by Barbara Bard
Alastar reached around the back of her head, fingers curling through her hair, pulling her into him. He only used one hand, but that was enough to pull her petite body to him. Their lips met, and this kiss was far firmer than the first one they shared. The fires in her breast were being stoked and she could feel all her reservations slip away as easily as her clothes, as indeed Alastar's hand had risen up to push away her dress from her shoulders, exposing the bare flesh underneath.
Suddenly trembling and nervous, Rebecca pulled away. She searched Alastar's eyes and saw within them an infinity, and a deep desire. She knew then that she was possessed by him. Without saying anything he kissed her again, and his hands became more ardent. They ran down her body, feeling the swell of her breasts and the curves of her hips. Her breath rushed out of her mouth in agonizing moans. Pleasure tingled all over her body and her mind sizzled.
Now she understood why Elayne enjoyed giving herself to such pleasure, although Rebecca imagined that it was only so intense because it was shared with one special man.
The more they kissed, the more the desire rose within her, and the fiercer it became to the point where her eager hands were running all over his broad, powerful body. She unclasped his cloak and watched it fall to the floor, then she ran his hands over his bare chest, feeling the taut muscles. She gazed in wonder at this prime specimen of a man, and her breath was taken away.
“Come here lass,” Alastar said, and pulled her up to sit upon his lap.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and they kissed deeply and longingly. She could feel Alastar giving himself completely to her, and she wanted to do the same for him.
“Are ye sure ye want this?” Alastar asked.
Rebecca nodded vehemently. Her skin was flushed crimson and all thoughts were driven from her head. There was only instinct now.
Alastar's hands ran over her body and deftly undressed her until she was naked, her skin exposed, vulnerable to his gaze. At first, she was self-conscious, for she had never been in this position with any man before, and she so dearly wanted to please him. She let her hand rest against her pale, voluptuous breasts, her fingers circling the hard nipples.
Alastar's gaze roved over her, and a broad smile came upon his face.
“Ye are perfection,” he breathed, and with awe etched upon his face he placed his strong hands over her body and claimed her, rolling her onto her back, kissing her deeply and lovingly. She enjoyed the soft kisses, and the feeling of his hand resting against her stomach. She gasped as it moved up and enveloped her breasts, explored her body in a way that had never been done before. Entirely new sensations flowed through her and each one brought with it a wave of pleasure that threatened to overwhelm her, but somehow, she managed to keep hold of her sanity.
His long fingers drifted down her torso, resting on her stomach, above her burning femininity. She ached for his touch but didn't understand why.
“I need you,” she gasped, her breath tense, her need apparent. The way they were laying, she could feel Alastar's swollen erection resting against her. It felt so big and hard, she was afraid, but her curiosity outweighed her fear. She wanted to explore him as he was exploring her.
Her hands felt so small against his large and powerful body. She ran her fingers along the tight skin of his torso, and through the bed of thick hair. All the while his hands wrapped around her thigh, encompassing them. Every time he squeezed it sent a thrill through her body, and she thought she would burst with delight.
He buried his head into her neck and she could feel the rumbles against her as he grunted with pleasure.
“Ye want me tae show ye how tae become a woman lass?”
Rebecca nodded again and kissed him frantically, pressing her lips firmly against his. She was in such a frenzy now that she didn't know how she was ever going to be able to think clearly again. Then, utter bliss came upon her as Alastar's fingers moved up her inner thigh, closer to the burning, aching part of her. Her inner spirit was unlocked as he touched her most intimate area, and her entire body collapsed as a wave of tension was released.
Cradled in his arms, she let her neck arch back as new sensations washed over her. She felt Alastar curling his fingers inside her, bringing forth all manner of delight. She whimpered and moaned in ecstatic anguish. Her hands clawed at his body, blindly, for she was unable to open her eyes, such was the force of the pleasure.
Her hands made their way across his lower stomach, his biceps, his thighs. Every inch of him was packed with powerful muscle. He was a warrior in every sense of the word. Every part of him displayed the essence of masculinity.
As her hands roamed about his body, she suddenly felt something thick and throbbing, and she gasped. She managed to get her eyes to flutter open for a brief moment to gaze upon him with awe. He was beautiful. Smooth and long, she was instantly in love with his manhood. Her fingers curled around him as she let her eyes fall shut again, feeling as though she were dreaming.
As his finger stretched and writhed inside her, as his hot breath washed over her tingling neck, her breaths came out in short, sharp bursts. Her fingers tightened, stroking and squeezing him. She ran her thumb over the rippling veins and felt the power and tension within him. All his strength was focused on this glorious piece of himself, and it drew her desire.
Her mind swam with delight as the passion and intensity cascaded around her soul. Alastar was touching her in places that she hadn't even known existed. It was as though her spirit was being lifted from her body and she was ascending to become an angel. This delirious must have been what heaven was like, she thought, for she was certain nothing else could compare.
Alastar held her tightly, praising, calling her all manner of sweet names, most of which were lost in whispers. She gripped him tightly, quickly learning how to pleasure him, using his grunts and moans to guide her. Alastar seemed like a master though, knowing exactly what to do already.
She knew in that moment her body was his.
Suddenly a spike of desire shot through her body and it seemed to hold all of her in its grasp. It struck her like a lightning bolt, and her entire body shuddered. She curled her arms around Alastar and clung to him desperately and closely. Her breath rushed out of her and she felt weak.
Gazing up at him, she kissed him softly again. He smirked at her, then pressed her against the floor, slipping his arms from underneath her and shifting his body so that he was over her, dominating her. He leaned down to kiss him. His arms were tensed, biceps huge either side of her head. Rebecca felt so small underneath him, but she knew this was where the belonged; close to him, willing and ready to share desire and love.
She felt Alastar close to her, and then suddenly she was filled with the most glorious sensation. Her body shifted to accommodate him, and her eyes widened as she took him inside her. Her eyes clamped shut as pain stabbed at her. Her virgin body was unused to these sensations and fear suddenly shot through her. It was all happening so fast, and while she enjoyed it the fact that this was a wholly new experience filled her with trepidation. Alastar didn’t seem to share her hesitation, and suddenly she wondered if he had done this before, and with whom.
Then, he grunted, and all thoughts were driven from her mind. She wanted to be here with him, and gradually the pleasure she felt outweighed the pain and fear. She wrapped her arms around him and held on tightly as he thrust deeper. Their bodies soon moved to the same rhythm. Sweat dripped from his temples and sizzled on her skin. Their bodies melted into each other.
She utterly lost herself in him.
It felt as though their souls had merged, and a smile was etched upon her face as Alastar thrust into her. She was lost in his manly scent and his warmth. She lost awareness of everything else around here. There was only Alastar. Alastar was her world.
She peppered him with kisses when she wasn't gasping. Her bosom heaved. Alastar used one hand to support himself while the other groped her body, causing small fires of pleasure to erupt over her body. Her hair sp
layed out, at least the parts that weren't matted to her head with sweat. The fire crackled beside them, making them even hotter. The fur rug was soft against her back, but her moans sharpened and grew louder as Alastar increased the rhythm.
A fury came upon his face as he was gripped by his own lust. He pressed his head to hers as he used his body as a weapon of desire. She clung to him, almost screaming in his ear such was the intensity of the moment. She dragged her nails down his back and welcomed all of him inside her until the thunderous orgasm threatened to crack her mind in two.
Warmth spread through her as her mighty Highlander released himself inside her. For a moment she was paralyzed with the overwhelming force of the storm, then she took one breath and her entire body collapsed. Her arms fell by her side and her head lolled. Her mouth hung open and the only thing she could do was breathe.
Alastar kissed her tenderly after it was over, and he extricated himself from her. He slid by her side and pulled his cloak over the two of them to cover up their naked bodies. He took her hand and dragged it across her torso, holding her nice and close. She snuggled into his warmth and wondered if she would ever recover from this feeling that forced her into a delirious haze.
She wasn't sure if she would be any good for anyone again, but as long as she was in Alastar's arms she didn't mind. While she was so close to him it didn't seem as though anything else mattered, not anything at all.
Chapter 25
As Alastar lay holding Rebecca's body, a million thoughts ran through his head. He tilted his head down to kiss the top of her head, and he felt her kiss his chest in return. Their chests heaved, and their bodies glistened with sweat. Alastar looked across at the fire and began to lose himself in it, for he knew it would burn him eventually. His life was one of war and death, and it wasn't something that Rebecca should be made vulnerable too.
He'd enjoyed every moment of making love to her, and he wished that he could stay with her in this small hut forever, but duty called. He glanced to the table; the garb of the Blue Thistle was calling him. He remembered the strife that had existed between his parents because of his father's need to be the Blue Thistle, and he didn't want a repeat of that fractious relationship.
He wished things could be different, and he hated the feeling of his heart breaking. Every moment that occurred meant that he was another moment from leaving her. Perhaps he should have been strong and resisted his manly urges, but she was the loveliest girl he had ever seen, and he knew that he wouldn't be with anyone else again.
“Are you going to try it on?” Rebecca asked. She'd noticed him looking up at the table.
“I dinnae know if I’m ready,” he said honestly.
Rebecca pushed herself up on one elbow. Her breasts rested against his chest, and his arm relaxed against her waist. It was a comfortable position, and he was tempted to have her again, now, such was his manly vigor.
Her eyes danced with delight. Something had changed inside her, been awoken, and he could see it upon her face. There was a newfound confidence, or courage, and it pleased him to see her embrace what they had shared.
“You should. Come on,” she said, and pulled him up. She wrapped the cloak around herself to cover her exposed flesh and picked up the clothes that his father had worn, handing them to him. Alastar ran his hands along the cloth.
“He always looked sae imposing in these,” he said. He unfolded them and examined them more closely, running his fingers along where the holes had been stitched. “This is where he hae been stabbed,” he said sadly. Rebecca squeezed his arm in comfort.
“They did well to mend it. I'm sure your father would have wanted you to wear it. I know it will be strange, but this is perhaps the greatest honor you could pay him. It has been here waiting for you. This is your destiny Alastar, you must claim it.”
She said it with such urgency and such determination that he was swayed. He took the clothes and carefully put them on, treating them with the reverence they deserved. All his life he had wanted to be like his father, and now it was finally happening. The only shame was that his father wasn't there to witness this moment.
“You are the Blue Thistle now,” she said admiringly when he had finished getting dressed. Alastar knew the clothes had no magical properties, but he couldn't help but feel endowed with a sense of grandeur and strength by wearing them. His purpose in this world was clear, and he wondered if his father had felt the same when he had worn them.
“No man shall stand against you,” Rebecca added, placing a hand on his heart.
With a heavy sigh Alastar bowed his head.
“Then I must gae and meet my destiny,” he said. He gathered his things and walked towards the door. Rebecca came to follow. This was going to be more difficult than he had ever imagined. He turned to Rebecca and took her hands in his.
“My sweet English flower, it is time for us tae part,” he said.
Disbelief ran across her face. Her lower lip quivered.
“I don't understand,” she said.
“Ye cannae come with me. It is tae dangerous for ye. I hae rescued ye, and if ye stay here ye will be safe. It is the only way I can make sure of it. As soon as ye here word that the war is over ye should return tae England. I swear tae ye that I will kill Lord Flynn, and then ye will be free tae return and make whatever life ye want.”
“You can't just say goodbye like this. Not after we...” she gasped, looking back towards the fire, towards the rug that was now bare.
“I know it is hard for ye tae hear. I wish it could hae been another way. Maybe I should hae been stronger tae resist ye, but ye are sae beautiful,” he said, reaching out to caress her cheek. Her eyes glistened with tears. His heart broke again. “I hae shamed ye,” he said.
“You would take my virtue and then just leave? I thought this was the beginning of something Alastar, not the end.”
“Aye, I should hae been clearer with ye on that. In the moment I could nae think straight. I mean ye nae dishonor lass. I promise ye that I am daeing this for ye own good. I will always cherish this memory, and I shall never love another lass. I know what the path of my life hae tae be. I hae tae be alone.”
“No, you don't,” Rebecca said after a few moment's pause. “You don't have to be alone at all, and I don't know why you'd ever think that.” Her words were tremulous, and he could tell that it was taking all her strength to hold herself together.
Alastar gave her a small, resigned smile. “I hae seen what this life daes tae people. I remember my parents. My Da hae tae give up this life tae keep himself from danger, and he was never the same. There was something taken away from him, even though he loved me and Ma. I know I hae tae be the Blue Thistle, and it is nae fair tae ye tae force that life on ye.”
“And what about if I volunteer for it?”
“Are ye mad, lass? What kind of a life would that be?”
“A life of happiness, a life of love?”
Alastar looked at her for a moment, perplexed, then shook his head and turned away from her.
“It cannae happen,” he said.
“Yes, it can,” she said, tugging at his clothes to get him to look at her again. Then, a moment of realization came upon her face. “You're scared, aren't you?”
Alastar scowled. “The Blue Thistle disnae get scared.”
“Yes, you are,” she said, searching his eyes, “A rampaging army is no threat to the Blue Thistle, but a woman with her love is. I'm not content to stand here and let you walk away Alastar. We've been through too much for that. I see now that our destinies are entwined. We've rescued each other, and now we must take care of each other. We're not your parents, and we won't make the same mistakes. We have our own lives to live, not theirs.”
“But ye could die,” Alastar said, his voice cracking with emotion, which surprised him.
“I would rather die standing with a man I love than by myself. What we shared...I know I could not share with another man. It would be cruel of you to ask me. I am tied to you Alas
tar, now more than ever. This is our quest. You cannot leave me here.”
Alastar studied her for a moment, and in her eyes, he saw steel as strong as his sword. Perhaps he had been wrong to ask her to leave this place, and he certainly didn't like the thought of her going.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. She gasped with the suddenness and shock of his movement.
“Then I guess ye are staying with me,” he said, and kissed her passionately.
Rebecca smiled with delight as they left the hut hand in hand, ready to leave the small village. Their movements brought the attention of the village people. It would be a shame to say goodbye to them so soon.
Jon came up to Alastar.
“Are ye nae staying through the night?” he asked.
Alastar shook his head. “We must get to the McCalls as soon as possible,” he said.