In Pursuit of a Scottish Lady (Moonstone Magic Book 2)

by Hunt, Brenda

  The memory tried to surface again but it quickly disappeared when he claimed her lips again. She felt as though he was absorbing whatever memories tried to surface. So much of what happened was confusing. Most of the time, she did not know if it was a memory or her imagination.

  Colin raised his head. “Lili, look at me,” he commanded softly.

  Lili slowly opened her eyes. Her breathing was ragged, her heart was pounding in her ears. She felt like every part of her was on fire. She looked up at him uncertain of how he made her feel and what was expected of her. She took a shuddering breath.

  Colin cupped her face with one hand, sensing her confusion, her hesitancy. “You are not damaged.” When she went to argue, he placed his thumb over her lips to quieten what she about to say. “I know this is how you feel, but you are wrong.” He watched the pain cross her face. How did he convince her how strong she was, how much he admired her?

  Lili kissed his thumb then turned her head slightly so she could talk to him. “You make me feel like it doesn’t matter.” Lili sighed deeply. He was right. It no longer mattered. She would never marry so if she gave herself to Colin, what would it matter? “Perhaps you are right, it does not matter.”

  Colin looked at her tenderly. He knew she was trying to be brave. Wasn’t she always?

  “We can take this very slowly. If the memories are too much, I will stop. All you have to do is tell me.”

  Lili nodded. “I liked your kisses,” she whispered shyly and looked down.

  Colin used his thumb to raise her chin to look into those crystal blue eyes and smiled at what he saw reflected there. “These kisses?” He kissed her, his tongue playing a teasing game with hers. “Or these?” he asked, as he trailed kisses down her neck again, paying homage to the pulse at the base of her throat.

  His lips left a trail of liquid fire in its wake. Lili barely whispered “Yes,” as she clung to him for support, her legs weak again. She could feel the nipples of her breast harden and ached as they rubbed against his chest even through the fabric of her nightdress.

  Colin swept her in his arms, his lips never left hers. He laid her gently down on his bed and released her lips to raise his head and gaze at her. He raised his hands to her hair and slowly pulled the pins out. Colin held her gaze all the while he undid her hair. Once he had all the pins removed, he used his hands to totally free her hair until it flowed all about her.

  “I’ve so wanted to take down your hair and run my fingers through it, like liquid sunset. Beautiful.”

  Lili smiled. Her father often told her so when she complained about the color of her hair, her hair the color of sunset. When Colin said it, she believed it. She placed her hands on the bottom of his shirt and tugged.

  Colin smiled. “Whatever my lady wants,” he teased. He thought if he allowed Lili to set the pace, she would be more comfortable. He raised his shirt over his head and threw it towards the chair.

  Lili could feel her heartbeat pound in her chest. She had seen Colin bare chested before and had longed for her fingers to trace every muscle. Here he sat on the bed at her side within arms’ reach. Hesitantly, she reached up and let her fingers trace as they longed to do. His muscles felt firm under her touch. She smiled when she heard his breathe intake. She smiled nervously as she traced the muscle along his ribs. She locked gazes with him and had the keep fallen down around her, she could have not looked away.

  Colin captured one of her hands and brought it to his lips. He kissed her palm and teased the center lightly with is tongue. Lili breath halted and then slowly escaped in shuddering pants. The center that lay deep within her between her legs tightened and throbbed with need. His free hand roamed up her side until he cupped her breast and teased the nipple with his fingers. Lili’s indrawn breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and pushed her head back into the pillow. A soft moan escaped her lips. She couldn’t think, she could only feel.

  She felt his fingers brush her skin and realized her nightdress was unbuttoned. His fingers pushed the fabric open exposing her breast to the nighttime air. The chill made her nipples tightened to hard buds. The hand he had been kissing, he laced her fingers with his and raised them over her head, exposing her breast even further. His tongue teased the bud and when his mouth claimed the whole nipple in his mouth and began to suckle, she melted into the mattress. She raised her hips instinctively, wanting something, something more.

  Colin’s slowly brushed his fingertips of his free hand along her outer thigh pushing the edge of her nightdress up past her hip. He felt her move her hips. He traced his fingertips to her inner thigh. He felt her move beneath his hand. Gently, he began to rub the nub.

  A half moan, half whimper escaped her lips when she felt his fingers began his slow tortuous plunder. Colin raised his head and smiled. He would use every intimate little trick he knew. He had learned many in his travels. He was determined to wipe away any and all traces of what happened in the dungeon. Slowly, he teased the bud beneath his fingers. He moved his fingers to trace a pattern slightly above. He traced above and around, coming close but not touching. Her hips moved under his hand searching for his fingers. He plied wet kisses to the other breast, coming close to the nipple flicking his tongue barely touching the nipple and moving away. Her hand clenched his above her head. Her free hand grabbed his and pushed it down until his fingers touched her. Her hand slipped to clench the sheet beside her. Colin slipped his fingers inside her, at the same time slipped the nipple in his mouth.

  Lili could not suppress the moan that escaped her lips. Her hips thrust against his hand, his fingers with a mind of their own. The throbbing became intense. Her mind, her body sought that unknown out there, just out of reach. Every part of her body screamed for that unknown. Just as she thought she could no longer bear it a moment longer, the world about her spiraled and she felt like she was floating down.

  Colin felt her release, raised his head and gazed at the contentment that glowed from her face. He released her hand he held above her head. She opened her eyes and gazed at him with wonder. Colin returned her smile. She closed her eyes in contentment and sighed. Colin quickly turned and removed his trousers.

  “My sweet, lets remove your nightdress completely. I want to feel your skin against mine.” He raised her till she leaned against chest and pulled her nightdress over her head. Gently, he laid her back down. His eyes devoured what lay before him. Never had a woman’s body moved him as Lili's did. She looked at him still in the effects of his earlier love making. It was just a prelude of what more he was to show her. He lay beside her.

  “Let me show you what more there is,” he whispered to her and kissed her lips gently.

  Lili looked at him strangely. “There is more?” she asked. But the feel of his skin against hers was making her ache again. How could that be? She touched his face. He took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed the palm and teased it with his tongue. The heat within her flared into an immediate inferno. She grabbed his face and brought his lips to hers. She deepened her kiss and met his parry with her own. The feel of his skin against hers was like added fuel to an already burning fire. That need for release was building again within her by leaps and bounds. Lili felt his hand on her breast kneading them in his hand, teasing the nipple. She pushed up wanting to fill as much of his hand as she could. She felt his knee separate her legs. She felt the tip of him touch that bud he had made so sensitive on moments earlier. It throbbed as she rubbed against him. She felt his manhood probing at her entrance. She thrust her hips up against him engulfing him within her. The feeling of him within her made her feel complete. He filled her totally. For a brief moment, she wanted to just savor the feeling and hold him deep within her. But instincts took control and she began to push against him as he thrust himself into her. He filled her totally. With each thrust she wanted more.

  Colin let Lili set the pace but he felt her hunger for him. It only made him want her more. She met his every thrust, holding him tight within her. Ne
ver had he ever experienced such a need from any woman he had ever bedded. None had ever touched the part deep within him. But Lili was.

  Lili felt storm building within her. What she had just experienced earlier had just been a prelude to intensity that was now building within her. She was climbing the highest mountain to that upper precipice and for a long moment was at the very edge. And then she was falling bursting in points of lights that studded the night time sky.

  Colin covered her mouth and absorbed her cries of rapture as he felt her spasms around him. He thought of pulling out as he usually did but something within him would not allow him and he spilled his seed deep within her. He thought he had experienced the throes of passion before, but in comparison, those had been shallow and superficial.

  His breathing shallow and strained, Colin rolled to his side pulling Lili to lie at his side. He could feel her breathing as labored as his. He wondered who’s heartbeat he could feel pounding? His or hers?

  Lili moved her head on his chest to look at him. The feelings of warmth and delight encompassed her, the likes she had never ever contemplated existed. She smiled softly.

  Colin rubbed his thumb against her cheek. He lay there holding Lili warmly in his arms and realized his fear was correct. Bedding Lili, only made him aware once was never going to be enough. He wanted this for forever. In one way it surprised him, but after having spent the past few months in her company, it did not.

  Lili sighed contently. “I never thought-------.” She didn’t know how to finish and explain how she was feeling.

  Colin smiled. “I know, my sweet.” He reached with his free hand and pulled the covers over them. Lili snuggled closer and closed her eyes. Colin pulled her closer as she snuggled against his side. Within moments he heard the soft purr of her sleeping. He closed his eyes and allowed sleep to claim him as well.

  Chapter 9

  Though the night was made for loving,

  And the day returns too soon,……

  We’ll Go No More a Roaming

  George Gordon, Lord Byron

  In the predawn hours, Colin whispered in Lili’s ear. “My sweet, I need to get you back to your bed. We would not want the twins finding you here in mine.”

  Lili opened her eyes and sighed. Colin was right. It would mean a great deal of explanations, if the twins found her here. She watched as Colin donned his pants. She wanted to get up but it was just so comfortable lying there. She closed her eyes. She would lie here a moment longer. Strong arms wrapped the sheet about her and gathered her close. Lili snuggled her head against his chest and allowed Colin to carry her to her bed.

  Colin placed her gently in her bed. He hated having to take her out of his bed but he knew it was best at the moment.

  Lili looked up and raised her hand to touch his face as he laid her down. Colin took her hand and kissed the palm. Lili inhaled sharply as all those feelings flared to life in that center part of her.

  “Do not look at me that way, my sweet. As tempting as it is for me to stay, we both know I should not.” To leave Lili here and go back to his cold lonely bed was difficult. He placed her hand back under the covers and tucked her in.

  Lili nodded and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see him leave, though she knew he was right. Colin was always right. It was for the best. Lili slept again, content but missing the warmth of Colin’s body against her.

  She woke with a start. She was in her own bed. Had she truly been with Colin? She laid her head back and closed her eyes. It had to be real. No dream could be that intense and amazing, all at the same time. She moved and realized she was wrapped in Colin’s sheet. She looked about her room. Her nightdress lay draped across the foot of her bed. She smiled, further proof last night did happen.

  Lili sighed. Last night had happened. She had told Colin her secret concerning Edward and what had happened. Well, what she remembered. She had given her body to Colin. No, she had given more than her body to Colin. She had given her heart to him, as well.

  And there now, lay her problem. Everything was now changed. How was she supposed to sit across from him at the dinner table? Quickly, she dressed. There were parts of her body that ached and were sore. She stood at her door, her hand on the latch and hesitated. She let out a deep breath and exited her room. She was not one to hide away.

  Lili entered the great room. The twins were sitting at the table eating their porridge. Colin sat in his usual place as was Rab. Elsbeth stood at the fireplace. All eyes turned toward her.

  Aiden was the first to say something. “Colin is staying.” He had that “I am the laird” look.

  Lili pursed her lips. She did not want to look at Colin but she couldn’t help herself. She glanced his way. He wore that smirk of his. How could she love this man when he drove her to distraction? That superior attitude of his.

  Lili looked directly at Aiden. “Yes, Colin is staying.”

  Aiden nodded and went back to his porridge.

  Ali rose from the table and ran to Lili. “Thank ye, Lili,” said Ali as she hugged Lili. Then she ran to Colin, hugged him and said, “I knew she wouldn’t send you away.”

  Colin hugged her back. “Yes, Ali, I am staying.”

  Lili looked in Elsbeth’s direction. She noticed the smile on Elsbeth’s face before she turned to the fire. Lili sat down as Elsbeth put a bowl of porridge in front of her. She wondered how she was going to keep these feelings hidden. Everything had changed. She could feel Colin’s eyes upon her.

  Ali and Aiden began talking about their studies. Colin answered their questions. Lili just barely listened. She was trying to understand what she was to do now.

  “Shall we talk about what Rab and I have planned for today?” asked Colin.

  Lili looked up and stared at him for a moment. He knew she was thinking about how to deal with their new relationship. She looked at him through narrowed eyes. He was wearing that superiority attitude of his.

  “Are you still angry with Colin, Lili?” asked Ali. “You’re frowning at him like you’re still angry.”

  She heard Colin’s chuckle. She threw him another look of censure. She turned with a smile to Ali. “No, I am not angry with Colin. I was just thinking.”

  Ali looked at her for a long moment assessing what she was told.

  “No, Ali, I promise you, Lili is no longer angry with me,” explained Colin.

  Ali looked at Colin, then nodded, satisfied with his answer.

  Lili wanted to scream. She refused to look at Colin. Instead, she looked at Elsbeth who wore this big grin on her face. There was no possible way Elsbeth knew what had happened during the night. Yet, Lili felt as though Elsbeth knew.

  She rose from the table. “I’ll be in Papa’s study.” She walked away.

  “Ali, Aiden, help Rab with the chores at the barn while I talk with Lili,” instructed Colin.

  Lili glanced back for a moment. Aiden and Ali were following Rab out. How was it that they listened to Colin and never talked back to him, as they were want to do with her? Lili sighed disheartened. She had been trying so hard with the twins. With Colin, it appeared so easy to him.

  Lili walked into her father’s study knowing Colin followed several steps behind her. Yet, when he closed the door and grabbed her arm, she experienced that momentary panic. She looked to Colin and let the sight of him quell the terror that had surfaced.

  Colin felt the change, the withdrawal. Even though it only momentary, he knew she had remembered. “It is me Colin, my sweet.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the palm of her hand.

  Lili felt the ghosts and memories disperse like the sun often did with the mists on the moors. Colin was her sun, her warmth. She raised her head and stared into his eyes. The gentleness and understanding reflected there gave her a sense of peace, of security.

  “I know. Please be patient with me as I deal with these memories.”

  Colin smiled. “Always. You will learn that I am a very patient man,” said Colin. He had learned patience while spy
ing for the war department. Certain things could not be rushed. Lili was going to be one of them.

  Colin pulled her close and his lips claimed hers softly at first, then more demanding as he felt her respond to him and not to the ghosts in her head. With one hand on her buttocks, he pulled her close to him so she could feel how much he wanted her. He felt the small gasp and his tongue met hers in a dance of desire.

  When his lips left hers, her breathing was labored, her heart pounding in her chest, that part of her that wanted fulfillment throbbed with need. The fact she could feel his manhood pressed against her even through her clothes thrilled her. To be wanted as much as she wanted him was a little overwhelming. Such feelings were new to her.

  Colin stared into those clear blue eyes of hers. He knew this was great deal for her to deal with. He wanted to take it slow with Lili but he wasn’t sure he would be able to. But for Lili’s sake, he would do whatever he needed to. The feelings she brought out within him were feelings he had never experienced before. He didn’t know what to make of them. He would not delve into them any further, not now, maybe later. For the moment, he would enjoy it and make certain Lili enjoyed it, too.

  “We can take this as slow as you would like to.” He rubbed the knuckle of one finger down her cheek to stop at her chin.

  Lili stared deep into those gold flecked eyes of his looking for reassurance and found warmth and support gazing back at her. She felt like she was drowning and he was her salvation. Yet, there was this small nagging fear in the far reaches of her mind that asked What if he’s not? Lili nodded. Yes, slow would be best. She had no clue how to deal with any of this.

  “As tempting as this is, my sweet, I think I need to get back to work. We will take it one day at a time,” he laughed softly, “one night at a time.”

  Lili smiled.

  Colin brushed her lips. He knew if he stayed, he would make love to her again. He had just promised her to take it slow.

  Lili watched him walk out of the room. Suddenly, the room felt empty. She felt forsaken. Abruptly, she sat down in her father’s chair. She took a deep breath. She was still left with the question. How was she to proceed now?