Seacrets

by Adrianna Wingate

  Maura tensed immediately. "No, Daniel, do naughtt do that." Her protest was weak.

  Daniel retreated, briefly. When Maura relaxed, he reentered with a great force that set her screaming. He swallowed her up within his embrace, pulling her into his chest and tried to comfort her with his words and kisses.

  "Tis alright, love. Tis just rough the first time. I had ta open ya up so ya will be able to accept me inta ya, darlin' “He kissed the sides of her face and then kissed away the tears in her eyes. Maura buried her face into his chest and left the tracings of her fingernails on his bicep. Daniel gave Maura a short reprieve, as he was not quite ready for this to be finished.

  He removed her hand from his upper arm and guided her to his shaft. "Maura, stroke me, love."

  She was awkward in her approach. She pulled her hand back away from him, at first, but then he kissed her deep, relaxing her enough to move forward with him. The feel of her hand was like velvet on his skin. Daniel thought he would lose all control. He placed his hand over hers to stop her sweet torture.

  "What is wrong, Daniel? Am I doin' it wrong? Am I hurtin' ya? Why are ya stoppin' me?" Maura's voice, wracked with concern.

  Daniel thought to give her reassurances of a job extremely well done. "Maura, ya are doin' a fine job o' makin' me feel extremely well aroused. I just want ta take it slow, is all. I'm enjoyin' ya so much that I don't want this ta end." He propped himself up on one elbow and stared down into her eyes.

  Maura wriggled a bit closer and began to trace circles around the nipple of his chest. She noticed it instantly becoming erect.

  Daniel moved closer, letting her know she was doing something he enjoyed.

  He bent his head once more to caress and tantalize her, now very firm, taut breasts, and in so doing, continued downward again toward Maura's soft silky hot spot.

  Remembering how it hurt the last time he ventured there, Maura grabbed hold of his wrist and tried to pull his hand away.

  "'Tis alright, love. I promise ya I willna hurt ya this time." He pushed forward.

  He gently nudged her thighs apart, once more. He could feel her heat in his hand. He slipped his fingers just inside her warm folds, and this time he took his time to explore her thoroughly and talk her through her fears, while stroking her into sheer ecstasy “Oh my sweet Maura let ya self be overcome with the pleasures of the senses. Come ta me, love, come ta me."

  Maura could not hold back her feelings any longer. She grabbed onto the sides of his face and kissed him with a roughness to rival his own. So deep was her kiss, as if it were the last, she would ever give to him. She let out a low moan and then the shrill cry of satisfaction, reaching up to cover her own mouth. She was shocked at her own wanton behavior.

  Daniel rolled up on top of her and with some mild degree of roughness, nudging her legs apart with one hardened, muscular thigh and rested himself at the junction of her thighs.

  Maura felt his warm hard shaft up against her very sensitive private area. Her loins were still pulsating. He moved just a bit and she was beginning to become swept away again. Maura instinctively wrapped her legs around his.

  Daniel could feel her silken thighs rubbing up against his. He no longer had the power of control to decide whether to be gentle or not. He was wild with passion for her.

  With rough determination, he forced her legs apart and prepared her the best he could for what was to come. "Maura, I canna hold back any longer, sweet. Please forgive my roughness, darlin'" His tone was breathless and ragged.

  Maura reached down between them and wrapped her slender fingers around his shaft, placing him inside her womanly softness. He slid in with ease. She raised her hips to meet his. Daniel was fully imbedded in her now. Sweeping sensations coursed through them both. Daniel's buried his face in Maura's neck. His skin was hot and moist with sweat. Maura could taste the salt on his skin, as she ran her tongue along his massive shoulder. "My sweet Maura, you've no idea how much I'm lovin' being with ya like this, woman." His voice, ragged and out of breath, as he pushed up inside her again and again.

  Maura was just as wild for him, as she pushed upward with every thrust of his. She could feel herself beginning to succumb to his advances, yet again. "Oh my God, Daniel, I canna control my own feelin's when we’re like this." she could hardly speak for being so out of breath.

  Daniel slowed himself one last time, looking into her eyes. "I want ya ta be lookin' inta my eyes, Maura, when we both ascend ta the heavens from the pleasure we are about ta share." His voice so calming and soothing to her senses. Then he reached between their intertwined bodies, and found her firm and highly sensitive core and began to message her into ecstasy. When he felt the first pulsations under his fingers and heard her cries for sweet mercy, he began to drive into her like a battering ram. His control gone, he begged her for sweet mercy grabbing her buttocks tight and pulling her even closer. Daniel collapsed in a heap upon her and spoke into her ear "Oh God ya are so sweet." He had never felt such exhilaration or satisfaction ever in his life. He rolled off to her side, pulling the tartan up over them and snuggled down in close together.

  "Maura, did I hurt ya too badly with my roughness?" Daniel was apologetic in his tone, while caressing and kissing the side of Maura's face.

  Maura had tears in her eyes, not from sadness, but rather from her overwhelming feelings of joy. She now knew what is was like to be in love and to be made love to, fully and with reckless abandon. "I'm sure I'm goin' ta be sore for a few days, Captain." She wiped at the corners of her eyes and then laughed, giving Daniel a shy wink.

  "No Daniel ya didna hurt me." She turned to her side and reached up to caress the side of his face. "Ya gave me the kind of pleasure I could never have dreamed could exist between a man and a woman. I couldna be happier that I saved myself for you." Maura leaned in to kiss Daniel gently on his forehead. They laid there for quite a while just talking about what ever came into their minds and holding onto one another.

  They finally got themselves put back together and Daniel stated that he'd like to continue this back in the guest house where they might be afforded a little more privacy, as he could start to feel himself becoming amorous toward her once more. "Shall I help ya inta the carriage and get started toward the guest house or do ya want ta stay out here for a while longer?" He was really thinking, all the while, he so desperately wanted to swoop her up into his arms, toss her into the carriage and take her again, right then and there.

  Maura was somewhat confused, Daniel certainly showed a lustful nature, but he never actually said he loved her during their lovemaking. He said he loved being with her in this way, but not the words I love you. She thought for sure, since they had just made love, he would have at least said the words I love you. Mayhap he does not feel the way about me that I feel about him. She thought. Mayhap, he really does still have feelings of obligation to his previously betrothed woman. After all he is a very caring and honorable man. She decided to be forward and just ask him if he still feels an obligation to his word to wed this other woman.

  "Daniel, may I ask ya a somewhat personal question?" Her voice a little timid and shy.

  "Of course, woman, don't be ridiculous.” His tone was curt as he was a bit nervous about what the content of the personal question might be.

  "Are ya still feelin' an obligation to the woman ya were betrothed to? The woman in the garden?" Maura cut right to the heart of her inquiry.

  Daniel's reply was flat and cold in his return. "I was never in love with her ta begin with, if that be ya concern. It was merely a business arrangement between her father and mine. Actually, the marriage agreement was repayment for a debt my father owed ta her father. 'Tis all. Nothin' more." He shrugged his shoulders and gave a look of disgust as he remarked of the agreement. "Why do ya ask such things of me, Maura?" Now he was turning the tables on her. Putting her on the spot to reveal the true nature of her thoughts.

  Maura instantly became tongue-tied. Stammering her words. "Why I...I'm curious is all.
Ya looked as if you were quite intent on pursuing her in the garden, earlier, this night." He noticed her back stiffened when she spoke of him and Mallory being together.

  "Am I detectin' a bit o' jealousy, on your part, Miss McCoveny?" Daniel said with a definite air of delight in his voice.

  Maura thought his tone was a bit too jocular for her liking. "Why absolutely not, Captain Hargendon!" She could feel the heat rising inside of her all the way from her toes to her, now, very flushed cheeks. She was embarrassed he had caught her in her true thoughts. She spat back her venom upon him. "I couldna care less how ya spend ya nights, Captain," I was just thinkin' that ya could do better, 'tis all." Maura started toward the carriage house entryway.

  Daniel reached out and grasped her firmly by her forearm, pulling her back into his embrace, trapping her tight against his chest. "How much better, lass? Tell me, now. I'm very interested ta know just how much better I could do." He was flashed that alluring smile of his. His eyes were fixed on hers, intently staring her down.

  Maura's palms were pressed against his hardened chest. She could feel his muscles tensing though his shirt. She pushed on his chest and cursed him for making her feel foolish and trite. “Release me or I shall scream. How dare you make me feel ridiculous.”

  He loosened his grip on her and took a step back. "Do naught play with fire, lass, or ya just might be gettin' ya self burned. Get my meanin'?"

  "I get ya meanin' perfectly, Captain Hargendon." The intent of her tone was definitely not of a timid nature. Maura turned her back to him and took quick strides toward Demon, Daniel's prize Stallion. She lifted her skirts and with the ease of a professional equestrian, she mounted Demon. Maura was completely in control of the massive beast. She reigned in the animal around to face Daniel and stated to him flat and cold. "Ya may come for ya horse in the mornin', Captain, as I will be takin' my leave alone."

  Daniel was decidedly embarrassed he had underestimated Maura's capabilities as a skilled rider. He stood there wide-eyed and dazed.

  Maura dug her heels into the great beast, and shouted "Har!" and made her way down the path toward the cottage.

  Once Daniel was past the initial shock of what had just taken place, he became furious he had let Maura get the better of him. He did not like being in a position of subservience.

  “I’m the man, damn it! I will tell her when tis time to leave…and it dam well should naught be on the back of my horse, by God!” He paced back and forth for a few minutes, running his hands through his thick mane, as he always did when he was insensed and agitated. “ Calm down Hargendon. She is just a female that has obviously lost her mind”, he thought.

  “Why, if I had a mind to do so, I could wring her delectable neck like a prize turkey.”

  Daniel walked back to the main house and settled on the front porch steps to collect his thoughts and to keep himself from racing down to the guesthouse and thrashing the living breath out of the woman. What in God's name could have gotten inta that woman ta turn her so disagreeable in a split second? He thought. She would naughtt have allowed me ta make love ta her if she was still mad about seein' me with Mallory in the garden, would she? Who knows what runs through a female’s mind, he reasoned with himself.

  Aiden walked out onto the porch. “Where’s Maura got off to?”

  Through clenched teeth Daniel answered his brother. "Oh brother ya don't even want ta be askin' me anything about that little wench right now!" All the while grinding one closed fist into his other palm.

  "Well did she just up and disappear inta thin air? I mean, you’re here...hey, where's the carriage?” Aiden continued to question his brother.

  "She stole my horse, she did, that little wench! Can ya believe that?" Daniel was ranting and pacing back and forth.

  Aiden let out the heartiest of laughs. Long and loud. "Oh you've surely met ya match, with that one, brother. She can give as good as she gets." Aiden grabbed hold of Daniel about the shoulders and stopped him from pacing.

  "The two of ya are like firecrackers going off. One minute your in there dancing, lookin' to each other like ya are the only two in the room, hell, in the universe for that matter, and in the next she's stealin' ya horse and drivin' ya mad with anger. That is a lot o' passion, brother, a lot o' passion. Ya hang on ta that one Danny. She's the one, I'm tellin' ya." Aiden let go of his brother and stood back to let him settle.

  §

  Maura was halfway between the main house and the cottage when Daniel's horse suddenly became skittish and spooked. "Whoa Demon, whoa boy!" She could not rein him in. He began to spin her around in circles and she became dizzy and was thrown to the ground, with a thud. She was lying there in the middle of the trail stunned. Once she realized she was all right and was probably just going to be plagued with some bumps and bruises, for a few days, she sat up and brushed the leaves from her hair and the dust and dirt from her gown. Then it hit her like a terrible fright. "Oh my God! The damn horse is gone!" Maura was stricken with fear. “Daniel will surely kill me, now!" She stood up, wincing when she began to take a few steps and rubbing at her sore pride. "Oh why did I have ta run off all half cocked and loosin' my temper like that?" She began to call out to the horse. "C'mon Demon. Do ya have ta be livin' up ta ya name? Oh, you damn beast. Where the hell have ya gone ta? Ya are just the same as that owner of yours, stubborn and pig headed.”

  §

  Daniel looked up in the direction of the cottage road when he heard the clip clop of hooves approaching. He was relieved Maura had the good sense to return his horse and talk things out. His relief turned to instant dread when he saw a riderless horse approaching. He leapt off of the porch, missing every step. He grabbed hold of Demon's reins and walked him back toward the porch. "Demon, boy, where's Maura?" He felt terror, give way, in his own voice.

  Aiden had just returned to the porch with a couple of bourbons to finish his talk with his brother when he fell upon this scene and became immediately worried, himself. "Danny, did Maura return with ya horse?" His voice was shaky, though he tried to hide his own fear.

  "No Aiden she did naught. I'm goin' ta head down ta the cottage." He was frantic, at this point. He could not lose her again. Damn his stubborn Irish pride. He should have insisted on returning her to the cottage. If they continued arguing, so be it. He was such a foolish man, he thought to himself. He mounted Demon, dug his heels deep into horseflesh and raced toward the guesthouse.

  §

  "Demon...c'mon boy" Maura was so angry with herself, at this point. "Oh why must I be so damn headstrong? I should o' let Daniel return me ta the guest house and then thrown his sorry arse out!" She continued down the moonlit road toward the guesthouse. After a few more minutes, she could see the entryway to the cottage and was feeling, somewhat, relieved she managed to get herself to safety.

  As she reached for the gate to enter into the front garden area, she heard the loud cracking sound of dry leaves and tree branches. The woods were thick with lush greenery at this time of year. The moonlight illuminated the cottage path just enough for her to see her way up to the front entrance of the guesthouse. Everywhere else around the house was pitch black.

  "Demon...is that you, boy?" She walked over toward the wooded area, where she first heard the cracking sounds. "C'mon now honey. If ya show ya self ta me I'll be givin' ya a nice sweet treat." She was making clicking sounds in hopes of drawing the beast out. "Damn you, beast, if ya are not as stubborn as that man that owns ya." She walked into the woods a little further, just out of the moonlight. The sudden familiar smell of dank foul breathe was immediately upon her in the dark. The last thing Maura remembered was a hand covering her mouth. Her own muffled screams and then blackness.

  §

  "Hurray up and help me get her inta the carriage. He'll sure ta be showin' up any minute now." Kilern's whispers were strained as he was directing Mallory. "I never should o’ gotten involved with another female." He scoffed at Mallory for being a weakling.

  "You shut your disgusti
ng foul mouth, Kilern." Mallory spat back at him. "You'd be losing' your precious virginal prize if it were not for me helping you. And don't you be forgetting that fact, either, mister! If everything works out to plan, he will soon forget all about her then I will have him and his money. My family will be out of debt and you will be a rich man, as well.”

  "Shh, hold down ya cacklin’, wench. I hear a rider approachin'" Kilern instructed.

  Daniel dismounted Demon. He could see there were no candles lit in the guesthouse. This worried him. Although he held onto a spark of hope, she was all right, because he had not run across her lying on the carriage road. He cautiously entered the gated area.

  Daniel started up the steps to the guesthouse when he saw a powder flash and then a shot rang out. Daniel fell to the ground, at the base of the steps.

  "What the hell!” He shouted, "Guess he's got more than one enemy, eh?" "We'd better make haste lest we be the ones ta blame, and we're already in deep enough with this family.”

  "Are you crazy, Kilern, I can't just leave him there! Mallory screamed back in Kilern's face. "Oh my God Danny, please do not be dead. You take her and go." Mallory instructed. "I'll go for help."

  "You had better not cross me girl, or you'll end up with the same fate as ya lover. Are ya hearin' me, now?" Kilern bellowed his murderous promise as he pulled away from the guesthouse and disappeared into the dark forest.

  Mallory cautiously approached Daniel's body. She could see there was a great pool of blood all around him. She knew time was of the essence, if he was to survive.

  "Oh Danny, why must you be so damn stubborn? Who have you gone an angered now."

  Mallory walked around Daniel's body, careful not to touch him. Mallory heard the crackling of dry branches off to the side of the guesthouse. She backed away, scared and breathing heavy. Was she next?, she thought. Mallory heard the sounds again. She moved closer to the woods edge. Her breath was caught in her throat. "Oh my God! What are you doing here?"