Читать книгу Highlanders Collection - Бренда Джойс, Ann Lethbridge - Страница 25

The light touch of her lips upon his was an invitation Bram didn’t want to accept. He wanted to chastise her for leaving him, to make her understand that he was trying to protect her, not imprison her.

He took command of her mouth, letting her know that he wasn’t at all in the mood to be cajoled. But when her arms wound around his neck, he started loosening the laces of her gown. The fabric was so tightly drawn against her breasts, he could see the outline of her budding nipples.

‘This gown doesn’t fit you,’ he said against her mouth.

Nairna’s hair had fallen wild against her shoulders, the cap forgotten upon the floor. Her green eyes were flooded with desire and need. ‘Then you should take it off.’ When he pulled against the laces, she stopped him. ‘It belongs to Marguerite. Be careful.’

He wanted to rend the fabric from her body, tearing her free of the silken cage. Instead, he knelt down, lifting the surcoat away. Then he raised her kirtle from the hem. She wore nothing beneath the silken gown, not even a shift. His arousal deepened, seeing her bare skin.

Nairna lifted her arms to help him remove the dress and the sight of her large, firm breasts was nearly his undoing. He stripped the gown away until she stood naked before him.

He used his tongue against the smoothness of her throat, while he cupped her breasts with his hands.

‘Bram,’ she whispered, her breath hitching. Her eyes were hooded with desire, her skin prickled with goose flesh.

‘I haven’t finished with you yet.’ In the darkness of early morning, her features remained shadowed. ‘I can’t see you the way I want to. So I’ll have to find you by touch.’

He took her hand and brought her to the bed, lowering her onto it.

‘You’re going to wish you’d never left our house,’ he said, stripping off his clothing. He needed to feel her naked skin against his, to know the response he’d provoked. She was shivering, but he used his body heat to warm her.

He wanted to be inside her when she came apart. He wanted to be encased in her satiny wetness, feeling her violent tremors squeezing his shaft.

‘You’re not leaving me behind this time,’ she responded. ‘I’ll stay at Ballaloch while you go after Callum.’

‘You’re going nowhere, Nairna.’ He kept her hands pinned, while he worked his mouth over her throat, using his tongue to encircle her nipples again. When her body spasmed at the dark pull of his mouth, he reached between her legs to feel the creamy wetness there.

‘If you go without me, I’ll only follow,’ she whispered. Her hand slid to his thick erection, caressing his length. ‘You wouldn’t dare to tie me up like you did Dougal.’

‘Don’t tempt me.’ He flicked his thumb over her hooded flesh, entering her with two fingers.

In response, she squeezed the length of his erection, sliding her palm up to the head. Her hand dragged over the length of him, caressing him in an erotic rhythm.

‘I won’t allow you to endanger yourself.’ He gritted his teeth against the fierce sensation of desire that pulled at him. ‘It isn’t safe.’

‘And what about you?’ Nairna demanded. She rubbed the moist tip of him and her wet palm encircled him again. ‘Do you think I want to watch you risk your life again?’

Bram pushed her hand away. ‘I’m prepared for it, Nairna. You aren’t.’

She gasped when he moved down on her, spreading her legs apart. He cupped her hips, tasting her intimate opening. With his tongue, he worked her swollen flesh, watching her responses to see where he should move.

She seemed the most sensitive at the hooded place above her entrance, and he teased it, watching her shiver. But despite his efforts to send her into a release, she wasn’t responding in the way he’d hoped.

He moved to rest on his side while she laid upon her back. ‘Touch yourself,’ he commanded, bringing her fingers downwards. ‘Show me where it brings you the most pleasure.’

She started to refuse, but Bram wouldn’t let her deny him. He gripped her hand, bringing it down to her secret flesh. ‘I want to know.’

Nairna’s fingers spread out, but she didn’t move them. She didn’t know what to do, he realised. She’d never explored herself; he would have to take the lead.

He brought her fingers to her wet centre, circling the opening. He showed her how to move, how to stroke.

She looked embarrassed, but he refused to let her shyness overcome her. At last, she closed her eyes, her hand moving. He watched as she raised her fingers above the opening to the swollen nub. She let out a gasp when she touched herself, increasing the pressure in a slow circle.

‘Keep going,’ he encouraged her, staring in fascination as she arched her hips. He was getting more aroused, watching her bring about her own pleasure.

Her swollen nipples tempted him and he reached out to take one into his mouth. Nairna cried out as he kept a wet pressure upon the tip, caressing the other with his hand.

Her breath came in shuddering gasps as she pressed harder in a rhythm that mimicked his own thrusting. ‘Don’t stop,’ she pleaded when he released one of her breasts.

In response, Bram took the nipple between his fingertips, rolling it as he suckled the other. He felt the change in her body as she arched against him, releasing a moan as her body shivered with pleasure.

He nearly lost control, watching her shatter. When her hand fell away, he moved down, using his tongue to work the place she’d just touched.

Nairna came apart again, her body shaking violently. ‘Bram, I can’t. It’s too much.’

‘Again,’ he demanded, sucking hard against her folds until she convulsed in his arms. She guided him up, taking his shaft in her palm and guiding him into her.

He slid inside with no barriers, only the tight, wet warmth that surrounded his erection.

Her breasts were pebbled in response, and when he withdrew and slid back inside, she let out a gasp, squeezing her walls against him.

It was like nothing he’d ever felt before. Even as he possessed her, plunging inside, it was as if she were pulling him deeper. She arched, wrapping her legs around his waist to take him even further.

‘Go faster,’ she urged, gripping his backside. ‘Don’t stop.’

He obeyed her urging, increasing the pace of his thrusts. She was taking him so deep, he didn’t know how much more he could last. But then, when her head fell back, he grasped her hips hard, pumping with such speed that she came apart again, her body melting with wetness between them.

She met his rhythm with her own desire, bucking against him until he released his seed, burying himself deep. Nairna’s legs held him around his waist, as if she wouldn’t let him leave her.

He held her tightly, not speaking. There were no words, no attempts to touch her again. Simply silence.

Nairna held still, her body trembling with aftershocks. She’d always suspected that it would be this way between them and wished she could hold him like this for ever. Or at least a piece of his spirit, if her womb were to be blessed with a child.

A sound bumped against the doorway and she saw her dog Caen returning inside. He eyed Nairna as if to scold her for leaving him behind. Then he circled around twice before settling down in front of the door.

Bram propped up his head on one arm. ‘He’s not much of a protector, is he?’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Nairna mused. ‘If someone were to invade, they’d likely stumble over him.’

Bram caressed the skin of her hip for a moment before he withdrew from her body. The morning sun filtered through the crevices of their house and Bram stood up to get dressed. Already she saw the determination on his face.

‘We’re going together, Bram,’ she reminded him. If he left her behind again, he would withdraw even more. Worse, if he didn’t find his brother alive, he would never forgive himself.

Bram’s face didn’t falter. ‘I’m not putting you in danger, Nairna.’

‘I know that,’ she amended. ‘And I promise, I won’t follow you to Harkirk’s stronghold. As I said, I would stay with my father.’

‘We’re not going as far as Ballaloch,’ was his answer.

Dismay pooled inside her, for she could sense the cold, vengeance-minded husband returning. She couldn’t yet abandon her desire to intervene in another way. Her father had a tentative alliance with Harkirk—why couldn’t he negotiate the safe return of Callum?

The sound of horses approaching made her reach for an older gown from among her belongings. She dressed quickly and opened the door, only to find the chief and a dozen men arriving, heavily armed.

Alex regarded Bram with a suspicious look. ‘I thought you would be ready to leave at dawn.’

Bram glanced at her and Nairna flushed, not wanting to admit the reason her husband was late. Instead, she interjected, ‘I’m going to travel with you. You’ll stay at my father’s house at Ballaloch and you can learn what you need to know about Lord Harkirk, before entering the fortress.’

Alex’s expression was neutral as he thought about her offer.

‘She’s not leaving Glen Arrin,’ Bram insisted. ‘I won’t allow it.’

‘But she isn’t asking to go with us to fight Harkirk,’ Alex said. ‘She’s asking to visit her family and give us a place to make our plans.’ He exchanged a look with Bram. ‘It wouldn’t be a bad thing to have the protection of Hamish MacPherson.’

‘I am not bringing Nairna into this,’ Bram argued.

‘But my father may have a way of getting more information about Callum. It would give you an advantage.’

Alex studied her, as if trying to determine whether or not she spoke the truth.

Please believe me, she prayed silently.

Finally, the chief gave a nod. ‘She comes with us, Bram. It makes more sense to stay with Hamish than to camp on our own. That would only draw Harkirk’s men upon us sooner.’

Nairna sent him a grateful look, but the chief seemed uninterested in her personal feelings. Instead, he sent one of the men to bring back a horse for her while Bram prepared his mount.

Within another half-hour, Dougal returned, holding the reins of a mare Nairna hadn’t seen before. When he came closer, he said, ‘I didn’t want your mare to be burdened while she’s carrying her foal. This is Gavina, and she’s got a calm temper.’

He didn’t meet her eyes; Nairna understood that he was feeling guilty for having lost Laren’s glass.

‘Thank you, Dougal.’ She accepted the reins of the horse. ‘And I’m sorry for what happened last night.’

His mouth tightened into a line. ‘So am I.’

She touched his shoulder. ‘I know you’re wanting to come with us to free Callum. But we need men to stay here, especially after what happened at Cairnross.’ She forced him to meet her gaze. ‘Please, will you protect Glen Arrin?’ Amid the other men, she caught Alex’s impatience. But this time, she didn’t want Dougal attempting to follow.

The lad looked down at the ground and nodded. Nairna gave him a slight hug, causing his ears to brighten with embarrassment.

‘Good. And there’s something else I need from you.’ She pointed to the doorway of their house, where Caen lifted a sleepy head. ‘Will you watch over Caen?’

Dougal eyed the dog and Nairna added, ‘He’s quite a fierce animal, really. He’ll tear out a man’s throat if he threatens a MacKinloch.’

A slight grin perked the lad’s mouth at her sarcasm, when the dog yawned and closed his eyes again. More than likely Caen would sleep through an invasion. But after Nairna finished packing her supplies, Caen woke up and got to his feet, trotting forwards. He sniffed at Nairna as she ordered him, ‘Be good while I’m away.’

Dougal knelt to pet him, and Caen licked his hand. Satisfied that both would be safe after they left, Nairna mounted her horse and joined the others.

But as she followed the men, trying to keep in their midst, her husband’s annoyance was palpable and he would no longer look at her.

Ballaloch Castle, two days later

‘Harkirk’s forces are growing stronger,’ Hamish said. ‘He’s been demanding more funds from the clans and few are able to pay anymore. His greed knows no logic.’

‘What of your family?’ Bram asked gruffly. He knew it was a continual source of frustration for Nairna that her father had chosen to bribe Lord Harkirk instead of fighting the English forces.

‘I’ll admit, I have little left to give.’ Hamish gave a shrug and gestured for them to join him at table. ‘But the MacDonnell clan returned most of Nairna’s dowry from her marriage to Iver. The replenished supplies will help us through the winter.’

Bram’s knuckles whitened as he thought of Nairna’s previous husband. Although he knew it wasn’t rational, he viewed Iver as the man who had stolen her away from him. He couldn’t stop the possessive feelings, but he was glad that part of Nairna’s life was over.

His wife had disappeared above stairs, taking food with her and claiming that she was tired. Bram didn’t trust her, and he wouldn’t put it past her to eavesdrop.

Throughout the two-day journey, she’d said little to him. It was as if she were trying to become a soft-spoken, demure wife. Bram wanted to snort at the idea. Nairna was most definitely up to something, and though she’d convinced Alex she had no intention of interfering with Callum’s rescue, he knew better.

The false coins had disappeared among her belongings, and he didn’t doubt that she would put them to use.

Though she claimed it was because she wanted to avoid fighting, he still wondered if it was because she lacked trust in his abilities. He’d done everything he could to rebuild his strength, but Nairna didn’t seem to believe in him.

His mood grew darker over the next half-hour. He listened to Alex and Hamish discussing Callum’s whereabouts; although his brother was going through each of the possibilities, Bram was growing more distracted. He was tired of waiting and the idea of negotiating a release sounded as if it would only drag out Callum’s suffering. Were it up to him, he’d leave now and get his brother out.

At last, they agreed that they would speak to Lord Harkirk in the morning, asking for Callum’s release while Bram and Ross infiltrated the English defences. Even if no decision was made, they would then have the knowledge they needed to launch an attack.

Satisfied, Bram returned to the room he and Nairna had been given. He found his wife curled up on her side, though he doubted she was asleep. He pulled back the coverlet and saw her bare skin. His body responded at the sight of her nakedness and he removed his clothing, slipping into the bed beside her. Nairna rolled over to face him, her expression pensive.

He waited for her to speak, to ask the questions he knew she was itching to voice. But she didn’t say a word. At last he offered, ‘We’re leaving tomorrow for Harkirk’s fortress.’

She gave a nod to show she’d heard him, then rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. ‘I hope you get him back safely.’

‘You don’t want us to fight for him, do you?’

She remained silent for several minutes. Then she answered, ‘I used to think my father was a coward for not facing them. I wanted him to fight for our freedom, rather than bargaining with the enemy.’

She reached for his hand and pulled it to her. ‘I understand now why he made the choices he did. I’d rather surrender every last coin, if it meant keeping you safe.’

The haunted note in her voice gripped him hard, for she spoke as if she knew he would die. Her fear was real and he laced his fingers with hers in quiet reassurance.

‘I’ll return to you, Nairna.’

‘You don’t know that.’ Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears. ‘There are so many of them.’

He kissed the corners of her eyes, as if to take the tears away. ‘It won’t be a direct attack. Alex and your father will negotiate, while Ross and I try to find Callum.’

‘Promise me you won’t take any risks.’ She traced her fingertips over his jaw, stroking his skin.

‘I can’t promise it won’t be dangerous,’ he admitted. ‘But I have a good reason to return.’

She knew that nothing would keep him from this fight and her fears multiplied until she wondered if this was the last night they would spend together. She thought of the dried flower he’d given her and the gift of Caen. He’d built a house for her and done everything he could to give her happiness.

Her life with Bram was better than she’d dreamed it could be. And her heart was utterly lost at the thought of losing him.

‘What is it, a ghaoil?’

She turned her head into the sheet, fighting back tears. ‘I’m just afraid because I don’t want you to be taken captive again.’ She touched the scar that ran down his throat and he caught her fingers. ‘I can’t stop thinking about it.’

‘I won’t be a prisoner again,’ he swore. ‘I would surrender my life first.’

She knew it, but the idea of losing him was tearing her apart. She embraced him hard, trying to hold on to him. She didn’t want tonight to end with any distance between them. Her hand moved down, catching hold of his shaft. Slowly, she stroked him, coaxing his erection until he was hard. She moved upwards, easing his length inside her.

‘Nairna,’ Bram murmured.

‘Just relax,’ she said. She eased up, sinking back down until his length was impaled within her moist walls. The sensation of taking control, of bringing him pleasure, was a way of showing him how she felt.

His hands held her waist, guiding her up, before he sheathed himself within. ‘You think I can relax while you’re doing this?’

She rocked against him, forcing him to thrust deep inside. ‘You needn’t do anything. I’ll take care of you.’

His answer was to withdraw, dragging her down until her stomach rested on the bed, her feet touching the floor. From behind, he spread her legs apart, his fingers probing her opening. ‘No, Nairna. I’m going to take care of you.’

Abruptly, she felt him filling her and the thickness of him was shredding all the clear thoughts of her brain. She surrendered to the heady pleasure as he drew her hips to him, penetrating her in short thrusts.

She moaned when he quickened the pace, the rhythm bringing her swollen womanhood into full contact with his shaft.

‘I love you,’ she blurted out, shocked when a shaking spasm gripped her. Though she hadn’t meant to confess the words, they had an effect upon her husband. He gentled his thrusts, going deeper, as if he were trying to caress her from within.

Though he didn’t reveal any of his own feelings, she sensed that he did care. He kissed her shoulder lazily while he penetrated her again. ‘Do you want me to take you like this?’ he murmured, filling her up with a smooth stroke. ‘Or like this?’ He took her hard, with a fast pace that stole her breath. Immediately, her body reacted and she fought to catch her breath.

‘Faster,’ she gritted out and he obeyed. He pumped inside, taking her with no mercy, his shaft slamming inside so hard, she bit back a scream. A spasm of ecstasy flooded over her, making her come apart with wicked release.

‘Tell me again,’ he demanded, reaching up to cup her breasts. His fingers pinched her nipples, but there was no pain, only a delicious pleasure that shot down her body into her womb.

‘I love you,’ she admitted. His hands stimulated her breasts while he finished his thrusts, driving so deeply inside that she felt like he’d stolen her mind, as well as her heart.

And when he at last found his own fulfilment, his breathing shuddered against her, his hips driving deep. Nairna’s heartbeat thudded within her chest, while Bram rested atop her.

‘I’m coming back to you, a ghaoil.’

She prayed he could keep that promise.