by Amy Jarecki
“I must respect you,” he whispered. But he didn’t push her away. Instead, a big arm braced her back while the other swept under her knees. “However…I can no longer resist you,” he growled as he stood.
Emma sighed as she curled into him, smoothing her hand over his chest.
Ever so gently, he set her on the bed and slid in beside her. “Are you certain you want me to bed you?”
She cupped his cheek with her hand then slid it down over his hammering heart. “Please. I want this. I want you.”
“Then lie back and I will show you what it means to be worshipped.”
She rolled her shoulders into the pillow. “You tease me.”
He tugged open the lace on her kirtle. “Never.”
Emma gasped as she caught his fingers. She had some understanding of how it all worked. She’d heard enough comments by the servants, but otherwise, she was two and twenty and totally clueless as to how men and women actually made love. “What are you doing?”
“Untying your bodice so that I may kiss you…” He brushed his lips over the top of her breast. “Here.”
She shivered with delight. “Oh.”
“Does that meet with your approval?” The rumble of his voice vibrated across her skin.
“Aye.”
“No stays?” he asked.
Scraping her teeth over the corner of her mouth, her shoulder inched up. “There wasn’t time.”
“All the better,” he said.
As he tugged her shift away from her breast, she felt no bashfulness. The fire in her skin was too hot to be shy. She arched her back as he took her nipple into his mouth and swirled his warm tongue around it.
“You need no stays. Your breasts are perfect,” he said as he licked her tender flesh.
Perfect? He is perfect.
His hands trailed down her body and lower over her thighs and to her calves.
She writhed with the allure of his touch. “What are you doing now?”
He pulled off her one boot and then the other. “I intend to strip you bare.”
She crossed her hands over her naked breasts. “Completely?”
“How else can I feast my eyes upon all of you?”
“But—”
“Hmm?”
“What if you don’t like what you see?”
“Och.” He pulled the ribbon on her garter and tugged away her stocking. “There’s no chance of that. I’m certain of it.”
Yes, he had seen her once before. Fair is fair. “Then I must see you bare as well.”
“After you,” he growled, removing her second stocking.
Smiling with the anticipation of running her hands over Ciar’s naked body, Emma moaned as he kissed the bottom of her foot. “Every place your lips touch makes the fire within me burn hotter.”
“Mm,” he agreed as if he knew exactly how she felt.
The mattress depressed as he crawled upward, grasping her skirts. In a heartbeat, he tugged them up her back and over her head.
“My God.” Those two words came out low and breathless.
Emma instantly crossed her arms over her body, but he caught her wrists. “No. You mustn’t cover yourself. I-I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight in all my days.”
“Truly?” she whispered.
“Och, if no one has told you that you are a goddess, then allow me to be the first.”
“And you are a magician.”
His lips nuzzled her neck. “Why would you say that?”
“Because only you can make me feel as if I am indeed a goddess.”
“My goddess.”
Floating on a pillow of happiness, she untied and tugged away his cravat. “Now you.”
“I’m easy.” He pulled her up to sit and guided her fingers to the circular brooch at his shoulder. “Release this, unfasten my belt, and remove my shirt, and I’ll be bare.”
“What about your hose and garters?”
“Already gone.”
Scraping her teeth over her bottom lip, she carefully unfastened his brooch and let him slip it from her fingers. Her heartbeat raced as she slid the plaid from his shoulder, then traced her hands downward and found his belt. “Are you ready?”
“Aye,” he said hoarsely.
It only took a tug and he was right, the wool pooled around them.
After dropping the kilt to the floor, she clutched the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Sitting before him, she was scarcely able to breathe. “You’re bare to me like you were outside?”
He took her wrist, turned it over and kissed her palm. “I am.”
She braced her hands on his shoulders, quite unsure of how to proceed. Instead, she allowed her instincts to take over and urged him down to the bed. “Then let me see you.”
Chapter Eighteen
Never in all his days had Ciar allowed himself to be utterly prone to a woman. But then he’d never worshipped a woman the way he did Emma. He reclined into the comfort of the mattress and closed his eyes.
“Where should I begin?” she asked.
“You’ve seen my face. How about starting there?” he asked, wondering how she would react when she discovered he was harder than an oak branch.
She kneeled beside him and cupped his cheeks. “My bonny man.”
Her hands brushed and swirled down his arms, tracing the lines of his muscles. “I already ken how strong you are.”
“Some call me a beast.”
Back up she went, rubbing her palms over his hairy chest. “You are no beast.”
He shuddered as she closed her mouth over his nipple. “Mm.”
“Do you like me to kiss you here?”
“Aye,” he croaked, unable to utter another word. His cock tapped his stomach, and if her warm tongue continued to tease him, he’d soon lose his seed.
Ciar allowed himself to breathe as her hands continued down his stomach. “Is every inch of you hard?”
“Yes,” he managed, his voice strained.
And then her fingers brushed his cock.
As they both gasped, Emma grew very still. “What is that?”
She didn’t know?
“My…sex.”
Understanding crossed her face while she boldly took hold of his shaft. “I…ah…never realized a man’s member could be so rigid.” Ciar’s eyes rolled back as she stroked her fingers along the length. “Is it always like this?”
“Of late.” He chuckled, stilling her hand. “But not usually. Whenever my cock grows hard, it means I want to be inside you.” Unable to stand the torture a moment longer, he coaxed her to her side, traced his finger along the curve of her hip and into the soft, coppery curls.
“Inside?” she asked.
“Here.” He slipped his finger through her parting and found the channel. Jesu, she was so wet, so ready, and he wanted her more than anything. “Like this, but the fit is much tighter.”
Gasping, she arched her back, her body shuddering. “Am I falling ill?”
“Nay, lass. You’re only beginning to experience the heat of passion.”
“There’s more?”
He moved over her, angling his shoulders between her legs. God, she smelled tempting. “The best is yet to come.”
She curled up, her fingers finding his hair and tugging. “I’m certain you shouldn’t be there!”
“Och, this is exactly where I ought to be.” He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her tiny button, gazing up the length of her. Such a stunning image—womanly hips tapering to a slender waist and breasts just large enough for his mouth. “Now lie back and allow pleasure to take you on the wildest adventure yet.”
The lass’s fingers released as she collapsed against the pillows.
“That’s better,” he purred.
Sliding his finger inside her, he tempted her slowly, watching her lips part with her stuttered breathing. In and out, around and around, deeper into her hot, wet core.
True to the lass’s adventurous nature, soon she draped her arms acro
ss her forehead and moved her hips with the rhythm. Tantalized by the seductive dance, Ciar’s cock throbbed and leaked a bit of seed.
Keeping his eyes upon her body, he continued stroking his finger as he licked her.
Gasping, Emma bucked. “My God!”
“Ride with it, mo leannan,” he growled, licking again.
When her hips worked faster, he clamped his mouth over her and suckled, rapidly moving his finger.
“I see…!”
But he didn’t stop to ask.
“I see staaaaaaaaars!” she cried with one final arch of her back.
His heart thrumming with wonder, Ciar gradually slowed the tempo, placing his hand on her mound of curls. “Stars?” he asked.
“Light darted through my eyes. I’m certain of it,” she gasped. “Is that normal?”
“Aye.” He crawled up beside her and traced a finger around her breast. “You described it perfectly—stars shooting through your vision. I’ve seen it before myself.”
“’Tis a miracle.”
“The joining of a man and a woman is God’s greatest gift.”
She rolled to her side and stroked his arm, her eyes closed as they oft were. “Is it like this every time?”
“It can be, but…”
“What?”
“I believe there is nothing in this world as staggering as when a man and a woman join in passion.”
Her beguiling fingers moved to his chest, and he shuddered at the lightness of her touch. No woman had ever brought him so close to losing control merely with caresses. Every time she touched him, he was moved by the deeply curious and intense exploration of her hands.
“You have not been pleasured,” she whispered.
Ciar tensed his muscles, willing away his lust. “One thing at a time, lassie. Your pleasure comes first, and I will not take you until…”
“Until?”
“Och, I am a wanted man. I’m in no position to make an offer of marriage. And mark me, lass, I ken you will marry one day, and that honor should be reserved for your husband.”
Emma said nothing for a long while, her fingers exploring.
She slid her fingers lower, down to his abdomen. “Well, then. ’Tis time you showed me how I can bring you pleasure just as you did for me.”
Ciar’s breath seized in his chest. “Nay, you are a gentlewoman. I’d never ask you to lower yourself in such a way.”
Her fingers tickled their way down to his navel while she bit the corner of her mouth. “I think we ought to make a truce.”
“Oh?” He brushed a kiss over her forehead. “What is that brilliant mind of yours thinking up now?”
“Whilst we’re tucked away in this fantastical place, I am merely a woman and you are a man. All societal rules and superstitions that surround us do not play a part in here. What matters is you and…” She slipped her hand to his cock, wrapped her fingers around it, and squeezed. “Me.”
Ciar groaned. “When you have hold of me like that, I am powerless to resist.”
Her fingers eased. “Am I hurting you?”
Wrapping his hand around hers, he showed her how to pleasure him. “Having your hands on me sends me wild—but ’tis the most tender place on a man. When you hold it gently and slide your hand up and down, it is almost like being inside you.”
Ciar’s eyes rolled back as the student took to her lessons with utmost precision.
Emma turned up her face as her lips parted, making her appear as seductive as sin. “May I lick you?”
“God, woman.”
“May I?”
“Aye,” he croaked. “But only if you so desire.”
“Mm,” she purred while she scooted down and licked his throbbing tip. “Like this?”
He grunted with his thrust. “Yes.”
“You like it. I can tell.”
Baring his teeth, he tried to maintain control, but it had been too bloody long.
As Emma slid him into her mouth, he guided her with light caresses and moans of pleasure, showing her what he needed.
In moments his breathing sped. Emma sensed his desire mounting and matched his pace.
“Yes, yes, yes,” he growled, thrusting with the licks of her wicked tongue. One day he would have her on her back with her knees spread wide. One day he would watch the ecstasy on her face while he plunged deep inside her over and over again.
With a sharp intensity, the world around him shattered. His knees locked as his cock exploded.
Emma’s grip tightened as she pulled away her mouth. “God’s grace,” she cursed. “You are astonishing!”
Chapter Nineteen
Emma came awake as Albert’s nose skimmed her face. She blinked and brushed him away, much too comfortable to rise as of yet. Behind her, Ciar sighed, his arm draped across her waist. Had she ever been this content? And in such tumultuous circumstances.
Spending last night in his arms was the most wonderful experience in her life. If he asked her to marry him, she would do so this very day without hesitation.
She liked that he respected her, but the words that she replayed over and over were I’m in no position to make an offer of marriage.
Did that mean he intended to make an offer once he was able?
She dared not ask. In no way did she want to say or do anything to stanch the euphoria thrumming through her blood. This was her time—their time—and once Ciar had been cleared of any wrongdoing, they would hide no more.
She prayed Livingstone and Kelly would figure a way to bring the culprits to justice without a battle.
“Are you awake, love?” he whispered, kissing her neck.
A soft chuckle pealed from her throat. “Aye, and Albert is anxious to go out.”
Ciar’s arm released as he rolled to his back. “I’ll tend to him.”
“No.” Reluctantly, she slid to her feet. “I’ll do it.”
She pulled a blanket around her body, counted the paces, and opened the latch. Albert brushed her wrap as he trotted past. “Come straight back, laddie.”
The bed creaked, followed by Ciar’s barefoot gait. “Perhaps we ought to go with him.”
Emma tightened the blanket around her shoulders. “Now?”
“There’s nothing like a wee dip in the Firth of Lorn as the sun rises,” he said, clanging the pots by the hearth. “I’ll put a kettle of water on, and by the time we’ve returned it will be piping hot.”
“Returned from out of doors?”
“I have no idea where else we might enjoy the firth.”
“But I cannot swim.”
“Then we’ll have to rectify that, will we not?”
Emma gulped. She’d waded in the surf before, but she had been wearing her shift at the time. “Outside without our clothing?”
“’Tis a good way to keep your things dry, lass. Besides, you are well aware I swam yesterday in the raw.” Ciar took her hand. “You have a blanket, and we’ll stay hidden in the cove just as I did.”
Though not enamored with the idea, swimming with Ciar piqued her interest. In seclusion. Without clothing.
An adventure.
He pulled her outside, where they found Albert already in the midst of taking a dip, yapping and splashing through the waves as he chased a flock of irascible terns.
Ciar slowed the pace. “We’re about to step off the path onto the beach stones.”
Emma slid her foot forward. “Will they not hurt without my boots?”
“They’re smooth as the tiles in my great hall.”
“Hmm.” She stepped, the rocks soft and cool under her toes. “Do you realize I’ve never been to Dunollie Castle before?”
“No? Well, that’s something I hope to rectify.”
She grinned. Wouldn’t it be fantastical to visit Ciar’s castle? Mayhap find herself lost in the corridors and wind up in his bedchamber. Oh, how naughty she had become overnight. And to think, only a handful of sennights ago when they’d arrived at Achnacarry she had abhorred leaving Glenmoriston.
He stopped, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. “We can leave our blankets here on the driftwood.”
“I reckon I like it better right here,” she said as a chilly breeze curled around her legs. “Are you certain ’tis a good idea to swim so early in the morn?”
He urged her to release her grip on the blanket. “There is no better time. Besides, the water feels warmer when there’s a bite to the air.”
As soon as he pulled the plaid away, Emma’s teeth started chattering. But she let him lead her into the surf, the water washing over her toes.
“See? It is refreshing.”
“If you s-s-say so.”
“Come deeper.”
She followed willingly until the water slapped her thighs. “I think this is far enough. ’Tis so cold I’m surprised there’s not ice floating in the surf.”
“Ice? It is August, lass. There’s nay chance of ice.” He gave her hand a tug. “Do ye ken the only way to brave the Highland sea?”
“Naaaaay,” Emma said, positively certain she did not want to know.
“Like this!” he shouted, sweeping her off her feet and hurtling her into the surf.
“Aaaaaa!” she screeched while saltwater filled her mouth as she plunged downward. Flinging out her arms, she grappled for Ciar, kicking futilely while she sank. As water enveloped her, she fought harder, straining to keep her head above water, gasping for air.
Just as the waves pulled her under, the Highlander’s powerful arms slipped beneath her and pulled her flush against his bare chest. “Refreshing, is it not?”
Shaking her head, Emma coughed. “I-I-I thought I—” She gasped. “Was going to drown.”
“I’d never let you drown.” He laughed, spinning her around, his deep voice resounding off the cove’s walls. “I will always be here to catch you.”
“Stop!” she hollered as he pulled her through the freezing surf. “Stop, you barbarian!”
But he didn’t. Instead, he urged her to climb onto his back. “Wrap your arms around my neck.”
“Why?” she asked, clinging to him with all her strength.
“Mayhap not quite as tightly as that,” he croaked.
She loosened her arms, her teeth chattering. “S-sorry.”
“I’m taking you on a wee swim across the cove. Lesson one.”