Kagan rubbed his jaw as he stepped back and thought about her words, “I will spend an hour with her alone in her bedchamber. If indeed she is still a virgin, I will still marry her. If she is'na, I will see to her punishment in whate'er manner I see fit.”
“As ye wish milord,” answered Adalie as he stood and took his daughter’s hand in his.
Adalie pulled her to her feet and led her to the stairs. She jerked her hand away and stared into her father's hard eyes. She tried to summon her fake tears that had always changed his decisions. They refused to come and she quickly looked at Crimm, who looked at the floor, and then to Aran, who had edged his way to the door.
Cowards!
She met Kagan's cool gray eyes as he stepped to his prey. His devilish smile broadened as he effortlessly picked her up and slung her over his shoulder and hoisted her up the steps and to her room. She kicked, scratched, and bit every inch of his body that she came into contact with and all the while she tried to ignore the burning sensation that had developed at her core.
He kicked her door open and dropped her soundly on her bottom in the center of the room on a thick purple rug. He turned and locked the door as he spoke, “Alone at last.”
“Pig!” she screamed from her seat on the floor.
“Tell me in detail how and when ye lay with yer pup,” he ordered as he turned to her pouting face.
“Which time do ye want me to describe? Which position? Or do ye want to know 'bout e'ery single time he made love to me?” She hissed with defiance as he edged closer.
He unfastened his kilt and almost burst out in laughter as her shocked expression and wide eyes told him what he already knew, “Undress.”
“Nay,” she muttered as she tried to wretch her eyes from his long, huge shaft and the black curls that clung to his muscled inner thighs, “only for Calin will I undress.”
“Undress and prove yeself to me,” he whispered as he reached for her, “Show me what ye ga'e that pup.”
He pulled her to her feet and ripped the veil from her beautiful face as she answered, “Nay, ye canna ha'e what belongs to him.”
His anger soared and he gripped the gown at her bodice and ripped the soft material from her body. Her breasts spilled out and her nipples hardened instantly. His gaze lingered on her perfectly rounded breasts and his mouth watered as her nipples puckered.
Flawless!
He grinned as her palm contacted his jaw. He grabbed her skirts pulling the laces apart and let the tattered dress fall to the floor at her feet. A whistling sound escaped his throat as he realized she wore no undergarments save the thin material of a see through silk. He tugged at the laces on the sheer fabric and hastily and skillfully let them fall as her other hand slapped his jaw.
He stepped back, amazed and speechless. She held her ground under his appraisal and hoped he would turn and run from her horridly fat body. Her eyes dropped as his eyes roamed her body, her face reddened and her heart beat wildly against her heaving chest.
She crossed her arms below her breasts and jerked her eyes up to meet his. She was proud, defiant, and her body beckoned Kagan like bees to honey.
“At a loss for words? Are ye displeased with my fat body milord?” she asked as she stepped closer to him.
Kagan stared into her beautiful sea green eyes, unable to comprehend what she was saying. Her beauty was perplexing. Kagan took a deep breath as his heart did a double take. He was by far an experienced lover but never had a woman’s naked flesh make his knees weak and sweat bead his forehead.
He watched as she stomped her foot and spoke again, “Go on, lea'e! I am lackin' in beauty. I am'na fit to be betrothed to a laird. Donna embarrass me any longer by pretendin' to want to marry me. I am ‘na innocent and untouched.”
She turned her back to him as her tears rimmed her eyes. He vividly remembered the girl in the stables, and now here she stood, a woman in full bloom, glorious, golden, and proud. Her backside sizzled with innocent seduction. Her curves were in perfect harmony with her firm muscles and her satin skin blazed with vitality. When he stepped closer he couldn’t control his limbs and he embraced her, pulling her back against his naked hard flesh.
The soft smile that formed on his hard lips was in admiration at her courage. She did not flinch, did not try to pull away, and he desperately tried to remember to breath. Honey and vanilla filled his senses as it had three years before, but now it was different. The musk of desire was laced heavily through the aroma and the woman radiated with fiery temptation.
“Ye are more than I e'er expected, yer perfect in e'ery fiery detail. I am humbled in yer presence. Ye ha'e bewitched me with ye beauty and innocence. I want to bury myself deep within ye and claim what has been mine for three long years,” his voice was deep, soft and heavy with desire, “Three long years I ha'e thought 'bout ye, wanted to finish what was begun in the stables. Ye belong to me!”
Andra closed her eyes as he turned her to face him. His lips softly brushed hers as he cupped her breast. She moaned as his finger rubbed across the bud. He claimed her lips in a heated kiss, driving his tongue inside of her mouth as she opened to him. Andra melted under his kiss and wilted against him as his hands explored her body. Her mind screamed not to give in but her body rejoiced in its reawakening.
She had secretly longed for his touch even after he had lain with Grace. Her body molded to his and her hands took a will of their own. Andra caressed every muscle she could reach as he returned the favor. She moaned again as he sucked on her tongue. He released her mouth and she leaned her head back as he kissed her neck. She fought for control as he sucked on her neck and shoulder.
“Ye play with me,” she accused breathlessly as he lifted her off of the floor.
“Nay woman.”
He held her bottom as she curled her leg around his waist crushing his hard manhood into her softness. She held onto his shoulders as he growled into her throat. She smiled, remembering his growl of desire. He dropped to his knees at the bed and laid her back onto the bed. He slid his hands up her stomach and cupped both of her breasts. His shaft pulsed as he pushed himself atop her and caught a nipple in his mouth.
She squirmed in delight, but pushed at his head, “Stop! Na man will possess this body. Na man!” She cried out in pleasure as he tugged at her nipple with his teeth.
“Save one. Ye husband,” he groaned as his shaft rubbed against her soft mound of golden curls.
“Nay. I will'na wed,” she whispered as she kissed his brow. “Na man will cause me the pain that comes with pleasure.” Her eyes swirled dangerously from sea green to emerald, “I belong to na man!”
Kagan reached for her lips and she met him in her need. She hungrily sucked on his tongue and bottom lip as he rocked against her, letting her feel his erection. She arched and tears flooded her eyes knowing that she wanted him and had since their first encounter. His rock hard body sent tidal waves of glorious sensations through hers.
“Lea'e Kagan, milord, lea'e. I am'na worthy of ye touch.”
Kagan crushed her lips and groaned as she ran her hands through his hair and whispered his name into his mouth. With fierce determination, he plundered her mouth with his tongue until she pulled away almost to the point of being completely breathless. Her arousal was gloriously smoldering in her bewitching eyes.
“Why do ye make me want ye? Why does fire race through my veins when ye touch me? Why did ye wait for three years? Why did ye lay with the maid after ye tortured my body in the stables?” she cried as she continued kissing him.
Kagan sat up bringing her with him. He knelt on his knees between her legs as she ran her hands along his shoulders and back. She leaned into his arms and took possession of his lips, holding him at bay as she took his hands and held them on each side of her hips, not allowing them to caress her. Kagan reeled in her touch, dived head first into her flawless skin, and his heart threatened to erupt from his chest.
Kagan stood abruptly when she broke the kiss. He turned and took two gia
nt steps away from her. And for the second time in his life, this woman had successfully seduced the seducer. His giant stone heart stopped and as if glass were shattering all around him, he stood perfectly still and swallowed hard.
He would have her! He would make her want him as he wanted her and she would scream out his name and his name alone. She now belonged to him and she would see it that way soon enough. He turned back to her and quickly reached for his woman. She stood and stepped out of reach, wrapping herself in the cover she dragged from the bed.
Grabbing her shoulders, he turned her to face him. He kissed her, wanting to taste her and needing to possess her. He deepened the kiss and slowly opened his eyes. She was crying, tears cascaded down her cheeks and flowed into his hungry mouth.
“I canna do this. A man will'na ha'e me! I belong only to myself and I will ne’er succumb to ye!” She all but screamed as she buried her face into his arm.
His body was screaming for pleasure as he tried to settle his need and bite down her rejection, “And what am I? Am I a leach, a disgustin' lizard, na worthy to scrabble at ye feet? Does'na yer body soar at my touch, do'na ye grow wet in desire for me?”
“Nay, ye are something far worse; ye are a strong powerful beautiful man who deserves a beautiful proud wife. The likes of which I can ne'er be!” she bit out.
“Ye could ne'er be proud of me? Me, the laird?” his anger filled his heart, “Are ye so high and mighty that ye hold yer nose up to me? To me? How dare ye? And who, pray, do ye think is worthy of ye touch, ye fire? A king? A god?”
Andra's sobs wretched her body, “Nay, nay! Stop teasin' me! Stop! I am unworthy of ye. Tis I who ye could ne'er be proud of. My body is fat and ugly; na man wants what little I can offer. Why do ye attack me so cruelly? Just because ye are laird, ye feel it necessary to mock me! Get out! Get out!” She cried in agony as she tried to shrink into the cover around her body.
Kagan was standing on unfamiliar ground and stooped to pick up his kilt. He backed away, retreated to regroup his defenses. He pondered her words as he watched her turn her back to him. He tied the kilt in place around his hips and took a deep breath. No woman in her right mind would ever dare to refuse him!
“Any man, warrior, king, or god would die a thousand deaths to lie in yer arms but for one night. Why can'na ye see yer own beauty?” His deep voice kissed her ears with the compliment.
He turned and flinched as pain erupted from his earlobe and a vase crashed and shattered into the door. His hand flew to his bleeding ear and he stormed out of the room, slamming the door in his wake.
Blasted woman!
He raged down the steps like an angry bull. The three Duncans had listened intently at the bottom of the stairs, but quickly tried to look busy as the laird sailed down the steps and roared his return upon their ears.
“What ha'e ye done to her?” His rage was evident as he asked, “She is touched in the head! No woman can deny me. Explain this now or suffer my hand!”
Only Crimm dared to answer, “Only what ye ordered us to do! In ye lust of her; ye chose to keep her locked away! Tis ye that wanted her trained to defend herself, tis ye that insisted she learn of worldly ways, or ha’e ye forgotten at ye own convenience?” Any other man would have fell at Kagan's blade for daring to question his methods, but Crimm Duncan was not any other man.
“Hold ye tongue!” ordered Adalie, “We are all at fault in this!”
Crimm rubbed his temples and paced the stone floor, Aran retreated to the kitchen needing to break something, and Adalie dropped into his chair with heavy heart. The father silently begged his daughter for forgiveness.
“Her ma would ne'er forgive me, but I only wanted what was best for her,” he whispered into his hands, “How are we goin' to repair the damage?”
Laird Kagan growled and disappeared down the corridor, unable to bare Andra's sobs any longer. He stalked like a madman to Demon. He mounted the warhorse, bareback, and rode him hard and fast into the hillside with the highland wind in his face and his highland mist behind him. His, she was his!
Chapter 5
Her fate had been decided, signed and sealed. She had been ordered to pack her bags and depart for McKregan Keep in three days. Crimm was to accompany her on the journey to make sure that she arrived at her would be husband's keep. Her father had made it perfectly clear she would go either sitting on top of a horse or tied and gagged in the carriage. She was to marry Laird McKregan, lie in his bed, and have his babes.
He would savagely take her body, leaving her to the terrible mountains of pain that he would put her through. And he would use her body whenever he wanted and walk all over her heart like the heathen he was simply because that was the way it was. Women had no right to disagree! Her heart pounded in her ears and her loins ached.
Andra pulled herself from her bed and prayed she would break her neck as she walked across the room to her tub. She sank into its warmth and wondered what he was doing this morning. Jerking upright and splashing the water into the floor she realized what she had been about to do. Forcing the lump in her throat down, she mentally put herself in check. The Laird McKregan was an arrogant womanizing bastard and she would not daydream about him!
Grabbing the cloth on the rim of the tub and scrubbing at her body until it turned red in protest Andra denied her tears access to her eyes. She lay back and immersed herself in the water, running her hands through her long hair. She took a deep breath, reached for the soap she used to wash her hair, and prayed she was strong enough to resist him.
After making sure her body was beyond clean, she wrapped herself in the soft robe and edged to the vanity. Andra brushed her wet hair until the tangles disappeared, desperately trying not to think about Kagan.
She braided her tresses, letting the braid hang over her shoulder and down to her waist. Her face softened as she turned to her bed and imagined Kagan stretched atop her, between her legs, rocking back and forth, loving her.
She stood abruptly and dressed herself in baggy pants and a striped shirt. She left the room and headed downstairs. Pierre Guston would be furious if she showed up late to lessons. And Ell'andra Duncan had never been late and never once had she questioned his teachings, no matter how odd and eerie they had seemed. No matter how disgusted she had been in his presence. He had taught her how to defend herself against men and women. He had tirelessly drilled it into her head just how to use her body to trick a man's attention, how to make a man fall to his knees if ever one tried to harm her.
Her stomach lurched as she remembered all the times he had made her touch him. He had shown her every part of his body and taught her how each part responded to pain. He had made her touch each sensitive spot on his body, teaching her how to pleasure or pain each spot. Andra's knees grew weak as she compared Pierre's shaft to Kagan's. Kagan was hard, huge and long, Pierre's was always soft and mushy and very wrinkled. She hated it when he would make her touch him and her stomach had always grown queasy. Kagan's was beautifully smooth and sleek, and she had wanted to touch his when he stood before her naked.
She went to the training grounds behind the stables. No one was about yet and she made her way into the trainer’s quarters. She knocked on Pierre's door. His shaved head emerged and towered slightly over her.
He frowned down at her, “Your lessons are done, my sweet. I have taught you all you need to know.”
Andra grinned, “Then ye think I am ready to defend myself?”
Pierre whispered, “I am sorry, my sweet. Your Da has ended your lessons. Said you no longer needed them.”
He stepped back into his room, “It is good, and I must confess it has become hard to have you in my presence. I have grown very fond of you and your soft hands. I enjoy your caresses far more than a teacher should.”
Andra cautiously stepped into the room, “And there is nothin' left to teach me?”
He pulled her by the shoulders farther into the room and locked the door behind her. “What are ye doin'?”
“I
do have one more lesson for you although I know I should not go against your father's wishes,” he whispered as he swayed towards her, “I have taught you how to use your body to your advantage, today's lesson will be a little different.”
“Different?” she asked as she took another step back.
“Yes,” he purred as he grabbed her arms, “Today you will learn that men have needs and women are the cure for those needs.”
Andra tried to pull away as his fingers sank into her flesh. She kicked at his shins and spit in his face. He laughed and slapped her cheek. She forced herself to look at him in the eye. She was rewarded by yet another harder slap to her cheek. He let her arm go and violently tore at her shirt, the soft fabric pulled free and ripped down the front. Her breasts were visible as he came down on top of her, back handing her until she cried out in pain. He grinned and pulled her to her feet. He drug her into the middle of the room to the wooden table.
“Feel me, my sweet,” he ordered as he took her hand and placed it between his legs. “Your maid has made it obvious to my ears how you have wanted me.”
Her eyes widened in shock as his shaft turned hard and long. She arched to get free of his grip and he slammed her into the table. She fought his hands and kicked his legs. She scratched at his face and drew her hand back to punch him, but he punched first, knocking her back onto the table. He swiftly pulled her baggy pants to her ankles and threw them to the floor.
Her face hurt and her body went limp as he slid his hand between her legs. Her stomach lurched as his fingers slammed inside of the folds that hid her womanhood. She came up fighting and clawed his eye. She kicked him in the gut and he went to one knee as she scrambled off of the table and ran for the door. She screamed as his hands grabbed her waist and pushed her to the floor. His cruel laughter filled the room as he picked up a leather strap and lashed her bottom. She screamed in rage as he pulled her hair and lashed her again. She struggled to stand under the weight of his arm. He jerked her hair and made her stay on her knees.
A Warrior's Perception Page 5