenly arched back and thrust her breast forward as her release washed over her. She clenched her inner muscles and milked Callum until he joined her in his release. Siùsan tried to ease off Callum and move to his side, but he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her down. She angled herself so that they remained joined but she did not put any of her weight on his injury. Her head fit perfectly into the crook on his neck. He ran his hand up and down her back. She hovered her hand over the curls on his chest just barely touching them. Callum was still wondering how his young bride knew how to take him into her mouth in a way that usually only far more experienced women would.

  “Ye seem rather distracted,” Siùsan observed a while after Callum’s hand had stilled on her back.

  “Sorry, lass. Just lost in thought.”

  “Oh?”

  “Aye, but naught of importance.”

  “Ye’re wondering how I kenned what I was about. Ye canna deny yer curiosity.”

  Callum looked down at his wife as she propped helself on an elbow. She shrugged before explaining.

  “Ye’ve never come out and asked. Ye just accepted what I said after the first time. I appreciate that, and it was the truth. I kenned how I enjoyed yer mouth on me and figured ye would enjoy mine. I heard a lot from the ervants and warriors at ma father’s keep. Nae one paid much attention to me, so they often spoke freely even when I could hear. I also ken how it drives me to the brink when ye use yer mouth. As I’ve said before, I thought it might do the same to ye. I havenae done it before ye, if that’s what ye thought.”

  Callum had not thought she had done it before, but he had been disconcerted. However, his curiosity came to an abrupt halt when he was reminded of what Siùsan’s childhood had been. He pulled his arm out of the sling and ignored her protests and pain to hold her with both arms.

  “Mo ionmhas, ma treasure, ye will never be overlooked again. Ye will never be unappreciated again. Ye will always be loved. Ye will always be wanted.”

  “I love ye, Callum.” Siùsan whispered. They shared a gentle kiss filled with a promise.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  For next three sennights, Siùsan and Callum fell into an easy routine. It took them longer to leave than anticipated, but Siùsan refused to travel until she was sure Callum’s should was healed. They woke early but did not make it out of their chamber until everyone was almost through breaking their fast. Callum went to the lists to practice. Siùsan had objected and then whittled away Callum’s first day back to training. When he returned a bit sore but not battered, she relented. For her part, Siùsan spent time going over the accounts, learning from Elspeth how much food was consumed daily and how much would need to be stored for winter. She collected and hung to dry herbs and medicinals that could be used at the keep on the off chance the village healer could not come right a way. She had her own knowledge and skills that could be useful.

  After the nooning, Callum would return to take Siùsan riding on the pretense of showing her even more of the Sinclair lands, but they fooled no one, least of all the guards they took with them.

  Seated in front of him, Siùsan would lean into Callum as he held the reins in one hand while the other roved over her body and under her skirts. Siùsan gripped his thighs and clenched the material of his plaid as Callum would use the rocking of the horse’s gait to increase Siùsan’s pleasure. She bit her lip to keep from screaming out, leaving tell tale teeth marks on her lip.

  After Callum finished pleasuring her, Siùsan would swing her leg over the saddle to sit sideways. As Callum kissed away the traces of her ectasy on her lips, Siùsan slid her hand under his breacan feile. Wrapping her hand around his swollen cock, she would stroke him until he groaned, and she felt his release on her fingers.

  They would return to the keep only to bathe and take supper in their chamber after which, they would retire for the night. They slept little during those three days.

  It was after one such outing that Callum had two surprises awaiting Siùsan in their chamber. The first thing Siùsan saw was the emerald fabric she had admired at the market all those weeks ago, but now, rather than being on a bolt, it was a beautiful kirtle with embroidery on the neckline, cuffs, and hem. Next to it sat a small wrapped package. She had no clue as to what could be in it.

  “Go on. I ken ye’re curious. Open it.”

  Siùsan looked over at Callum and slowly stepped towards the bed. Before opening the package, she ran her fingers over the rich texture of the emerald velvet. It was by far the most beautiful and luxurious dress she had ever seen let alone owned. She could not believe that Callum had truly noticed all those weeks ago. Even more, she could not believe that he'd had a gown made. She knew from looking at the stitching which village woman she would need to thank. Christina Sinclair was renowned for her skills with a needle.

  “I didna even ken that ye noticed how I was looking at this fabic. How did ye get it?

  “I sent Tavish back for it as we left the market. Since ye fit ma mama’s gowns so well, I sent one with the material to Christina. I just wish they could have be done sooner and closer to our wedding.”

  Her eyes travelled to the wrapped package. She could not even begin to tell what it was. It was an odd shape that made it impossible to discern what it could be. She picked it up and could feel what she thought to be bristles on the bottom. She carefully unwrapped it and gasped when she saw the exquisite curry brush. The bristles were sturdy but not overly scratchy. She knew that Trofast would appreciate that. What took her breath away was the intricate etching that had been done in the center. A large S was prominent in the center with a smaller S linked to the top curve and a C was linked to the bottom curve. There was a selkie etched to look like it was swimming along the edge. Around the letters were etched lines to represent waves.

  “I canna have a door frame carved for ye, but I thought ye might like this. And Trofast too.”

  Siùsan had to swallow several times before she could speak.

  “I have never been given a gift before. I canna believe how generous ye are to me. This is the most precious belonging I have. Thank ye.” The end came out in a choked whisper. She walked over to Callum and wrapped her arms around his middle and held tight as she rested her head against his chest.

  “I wanted to give ye something special as a wedding gift. I thought ye would appreciate the
practicality of the brush, but that alone did not seem romantic enough. I hope this will remind ye off our first day together. The day I started to fall in love with ye.”

  Siùsan looked into Callum’s eyes and saw the smile that reached all the way to them. She saw love, kindness, devotion, and faithfulness all in one gaze. She crooked her finger, and he bent over.

  “I love ye with everything I am.” She kissed his cheek and stepped back. She turned and went over to her trunk, one that had been given to her upon her arrival. She opened the lid and moved aside several kirtles and chemises. Towards the bottom she pulled out a bundle of material. She turned to Callum, but he was already beside her. He was peeking over her shoulder the entire time.

  “Ye’re worse than a wean during Christmastide.”

  “I ken.” He grinned.

  She handed him the fabric, and he quickly realized that it was wrapping for something soft inside. He pulled off the top layer and found himself holding a magnificently stiched new leine. The material was soft but sturdy. He opened it up and held it out to examine it. He noticed something small on the cuff of the sleeve. He held it up and saw that much like the monogram on the currey brush, the two S’s and a C had been stitched intertwined in white thread. They were bracketed by two horses that looked familiar. Deamhan and Trofast. He looked at the other sleeve and found the same monogram, but on this cuff was a selkie and a man swimming. The white thread was discrete and would make it difficult to see by anyone else, but Callum would know it was there.

  “I see we have kept Christina quite busy with our little secret surprises.”

  Siùsan looked a bit sheepish and shook her head.

  “Christina didna make that. Not the leine or the stitching.”

  Callum looked questioningly at her, and then it dawned on him.

  “Ye? Ye made this for me?”

  “Aye. I had duties around the keep, but not always enough to keep me busy while ye were still in the lists.”

  “Ah, lass. I love this. Thank ye. I never kenned ye kenned how to sew so well. I do feel like a wean at Christmastide, ye ken.”

  A cloud passed over Siùsan’s face, but it passed so quickly that Callum almost doubted himself. Something that she said just a moment ago registered before. I have never been given a gift before.

  He gently moved the gown out of the way and took Siùsan’s hand. He gently tugged her hand, and she sat down beside him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and took her other hand in his.

  “I heard what ye said before. Aboot never having been given a gift. How can that be?”

  “It’s vera simple. Moira Mackenzie, the woman who raised me in the village, didna have the means to give us gifts. Besides, I wasna her bairn. Not really. Once I moved into the keep—we ye can guess the rest.”

  “Aon bheag, ye will be showered gifts from now on. If it makes ye smile as ye are now, then I will happily do it.”

  He kissed her temple. She turned to look up at him and gave him a gentle kiss. Much like most of their kisses, it quickly turned heated. They retired for the rest of the afternoon and evening. They did not even take a tray that night.

  ~~~

  As they began their fourth sennight at the Sinclair keep, their morning began as the others had. But instead of their afternoon ride, Siùsan looked in on the mystery woman Alexander had been nursing. Alex was summoned to make an appearance in the laird’s solar while the men planned the journey to the MacLeods.

  “After the Gunns’ attack on us, I am loathe to cross their land but we havenae much choice if we dinna want to go far out of our way. Siùsan was trying to stay on Mackay lands to avoid them too. She just didna ken her way well enough.” Callum looked over a map of the Highlands. None of them truly needed the map. They had all criss-crossed the Highlands over the course of their lifetimes.

  “As long as we hold the Gunn’s brother, there is a chance they will retaliate,” Tavish observed.

  “Aye. I’d like the four of ye to travel with Siùsan and at least half a score of guards. I dinna want to take any chances with another attack.”

  “All four of us?” Magnus asked with a raised brow and a glance at Alexander. “Dinna ye want one of us here as yer second?”

  “I already have a second as ye well ken. I also dinna often send ye all out together if it can be helped, but ye watch out for each other better than anyone else can.”

  All eyes shifted to Alexander who kept fisting and unfisting his hands. He would never directly or openly defy his father, but he had a very strained leash on his temper.

  “Da, ye ken I am the only one here that she really kens. Siùsan leaving, there is nae body else to care for her. I dinna want her frightened if I turn up gone and she feels trapped in an unfamiliar keep with an unfamiliar clan.” Alexander gave his father a hard look and held his breath.

  “Ye can stay.”

  “That’s it? Ye’ll let him stay on some pretty words?” Tavish looked between his father and older brother in utter disbelief. None of the sons could believe he had relented so easily.

  “I ken now that he’s serious enough about the lass to put up an argument against leaving her somewhere unknown. I ken more from watching him than from his words. Now, Callum choose yer guardsmen and have Siùsan arrange with the kitchens for supplies.” With that the conversation ended and the men each scattered to complete their preparations.

  ~~~

  Callum and Siùsan joined the family for the evening meal that night. If Siùsan were honest with herself, she would admit that she had been jealous of the easy banter and closeness of the Sinclair family that she had experienced before she ran away. It was partly a fear of never fitting in and always being, yet again, on the periphery that had driven her to take her leave. Now she was included in the jokes and stories as though she had always been a Sinclair, not one who had only officially joined the clan a moon ago. As she looked around the Great Hall, she began to wonder if travelling to see her extended family was a wise choice. What if they dinna want me anymore than ma own clan did? What if this is all for naught and I humiliate maself by just showing up somewhere I was never invited to go? Doubt began to gnaw at her. Callum looked over and saw Siùsan’s far away look. He gently squeezed her hand until she looked at him.

  “What troubles ye, lass?”

  “Naught really. Just wondering how I will be received showing up uninvited and unannounced.”

  “Ye’re kin to the laird. Ye’ll be received warmly. And if for some reason ye are nae, we will return home immediately. I will be with ye the entire time. I promise.”

  Siùsan smiled up at Callum, but she could not entirely shake a sense that something would go amiss with this journey.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The Sinclairs set off at first light. Siùsan and Callum slept more that night before than they had since they wed, having only made love once before they both fell asleep with Siùsan tucked into the curve of Callum’s warm and solid body. She knew that she never would have fallen asleep or stayed asleep if it were not for the cocoon that his body made around her. She had been restless all through the remainder of the evening meal, and she felt unsettled as they rode out of the bailey. Siùsan scanned the horizon over and over somehow anticipating trouble.

  As the day progressed, Siùsan began to relax. They had not encountered anyone along their ride, the sun was high in the sky, and it was pleasantly warm with a cool breeze. Trofast was eager to be on the road again and tugged at the bit to be allowed his head. They stopped to water the horses and take care of their personal needs every few hours. While Siùsan was not as accustomed to long hours in the saddle like the other men, she was able to hold her own despite the hard pace they kept. Callum had explained that he and his brothers had planned how far they wanted to travel each day and would know by natural markers when they would stop to camp for the night. He also promised her a few nights at an inn. He remembered that she had not be afforded that luxury when she left her clan. Now he understood why. C
allum did not have to explain that they travelled through Gunn territory and that he wanted them to cross as swiftly as possible. It was inevitable that they would have to spend at least one night on Gunn lands.

  As the sun began to set, they stopped to make camp along a stream. Siùsan, with her bow that Magnus had taught her to use, joined Tavish and Magnus when they left to hunt. It did not take long for them to return with several rabbits strung up by their hind legs. Callum and a couple of the guards had fished while they were gone.

  “We have a vertible feast tonight. There should be enough left over to eat on the trail tomorrow,” Magnus rubbed his stomach as he spoke.

  “We can always count on ye to be sure that we willna starve. How ye are not thick about the waist is anyone’s guess with how much ye eat. If Elspeth didna start storing food away the moment winter ended, we would all starve with ye in the keep.” Tavish teased his “little” brother who was half a head taller than him.

  One of the men had begun heating a pot of water with onions and turnips that Elspeth had packed while the others set up camp. By the time the hunting party returned, the camp was set up, and they were ready to help skin the rabbits and debone the fish. It did not take long for supper to cook and everyone settled around the fire.

  Everyone seemed tired after their first day in the saddle. Siùsan noticed many of the men yawning and stretching against their saddles while Callum arranged for the first watch. Even the guardsmen assigned to stand guard seemed tired. That’s odd. When I traveled with them the last time, no one seemed this tired after a day of riding. Just the opposite. I seemed to be the only one who could barely keep their eyes open. I’d marveled at how they could last so long when I was almost ready to drop off ma saddle.