“And I want you, my love,” she whispered as she squeezed his obvious need gently, moving her fingers down over his length, drawing a low groan from his lips. Alexander opened his eyes to look at her. She saw the powerful desire there and she went to him eagerly as he reached for her with shaking hands, drawing her near.
“The time for words has passed, my love,” he told her in a low, sensual voice. “If I have failed to assure you of my trustworthiness to be a faithful husband for as long as we both are alive, then maybe it is time I show you how it will be between us for the rest of our lives.”
His gaze dropped to her heaving breasts. She fought to control her breathing and a lecherous grin transformed his face.
“I have neglected you far too long, sweet selkie.”
He pulled her against him, crushed her to his chest as his lips took hers in a kiss that sealed his promise. She had waited so long and now she meant to take advantage of what he had to offer. Her arms slipped around his neck as she gave herself up to the passion of the moment.
“You are mine, Augusta Sutherland,” he murmured against her lips. “Do not think you can ever escape me again. I will not allow it, do you understand?”
Gusty opened her mouth to speak but Alexander swept his tongue past her lips, plunging in to taste her sweetness. Her response to his kiss was more than he had dared hope for. Her tongue was soon dancing erotically with his, finally following his back into his mouth where he suckled it, drawing a low whimper from her. When the kiss ended they were both breathless and panting, and he had her pressed up tightly against the stone wall, his hips moving rhythmically against hers, showing her just what he wanted.
Alexander lifted his head and studied her lovely face. Her dark eyelashes fanned across her flushed cheeks, her lips parted, dewy from the kiss they had just shared. If possible she was even more beautiful than when he had first set eyes on her. His blood curdled when he thought about how this small, delicate woman had managed to survive the atrocities that had befallen her in the last two months.
Her courage was remarkable, as was her determination. She had even stood up to him when he needed chastisement for his neglect. His ferocity faded, replaced by a burning need to make this alluring beauty his. His body reacted to the feel of her pressed against him. He stared at her tempting mouth and wanted to taste her again. But even as he watched she began to chew nervously on her bottom lip. She seemed nervous and that was not what he wanted right now. He did not want her worrying about anything tonight. He had plans for seduction and he wanted her hot and wet with lust.
“Gusty, look at me.”
At Alexander’s soft command her eyes flew open and she found his face only inches from hers. She was not ready for their kiss to end and wondered why he had stopped. His lips were so close to hers and Gusty wanted them oh so much closer! She wanted him to kiss her again.
“Alexander?”
She raised her eyes to his. The look of passion in his gaze left her breathless and her body flushed with desire. His silver gaze held such hunger, so much raw, unleashed lust for her. How was it this man had the power to do this to her? She should have more pride than to melt under his ardent gaze.
“I did not come up here to argue with you,” he whispered against her lips. “I brought you up here to make love to you. You are mine, sweet Gusty, and I am not about to let you go for any reason. I have neglected my duty to you, a thing I mean to rectify soon. I find I cannot wait any longer, my lady.” His voice was harsh as he moved his hips forward, pressing his hard groin against her soft belly.
Gusty gasped and a thrill of longing rippled through her. Her whole body reacted to his declaration, her nipples tightening and her abdominal muscles clenching as warm moisture pooled between her legs.
“Oh, Alexander!”
Her gasp of wonder had his manhood jerking in response. Gusty watched his silver eyes darken and a low groan rumbled deep in his chest as she caressed and squeezed the hardness that lifted the front of his plaid. She tried to pull her hand back but he stopped her, holding her palm firmly against his shaft as he moved against her suggestively.
“Nay, touch me, sweet lass. Ah aye, it feels so fine! God Almighty, I want you!”
A primitive passion took hold of her at the yearning she heard in his voice. The spark of desire she experienced when he had appeared downstairs suddenly flamed into a hot blaze of sexual need. Her tongue darted out to moisten her dry lips and her gaze dropped to his mouth. She needed him to kiss her. She thought she might die if he did not kiss her. And then she sighed as his mouth lowered to cover hers. Her eyelids fluttered closed and she waited in high anticipation. But when his lips did not touch hers, Gusty’s eyes flew open and she gasped in disappointment.
“Alexander?”
He combed his fingers through the mass of curls, setting her hair free from its plait so it fell about her shoulders to tumble down past her waist.
Gusty let her head fall back into his large palm and with skilled fingers he massaged her skull. The gentle stroking sent delightful sensations through her body and had her melting against him with a sigh of pleasure.
She opened her eyes and watched as Alexander lowered his head and she welcomed his kiss. He gently touched the seam of her lips with the tip of his tongue, letting her know what he wanted. Her mouth opened and his tongue thrust in to tease hers, to taste and caress the sweetness within. A slow melding of lips and tongues turned into a ravaging kiss that left them both breathless. Gusty wanted more. She fumbled with the laces of his tunic, frantically pulling at them until she had the garment parted. With his bare skin revealed to her eyes she tentatively ran her fingers through the crisp, curling hair that covered his broad chest. Growing bolder, she splayed her hands and moved them up and down over his pectorals, loving the feel of his hard muscles beneath her fingers.
“Oh God, Alexander! You are so hot and so hard! I…want—”
Frantically Gusty ran her hands over his thick, muscular arms and broad shoulders, loving the freedom to explore him, craving the feel of him against her sensitive flesh. There would be no interruptions. She wanted him, his kisses, his hands caressing her body, but right now she wanted more than anything to feel his hot length inside her.
As if he had read her mind, Alexander paused in his lovemaking and whispered hoarsely, “I think it is time we moved to that very large bed. I do not want to take my bride against this wall. I want you under me, aching for me. Now!” His breath tickled her ear. “Come join me, sweet Gusty.”
“Aye, my love. Take me to bed,” she whispered in return as her lips touched his.
The kiss she gave him showed just how ready she was for him. Her bones seemed to melt into him as he lifted her and carried her quickly to the bed.
After settling her gently in the center of the mattress, he stood back and gazed down at her. He could not seem to get his fill of looking at her. After a moment of embarrassing silence, Gusty held up her arms, signaling for him to join her.
“What are you waiting for?” she asked, feeling suddenly self-conscious as he stood there looking down on her with an odd expression upon his face.
“I am just contemplating the many enjoyable hours ahead of us. I plan to take advantage of every one of them. Do not expect to get any rest this night.”
“But it is not even dark outside,” she said for lack of anything better.
“It does not matter. In this room time means nothing. There is just you and I, and we will spend many, many hours making passionate love. I am going to take you until I have exhausted every possible way there is to make love.”
His reply sent delicious shivers racing down to her toes.
“Promises, promises.”
She smiled coyly as he lowered his body onto the bed beside her. He drew her against his chest and his lips captured hers once more, effectively removing her doubts about the time of day.
When Alexander finally stopped for a breath of air, his gaze moved down the length of her body and she shivered i
n response to the heat she saw in his eyes. He lowered his head to her breast and laved one peak with his tongue before sucking a good portion of it into his mouth, suckling her long and hard. His hot mouth elicited a groan of pure pleasure from Gusty and she grasped his hair and arched up to offer more to his pleasurable ministrations. Panting, she clutched him to her as he moved to give similar attention to her other breast. Then he began to work his way down her body, using his mouth, teeth and tongue. She sighed and moaned in pleasure and encouragement as he seemed to taste every inch of her bare skin, moving lower and lower. He kissed and nipped his way over her belly, working his way down to the sensitive skin of her inner thighs and finally moving to lie between her outstretched legs.
Gusty cried out and clutched at Alexander’s powerful shoulders as his mouth and tongue touched the heart of her, kissing her intimately. Her breath left her lungs with a whoosh as bliss surged through her body. Waves of intense delight swept over her. She gripped the bedding beneath her, holding on for dear life, fearing she might fly from the bed as the exquisite torment carried her higher and higher. She screamed his name, lifted her hips as he propelled her into a sweet orgasm.
Alexander pulled back, leaving her only long enough to shed his boots and clothing before rejoining her on the bed. He repositioned himself between her spread legs. Gripping his cock, he stroked his hand up and down the shaft before he nudged the blunt head against her entrance and paused.
Through half-closed lids she watched as he touched himself. A groan of need escaped her parted lips at the sight of his long fingers caressing his magnificent erection, pushing the head into the slick, wet flesh between her thighs. His eyes never left her face as he edged inch by inch into her hot center.
“Oh God! Don’t stop. Whatever you do, don’t stop!”
He pressed forward, easing his cock into her welcoming heat. Her muscles relaxed—surrounding him, accepting him—and then squeezed him. The sensations overwhelmed her. A fine sheen of sweat covered his forehead and his jaw clenched.
“You are mine, sweet selkie. Now and forever.”
He thrust forward, driving his shaft to the hilt. A cry of pleasure escaped Gusty’s lips. He stilled for a moment but she began to move her hips against his, showing him what she needed from him.
Clinging to Alexander with both her arms and legs, Gusty gave herself into his care. His overwhelming strength and raw power took control as he drew back and thrust in again and again with long, slow strokes. The muscles of her tight sheath gripped him, squeezing him as she reached her peak, and he increased his pace. He heaved over her, hard and heavy, thrusting his hips until his body stiffened and he cried out his completion. Then he collapsed over her, crushing her under him. Their heartbeats thundered in unison and their breathing was harsh and labored. After several minutes she moved her hips, only to discover Alexander was still semi-hard and buried deep within her.
Gusty was too contented to complain about his weight. She found she liked the feel of his large body covering her. She felt completely loved and secure for the first time since being pulled back into this ancient time. This giant Scot was her husband and she meant to keep him…far beyond a year and a day. She would keep him forever and a day.
Alexander lowered his head to her breasts, drawing one sensitive nipple into his hot mouth, sending a jolt of fire to her core. She groaned with the added pleasure.
“It has been so long, my sweet Gusty, I find I need you again.”
He sounded almost apologetic but she could see the desire hot in his eyes and she could feel his thick shaft inside her, growing bigger and demanding attention. His hands moved restlessly over her body, caressing her, bringing her to arousal once again.
“I want you too, Alexander.” Gusty lifted her legs higher around Alexander’s hips, drawing him deeper, unashamed as she sought her own pleasure.
He began to move in a slow, steady rhythm. But as their passion increased, his pace grew faster and harder until they were both writhing with their need for fulfillment.
When their sexual ecstasy finally found them, tossing them into the height of orgasm, Gusty was not prepared for the astonishing savagery of her feelings. Vivid, wild torrents of satisfaction swept her senses. Mighty waves of pleasure washed over her again and again as Alexander threw back his head and joined her with a devastating roar.
With one last shudder, Alexander rolled over and collapsed beside her. He pulled Gusty into his arms and settled her against his chest then placed a kiss on the top of her head and grunted. Gusty smiled at the obvious sound of male satisfaction. She felt as if her bones had melted. Her breathing slowly returned to a semblance of normality. After some time she finally trusted her voice to speak.
“I love you, Alexander,” she whispered, threading her fingers through the springy hair on his chest as she listened to the thundering of his heartbeat beneath her ear. “I love you for oh, so many reasons. Shall I tell you the whys and wherefores?”
He didn’t reply to her declaration and Gusty dared a peek up at him. He lay fast asleep, apparently worn out by their loving. She smiled, not minding one bit.
“Aye, my love, it is true. You are a good, honorable man. A man who cares for his family and takes his responsibilities to heart. You love Duncan no matter what foolish pranks he pulls. His is like a son to you and I would not have it otherwise. If not for him I would never have met you that day.
“You are a proud man. The condition of your keep and your people who live there and work for you are proof of that. You keep them safe and well cared for.
“You are a brave man who rides through the dark night to face Viking raiders who threaten your crofters, to chase them from your holdings so your people are safe. You came to rescue me from freezing to death out on a lonely rock in the middle of the sea.
“You are a caring man who aided his crofters. You take the time to sympathize with parents whose sons died protecting their elderly mother and father. I know about the hay fire, Alexander. I know how that raid must have brought back the horrible memory of your own cousins and the way they died in just such a raid.
“You are a strong man who came to my rescue more than once. The Wolf of the Highlands. You train long and hard as do your warriors. You hold your family’s honor tight. You hold your land through cunning and hard work.
“And lastly you are a loving man. You have proved so to me over the time we have known each other. You took me in when I stumbled into this ancient time. You loved me well enough to handfast with me and take me to your home. There you fed me, clothed me, saved me from your obnoxious uncle. Aye. I love you well.”
Gusty lay for a long while thinking about the man sleeping next to her. She smiled. Aye, she would tell him again…later.
* * * * *
Maeve studied the dark pool at her feet. She shifted forward, leaning closer to get a better look, but the water suddenly rippled, blurring the image.
“You old fool, stop interfering,” she snapped.
Hagen ignored her and swiped his hand through the water, causing the image to fade and disappear. Maeve sent her spouse a chagrined scowl over her shoulder before she bent back to her important work. She took a pinch of crushed herbs from a pouch she wore tied to the belt at her waist and sprinkled it into the dark water. Then she added a bit of ash from the hearth and stirred the mixture with her long, crooked finger, chanting a few words until the pool began to lighten with an image.
She gazed down into a well-tended herb garden and upon the small woman who toiled there. A wimple covered the woman’s head, hiding all her hair but one long, flowing black curl, which would not be contained by the head covering as she worked with deft hands, weeding her garden. She cared for her great variety of herbs as one who held the vast knowledge of the capability of each tiny plant. A healer, one who tended to the ill and suffering and eased the pains of the dying as best she could with gentle and expert hands.
Maeve had been watching Isabelle off and on all day long. But t
here was something about the vision that bothered her. Something about the lady and her labors was not right. A darkness invaded the mirrored vision in her pot…one she could not dispel no matter how many times she invoked the spell. It was as if a fierce storm threatened and dark clouds rolled in, blocking the bright rays of the sun. The scene disturbed Maeve, as she could not determine from where the imminent danger came. She was meticulous in her work and she was almost certain whatever evil lurked in her manifestation, it was somehow linked to Gusty and her sudden and unprepared arrival in the past.
“This bothers me greatly, Hagen. There is an evil aura surrounding this image. Something is wrong and I cannot decipher from where it commences.” Maeve touched the water with her fingertip and the image faded away, leaving the pool black as night.
She stood and extended her hand to her husband. As they left the secret cave near their home she remained deep in thought.
Hagen shook his head. He too was greatly troubled. But his worries originated from a different source. He wanted to tell Maeve she wasted her time trying to decipher her odd feelings and visions she could do nothing about. His concerns were more earthly and they were all for their beloved Gusty. Mad family members, feuding clans and her own dangerous enemies drew his dear lassie into a whirlpool of conspiracies. More than one faction was even at this moment plotting her demise. He felt a terrible guilt for his part in altering Gusty’s path in life by giving her to a man who had not been part of that plan. She was to have been the Sinclair lass to end the feud between the clans but he had let his sense of romance sway him into letting the Sutherland have her. Now he felt even guiltier about meddling in her life since she had been dragged about the Highlands. If Maeve hadn’t been so busy staring at her pool, she might have noticed his mood. He felt certain he’d worn a guilt-ridden expression like a cloak since he had returned from his visit with Malcolm Sinclair. He could not help but think he had just made yet another tremendous mistake and it was, in the end, going to cost Gusty. It was going to cost her dearly.
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