She whimpered her anticipation. Ready for him. Desperate for the closeness with him. Needing him in a way she’d never known she could need a man.
17
Ewan guided himself toward Faye, watching the pleasure play over her face as he nudged at her entrance.
Her lashes fluttered but remained open. Usually, her head was thrown back, her eyes closed as they took one another hard and fast. Now, though, she kept her eyes locked on his, creating a deeper connection between them.
He eased into her, and the delight that enveloped him was more than just physical. His hands slid over hers, palm to palm, and her fingers interlaced with his. With their hands joined, he took her in slow, steady strokes, their stares locked with one another’s, their breathing matched, and their heartbeats in sync as their bodies became one in a new way that touched his soul.
Faye’s hands roamed over him as her tight sheath gripped him, sending prickling waves throughout. He savored every thrust inside her, savoring the sweetness of her body beneath him, the way her mouth parted around her moans, the squeeze of her sex.
Her blonde hair tumbled around her shoulders, and she gazed at him as though…as though she was in love.
Something in his chest clenched.
She pulled him toward her, drawing his chest against her. He pushed back, resisting. Lara had hated the press of his body against hers. Such things were impossible to keep from his mind as Faye tried to pull him toward her once more.
He braced his arms more thoroughly. “I dinna want to crush ye.”
“I’m not so delicate, husband.” She smiled affectionately and tugged at him once more.
He allowed his body to rest over her, skin to skin, her breasts pushed to his chest. Now when his hips flexed forward, his entire body glided against Faye. The closeness brought a new level of intensity. The rub of her soft skin over his, her breath panting in his ear, the sweet floral scent of her all around him.
They moved together, writhing in their shared passion, kissing, touching, loving. Her core tensed around him, and the pitch of her cries changed. His ballocks tensed with the anticipation of his own release. He held her face with his free hand while he drove into her, wanting to see the climax play over her features as he took her.
Her brows flinched, and her lips parted around a cry as her sex spasmed around his cock, coaxing him into a climax as they released together.
Pleasure. Bliss. Euphoria. A taste of heaven. He experienced all of these things and more as they lost themselves together.
As their sated bodies relaxed into a languid state, they remained where they lay, breathing together, hearts pounding chest to chest. Their bodies were slick with sweat, but neither moved away.
Ewan rested his forehead against Faye’s. “That was…”
“Incredible,” she whispered on an exhale.
His mouth found hers in a tender kiss. Finally, he rolled off her and pulled her into his arms.
She gave a little hum of contentment that nudged against his heart.
Ewan stroked a hand down the impossibly soft skin at her side. “Thank ye for staying in Sutherland.”
“I could not bear to leave ye,” Faye said.
He tilted his head to look at her where she lay her head upon his chest. “Truly?”
Her smile was shy, and she nodded.
He’d never seen this vulnerable side of her. Nay, that wasn’t true. He had seen it before. When she’d been a girl, before her da had died and the world’s cruelty had forced her to harden.
“I was dreading seeing ye leave,” he admitted.
“Yet ye still offered to let me go.” She rested her chin on her hand and looked up at him. “Why?”
He shook his head. “I couldna stand to see ye so miserable when there was a chance ye could be happy.”
She reached out and touched his cheek with her small hand. “Ye’re better than I deserve,” she said.
He shook his head. “Ye deserve all the goodness in the world for what ye’ve been through.”
She shifted upward and kissed him. “Thank ye for giving me the opportunity to leave. I didn’t realize what I had with ye until I had a choice.”
She settled down against him once more with her head on his chest. He ran his fingers through her silky hair, thankful for the choice she’d made. Having her leave would have torn his chest open.
He only hoped they could remain content, that she would not have doubts. Especially after her family departed.
Faye’s breath became deep and even, and Ewan knew she had fallen asleep.
No matter what, at least he was assured that her family would be safe and cared for. With such worrisome thoughts set to rest, he could turn his attention back to his uncle, whom he had been sorely remiss on seeing to the last few days.
Ewan’s suspicion of the marriage to the Gordon clan, and what that might entail, had only grown and he did not wish to be caught unaware. Not when this was finally time for peace.
He brushed Faye’s cheek, and she smiled in her sleep.
It was also time for love.
For five more blissful days, Faye was happy. Truly happy. Without an edge of skepticism needling into her thoughts. She had her family with her, save Drake, who had to return to England the day after his arrival, and she had her husband.
But such happiness was not sustainable. Not when her mother and sisters had to return to their life on the border. There was the garden to tend in Castleton and their livestock to care for, all being managed by a servant in their absence. And Faye had to resume her duties as mistress of the keep. Moiré had graciously assumed the responsibility so that Faye could spend more time with her family.
Life had to continue on for everyone.
Only she wasn’t prepared for that day to arrive so quickly. The weather was too fine to put off travel any longer, and her family had to pack their belongings for the journey home finally. This time, however, Ewan was sending two Sutherland warriors with them to ensure their safety, and return with Faye’s belongings.
It had not taken long for Faye’s sisters and mother to prepare as they had taken only a few effects with them when they’d left Castleton in their haste to find her. All too soon, the horses were being readied while they waited in the Great Hall.
Faye’s mother drew her in for a hug, embracing her in the familiar lavender comfort of home. “I’ll miss ye, my girl. Ye need only say the word, and we’ll be back, aye?”
Faye nodded, unable to summon speech around the thickness in her throat.
“Regardless of whether Faye asks for ye or no’, ye’re always welcome at Dunrobin.” Ewan put a hand to Faye’s shoulder after her mother released her, offering his strength and support, of which Faye desperately needed.
“We will visit for certs, thank ye.” Clara offered one of her sweet, genuine smiles, and it stuck fast in Faye’s heart.
Kinsey smirked and opened her mouth, but before she could utter one word, a warrior approached Ewan. “Forgive me, sir, but several riders have approached insisting on speaking with ye.”
“Who are they?” Ewan asked.
No sooner had he spoken than a booming voice broke through the silence of the hall. “Sutherland!”
Faye stiffened at the familiar voice of her grandfather. She was not alone. Her mother’s gaze shot to the doorway. None of them had time even to consider where to go before Ross strode confidently through the entrance.
He caught sight of them and stopped short. His expression flinched as though seeing them wounded him to his core. “Cait.” He said her name softly, displaying more emotion than Faye had thought him capable of.
“We were just leaving.” Mum nodded to Clara and Kinsey, and they all strode toward the entrance.
He reached out and wrapped his fingers around her arm, his touch gentle.
Faye’s mother glared down at his hand that remained on her. “Release me, ye bastard.”
Ross’s brows lifted. “Bastard?” He barked a laugh and look
ed to Sutherland. “Do ye hear how she greets her own da?”
Mum jerked her arm from Ross’s grip. “Aye, ye heartless bastard. I hate ye. I told ye to leave Faye be, and ye stole her from us. Ye stole her and dragged her all the way here to force her into marriage.”
As she spoke, her face colored a shade of red Faye had never seen on her before.
Ross’s mirth vanished, and he sucked in a hard breath as though she’d struck him. “Cait.”
“Ye stole my child from me. My child,” Mum ground out as tears glittered in her eyes. Her words embedded into Faye’s chest and ripped open a fresh wound of pain.
Ross’s face colored to the same red as his daughter’s. “Listen here, aye? I’m yer da—”
“I have no father.” Mum’s declaration rang out on the stone walls.
“Damn it, Cait.” He reached for her again.
This time, she lashed out, striking him in the face. Faye pulled her dagger free and raced to her mother’s side. She was not alone. Both her sisters were with her, their weapons ready as well. And in front of them all, blocking the lot of them, was Ewan.
Kinsey’s bow was drawn, an arrow nocked. “Do that again, Ross, and I’ll put an arrow in yer eye.”
“’Tis time for ye to leave,” Ewan said to the Ross Chieftain.
Faye reached behind with her hand extended to offer support to her mother. Mum took it, her fingers trembling in a way that created a fresh wave of hurt, clenching at Faye.
“I’m here to see ye,” Ross said to Ewan. “About my land.”
“Monroe,” Ewan called. “Take Ross to my solar. I’ll join ye anon.”
Monroe stepped forward from where he’d been lingering by the doorway and beckoned. Faye’s grandfather hesitated and stared behind Ewan in an attempt to see Faye and her family.
Suddenly, his face fell, and hurt brimmed in his eyes. No longer did he appear to be a power-hungry chieftain, but an old man withered by life’s burdens. “Cait, I…” He looked at the ground, and when he glanced up, his lower lip trembled. “I’m sorry.” His watery gaze shifted to Faye. “I’m sorry.”
Mum’s hand tightened on Faye’s.
“Ye may claim to no’ have a da,” Ross continued, his gruff voice barely audible. “But I have a daughter who I will never forget and who will always hold my heart.”
Faye glanced behind her and found tears in her mother’s eyes as well.
“Ye’ve done too much wrong,” Mum replied in a choked voice. “To my bairns and me. I dinna know that I can ever forgive ye.”
Ross lowered his head and gave a resigned nod, a strong man defeated. “I love ye, Cait.”
His endearment was not reciprocated. A hollow silence settled over the Great Hall. Monroe approached the aged chieftain, indicating Ross should follow him to the solar. Much to Faye’s relief, Ross did not protest and allowed himself to be led from the room.
Faye and her sisters turned to their mother.
“What was that about?” Kinsey asked.
Faye and Clara shared a look. Kinsey had voiced the question they were both clearly thinking.
Exhaustion creased Mum’s face. She appeared as defeated as Ross had. “’Tis a tale for another time.”
“I’ll say my farewells here,” Ewan said apologetically as his gaze slid toward the doorway where Ross and Monroe disappeared.
“Thank ye, Ewan.” Mum embraced him, going on tiptoe, so he didn’t have to bend down. “Ye’re a good man. Truly.” She released him and smiled at Faye. “I hope the two of ye will be happy.”
Clara came next, embracing Ewan and thanking him for everything he’d done for them as well as Faye. Kinsey did not embrace him but instead offered her forearm to clasp. If nothing else, it was a start.
Kinsey held him to her for longer than was necessary. “If ye hurt her, I’ll hunt ye down and kill ye.”
“Kinsey,” Mum cried.
Faye opened her mouth to protest her sister’s violent claim, but Ewan spoke first, his gaze meeting the wildest of the three sisters directly in the eye. “I’d expect nothing less.”
He reached out and tenderly stroked Faye’s cheek with one calloused hand and departed to join Monroe and Ross. Though the touch was brief, it said so much more than words ever could. A pleasant warmth hummed through Faye. Not physical desire, but something deeper, more meaningful.
“I think ye could fall in love with him,” Mum said softly at her side. “If ye let yerself.”
Faye lifted her brows. “If I let myself?”
Mum rolled her eyes in a very Kinsey-like manner. “Dinna look at me like that, ye stubborn lass. Ye know well what I mean.” She reached for Faye’s shoulders and leveled a stare at her as she spoke, the same as when Faye was a bairn. “Dinna push yer emotions away for the sake of fighting. Ye’ve done that yer whole life. Let go and allow yerself to be happy.”
It was on the tip of Faye’s tongue to say she already had, that she’d made her choice to stay at Sutherland, after all. But there was a truth to Mum’s words that echoed within a cavern inside Faye. One she knew was still raw and open.
“I know ye’ve seen my hurt at losing yer da,” Mum continued when Faye didn’t reply. “I know it scares ye.”
Faye glanced away rather than confess the truth her mother apparently already knew.
“I would love him again with the same intensity if I had to do it all over again,” Mum said vehemently. “Even knowing I would lose him in the end. Such pain was worth the glory of so much love. Dinna fear it, aye? Let yerself be happy.”
“I’ll try.” Faye slid her gaze back to her mother.
Her mother smiled. “That’s all ye can do, my girl.” She pressed a kiss to Faye’s forehead.
The stable lad appeared in the Great Hall and gave a small bow. “The horses are ready, my lady.”
Faye braced herself against his words and what they meant. Her family’s visit had come to an end all too soon.
She tried not to think when she might see them next and instead led her family from the Great Hall, out into the sunshine of a perfect spring day. One by one, she embraced each of them, her sisters and her mother, each of whom she loved with the whole of her heart.
She stayed there as they rode off and did not turn to leave until they disappeared in the distance. An emptiness rang through her.
Had she made the right decision?
And if she had, could she release the fight as her mother had suggested, and allow herself to fall in love?
If such a thing even existed.
She had avoided it for so long that now, unlike before, not only did she hope love did exist, but that she could find it with Ewan.
18
Ewan’s temper blazed hotter with each step he took toward his solar. Where Ross was waiting for him.
By the time he pushed through the door, he was practically ready to kill the other chieftain. Peace be damned. Ross glared at him as he entered, evidently of a like mind.
Monroe stood off to the side with measured patience that indicated he’d rather be nearly anywhere else but there in a room with two irate chieftains.
“Ye’re lucky I dinna throw ye out right now,” Ewan growled.
Ross leapt up from the chair he’d been sitting in, his body tense for a fight. One Ewan would gladly give him.
“They’re my family,” Ross protested. “My daughter. My granddaughters. Ye’ve no right—”
“No right?” Ewan repeated, incredulous. “Ye lost all rights the moment ye shackled yer own granddaughter and dragged her against her will to yer castle.”
Ross narrowed his eyes. “Ye still married her.”
Ewan grabbed the other man by his leine and shoved him back against the wall. Fire lit in Ross’s eyes, but the older man’s strength was no match for Ewan’s.
“Because ye threatened her family,” Ewan spoke in a low, even voice that made Ross’s protests go silent. “If ye ever get near any of them, ye’ll live to regret it.”
“Are ye t
hreatening me now?” Ross demanded.
“Aye.” Ewan put his face directly in front of Ross’s and shoved him away.
Ross managed to catch himself before sliding to the ground. He staggered to his feet and angrily adjusted his clothing back into place. “Where’s my property? Ye said ye’d sign Berwick over to me.”
“I said I’d comply with the agreement,” Ewan amended. As much as he’d been dreading telling Ross what he’d done with Berwick, he was now anticipating it with renewed gratification.
“I’ve deeded the land to Drake,” Ewan said with great satisfaction.
Ross blinked in shock. “My…grandson?”
“And Faye’s rightful guardian.”
Ross’s jaw clenched, and the familiar vengeful red blossomed over his face once more.
“Ye’ve done enough to that family,” Ewan said. “Do ye have any idea what they’ve been through?”
Ross’s gaze slid away.
“Ye knew, dinna ye?” Ewan demanded, his anger doubling.
“All they had to do was come back to Balnagown, and I’d have cared for them,” Ross erupted.
“Aye, so ye could manipulate them and auction off the lasses for marriage.” Ewan shook his head. “For once in yer miserable life, do some good for this family. Allow Drake to have Berwick.”
Ross pressed his lips together and remained silent so long, Ewan thought he would refuse. Finally, Ross sighed and nodded. “Aye, I’ll let the lad keep it.”
Ewan nodded. “Now remove yerself and yer men from my castle.”
Ross speared him with a look and shoved past Ewan on his way out the door. Monroe immediately followed him out to ensure he departed without issue. While Monroe was sharp with numbers, he was also incredibly skilled with a blade, enough to handle the likes of Ross should the older man choose to resist leaving.
Ewan braced his hands on his desk while he settled his thoughts. As his temper cooled, Faye pushed to the forefront of his mind. Her sisters and Cait would be gone by now. No doubt, she would be upset.
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