by Barbara Bard
* * *
She dove under the water, opening her eyes to the cerulean-shaded depths of the river. A few fish swam by, but not enough to alarm her. The ground was rocky, but the current was gentle, so she did not have to worry about being swept along and dashed against the rocks.
* * *
The water was refreshing over her body, and she felt alive. It was strange to think that a vicious battle was raging somewhere near this peaceful glade. It was almost a shame to think that soon they would have to return to that world, a world of war. It would have been perfect to live off the land in these words, and call nature home.
* * *
When her lungs began to burn she pushed herself up and broke through the surface of the water. It cascaded all around her, and her hair splayed out. She shook it and watched droplets of water trickle all down the curves of her body. She felt around her stomach and her hands reached lower, below the surface of the water, and found the heat between her legs.
* * *
A soft moan escaped her lips as she let herself sink down in the comfort of the water. She breathed in the sweet smells of the forest and let the soft water surround her body. The fresh water slipped into her open mouth and lingered on her lips before sliding down her throat. Then her mouth turned into a smile.
* * *
She sank down into the warm water and let it wash over her. The relaxing feeling took her far away from thoughts of the war and the terrible suffering she had endured. She closed her eyes and was transported to another realm, a realm where she was free of strife and anguish. After a time she stood up in the water and washed herself, letting the water drip and trickle all over her naked body, scrubbing herself clean with her own hands.
* * *
“Dae ye need a wee hand there, lassie?”
* * *
Sarah was so shocked that she lost all sense of balance and fell under the water. Gasping for air, she kicked up and pushed herself out of the water, then realized that Drew was able to see all of her. Her arms quickly shot around her body and covered her breasts. The water came up to her hips. Her long hair, thick and heavy with water, hung to the middle of her back.
* * *
While at first she was embarrassed and concerned with her own appearance, she eventually looked at Drew and saw an immense desire in his eyes. His gaze roved over her body, ravishing her, and she quickly had to admit that she liked it. The goosebumps that appeared on her skin were evidence enough of that.
* * *
“You shouldn't sneak up on a woman like that, Drew. It's not very polite,” she said, shocked and embarrassed.
* * *
“Well, ye know me, lass, I'm a Highlander. Apparently we dinnae care about politeness.”
* * *
“No? Then what do you care about?” she asked.
* * *
Drew hobbled over to the riverbank. Evidently his leg was feeling better. He peeled off what little clothes he was wearing, although her cloth was still tied around his leg, and came to the river. He sat down on the bank and pushed himself in, letting the water come up to him.
* * *
Sarah was amazed by his purely masculine physical form. Never before had she seen a naked man, especially not one in such fine form as Drew. She was a little scared, but more intrigued and excited. His torso rippled with muscles, and was covered in a thick bed of hair that narrowed in the middle of his stomach, drawing her eyes down to his manhood. It stirred a deep desire within her, for it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.
* * *
Her tongue ran over her bottom lip as her mouth dropped open, wanting him to be close to her, needing him beside her.
* * *
“I care about a great many things, lass,” he said in his deep burr, coming ever closer to her all the time. She stayed where she was, unable to move, and then, as he got within reach, she twisted around and turned her back on him, but she let her arms fall to her sides.
* * *
Sarah felt the water ripple around her as Drew moved towards her, and a smile played upon her face. His arms wrapped around her waist. He buried his head into the nape of her neck. Hot breath rushed over her and her knees shook, but she remained standing. His hands ran over her arms, and behind her she could feel his manhood pressing against her, hard and ardent.
* * *
She turned around to look into his eyes. They shone in the sunlight. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer to her, closing her eyes as their lips met in another sweet kiss.
* * *
Their tongues danced together as the heat rose within them. When Sarah opened her eyes again she was surprised that the water was not on fire. Her hands fell to his chest, running through the thick bed of hair that covered his manly torso. Staring in amazement, she drank him in, this epitome of masculinity.
* * *
Then she looked into his eyes and saw that he had the same look. He gazed at her, eyes lingering over her body, a deep, passionate hunger lurking within them. His hands came around her waist, holding her hips tightly. His beard scratched against her as he buried himself in her neck, then kissed all the way down, cupping her breasts in his hands.
* * *
Sarah allowed the sensations to rush over her. It felt as though she was sinking in the water. Never had she known that this would be possible, that all these feelings existed. For the first time it felt as though she was truly alive. Her heart raced. Her skin tingled. Her hands trembled with excitement as she caressed Drew's tough skin.
* * *
And everything was drawn to his manhood.
* * *
Her hands fell down the sides of his body and slipped under the water where they found their target. Veins rippled down his hot flesh. He murmured with contentment as she curled her fingers around him and began to stoke him, slowly at first, but increasing the pace as she grew more confident.
* * *
He held her tightly, her soft curves melting perfectly into his rough, Highlander body. The sun shone down upon them, as though blessed by the gods, and they sank into the water together.
* * *
A wide smile appeared on Sarah's face as she felt Drew's body tense with every movement of her hand. Then she clamped her eyes shut as his hands explored her body and found her most intimate area. Their deeds were hidden beneath the water, secret and clandestine, just like their love.
* * *
“Oh Drew,” Sarah whispered, barely able to form any coherent words as the pleasure and arousal swam through her body. “I've never been touched like this.”
* * *
“Ye are the sweetest thing I've ever known,” Drew moaned in his rough brogue. The rumbling sound of his voice in her ear only made Sarah even weaker at the knees, and she clung onto him for safety.
* * *
While their hands worked under the surface, they kissed passionately and lovingly. Occasionally Drew would tilt his head down and take her breasts in his mouth. Sarah leaned her head back, her long hair dipping in the water as she offered herself to him. In turn, she too kissed Drew all over, enjoying the taste of his manly skin, tracing the scars over his body.
* * *
“Where did you get all these?” she asked.
* * *
“The Highlands are a rough, wild place,” he replied.
* * *
He was a rough, wild man, and Sarah found herself unable to resist him. A loud moan burst out of her mouth as his fingers reached the deepest sweet spot inside of her, creating magic in her soul. Her body convulsed, and if she had not had Drew to offer support she would have fallen into the water, sinking to the bottom, for she was quite sure that she did not have any more strength left within her.
* * *
Sarah's mind was hazy, intoxicated by all the sensations swimming inside her. It was as though lightning had struck her, and all she could do was give herself over to the pleasure. It was like a wave carrying her to
paradise, and for a brief moment she wondered if she even deserved this happiness.
* * *
Drew's rough kisses found her mouth again, suffocating the moans that escaped her lips. A bright flame rose within her as he continued to curl his finger back and forth, beckoning whatever was inside her to emerge into the warm light of day. Sarah's skin flushed pink and with every moment that passed she became even more breathless, and when the moment of pure bliss came she curled up and jerked wildly, causing water to splash all around.
* * *
Overhead, birds scattered at the sound of her ecstatic cries, and with a heaving chest she fell into Drew's arms.
* * *
“Dae ye feel good, lass?”
* * *
“Oh Drew, I feel wonderful,” she said, kissing him softly. Then she screamed with surprise, for Drew hoisted her up in his arms and carried her out of the river. Looking down, she saw water trickle off the end of his long, thick manhood and her eyes widened at the sight of it. A deep hunger stirred within her.
* * *
Despite his wounded leg, Drew carried her over to the soft grass and laid her down. He rolled over her and enveloped her in his arms. Her wet hair splayed over the ground as he touched her skin. They smelled of summer and freshness, and Sarah wrapped her arms around Drew tightly, vowing to herself that she would never let him go.
* * *
Their tongues danced once again. Drew opened her legs. His hand reached down to caress her breast, his long fingers encapsulating her entirely, the hard nipple poking out between his fingers. Their bodies entwined to such an extent that Sarah wasn't sure where she ended and Drew began.
* * *
Then he shifted position, grunted, and her eyes shot wide as her maiden body was taken by a Highlander. Her nails dug into Drew's back as she braced herself for the feeling of him inside her, so big, so manly, and for a moment Sarah wasn't sure that she would be able to take it.
* * *
Drew's quavering breath rippled across her neck, drawing her in to the pleasurable paradise again. His hands were all over her, and at one point it felt as though she was being touched by a hundred angels. Her head twisted this way and that, eyes occasionally opening to see Drew's face contorted with sweet anguish. The sun blazed above him, golden and delightful.
* * *
The pleasure made Sarah delirious.
* * *
Drew's body came over her, dominating her, his muscles tensing as he thrust powerfully. Sarah was so small compared to him, her body cast in his shadow, but by giving herself to him she felt alive and happy for the first time in her entire life.
* * *
Moaning his name, she whispered into his ear, and as he made love to her he too whispered her name. Hearing it laced with so much passion and intense desire made Sarah feel like a queen, and a wide smile broadened over her face as she let the pleasure wash over her again.
* * *
Drew pinned her to the ground, his strong arms making sure she knew her place. It was as though she was caged by flesh, and there was nowhere else she'd rather be. The ground trembled because of the force of his thrusts, and Sarah felt the tension rise within them both. Drew was getting harder and faster. His hips thrust powerfully. His hands tightened around her, not willing to let her go.
* * *
Sarah gasped. Drew moaned. His hand found her thigh and lifted her leg up, getting even deeper. Sarah's mouth hung open. Sweat dripped from Drew's temples and felt like it sizzled on Sarah's aching skin. Everything was on fire. Everything was filled with desire and she knew that something glorious was about to happen.
* * *
She moved her hand up Drew's back, through his hair, and pulled his head down so that their foreheads were touching. Their mouths were so close that each rushing, gasping breath became one, and their hearts beat to the same rhythm. Then Drew bellowed loudly, a warrior's cry, and Sarah felt him release inside her. Their bodies convulsed wildly as the orgasmic sensations took hold, seizing her in a tremendously hot and heavy explosion that rendered her mute and incoherent.
* * *
Drew pulled himself away and rolled onto his back. Sarah followed his momentum, draping her arm over his heaving chest. Their bodies glistened with sweat under the sun, and they lay in the afterglow of passion, drained and delirious, but entirely satisfied.
* * *
In that moment she knew that sometimes a barbaric Highlander could be more noble than an English lord.
18
For a while after the two of them enjoyed each other's bodies. Drew gazed at Sarah with great ardour. Never before had he seen anyone so beautiful, so lovely, nor had he experienced the feelings that trembled inside his heart. It was strange for him to admit so because she was English, but she was everything he dreamed of.
* * *
His leg gradually got better, and he was able to put weight on it. Some time after they made love Sarah grew quite modest, covering up her femininity by putting her clothes on again.
* * *
“Are ye sure ye hae tae dae that, lass?” Drew asked with a smirk. Sarah smiled, and rolled her bottom lip under her teeth. Drew didn't know why, but the way she acted so coy only served to drive him even crazier with desire. He wrapped his kilt around his waist and pushed himself up over to her, taking her in his arms again in a loving kiss.
* * *
“I must. You do not understand what I've been through. I cannot risk Lord Flynn finding me,” she said. “But I am glad I have met a man like you, someone who has proven to me that not all men are cruel.”
* * *
“Was he really that bad?” Drew asked. Sarah's face turned to the ground, not wanting to think about all the things he had done.
* * *
“He scolded me, belittled me, released his temper on me. When he punished people the punishments were humiliating. He struck fear into my heart. That was why I left. I could not bear to live a life with him.”
* * *
“I am glad ye were here, and nae just because ye saved my life, although I wish ye did nae hae tae run because ye were being mistreated,” he said softly, looking at her earnestly. Then, anger flashed in his eyes. “And I will make him pay for the way he treated ye.”
* * *
“I am glad too,” Sarah said, then doubt flickered in her eyes. “But what are we to do now? The world is ours, Drew. We could run away and leave the war behind. We don't have to think about Lord Flynn anymore.”
* * *
Drew hung his head.
* * *
“I cannae dae that, lass. I cannae turn my back on my clan. But I know ye might nae want tae return with me. If ye need tae go and be safe I'll understand. He must be punished for his crimes, and I will be the one who punishes him.”
* * *
“I don't want to be anywhere other than with you,” Sarah said, the words rushing out of her mouth. She clutched Drew's hand desperately.
* * *
“Then ye'll stay,” he said, “but I hae tae go back.”
* * *
“I understand,” Sarah said, looking in the vague direction of the south, where the rolling hills and wide fields of England lay.
* * *
“Dae ye truly want tae leave your home?”
* * *
“There's nothing there for me,” Sarah said, more than a hint of sadness in her voice.
* * *
As soon as Drew felt ready to return to battle he prepared the horse and got ready to get underway. The closer they got to leaving the sadder he was that he had to leave this place. It was good for a time to be able to forget about his responsibilities and leave the world behind, to lose himself in the arms of this woman, but his duty called him. He only hoped that it wasn't too late.
* * *
Sarah wrapped her arms around his waist as he guided the horse back to the battlefield. They galloped at breakneck speed through the forest. Drew's warrior blood was boiling ag
ain now, needing to be with his clan as they fought the English.
* * *
He tried not to think about what would happen when he came back with Sarah. It was already bad enough that Blair had taken an English woman, but with the both of them? Things were already tense enough, and in some ways Drew felt as though he was betraying his clan for falling in love with Sarah. Especially after he had been so adamantly against Rosemary and Blair's relationship.