A Flawed Scotsman

by McQueen, Hildie

  “I cannot.” She tried to push away, but he held her still. When she looked up at him, it was obvious he was as torn as she about the situation. Esme wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him into an embrace.

  “Help me to forget. Do not let me continue from this day without knowing what it will be like to lay with ye. I want to be touched by ye again, to be claimed by yer body. I give myself to ye freely, Ruari. Take me to bed.”

  Upon entering her chamber, he took her mouth, running his hands down her back and pulling Esme tightly against him.

  Urgency intermingled with need. Esme didn’t wish to think about anything but how his solid muscular body felt under her palms. Their bodies aligned perfectly, the hardness of his sex pressing to her lower abdomen.

  They made quick work of undressing, each taking in the other in the moonlight that streamed through the windows. Her breath caught at seeing him completely bereft of clothing, every muscle toned, his legs well formed. His arousal caught her by surprise.

  She knew the mechanics of joining with a man, of course. But wondered how, exactly, it would feel.

  There was something mesmerizing about the way his gaze moved over her. Every inch of her skin came to life where his darkened eyes landed.

  “Come to me.” Ruari held out a hand and she moved to him, taking it.

  “I am nervous,” she admitted.

  “I know.” He lifted her up easily and laid her upon the bed. “There is nothing to be anxious about. We will take it slowly. If ye wish to stop at any moment, just say it.”

  Esme couldn’t believe the words. He was like no man she’d ever met. Caring, patient and respectful. Her lips curved. “At any time?” She lifted a brow. “I may have to test ye.”

  Ruari chuckled. “Do not be cruel.”

  When he climbed onto the bed and pulled her closer, she melted against him. The moment their skin touched, her entire body came to life. Unsure of what exactly she felt, Esme lifted her face to him. “Kiss me, Scot.”

  There was a soft demand in the way his mouth took hers. At the prodding of his tongue, she opened gladly, allowing him to tease at hers.

  Her skin tingled as his hands traveled down from her waist to caress her thighs. Esme let out a soft moan.

  Raking her fingers through his hair, she kissed him back hard, her mouth showing him what her body needed.

  Rolling Esme to her back, Ruari trailed kisses from her mouth to her breasts, taking a taut point into his mouth and sucking it gently at first, then harder. Esme arched up, silently demanding he do more.

  Ever so slowly, his fingers traveled the path from her thigh to between her legs, sending her to whimper with anticipation.

  Ruari slipped his hand between her thighs, urging them apart and then began stroking gently down the center of her nether lips. “Take me in hand,” he demanded, his voice breathless and hoarse.

  Obediently, she wrapped her fingers around his engorged manhood, marveling at the velvety skin.

  His deep moan gave her a sensation of power over him that sent her mind reeling. How was it possible that she could affect the strong man in such a way?

  “Ah!” Esme exclaimed at the invasion of his finger into her sex and her eyes flew open. There was something different about the way he took her this time.

  First it was one finger, then two sliding in and out of her, while his thumb stroked up and down her center. Something akin to fire began to develop and she tightened the walls of her sex around his hand.

  Esme grabbed at the bedding with both hands and bit her bottom lip to not cry out as her body came to life.

  When Ruari climbed over her and cupped her bottom, lifting it and pressed his hardness against her sex, she was somewhat relieved. He took her mouth and she returned his kisses ardently while caressing his wide back.

  Settled between her legs, he whispered in her ear. “Wrap yer legs about my hips.”

  She did as instructed. Her senses were on high alert as he reached down between them.

  The prodding of the thick head at her entrance was exciting. Esme held on to his shoulders and pressed her lips on the side of Ruari’s throat. His breathing was harsh as he held back, allowing her sex to adjust to his girth.

  It was hard to hold still. She wanted him to enter her fully. Esme raked her nails down his back and cupped his bottom to urge him forward.

  With one strong thrust, he took her fully and she cried out, unable to stop from it as the pain of being torn was piercing.

  “Shhh,” Ruari whispered and kissed her. He lifted his face and looked at her. “It will become enjoyable again, I promise.”

  Esme nodded, somewhat embarrassed at the tears that trickled down the sides of her face to plop on the pillow. She believed him but wondered how it would be so.

  When he began moving, his sex slipping out and back in, Esme soon found the movements soothing. The more he moved, the further away any pain was from her mind.

  Soon, she was urging him to move faster, her entire being overtaken by need.

  “Oh. Oh. Oh,” Esme repeated as the surroundings evaporated and all that remained was her and Ruari and the exquisite sensations.

  Suddenly, she floated, the sounds of Ruari’s grunts like music as Esme’s body exploded into a million pieces. While drifting into a wonderful abyss, Ruari joined her, his strong body shuddering as he, too, found release.

  Esme snuggled against Ruari, her head on his shoulder. She kissed his jawline as he made lazy circles on the arm she tossed across his stomach. “I wish everything would stop and this moment would last for a long time.”

  “Me, too.” Ruari pressed his lips on her hair. “In time, everything will settle.”

  “I cannot help thinking of Mother and what she must be going through and my dearest friend, Catriona. The poor dear.”

  He remained quiet, most likely because there was little he could say that would make her feel better.

  In all probability, this would be their one and only time together and Esme wanted to take his scent and possession of her body with her. Nothing would stop her from going. It was up to her to save not only her mother, but the clan as well.

  Esme trailed the tips of her fingers from Ruari’s stomach down. They skittered through the trail of hair that directed to his, once again, hardened shaft.

  Boldly wrapping her fingers around his sex, Esme pressed kisses to his chest, circling the small nipple with her tongue.

  By the deep grunting sounds, he enjoyed her attentions and it sent powerful surges of heat through her as well. Although she wasn’t quite sure how to proceed, instinctively she slid her hand up and down his hardness and licked from his nipple up to his throat.

  “Ye are so enticing,” Ruari pulled her over him. “Take me as ye wish.”

  He took her waist and lifted her to straddle him and then took himself in hand. “Lift up and lower onto me.”

  Arousal sent her mind reeling as Esme did as he instructed. The head of his sex prodded at hers and she took a deep breath and lowered slowly, allowing herself time to expand around him.

  The power of controlling the joining was intoxicating and her mind swam as she flattened her hands onto his chest and began to lift and lower, taking him deep inside.

  Ruari threw his head back, showcasing his powerful neck and wide shoulders as he allowed her freedom over his body.

  “Faster,” he grunted out, and took her hips to help her move. A trickle of fire traveled to where they joined and Esme lost control, lifting and lowering faster. Still, her body demanded more and her movements became erratic.

  Ruari rolled her over and took control. Within moments, she flew into an abyss of lights as she shattered with a powerful release.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Alarmed cries woke Ruari and he jumped from the bed. He was still in Esme’s bedchamber. After grabbing his breeches and yanking them on, he rushed to the balcony. From there, he spotted guards rushing to horses and he turned away, pulled on his boots and tunic a
nd raced from the room.

  Laird Fraser rushed to one of the lead guards and grabbed him by the tunic with fisted hands. “How can our guards be so incompetent? Was it not enough that my wife was taken?”

  Ruari went to where his cousins stood and watched with blank expressions. “What happened?”

  Ewan gave him a puzzled look. “Yer betrothed is missing. Gone.”

  Despite his attempt to hide any emotion, a low guttural sound came from him. “When? I was just…” he let the sentence hang.

  By the look of the room, first meal had been eaten. How late was it? Then it occurred to him.

  The drink. Esme had insisted he share a drink with her late the night before. It must have been laced with herbs that he’d slept so late.”

  “When was it discovered?” he finally asked, meeting his cousin’s gaze.

  “Just a few moments ago. A servant went to her bedchamber and discovered that she was not in the bed.” Tristan gave him a pointed look. “She did say ye were there.”

  Ruari knew his eyes widened. “I think she gave me something so that I would not hear her depart.”

  The laird stalked to him. “Did she tell ye of her plans?”

  “Nay. Although she kept insisting it was best to go and do as she proposed to marry whomever the Mackenzie decided so that he would release yer wife. She then plans to kill the man she is forced to marry.”

  “And ye allowed her to leave?” The laird’s face was red with fury. “Why?”

  “I was asleep. She gave me a drink.” Ruari stopped talking. “I will go after her.”

  Laird Fraser looked to Tristan. “Will yer army go with us?”

  “We will accompany ye but will not engage in battle. My brother sent us as a show of force and support. That is all.”

  After directing a glare at Ruari, the laird stalked away. Ruari let out a frustrated breath. “How did she manage to slip away? Did she take a horse?”

  “I heard she left through a secret passage,” Ewan said, following him to his chamber. “Where are ye going?”

  “To fetch my sword,” he replied, rushing up the stairs. “I will go after her. Ye and my cousins can come, but I do not expect any of ye to put yer lives in danger.”

  Ruari rode with the first contingent of warriors, led by Keithen, toward Mackenzie lands. He could not shake the feeling of responsibility. How had he not seen what Esme plotted? When she’d given him the drink, he was intoxicated with the aftereffects of their lovemaking.

  Now, as he rode with the sun already high in the sky, he tried to remember how late it had been when they’d fallen asleep.

  A rider came toward them from the west. “A horse is missing from a farm not too far from the keep.”

  Ruari nodded at the man. “How long ago did they discover it?”

  “Early morning. The farmer went to feed it.”

  They’d lost almost a third of the day. Hopefully, as they rode warhorses at a gallop, they’d be able to catch up to a farm horse.

  Behind them, five hundred men would follow, most from Clan Fraser. At the end of the day, blood would soak the ground and it was very possible the Mackenzie would lose. However, breaching the keep would be difficult for the Fraser Clan.

  The keep came into view. The field was bare of any people, no riders or wagons in sight. To the right of the keep, the large village was quiet. The streets were empty as people had either gone into hiding at the keep or were locked indoors.

  The Mackenzie expected a war.

  They brought the horses to a stop. If Esme had come to the keep, she was inside now. There was nothing they could do but await the arrival of the Fraser, who would request a visit with the Mackenzie to negotiate.

  It was either that or attack. If they attacked, the women inside would die.

  Ruari’s chest constricted and he fought not to growl in frustration.

  Why had Esme not listened to him? The stubborn woman had forced her clan into action before they’d had time to discuss and decide a course of action.

  “We will wait for the rest to come,” Keithen said. Esme’s brother looked to Ruari who kept his gaze on the keep. “I appreciate ye coming with me, but it is not necessary that ye fight.”

  “She is my betrothed. I will do what I can to save her.” His stomach clenched at the words.

  Keithen studied him for a moment. “It is up to ye.”

  “I will ride around the other side. Hopefully, there is a way for me to get in and search for her.” Not waiting for Esme’s brother to reply, he urged the horse forward.

  The beast was glad to be out from the corral and was easily encouraged to a gallop. Ruari kept his eyes forward, scanning the surroundings for anyone that might spy him. He rode toward trees, from where it would be easier to approach without being sighted.

  He slowed the horse and searched for any person patrolling the area. Finally, when he was almost too close to the keep not to be seen, he dismounted.

  The vibrations from horses’ hooves on the ground told Ruari that the warriors from Fraser lands neared. He let out a long breath. What could he possibly do to help?

  There was no way to get inside the keep. The walls were high and, atop, guards stood with bows and arrows.

  “Why did I end up with a stubborn betrothed?” he grumbled under his breath.

  “I am not stubborn. I would describe it more as determined.” Esme emerged from behind a tree. “I thought ye were a Mackenzie.”

  Her face was smudged, her dress torn and her hair askew, but a more beautiful sight he’d never seen. Ruari rushed to her and pulled her against him. “What are ye doing here?”

  “I thought to approach the front gates but got scared they’d shoot me with an arrow. It is still fresh in my memory how that feels. So I came here to search for a side entrance.” She pushed away from him.

  He pushed hair away from her face. “And?”

  “There is one door that can be reached, but it is locked.” She gave him a defeated look. “Probably a secret escape that most wouldn’t find, but I crawled under a bush to hide and found it.”

  “Yer father comes to speak to the Mackenzie. It would be for the best if he finds ye not to be inside.”

  Esme tugged at his hand. “Please come with me, help me get inside. I must do what I can to save Mother.”

  Branches breaking and horses’ nickers were the unmistakable sounds of men approaching on horseback.

  Ruari grabbed Esme around the waist and lifted her atop his horse, he then mounted and guided the beast away from where they were and deeper into the forest.

  “Be quiet,” he whispered to Esme.

  They waited for a long while, listening intently. “Yer father and an army arrive. We will ride to them.”

  “No.” Esme turned and looked up at him. “Please, I have to save Mother. If they come, the Mackenzie will kill her.”

  Although his heart broke, Ruari met her gaze and forced the words out. “Esme, listen to me. If ye go in there, ye along with yer mother and friend will die together. The Mackenzie is a heartless man. Stay with me, do not do this to yer father.”

  When she sagged and began weeping, he guided the horse back to where he’d separated from the others. They cleared out of the forest just as warriors exited the keep and lined up, the warhorses close together.

  From a nearby ridge, the huge army of men approached from the south. They rode at a steady pace to ensure the horses were not overly tired.

  When he joined the men he’d arrived with, Keithen gave his sister a warm look. She turned away, too angry to understand it was for the best that she be kept from inside the keep.

  “What happens now?” she asked him. “We go to war against them? No doubt he has sent for the surrounding clans to fight alongside him. There is no winning for us. We will all die.”

  Her words were somewhat true. However, the Mackenzie was, in all probability, too proud to ask for help. Ruari prayed that was the situation in that moment.

  “Come, we wi
ll go to yer father. He must know ye are not inside.”

  Moments later, along with her uncle and brother, the three sat atop horses. Esme had insisted she go with them to speak to the Mackenzie and, surprisingly, her father had agreed.

  Ruari tried to argue against it, but the laird shook his head. “I wish to have her with me.” When Keithen protested remaining behind, the laird held up a hand to quiet him. “Ye are to take over as laird if I die. Do not go to battle first. Obey me in this.”

  A sense of helplessness enveloped Ruari as he watched them ride toward the gates. The laird, Esme to his right and a warrior to his left. He and ten guardsmen rode just behind them. Would he be able to stand idly by if the lairds agreed that Esme would marry a Mackenzie?

  The gates of the keep opened and a line of about twenty horsemen rode out. Then a second line joined.

  The flanks of Mackenzie warriors parted to reveal Laird Mackenzie with two men. One of them was Calum Robertson.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Esme’s heart thundered in her chest at seeing Calum on a horse beside the Mackenzie. The traitor had the nerve to meet her gaze and lower his eyes to her mouth. She snarled in return.

  “I demand ye release my wife and the other woman.” Her father’s loud words seemed to bounce from the keep walls.

  The Mackenzie gave them a droll look. “If ye concede and join my clan by marriage, I will. After all, she will be the future grandmother to Mackenzie bairns.”

  “There will be no concession. Ye have broken yer word too many times for me to trust anything ye say.” Her father’s voice trembled with fury. “Let us avoid bloodshed, Mackenzie.”

  The man looked past them to the huge assembly. He seemed taken aback, his sharp eyes narrowing. “Ye bring Ross warriors with ye? So ye have allied with them then?”

  “I am married to a Ross now,” Esme said, the words spilling out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Last night, our union was consummated.” She met the laird’s gaze, not wavering.

  Esme fought not to look over her shoulder to Ruari.

  When she slid a look to Calum, he’d paled. “I am Ruari Ross’ wife now.”