by Laura Glenn
He could not resist though. Just a small taste. He spread her ass cheeks and her slit glistened up at him with gathering moisture, deepening in its rosy color. He grasped the base of his cock and slid the tip down between her folds, drawing a shattering gasp from her lips. Her juices coated him as he paused at her opening and then thrust into her, burying his shaft to the hilt in one, fluid movement.
She panted as he held her impaled upon him. His cock pulsated, sending vibrations of hot arousal through him. He pulled back and drove into her hard once again, twisting another cry from her. He sank his teeth into her neck, her slick pussy quivering around him, driving a dizziness through his head.
She needed to come. Now before he lost control. He would have to steel himself against the deep, animalistic urge to pound into her until he spilled his seed.
He pressed her chest to the wall, keeping her hips tilted back with one hand so his cock did not slip out of its tight, hot sleeve, and slid his other hand around until a finger hit her engorged clit. She whimpered. He licked the flesh he’d just bitten and kissed her ear as he kneaded her clit in ever-tightening circles.
Their shared, quickening breaths broke through the silence of the room. Her pussy shivered in erratic pulsations, sending intense surges of pleasure through his cock. But soon the ripples of her mounting arousal became rhythmic. Her core sucked on him, drawing him in deeper.
She swallowed hard and gasped for breath. With a deep moan, she rocked her hips, pumping his cock in short, measured strokes. He gritted his teeth, his shaft swelling with the onslaught. With a rough jerk, he pulled her back and held her steady as he rubbed her clit in frenzied circles.
Her pussy clamped down hard all around him and she sucked in a breath. The spasm vibrated around and down the length of his cock.
He stepped back and grabbed both of her hips. Lifting her up to her toes, he pummeled into her, the flesh of her backside yielding to every thrust. His balls tightened, sweat beading on his brow despite the chill of the room. With one last, concentrated plunge into her, a hot, raging convulsion radiated through his cock and he burst, pumping his seed into her hot, welcoming depths.
She slumped forward and he followed, holding her up with his body and pressing his cheek to the back of her head. Their breathing made a slow retreat back to normal.
This. This felt right. She belonged with him. Here. In this keep with his daughter and his clan. Even if she wasn’t carrying his child now or ever did in the future, it did not matter. Leah belonged with him.
But she was with child. It all made perfect sense now. The tiredness, the swelling of her breasts and stomach, however slight. Was she aware of it or was she just not ready to tell him?
He let out a long, deep exhalation. Now was not the time to confront her. He should probably let her get to her nap so she could be ready for the children when they awakened. With some reluctance, he withdrew his softening cock from her warm depths and eased away from her, pulling her skirts back down over her hips.
She turned toward him with a sigh, a sleepy, satiated expression playing across her features. She placed her hand along his jaw and stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek as he tucked his cock back into his breeches. “Now I definitely need a nap.”
He smiled and stooped to retrieve his belt, allowing Leah to help him secure it around his waist. He tilted her face up and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. He wanted to tell her how he felt and ask her about the baby. But he did not want to frighten her or trigger the skittishness that might cause her to shrink away from him.
He was not certain just how much of his language she knew or if she could piece the words together before he made his escape, but he wanted to tell her and let her come to terms with it in her own time.
He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. “Tha gaol agam ort.”
I love you.
She pulled back and scrunched her brows.
He laughed and kissed her forehead. “Let me know when you have it figured out.”
He threw her a wink and slipped out the door. As soon as he turned in to the hallway, her gasp reached his ears through the door.
He grinned and strode toward the stairwell.
Chapter Nineteen
He loved her.
Loved.
Her.
The rustle of clothing drew her attention and she blinked her eyes open. Just a bare hint of light seeped around the fur window coverings.
“Hey, lass,” Rathe murmured. Then he was at her side, his calloused hand brushing the hair back from her sleepy eyes. His breath, warm and sweet caressed her forehead as he brushed a kiss over her temple. “I am being called away for a bit.”
Away? She sprang upward, clutching the blankets to her chest as the cold air of the poorly heated room swirled around her naked skin. “What? Why?”
The bed sank as he sat next to her. “It is unclear what is happening, but there is trouble again along the MacAirth border. Galen is reporting raids onto his land. Some cottages have been burned with the families barely escaping.”
A chill ran down her spine. “Anna and the children? Are they all right?”
He nodded, a grave expression settling into his brow. “As far as I know. Galen will not hesitate to send them here if there is further trouble. Prepare a chamber, just in case.”
He moved to stand but she caught his arm, her stomach churning with trepidation. “How long will you be gone?”
“I do not know.”
She shifted her eyes back and forth as a sudden need to stall him consumed her. “Will you send word to me now and then? Just so I know you are safe?”
He smiled and clasped her hand. “When it is convenient.”
She rolled her eyes and he chuckled, moving to stand again. She gripped his hand tighter. “I-I—”
He raised his brows, staring into her eyes as though attempting to reveal her soul. “You what?”
“I—” She dropped his gaze. It was too intense. Too full of expectation. But she wasn’t ready. Doubtful of the strange emotions swirling through her for the past several weeks, she bit her lower lip. “I want you to come home safe. No getting hurt and no dying.”
She dared a glance up. He pressed his lips together in a knowing smile and nodded as though accepting something she wasn’t acknowledging. Annoyance flashed through her but then vanished as he leaned forward and gave her a long kiss. Tears stung her eyes and she grasped his face between her hands, pressing her lips into his, saturating the physical affection with all the unspoken emotions and fears for which she still had no words.
Goose bumps scattered across her flesh as he pulled away. She allowed her hands to drop into her lap.
He paused with his hand on the door handle and turned back to her. “I will come back, lass. I swear. It is not my time yet.”
He flashed her one of his devastating, devilish grins and slipped out the door.
All the air left her lungs at once. She sat in the silent room, straining to hear what was going on outside. Once his voice carried up to her from the courtyard, she leapt from the bed, dragged a blanket around her shoulders and rushed to the window. Pulling the fur back, she peered down just as he mounted his horse. He glanced up toward her, his face cracking into a pleased grin.
She waved and he gave her a nod before turning his horse toward the open gate. A large contingent of mounted warriors waited for him outside the castle walls. Tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood. Why did he need so many men?
She couldn’t tear herself away from the window until Rathe and his men had disappeared into the mountain pass to the south. By that point her knees had been locked into position for so long they’d grown almost numb with stiffness.
She pushed away from the window and tossed the blanket onto the bed. She hadn’t seen him since he’d uttered those frightening, wonderful words yesterday afternoon. Not long before supper, men had arrived from the MacAirth holding and Rathe, along with several of his men, holed up in the great hall. A
nimated discussions went on for hours and Leah had only heard bits and pieces as she walked up and down the servants’ corridor to the kitchen along with the children. She’d caught the discussions about skirmishes and unknown men roaming about, but nothing about cottages being burned to the ground.
She sent up a silent prayer for all those involved as she dropped to her knees to pull fresh clothing from the trunk at the end of the bed. Pulling out one of her newer, warmer overdresses, she donned her chemise and yanked the soft, rust-colored garment over her head. Unlike the one she’d worn yesterday, this one at least had gold ribbons along the sides to allow for the changes in her body.
“I am such a fucking coward,” she muttered in English, twisting to lace the gown down each side.
She would have to tell him at some point. After all, how much more time did she have until she started to show? She never did have another period once she started sleeping with Rathe, making her at least two months along.
Which meant she would give birth well before the fall equinox.
She shook her head, already weary from the thoughts spinning in overdrive through her mind. Even if she hadn’t gotten pregnant, could she really leave? Leave Màiri and little Daniel? Not to mention Rathe. She groaned, her face falling into her hands. How could she have let this happen?
She sighed and delved back into the trunk for stockings. Her hand brushed against the half-used bundle of herbs buried at the bottom. Anna had warned her it might not work and would do no good at all if she were already pregnant. The latter seemed to be the case and once she’d missed her first period and the breast tenderness begun, the herbs sat unused at the bottom of the trunk.
It was all too complicated now. Her stomach ached at Rathe’s absence and already the pins and needles of waiting for him to return had set in. His laugh made her smile, freed her of her worries. Funny how she had gone from a nervous wreck for most of her life to free and relaxed in this man’s presence. He never criticized her or made her feel any less than beautiful and smart. He always proudly hauled her up to his side in the presence of others and often encouraged her to offer up her opinions on whatever matter was at hand. To be valued, cared for and encouraged was a breath of fresh air.
And all this coming from a supposedly misogynistic thirteenth-century man? She shook her head in amazement.
And more amazing still, he loved her. He’d said it so fast it took a little longer than normal to translate the Gaelic in her head. Torn between needing to see him and gratitude he was too busy with the MacAirth contingent that had arrived, she’d spent most of her time the day before distracted and on edge.
Did she love him? Maybe. A spiral of depression would unwind in her stomach every time she contemplated going back to her old life. But what then? Could she really move on and find love with another man when Rathe’s image haunted her? Lying in bed next to someone, looking across the table at dinner, holing up by the fire on a wintry night. Only Rathe came to mind.
“Mamaidh?”
Leah looked up as she slid one stocking over her foot. Màiri’s little face peered at her through the cracked-open door.
Mommy. Wow. Even after all this time it still took her a second to realize the little girl was speaking to her. Leah supposed she should have been irritated or something by Rathe’s automatic assumption she would take over the care of his children and fulfill the role of mother by virtue of marrying him.
But she didn’t. It had never felt like a bother. Màiri was a delight—well-behaved and with a good heart. And even little Daniel was finally coming out of his shell and beginning to talk. He was already two years old and hadn’t uttered a single word until a couple of weeks after Leah had arrived. Everyone had just assumed something was amiss with him. In the end, the boy simply needed a steady main caretaker in order to blossom.
Leah smiled at the little girl and pulled on the second stocking before waving her into the room. Màiri ran in, clutching her floppy fabric doll to her chest, and curled up in Leah’s lap.
Leah brushed a stray curl that had escaped the girl’s braid behind her ear. “Why are you up so early, little one?”
“Daddy’s gone,” she mumbled, laying her head on Leah’s chest.
Leah kissed her head and gave her a gentle squeeze, her heart warmed by how dearly this little girl loved her father. “I know.”
Leah laid her cheek on the top of Màiri’s head while she fidgeted with her doll.
From out of nowhere Màiri suddenly blurted out, “Can I help you with the new baby?”
Leah yanked her head back and stared at Màiri for several seconds, dumbfounded. “What baby?”
“The one in your tummy,” she replied with a dramatic sigh. “You know, my new brother or sister.”
Leah blinked several times in bewilderment. She hadn’t told anyone. Not a single soul. “Where did you hear that?”
Màiri shrugged. “Mòrag and Flora. Are you and Daddy going to make me go away if it is a little brother? Because I can help. I do not want to go away.”
The distress in her voice broke Leah’s heart. “Oh, sweetie, where did you get an idea like that?”
“Calum and Marc said if you had a boy, you would not need me anymore.”
Leah rolled her eyes. Word had obviously gotten around the clan if Brodie’s ten-year-old twin boys already knew. “Don’t you worry, honey. We will always need you. You’re not going anywhere.”
But the little girl’s fears were not eased. “They also said you cannot love me because you are not my real mommy.”
Ugh. Those boys. Leah had half a mind to box their ears the next time she saw them. How dare they tease Màiri so heartlessly? Why…
From out of nowhere, a fullness entered her heart, breaking it open and sending a flood of emotion through her body. Love. She did love Màiri. And little Daniel.
And Rathe. God help her, but she did. She loved him.
All at once, she gave in, embracing this strange, sweet, primitive life into which she’d stumbled. This was where she was meant to be. This was where her life mattered.
“What does a mommy do?” she asked, smoothing Màiri’s chemise down along her leg.
“She feeds her babies and cuddles them and helps them when they are hurt.”
Leah nodded. “What else?”
Màiri screwed up her face as she thought. Then her eyes popped wide open. “She sings to them and stops them from being naughty.”
Leah laughed. “Does she love them?”
Màiri lifted her now solemn eyes up to hers and nodded.
“Do you feel like I am your mommy?”
The little girl hesitated but then gave Leah a shy nod.
Leah smiled. “You’re right. I am.”
Màiri giggled and curled into Leah.
Leah squeezed her again as tears filled her eyes. “You’re going to be the best big sister ever,” she whispered.
* * * * *
“My lady! My lady!” Flora’s voice called, shaking with urgency.
It pulled Leah out of a deep slumber. She blinked her eyes open and sat up. “What is it?” She started to stretch a kink out of her neck but then froze as she caught the alarmed expression on Flora’s face. Dread crept over her shoulders. Something was wrong.
“Some cottages to the south have been burnt.”
Leah’s breath caught in her throat. “Burnt? When?”
“Not long ago,” Flora gulped, wringing her hands. “The families are on their way in now.”
Shouts floated through the window from the courtyard and Leah leapt from the bed, running to the window. “Was anyone hurt?” she asked, pulling the fur covering aside.
A cold blast of air hit her in the face. Only a small sliver of sun peeked over the horizon but dozens of families were streaming into the courtyard. Old women with walking sticks. Sleepy children with bare legs clinging to their parents. Men with soot-blackened faces, clothing singed around the edges, hands and arms reddened.
“My lady?”<
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Flora’s voice was tinged with fear and anguish. Leah’s mind raced in panic. The clan would be turning to her, wouldn’t they? She was the lady of the keep, after all. But what should she do? Rathe had been gone for two days already. Could she hold everything together long enough for him to get back?
“Will you help me dress?” she asked, whirling around to face Flora.
“Of course, my lady.”
Within minutes, Leah was slipping on her shoes and running out the door. “Stay with the children, please,” she called out as she ran down the corridor.
She flew down the stairs. The door to the great hall had been thrown open. Mòrag directed injured and tired clansmen and -women through the door while servants crisscrossed the room with bandages and water. She stopped as a young boy of about twelve years was laid out on one of the tables. He groaned as a man tore charred and tattered fabric away from the boy’s legs and arms.
Cries and shouts echoed through the high ceilings, blurring in her ears into an excruciating din. She grabbed a cloth from a servant and dipped it in a bowl of water. With a gentle sweep across the boy’s forehead and cheeks, she cleaned away the sweat and grime as she spoke to him in soft, reassuring tones. She continued her ministrations as the man beside her worked, her heart breaking as tears of pain spilled from the boy’s eyes.
A hand grabbed her arm. “My lady,” Mòrag said, “you are needed outside.”
Leah nodded and handed her the cloth for her to continue. In an anguished daze, she threaded her way through the crowd and out to the courtyard. People were still streaming through the gate. But this new wave showed no signs of having escaped any burning buildings. No one was injured. No one’s clothing was singed or their faces sooted.
Brodie waved at her and rushed over. “My lady, they are all coming now. It is a panic.”
Leah scanned the courtyard as every available space was filling up. Fear and tension hung thick in the air.
“My lady?”
She met his expectant gaze. “Let them come,” she whispered. “Close the gate as soon as everyone is in.”
