After the evening meal, the great hall became animated when the music and ale flowed. Most men were ready for a tumble with a woman after spending the day competing, their eyes scanning the room for available lasses. Calum laughed at spotting Ian who grabbed a woman and popped her on his lap. The woman feigned disinterest slapping at his shoulder, but was slow to move away.
"Do you not wish to dance again, husband?" Meagan leaned into him, her soft breasts pressing against his arm. Calum grimaced and adjusted in his seat. His cock had become too hard to allow comfort so he gave up any attempt to be.
At Meagan's frown, he pressed a kiss to her brow. "I cannot dance at the moment. I fear I may have a hard time even walking." He took her hand and pressed it between his legs.
Her wide eyes met his and then her lips curved. "Is that for me?" she teased, taking him by surprise, as they'd never played like this. She arched a brow and he swallowed giving her a quick nod before looking back toward the dancing.
Under the tabletop, fabric slid, his tunic pushed up and Calum was about to adjust it when warm fingers stroked his stomach before slipping down the front of his breeches. He turned to Meagan with what he was sure was a look of shock but she did not face him. In fact, she spoke to someone beside her while her left hand continued its descent until wrapping around his hard cock.
Calum leaned forward, placed his elbows on the table and spread his legs wider. Her hand tightened around his cock and she slid it down to the base and then back up to stop at the pulsing head. He practically spit out his ale, but managed to nod to a clansmen who said something he could not make out, past his attempt to keep from panting. When her fingers cupped his sack, Calum reached under the table and stayed her hand. He leaned to her ear. "Come with me, now."
Meagan barely kept up with Calum's long strides when he pulled her from the great room. It was impossible to keep from smiling when her eyes met Cailyn's who raised an eyebrow in question before looking at their grasped hands.
The ever-intrusive sister blocked their path to the stairwell. "Brother, it's early yet, we have not presented the sweets." She put her hands on her hips. "Do you not plan to dance with your lovely wife?"
"I'm sure they will be enjoyed without me. I do not wish to dance," Calum told her. His jaw tight, a slight flush creeping up his face.
Cailyn's gaze swept over her brother and her eyes widened as Meagan pressed her lips to hold back a giggle. His sister no doubt noticed his bulge and practically jumped to the side to allow them to pass. "Good night to you two then."
They reached their room and he pulled her inside. "Finally," Calum swung Meagan around and wrapped his strong arms around her, his mouth seeking hers. When his lips crushed over hers, she dragged her fingers through his silky hair. He tasted of ale and desire. The feel of his large body trembling with desire for her was something she'd have to get used to.
His hands reached around her and began to undo her gown’s lacings, serving to fan the embers of the cravings for her laird. Her handsome and intoxicating husband.
Her gown fell to pool around her feet at the same time Calum picked her up and took her to their bed all the while his lips traveling from one corner of her mouth to the other. "I want you so much. Have not stopped thinking of lying between your legs. Of making love to you until we both are exhausted." His husky words fell over her, washing the hurt of years away.
Meagan pulled at the bottom of his tunic and yanked it up. He lifted his arms to allow her to remove it. At the sight of his bulging muscles, Meagan leaned forward and licked his nipple. Calum's grunt of pleasure encouraged her to continue to the other one trailing between them with a pointed tongue.
With one hand Calum pushed away his breeches and then lifted her hips to grind his hard shaft against her core. Meagan raked her nails on his biceps all the while her eyes looking into his darkened ones. "I want you, husband. Need you to take me, mark me as yours."
"How could I have robbed us of so much?" Calum was solemn, but a corner of his mouth lifted. "No more. As a matter of fact, you may come to regret this turn in our marriage."
Meagan lifted her leg and slid it up his thigh. "I do not think so, Calum." Her breathing hitched when he bent and took her nipple into his mouth. He suckled it while continuing to thrust his hips forward. The soft skin covering his cock, a contradiction to the hardness beneath.
"I cannot wait, I need you now, Calum." Meagan took his well-formed ass in her hands and massaged it, pulling at him. "I yearn for your hardness inside me."
His hand slid between them and he pushed a finger into her, then a second. Meagan mewled and pulled him down for a deeper kiss. His tongue darted into her mouth and she sucked it hard to make a point of how she wanted to be taken.
"I don't want to hurt you," Calum groaned.
Meagan stiffened and pushed him away. "Stop."
Mouth open, Calum blinked at her reaction. "Meagan..."
Her eyes narrowed, lips parted, she glared at him. "Get on your back, Laird. Now." She pushed him to guide him onto the bed. "I am not going to worry about whether I hurt you or not." She huffed and climbed over him. "And as far as I'm concerned, you can lay there without moving and allow me to do what I wish."
Calum went to chuckle but when her mouth closed over his left nipple, he stopped. Her pointed tongue flicked back and forth over it and he had a hard time not holding her head in place begging her to continue. Her fingers circled the other one and then she began to trace circles with her tongue down his stomach.
Each movement although not gentle was so sensual, he worried at the embarrassment of spilling before joining with her. "Hurry, love, I must take you," he panted, but stopped talking when she lifted an eyebrow at him.
"Don't talk. I am doing what I’ve wanted to do for so long. To make you mine in every way I have imagined." Her breathy voice was almost his undoing.
He'd never dreamed of her this way, that she would be such a sensual creature. God what had he robbed them of for so long.
All thoughts evaporated when her mouth descended until the wicked tongue of hers flicked over the head of his cock while at the same time her fingers wrapped around and she stroked the length.
With the other hand, she pressed his thigh down to give her more access. Calum threw his head back and arched into her mouth when her full, beautiful lips surrounded the head of his cock. She sucked hard and he fisted the bedding groaning in pleasure.
Meagan took him in until he touched the back of her throat, her tongue flat against the bottom. She suckled and allowed him to slide out almost completely before pulling him back into her hot delicious mouth.
"God, woman, that feels like heaven."
Finally she allowed him to slip from between her lips, but she did not stop making love to him. Her wicked lips pressed kisses against the bottom of his throbbing member, until they lay against his sac. She licked the soft space between his sac and rod and Calum called out.
"Are you ready to take me fully?" Her breasts heaved with her heavy breathing when she climbed over him and guided him to her entrance. With a swift lift of her hips, Meagan impaled herself onto him.
Both moaned at joining and Meagan hesitated allowing her body to adjust to the intrusion.
"You feel so good, Calum." She looked down at him and a more beautiful picture he would be pressed to ever see.
Calum held her hips as she began to lift and lower with force, their bodies slapping with each connection.
Through half closed eyes he watched her, his own hips rising to match her rhythm.
When she began to tire, his large hands encircled her waist and he held her in place as he pounded into her, no longer worried that he’d hurt her. She'd made it obvious he did not. Free to take his wife beyond the beckoning, he moved with a steady pace.
Her short whimpers alerted that she neared completion, Calum released her waist and with his fingers, he flicked her nub. Meagan bucked at his ministrations and she lost any semblance of control. Meagan shuddere
d and her erratic movements actually enhanced the experience, the friction of skin sliding against skin swallowed him and Calum found himself lost in her.
With a loud cry, Meagan trembled and her body clenched constricting around him. She collapsed onto his chest and Calum held her in place and continued pumping into her. His loud pants intermixed with her moans. The sounds of their lovemaking consumed him. Calum cried out and thrust into her one last time. He fell from a height never reached in his life. Floating down not seeing anything but a vast expanse of nothing but Meagan.
Warmth traveled up her body and Meagan’s eyes popped open. Sunlight across her face made her close her eyes again only to gasp at new sensations between her legs. "What?"
Her legs were pinned open, her husband's face at a level that left her fully exposed to him. "Oh God, Calum, what are you doing?"
No words were needed, his tongue flicked over her nub and she jolted. He continued moving his tongue back and forth over the sensitive spot until she began to fly. When he took it into his mouth and suckled it, Meagan screamed in release.
Not allowing her to fully descend, he climbed over her and plunged in. His largeness filled her and she sighed wrapping her legs around his slender hips.
The huge warrior rose over her, his darkened eyes pinning her and Meagan's heart burst with love for him.
His movements already hard and fast, he drove into her with vigor and she held onto his shoulders, her nails raking into his skin. "Calum, you make me feel so many wonderful things." She stopped talking to let out a moan.
He growled and began to shake in his release. His heated seed spilled into her while his arms trembled holding him up.
"Come to me." Meagan pulled him down, enjoying his weight on top of her. So many mornings she'd wish to awaken with him like this. And even in her most scandalous imaginings, this morning was so much better than she could have hoped for.
"Good morning, husband." She pressed a kiss to his temple and massaged his broad shoulders.
"I love you, wife, thank you for being so kind and patient with me," Calum told her, trailing kisses from her shoulder to her jawline. His beautiful blue eyes met hers. "I don't deserve your love after the way I've treated you."
"From today forward let us love each other, Calum. No more regrets." Meagan replied, "I love you, as well."
"These have been the best games our clan has ever hosted." Her husband's sensuous lips curved. "I won a prize beyond my dreams."
Chapter 23
Dugan and Elsbeth’s Story
Dugan McDougall looked toward the chapel's ceiling and wished to be anywhere but up front next to the sobbing bride. It was proving to be an interesting wedding day. Between the heat of the small, cramped chapel and a hysterical wife-to-be, he fought the urge to run for the back door to fresh air and freedom.
Elsbeth McNeil was indeed bonny, but she was also young, scared, and obviously not ready to marry him. If she made it through the ceremony without fainting Dugan would be surprised.
He reached out and steadied her as she swayed once again. With a shudder, the wench jerked away from him, which prompted him to glare at her. The priest cleared his throat and droned on after hesitating only a moment when the bride wavered and let out a loud hiccup.
Dugan shifted his gaze to his cousin and laird, Calum, who returned an apologetic look. Even if his cousin was rethinking the idea of the clans uniting, it was too late to do anything about it now. The McNeils although not allies, were not that big of a threat either. The marriage was an effort to stop the borderline skirmishes, which lingered much too long between the clans.
Once the papers were signed and agreements made, the McDougalls were not going back on their word. Both lairds, their oaths given, had already signed the damn papers.
Elsbeth took a dramatic deep breath and Dugan barely caught her before she collapsed to the floor. The McNeil stepped forward to see about his daughter whilst his wife fanned the girl and began to cry.
Not willing to take in any more of the dramatics, Dugan lowered the girl to the floor before stepping over her to head outside. He walked to a tree nearby and leaned on it. It would be a while before someone came for him with word the bride had regained consciousness. One thing he was sure of. If this was any indication of married life, he was glad for strong ale and whiskey.
It was his duty to marry, as his clan had already agreed to the union, and truth be told, Dugan did not think badly on the prospect of marriage, but he'd hoped for a more agreeable wife.
Calum neared. "Hopefully, once you bed the lass she'll get over these hysterics."
"If she acts so before everyone, what do you think will happen when we're alone?" Dugan shook his head. "I am not looking forward to the marriage bed and a wailing bride."
Calum frowned. "Mayhap she will calm after some time getting to know you." Dugan lifted his brows and began to speak but Calum interrupted him. "Come, they call us back in."
The ceremony went surprisingly smooth after Elsbeth came to. Although a sniffle escaped several times, she remained upright and repeated the vows with a strong voice.
Dugan resigned himself to the idea that this marriage would take work. If anything could be said about him it was that he was tenacious. Once he set his mind, whatever obstacle would be moved. Or he'd find a way around it.
At the evening meal, the Laird McNeil leaned over Calum to meet Dugan's eyes.
With a look of consternation, the laird assured him repeatedly that the lass was ready to marry. "She's a bit overly coddled by her ma and I. I promise ye, she looks forward to marriage and raising bairns." He glanced at his daughter who sat beside Dugan, still as a statue. "My Elsbeth will be a good wife to ye."
The McNeil lifted his cup and the room quieted to wait his words. He turned to face them. "May the gods grant ye many sons and daughters." The crowd burst into cheers and Elsbeth, if possible, paled even more.
With a sigh Dugan leaned toward her and smiled hoping to dispel her fears. "I don't expect to hurry you into bairns. We need time to get to know each other first."
Her fingers fidgeted with her cup and she kept her eyes downcast. "I thank you for those words, but I will be a good wife to you and do as you wish." The softness of her voice spoke of resignation. Her lips pressed together, his bride blinked repeatedly as if on the brink of tears.
Damn it, if it were not for the traditional bedding, he'd avoid going to bed with her for as long as possible. The last thing he wanted was a bride who detested the thought of lying with him. He was not used to such as most lasses practically chased him to his chambers. Often after discreet knocks, he'd frequent middle-of-the-night visitations.
Out of the corner of his eye, Dugan studied his new wife. The lass was breathtaking with long blond hair that she'd worn down for the wedding flowing past her rounded shoulders down her back. The golden tresses battled for attention with the hue of her ivory skin. Her pink lips were made for kissing and her bright blue eyes for looking into while making love. She straightened as if sensing his regard and turned to him. "How much longer before I am forced to lay under you?"
Dugan choked and sputtered, the ale in his throat going down the wrong way. "A while yet. I would like to spend a bit longer here drinking. Something I am sure to enjoy more."
Her gasp made him smile, but when he caught his new father-in-law's questioning gaze he forced a stern look. He leaned toward her and once again allowed his lips to curve. "Don't worry, fair Elsbeth. I know your words were meant to discourage me, but you see, I didn't need to be. I too do not look forward to the marriage bed. Not with a reluctant wench, at least."
"How dare you." Although her voice remained low, her eyes narrowed at him and lips pressed together into a disapproving, albeit tempting, line. "You are not a gentleman."
"In that you are correct, wife. I am not in anyway gentle."
She went to retort, but was cut short.
"To the happy couple! To bed!" Someone in the crowd cheered and Dugan raised
his glass toward them. The people in the room began to chant and he grimaced.
"Well, it looks like they have decided it's time." He groaned as the men neared and surrounded him intent on carrying him up the stairs to the marriage chamber.
Elsbeth was already being hurried up the stairs by the women, no doubt to put her in some ridiculous white bedding garb.
"One last toast. To the union of the McNeil and McDougall clans. May together we conquer many battles." Dugan raised his glass and once the cheering ended, continued to talk of the many clan conquests on the battlefield, a sure way of distracting the men. It worked, but for only a short while.
Finally Calum placed his cup down with a loud thud. "Enough, it is time for the groom to see about his bride."
The McNeils seconded the order and then the insufferable man brought up his hand. "Proof of the consummation is in order, of course. My daughter comes to the marriage bed an innocent and I will see that proved."
"Aye, aye," the others called out and before Dugan could say another word, his shirt was ripped from his body, his britches loosened and he was hoisted on shoulders and marched out of the room.
He'd promised Elsbeth he'd not hurry her, but now he found himself cornered with no other option than to bed the lass. Her father would not be rebuffed.
To do so would tear a rip in the already fragile relation between the two clans.
Chapter 24
Elsbeth suffered the good cheer of the McDougall women surrounding her. Were it a different situation she'd be quite content to be there with the gracious ladies of clan McDougall.
The laird's wife, Meagan, touched her cheek and leaned to kiss her good night. After which the other two women, Cailyn, the laird's sister and Victoria, the laird's brother's wife, did the same. Her mother had retired early, as she tended to do after expelling so much emotion for the wedding, she was exhausted. Elsbeth suspected it was a ploy to avoid attending the bedding ritual.
Highlander's Kiss: The McDougalls, Books 1-3 Page 13
