He tossed the chemise aside and proceeded to look his fill, gently pinning her wrists to their rough bed when she tried to cover herself. Her breasts were not the large, ripe ones he had always favored in the past, but he deemed them perfection: high, firm, round as an apple, and topped with a large nipple colored an invitingly rich pink. His mouth watered.
Fighting to calm his need to a more controllable level from the blinding height it had risen to, he studied the rest of her lithe shape. Her skin was a warm, light-golden hue all over. Suddenly, frustrated by the small braies she wore, he clasped both her wrists in one hand, then wrenched that last piece of covering from her slender body. His breath caught almost painfully in his throat as he looked over the slim shapeliness of her hips and every inch of her surprisingly long, slender, faintly muscular legs. Then his hungry gaze settled on the neat triangle of golden-brown curls at the juncture of her beautiful thighs and he groaned. There lay heaven, and he knew it was going to take every ounce of his self-restraint to stop himself from taking her too quickly. He was shaking with the need to bury himself in her heat, immediately and deeply, but a lingering thread of sanity kept reminding him that she was a virgin, that she needed gentleness and preparation.
With his free hand he removed his loincloth; then he slowly lowered his trembling body onto hers. The feel of her silken flesh touching his left him struggling to breathe. Cameron did not think he had ever been so inflamed. He had never wanted a woman as badly as he wanted this one. Even the scent of her, the heady mix of lavender, clean skin, and feminine arousal, made him nearly mad with need. Seeing a hint of unease enter her passion-warmed eyes, he quickly kissed her as he released his hold on her hands. To his relief, she immediately wrapped her strong, slim arms around him.
The baring of her body had made Avery nearly cringe, but the heat of his gaze had swiftly burned away her shyness and uncertainty. His blatant appreciation of the shape so many had scorned made her feel nearly beautiful. The way his warm, taut flesh felt against her body had her fighting for an even breath. Instinct told her that, if she gained some control over her passion, it would aid Cameron in gaining some control over his. Although her body ached with greed for him, she did not want her first time to be too hurried, too frantic. Then he touched his soft, warm lips to her breast, and she wondered if she even had the strength of will to slow things down a little.
So sharp was the pleasure that raced through her when Cameron licked the hard tip of her breast Avery cried out. She clutched his strong arms in a vain attempt to steady herself as he laved and suckled greedily. An ache grew low in her belly and she felt compelled to rub against him. The feel of his erection against her mons only made her feel more agitated, more needy. She slid her hand down his side, then between their bodies to clasp him. He felt so hard, yet the skin there was silken smooth. Avery stroked him and was a little startled when he gasped out a curse, bowed his body away from hers, and pulled her hand away.
"Nay, lass, keep those wee hands to yourself or I will be finishing this dance ere ye have had a chance to enjoy it,” Cameron said.
Avery was not sure she understood what he meant. Then he stroked his big hand over her stomach and slid it between her legs. Avery doubted that she would notice now if he spoke nothing but gibberish. The feel of his long, callused fingers stroking her so intimately had her thrashing, fighting the feelings pounding through her, yet eager for them, afraid of what was happening to her, yet greedy for more.
"Jesu, lass, ye are already wet with welcome,” he said, his voice hoarse and unsteady.
"Are ye just going to discuss it or are ye going to do something about it?” she challenged, not surprised to hear how thick and husky her own voice was, but only that she still had the wit left to speak at all.
Cameron laughed shakily as he spread her legs and positioned himself. “'Twill hurt ye this first time."
"Right now I think it will hurt me more if ye stop."
"Oh, there is nay a chance of me stopping now, my wee cat."
Her breath came in short gasps as he began to ease into her. A foolish part of her flared to life, panicked, certain he was too large, would never fit, and would damage her if he continued, but she ruthlessly silenced it. Cameron did feel large, filling her in a way that was both slightly uncomfortable and intensely pleasurable. When he stopped, she knew he had reached her maidenhead, and she tried not to tense in anticipation of the pain to come—something she knew would only make it worse.
"Lass, we could play this game without it costing ye your maidenhead,” Cameron said. “A wee gentle ride. Nay too deep."
"Now,” Avery wrapped one leg around his trim waist, “where would be"—she wrapped her other leg around him—"the fun in that?"
Using her legs and arms to force their bodies together, Avery impaled herself upon him. She echoed his startled curse. For a brief moment the pain of losing her maidenhead stilled her passion, but then she concentrated on how completely they were joined, on how a man and a woman could not get any closer than this, physically. She shifted slightly and gasped as her passion returned in a rush.
Cameron started to move, muttering hoarse words of flattery and encouragement against her neck. She clung to him, quickly adjusting to meet his thrusts. She slid her hands down his back to clutch at his taut buttocks, trying to push him deeper, to make sure that he did not even try to leave her now. A tension built inside her, and although she guessed what it meant, she found its strength a little alarming.
"Cameron,” she cried, knowing she had just revealed her uncertainty, and briefly wishing that she could have been stronger.
"Nay, loving, dinnae fight it.” He slowly edged his hand between their bodies to the place where they were joined. “Come with me, Avery. Give it to me."
He touched her, stroked her with his long, clever fingers, and Avery felt herself shatter. Waves of delight flowed over her. She clung to him as his thrusts grew fiercer. He suddenly plunged deep, his hands clenching on her hips so tightly it was almost painful. Cameron shuddered, groaned her name, and jerked against her a few times as if he no longer had full control of his body. She felt the heated rush of his seed deep inside her and shattered once more, only faintly aware of Cameron cursing in surprise and delight.
Avery did not come to her senses until Cameron had cleaned them both off and was lying back down at her side. She felt almost too weak to move, yet when he pulled her into his arms, interest flickered to life inside her. Such greed, she mused, and smiled faintly as she rubbed her cheek against his chest.
True, she had not maintained full control, but she was satisfied. Even Cameron could not question that she had willingly stepped into his arms, that she had eagerly given him her maidenhead. He had actually hesitated to take it and she found that a little endearing. No matter what happened now, whether they had a future or not, she knew she would never regret becoming his lover. Innocent she might have been, and still was in many ways, but she knew in her heart that this was a once-in-a-lifetime passion. This was love, she thought, and she sighed, feeling the pinch of sadness, for it was an unrequited love. Avery promised herself that, even if it remained unreturned, she would still find joy in it.
Cameron heard her sigh and felt a quick, sharp stab of guilt. “Regrets?"
"Mayhap it would be wiser if we didnae discuss the whys, the ifs, or the wherefores of all of this,” she said quietly as she stroked his chest, loving the feel of his taut warm skin, of muscles honed to smooth perfection. “After all, there is a verra good chance ye will say something that will anger me."
"And then ye will return to crying me nay?” Cameron tightened his grip on her, determined not to let that happen.
"Nay, then I will cut your heart out with a dull spoon and I think that might irritate your people."
He chuckled and stroked her back, from her slim shoulder to her nicely shaped backside. She felt good in his arms. The passion she had revealed in his arms had astounded him. So much fire in such a small, delicate
woman. Even now, as he touched her only idly, he could feel her warm to him. She moved against his side in subtle invitation and her nipples hardened against his skin. Suddenly he knew, without a doubt, that it was going to be very hard to give her up. He was going to have to do his utmost to hold to his plan, to keep his sister's travails always in mind. And, he thought, trembling as he felt her tongue lightly play over his chest, he was going to have to keep his heart well guarded. Passion had made a fool of him far too often, and this passion was the strongest, the fiercest he had ever savored; thus it was a far more dangerous one. If Avery thought to turn him from his plans by feeding his desires, she would soon see that he could not be so easily manipulated. When she slid her hand over his belly and wrapped her long fingers around his manhood, he decided he would be a fool indeed, however, if he did not at least let her try.
"Ye should rest,” he said, closing his eyes and savoring the feel of her stroking him to an aching hardness. “Ye will be sore come the morning."
"Nay more sore than I have been from riding a horse all the day, yet it ne'er stopped me from climbing back into the saddle the next morning.” She combed her fingers through the thick hair at his groin, clasped the soft sack at the base of his erection, and gently squeezed.
A brief, surprised laugh escaped her when Cameron suddenly grabbed her, turned her onto her back, and sprawled on top of her. “Ye do move fast for such a large mon.” She ran her feet up and down his calves, enjoying the feel of their sinewy strength. “Ye dinnae like to be touched?"
"I like it too much.” He plucked at her hardened nipples with his fingers, then slowly licked each one, smiling with enjoyment over the way she squirmed beneath him “Mayhap in a week or two I will be able to savor more than one touch of those bonny hands."
She welcomed his kiss, for it silenced the words that had rushed into her mouth, the awkward questions about how close to Cairnmoor they would be by then, and whether he would still be eager to send her away. It would not be easy to banish such questions and concerns, but she would. Avery refused to allow such worries to steal away any of the delight she could feel in his arms. She simply promised herself that she would not allow that self-imposed blindness to become so complete that she fooled herself into thinking all was well. She would enjoy the heaven she found in his arms and pray that Cameron gained the wit to see what they could share, and see it clearly enough to want to hold fast to it.
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Chapter Nine
Avery winced slightly as she stood up after helping Peter eat his porridge. She was feeling somewhat sore, although she was not really in pain. Clearly, making love stretched a few muscles she did not usually make much use of. Since she had woken up to find Cameron already deep inside her and herself in a fever of need, she had not really noticed her discomfort until now. What she needed was a long soak in a hot bath, but she decided she would wait until evening to have it. If she sought one now, she had the feeling that nearly everyone in camp would know the reason why.
When Anne asked her to gather some wood for the fires, Avery welcomed the chore, quickly collecting the small wood cart. With Gillyanne in tow and their guards ambling along behind them, she headed into the surrounding forest. It allowed her a respite from wondering if each person she caught looking at her was doing so because he knew what she had done. Avery knew it would take a while before she could feel comfortable in her place as Cameron's lover. The fact that everyone in camp knew Cameron had no plan to make their intimate relationship a permanent one caused her far more unease than she thought it ought to.
"So, how does it feel to be a woman now?” asked Gillyanne as she tossed some kindling into the little cart.
"How do ye ken that I have taken that step?” Avery asked a little testily. “Am I branded upon the forehead?"
Gillyanne laughed and shook her head. “Nay, ye look no different, which I find a little disappointing. Nay, ‘tis just that ye told me ye meant to give in, and I can nae believe that braw mon of yours would refuse an aye when ye gave him one."
"Oh. Weel, he didnae. And it just feels odd right now. Whilst in his arms the delight is near to blinding, but, now I feel ... weel, uneasy. I wonder how many ken what I have done, yet I dinnae feel any shame, just a wee bit of discomfort—mayhap embarrassment—that my personal business may nay be as private as I would like."
"That will probably pass. I dinnae think anyone here will think any less of ye for this.” Gillyanne shrugged. “In truth, I think nay just a few of Cameron's people wonder if this trouble with his sister has rattled their laird's wits."
"That willnae please Cameron if he catches wind of it."
"Nay, but mayhap ‘twill make the fool pause and think a bit."
"One can only hope."
"And just what do ye wish him to think of?’”
"That ‘twill cost him most dearly to set me aside,” Avery replied quietly.
"Mayhap a good sound knock on the head will help,” Gillyanne drawled as she hefted a thick piece of wood in her small hands.
Avery laughed. “Aye, mayhap."
"And what will ye do if he doesnae gain the wit to see that he needs ye, wants to keep ye?"
Waste away, Avery thought. Shatter into a hundred sharp, cutting pieces. But she simply replied, “Survive,” and was pleased when, after studying her closely for a moment, Gillyanne just nodded and returned to the chore of collecting wood.
"So, need I ask why ye are in such a fine mood?” Leargan asked Cameron as they saddled their horses, preparing to go on a hunt for food.
"Some things are nay any of your concern,” replied Cameron, tightening the cinches on his saddle.
"Weel, if ye dinnae wish the whole camp to ken that ye have finally gained your prize, ‘twould be best to stop looking at the lass so ... er, warmly."
"Thought I had been looking at her that way for days now."
"True, but the look has changed some. ‘Tis now one holding a knowledge of just what awaits ye there."
Cameron mounted, stared out over the camp, and sighed. Leargan was probably right. Instead of just looking eager, he now looked eager and knowing. He probably looked like a man who now knew he would find a welcome in the arms of the woman he lusted after. And he did indeed lust after Avery Murray. Only sheer strength of will had pulled him out of her arms this morning. A large part of him had ached to remain cloistered in his tent all day making love to her. In truth, several long, sweaty days of lovemaking would probably not be enough to take the edge off his greed for her. Just thinking about her had him aching.
"It shouldnae be a surprise to anyone,” Cameron said. “'Twas my plan from the beginning. And, ‘tis still none of their concern. Tis between me and Avery, none other."
Leargan mounted, following when Cameron nudged his horse into motion. “Nay? They like her and that wee impertinent cousin of hers. She saved our lives, helps their women, tends their wounds, and, ‘tis because of her care that young Peter will live. Ye are their laird and they will follow with little question, but that doesnae mean that they are nae thinking of a few. They dinnae feel that she deserves to be used, shamed, and then cast aside."
"Do ye forget Katherine's plight?"
"Nay, but that is nae Avery's doing. The righteousness of your plan appealed to all of us until we came to ken the lass ye would use to accomplish it. Now it just doesnae set right. Ye could have left her be. Ye could have set aside the seduction part of your plan and just used her in trade, the ransom being Sir Payton."
"Aye, I could have. Howbeit, ye cannae blame this on me. Last night she seduced me.” Cameron scowled at Leargan when his cousin released a snorting laugh of blatant disbelief. “She did. Aye, she didnae need to use many tricks, did she? ‘Tis no secret I have lusted after her from the start. However, I was questioning the whole of my plan.” He frowned. “I suddenly didnae want the bedding, if there was to be one, to be part of it all. But, she came to me. Jesu, at one point I e'en offered to leave her maidenhood
intact, but she took that decision from my hands as weel."
"Weel, ye handsome rogue, ye have obviously driven the poor lass to madness.” Leargan met Cameron's glare with a wide, unrepentant grin, then quickly grew serious again. “Marry her."
"'Twould be verra difficult to trade Avery for her brother if I made her my wife, now wouldnae it?"
"Trade Gillyanne for Sir Payton."
"If Avery was my wife, any threat I made against the wee lass wouldnae carry any weight, would it. The Murrays wouldnae believe that I would do anything more to my wife's wee cousin than glare at her. Jesu, they would ken that I would have to battle my own wife to e'en try to hurt that lass. And, I dinnae want a wife."
"Every mon needs an heir."
"I dinnae. I have you and any one of nearly a dozen other cousins."
"And ye dinnae trust any woman as far as ye can spit, do ye?"
"Do ye blame me? A treacherous lot, women are. Sweet and soft when they want something, yet quick to stab ye in the back if the mood takes them or they find richer fields elsewhere. Right now, Avery is being sweet and soft, but ‘twill nay last."
Leargan shook his head. “Ye malign the poor lass without cause. Do ye mistrust all men because some have revealed a lack of honor? Nay. Yet ye spit upon the honor of all women because of the actions of a few."
"More than a few,” Cameron muttered, but the truth of Leargan's words could not really be argued away. “The only thing that matters, that cannae be ignored, is that Katherine needs to wed the mon who seduced her. If she is carrying a bairn, then that bairn needs his father. The way to get those things is with Gillyanne and Avery."
Highland Knight Page 9
