by Ria Cantrell
“No…Dunna’ leave me. I need to feel ye’ inside me still.” He laughed a little and he said, “Just for a little while, lass. I promise.” Brielle looked into his eyes and she asked, “Ye’ will love me again?”
He kissed her pretty lips and said, “Most definitely.” He stroked down her arms and said, “I plan to love ye’ all through the rest of the day and into the night.”
Brielle blushed at his words, but was more than happy to spend the next few hours lost in passionate pleasure with Rory.
Rory moved from her and lying beside her, he gathered her into his arms. Her back was slightly pressed to his chest and his arms circled her waist, nestling her delicious bottom against his groin. He stroked her, and nuzzled her neck, gently nibbling the tender flesh below her earlobe. She sighed, enjoying the feel of his hands and lips on her. His touch was so tender and gentle. Brielle felt so much love for Rory.
He said, “Do ye’ hurt, Brielle?”
Stretching her neck so his mouth could nibble there, she said, “Nay, Ruiri. Not at all. Mmm, you made it wonderful.”
He kissed her neck again, sliding a hand up her ribs, to rest it below her breast. She placed her hand over his and drew it fully around her breast. His fingers flexed gently around it, slowly rotating against her peaked nipple. She had to tell him. She needed him to know how she felt.
“Ruiri, I…”
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I…I …I am in love with you.”
There she said it. There was no way to take it back, now. Come what may, now he knew. His hand gently squeezed her breast and he said, “I know lass.”
“Oh…” she said quietly. He kissed her neck again and said, “I am not the kind of man to fall in love, Brielle.”
Her heart sank, but she had known that before agreeing to be his lover. Still, this time, her “oh” was barely audible.
Palming her breast, he said, “Until now.”
She turned in his arms and said, “What?”
He had the most endearing smile on his face and he said, “Until now, lass. I have fallen in love with ye’, too, Brielle.” She felt shock at his words.
“Ye’…ye’ love me?”
“Aye, lass.”
“I dunna’ want ye to feel obligated to say that …because we just…” he kissed her mouth and said, “I dunna’ feel obligated because we made love. Ye’ broke the barriers around my heart, Brielle. I couldn’t sleep nights for wanting you; needing ye’…and finally realizing …loving ye’.” Her eyes welled with tears, and she kissed him.
“Oh Ruiri, I …,” Ruiri watched as tears pooled in her beautiful eyes.
“Dunna’ cry, my love.”
“I am just so happy.”
“Me, too, love. Ye are mine, now.”
“Even though I am a Campbell?” He smiled down at her and stroked over her cheek.
“I aim to change that soon enough.” She kissed him so fiercely at that statement, he almost felt bruised. He laughed softly, saying, “That is, lass, if ye will have me. I know I haven’t been so nice to ye. I am so sorry about that.” Putting a finger against his lips, she said, “No, my love. Ye saved my life. I love ye, Ruiri, with all my heart.” Stroking a hand through her hair, he said, “Ye saved my life, too. More than you could know, Angel.”
Kissing her, he drew her over him. She loved to kiss him. She covered his mouth with kisses that were becoming more passionate with each one she rained on him. He held her, moving his hands down her back. She slid her hands across his chest and she kissed his mouth, jaw and neck.
“I love you so much,” she murmured.
“Come here,” he said huskily and he shifted onto his back, moving her on top of him. Brielle felt him harden under her.
She looked into his smoldering golden eyes and she said, “So soon? Really?”
“Aye, lass.”
Brielle had lost her shyness at his profession of love. She straddled him and kissed him; her tongue slipping into his mouth and she then said, “Make love to me, again, Ruiri.”
“It’s not too soon? I don’t want it to be uncomfortable…”
“Nay, I want to as much as ye' do.”
He ran his hands down her back, softly squeezing her derriere. He eased his fingers under her to feel for certain that she was ready to take him again. She was! Her moist heat enticed him to continue. He drew her legs around his hips and he entered her slowly. She threw her head back and cried out, enjoying the feel of him once again inside of her. She moved up against him, placing her hands on his strong shoulders. He lowered his head, taking a peaked nipple into his mouth. She sighed as he made her feel so many new feelings of pleasure; pleasure she hadn’t known existed before being with him.
Chapter Fifteen
Caleb found Morag outside of Ruiri’s door.
“Woman, what are ye doin’?”
“Hush, old man. Just seein’ if our lass has tamed the wildness in our boy.”
“And?” The old woman laughed.
“It would seem so. Three times so far!”
“Woman! Leave them be.” She snickered and said, “I was just going to bring them something to eat.” Caleb, took her hand and drew her away from the door.
“Come away, Morag. They will eat when they are ready.” Then stealing a wistful look at her, he said, “Three times, huh?” Morag smiled a craggy grin.
“Aye!”
“Well, let us leave them to themselves. I suspect we willna’ see them until some time next morning.”
“Well, I should like to have a bath sent up in Brielle’s room. Poor little lassie will need it to soothe any aches.” Caleb looked at her with confusion.
“What do ye mean aches? Is my son being rough with her?”
Morag made a face and said, “That I dunna know, but a virgin always feels achy after her first time.” Caleb shook his head.
“Woman, are ye daft? She is no virgin. She was married.”
“She was a maid and the bedding will prove it. Her husband never really made her his wife. He was too sick to treat her like a proper wife.” Caleb thought on the old woman’s words and then nodded, knowing Brielle had confided in Morag.
“Very well, have a bath drawn and I will send up a tray of food as well. This way, they can have time for themselves privately and enjoy their coming together.” Morag clapped her hands together happily.
“We shall create a little love nest for them.” Caleb walked away shaking his head. The old woman was as romantic as a lass.
Turning back, he said, “Now stop eavesdropping, Old Woman!”
“Ahhhh, just reliving the days I spent in the arms of a handsome man…”
“Woman, they deserve their privacy. Now come away.” Morag shrugged and followed the laird down to the main hall.
Chapter Sixteen
Brielle laid in Rory’s arms, sated and happy and very much in love. He was looking at her with such love and tenderness in his eyes; it caused her heart to hitch in her chest. She touched his delicious jaw and she said, “When did ye realize ye loved me?” Brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, he said, “Nearly when I first found ye’, I suppose, but I could ne're admit such a thing. I admitted it to myself finally today, when I saw you riding that wild horse. I feared ye' would be thrown and your battered little body wouldn’t fare well by such a fall. I…feared I would lose ye'…and that made me realize that the thought of losing ye' would ruin me. I needed ye'…and I knew I couldn’t lose ye', too…like I lost…”
Brielle kissed him and said, “Ye' may speak her name to me. I sense somehow she brought us together…”
“Brielle…I thought I was going to lose ye', like I lost Caitlyn.”
Rory expected the pall of sadness to overshadow their lovemaking, but it never did come this time. He was able to speak Caitlyn's name and the darkness didn’t pull at him. Brielle touched him, stroking the backs of her knuckles down his cheek.
“Ye' will not lose me.”
His fi
ngers trailed down her arm and he murmured, “Nay…I have found ye'…and I know now that I loved ye' all along.” Pulling her closer in his arms, she had never felt so safe and warm. She rested her head against his shoulder and he couldn’t seem to keep his hands from touching her. She breathed in his scent, loving the feel of being in his arms. She sighed and he kissed her hair.
“Ye' feel alright, love?” She purred, “Mmm, aye, Ruiri. I never imagined it to feel like that.” He laughed gently.
“Oh, aye lass, did ye' like loving me,” he teased. She nodded, a little shyly.
“Oh aye, Ruiri. Very much!” He kissed her and said, “Hmm, good, I liked it very much too. And…in a little while, I plan to love ye' again.” Tucking her head between his chin and shoulder, she hid her blush from him. They had already made love several times, and he still wanted her. She blushed from the knowledge of how much she still wanted him…again and again.
“No, no, no…sweetheart. Ye' must never be embarrassed. Not now…Ye' were made to love me.” He leaned over her, kissing her mouth softly. Her arms snaked around him. She fitted herself around him, naturally opening herself up to him. Her hands gently clutched at his hips, drawing him down to her. He was about to enter her, when they heard a knock on the door leading into Brielle’s room. Her eyes grew wide, realizing by now people would know what they had been doing, locked in Rory's chambers. Rory was enchanted with the blush that rushed to her face again.
He said, “Stay here, and I will see what this is about.”
Rory wrapped himself in some of the bedding. He went to the door and opened it. He stood dumbfounded for a moment. Brielle’s room had a steaming vat prepared. A delicious platter of food had been left on the bed. The room flickered with candles as well as with an inviting fire roaring in the hearth.
He smiled and said, “Brielle, it would seem someone has left us a surprise. I wonder who it could have been,” he said sarcastically. Brielle pulled a fur about her and tried to peek over Rory’s broad shoulder. He hooked his arm around her and he moved her in front of himself. They saw the wonderful preparations that were done for their behalf.
Brielle said, “Well, it must have been Morag and yer Da’.”
“Ye’ think so?”
“Bless their hearts, they aren’t very obvious are they?”
“I suppose they approve of us.” Brielle laughed, and Rory was warmed at the delightful sound.
“Aye, my clothes kept getting more fitted and I was thinking I was gaining weight, until I realized I seemed to be only gaining weight in my bosom.”
Rory’s hands moved around her now fur-clad breasts and he nibbled her ear.
“Aye lass…t’was all I could do to not stare at these lovelies.”
Brielle gasped, “Ruiri…”
“I couldna’ help it, love. Ye' are beautiful, but when yer' necklines kept getting lower and ye' were not as hidden, it would make my mouth go dry. Then, when I thought ye' were trying to seduce my father…it made me feel sick inside, but I couldn’t help thinking how lucky he would be to enjoy ye'.”
“Ruiri!”
Holding her, he then said, “Aye, but I was wrong…for I am the one to enjoy ye'.” His laughter made her smile. He took her into her chamber and said, “Come, let us at least enjoy what they have lovingly prepared for us.”
Dropping their covering, they climbed into the warm water of the bath. It felt sublime to be submerged in its soothing depths. Rory took the scented soap and began gliding it over Brielle’s arms, shoulders and back. He gently massaged her shoulders and he felt her relax and sigh. His hands eased around her waist, gently moving up her ribs. She moaned softly as his hands cupped her breasts, gently rubbing her nipples into his palms. He nuzzled her neck and gently nibbled it and he heard her moan again. He loved that she was so responsive to his every touch.
“Ruiri, ye make me want ye’ so much.” He laughed at her honesty.
“Again? Ye’ are insatiable.”
He cupped water into his hands and rinsed the soap from her back and shoulders. She faced him, and taking the soap from him, she smoothed it over his chest, slowly making her soapy way down his stomach. He sucked in his breath as her hand soaped lower and he bit back a moan as her fingers, slippery with suds, encased his manhood. Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she rubbed up and down his hardening length. He was already so hard, she was still amazed at how quick it happened for him.
He said, “Woman, ye' tempt me to distraction.”
Looking into his handsome face, and continuing to rub his shaft, she said, “Nay, Ruiri. Tempting ye' would be if I only wished to tease ye'. I fully intend to make good on this seduction.”
He was enamored by the sexy smile on her lips. He said, “Come here…love me.”
He drew her legs around him and as she knelt over him, his hand touched her delicious bottom. He squeezed both cheeks and her eyes flew to his. He had a devilish grin on his lips and he said, “Yer lovely arse enflames me.” His fingers explored beneath her, softly circling her bottom, which made her gasp, but he could see she was already drawn into the passion. She was not protesting to any of his touches. Brielle was quickly losing all inhibitions with Rory. She felt her body react fiercely and though they were in the bath, she felt the now normal response of the wet heat flooding from her. As he felt her sway over him, he knew she would be slick and ready for him. His hand explored further between her thighs and he groaned out loud. He was amazed at how wet she really was. He lowered her down onto him; sliding easily inside of her. As she felt him fill her again, she cried out in passion.
She loved when he was inside of her. She moaned, saying, “Ye' are so big…so hard and ye' fill me completely.”
“Aye, my Love. I love that ye' take me so completely. T’is a man’s dream. Ye' fit me so perfectly.” As he moved with her, the water slogged around them. He playfully splashed her and in seeing him grin at her, she kissed him hard and deeply.
She said, “I love ye', Ruiri. So much.” It was easy to profess it now.
“Aye lass…I love ye’ too.” Easy for him as well to admit.
She felt the strength of his arms holding her and she suddenly realized his strength would always be a constant for her. He sighed happily. She was so wonderfully tight and hot around him. He just loved how uninhibited she was with him while they made love. It was like she lost all of that when they were one.
He said, “I promise to show you everything that can be done between a man and a woman. There is so much to explore, and I want to explore each way with ye’.”
She knew he would probably make good his promise. In fact, he may try to show her all the ways this very night. He looked at her and his breath caught. She was so beautiful, with her hair wet and slick around her shoulders. Droplets of water were beaded over her chest. She was like a beautiful water creature. She was his future; he knew that now. He kissed her and as her lips plundered his, he moaned deeply.
“I know I dunna’ deserve ye', but I am so happy ye’ have come into my life, Brielle.” His voice was thick with emotion.
“Ye' deserve to be loved, Ruiri, and I am the one to love ye'.”
“Kiss me again, Brielle.” She did happily and as the kiss turned more passionate, they both felt the excitement building inside each other. The orgasm that rocked them was mutual this time; both of them finding release as one. Feeling her shudder in his arms as he surged deep inside her was overwhelming for him. With his head back, Brielle saw tears leaking from his closed eyes. She let her lips wander over that evidence of his emotion and she kissed them away, saying, “Ruiri…”
She watched him swallow down hard. He felt her delicate hand touch his face and he opened his eyes to look at her.
“Ruiri, what is it?”
He swallowed again. “I dunna’ feel the darkness so much inside me. How did ye’ do that, Brielle?”
“I suppose love fights off the darkness, my love. And while I love ye’ with my body, I offer ye’ my heart, as well.”
“Aye, ye’ are so giving and wonderful. When I found ye’ on the road, broken and hurt, I felt like I had found an angel.”
She giggled and said, “I dunna’ think angels do what we just did.” He grinned.
“My angel does.” She hugged him. As he slid out of her, they then completed their bath, washing each other’s hair and rinsing each other of the suds that were on them both. Rory helped Brielle out of the tub and wrapped her in a thick towel. Once they were both dried, they donned wrappers and sat on Brielle’s bed to enjoy the meal that was left for them. Drinking some claret and eating their repast, they sat talking to each other; building their dreams and expressing their hopes to one another.
Sometime later, they lay curled up in Brielle’s bed, just kissing and touching, both sated for the moment and needing nothing more than to hold one another. Stroking over her hair, Rory said, “Brielle, I need to ask ye something.”
“Mmmm?”
“Well ye know before when ye’ said ye’ were still a Campbell and that I aim to change that?”
“Aye?”
“I dinna’ actually ask ye’, lass. So, I guess…I need to ask ye' proper. Brielle, will ye' marry me?”
Without hesitation, Brielle answered, “Aye, I pledge myself to ye', Ruiri.” He kissed her and said, “Then be my wife, Brielle. Bear my babes…Be one with me.”
“I will never leave ye' now, Ruiri. Ye' are my heart. Without ye’, I will not be able to live.” Rory turned her in his arms to look at her. He said, “We will wed in the kirk soon, but I wish to speak my troth to ye' now. It is the Ancient Sacred Rite.”
Her heart hammered into her ribs as he drew her to her knees to face him. He knelt facing her and holding her hands to his heart, he began to whisper his vows in Gaelic to her. It was indeed the Ancient way. She had only heard about it, but knew it was sacred and binding and that it was something that Rory wouldn’t have given lightly.
Brielle knew that once the vows were spoken back, they were as good as wed. She felt no fear in binding her heart to Rory’s. It was already bound to his and had been since she first saw him. She spoke the vows back to him, gazing into the golden flames of his eyes.