by Lily Harlem
“Why not? Surely your best friend finding a woman to wed should please you.”
“Aye, of course but I have a problem.” His lips were by her ear and that annoying fizz of pleasure was still there with each word he spoke.
“What’s the problem?”
“The problem is,” he paused, “is I want you too.”
“What? You can’t.” She hesitated, her mind spinning. “You don’t even like me.”
“Why do you think that?”
“You… you took such pleasure in spanking me.”
“I won’t deny I found spanking you pleasurable. In fact my cock was hard at the sight of your rosy ass cheeks. But don’t you see, it’s because I like you, a lot; that is why I found it pleasurable.”
She went to turn but his face against hers stopped her.
“For a man, disciplining a woman is necessary and can be done with cold calculation, but once the heart is involved it becomes so much more.”
“Your heart isn’t involved. Reid’s heart is, not yours.”
“Reid got to you first, that’s why you think that.”
“Och, you brought him to my doorstep.”
“Thank goodness I did. If I hadn’t found you, maybe you’d have no man to wed.”
She couldn’t deny that was likely the case. He’d been in a bad way.
“I won’t stand between you,” Kendal went on. “But please say we can be friends, we’ll be spending a lot of time together.”
“I’m not sure.” She tilted her chin.
He shifted the reins into one hand and set the other at her neck, holding her chin up, his fingers a fraction tight.
She caught her breath; the stranglehold was so possessive, so dominant, and she couldn’t help the thrill that caught in her belly.
“Few people have set out to make an enemy of me, Moira. I’d advise you not to be one.”
“I… I don’t want to be.”
“Good, because I’m offering you my friendship… more if you’ll have it.” He slid his hand downward, skimming it over her right breast before taking the reins again. “Reid is a generous man, one of the qualities I like best about him.”
Reid halted his horse and pointed east. He swivelled in his saddle. “There’s a small loch not far from here. I’ve used it before. We’ll sleep there for the night.”
“Aye, good idea,” Kendal called. He then softened his voice. “You’ll be ready to get your tender wee ass off this saddle, huh?”
“As I said, my ass is none of your business.”
“Maybe you think that now… but we’ll see what the future holds.”
Oh, he really was maddening. So confident, so good looking, so damn sure he’d be in her future.
Of course he will be; you’re marrying his best friend.
She sighed as the horses came to a standstill in the shade.
Kendal dismounted, then without waiting, gripped her around the waist and lifted her to the ground.
“Thank you,” she said, for she’d been raised to be polite.
“My pleasure.”
For a moment their gaze connected. She realized while they’d been sitting so close for so long they hadn’t once looked at each other.
Damn, his eyes were sexy. Just a little bit narrow and seriously dark. They were topped with heavy black brows. His lashes were long, too long for a man perhaps and made him all the more alluring.
“Find somewhere to rest,” he said. “We’ll make a fire to heat water.”
“You don’t have to on my behalf.”
“Reid says you like to have hot water for bathing and for drinks. And if our woman wants hot water, that’s what you’ll have.”
Our woman?
“I agree,” Reid said, securing his horse. “Perhaps, my love, you’ll go to the loch’s edge and find us some herbs to brew.”
“Aye, I’ll do that.” She’d be glad of a short walk to stretch out her legs and back.
“But only to that section between the two roan trees, and don’t speak to anyone.”
“There’s no one here, Reid.”
“I ken that, but after your earlier mishap I felt it should be stated.”
She pouted and turned, then heard the men chuckle.
Her rightful place was in Leannan Creag right now, not on some bank in the middle of the Highlands.
But it isn’t, not now you’ve agreed to wed.
Her place was with Reid. Kendal too it seemed.
She looked at the wedding ring she’d never taken off. The one Angus had given her on their wedding day. She guessed Reid would want to replace it with his own. Perhaps even a family heirloom if he had one.
When she reached the bank she stared into the distance. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the blue reflected off the water. She adored the rolling peaks around her, and how they could be so angry one day, so demure the next. The Highlands of Scotland really did have a temperamental personality.
She pulled her dagger out of its sheath, and began to cut mint leaves from a thick tuft. It would make a nice bedtime steep, and since she’d be sleeping on nothing but a sack, a draught would do her good.
Once she had a handful, she put her knife away and stripped off her dress. She was out of view of the men and waded into the water until it was up to her thighs. It was icy cold and she sloshed it around herself, cleansing her body of the long ride. She didn’t need to wait for hot water; a bit of cold never did her any harm in the past.
Afterward she allowed the drips to fall from her skin, then redressed and sat with her knees twisted to the side to give her aching behind a rest. She could stare at the view all evening; it had been too long since she’d ventured farther than her neighbours’ farm or the village. The change of scenery was a treat.
After some time, she was aware of a presence behind her. She turned.
Kendal.
“Hey,” he said, striding toward her, his kilt flapping in the slight breeze and exposing his knees and a glimpse of strong thigh. “You get the herbs?”
“Aye. Mint.” She gestured to the pile of lush green leaves. “Here.” She went to get up.
“No, we don’t need them yet, stay there.”
He sat beside her, his long legs stretched out and his arms behind himself. “Nice view you found.”
“I like it.”
“I love it. It’s the land of our fathers.”
“And sons too, hopefully.”
“You never had children with Angus?”
“No.” She paused. “I don’t ken why.” She’d always been saddened by the fact she hadn’t made him a father. He’d have been a wonderful pa. But despite having sex at least once monthly, she’d never fallen.
A midge buzzed around her ear and she flicked it away.
“Do you have offspring?” she asked.
He chuckled. “Would need a woman to wed first.”
“Not all children are born in wedlock.”
“Mine will be.”
“Oh, I see.”
He flicked his head backward. “He wants children, you ken, to carry on his family name.”
“I’d expect that.” She rubbed her hand over her belly. Reid had filled her with his seed only hours ago. Perhaps she was already with child.
I’d be honoured to bear his children.
She hoped babies would be in their future. She could imagine them now, endearing and fair-haired with sharp intellect and a fierce love for their homeland.
“You ken you’ll have to obey him to the letter, right?”
“It’s how it was with Angus and what I expect.”
“He’ll give you great pleasure and protection in return. Reid is a man who loves with a fierceness despite his sometimes gentle demeanour.”
Moira didn’t think he had a particularly gentle demeanour, but compared to Kendal perhaps he did.
Kendal ran his hand over his hair and turned to her. “Can I make it up to you?”
She frowned. “Make what up to me?”
>
“I have guilt in my heart for instructing you to sit on that English saddle half the day. It can’t have been comfortable after a spanking.”
She said nothing, surprised he’d brought the subject of guilt up.
“If I could have found a nice Scot saddle, crafted in Edinburgh I would have. Much more suitable for a lady of your standing.”
“I think either saddle would have been uncomfortable today.”
He inclined his head and a smile tugged his lips. “That’s probably true.”
She looked away, not wanting to be drawn into his seductive gaze. He was good, she’d give him that. He knew how to make a woman feel like the rest of the world was slipping away. One fall into those dark depths and it would be easy to forgive his bossy, bombastic ways.
He leaned closer, so close he was able to set a kiss on the round of her left shoulder.
“Kendal!”
“Let me make it up to you,” he whispered.
“That won’t be necessary, what’s done is done.”
“I promise it will be good.” He set his hand over hers.
“I’m to wed your friend. I don’t understand what you’re doing.”
“You smell of the lake, and sunshine… I want to taste you.”
“Taste me?” His words had shocked her.
He slipped his hand to her skirt and tugged it up so her knees were exposed. “Let me taste your womanhood, bring you pleasure, make it so you forget about your sore behind.”
“Taste my… Kendal.” She pushed at his hand.
He captured her face softly in his palm and turned her to him. “It’s been so long since I’ve been with a woman, fighting the cause does that to a man.”
“And because I’m here you thought you’d ask.”
“I merely want to bring you pleasure, that will be satisfaction enough for me. And it will atone for your journey in the English saddle.”
“The English saddle is of no consequence.”
“It is in my mind.” He ran his hand to her neck, then lower to cup her breast.
She caught her breath. His lips were so sensual and the need in him seemed to flow in waves around her.
Warmth radiated onto her opposite arm and shoulder. She turned. It was Reid sitting close.
“What is Kendal suggesting?” he asked, slipping his arm around her waist.
She swallowed. Her mouth was suddenly dry. Her husband-to-be didn’t seem concerned that his friend was cupping her breast.
Her nipples peaked and a tug pulled at her internal muscles, her clit trembling at the thought of going through with Kendal’s suggestion.
“Tell me,” Reid said, kissing her temple.
“Aye, tell him,” Kendal said, gently massaging her breast. “And see what he orders you to do.”
Chapter Eleven
Moira was surrounded, hemmed in, by sexy Highlanders. Her heart pounded and her breaths quickened. So many years alone made the moment all the more exciting, even if Kendal could be maddening at times.
“He wants to…” she started then stopped as the words got stuck on her tongue.
“He wants to what?” Reid slowly pulled up her skirts, exposing her pale, slender thighs to the dipping sunlight.
“He wants to…” she said again.
“I want to taste her.” Kendal switched his attentions to her other breast. “Make her body feel good after a day of discomfort.”
“That would be nice for my future wife. It’s been a long ride.”
“But, Reid…” Surely it should be he who made her feel good and brought her pleasure.
“Shh… there is no but.” Reid cupped his hand around her inner thigh and tugged, parting her legs.
Cool air washed over her cunny and she trembled.
“I will consent to Kendal touching you… tasting you.”
“You do?” She stared into Reid’s eyes. “You will?”
“Of course. The man has saved my life on more than one occasion. I trust him to enjoy you without trying to steal you away.”
“He couldn’t… I love you.”
“And I love you.” He smiled and brushed his lips over hers. “And I want to watch. I want to see your face as he works you with his tongue and then makes you come on it.”
“God help me,” she murmured. Angus hadn’t been fond of oral sex. They’d only ever tried it once. The thought of it now on this loch side bank, with Reid watching was enough to bring a shiver of desire to her entire body.
“She wants it,” Kendal said, running his hand to her belly. “I can feel it.”
“She does,” Reid said, looking into her eyes. “Do it, Kendal.”
“Oh, but…”
“Shh.” Reid kissed her again, softly and sweetly. “Lie down, relax. You’ll enjoy this.”
He urged her backward until her shoulders and crown rested on the soft grass. He hovered above her, his face close and his eyes sparkling with excitement.
She gripped his left arm and stared up at him.
“You’ve got yourself a beauty, my friend,” Kendal said, slipping downward and at the same time pushing her skirts upward to expose her fully.
“I ken,” Reid said. “She’s perfect.”
Love bloomed in her heart for him. She could see it reflected in his eyes. They were so lucky to have found each other.
“Wider, m’lady.” Kendal pushed at her legs, spreading them further. “Let me see you.”
And he was seeing her. His gaze rested hotly on her pussy, she could almost feel it, furnace-like. She resisted the urge to squirm. His scrutiny was intense and lingering.
“Damn, my cock’s hard just looking at this pretty cunny. She’s wet already,” Kendal said.
“So give her what she needs.” Reid kissed the tip of her nose. “And don’t stop until she’s coming hard.”
“I don’t intend to.”
Moira moaned as Kendal slid his fingers over her soft folds. He spread her arousal, exploring every little bit of her intimate flesh. He didn’t penetrate her. Simply fluttered over her entrance in a way that had her pushing her hips up, searching for him.
Reid smiled down at her. “How does it feel?”
“Nice… oh…” Kendal had replaced his fingers with his tongue, swiping it over her pussy and circling her entrance.
The sensation was unique, exquisite, and any sense of embarrassment left her. She wanted this. Hell, she needed it.
“Your cheeks are flushing,” Reid said. “So pretty.” He slipped his hand over her décolletage, then slid his fingers into her bodice to cup her right breast.
“Reid,” she gasped. “I need more.” She adored his hands on her.
“You’re going to get it, my love. You’re going to get as much as you can handle.”
Kendal glanced upward and she caught his gaze.
“You taste better than I could have ever dreamed of,” he said.
She didn’t answer. What could she say to that?
He propped onto one elbow and pushed his other hand downward. He flicked his kilt to one side.
She couldn’t see but was sure he’d taken hold of his shaft.
“Don’t hold back,” he said. “Hearing your cries of pleasure will turn me on all the more.”
“And me,” Reid said, switching his attention to her other breast. “Glory to the king, it will turn me on, too.”
Moira curled her toes and clenched her fists. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to contain her cries, even if she wanted to.
Kendal set to work on her again, this time using his tongue on her clit.
It was amazing. The circular movements built up the pressure to perfection. With her eyes closed she tossed her head from side to side and drew up her legs, opening more for him.
“Oh, God, don’t stop,” she gasped. Her climax was growing. It wasn’t there yet but soon it would be.
For a moment she opened her eyes. The sunlight was bright and she blinked rapidly as she stared up at Reid.
Delight
danced on his face. He was enjoying the show. Having his wife-to-be writhing in pleasure on the grass clearly worked for him.
Again she glanced downward. It seemed so lewd to see a man’s face between her legs. But equally it sent trembles of excitement racing through her body.
Kendal had his eyes closed. His right shoulder was shifting; he was masturbating as he licked her.
This turned her on all the more. She tensed her belly and cried out again.
“Aye, that’s it,” Reid said, sliding his hand down her belly, over the folds of material and to her cunny. He splayed her pussy lips wider for Kendal’s attentions.
“Oh…” She squirmed and squeezed her eyes closed. It was so much, the pressure, and there was no escape. It felt so damn good.
“Ah, my love.” Reid suddenly pulled up. “I need to get inside you.”
He’s going to take me now?
“Open,” he said. “Open your mouth… now.”
She parted her lips and cracked open her eyes.
He was holding his cock, his kilt, like Kendal’s, pushed wide to reveal his groin.
Oh, how she loved his cock, and it seemed she was going to get the chance to worship it with her mouth.
“That’s it. Wider, you can see how big I am.” He slid his free hand beneath her head and held her to him. “Take me with your mouth, the way Kendal is taking you with his.”
She groaned as he swiped the tip of his cock over her lips. Her orgasm was getting closer.
“Aye, that’s it.” He slid over her tongue, filling her with his flavour; soap, the loch, and a tang of saltiness.
Kendal sped up, he moaned too, and she guessed he was also reaching climax.
She relaxed her throat as best she could as Reid rode deeper. The guttural, low groan that vibrated from him had more juice seeping from her. She wanted to be entered, taken, but it seemed Kendal had other ideas and her release was going to stem from her clitoris.
And then it was there. A wonderful big burst of bliss. It erupted with an almost violent spasm that racked her body. She held her breath. Brilliant bright lights danced in her vision and she screamed out around Reid’s cock.
“Aye, aye,” he said, holding her firmly to him, his cock slipping over her tongue at a fast pace.
Her pussy spasmed and her clit bobbed against Kendal’s mouth. It was so much. Too much.
