The Trouble with Highlanders Read online

  “I am not the only one beset by need.”

  His eyes narrowed, hunger glittering in them. “No, ye are nae.”

  He kissed her again, pressing her mouth open to allow his tongue access. Her passage quivered with anticipation, and he didn’t make her wait. He cupped her hips, holding her in place. The head of his cock slid easily into the slick entrance of her body. She expected less resistance, since she was no longer a virgin, but her passage protested the first thrust.

  He growled and pulled free. His grip remained firm on her hips to keep her from lifting her hips to drive him deeper.

  “Ye are delicate, Daphne. ’Tis a wonder ye have such a fiery spirit.”

  He pressed his cock forward once more, her body taking him more easily.

  “Ye bled overly much the first time.”

  His tone was tender and his motions too slow to suit the need raging inside her. “Stop treating me like a child.” She grasped him and reached around his body to hold him closer while locking her legs around his hips.

  He thrust forward, going deeper this time. “I hardly think of ye as a child, Daphne.”

  He withdrew and thrust again. This time she lifted her hips and broke free of his hold for just a moment. His length lodged completely inside her, stretching her passage. She pulled in a harsh breath but laughed as she blew it out.

  “Minx,” he accused softly.

  “If ye do nae care for me demeanor, get out. No one is forcing ye to bed me.”

  He renewed his grip on her hips and began to work his cock in and out of her body. “It would take the hounds of hell to drag me away.”

  All playfulness had evaporated from his tone. It was hard and edged with determination. It had been dark the last time they spent the night together, but now she could see his face. There was a raw hunger glittering in his eyes. His lips were curled back as need took command of them both. Daphne wasn’t thinking; she was responding. To every thrust of his hips and every point of connection between them. She moved to meet him with every stroke, straining toward his next thrust because she craved the hard presence of his length deep inside her. The need made no logical sense, but caught up in the moment with desire threatening to crush her in its grip, there was nothing to do but meet the demand of her own flesh.

  She wasn’t close enough to him. Pleasure was twisting through her belly, begging for just a bit more. She wasn’t even sure what she craved, only that he could give it to her. They both moved faster, and their bodies slapped against each other as they panted. He was holding back. She could feel his body shaking, and it enraged her because she wanted to be able to best him.

  But her body wouldn’t obey her will. There was no way to stop the pleasure once it began to burst. Centered beneath the hard thrust of his cock, delight shot up into her belly. She twisted and clawed at his shoulder while caught in the grasp of the climax. His hands gripped her hips, holding her in place as he growled to announce his own release.

  She gasped when his seed flooded her womb. It was hot and searing, sending another ripple of enjoyment through her. Even her frantic breathing couldn’t seem to provide her with enough breath. As the world spun out of control, her eyes closed.

  She woke up on the tabletop, the smooth wood hard against her back. Norris was leaning over her, his elbows the only things saving her from his full weight. His skin was hot, keeping the chill of the night away from her.

  “Definitely a spell,” he muttered and pushed himself up.

  “I’m sorry to hear ye are so susceptible to the whims of women.” She tried to roll away from him, but he hooked her around her waist and pulled her back against his body. He lifted her off the table, cradling her easily on the way to her bed.

  “What are ye doing, Norris?”

  “Taking ye to bed.”

  He tossed her into the center of the bed, making the bed ropes groan and the curtains flutter. He reached for her, grasped only the shoulders of her chemise, and tugged it free. The garment fluttered onto the floor without a second glance from the man.

  “Now that is me favorite position for ye, spitting and bare and ready to tangle with me.”

  But he didn’t follow her. Norris sat down and began unlacing his boots. He tossed one aside and then the other before standing up.

  “Sweet Christ, how can ye be stiff again?”

  He tossed his head back and laughed. “I swear ye are the boldest virgin I ever encountered. The most bewitching, as well.”

  Daphne drew herself up onto her knees. Her pride bristled beneath the casual way he lumped her into the group of women he’d known.

  But what else might she expect?

  “It was yer idea,” she reminded him. “Nae that I’m refusing to acknowledge me share of the blame. Which is why I did nae invite ye to me chamber tonight. Ye’re a knave to cry witchery.”

  She should have been afraid of him. One sentence uttered of spells, outside the walls of her chamber, and she’d face a trial. He was a nobleman, son of the most powerful earl in Scotland. Half of her own clan would be happy to see her done away with. But all she felt was hurt by his callousness. She reached for a pillow and sent it sailing at his head.

  “Get out! If ye want to see me tried for witchcraft, ye can do it from another chamber.”

  He brushed the pillow aside with a fluid motion that betrayed just how adept he was at fighting. The motion was reflex from the years of training he’d endured. For just a moment, she realized how daring she was, to argue with him. There wasn’t a soul who would take him to task for striking her. In fact, she could easily end in the stocks for forgetting her place.

  “I was teasing ye, Daphne.” He shook his head. “Ye are nae the only one who tires of the burdens of position. For the moment, I couldn’t care less about who me father is or what place I have in this world. All I crave is to crawl into that bed with ye and lose meself between yer thighs. I’m nae crying witchery. I’m begging to fall beneath yer spell.”

  Yet his tone was full of arrogance and demand. Still, something warm rippled through her. It tempted her to smile when her better judgment warned her against letting him see too much of her emotions.

  “Well… ye’ve already had that. So get on with ye.” She wanted to snap at him, but her temper was cooling beneath his admission.

  “Get on with what, lass?”

  He placed a knee on the bed and then one hand. A silly little twist of excitement went through her, which sent her lips twitching up into a smile.

  “Shall I get on with wrestling with ye?”

  She hugged herself instantly but battled the urge to giggle. “Ye’ve had me.”

  Both of his hands were on the bed as he crawled toward her like a large predator. She couldn’t resist glancing down at his cock. It still jutted out, hard and promising.

  “Ye’re naive, lass, for ye do nae understand the first thing about truly being had.” Something that looked like a promise flashed in his eyes. “We’ve barely begun.”

  She shivered, anticipation renewing its grip on her. She shook her head, more for herself and her fickle emotions, because it should have been impossible to desire him again so soon. In fact, it was unnerving, like she was losing control of herself.

  Norris grinned, the curving of his lips sensual and beguiling. He moved closer, stalking her across the bed like a hungry beast. “Oh, aye, me sweet. I’ve ridden ye sure enough, but there is much more to having ye.” His gaze lowered to her breasts. “And I believe I’ll begin with learning what those little rosebuds taste like.”

  “Ye should—”

  “I surely should, indeed.”

  He sprung at her, catching her in a solid embrace, and they both bounced on the bed. A startled giggle got past her battle to remain poised.

  “Now who’s encouraging mayhem?” He lifted his head
and eyed her.

  But she sobered quickly. “Witchery is a grave crime.”

  He muttered something profane then cradled her nape and rubbed it gently. “Aye, but one exaggerated these days. Believe it or not, there was a time when lads and lasses might tease one another about falling under each other’s spell without a bunch of church men getting involved.”

  “Ye are nae just any lad.” She turned over and ducked beneath his arm.

  “So me word would be taken as proof?”

  She scooted to the headboard and used a pillow to shield herself. Norris sat back on his haunches, considering her for a long moment.

  “I suppose I can nae fault ye for nae trusting me.” He shook his head. “Yet I do nae like the sound of fear in yer voice.”

  “I am nae afraid of ye.”

  He lifted one hand and curled his finger. “Then prove it.”

  It was a challenge, one many would tell her she was insane to answer. But there was something inside her that refused to ignore it. Such had always been her downfall with this man.

  She tossed the pillow aside and moved toward him. She hesitated only for the first moment, because as she moved closer to him, his face became an expression of wicked delight. Never once had she truly believed herself captivating.

  Tonight, she did.

  And she discovered she liked the feeling. Oh, it was likely vain of her or prideful or several other sinful things.

  But she liked it.

  There was no longer even a hint of fear. Only fascination with the way his green eyes were focused on her. She flattened her hands on his chest, working them up his flat midsection and across the wider planes of his pectorals to his shoulders.

  “Ye’re enjoying mesmerizing me… admit it, Daphne.”

  He cupped her breasts, sending a surge of heat through her. Somehow, she’d never noticed just how sensitive they were.

  “Does yer ego need polishing?” She hooked her hands over his shoulders and used the hold to help lift herself up so she might straddle his thighs. He had them braced apart, so she had to spread wide to do it, and the folds of her sex opened, allowing the head of his cock to slip between them.

  “From ye? Aye.” He teased her hard nipples with his thumbs. “Shall I admit how much it means to me to see ye mounting me without the glow of scheming in yer eyes?”

  There was something flickering in his eyes that made her pause, a bitterness she understood. He slid his hands down her body to cup her hips and press her down.

  “Aye, I know well what yer quarrel with Broen and Faolan was. Ye do nae wish to be covered and bred for the sake of a dowry.”

  He’d pressed her down onto his cock, and pleasure filled her. But it was more than just the physical enjoyment of the moment; she felt like they were kindred spirits, both seeking nothing more than a companion who wanted them for themselves. She cupped his jaw, enjoying the harder, masculine feel of his skin, and kissed him. He let her lead for a moment, controlling their kiss even as she set the tempo for how fast she rose and fell on his cock.

  Desire didn’t flash through her; instead it built with every downward plunge. Pleasure rippled out from the friction of his member against her clitoris. As the need to move faster intensified, she lost the ability to continue the kiss, arched her back, and let her eyes close.

  But Norris wasn’t willing to allow her to master him. The bed rocked as he lifted her up, lodging himself firmly inside her, and pressed her back onto the surface of the bed.

  “No…”

  He took control of their pace the moment she felt the sheet against her back, riding her hard and deep while the bed rocked.

  “Tell me yes.”

  There was a hard demand in his voice, just as hard as the pace he set. She gripped his biceps, pulling him closer as need began to consume her. She arched to take each thrust and gasped when each stroke threatened to send her over the edge into madness once again.

  “Tell me yes!”

  “Yes!” she snarled.

  He growled and arched his head back. A few more strokes, and she shattered. Her climax was blinding, ripping her away into a vortex of swirling sensations. They wrapped around her, wringing her like a length of toweling. If she remembered to draw breath, she didn’t recall. All she noticed was the moment when Norris ground himself deeply inside her and his seed began to erupt inside her once more. Pleasure was still washing through her, and the walls of her passage milked his cock for every last drop.

  Exhaustion settled on her almost in the same moment satisfaction did. Norris rolled over, collapsing next to her, but he kept one arm around her waist. Moving her legs together took the last of her strength, and she surrendered and allowed slumber to take her away.

  Tomorrow would arrive soon enough.

  ***

  Norris jerked awake, his mind still tired but clearing instantly. He rolled over and rose halfway off the bed before he realized it was Gahan who had startled him. His half brother locked stares with him then reached over and pinched out the candles. The scent of smoke teased his nose, and he heard the door close softly behind his captain.

  The darkness suited the moment. In fact, it pleased him immensely. With no way for anyone to watch him, judge him, he was free to let his expression relax.

  Daphne was sleeping.

  He pulled the bedding over them both and nuzzled against her neck.

  She smelled good.

  He knew what clean skin smelled like, but hers went beyond the lack of grime. He placed a kiss against her temple and left a trail of them along her hairline.

  This was something else…

  She muttered in her sleep, shied away from him, and hugged herself. He pulled her back against him and eased her into his embrace. In the darkness, he smiled, a genuine smile of contentment.

  ***

  She’d fallen again.

  Daphne stared at the man sleeping in her bed but realized she was more frustrated than shamed.

  Well, there was another sin to add to her list.

  The sun wasn’t really up yet, only the edges of the horizon turning pink. With the poorly fitting window shutters, it was enough light to wake her, since the bed curtains had never been closed.

  Of course not; Norris would never allow himself to be taken by surprise simply to be warmer.

  She plucked her chemise from the floor and hurried into it. Norris never moved as she dressed, but she left her shoes off when she crept from the chamber. She froze when she turned and found herself facing one of Norris’s men. The burly retainer had the section of his plaid that normally rested on his shoulder raised up over his head while he slept. He was sitting on a stool with his back propped against the wall. But his hands were locked around the pommel of his sword.

  Of course there was a man at the door. Maybe while they were alone it would be possible to forget who Norris was. Part of her cringed as she moved away from the retainer and down the stairs. Her chamber was three stories up in the main tower. It was also the coldest.

  She sat down and put on her boots before hurrying to the kitchens to warm her hands over the hearth. The cook wasn’t at the long worktable yet, which made Daphne frown. She checked the spice cabinet, but it was locked.

  The cook held the keys.

  She would have to hope another hour would not make much difference, even if it would increase how many eyes would know what she was about.

  Daphne refused to care. She really couldn’t afford to, anyway. Gitta might be of the firm opinion that a child would ease their suffering, but there was no way Daphne was going to risk her courses not arriving soon. She’d brew the necessary concoction and suffer the cramps. And that was the end of it.

  Guilt tried to needle her, so she left the kitchen and walked out into the yard. The gate was just being raised, an
d someone ran through it. He was just a small boy with one missing front tooth. He stopped in the middle of the yard, looking at the men on the walls and scratching his head as if trying to decide how to get to them. When he noticed her, he smiled.

  “Lady. Lady. Me da sent me to tell ye the Comyn are in the pens with the sheep.”

  Her temper flared, and the boy flinched from the sight of her. She shook her head and forced her anger behind a serene expression.

  “Thank ye. Yer da should be very proud of ye. Now go inside and wait for the cook.”

  He tugged on the corner of his cap before scurrying away. Daphne hurried into the stable, startling the boys who slept there.

  “The Comyn are stealing the sheep again. Wake the men.”

  She took only the time to bridle a horse and then mounted the animal.

  “Lady… ye need to wait…”

  Daphne rode out of the stable before she heard the rest of what the boy was trying to say. Keith would be on her heels quick enough; the man was far more at ease on the back of a horse than she was. Besides, she was on a mare, and the retainers all rode stallions.

  But she’d failed to realize how close she was to the pens they’d shut the sheep in. Inexperience with riding making her ignorant of just how little time it would take her mare to travel the distance. Before there was much more than scarlet light on the ground, she was watching the sheep being herded out of the pens, and Keith had not caught up to her.

  Which left her very much on her own against the Comyn.

  ***

  “I’m going to blister her backside.”

  Norris didn’t give a damn about the looks he was drawing from the MacLeod retainers. There was something balled up in his gut that he didn’t like at all. He understood the feeling of fury well enough, but this was something that sickened him.

  He leaned low over the neck of his stallion and gave the beast its freedom. The animal surged forward, digging his hooves into the soft morning earth. Gahan was at his side as he raced up the rise and pulled his stallion to a stop at the crest. The animal snorted and danced in a circle as he obeyed.