Highland Grace

by K. E. Saxon

  His cousin staggered to his feet, pushing down the hem of his tunic over his bare manhood and legs.

  “Nay!” Lara cried. “He tricked me into coming here with him and then he tried to force me to couple with him!” Modestly covering her bosom with her hands, she continued, “He’s a shameful man. He’s been a whore at the king’s court for years, you know!”

  Callum looked at her searchingly. “How know you this?”

  Her eyes widened and darted to Bao as if she were trying to come up with a good answer, and Callum grew more suspicious. “My sister, Edina,” she finally said. Then she looked down at her hands as she jerkily closed her gaping bodice and retied the strings. “She told me he’s the most celebrated male whore in the court.” She lifted her gaze to him once more and moved toward him. With a hand on his arm, she said, “But you saved me before it went too far!”

  Callum gave his cousin a long look. There was something very wrong. There was no trace of desire in his cousin’s eyes, only dread. In fact, he’d never seen such fear in the man’s eyes before. Not even when they were met by a horde of Gordon’s that outflanked their own number by three to one. Bao had been steady and sure of the outcome then.

  Callum sheathed his dirk. “What did you mean by Branwenn’s deed? Does my wife have something that belongs to the lass?”

  His cousin remained stonily silent.

  Callum glanced at Lara, who had settled a much too innocent mien on her face. This entire encounter between her and his cousin was strange in nature. And how do you force a woman when she’s riding astride? In any case, he’d clearly stopped them before it had gone very far.

  He looked at Bao. “We’ll speak more of this in the morn,” he said at last. “Come, you and I shall leave together.” He sent his wife a penetrating look. “I’ll expect you in our chamber in no more than a quarter hour’s time.”

  * * *

  Lara seethed as she watched the two cousins walk away. Though they said naught to each other, there was not the jealous animosity she’d come to expect with male rivals for her favor. Hatred filled her breast. Her husband hadn’t even fought for her honor. She had not felt this humiliated since Graeme’s letter. After all, she was beautiful. Men adored her. They always had. And she’d gloried in it. Dangled the forbidden fruit of her consent in front of them long enough to get their passions raised and their vows of servitude to her loveliness in her possession. And hadn’t she reveled in the number of clashes she’d inspired for her honor? She adored that she could make a man so mad for her that he’d draw another’s blood. But it hadn’t been until the first time her stepbrother had become so inflamed that he’d forced himself on her that she’d seen the true power she held over men. And the pain he’d given her was proof that they couldn’t restrain themselves, that she was capable of overpowering their reason to the point that they became animals. She shuddered. God, how she loved that. But she hadn’t known until her sister had told her of it, that a woman could find release the same way a man did. And so had begun her sessions with Bao.

  However, ‘twas evident that her plans for Bao and Jesslyn had been thoroughly ruined by her fool of a husband. Now, ‘twas too dangerous to continue along that track because Callum would be watching the two of them too closely the next days until their departure.

  But she could get revenge on her husband. She’d simply begin taking more lovers once they returned home. And this time, if one could not satisfy her, she’d take yet another...and another, until she finally found a man as good as Bao.

  At least she’d not given him the deed. She tucked her hand inside her pouch and curled it around the small scroll. Nay, her revenge on her brother was still well in her grasp.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 10

  “Have you seen Bao?” Jesslyn asked Laird Donald. The tower church bells were about to begin chiming and she wanted to stand with her husband, as tradition decreed. Daniel had gone up to his bedchamber a moment before to spend these moments with his wife.

  “Not after he went to meet you in the store tower, my dear. That was nigh on two hours past. Actually,” he continued sheepishly, “I thought the two of you may have retired for the evening.”

  “The store tower?” Jesslyn shook her head in confusion. “He didn’t meet me in the store tower, sir.”

  “Aye, he did. He raced with good speed directly to that place upon learning you’d summoned him. Mayhap he still awaits you, lass.”

  “And who gave my husband this message, sir?”

  “‘Twas Callum’s wife, Lara. Did she not relay it right?”

  Lara! Alarmed, but unwilling to burden the older man with her worries, Jesslyn said only, “I must fly, then, for I fear Bao will be quite displeased with me by now.” Waving a brief farewell, Jesslyn scurried off toward the tower.

  The store tower didn’t hold good memories for Jesslyn. It had been the site of her deepest humiliation. Where, in some mad moment of desperation, she’d almost ruined Daniel and Maryn’s union by throwing herself at him just before his wife had come through the door. Thankfully, after almost a sennight of separation, Daniel had been able to overcome Maryn’s suspicions and they’d reconciled. And, somehow, Maryn had had the generosity of spirit to not only forgive Jesslyn, but befriend her as well.

  With leaden feet, she climbed the stairs, the light from the taper creating eerie shadows on the steps and wall, sending a chill down her spine. When the bells began to chime, she nearly jumped out of her skin. “Bao?” she called out. No answer. Mayhap he—they?—couldn’t hear her over the sounding of the bells. She hurried up the last few steps, rushed to the door of the upper chamber and opened it wide.

  Empty, praise be. For she had little trust of Lara, and what Bao had managed to salvage these past sennights with her was fragile.

  Except. The chamber looked to be made into a lover’s bower. The niggling suspicion was fast becoming a full-blown certitude. Lara had prepared this place to seduce Bao. But, the question remained, had she and Bao met here by some secret design? Had his seeming dislike of the lady been an act to hide his true intent?

  Her heart fluttered and her breath caught as she walked toward the blankets and searched for signs that they’d lain together. The makeshift bedding wasn’t rumpled. Thank heavens.

  Her gaze settled on the table as she walked toward it. She picked up the silver chalice and looked into its wide bowl, then gave it a sniff. Clean. The cup had not been used.

  Aye, ‘twas no doubt Lara’s doing, but clearly her husband had remained faithful to his vows. Feeling a little better now, even though she dreaded dealing politely with that strumpet Lara o’er the next days, she left the chamber, closing the door behind her.

  As she exited the building, she wondered where next she should look for Bao. Had he gone to their chamber? Aye, mayhap, once he’d spurned Lara’s favors, he’d decided to await Jesslyn there. With a lighter heart, she skipped towards the entrance to the keep. Tonight, he would become her husband in truth.

  * * *

  “What an ass he is, Grandmother! He takes great delight in destroying every bit of pleasure I endeavor to have! Why can he not just let me be?” Branwenn said as they listened to the bells.

  Lady Maclean knew well what was going on between the two, but with Callum and his wife leaving in the next few days, she decided not to broach the subject. After all, neither Callum nor Branwenn seemed in the least aware of what these overt acts of animosity signified. And Branwenn would no doubt be wed the next time they met. “He’s only trying to protect your virtue, my dear. He, being a man, is well aware of the trouble a lass can find herself in on a night such as this. Most of these young men are deep into their cups, after all, and their wits have flown to the hills.”

  “But I was only dancing, and there was a crowd surrounding us. What harm could have come to me?”

  Sighing, Lady Maclean shook her head. “None, I wager. But I feared he’d drag you away if I didn’t do as he demanded and have you come stand with
me.”

  “He’s such an ass!” Branwenn repeated. “I hate him!” She turned and placed her hand on Lady Maclean’s arm. “I’m sorry, Grandmother, I know you love him, but he’s the most rude, dreadful, arrogant, mean, suspicious man I’ve ever met!”

  “I know, lass. But, he’ll be leaving soon enough, and then you will not see him again for quite a long time, I’m sure.”

  It did not escape Lady Maclean’s notice that a fleeting look of sadness played over the lass’s countenance before it was quickly replaced with irritation. “Good. That pleases me greatly.”

  * * *

  When his wife entered their bedchamber not long after the chiming of the bells, Bao pretended sleep. He knew from the disaster of the evening that he’d be taking his sister to the nunnery on the morrow or the day after at the latest, and leaving for Perth from there, but for now he wanted to be near Jesslyn. He feared speaking to her, however, feared breaking the spell he’d conjured in his mind that all was well, would be well with them.

  Bao watched her through slitted eyes as she snuffed all the candles before disrobing in the glow of the hearthfire light. His heart nearly pounded out of his chest when she didn’t even leave the thin covering of her chemise on this time. When she climbed in beside him and draped herself over him with her head resting on his shoulder, he finally opened his eyes and stared at the shadows above. He wanted her more than he wanted his next breath, but he couldn’t bring himself to make a move in that direction. Not after his near betrayal of their vows and not when his thoughts were still ensnared by worry over his sister.

  If Callum hadn’t interrupted his arrangement with Lara when he had, Bao would now have that deed in his possession. He’d have ruined his chances with Jesslyn for evermore, but at least he’d have protected his sister from that devil, Giric MacBean.

  Now, all his plans for his sister, for himself, were crushed into dust.

  * * *

  Bao had almost drifted to sleep long moments later, but came instantly awake when he felt the glide of Jesslyn’s knee over his groin as she tucked her calf and foot between his closed thighs. His manhood, which had been at half-mast since she’d settled into him, now grew turgid and long with the new rush of blood. An involuntary groan burst past his lips.

  She lifted her head from his shoulder. “Did I wake you?” she asked softly.

  “Nay.” His voice sounded gruff, even to his own ears.

  “Are you ill from ardent spirits, then?” She struggled to sit up.

  Bao sucked air through clenched teeth. “Nay!” He clamped his hand over her naked thigh. “Do not move.” He lifted his head, pulling aside the fur-topped blanket at the same time, and slowly ran his eyes up her curved form until they rested on her face. With a shaking hand, he stroked her cheek. “Be you flesh or phantasm?

  He felt her relax. Then she defied his order and lifted her hand to his cheek. “I assure you, I be of this world,” she replied softly. “I’ll draw some water for you, if it please you?”

  Mayhap a bit of distance was needed. “My thanks.” He slid his hands from her body and dropped his head back onto the pillow. With eyes closed, he listened, imagining each of her movements as she performed her task: The shuffle of her feet across the rush mat; the clatter of the silver cup as the ewer hit its rim; the gentle swoosh as the water exited its container; the glub, glub, glub as it filled the empty cup; the heavy bu-bump as the ewer was placed back on the wooden washstand. And, finally, the soft pad of her feet as she made her way back over to him.

  With one knee on the bed, she leaned over him. “Here, lift your head and drink this down.” She placed one hand behind his head and the cup up to his lips, then tipped it enough to force him to drink.

  Bao’s eyes lighted on the coin that dangled between her breasts as he quaffed the cool liquid. ‘Twas the coin she’d refused to take back all those sennights past. Branwenn must have put it back in her possession. He loved his sister. He hadn’t noticed it earlier when Jesslyn had undressed. Joy expanded inside him and without further thought, he lifted his hands, molding them to her breasts.

  She jerked at the contact, causing a bit of the water to dribble down Bao’s neck, but relaxed, and gave him a smile. Without looking, she placed the empty cup on the table next to the bed as she kissed the liquid from his neck. The cup teetered and rolled onto the floor with a thunk.

  Growling, Bao dipped his head and took Jesslyn’s breast into his mouth, warming his cold tongue on the rosy peak as he brought her other knee up onto the bed. His earlier dire thoughts forgotten in the fog of his returned desire, he lifted her hands to rest on his shoulders, then stroked his own down her back and across the rounded planes of her derriére.

  She shivered and threw her head back with a moan. She tried to straddle him, but he wouldn’t allow it. He kept her where she was, feasting on first one peak and then the other as he lightly traced her supple figure with his calloused hands.

  Bao released her nipple and gazed at the results of his loving. “Your breasts are so beautiful,” he said, bringing both of his palms up under them to lift and weigh them. “The babe’s made them just a bit fuller.” He looked up, into her passion-glazed eyes. “You’ll tell me if what I do hurts, will you not, my love?”

  She nodded. “Aye,” she said, rubbing her nipple across his lower lip.

  He tickled the peak with the tip of his tongue, wetting it once more. Then he lightly blew on it, causing the already puckered tip to tighten even further. Bringing it deep into his mouth, he suckled and quickly tongued it, in a replication of what he planned to do to another, even more responsive nub later.

  She grasped the back of his head and pressed him against her breast. Her head flew back and a guttural moan erupted from her throat.

  Bao gorged on her as he stroked her flesh. He made a slow inventory of her body using his palms and fingertips. He first traced the length of her slim arms up to her rounded shoulders and neck. Then he took a trip down the sides of her breasts to her babe-filled belly and plush hips. He blazed a trail down and over her bent-kneed long limbs and then moved back up to cup the cheeks of her buttocks in his palms, stroking the fine hairs of the feminine outer lips of her labia lightly with the tip of his little finger.

  Her moans grew louder. She jerked and trembled and finally climaxed. “Oh, God!” she sobbed. Bao didn’t stop. He continued suckling her breast and teasing the sensitive lips of her sex, knowing it would intensify and lengthen her release.

  But his seed nearly burst from his loins when he felt the rush of Jesslyn’s juices drench his fingers. Groaning, he moved his hands from her buttocks to the curve of her back as she collapsed against him after her orgasm, her arms around his neck and her cheek resting on his shoulder. He pulled the long, flaxen, damp locks away from her shoulders and placed a kiss on one of their curves.

  * * *

  Jesslyn was still a bit light-headed from the intensity of the release Bao had given her. But she wouldn’t be fully satisfied until they’d truly mated. She opened her eyes and saw the blue-veined thick, hard, ready, member of her husband. Graeme had begged her to touch him, taste him, but then he’d made her feel awkward, telling her she wasn’t doing it right, so it had turned into more of a chore than a pleasure for her. Now she wondered if he’d been comparing her expertise to that of Lara’s all those years. Mayhap she really wasn’t good at it. She gazed again at her new husband’s manhood and she wanted to touch him, love him the way he’d just done with her. Before she could talk herself out of it, she reached down, lifted it in her palm and squeezed.

  He jerked and thrust her hand away. “Nay!”

  Oh God. She was terrible at this after all. “Al-all right.”

  He put his arms around her and held her tight, his face in the curve of her neck. “I’m sorry, my love. I won’t explain why, but I can never bear that touch.”

  She nodded. At first, she just felt relieved, but then his words sank in and her heart cracked. ‘Twas clearly somethin
g terrible from his past. Mayhap, at least for now, ‘twas best not to know.

  “Now, where were we?” he said after a moment, placing his hands on either side of her jaw and bringing her lips up to meet his own.

  Jesslyn lay across Bao’s chest now, resting on her hip against his thigh with her legs still slightly bent at the knees, but no longer holding her weight. Some primal part of her understood that this man needed to stay in control of their lovemaking; that she should simply relax and give him complete access to her senses in order for both of them to find their pleasure.

  He rolled to his side, delving deep into Jesslyn’s mouth with his tongue, exploring the recesses, caressing the inside of her lower lip. He suckled her bottom lip a moment before moving down her jaw and teasing the dimple in her chin with the tip of his tongue and then kissing it. His hands positioned her, gently pushing her to her back and lifting her arms above her head. “Don’t move these until I say you may,” he murmured, meeting her eyes a moment.

  Her heart leapt, but she agreed with a quick nod of her head.

  Then he caressed her with his mouth and his hands. Everywhere. Over every bare inch of skin. But one. He kissed, licked, touched, pinched, nibbled, stroked, until she was sobbing with the need for release. “Please, take me!” she begged. He’d rolled her onto her side and was tickling the back of her knees with his tongue, following that with open-mouthed suction kisses and nips with his teeth. The action made her womb heavy with the need to be filled.

  He raised his head from his ministrations. “How? How would you like me to take you, Jesslyn?”

  “However it please you!”

  “Then I shall take you first with my fingers. And then, mayhap, with my mouth—would you like that, love?”

  “Aye!”

  “And then, while you are still in the throes of release, I shall push myself deep inside of you and mate with you the way I’ve dreamed of doing again so many times since our day at the waterfall.” He pressed her onto her back once more and lifted her knees, spreading her thighs wide as he held them down against the bed. First, he looked at her for long minutes, which made her cringe with embarrassment. Then he bent his head and breathed in her scent before taking a long stroke from bottom to top with the tip of his tongue.