“Ally, there is no enjoyment to be found in another woman’s arms. And it’s not a sacrifice to wait if it means I’ll be your husband.”
“Ew, you are a test of my patience and willpower.” Allyson turned his words around on him as she leaned her head back into his hands as he continued to scrub her hair. Her eyes drifted closed as she marveled at his gentle touch. He cradled her scalp as he poured fresh water over her hair, then lathered soap on a linen square. He ran the cloth over her neck and shoulders before sweeping it up and down each arm. When he moved to Allyson’s breasts, he abandoned the cloth and lathered the soap onto his hands before kneading the mounds. It was the first time he held them unencumbered by clothing. They were small but high, making it easy to reach as Allyson’s head rested back on his chest. He circled her nipples with his thumbs until they tightened into pebbles he rolled between his fingers, tugging and lengthening before repeating his movements.
Allyson’s moan had his bollocks aching for release. His cock throbbed as he drove himself toward madness, touching and feasting his eyes on a body he longed to join his with. Allyson shifted restlessly in the water, sloshing it against the sides. She reached back and pulled his head close enough to press her mouth to his, her tongue demanding entry into his mouth. Ewan shifted around the side of the tub, making it easier for Allyson to deepen the kiss. One hand cupped her head while the other wandered between her breasts, down her belly, until it reached the thatch of hair that covered her mound. Allyson let her knees drop wide, pushing her hips up to meet Ewan’s questing fingers. When he slid a digit into her entrance, she drew his tongue into her mouth, mimicking an action she’d heard of at court. Each time they’d been alone, Ewan had been attentive to her needs and pleasure, and Allyson not only felt guilty but grew impatient to lavish the same attention on Ewan.
“Ew, I want to touch you and taste you,” Allyson panted. “I need to know what you feel like in my hand, against me. Please.” She wasn’t above begging.
“Let me tend to you first then you may do as you like to me.” When Ewan caught the mischievous gleam in Allyson’s eyes, he added a caveat. “Except taking me into you.”
“That assumes I’m only thinking of your cock in my quim. I’m aware I can take you into my mouth,” Allyson purred. Ewan jerked back and nearly fell over, he was so stunned by her comment. “I heard Lady Bevan, Lady MacAdams, and your aunt talking about it one day. I was on a walk with the queen and the other ladies, but I stopped because my hem snagged a nettle. While I attempted to untangle it without touching the itchy plant, I heard the three of them speaking on the other side of a hedge. I admit I listened. I’d never imagined such a thing, and I couldn’t help my curiosity. Until now, I never thought I’d want to do something that seemed so—so—indelicate, but—” Allyson trailed off as her eyes lowered to where Ewan’s sporran hid his painful arousal. “I want you to teach me. If it’s aught as good as what you’ve done with your mouth, I desperately want to give you that pleasure.”
Allyson didn’t wait for Ewan’s response. She stood and wrapped a drying linen around her before grabbing one to wrap around her hair. Ewan’s hands went around her waist as he lifted her out of the tub. He pulled the linen from her body and hurriedly ran it over her, rubbing her skin until it was a rosy red. As Allyson toweled her hair, Ewan rushed to stoke the fire, adding a cheery heat to the usually draughty chamber. She stood aside as he pulled the bed before the fire. Leaving the linens on the stool, Allyson floated across the chamber until she stood beside Ewan and the bed. She dropped to her knees and unlaced the boots that encased his calves. He toed them off before she rolled down his stocking, marveling at the feel of the muscles in his calves as she ran her hands over them. When she reached for the hem of his plaid, he scooped her up and laid her on the bed.
She had no time to object before Ewan settled between her legs, his thumbs separating her nether lips. His tongue delved into her like a thirsty man searching for succor. Allyson could do little more than grip the bedsheets as her hips undulated to the rhythm Ewan created as he sucked on her bud. Need drove them both. Allyson recognized the muscles in her core drawing tight as the wave of release built, then crashed over her. Need drove Ewan to push Allyson over the edge as he continued his onslaught, never taking his eyes off Allyson as he watched her expressions shift with each sensation he built within her.
Ewan was unprepared for how quickly Allyson would pounce once he raised his body over hers. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and twisted, throwing all of her weight onto him. She lay stretched on top of him, and his hands flew to her backside, cupping and squeezing the bare flesh. She shifted to straddle him as she unbuckled his belt, pulling it from under him.
“Take off,” she demanded as she flung the belt and sporran to the floor. She slowed her movements when she unfastened the broach that held the long swatch of plaid to Ewan’s leine. He sat up as she pushed and tugged until he was free of the shirt, and her hands caressed his suntanned skin. “Do you train often without your leine?”
“Aye. While I believe it’s important to train with it on, despite how tight and cumbersome it can become when it’s plastered to me with sweat, at times, it is too annoying to ignore.”
Allyson ran her hands through the golden curls that covered the deep valley between his chest muscles. She’d seen men training shirtless both at Redheugh and Stirling, but no man had resembled Ewan. His broad shoulders nearly stretched the width of the bed. The chiseled muscles of his abdomen flexed and rippled with each breath, and she’d nearly drooled when they bunched together as he pulled his leine over his head. An idea flashed into her mind. She leaned forward and ran the flat of her tongue over his nipple, eliciting a laugh that morphed into a deep groan when she bit it. She was careful not to make it painful, but Ewan’s reaction was immediate. He rolled them until Allyson lay beneath him, his strength proving that he’d allowed her to position them with her on top. Her fingers traced the dips and sinews of his shoulders as they strained while Ewan held his body away from Allyson’s.
“I believe I like this view the best,” Allyson murmured.
“View?”
“Aye, the way you look right now. The way the muscles in your shoulders move fascinates me. There is such power there that it’s impressive, and yet, I never fear you’d use that strength against me. I can see the muscles in your chest straining as your arms and shoulders bear your weight, and your stomach makes me want to trail my fingers over every groove.” Allyson did just that before moving down to grip his backside, discovering notches in his hips where her hands fit perfectly. “Besides, I like being able to reach.”
When Allyson raised her chin for a kiss, Ewan gladly accepted the invitation. He eased his weight onto one forearm while his free hand brushed the backs of his fingers over her breasts before gliding his fingers over her ribs to her hips, then slipping beneath her to grasp her bottom. He pressed his arousal against her, and their sounds of need echoed in the chamber. Ewan rocked his hips as Allyson squeezed her thighs against them, using her heels to give her leverage to meet each thrust.
Their movements were slow as their eyes locked, their intense gazes conveying more than words would. Allyson was certain his rod lengthened and thickened as they continued to press his sword and her sheath together. Ewan reached back for one of her hands, drawing it under his plaid until he guided her fingers around his cock. When Allyson attempted to pull his plaid free, Ewan grasped her wrist.
“If we’re both naked, there is little chance either of us will stop before I’m buried to the hilt inside you.”
“I still don’t think that’s such a bad thing, but you’ve said no. I won’t take advantage of you.” Allyson winked but released her hold on his plaid, preferring to rest her hand on his shoulder. “Teach me.”
Ewan rolled onto his side, and Allyson followed. “Cup my rod as you are and stroke up and down without letting go.” Ewan’s head fell back as he clenched his jaw. The need to thrust and spil
l swept over him with a speed that hadn’t happened since he first began palming himself as an adolescent. He drew deep breaths in through his nose as his body calmed after the initial drive to climax subsided. Allyson experimented with speed and tightness, watching Ewan’s reaction and noticing what made his cock harden and twitch. It wasn’t long before she was confident in her newfound skill. Ewan’s insistent kisses and massages of her breasts also confirmed that he enjoyed her touch. When she noticed the tip of his rod grow slick, she spread the liquid over the taut skin but released him. His groan sounded more like agony than enjoyment, but he growled as he watched her lick her thumb. He rolled them once again, shifting to the center of the bed. It was Allyson’s turn to shimmy down Ewan’s body until she kneeled between his legs.
“I want my turn,” was all Allyson said before she flipped his plaid back and swiped her tongue from the base of his rod to the top, swirling it around the tip then lapping up more of the viscous cream that appeared. Allyson held her hair back before lowering her mouth and taking as much in as she dared. She’d watched Ewan’s expression when she ran her tongue over him, but now her eyes drifted closed as she reveled in the sensation, both new and exciting. Ewan couldn’t take his eyes off the sight of Allyson sucking his cock with such abandonment that he believed she enjoyed what she was doing. He’d experienced this pleasure countless times before, but he knew some women viewed it as a burden and did it for their livelihood. Others enjoyed it, but that came from a satisfaction of knowing it brought a man to his knees. Allyson’s interest was genuine and unassuming. Watching her explore his body and how it reacted to her touch made it a new experience, one unlike anything that existed before Allyson.
“Ally, I canna last much longer,” Ewan whispered as he attempted to pull away, but Allyson swatted at his hands. When she looked up, her expression was one of determination and warning. She returned her focus to Ewan’s rod as she noticed it tighten before a tangy fluid filled her mouth. She didn’t care for the taste, but she rejoiced in a rush of success, knowing she caused his release. She kneeled upright, licking her lips as she watched Ewan’s heaving chest, noticing the sweat that had broken out on his brow. “Praise the saints and all angels, that was divine. If I didna ken, I’d think ye’d done that before. I—I—St. Columba’s bones, I canna think straight.”
Allyson grinned as Ewan’s labored breathing continued, and he mumbled to himself in Gaelic and forgot about his burr. When he held his arms out to her, she flipped his plaid down and nestled against his side.
“You really enjoyed it that much?”
“I’ve surely died and gone to heaven.”
“You are such a Highlander. You exaggerate.”
“I may be a Highlander, lass, but I dinna lie aboot this. I didna ken aught could feel so good. I may expire once I’m inside ye. I can only imagine how exquisite that will feel if this was any hint.” Ewan’s fingertips drew lazy circles on Allyson’s shoulder before his hand skimmed over her back. The sensation made her shiver but was soothing at the same time. Ewan peered down at Allyson, who watched the flames flicker and dance. He wanted nothing more after such intimacy than to cover them with a blanket and fall into a deep sleep with Allyson pressed against him, but he recognized they’d sequestered themselves away too long. The sun had shifted and inched toward the western horizon, and Ewan suspected Eoin had taken up residence at the base of the tower to ensure no one would intrude upon his time with Allyson. It explained why no one knocked to clear away the bath. He refused to take Allyson’s maidenhood to protect her reputation, but he would irreparably destroy it if anyone learned of what they’d done that afternoon, and Ewan feared that being out of sight for so long would lead Alice or Mary to claim he’d been tucked away in a love nest with one of them. “Ally, I dinna want to move, but we must. If we stay much longer, people will ken what we’ve been up to. Everyone in the bailey saw me carry ye in here, and nay one has seen hide nor hair of us since. Even if we didna go all the way, people will say we did.”
“That ship has sailed and sunk. There’s no chance that people aren’t already talking about you bringing me in here. There’s naught in this tower but empty chambers. Servants carried a bath and steaming buckets in here. No one needed to guess who they were for. Even if Eoin pretended to both of you, no one has seen me for hours, and no one will have seen the two of you together. That’s unusual in of itself. They will assume the worst. We may as well have coupled.”
“That may be what everyone assumes, but we ken we didna. If yer mother insists Berta examine ye again, there’ll be nay denying the truth.”
“I’d rather not. When Berta examines me, it’s intrusive and humiliating. It couldn’t be further from what it feels like when you make my toes curl and my eyes roll back.”
“I make yer toes curl, lass?”
“And my eyes roll back,” Allyson grinned. She stretched to drop a kiss on his nose before moving to the other bed where the servant left her fresh clothes. He hurried to put his leine back on and secure his plaid with his belt and sporran. She halted when she looked at the clothes for the first time. “These are Mary’s.”
Allyson looked back at Ewan. Anger, distrust, frustration, and sadness warred within her. He came to stand behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Tension that hadn’t existed minutes ago radiated from her. Ewan recognized her suspicion, and while it hurt that her trust wavered so easily, it hurt him more that anyone in Allyson’s clan assumed he’d chosen one of her sisters and assumed he’d brought either Alice or Mary to his chamber. She picked up the kirtle and ran her thumb over the embroidery before dropping it on the bed. Her shoulders sagged as she leaned back against Ewan’s chest. While he was relieved her suspicion was fleeting, it still hurt him to see her so resigned to being marginalized.
“They assumed you chose Mary. I know this speaks more to her unchasteness than your trustworthiness, but it hurts so much. Despite a crowd of people watching you carry me in here, people still believe you’re tupping Mary. None can fathom that you would pick me.”
“Ally, I canna standby and keep watching this. Beside the fact that I want naught to do with ma name linked to hers or Alice’s, I abhor how everyone treats ye. I think this is just as bad, if nae worse, than tossing insults in yer face. It’s more underhanded, but that makes it even more insidious. I ken ye prefer to ignore it and nae give it any attention, but I willna stand for it. I willna turn a blind eye and remain silent any longer. Ye’re to be ma wife, and I willna accept anyone hurting ye any longer. What kind of mon allows the vulnerable to be abused? Nae the kind who deserves to be yer husband.”
Allyson turned in Ewan’s embrace and wrapped her arms around his middle, the sound of his heartbeat both soothing and bolstering. She absorbed the strength and steadfastness that seemed to radiate from Ewan’s body. When she was sure she was strong enough to stand on her own, she nodded.
“It’s time my family realizes I’m not a kitten to keep kicking. I may not hiss and spit, but I have claws. They’re all in for a surprise when I arrive at the evening meal on your arm and in Mary’s clothes.”
“That’s ma lass.” Ewan helped Allyson into the kirtle, tying the laces behind her while she folded his plaid into an arisaid she pulled around her. She glanced at the pile of soiled clothes and the sopping wet Elliot plaid. She grimaced, knowing she had to take them to her chamber before joining the evening meal.
“I’ll meet you by the Great Hall, but I must take these to my chamber first.” Ewan was hesitant to agree to Allyson going anywhere on her own where she might encounter her family, but he wouldn’t dictate her coming and going. “I’ll be all right, mo leannan. It’ll take me but a few minutes.”
She slipped around him and scooped up the wad of wet clothes and moved to the door. She squared her shoulders and straightened her spine. She shot Ewan a smile before leaving the chamber.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ewan froze when the door opened, but he sensed immediately that i
t was Eoin. He supposed it was twin intuition.
“She wore a bonnie smile when she reached the bottom of the stairs,” Eoin grinned, not bothering to hide his burr while speaking to his brother. “And if that wasna enough to make people look sideways, she’s wearing yer plaid. I dinna think it’s possible for ye to make a louder announcement than that.”
“Aye, we can. The maid brought Mary’s clothes instead of Ally’s. She’s wearing them to the evening meal.”
“Ye canna be serious.” Eoin’s expression was aghast as he stared at this brother. “Nay one’s ceased clishmaclavering aboot how chivalrous ye were to help Allyson, but they’re also wondering what ye’ve been on aboot up here. How could any of them believe Mary is here instead?”
“Because they think the worst of me and dinna place any value on Ally.”
“I canna say that I’m surprised that they sent Mary’s clothes,” Eoin agreed. “After the way she threw herself at me in the garden, assuming I was you. She would have had me toss her skirts right there and then. I was just lucky you and Allyson found us rather than someone else.
Ewan and Eoin made their way to the Great Hall. The twins went to the base of the stairs, and Ewan beamed at Allyson as she descended. She’d combed her hair, and it lay across her back and shoulders like a glimmering halo, the candlelight illuminating the blond strands. When she reached the brothers, Ewan brought her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss against the back.
A Rogue at the Highland Court: An Arranged Marriage Highlander Romance Page 21
