by Reece Butler
She blinked. “I can’t cook.”
“I don’t care.”
“You don’t?” He barely moved his head. “But I can’t do anything like Auntie or even Beth.”
“I don’t want Auntie for my wife.” His lip twitched. “I think Beth would be a hot bundle in bed, but even I couldn’t take on all three Elliotts and live.”
“You jump in another bed, and you’ll never lie in mine again,” she growled.
His eyes lit up at her reaction. “There’s lots I can do to make you squeal that have nothing to do with lying in a bed.” He looked at the table for a moment, then the wall. He smiled at the upholstered chair.
She remembered each one. How he sat her on the table and she wrapped her legs around his hips to pull him close. When he pressed her against the wall so hard that she didn’t notice her feet were six inches off the floor. And the chair!
“I’ve ordered a chair just like that one for our bedroom,” he said.
A rash of heat surged over her breasts to her face. He took a step back.
“You’re distracting me.” He shook himself out. “I was telling you why I want you for my wife. You’re smart. Not too many men would think of, much less have the balls, to escape from a locked cabin by burning the damn thing down. Even better, you’ve got a body that makes me so hard I could pound nails with my cock.”
An image hit of Ross standing tall in the meadow, his hard cock straining to reach her. Would she kneel and take him in her mouth, licking his salty goodness? Or would she kneel down and look at him over her shoulder like a she-wolf in heat? She rubbed her aching breasts with her wrists.
“You don’t want me,” she said, her voice husky. “You’re ashamed because they touched me.”
He stopped in front of her and shook his head.
“Don’t deny it, Ross MacDougal! I saw the way you looked at me.”
“You looked away first. You were disgusted with me because I couldn’t save you from them.”
“I only looked away for a moment, and that was because I felt ashamed to be a nuisance to you. When I tried to explain, you ran away!”
He went down on one knee in front of her. She let him pick up her hand. He touched her pink burn marks in a butterfly caress, so soft she barely felt him.
“You’ll never be a nuisance to me, no matter what. It pains me that they hurt you because of me. Because of what I am.”
“That was just their excuse to do what they wanted,” she replied.
He shrugged it off. “I gave them that excuse by having a different skin color.”
“Why did you run away from me, Ross?”
He took a long time to answer. Finally, he faced her. “I didn’t run from you. I ran away from my past. A long time ago, I failed to save someone. It cost me everything but my life. When I couldn’t save you, I expected you to look at me with hate. I didn’t want to remember you thinking of me that way.”
Ross looked at her without any of his masks. She saw a hurt little boy, a vicious killer, a lover, and a proud husband, all at once. He was made of all those parts. He could no more deny the memories that shaped him than she could.
She also saw his silent pleading. This man would never beg. But he would give her everything, including his life, if she would take him.
“My ankle hurts,” she said. “I need to lie down.”
The heat from his eyes seared her. It sent unneeded messages to her breasts, pussy, and clit. Unneeded because they already swelled in anticipation of his touch.
He slipped his arms under her back and knees and gently lifted her. When he held her against his chest, she felt his heart pounding as hard as her own. He smelled of leather, sweetgrass, clove soap, and active man. Home.
He laid her on the bed and went into the main room, returning with two pillows from the chair. He lifted her sore foot, placed the pillows on the bed, and rested her foot on top. He waited, watching her. Needing her.
She watched him take off his boots. His straight, black hair hung loose, obscuring his face when he bent over to place them by the door. His chaps were next. He placed his hand on his belt and raised his eyes in question. She bit her lip. She could see his cock straining to escape. It looked very painful. She wouldn’t want him to be in pain, did she?
She nodded. His chest expanded, and his nostrils flared as he inhaled. She watched his hands as they slowly undid his belt and released his buttons. One at a time. She stared until he reached in and released his cock. She sighed along with him. He shucked his pants. He almost dropped them on the floor. She smiled when he padded to the far wall and hung them up.
He settled beside her, not quite touching her shoulder and hip.
“Nevis said you weren’t planning to return to the MD. Why would you give up your home?”
She watched the shadows on the wall while Ross thought her comment over.
“I thought you’d leave if I didn’t. You and our baby need a home more than I do.” She inhaled a hiss when he rested his warm hand on her belly. “The Clan needs you, our son, and the baby. The MacDougals can survive without me.”
She frowned at him. “Our son and the baby?”
Ross lifted up to see her better. “Did you hear a scream a while back?”
“I heard screams and yells and everything else coming from the street.”
“At least one was from Daniel’s father. The boy was about to be run down during a drunken race through town. He knew I couldn’t reach Daniel in time. He saved the boy, tossing him to me for safety. The horses ran over him. Daniel’s our son now.” The smile Ross gave her lifted her heart. “He wants to call you Ma.”
“Oh!” Amelia blinked back tears. “That’s wonderful.” She winced. “It’s terrible for Mr. Thompson, but wonderful for us. Now, Daniel won’t have to hide.”
“Gillis will want to use the claymore on him. It’ll have to be a formal ceremony.”
“Perhaps Gillis can do it right after our wedding?”
Ross blinked. Gold flakes filled his hazel eyes. His slow, wicked smile made her toes curl and pussy throb.
“Wedding?”
She nodded. “This time, you’ll sign with your own name.”
He stared at the twin bumps of cotton pushed up by her nipples.
“Do I get another honeymoon?”
“Only if I do.”
His smile faded. “When I caught Daniel, I realized that I would kill or die for you or our children. I suspect that means I love you.”
“About damn well time,” she said.
“I told you what would happen if you swore,” he said. He twirled a lock of her hair around his finger.
“So you did,” she replied. “But not until after our wedding.”
“When’s that? I find I’m not a very patient man.”
“As soon as I can run on this ankle. Doc says two weeks.”
He touched her nose with his fingertip. “To chase me or have me chase you?”
Such a simple touch, yet it set off explosions within her.
“You’ll have to wait to find out.”
“I can do that.”
He settled back beside her, curving his body toward her. His breathing slowed and deepened.
“Are you awake?”
She whispered the words. No reply came, just soft breathing.
She turned her head. Only in sleep did a hint of softness touch his face. She brushed a few strands of hair away from his mouth. His lips quirked up for a second before relaxing into deep sleep.
She looked at the ceiling and rolled her eyes. They were married, all right. She closed her eyes. She hadn’t slept well without him, either.
Chapter Forty-Five
Two weeks later
“Do ye accept the oath of fealty to Clan MacDougal?”
Gillis held the shining claidheamh mór high as he thundered the words. The rising full moon lit the Elliott yard like a scene from a nightmare. But the tears were mostly of joy, though sorrow and loss also sounded through th
eir hearts.
“I do!”
Daniel’s young voice rose high, echoing the words his new father and mother had just given to each other. His friend Billy cheered along with the rest of the guests.
“Then kneel and become one with us!”
Daniel knelt in front of Gillis. Ross placed a MacDougal bonnet on his head, the only article of clothing that would fit him. Gillis, frowning fiercely enough to scare the bejesus out of any foe, approached.
Daniel gulped as he looked up with awe. The mighty sword descended slowly to his shoulder. A tap, then over his head to the other shoulder, and up again.
“Buaidh no bas!” roared Gillis.
“Buaidh no bas!” echoed Ross, Nevin, Amelia, and Daniel.
Ross held out his arm. Daniel clamped his own and gripped as he’d been taught. He stood and turned to the crowd.
“I give you Daniel Ernest Thompson MacDougal, my son!”
Cheers erupted. A bagpipe’s drone rose, soon followed by the howls of all the dogs in twenty miles. Daniel made the rounds, shaking hands with his new Clan and their friends. Billy O’Keefe, wearing new clothes and a huge grin, stayed close.
“Can we slip away yet, wife?” Ross wrapped his arms around Amelia’s belly. She wasn’t showing yet but he knew his child rested within. He nibbled her ear. “You’ve been with the Elliotts for two weeks. It’s been hell for all of us.”
“I’ve had to listen to Beth enjoying all three of her men!” She moaned when he continued his nibbles down her throat.
“Nev is champing at the bit, but Gil is wild. He finally decides to join you in bed, and you move to Beth’s for weeks!”
“I wanted our wedding night to be special.” She flushed and bit her lip.
“We had the wedding. It’s night. You’re special. And I want you now.”
“I want you, too,” she whispered. “But don’t we have to stay for a bit?”
“We can take care of things quickly and come back.”
“Not if my dress is all rumpled!”
“Did you wear anything underneath?”
“No…”
“Good, because I’m wearing a kilt.”
Ross towed Amelia backward and out of the circle of laughing guests. She giggled as he lifted her up and strode toward the trees. A raven followed, just out of Amelia’s sight. Ross let her down in the first clearing.
“What do you have in mind, husband?”
He knelt behind her and slid his hands up her legs, raising her skirts as he went. “I’m going to make sure you haven’t forgotten how useful a husband can be. Bend over.”
He rested her skirts over her back and lifted his kilt. His eager cock pointed to her like a compass at the North Pole. He guided the tip into her hot, wet pussy.
“Oh, yes,” he breathed. “That has got to be the hardest two weeks of my adult life.”
“Show me how hard.” She backed up, wiggling to skewer herself.
“I’m in charge here, woman.” He grasped her hips and drove forward. Her soft flesh enveloped him. He sighed, holding her still for a moment. He was home.
“Oh! Oh, yes,” she moaned.
Knowing he couldn’t last, he dropped one hand to her pussy and found her clit. He rubbed the erect bud of flesh as she gasped for more. He pounded into her heat, his balls slapping against her pussy lips. She inhaled, clenching his cock in her hot, velvet glove as her orgasm hit. He exploded, thrusting again and again, setting off her second climax.
He leaned against her back until he finally managed to get his breath.
“Can we do that again?” She wiggled her ass against his groin, still connected.
“Here they are,” boomed a familiar male voice.
Amelia gasped and struggled to escape. When he let her go she straightened and shoved her dress over her hips. He stood as well, his kilt settling into place as Nevin strolled out from between the trees.
Nev tilted his head one way, then the next. “Yep,” he called over his shoulder. “They were still joined together, like a pair of dogs.”
Ross sighed in relief when Gillis appeared leading a horse. No bagpipes, thank God. The man had spent too many hours practicing during the last few weeks. Even another two minutes would be too much of a good thing. Amelia smoothed her dress, pretending indifference that they all knew was forced.
“Now ye got that over, ye’ll be coming with us.”
“And why is that?” She gazed at her left hand as if the answer didn’t matter one whit to her.
Nevin admired her rings, then kissed her trembling hand. “Because you’ve got two more men needing to celebrate the MacDougal wedding.” Before she could snatch her hand back he lifted her into his arms. Gillis climbed into the saddle and held out his arms for her.
“But we’ve got guests to entertain!”
“That’s Beth and Trace’s job. They’re the ones throwing the party,” said Nevin. He passed her to Gillis then moved forward to take the reins.
“Ross!”
“The boys have been working hard on a wedding present for you, my love. The least you can do is go see what it is. If you want to come back after, I promise to bring you.”
She pushed out her lip in a pout. “But we never go to parties. There’s dancing and… and this one is for us!”
“Chances are Ben will bring a wife with him from the East. He knows they’re as rare as hens’ teeth out here. We’ll make sure there’s a party for them,” said Ross. “Will that help?”
“No,” she grumbled, but said no more as Nevin handed the reins to Gillis. He set off for home as Nev brought out two more horses.
“I think the surprise will make up for leaving the party early,” said Ross. He led the way toward the MD. “Between the three of us, we should be able to make her scream.”
“This’ll be the first time with all four of us together.”
“The first of many over the years, I hope.” Ross clenched his left hand. His ring, crafted from gold found on their ranch, shone in the moonlight.
“If Amelia carries a son, the MD will be ours forever.”
Ross nodded. He should be happy that most of his dreams would now come true. A wife to share with his brothers, a son to forge their future with more children, including Daniel, to fill their lives. But would he ever find the man with raven scars on his skull?
He shook off the thought. His future waited. He would focus on his family and let the past stay buried. For now.
“Ross,” interrupted Nevin, “if we don’t hurry up, Gil might undress Amelia, take her upstairs and show her our wedding present. You okay with that?”
“Hell no!” He nudged his horse into a canter, guiding it down the trail between the ranches. Once the trees were gone and the path was safe he kicked his heels and went into a gallop. He leaned forward, the wind blowing his long hair back, and whooped a war cry. Nevin’s voice rang out like an echo behind him as they raced home.
* * * *
Amelia stomped back and forth on the porch while Gillis, Nevin and Ross put their horses away. “They better have a darn good reason to take me from my wedding party,” she muttered.
“Close your eyes,” ordered Ross, coming up behind her.
“Ye’d better tie a hanky over them. I dinna trust her.”
“Our sweet-tempered wife wouldn’t peek, would she?” Nevin tapped his finger on his chin a few times, frowning theatrically. “You’re right. I wouldn’t trust her.”
Ross handed him the white-on-white handkerchief she’d sewn while at Beth’s. She closed her eyes and let them fuss over her. Beth warned her they might have something planned and to go along with it even if they acted worse than Daniel and Billy on a dare.
One man took each arm while the other followed close behind. If she opened her eyes a bit she could see her feet, but she let them guide her up the stairs as if she was blind. When she tried to remove the blindfold all three complained, so she waited.
Someone cleared this throat. A moment later, thre
e pairs of hands attacked her buttons. They quickly stripped her down to her blindfold and stockings.
The rustle of clothing and thunk of six boots hitting the floor suggested all four of them would soon be naked. That was confirmed when she felt the nudging of three cocks at her hips and belly.
“We’re going to take off the blindfold, but don’t open your eyes,” whispered Ross from her right side.
“Make sure you untie the knots so that all my embroidery doesn’t get ruined. It took me days to finish.”
“Is that all you did at the Elliotts while we broke our backs working?”
“They wouldn’t let me put my foot down, so I had to do something useful. I helped with the mending and kept an eye on James. As thanks for having me underfoot, I made charcoal sketches. Trace said he’d have them framed as a present for Beth.”
“You do any of us?”
“Not really.” Amelia held back a smile at the caricatures she’d done of Gillis, Ross and Nevin. After Trace had them framed, she’d keep them until Christmas.
“Open your eyes on the count of three,” said Nevin at her left. “One,” the other two joined the chant, “two, three!”
She blinked a few times before realizing what she saw.
“You made us a bed!”
She hurried toward the window. They must have lashed together four beds, just like the Elliotts did for Beth. Each held a couple of thick mattresses. The striped ticking matched so it looked like one bed from wall to wall.
“You like it?”
“’tis bigger than the Elliott’s—”
“—and we got feather mattresses over the straw ones, just like you wanted.”
“Try it out, wife.”
Amelia looked from one eager face to the other. Their cocks were equally eager, pointing the way forward. She sat down, smiling when she sank into soft feathers.
“What a wonderful surprise,” she said.
They looked at each other, silent messages sent and received.
“You need a glass of cordial,” said Ross. He strolled to the side table and poured ruby liquid into a wine glass.
“Aren’t you having any?”
“You’re the one who needs it tonight.”