by Amy Jarecki
And now she is mine.
“I’ve been waiting months to hear you say that,” he whispered, nibbling her neck. “I need to be inside you.”
Ailish slid the veil from her head. “And when we join, we will be one. Bonded by our love.”
Though his hands trembled with his desire to move fast, he untied the bow securing her neckline, slowly tugging the ribbon and spreading the laces of her bodice until the gown whooshed away, dropping about her feet.
Wearing only a thin linen shift, she stepped out of her slippers. Then eyeing him with the intent of a delicious hellcat, she unclasped the brooch at his shoulder and set it on the table. With deft fingers, he unfastened his belt, sending his plaid to the floorboards.
Another tug of a bow and her shift vanished.
His braies vanished.
And in a rush, garters and stockings flew across the chamber.
Their lips fused, their bodies crushed together as in a frenzy while their hands explored, rubbing, caressing. James backed her toward the bed and slid his fingers down her narrow waist, willing himself to regain a modicum of control.
“You are a goddess to be worshiped,” he growled, pulling her against his erection. The fervor started again while he sank his fingers into her luscious, soft bottom, his eyes crossing as she rubbed against him. Rocking his hips forward, he bit his lip and pressed harder. Until his thighs shuddered.
Any more and I will spill.
In one motion, he swept her onto the mattress. Exquisite sable hair sprawled across the pillow, her body lithe, naked, and prone to him. Ailish’s breasts alone with their gentle mounds and taut nipples arrested his breath. He would do anything for this woman.
James’ mouth went completely dry. His wife’s beauty enraptured him, seduced him, rendered him at a complete loss for words. Damnation, if his cock met the slightest friction, it would erupt. James’ tongue slid to the corner of his mouth as he ached to have his lips on her pert little breasts. He needed her. He needed her now.
Ailish focused a seductive gaze upon him, slowly moving her hands to her breast, her slender belly, and down toward the nest of curls hiding her treasure.
“Holy Mary Mother of God,” he growled, climbing over her. Using his knees to spread her legs, he slid his finger along her core. “You have bewitched me and I am under your spell for all eternity.”
Rocking back on his haunches, James lapped her. With a feral moan, Ailish thrust her hips forward as he swirled his tongue around her sensitive button.
“Och,” she cried, arching into him.
“Och aye,” he teased, sliding a finger inside.
“I am the one who has been bewitched, sir knight!”
Chuckling, his cock leaking seed, he slid his finger faster while his tongue relentlessly licked.
Ailish’s breathing sped until she gasped. Her body stiffened, then her thighs convulsed with earth-shattering quivers. Crying out, she came undone in his mouth.
Clenching his gut against his urge to release his seed, he continued to lick until her breathing ebbed.
“You are a fiend,” she said, laughing as she pushed up on her elbows. “We have not yet joined.”
He coaxed her back to the mattress, giving her a devilish grin. “Then we must remedy that at once, Wife.”
***
As she reveled in James’ kiss, Ailish’s insides quivered with pleasure. “You are the world to me.”
“And now you are mine forever,” he said, cupping her cheek. “You are an angel come to life.”
“You are my warrior king.”
“I’m ever so close to spilling my seed,” he throatily whispered while the thick column of his manhood jutted between her thighs. The pull of wanting filled her again. But this time, she needed him inside her.
She moved against him, showing James what she wanted. “We have a lifetime ahead of us.”
“A lifetime in each other’s arms,” James echoed.
Slowly, they joined, his breath ragged. He filled and stretched her, caressing the spot that would send her to the stars. And though she knew he was dangling on a ragged edge, he did not rush. Gradually, as they kissed and explored each other, the tempo increased.
Higher their passion mounted. And when Ailish bucked against him, he toppled off the edge into a wild storm of passion. Every inch of her skin craved more until she froze at the pinnacle of ecstasy. In one earth-shattering burst, she came undone around him. With his guttural roar, he thrust deep and spilled within her, his entire body shaking. He panted as if he had run up to the top of Ben Nevis at a sprint.
When at last the frenzy ebbed, he gazed into her eyes and swept the damp locks from her face. “I am yours to command, m’lady.”
She? Command the great Black Douglas?
“I promise to be a fair and congenial master, my husband.” Giggling, she cupped his face and kissed him. “And this night, you must make love to me over and over again until we are completely and utterly spent.”
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading Highland Warlord. I’ve spent a great deal of time crawling around ruined castles in Scotland and have wanted to write a series based on the time of Robert the Bruce for ages.
James Douglas, Lord of Douglas, was also known as Good Sir James and the Black Douglas. He was knighted and one of the king’s generals during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Some facts about James’ past are represented in this book. Born in 1286 (or so) in Douglas, he was the eldest son of William Douglas. His mother was Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland. She died approximately ten years before the death of James’ father, who succumbed to torture in the Tower of London.
After James’ father lost Berwick and was sent to the Tower, Lord Clifford was awarded the Douglas lands by King Edward Plantagenet. James, who was about ten or eleven years of age, became an apprentice to Bishop Lamberton who was instrumental in his rise to greatness. As one of the Bruce’s generals on the border, James used the cover of Selkirk Forest to stage raids on his enemies. He was relentless and ruthless and did raze Castle Douglas before the Scots were established in Southwest Scotland, earning the moniker, the Black Douglas. James became the Bruce’s closest ally when he saved his king from being mauled by the Lord of Lorne’s forces in the Battle of Dalrigh.
There is no record of James’ wife, which is common for that period of time. He was father to William, Lord of Douglas, and Archibald the Grim, 3rd Earl of Douglas.
Ailish Maxwell’s character is fictional, as were her circumstances. However, Caerlaverock Castle was attacked by Edward in 1300. A garrison of sixty Maxwell men faced an English army three thousand strong. The Maxwell lords were not in residence in the castle at the time and within two days, the men holding the castle surrendered, some of whom were hanged from the castle walls.
Sir James went on to survive Robert the Bruce. Upon his deathbed, the king asked Douglas to carry his heart on crusade to the Holy Land. Though the record is not clear, it is thought that James died in the Battle of Teba (southern Spain) in 1330. He was most likely forty-four years of age. He is buried at St. Bride’s Kirk, a partially ruined church in his beloved Douglas.
Other Books by Amy Jarecki
Devilish Dukes Series:
The Duke’s Fallen Angel
The Duke’s Untamed Desire
Coming soon: The Duke’s Privateer
Award Winning Lords of the Highlands Series
The Highland Duke
The Highland Commander
The Highland Guardian
The Highland Chieftain
The Highland Renegade
The Highland Earl
The Highland Rogue
The Highland Laird
Highland Defender Series
The Fearless Highlander
The Valiant Highlander
The Highlander’s Iron Will (a Novella)
Guardian of Scotland Series (Time Travel):
Rise of a Legend
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br /> In the Kingdom’s Name
The Time Traveler’s Christmas
Highland Dynasty Series:
Knight in Highland Armor
A Highland Knight’s Desire
A Highland Knight to Remember
Highland Knight of Rapture
Highland Knight of Dreams (a Novella)
Highland Force Series:
Captured by the Pirate Laird
The Highland Henchman
Beauty and the Barbarian
Return of the Highland Laird (A Novella)
Pict/Roman Romances:
Rescued by the Celtic Warrior
Deceived by the Celtic Spy
ICE Series (Romantic Suspense)
Hunt for Evil
Body Shot
Mach One
For more information, visit http://amyjarecki.com/books or your retailer for links
About the Author
Known for her action-packed, passionate historical romances, Amy Jarecki has received reader and critical praise throughout her writing career. She won the prestigious 2018 RT Reviewers' Choice award for The Highland Duke and the 2016 RONE award from InD’tale Magazine for Best Time Travel for her novel Rise of a Legend. In addition, she hit Amazon’s Top 100 Bestseller List, the Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Bookscan Bestseller lists, in addition to earning the designation as an Amazon All Star Author. Readers also chose her Scottish historical romance, A Highland Knight’s Desire, as the winning title through Amazon’s Kindle Scout Program. Amy holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland and now resides in Southwest Utah with her husband where she writes immersive historical romances. Learn more on Amy's website. Or sign up to receive Amy’s newsletter.
