Stiff at first, she gradually relaxed in his arms. Her lips softened and she held to his waist. The soft plushness of her melded against his body and she released a soft moan. Her small breasts flattened against his chest and he was instantly hard.
Dugan grew bold when she began to kiss him back with vigor, her mouth suckling at his lips. With slow movements, he slid one hand down her back. He could not wait to cup her pert bottom. Under her night shift, the round orbs had been beckoning him the past two nights.
His other hand traveled down her side to allow his thumb to caress the tip of her breast.
Just as he curved his palm down below the delectable curve of her behind and the other over her breast, she became startled and jumped back from him.
"Someone may stumble upon us, we should return." She took another step away. Her chest heaved taking all his attention.
Her face was flushed and her gaze scanned over him, her lips slightly parted. By her expression she was not shocked at his actions, but rather aroused. Of course being a maiden, she did not understand her reaction.
He cursed himself for moving too fast, especially when her foot caught on a stone and she began to flail, her fingers wrapped around the bottom of his tunic as she fell backward.
"Christ, woman, be still," Dugan reached for Elsbeth when her foot connected with his shin and he stumbled forward sending them both into the brambles of the prickly bush.
At the last moment he was able to turn so that he fell bottom first into the plant saving her from most of the tearing thorns.
Chapter 26
"Augh!" Dugan growled when the women pulled the last of the thorns from his already throbbing bottom. He squirmed. "The itching is quite fierce."
"Be still, this balm will help," Gertrude leaned into his ear.
Elsbeth snatched the bowl from the woman's hand just as she was about to dip her fingers into it. "I'll take care of my husband, please leave." She'd had enough of the woman ogling her nude husband.
The skin of his back was swollen and red from where he'd scratched and pulled at the thorns. She dipped her hand into the salve and scooped out a large amount. Starting with his lower back, she began to spread the pungent mixture onto his skin down to his taut buttocks. His reddened skin was soft to the touch and the hard muscles twitched under her hand. After four handfuls he finally became still and turned to her.
"Thank you, I feel much better. You do know about herbage." Serious eyes met hers and she felt for him.
"It would have been me lying here on the bed face down if you would not have caught me." Elsbeth continued to spread the salve. "By morning, you should be rid of the itch." She pushed him to his stomach. "Just a bit more."
Her hand on the bottom of his derriere, she spread the last of the ointment on the back of his thighs. Dugan's muscles tensed and she looked to his face to ensure he was not in pain.
Heated eyes met hers and although untouched by a man she understood the reason. He was aroused.
"Do you require anything else right now, husband?" she asked him pretending not to notice when his gaze dipped down her bodice. "I can get you some ale." She wiped the mixture from her hands with a cloth.
"Ale?" His voice was husky and he lowered onto his stomach. "Nay, that is not what I require now." He reached for her and she remained still, her eyes locked on his. With gentle care, he reached up and his fingers traced over the top of her breast. The soft touch caused her breath to hitch. "I want this beauty in my mouth." Dugan told her, his eyes searching hers. "I want to kiss the pink tips. Come closer."
Elsbeth neared. His hand dipped into her neckline and lifted her breast free, and pressed a kiss onto her heated flesh followed by his tongue across the hard tip.
"Oh!" She grabbed for his shoulder to maintain her balance only to find that she made it easier for him when he opened his mouth and took more of her breast. He began to suckle, sending shivers from her chest to her quivering stomach. Trails of heat then pooled between her legs and she wondered what it meant. Not an uncomfortable feeling, but with each pull of his mouth, she found it became more intense. Her hips jutted forward and Dugan slipped his hand under her skirts to between her legs. Too overcome by the sensations, she didn't stop him.
The instant his fingers slid over her heated core, she gasped and began to pant.
Dugan allowed her breast to slip out of his mouth to speak. "That's right, lass, enjoy it."
Not able to respond she could only mewl when once again he began his pleasurable assault on her body.
"More," Elsbeth demanded, her head back as she tried to find the elusive height her body fought for. His finger slipped inside her and slid out, he moved his hand along with the rhythm of her body until she grabbed his shoulders and shuddered. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she fought to hold onto something when the sensation of floating took over but lost the battle until her body seemed to fall to pieces. Delicious pieces.
"Oh God."
"You respond well, wife." His eyes twinkled up at her, his eyes flickered to her other breast. "Now, the other one."
Upon hearing footsteps approaching the doorway, Elsbeth took a wobbly step back and adjusted her clothing. Just seconds later Calum entered the room and let out a loud chuckle. "I heard yer arse is red and itchin' ye, cousin," the laird was barely able to speak past his mirth. "Good thing it was a wee bush and the brambles did not reach yer..."
"Get out," Dugan grunted at his cousin, his eyes shifting to Elsbeth who bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing with the laird who now leaned over Dugan's reddened bottom peering at it closer.
"I think ye will be itching for a while yet."
Elsbeth stepped forward to pull a sheet over Dugan, but the Scot got to his feet and stood nose to nose with Calum. Both giants faced off and she pondered whether to step between them or run for help.
It was quite amusing to watch a naked Dugan with salve all over his rear attempting to intimidate his cousin.
"I remember when you fell face first into a bramble after drinking too much ale. I'm willing to bet my arse looks better than your face did then." Dugan turned and shook his bottom at the laird. Elsbeth gasped at the lack of respect, but then she was further shocked when a guffaw sounded and Calum began to laugh harder.
Hiding a smile at their antics, she left the room to see about helping Meagan with the evening meal.
Chapter 27
The itching was finally receding and Dugan stopped fidgeting in his seat. His clansmen kept a vigil, not missing any opportunity to chide him much to everyone's delight. He'd been the entertainment for days and although annoying, he'd not been able to keep from laughing at times. The men could be quite creative when given the opportunity.
All throughout dinner, he'd felt Elsbeth's gaze land on him again and again. No doubt his wife wondered if he'd join with her this night. He'd thought of nothing else since bringing her to come with his hand. The lass was responsive to his touch and for that he was grateful.
"Are ye well, wife? Settling in to life here at the keep well from what I hear." He asked, his lips curving at her blush.
"Aye, I am. Your clan has been most welcoming."
"Perhaps you'd like to join me for a walk in the garden after the meal?" He'd gotten quite adept at finding time alone with her outside the bedroom. Teasing her into a frenzy often, getting her used to his touch and kisses. Elsbeth was responsive, which made him even more anxious to have her.
After the meal ended, and they returned, he went to see if Calum required anything before he went to bed.
He climbed the stairs to their rooms. It was a moonless night and the darkness made it hard to see once he reached the second level of the keep where his chambers were. Dugan noted candlelight from the interior of the bedroom and followed it to enter. Elsbeth was bent over, in the process of undressing. Luck was with him, her round bottom pointed straight at him.
It was time to make this enchanting woman his proper wife. He would not be put off another nig
ht. Dugan walked up and palmed her bottom.
"Dugan, what do you do?" Elsbeth went to straighten, but he held her in place with one hand.
"Don't move, allow me to touch you." His voice hoarse with want, he reined in the urge to lift her skirts and take her then with force and speed. Instead he pushed her legs open and slid his hardness between the mounds of her bottom. Rubbing himself up and down the wonderful friction making him even harder.
Elsbeth's breathing hitched and she looked over her shoulder at him. "What you do. It feels good, I never knew..." She let out a soft moan.
Dugan reached around her and slid his hand between her legs to caress her nub and she let out a soft gasp and bucked into this touch.
"I want to have you like this and I will soon, but your first time should be on the bed with you facing me."
She straightened and Dugan pulled her against his chest. With his fingers, he tipped her head back and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was not soft but demanding and his wife met the challenge, her lips taking his tongue between them suckling it with energy.
"I want you, Elsbeth," Dugan told her between kisses. Unable to wait any longer, he lifted her up and taking the few strides to their bed, he placed her upon it.
"And I wish to enjoy you, husband. Learn what makes you want me more." His eyes widened at her words, the lass was quite outspoken for a maiden.
Her darkened eyes followed the path of his clothing as he undressed. It became a task to untie the ties at his neck and remove his tunic, his hands shaking at her intense observation.
It was almost as if she studied him, like she'd studied the fish in the water days earlier, with interest. However at the sight of his jutting cock, her entire expression changed. Her pink lips parted and her eyes widened.
"I don't think we'll be able to join," Elsbeth bit her lip, but did not appear frightened; instead she turned her head sideways and studied his member. "Does it become smaller?"
"Nay, but you'll be able to take it, don't worry." On the verge of spilling just from her continued regard of his body, he crawled over her and took her mouth anew.
While he kissed her, he caressed her breasts, using his fingertips to tease each pert point. On he continued until she panted under his ministrations.
He tore the sheath from her body and Elsbeth seemed to not notice as she pulled at his shoulders urging him to continue. "Patience, beauty, we must take this slow. You have to be prepared to join with me."
He covered her body with his and began tracing kisses and nips along her neckline. Sliding both palms from her back down to her pert buttocks while at the same time thrusting forward, rubbing his length against her core. He took her mouth again proud of her mewls of excitement.
Before long she was clawing at his back and thrusting her hips up into him. Dugan took his cock in hand and guided it against her core, slid it up and down between her legs while she moaned in frustration.
"Spread your legs, beauty," Dugan panted the words and held back the urge to take her at once when she did as he told. She looked to him, her eyes dazed and her lips parted as she struggled to breathe.
He pushed the tip of his cock into her wet heat and allowed her time to adjust. Elsbeth reached for his hips partly holding him in place.
Dugan met her gaze and she nodded prompting him to move deeper into her tight sheath. It wasn't going to be easy for her and it was best he finish it quickly. Although she was brave and wet for him, he knew nerves could ruin it for both.
"Ye are beautiful. I'm sorry." Dugan thrust in and Elsbeth screamed.
Not sure what to do next, he waited. Damn it, he should have asked his cousins what to do once a maidenhead was breached. Elsbeth held onto his shoulders, her nails digging into this flesh. When he saw a tear slide down her cheek he began to move out. He'd not hurt her further
"Show me what happens next, please. I want to know why Meagan and Calum look at each other the way they do. My mother explained it would only be unpleasant at first."
"Are you certain? I don't want to hurt you."
After a soft sniffle, she nodded and Dugan kissed her deeply, impaled in her, not daring to move. He continued to kiss her and slid his hands down her sides, enjoying the feel of her velvet soft skin until Elsbeth began to respond, her body relaxing.
Dugan slid out and pushed back in delighted when she moaned in response. Slowly at first, he kept moving until urged by her sounds of enjoyment Dugan went faster, gliding in and out of his wife's beautiful body.
"You will be my undoing." Dugan kissed her temples panting with the exertions of keeping the fast pace. Elsbeth was lost in the moment, grabbing at him and pulling his face down to hers.
"Ah!" she exclaimed over and over. A sweeter sound he'd never heard. The intoxicating sound of his woman enjoying making love with him was better than any elixir.
Elsbeth cried out and her core tightened around him.
Barely able to contain it, Dugan quickly followed gushing into her, his entire body quivering with the release.
"I quite liked it," Elsbeth whispered a few moments later and lay her head on his chest. "Can we do it again?"
"Ah...yes. Of course. I need a few moments." Dugan could barely retain his surprise at the request.
Elsbeth smiled up at him, her beautiful flushed face taking his breath away. He could not help but grin in return. "Very good then."
The next morning Elsbeth rose to find she was alone in bed. Everything felt different. She was fully a woman now. A smile tugged at her lips at recalling her night with Dugan. He was wonderful, gentle, and caring.
They'd spent hours getting to know each other's bodies. He'd taken her to heights several times until she'd thought she would pass out from it. Elsbeth slid from the bed and went to the basin to splash water on her face. She ran a cloth between her legs and stopped when noticing the remains of dried blood.
A maid entered the room. "Good day, my lady." She went to the wardrobe and pulled a dress for her.
When the maid headed to the bed, Elsbeth rushed to her and grabbed her arm. She took the dress from the startled maid's hands. "Would you mind starting the fire, Millie?"
When the maid went to do as asked. She yanked the bedding back and gawked at the dark red stain on the bed sheets. "Not surprising." The maid's voice made her jump. "Many couples make love during a woman's courses. Do not be alarmed by it."
The woman removed the bedding and gave her an understanding look. "One would think these randy men would give us a wee break while we go through it. Don't you think, my lady?
"Err...yes. One would think." Her frown must have been convincing because Millie gave her a satisfied nod and left with the bedding.
The dress the maid had picked out was dull enough to dampen anyone's spirits. Today of all days, Elsbeth wanted to look her best. She shoved the garment back into the wardrobe and pulled out a bright yellow one. "This is much better."
"Talking to yourself?" Meagan stood at the doorway her eyes searching the room. "Is he gone?"
"Yes and yes." Elsbeth giggled and went to her friend. "Close the door."
While Elsbeth dressed she told Meagan about her night. They laughed when she got to the part of Millie finding the bloody bedding.
"’Tis a great day. You are claimed as a wife." Meagan's eyes sparked. "We must celebrate."
"How?" Was this a ritual she'd not leaned about as yet?
"By visiting the seamstress in town and ordering new dresses. Then we shall drink mulled wine with our evening meal and seduce our husbands tonight."
"A more wonderful plan I have yet to hear of." Elsbeth clapped.
Finding humor in many things she'd not thought funny before, Elsbeth fought not to chuckle when Dugan's questioning gaze moved from her to a giggling Meagan. The laird exchanged looks with Dugan and stretched. "I believe it's best we take our wives for a walk in the garden before putting them to bed."
"I don't want to walk," Meagan said and hiccupped. Both she and Elsbeth erupted
into fits of giggles.
"Me, either," Elsbeth told Dugan who pressed his lips together. "I want to go up the chairs."
"Do you mean stairs?" Dugan asked which prompted her to once again begin to laugh.
"Come along, wife." He took her by the arms and stood her up.
Elsbeth blinked. For some reason the room swayed. How was it possible no one else felt it? "Dugan...the world is moving." When her stomach threatened to empty, she put her hands over her mouth. "I don't feel well at all."
"Ugh." Dugan held her against him and walked her out to the garden. Thankfully once outside, the fresh air helped.
They continued to the edge of the garden. This would be the perfect place to seduce her husband. Elsbeth stopped walking and looked up at him. "Dugan...I want you to know I lo..." She bent and threw up on his boots.
Thankfully her mortification did not last long because minutes later she was barely able to hold her eyes open.
Bathed and dressed in a fresh nightgown, Millie put her to bed while Dugan watch from across the room.
"I'm sorry." Elsbeth lifted her eyes to him when he approached the bed. "I drank too much wine."
"Do not fret, pretty wife. ‘Tis not the wine ye will loath." Dugan kissed her and gave her a stern look. "It's the morning that will be your true enemy."
Chapter 28
"He has not lain with me again," Elsbeth confided in Meagan two days later. "What am I doing wrong?" She tore the thread from her embroidery none-to-gently.
Meagan's warm eyes met hers. "Perhaps he's giving you time to heal from your first joining. You did say he is quite large."
"Aye, but he barely kisses me goodnight, then rolls over and goes to sleep."
Other than at bedtime, Dugan was more than attentive to her when they went about their daily chores. He came in from sword fight or other chores to find her and ensure she was well. During the meals, he flirted and kept a conversation going between them.
"I would not suspect it's anything more than him giving you time. I can have Calum speak to him if you wish." It was endearing the way the laird's wife and she could speak about almost anything. Elsbeth hadn't a sister and now was thankful to have Meagan as a confidant and friend.
Highlander's Kiss: The McDougalls, Books 1-3 Page 15
