by Reece Butler
“They couldna believe a man such as yerself would work.”
Rory held out his arms to Isabel. “Aye, and now this man needs a wee bit of help. I canna climb all the way to the garret.”
“Then wait here and keep Tommy from our supper while I help Isabel change,” said Tearlach.
Rory set Tommy aside. He stood, groaning. “Nay, ye’ve been helping Isabel in and out of her dress all day. ’Tis my turn.”
She pursed her lips, fists on her hips. “If ye are well enough to do that, ye can climb stairs.”
He leered. “If ye take yer dress off here and walk in front of me I might be able to stagger after ye.”
Her face went scarlet. “Walk up the stairs wearing naught?”
“And if ye put Tommy out of the kitchen we’d not have to think of the pie. Tearlach will care for the horses and do the evening chores, aye?”
He’d had the day with Isabel while Rory had worked. He needed to do something useful, using muscles and strength. He nodded.
“First I’ll bring yer pallet down from the garret. No need for all to traipse up there and back to use the one thing in Calltuin other than this table and these benches.”
“I thought we’d save the table for tomorrow,” said Rory. “We could lean Isabel over, lift her skirts, and—”
“Is that all ye men think on?” she demanded.
“Och, nay!” protested Rory. He stood, not faking his stiffness. He carried Tommy to the door and set him on the floor. The cat trotted down the passage. Rory gestured for Isabel to go first. “There’s also food, and drink, and dicing when yer cock needs a wee rest.”
Chapter Fifteen
Isabel lay between two big, snoring men. She could sleep through Janet’s snuffles but these were deep, loud, and came from both sides. She was used to the garret, having slept there for thirteen years. Here the moon came in the windows either side of the fireplace, toward the foot of the bed, making strange shadows. But it was warm, and not just from the two hulking bodies flanking her.
This early in the spring the garret was always chilly. This room was warm, only one flight up from the kitchen. It would be easy to carry wood and water up, making it quite pleasant come January.
If she was here.
Isabel sighed, staring at the moonlight. She had little choice of where she’d be, or with whom. She’d known the day would come when she’d marry, but she’d turned sixteen, then twenty, hoping her life wouldn’t change. Until today she’d not met a man she wished to share it with. The rutting she’d observed by animals and villagers did not interest her. She had Janet for company. Though she wished for children of her own she made do with her cats and Jenny.
Now all that was gone. Janet wished to live with her husband, bringing Jenny with her. Isabel would not deny her longtime companion a home of her own. The two younger cats would go along as they were wee Jenny’s friends.
She couldn’t see why King James would want to keep Calltuin but perhaps he would use it, and her, as a reward to some stranger. If that man was already married she’d be sent elsewhere. Not only would she be married to a stranger, she’d be living in a strange place.
She’d rather marry Tearlach, with Rory to share the work. They made her laugh as well as scream her joy. Even if she had to marry Roderick she’d at least have wonderful memories from the MacDougals. Until Roderick arranged her “accident”.
Tearlach shifted beside her. “Are ye fretting, sweetling?” He leaned up on one elbow and brushed a knuckle over her cheek. “Did Rory’s snoring wake ye?”
She heard the smile in his voice. “Rory? What about yerself?”
“I dinna snore.” He pouted at her snort.
“Aye, ye do. Both of ye. But ’tisn’t the reason I be awake. I’ve slept in the garret most of my life, with Janet. I woke often, as she was restless from pain.”
“And this night, was it us?”
“Aye, yer sounds woke me. But as I lay here I kenned I feel safe.” She placed her palm on the side of his face. His growing beard felt foreign to her hand, but not unpleasant. “I canna remember being safe. With ye beside me I’ll be able to let sleep take me away, kenning none will harm me.”
“Aye, none will harm ye with me and Rory here. And Tommy,” he added.
“Aye,” she replied with a soft laugh. “We mustn’t forget Tommy.”
The cat heard his name and stomped up their bodies to demand scratches. Tearlach’s fingers caused a deep purr to fill the room. While Mud and Dirt slept curled up together in the kitchen, Tommy always had a corner of her bed. He didn’t think two giant men should interrupt his comfort. She relaxed, enjoying the contentment. Tearlach lifted Tommy over her and set him on the far side of Rory, where he stomped the covers into place.
“Do ye wish me to ease ye to sleep?”
She knew what that meant. “Can ye nay keep yer hands to yerself for a wee bit?”
His quiet chuckle warmed her heart. He easily tugged her into him, snuggling her bottom into his groin. His half-alert cock pressed on her back.
“Nay, lass, I canna keep from touchin’ ye. Mayhaps after ye’ve been our wife for a dozen years or so ’twill be different.”
“A dozen?”
“Aye. Ye are a stubborn lass. It may take that long to get ye properly trained.”
She swatted his hand in reply, though lightly because she’d heard the humor in his voice. While Roderick would say the same and mean it, training her with his fist and worse, these men would not. If the three of them were allowed a life together they would train one another, ending up with what suited them all.
At least, she hoped it would be that way.
“Sleep, lass. The sun comes quickly. We’ll have the day, then be off early the next. So if there’s work ye need done, best ask yer pair of braw MacDougal warriors to do it.”
She heard the unspoken while we’re here.
* * * *
Isabel reveled in the wondrous dream. She lay on her back while a mouth suckled her. Teeth rasped her nipple while a hand molded her breast. Another mouth kissed across her belly and down. Something, perhaps a finger, stroked between her wet pussy lips. She clenched her buttocks and pushed down on her heels, lifting herself to demand more.
“She’s a wild one, is our Isabel.”
The rough, deep voice came from the area of her belly. Tearlach. She caught her breath. Not a dream!
“Dinna pretend to sleep, lass. Ye are awake now and wanting our touch, aye?”
The finger slid inside her, pressing up under her public bone. She shivered. Would he find…? Yes! His thumb massaged her clit at the same time. Again, teeth rasped her nipple. She whimpered as the tension coiled tighter. Her knees were bent and spread wide, ankles pressing down to raise her pussy and demand more. She didn’t know, or care, which man was where. She only wanted…
“Ye want more?”
“Please!” she gasped.
Hands grasped both breasts, pinching her nipples. Still rubbing inside her pussy and on her clit, another hand slid down to scratch at her asshole. She shuddered at the intensity.
“Time to stretch this so ye’ll take my cock.”
There was barely a warning before a blunt finger intruded.
“Oh!”
“That’s it, Isabel, let go. Take what ye need.”
The finger in her ass twisted, stretching her tissues another inch deeper. It pulsed there, the center of everything. She couldn’t think. Lips covered her clit. A marvelous tongue flicked it, then suckled. She keened, caught on the edge.
“Now!” said Rory.
A finger rubbed inside her pussy, another pierced her arse. He nibbled her clit, and white light exploded. She lay, limp and gasping, when it was over. Her blood seemed to hiss in her ears.
“Roll her over.”
She barely understood the words. She let them prop her on her knees. Her head flopped on the pallet. Her pussy, aimed high, throbbed. She clenched, empty. And then a cock nudged against her. Slowly
, pulsing forward and back, he stretched her pussy, filling her. She shuddered, a deep groan filling her ears.
“That’s it.”
Tearlach sank deep, then backed out equally slowly. She panted, able to breathe but not yet think. When a finger pressed into her arse again all her attention went to those few square inches of her body. Again and again he moved, slow and sure, keeping her from thinking of anything but his touch.
“I found something in the kitchen to ease yer way,” said Rory. He sounded breathless, as if he’d been running.
The cock stopped. The finger in her arse came out and something cold spread over her. She shuddered at the chill, then again when his finger filled her all the way.
“Feels good?”
She nodded, her hair rasping against the sheet. Tearlach’s cock barely moved, just enough for his balls to tap against her clit. He continued the tortuously slow movement as his cock filled, then pulled back. He added another finger. The slight pinch of pain added to her excitement. She pushed back, wanting the fullness. Still he moved too slowly to bring her to the edge. She clenched his cock from inside. He hissed. The sound of a smack hit her ears a second before the shock of pain. A hand on her back held her from rearing.
“I be the one in charge,” warned Tearlach.
“I be the one wanting more!” she protested.
“Give her what she wants,” said Rory. “What we all want.”
Tearlach’s fingers filled her all the way, stretching her wide. He let his hand rest as his cock sped up. She tried to slam back against him, but Rory held her still. She was so close!
Tearlach pulled his fingers out, grabbed her hips, and roared. The friction was wonderful! She tried to find release as he slammed against her, coming hard, but he slumped over her back too soon. She grabbed his cock with her pussy muscles, this time with no reaction. She quivered with need, panting to breathe, so close she could smell it.
“Why didn’t ye wait for me?” she wailed.
Tearlach pulled out and rolled off. He lay on his back beside her, gasping for breath through his wide grin. Before she could swat him a second cock filled her pussy. She clenched Rory, trying to come.
“Not here, and not yet,” he ordered.
“What?”
“I’m going to take yer arse, sweetling. That’ll make ye come so hard yer eyes will spin.”
“I’d better come or ye’ll be sleeping with the pigs!”
“Not a good idea to threaten a man about to skewer ye.”
“I ken ye willna harm me.” Though he may bring her an edge of sensation that could be felt as pain or pleasure.
He pulled out and slathered her with whatever he’d brought from the kitchen. The blunt tip of his cock pressed against her arse. Blunt large tip.
“Ye look so beautiful,” he murmured. “Yer pussy is wet and swollen from Tearlach’s cock, and yer arsehole is winking at me.”
He pressed, breaching her, stretching her painfully. Tearlach’s hand found her clit. It balanced the sting. She relaxed, letting Rory stretch her, sinking an inch before retreating. She was so near to coming she could taste copper on her tongue.
“How are ye doin’?” asked Rory, bending over her back.
“I want to come!” She clenched her pussy, but it was empty.
“Ye will, I swear. Relax and let me fill ye.”
She did as he said, bearing down to open up. His groan of satisfaction filled her ears as his cock filled her arse. She was new to having a man enter any part of her, yet this felt very different. She’d had no idea this was possible, or could be pleasurable. It was no doubt forbidden, which made it all the more glorious.
“I won’t go all the way yet,” he promised. “Ye got her clit, brother?”
Instead of answering, Tearlach’s knuckles caught her clit. He rubbed them, pinching her inner lips between his knuckles. Rory pulsed, keeping her on the edge between pain and pleasure. Then his fingers dug deep into her hips. He groaned and filled her, taking an extra inch as he plunged in and out.
“Come for me,” ordered Tearlach.
He pinched her clit as Rory surged forward and filled her. She shuddered, quaking as her body exploded. Sun burst behind her eyelids. A rush of water filled her ears. She panted through her dry throat. Long minutes later she realized she was empty, though the ghost of their cocks remained, keeping her throbbing.
“Soon we’ll both be fillin’ ye,” whispered Tearlach. “At once.”
* * * *
Rory held his woman as she slept. She’d come hard with his cock halfway in her arse. He’d had to wrap his fingers around himself to keep from plunging too deep. There was no way he would hurt her. After she’d come she’d mumbled something and then fallen hard into sleep. He was afraid to move in case he disturbed her. She was sprawled across his chest, her head under his chin. She was such a wee thing that her entire body fit on him.
He’d washed well while Tearlach took care of her, and then he’d taken her in his arms while his twin started the morning chores.
What more could they do to ensure King James chose them? He couldn’t imagine life without Isabel. Was this how it had been with his brothers? Gillis had handfasted with Fiona as soon as she woke from her fever. Cormac had claimed Alana the same way. From what he’d heard, Kiera had seduced Duff within minutes of them meeting. He wanted to handfast with Isabel but had no right. She was the property of the king. They had one day here to do what they could. There was no doubt Isabel wanted them. The villagers preferred them over Roderick, though could not say so openly as he was their laird’s son.
They needed to plan for Stirling Castle. They had no right to see Isabel once they arrived. If she was in the open they could speak with her as escorting her had been an official request. From what little he knew of court, Isabel’s lack of manners and such would make her a laughingstock. She couldn’t dance, and neither could they. Neither did they know court gossip or who to avoid and who they must be pleasant to. As they had no coins for bribes the question was moot. All they could do was show up and be who they were.
Chapter Sixteen
“That can’t be the sun!”
Isabel blinked, holding her hand up to block the light. How had she slept through two men getting up? Janet’s morning groans and Jenny’s eager chirping had accompanied her every morning, though she was the one who was always up first. Not today.
The cow wasn’t complaining about being milked, nor were the chickens demanding to be fed. It seemed the MacDougals were not the type to ignore animals, or work to be done.
She stretched her arms and legs wide. She felt no urgency to leap to her feet and rush into her work day. She would leave here tomorrow, her fate hanging in the balance. Today was for pleasure, not wallowing on her pallet alone. Not when she could roll around on it with two very attentive, pleasure-loving Highlanders!
Isabel threw back the covers and pivoted to stand. She was instantly reminded of what she’d been doing the previous day and half the night. They were good aches, though. Ones that said she was a woman, no longer an innocent virgin. If she was forced to take Roderick as a husband, or any man other than the MacDougals, she would always have these memories.
“Dinna think on that,” she admonished herself. “King James will choose Tearlach MacDougal for ye.”
A one-eared furry face peered out from under the tossed covers. Tommy complained at being woken. He slid out from under them and sat, tail curled around his feet, licking his shoulder. Waves of feline disgust rolled off him.
“Janet and Jenny will care for ye while I’m gone,” she told him. “And then mayhaps ’twould be just the two of us, along with Tearlach and Rory.”
Not that Janet would be far. With the help of the men Isabel would be able to do more than basic chores. She’d be able to make things that could bring in coins rather than bartering for everything she couldn’t grow or make herself.
She hurried to complete her morning ablutions. One of the men had set a basin a
nd jug of water by the door. It couldn’t have been there long as it was still hot. She used the cloth and thin sliver of soap, touched by the gesture. The fine gown she’d worn the day before was gone. Her usual work gown and apron hung on a hook, something she couldn’t recall doing. She could not find her binding cloth so tightened her bodice as best she could to contain her breasts. They flowed upward, spilling out like bread left to rise too long.
As soon as her foot touched the stair she knew a man was in her kitchen. Who else would cook something as well as make porridge? She’d been saving the eggs in the cellar to sell. She stomped two steps before pausing. When she returned, if she returned, she would no longer own Calltuin. All decisions would be made by her husband, whoever he was. Why shouldn’t she enjoy the fruits of her labors? In fact, before they left for Stirling she would tell Janet to take all the food she could, as well as the cow, chickens, and pigs. They’d be easy to return if she married Tearlach, but if not, why should Roderick benefit?
Though her bare feet stepped lightly on the stone Tearlach heard her coming and turned. He made a choking noise before his smile near blinded her. Or maybe it was his eager leer as his eyes swept her from head to toe, lingering on the white loaves rising under her chin.
“Good morn to ye, my lady.”
“Good morn, sir. Ye left me to sleep in.”
“Aye. ’Twasn’t easy with ye all warm and smellin’ sweet. But seein’ ye smiling and rested makes it worth it. Aye, ye stir my blood.”
His slow visual caress heated her into an all-over blush. Her body understood what he could do to make her writhe and wanted more of it. The things they’d done deepened her blush. Her nipples crinkled, and her pussy swelled, yet she was nowhere near his touch.
“We found this basket of eggs in the near cellar. Do ye mind me boiling them all hard? We ate a fair few as ’tis been a while since we’ve had any. The hard ones’ll carry well for our journey.”