Highland Promise: The Daughters of Clan Drummond

by Marks, Stephanie

  Liam watched his wife’s regal exit from the chamber with no little amount of awe and pride. The thought of which would have made him laugh not long ago. But as he listened to the soft swishing of her skirts in the hall outside the door he could not stop himself from grinning.

  “Is it as she says then?” Alex asked.

  “It is,” Liam said with a nod. “And so much more. Come Iain, find yourself a seat, for there is much I need to be telling ye both.”

  * * *

  Catriona pressed a hand to her chest in a vain attempt to steady her pounding heart. She stood in Liam's bedchamber wearing only her shift and she shivered from the slight chill in the room. She felt wanton, standing in the middle of the chamber with her hair down and flowing around her shoulders, and beyond her nervousness was a deeper bubble of excitement.

  The hour was late and he would be coming to bed soon, she could feel it. And when he did, she wanted him to find her there waiting for him. She had meant every word she said. She wanted them to move forward as husband and wife. And even as she tried to quell the nerves in the pit of her stomach, she knew without a doubt that she wanted to be with him tonight as man and wife in every sense. She wanted to give herself over to him completely.

  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. This was what she wanted. And even though she could not completely quell the whisper of fear within her, she desperately wanted him to take her into his arms again. To feel the brush of his lips against her skin. The tingle of anticipation down her spine as he removed her clothing. The rolling desire crash over her once more as he pleasured her.

  The seconds ticked by like hours as she waited for him to open the door.

  Doubt began to nag at her as time passed with no sign of him, and she couldn't help but worry that she may have made a mistake by waiting for him here. He had so many things to see to, what if he was detained by some important clan business?

  She bit her lip with worry and was considering heading back to her chamber when the door opened at last.

  “Catriona?”

  Liam paused in the doorway, surprised to see her standing there.

  “I thought that I would join ye in here tonight. Unless ye would prefer to be alone?”

  Liam's eyes flashed as he studied her and took a step further into the room, closing the chamber door behind him.

  “I would love to have ye join me in here lass,” he said, continuing to eye her form through her shift. “Have ye been here long?”

  Taking a deep breath, Catriona took a step towards him and spoke with all the confidence that she could muster. “It felt like an eternity.”

  It only took Liam a few long strides to close the distance between them, and she gasped as her feet were suddenly no longer touching the ground.

  She clutched at his shoulders, trying to find purchase as he carried her backwards in his arms, then suddenly her back collided roughly with the wall behind her. He pressed his body against hers, trapping her and holding her suspended in the air, before he kissed her hungrily. His teeth nipped at her bottom lip, and his tongue delved into her mouth, demanding a response.

  She couldn't think. She could barely breathe as she kissed him back just as passionately. The need that raged in her felt unquenchable. Her hands ran through his hair, pulling his face closer, and she wrapped her legs more tightly around his waist, feeling the heat of his body through the thin material of her shift. But it was not enough, and her body screamed out for more.

  Catriona groaned out loud at the illicit feeling of his tongue trailing down the long line of her neck and over her collarbone. Tilting her head back to allow him greater access as he dipped lower to her chest, she ground her pelvis against him, trying to satisfy the need she felt mounting there.

  “God, Cat, ye're like fire in my hands,” he panted.

  A thrill went through her at his words. He had never called her Cat before, always Catriona. But there was something about hearing him say it now. It felt even more intimate than what they were doing to hear her name spoken like that on his lips.

  His hands slid up her sides and grazed over her breasts. Catriona gasped as her nipples sharpened tightly in anticipation. Thankfully she didn't have long to wait for them to receive Liam's full attention.

  Boosting her higher, he ran his tongue over one of her sensitive nipples, teasing it through the thin fabric. She arched her back, wanting more, but he refused to add more pressure.

  With a deep satisfied chuckle, Liam abandoned her breast to pay due attention to the other, teasing her second nipple with his tongue as he had the first.

  “Why must you torture me?” Catriona gasped.

  “Because yer body is begging to be tortured,” he whispered into her breast before taking her nipple between his teeth and sucking on it hard.

  She cried out and dug her nails into his shoulders, overcome by the pleasure that shot through her.

  “More?” he asked her.

  “Please. God, yes please,” she gasped.

  Gripping her tightly, Liam walked them over to the large bed, where he tipped her backwards, and gently lay her atop it.

  She ran her hands down over the hard length of his muscular arms as he stood up straight and began to unbuckle his plaid. She watched him unwrap the long length of fabric and stared transfixed as it dropped to the floor. His eyes locked with hers as he took hold of his shirt and began to pull it up over his head.

  Her heart pounded faster and her palms grew damp as more and more of his body was exposed. She was not sure if she would ever get used to the sight of seeing her husband naked.

  She lay on the bed, propped up on her elbows, drinking in the sight of his broad muscular body, and her eyes widened at the sight of his manhood standing fully erect and at attention.

  “Oh!”

  Her eyes flew back to his, but she had to look away, her face burning.

  “Are ye all right?” he asked her, his voice filled with concern.

  He stepped closer and placed a hand gently on her lower leg. Slowly he slid it higher, trailing his fingers over the back of her knee, and then up over the outside of her thigh.

  Catriona's skin broke out in gooseflesh at the whisper-light touch and she nodded, swallowing audibly.

  “I just... I am not...”

  “What is it?”

  He leaned over, his exploring hand pushing the hem of her shift ever higher.

  “You are... er... very large, are you not?” she stuttered. Her eyes flickered down to his manhood and then back up again.

  “Dinna worry, Cat,” he said, kissing her again. “I promise ye, it will fit.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him again, drawing him near, and he continued to raise her shift. She shuddered as the cool air hit her nether regions, but was soon distracted by his fingers brushing over her naked sex.

  “Lift yer arms.”

  She did what he said without question, and he pulled the shift over her head and tossed it to the side. She was naked and completely exposed to him, but it felt wonderful to have his naked body pressed against hers.

  “Ye're absolutely gorgeous, lass,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I want you” The words escaped her, unbidden, but they were the truth. She wanted him like she had never wanted any man before in her life.

  “Make love to me, Liam. Make me your wife at last.”

  Liam pressed her back against the bed and began kissing her with more urgency. She abandoned herself to the feel of his touch as his eager hands flew over her body. He slipped one down between them and began stroking her sex, his deft fingers sliding along her slick folds, stoking her need. Using his thumb to put pressure on the sensitive bud, he slipped two of his fingers up inside of her and began thrusting in and out.

  “Uh!” Catriona cried out as her hips matched his rhythm, and he began to thrust harder.

  “Aye, Cat, purr for me,” he demanded.

  His hand kept the rhythm as he moved down her body, replacing the pressure of his
thumb with the swirling, flicking motions of his tongue.

  “Oh God, Liam... I cannot... I cannot take it!” Her whole body felt as though it were on fire as he pushed her closer to the edge.

  “Aye, ye can and ye will.”

  She could feel herself teetering on the edge of a great release when suddenly his mouth and fingers were gone.

  Catriona cried out in protest, but Liam was back on top of her in a flash, nudging her legs wider. She could feel herself stretching wider to accommodate him as he pressed the tip of his manhood into her virgin entrance.

  “Liam,” she moaned.

  “Shhh, Cat, just kiss me.”

  He kissed her roughly, distracting her as he eased himself deeper. She had never felt so full and complete in her life. He began to move then, a slow steady rocking as he drew back and thrust into her again and again.

  She brought her legs up and wrapped them around him, holding him tightly as she moved her hips to match his rhythm, urging him on.

  She had never felt anything so glorious in her life, and the pleasure crested over her in waves. She gave her body up to the moment, riding her unbridled desire as they thrust harder and faster.

  “God, Cat, I need ye. I need ye like I've never needed anyone before in my life,” he groaned.

  Catriona gripped him tighter and cried out as he rammed into her, the force of his desire pushing her over the edge and sending her spiraling as her body burst with pleasure. His roar of completion joined her own moments later, before he collapsed down on the bed beside her, panting for breath.

  Catriona could barely feel her limbs. She felt weightless and blissfully happy. Liam's arm reached across her middle and hooked around her. He pulled her nearer to him, settling her snugly along his side.

  “That was wonderful,” she said wistfully, placing her hand tenderly on his chest. It rose and fell rapidly as he lay next to her, still recovering his breath.

  “Aye, it was.” He kissed the top of her head, and ran his hands slowly through her hair.

  She closed her eyes and said nothing, sinking into the soothing touch of his gentle strokes.

  “I never thought that I could feel this way with anyone,” he said at last. His voice was barely above a whisper.

  Catriona stayed silent. Afraid to break whatever spell had allowed him to open up to her.

  “I never thought that I would know what it would be like to know happiness with a woman. To know peace with a wife. My wife. Thank ye, Catriona.”

  Her heart was so filled with joy she feared it would burst, and a silent tear rolled down her cheek, she was so moved by his words. She felt him press another light kiss to the back of her head, then she was soon met by the sound of his light snoring.

  Catriona took Liam's hand and closed her eyes before instantly settling into a blissful sleep.

  Chapter 26

  Catriona hummed as she walked through the hallway, swaying slightly. Her heart was full, and she smiled to herself as her mind floated back to thoughts of the night before, and how wonderful it had felt to be held in Liam's arms. She had never experienced anything so incredible. Lost in her daydreams, she wasn't paying attention when a tall shadow crossed into her path.

  “Easy there.”

  A male voice startled her out of her reverie, and she looked up to find Iain standing inner path.

  “Good Lord,” she said, holding a hand up to her chest where her heart was beating rapidly. “I swear it is becoming a habit with me of running straight into The MacDonell brothers in these halls.”

  Iain laughed and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm before continuing to accompany her down the hall. “By the sounds of it, if yer not more careful you'll be running us all down in due course.”

  Catriona laughed and patted her brother-in-law on the arm. “I promise ye that I'll do my best to make sure that doesn't happen. I really should spend less time daydreaming.”

  “Ah, well now, I'm not so sure about that. Who doesn't enjoy daydreaming now and then?” He gave her a sly smile and crooked his eyebrow. “So, tell me Lady MacDonell, what is it that ye were dreaming about this morning?”

  Catriona's face grew warm and she had no doubt that it was bright red from blushing. Embarrassed, she averted her eyes, unable to meet Iain's gaze.

  “Ahhhh, so that's the way of it now, is it? Well, I'll admit that I'm glad to hear that you and my brother have come to see eye to eye at last.”

  “Iain!” Catriona gasped, shocked that he would suggest such things. She adored Iain and his easy smiles, but sometimes he really could be quite shocking.

  Iain patted her hand in a soothing manner and pulled her into a small alcove just off the hall lowering his voice. “There is something that I've been meaning to say to ye, but with all the excitement, we have not had a chance to talk, you and I, one on one that is.”

  “What is it that ye wish to speak with me about?”

  “I wanted to thank ye,” he said simply.

  “Thank me?” Catriona was confused. What could she have possibly done that Iain would want to thank her for?

  “Yes. I want to thank you for helping Liam find some peace.”

  “Oh, Iain, I haven't done—”

  “Yes, Catriona, ye have, whether ye know it or not. My brother is... well, we both know that he is not an easy man. He is stubborn, and can be the devil to deal with at times, but his heart has always been in the right place. He wants to be a good leader, and he has always been a good man. But for years that has been a restlessness in him, and a distrust. But ye, ye’ve opened him up. I saw it when he brought ye back after you left for yer father's. He told Alex and me the story of how Macnaghten took ye, and I tell ye, when he speaks to ye, the way he looks at ye. I have never seen him look at another that way before, not even Alana.”

  Catriona was touched by Iain's words. She wanted very much to believe that Liam cared for her in a way that he had never cared for another. She knew how much he had loved Alana, and she hoped that one day Liam would come to love her even more than he had loved his first wife,

  “Do you love him?” Iain asked her.

  Catriona was caught off guard by his question.

  “I... well...”

  “After all you've been through, I would understand if it were still a bit difficult for ye. But I want to believe that love is not out of the question.”

  “I do not, I mean, we have not. I do not know what ye want me to say. It feels... not right to speak of love with ye.”

  “If you feel it I would have ye say it. I would know that ye care. It would put my mind at ease.”

  Catriona looked at Iain and saw the pain and the worry in his eyes. The darker things that he spent his days hiding behind his jokes and laughter, and Catriona realized that Iain's carefree spirit was not so carefree as he wanted everyone to suppose.

  Catriona placed a hand gently on his arm and looked him squarely in the eye. She had been uncomfortable speaking of love to Iain because she had not yet said the words to Liam himself. But now she could see that Iain cared for and wanted to protect his elder brother just had Alex had. He needed to know that Liam's heart was in careful hands at last.

  “It is love that I feel.” Catriona told him. “I know it is, and I could not deny it any more than I could hold back the waves of the sea. And I promise ye, that not another day will go by that my feelings can be called into question. It is love.”

  A large smile spread across Iain's face, and he gathered her up in his arms and spun her around in a circle. Setting her back down on the ground he grabbed her by the shoulders.

  “Ye have no idea how happy that makes me to hear.”

  A sharp intake of breath drew their attention and Catriona and Iain turned to find Liam standing a few feet away, an indecipherable expression on his face.

  “Liam,” Catriona said. She moved to take a step toward him but was stopped by Iain's hands holding her fast. It was only then that she began to realize what it must have looked like to an obse
rver, she and Iain huddled in the small alcove. “Liam, please.”

  Rage clouded over Liam's face, and he turned and walked away with speaking a word. “Liam, please wait!”

  Iain dropped his hands, and Catriona took after Liam, praying that he would listen to reason.

  * * *

  Liam's mind swirled as he stumbled away from the scene he had just been witness to. “Is it love?” The words echoed again and again in his head, hammering at him from all sides.

  Mere hours after his wife had given herself to him, she had declared her love for his brother. He could not banish the sight of them from his mind. The way they held onto each other with such ease. So much love filling her eyes.

  The pain of their betrayal washed over him and swallowed him whole. He had given her his heart. He had opened up and poured into her all of the love and trust that he had within him. Determined to free himself from the chains of the past in order to make a future with her. But now, all he felt was a searing-hot rage. He loved her, and she loved his brother.

  It was a though a rope were tightening around his throat, and his vision blurred. He saw nothing and no one as he put as much distance between the two lovers as possible, just heard the echoing voice of his brother, “Is it love?” as he held Liam’s wife.

  Once again he had fallen in love with a woman who made false promises to him all the while giving her heart to another. Was he destined to live his life as such a fool?

  “Liam, please wait!”

  Catriona's voice was a light humming in his ear, and he could barely make out her words or the sounds of her footsteps on the stones behind him.

  “Liam!” Iain's voice called out to him, and his hands tightened into fists and his blood began to boil. His brother. His brother! Never in his life would he have believed that his own brother would be capable of such a betrayal.

  A hand landed on his arm, and his haze broke. “Get off of me, ye bastard!” he roared. Tearing his arms out of Iain's grasp.

  “Liam, ye must calm down,” Iain said.

  “Calm down, ye want me to calm down? I should run ye through where ye stand!”