A Lesson in Passion

by Jennifer Connors

  Ian called to the two soldiers and gave them quick instructions. Then he turned to the monk and said, “Thank ya, Brother Douglas. We will accept yar hospitality.”

  “Verra well. I will show ya the way.”

  The monk walked them down a dark corridor that was damp and musty. Ginny decided that you shouldn't build a stone house in a humid place. How she hadn't caught a nasty cold yet was beyond her. Although it probably had something to do with Ian keeping her warm every night.

  Each man carried one candle to light the way. Brother Douglas opened a door toward the end of the corridor. He motioned to Broderick and Elspeth. Elspeth practically ran into the room, without the use of the candle that Broderick held. Broderick raised an eyebrow in response and promptly followed his new wife into the room.

  Ginny had a slew of rude things to say, but held her tongue. Wouldn't do her any good to irritate her new husband. They continued to the next and last door in the corridor. The monk opened the door and bid them goodnight. He left in quite a hurry, probably not wanting to think about what was going to happen next, let alone listen to it. Ian eyed her intently. “After ya, wife,” he said with a smile on his beautiful face.

  Ginny entered the small cell and looked around. There was a bowl and pitcher of water on a small table in the corner. On the floor, was a straw mattress, covered with what appeared to be clean linens and a heavy blanket. In the corner by the door, was a small brazier, which Ian began to build a fire using the wood provided.

  The water in the pitcher was cold, but Ginny knew better than to ask for hot water. She poured some water into the bowl, found a small towel under the table and began to wash her face. The only sound was the clanging of Ian building the fire. She went about taking off her tunic and placing it on the bed. Standing near the wash basin in only her chemise, Ian stared hungrily. Finally, he would get what he'd wanted for so long.

  Ginny continued to clean as much as she could reach. She truly wished she could have taken a bath first. Suddenly, Ian was right behind her. Ginny could feel his breath on the back of her neck. His voice, raspy and rough, said, “Can I help ya with that, wife?”

  Ginny swallowed hard. Her own voice was just as thick with passion, “Yes, of course. Please do.”

  Ian reached down for the bottom of her chemise and lifted it over her head. He discarded it next to her tunic. Although not shy, Ginny could feel herself blush from standing before Ian naked. He then knelt down to remove Ginny's shoes and hose. When completed, Ginny stood before him completely naked, but surprisingly not cold. The fire that Ian had built had warmed up the small room. Ian began his ministrations, taking the washcloth and washing her body. He started up top, on her shoulders and arms. Then delicately working his way down, paying close attention to her breasts and stomach.

  He finished rather abruptly with her legs, having bypassed her hips and bottom. Ginny wondered if he was afraid of scaring her, so he neglected those areas for the time being. When completed, he stood before her and smiled. Ginny smiled back, to let him know that she was quite looking forward to their time together.

  Ginny took the washcloth and put it down in the basin. Then she turned to him and began to undress him. Ian couldn't believe how bold she was. She started by taking off his boots, then undoing his kilt. When she unlatched the belt, the fabric fell away and Ian was left standing in his long shirt. Motioning him to bend over, she promptly removed that as well. Ian immediately grabbed her, but Ginny pushed him away. She picked up the washcloth and began to wash him from head to toe as well.

  Unlike Ian, Ginny paid special attention to Ian's groin, making sure to thoroughly wash his erect penis. It was enormous and Ginny wondered if he would tear her apart. Once complete, she put down the washcloth and turned to him. “I'm done. What would you like to do now?” she said with her eyebrow raised and a smile on her face.

  Ian picked Ginny up as if she weighed nothing. He turned and gently placed her on the mattress, then covered her body with his. Ian began to kiss her face, eyes, nose and finally her mouth. With no encouragement, Ginny opened her mouth to him and Ian used his tongue to dominate her mouth and body. His one hand was caught in her hair while the other hand began to gently caress her breasts. When he took one nipple between his fingers and squeezed, Ginny let out an involuntary moan of pleasure.

  Ian leaned down and began to suck gently on her nipple. Ginny wound her hands through his long, auburn hair and let him have his way with her. His tongue was like magic, bringing each nipple to stand erect at his touch. Even in bed, Ian expected total submission, from all his subjects. He began to kiss the valley between her breasts as his hand went to explore her soft mound. Parting her slowly, he found her clit and began to play gently with it, first circling it, then softly pulling at it.

  Ginny could feel the orgasm building in her middle. She knew that Ian had to do very little to give her tremendous satisfaction. His finger began to circle the outer edge of her opening, stroking gently, but purposefully. When finally he entered her with his finger, Ginny came off the bed and moaned loudly. Ian laughed softly. “Aaah, Ginny, yar so wet for me. I can feel yar warmth.” His own painful erection was pressing against her, looking for its own satisfaction.

  His finger entered and withdrew, mimicking what his cock would do soon. Ginny felt the building storm, knew her orgasm was reaching its zenith. All at once, Ginny was rocked with pleasure, forcing her hips to grind against Ian's hand as she involuntarily shouted his name. The waves of pleasure continued for what seemed like hours.

  Enjoying the lingering effects of her orgasm, Ginny continued to rock against his hand. Ian smiled briefly at her, just to let her know that he was pleased with himself, and continued to kiss her breasts and stomach. Suddenly, his hand was gone, and Ginny realized he was kissing the inside of her thighs. Oh God, Ginny thought as he began to kiss her inner folds, lapping at her nub.

  Ginny so rarely orgasmed that when she it came on again, she was utterly shocked. It was one of the best parts of being female, multiple orgasms. Ginny grabbed the blanket beneath her, twisting it in her fists. The fire was building inside of her, the heaviness, the pleasure. Closing her eyes, she allowed the waves of pleasure to wash over her again. Ian lifted his head and in his low, raspy voice, exclaimed, "Och, Ginny, ya taste like the best wine. It makes me heady for more."

  Ginny opened her eyes to see that Ian was between her legs, his erection pressed against her stomach. His face was only inches from hers, his stare intent. He waited until she was able to fully focus on his eyes and said, “I told ya, Ginny, that ya would be mine forever. Ya belong to me, wife. Do ya understand?”

  What, huh? Ginny thought she nodded her agreement, but couldn't be sure. She was still panting heavily from her orgasm, her limbs heavy. Suddenly, he entered her. Ian did it swiftly, breaking her maidenhead in one quick motion. Fully embedded inside her, Ian breathed slowly, trying to gain some control. He knew he hurt her and needed to allow her to get used to the intrusion.

  Pain, like nothing else, can startle you back into consciousness. Ginny felt the tearing pain when Ian entered her. This was precisely why no woman should have to give up her virginity more than once , she thought grimly. Still, it was hard to dismiss the pleasure, so it was worth a few moments of pain. Having read all those novels, Ginny knew the pain would disappear quickly, replaced by another earth shattering orgasm. Unlike her real “first time,” when her boyfriend John didn't know what he was doing and only followed his own instinct to pleasure himself.

  Soon, the pain was gone and Ginny was moving underneath him. “Nay, Ginny,” Ian sounded like he was in pain, “Dinna move yet. Ya need time to get used to me.” Ian's eyes were squeezed shut and there was a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead.

  Ginny took his face in her hands and turned him toward her. When he opened his eyes, she gave him a look that said that not only was she okay, she was ready for more. Ian kissed her hard and began to move his hips. Slowly, he would withdraw and thrust into her
again. Kissing her neck, Ian could hear the pleasure moans coming from deep in Ginny's throat. It fueled his need and he began to thrust more heartily.

  Ginny couldn't believe it, but she was about to climax again. She opened her eyes and stared at her husband with an imploring look to hold out for just a moment longer. The warmth was spreading, building in her middle and with a sudden spasm, it released to her body, making her limbs weak and warm. Ian shuttered with his own release, expelling his seed deep inside her.

  Ian laid motionless on top of her. Ginny could feel him breathing, but otherwise, he was dead weight. After a moment, Ginny tapped his shoulder and said, “Ian, I can't breathe.”

  He chuckled softly as he finally moved off her and lay next to her on the small mattress. He grabbed Ginny, pulled her up next to him, cradling her in his arms. Ian then reached down and grabbed the blanket and covered her up, knowing his wife's propensity toward being cold. Ginny snuggled up against him and purred like a kitten. She was finally satisfied, warm and laying in her own Greek god's arms. She couldn't think of anything better than that. Which was the last thought she had before falling asleep.

  * * *

  The dream was both vivid and horrifying. Two sides battled against each other to the bloody death. Protecting his clan and seeking revenge, Ian was in front, fighting his way through the throngs of men to get to one in particular. Horrible screams, from both those fighting and those injured, filled the air and the ground turned dark with blood.

  Ginny woke with a start, covered in sweat. She lay shivering as Ian took her back into his arms, panting slightly. “What is it, love?” Ian sounded concerned. The single candle was still lit, casting huge shadows on the stone walls.

  “Bad dream. Why did the Sinclairs take Aileana?” she asked finally, having wondered since their battle before the wedding.

  “I dinna know for certain. The McKennas and the Sinclairs have never been on good terms, but we havenae done anything to cause this. We enjoy raiding them, but they give as good as they get. It makes no sense.”

  “What will Alec do when he finds out?”

  “He will want blood. And I will help him get it.”

  “Could you be killed?” Ginny shuddered at the thought. She still didn't think she was in love with Ian, but she did care about his well being, and wanted to be able to have more nights like this.

  “Och, Ginny, dinna worry about that. I can take care of myself.” Ian sounded almost perturbed by her question. No wife should lack confidence in her husband, especially after only a few hours of marriage.

  “I'm sorry. I know you're quite a gruesome fighter,” Ginny said to placate him. “As your wife, I'm allowed to worry about you, though.”

  “Aye. Ya need to make sure my hunger is satisfied,” he said as he began to nibble on her ear.

  “Did you want something to eat,” Ginny smiled, playing with him once again.

  “Nay, not food. How are ya feeling?” Although the question was asked in general, Ginny knew what he specifically meant.

  “I'm a little sore,” she said, feeling his increasing erection against her. “But I can still take care of you.”

  “What do ya mean by that?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious.

  Ginny got up and walked to the basin. She threw old water into the chamberpot and refilled it, walking back to Ian. She hurried her steps, since the floor was cold beneath her bare feet. She took the washcloth and began to wash the blood from their lovemaking off his erection. She gently washed him, up and down, while he sat with his hands behind his head, enjoying the attention.

  She cleaned him thoroughly and began to play with his sack. She ran her hand up and down his penis causing a huge grin on her new husband's face. Continuing to gently massage his testicles, she lowered her mouth to take him in. Ian gasped, with pleasure rather than shock since this was not the first time Ginny had used her mouth on him.

  Ginny continued her gentle assault, using her hands and mouth. She used her tongue to trace a line around the head and licked softly into the cleft at the top. Ginny could taste him, salty and male, which only bolstered her resolve. She bobbed her head slowly, taking as much as she could into her mouth, then used her tongue to tease him even more.

  Ian suddenly grabbed her and threw her to the side of him. Kissing her deeply, Ian came on her leg. When replete, he looked down on her face, deep into her eyes and said, “Dear God, Ginny. Ya make me forget all my discipline.” He gently brushed her hair with his fingers, showing Ginny that he did indeed have a softer, more gentle side. She smiled up at him, quite satisfied at what she had accomplished.

  Ian reached over to the bowl and grabbed the same washcloth she used on him. First he cleaned up after his orgasm, then went about gently cleaning up the proof of her virginity. Ian smiled while he worked, knowing that he was her only lover and God help him, hopefully the only lover she would ever know. When complete, he moved the bowl back to the table, stirred the embers of the fire and added more wood and came to lie back down next to her.

  Ginny immediately moved into his arms, resting her head on his chest. Listening to his heartbeat, she played with his nipples and chest hair. After a few minutes, his hand stilled hers. “I could easily be ready again, Ginny, but I canna do that to ya.” She chuckled softly and fell back to sleep.

  * Chapter 24 *

  Loud banging, then silence. Ginny continued to sleep. Then, someone was shaking her. Slowly, she was coming awake. First, she was annoyed. Then, seeing Ian and Alec above her, she was really annoyed. Pulling the blanket higher up her, she stared at the two men. “What?” she asked, wondering why Ian would allow his brother to see her naked in bed.

  “Ginny, ya must get up. We have to leave.” Wow, such a useful explanation. Ginny remained where she was. “What are ya waiting for?”

  “For your brother to leave so I can get dressed,” she said calmly, but her eyes betrayed her real feelings. “Unless you'd like him to see me naked.” Ginny began to stand up as Ian physically forced his brother from the room. The door closed and all Ginny could hear was Alec's laughter.

  The room was so dim, with only one candle to light the darkness. There were no windows in the small cell, so she had no way to tell what time of day it was. They were married in the early evening, but Ginny had no idea how long she was asleep. It couldn't have been long, since she was still very tired.

  After dressing in her already filthy clothes and using the chamberpot, Ginny left the room. The corridor was empty, with only a few torches to light the way down the hallway. The door to Broderick and Elspeth's chamber was open, obviously empty. Ginny wondered how their evening went. No doubt she'll hear all about it from the frantically and appallingly in love Elspeth.

  Down the dark hall, there were voices in the distance. The last torch didn't reach into the entryway of the Abbey, so Ginny wasn't sure which way to go. As she entered the dark space, she saw light to her left, coming from under a door. Walking slowly, so as not to trip, she reached the door and opened it to the great room of the keep. There was Ian, and a few of the McKennas, another large, older man, and a few of his clan standing by the hearth. Ian spotted her and called her over.

  “Ginny, this is Laird MacDonald. MacDonald, this is my wife.”

  “Aaahh, ya the lass who stole the Laird from my daughter,” MacDonald said looking quite put out.

  “The decision not to marry Ian was hers, not mine,” Ginny stated, keeping her voice even, but not giving an inch.

  The MacDonald laird laughed a hearty, warm laugh. “Aye, she did.” Turning to Ian, he said, “Ya werenae joking about her boldness. Tis a rare find, especially for an Englishwoman.”

  “Aye,” Ian agreed. “Ginny, go and get some food. We will be leaving soon.”

  Ginny was never known to miss a meal and she had missed several over the last few days. This reminder nearly doubled her over with hunger. Walking to the table, she began to eat the bread and cheese left out. Helping herself to a tankard of ale, she sat
and began her repast. The men were discussing strategy and some such. Obviously all the players were present, it was only a matter of time before the battle began.

  The men began to walk out of the room, leaving just Ginny and Ian. He sat beside her and stared at her profile. Not interested in hearing about what the next few days would be like, Ginny continued to eat, but without much gusto. Finally, not being able to take the silence any longer, Ginny turned and stared back. Her frown was a testament to her feelings.

  “The Sinclairs are gathering with their allies, the MacBains. We have the advantage, since we are now aligned with the MacDonalds. I have also called on our allies to the North, the MacGregors.”

  “Do you even know why you are fighting?”

  “Och, Ginny. They killed my men and they all but killed Alec's wife,” his frustration was evident, but Ginny wanted to make her point.

  “I know that, Ian, but why? Why would they put an innocent woman through that. What do they perceive you did to deserve that kind of revenge? Are you the least bit interested? Maybe it could prevent bloodshed.”

  With that Ian jumped to his feet and began pacing back and forth. Ginny knew she was in trouble, she had come to know the signs. He was fairly shaking, obviously trying to regain some control. When he did finally speak, his voice was low, but very menacing. “Ya willnae question me, wife,” he spit out the last word sounding regretful of marrying her. “They dinna deserve yar compassion. They only deserve yar contempt.”

  Putting her head down, speaking barely above a whisper, she said, “I don't believe everyone should be punished for the bad decisions of their leaders. I've seen it too many times, where the innocent, following blindly or forced to follow, end up paying for the sins of those in charge.” Looking into his eyes, she continued, “You don't think it was everyone's decision to take Aileana. Yet they will die for it, at your hands. Is that fair?”