Storm Trilogy

by Ria Cantrell

  After breaking their fast, Rory wanted to take Brielle riding. Since seeing her riding yesterday, he could not forget the pure joy that filled her and so he thought it would be fun to have a ride out into the village. The day was brisk but warming steadily as the sun brightened in the sky. Rory made certain she had her fur-lined cloak with her. He just wanted her to have fun this day to celebrate their union. He really wanted her to ride in front of him, so he could touch her, but he wanted her to experience the happiness she had while riding her own horse. He knew she would have loved to ride the brindle stallion, but he was yet too unpredictable. Rory decided though, that Brielle should have that horse eventually, so he would encourage her to work with him in order to make him hers.

  Hand in hand, they walked out to the stalls and set out on their day trip. Rory had to admit that he felt lighter than he had in years. By God, he was in love. He wouldn’t have believed his heart would have ever been released from his self-imposed prison. But, as he looked at Brielle, he knew that was forever changed.

  She looked more beautiful today than ever, since he had found her. She was again healthy and today her eyes were particularly bright; a warm flush to her skin. He knew it was because she felt loved, as well. She looked happy and her eyes beheld love; love for him. That look made his heart rap in his chest. It still amazed him that her love was for him and him alone. Before lifting her onto her horse, Rory took her into his arms and kissed her. Her mouth opened softly to his; feeling the wonderful warmth as his tongue flitted against hers. She moaned softly and he loved that adorable little sound.

  He stroked her jaw and said, “I could make love to ye' all over again. I want ye' so much, but I thought we should have a little break and enjoy the day.”

  “Ruiri, I want ye', too.”

  He smiled and asked, “Really?”

  “Aye.”

  He kissed her again and said, “We will; later, I promise.” Then really softly he whispered, “Ye' are not too sore to ride are ye'?”

  She blushed again and said, “Ruiri!”

  “Are ye'?”

  “No, I am not sore at all, though the stallion I rode last night was quite the giant.”

  “Quite the cheeky lass.”

  Brielle kissed him and said, “I loved how it felt; being with ye’. It was perfect. More than I had dared to imagine.”

  “Good, Sweetheart. I am happy it felt good to ye’.”

  “Mmmm,” she purred. “I loved it. And I love ye’, Rory MacCollum.”

  “Well, I love ye’ too, Brielle MacCollum nee Campbell.”

  She flung her arms around him and kissed him fiercely.

  “Ye' called me Brielle MacCollum.”

  “Aye, Lass. Ye' are my wife by the Old Rite. I aim to make it so by the church as well.”

  “I know. I just like the sound of it.”

  His hand stroked through her hair and he kissed her again. It seemed he could not get his fill of touching her. He lifted her up onto her horse and they rode out to the village. The day was bright and crisp and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, shopping for wares and meeting the town folk. Rory introduced Brielle to many people. He wanted her to meet as many of his clan as he could find.

  Rory watched her shyness give way to a natural warmth as his people welcomed her and accepted her. His heart was filled with pride as she conversed easily with people she met. He saw her blossoming before his eyes as she found acceptance, which peeled away the doubts her bothers had caused in her. She seemed to grow more beautiful before his very eyes and all who met them could see how smitten Rory was with this pretty girl.

  Rory excused himself briefly from Brielle to speak to a couple from his clan. She watched as they exchanged some sort of business and Rory returned to her. Brielle loved the smile on his face and thought she had never seen him so happy. She wondered, though what had transpired. Perhaps it was clan affairs, so she did not question him.

  Most of the people they met were happy to learn of the troth between the Laird’s son and this beautiful young woman. Rory’s clansmen were aware of his past and they rejoiced in the new love he had found. That was, all except one!

  When Maggie had learned of the news, she had to get a look at the girl who had won the heart of the dark Highland Wolf. She never imagined herself to be the wife of Rory; she had lain with her fair share of men, but Rory was by far her favorite. She wasn’t particularly spiteful, but she was piqued at this turn of events. That explained the restlessness he had shown the last time she shared his bed. He had been in love with someone else. What would the woman look like who could tame her wild Wolf? Could it be true that she was a Campbell? Rory hated the Campbells. Hell, they all hated the Campbells. How could he bed one of those horrible creatures?

  Maggie hurried out to the square where she had heard Rory was and stopped dead in her tracks. She had never seen Rory look so happy. It hit her like a punch. She guessed in all the time she had known him he had been troubled. In fact, she rather liked him that way. It always made for a more exciting ride. Yet, here he was smiling and laughing. And the girl, ach! She was a beauty. By her blush, Maggie guessed, she had been an untried virgin…until recently.

  Certainly, Rory would come back to her when he tired of this innocent chit. Oh he would marry the Campbell chit, aye, but Maggie would always be good for the exciting illicit things she knew he best liked to do between the bedding; or against walls for that matter. Well, she had gotten her glimpse. That was enough to suffice. Turning from the quaint little spectacle, Maggie stormed back to the tavern, but not before Rory and Brielle saw her.

  Brielle saw Rory’s smile instantly disappear. She knew. That girl had been one of Rory’s lovers. Her eyes rose to his and he bent his head and sighed. The woman was older than she was, and she could see she made her living working in the tavern. Despite that summation, Brielle could see the woman was pretty. Brielle also sensed that Rory seemed ashamed. She didn’t want his new-found happiness to be ruined. She raised her palm to Rory’s jaw and she gently touched him.

  “I knew ye' were not a celibate man before me, Ruiri. The past is the past.”

  “Brielle, I ….”

  “But I willna’ be sharin’ ye' with her now.”

  Rory took her hand and kissed that palm.

  “I will not visit her again. Ye' have my word.”

  Sliding her arms around his waist, she rested her cheek to his chest. “Yer’ word is a good enough promise to me.”

  Rory’s heart thudded hard beneath that gentle cheek. Any other woman would have surely flown into a fit if she had come face to face with her husband's mistress, but not this one. Again, he was assailed with the overwhelming renewal brought on by her trust and forgiveness. For that alone, he would never break his word to her. He also realized that quite suddenly, he no longer had a taste for those types of women. They suited him when his heart was closed, but it was so open and full of love now, he knew he would only be able to be with this one woman. He could only love this one woman from now on. He shrugged off the thought about how wolves mated for life. He was not that monster…and with the help of this woman, that monster would never surface again. With her soft touch and understanding, Rory found himself wanting her more and more with each passing minute, but he knew that would have to wait for the moment. They had to make plans for their formal wedding.

  He took her hand and they made their way to the little kirk located in the village. Father Duncan was delighted to help them with their plans. He had known Rory since he had been a child and knew it was more than about time he settled down and started to raise a family of his own. Father Duncan wanted them to wait three weeks for the proper posting of banns, but Rory protested, telling him they had already wed by the Sacred Ancient rites.

  Familiar with Highland ways, the priest knew that the past and present were linked. While some priests would balk at the old pagan ways, Duncan was less worried about such things. He agreed to perform the wedding in a week’s time. Satisfied w
ith those arrangements, the couple left the kirk. Rory purchased some bread, cheese and a flagon of mead. He said, “Come, my Beautiful Brielle, I have a little surprise for ye’. T’is only a short ride from this place.”

  The day was lengthening toward evening, so Brielle thought they would be turning to go back home. However, when they left the village and rode through a copse of trees, Brielle realized they were not quite returning to the keep just yet. The dappled sunlight peeked through the forest cover and Brielle breathed in the fresh scents of the ancient oaks and pines. The sudden shade made it a little cooler, so Brielle put her hood up and tightened her cloak about her. Rory led her to a hidden little crofter’s cottage, set back amid the trees, and he knew she would be warm soon enough. She was not certain why they were stopping here at this place, but she thought it may have had something to do with Rory's little secret exchange prior in the day.

  Rory secured the horses and took her hand, leading her inside. Surprisingly, it had been kept clean and polished, but it was obviously not lived in.

  “What is this place, Ruiri?”

  With a little grin, he said, “I asked a couple of the town’s folk to come and clean the cottage and to freshen the bedding. I thought mayhap we could have a little lunch, get warm and maybe enjoy a little nap.”

  Ah, that was indeed the business he had been discussing when he had excused himself for a time.

  “Hmm, a nap, ye’ll be wishin’ to take, is it?”

  Smiling down into her sweet eyes, Rory said, “Aye, after I thoroughly have my way with you.”

  She laughed at his honesty but quickly felt the desire rise up inside of her. Feeling his arms slide around her, she ran her hand through his hair and said, “Sounds positively wonderful.”

  He kissed her hair and said, “Shall we start with lunch?”

  Kissing his chest through his leine, she said, “Well, I dunna’ know. That nap sounds very inviting I think…still I am rather hungry.”

  She raised her eyes to his and he saw the smoldering passion there.

  He said, “I am hungry, too. Just not exactly for food at the moment.”

  He traced her lips with one finger and when she opened her mouth and sucked on that finger seductively, he gulped. It was a completely enticing thing to do. She was learning naturally and he knew he had helped her unleash the sensual woman inside herself. She was a sensual woman and Rory was glad that side of her was being release. He was happy that he was the one to release it, for she bestowed her passion on him. It made him positively hard as a rock!

  Brielle no longer felt shy with him. In fact, she actually wanted to have a chance to play at seduction with Rory. She allowed him to remove her cloak and he unlaced the back of her gown slightly, but then she took his hands and kissed them, saying, “This is mine, Ruiri.”

  He understood. His heart was hammering at the prospect of her taking control of the situation. She looked up at him and ran her hands over his shoulders, unpinning his plaid. She carefully undid the folds of his kilt, tossing his belt to the floor. Again he swallowed hard. Her eyes never left his as her hands skimmed up the sides of his hips. He gasped, feeling her hands, cool against his bare buttocks and he felt her nails graze his tender flesh there. His cock rose full and she glanced down at it. Looking back up at him, with a sexy smile on her lips, she allowed her gown to slip off her shoulders. Her breasts peeked enticingly from the top of her gown.

  He wanted to take those dusky tips into his mouth and suckle until she was weak with wanting him, but as he reached down for her, she scolded, “Mine!”

  Rory then allowed her to continue in her seduction. Her hands slid under his leine, easing over his stomach to his chest. Kissing him, she felt him hold her tentatively. He would give it all to her and not take away from her enticement, but he had to hold her…this time. He would have a turn later and he would make her crazed with pleasure. He smiled to himself at the wickedly wonderful prospect.

  Brielle lifted his leine up and helped him out of it. Rory watched her as she kissed over his chest. She leaned up and kissed his corded neck, nipping gently with her teeth to cause him jolts of pleasure. That sent fire into his loins and he felt his cock twitch against her thigh. Her hands touched everywhere and her mouth followed. He ached to touch her more intimately, too, still he let her have her way. He wanted her to be able to initiate their lovemaking, so in allowing Brielle to entice him, he fostered the trust and acceptance of anything she wished to do. He never wanted her to feel like something was not to his liking. In fact, he wanted to try anything she wanted. He looked forward to all the passion he knew they would share.

  She kissed lower, slowly moving to her knees. Her lips wandered over the flat plane of his stomach, which caused him to actually suck it in deeper, as her kisses sent shockwaves through him.

  Looking up at him, she said, “Mmm, look at how big ye' are. I would like to kiss every inch of you.”

  Rory held his breath; wanting her to proceed. She moved her lips tauntingly over his thighs, gently nipping the sensitive flesh of his inner thighs in the process. While looking up at him, her eyes locked with his, she moved her lips to the base of his cock. She kissed it ever so gently. She felt Rory go very still. She figured if it felt sublime for her, it must feel good for him, to have her mouth do the things her body naturally did. She watched his larynx move down as he observed her.

  “Ah, yes, Love? Should I kiss ye’ here?”

  He swallowed hard again and just nodded. She giggled and the magical sound drew his eyes down to her. She was happy in her playful seduction and it warmed his heart.

  Her lips tentatively kissed over his length and then she just opened her mouth and took him deeply inside. His hands flexed on her shoulders and he threw his head back and moaned. She watched him as her mouth sucked, her tongue flicking against the sensitive head. His strong neck was tipped back and he had a look of pleasure etched in his expression. She suddenly only wanted to please him. She wanted to take him to heights she had only just begun learning existed. Her hands gripped his hips and her mouth took him deeper still.

  He found his voice and said, “Oooh, Lass, ye' dunna' know what that does to a man.”

  His voice was husky with desire and emotion. She felt that now familiar wash of desire inside of her as well. She could feel the hot wet response happening quickly. As her mouth moved rhythmically up and down his shaft, she felt him holding her shoulders. She interspersed taking him deeply into her hot little mouth with swirling her tongue around the softer tip, tracing the opening with it. He moaned again, from somewhere almost deep in his chest.

  She murmured, “Mine….”

  Rory was hers and that thought sent warmth spiraling through her.

  Brielle would see all his demons gone by loving him with her heart, soul and body. She looked up at him and saw he was once again watching her. She raised big sexy eyes to his gaze and swirled her tongue around him again. He drew her up into his arms, stopping her from continuing. She looked puzzled because it was apparent he had been enjoying what she was doing.

  He just smiled at her and said, “Sweetheart, that is wonderful, but it is making me--very excited and I want ye' so much.”

  He held her tightly against himself and he could feel her nipples grazing his chest. He was awash in sensation and felt as taught as a drawn bowstring. He needed her badly. It had gone to a fever pitch so quickly. He kissed her and scooping her up in his arms, laid her on the bed. His plaid was caught beneath her. He felt a hitch in his heart as she was swaddled in his plaid. There was no more clan division. Here, surrounded by his colors, she was his woman! He removed his boots and watched her sit up to remove her gown and chemise. She offered herself un-shyly to him. He joined her on the bed.

  He touched her face, gazing into her eyes and he said, “I need ye’.”

  “I feel yer’ need, my love and it is mirrored only by my need of ye',” she said honestly.

  “I dunna’ understand this thing that is between
us….”

  She kissed his jaw and whispered, “No? It is love Ruiri.”

  “I had loved afore--but this; this is different. It is different with you.”

  “Aye, Ruiri. I can ne’er be the person ye' loved long ago, but I know she wants ye' to love again.”

  “And I do. I feel free to love ye', now. I do love ye', Brielle; with all my heart.” Her lips wandered over his chin and down his neck.

  “Then love me now. Love me with yer’ body and let me love ye'. Be one with me.”

  Rory moved her over him. His hand softly reached out and touched her breast. He moaned, just touching her. He whispered, “Oh, so beautiful.”

  He kissed her neck and shoulder and then lifted that same breast to his hungry mouth. She began gently rubbing against him, teasing him and he released her breasts.

  “Och, lass, ye’ are very wet. I can feel yer’ heat against me.”

  His hand slid between them and he slipped it between her thighs.

  “Oh, yes. Love, so wet!”

  She moaned feeling him touch her. His fingers circled her, wanting to entice her, but she was already prepared to take him. He shifted her, drawing her hips forward and he felt her lower herself onto him. She was so wet that his cock slid easily inside her, and she sheathed him perfectly in one deep stroke. His hands eased over her back.

  He loved looking into her eyes while they made love. It was so intense to see the love in her gaze; love that was meant only for him. Rory also loved watching her react to him as her excitement grew.

  “Oh my Brielle. Ye’ are so beautiful…and more so when ye’ love me.”

  Rocking over him, she purred, “Ah Ruiri, love me. Fill me.”

  She marveled that it had only been a day since he had claimed her as his, but it felt infinite. It seemed as if it was always this way with him and had always been. How could it only have been a day?

  Aye, only a day, but now and forever.

  Forever Ruiri.

  Their hearts spoke to each other, as their voices needed no words. She felt him surging strong; his length filling her. He could feel her clenching around him. It was making him quickly reach that point toward release. His mouth devoured her, hungrily kissing her. She moaned into the kiss and he could feel her dewy reaction. She was so wet; he almost thought her essence was dripping from her like sweet nectar. How he wanted that on his tongue! In fact remembering that he had felt her, he licked his fingers, tasting her sweetness. He whispered close to her ear how he wanted her honeyed flavor on his lips. That made her blush, but she smiled, despite her blushing response, because she remembered how very much she had enjoyed it and how she had her first orgasm from just that very thing. He kissed her and nibbled, causing sweet shocks to course through her. She was sighing, mewling with pleasure.