by Mia Pride
As he continued to grind into her, she felt his hand slip under the hem of her dress and slowly start to climb up her leg. She inhaled deeply, reveling in the natural spice and musk scent of his hair with a touch of clove. The crickets continued to chirp, and the sounds of a distant stream flowed in the background, but all she could focus on was his hand grazing higher, spinning languid circles on her inner thigh as his erection pushed against her inflamed skin. All that truly stood between them was the fabric of his trousers. Still, she was not quite sure if she was ready for more than this.
“I want you so badly, love,” he whispered in her ear as he nipped her lobe. “But not like this. Not on the floor of the forest. I hope you understand.”
Despite her sudden disappointment, she did understand. It was how she felt as well, though rational thought was beginning to flee with every stroke of his fingers. “Aye, I understand,” she whispered, but was pleased when he pushed himself into her again.
“Och, I am sorry. You just feel so good. Let me touch you. I want to make you feel good.” Well, she could hardly argue with that, especially since she suddenly could not speak. Nodding, she had to catch her breath as his warm fingers explored higher, eventually grazing the soft flesh between her thighs. She jumped at first contact because the feeling was so intense, yet all she wanted was more.
When his fingers stroked through her folds, she began to gyrate her hips, wanting so much more. “Och, Morna. You will have me undone if you do not stop moving like that,” he whispered as he nibbled on her ear.
“I want to touch you, Brennain.” She reached for the tie around his trousers, but he pulled back.
“Nay. Not tonight. Tonight is about you.” His fingers began to move in small rhythmic circles against her swollen nub and she had to bite her lower lip to prevent herself from crying out in pleasure. Her head leaned forward, and their foreheads touched, eyes half-hooded in desire as they connected gazes and their panting breaths mingled. “You are so beautiful, Morna. So perfect. I have wondered every night since I met you how soft your woman’s flesh would feel against my hand.”
His words made her desire peak and his fingers moved feverishly. She was going to explode. Looking up, she saw a shooting star stream across the sky, lighting up her view just as stars exploded in her mind and lightning struck in her veins. Had they been alone, she was certain she would have screamed her pleasure, but it took all her concentration to stifle herself. Brennain pulled her lips to his and feasted on her mouth feverishly, swallowing her groans as she shuddered beneath his touch.
When the waves of wondrous pleasure finally subsided, her heart continued to swell and ache. How she had managed to break into a sweat with the world around her so cold, she may never know, but Brennain brought out the subdued heat inside her.
“Morna…” he groaned and pulled her up against him. “You are everything to me.”
She paused and searched his gaze. It wasn’t quite a declaration of love, but it was certainly the closest she had ever expected to one and more than she had ever received from her former husband. She was not certain how to respond without betraying her true deep love for him and making herself a fool. “You and your words again.” She smiled and kissed his soft lips. How could a man who was hard muscle from head to toe have the softest lips, the gentlest touch, and the sweetest words?
Her hands went beneath his tunic and she allowed her fingers to explore his chest. Ripples of muscles created deep hills and valleys on a surface covered in crisp, coarse hair. His skin was so firm yet warm and she enjoyed running her fingers up and down every inch of his hard-earned strength.
“I love your hands on me,” he purred, and repaid her in kind by gently cupping her breasts through her layers of linen. “I cannot wait to feel more of you, touch more of you, taste all of you. I bet you taste sweeter than nectar and honey combined.”
“I would touch more of you right now if you would let me.” She raised a brow and nipped at his lower lip, thrilled when she felt him shudder beneath her touch.
“Aye, but I do so love the anticipation. It will give me something to dream about. Now…” He rolled her over onto her other side and wrapped himself around her body. “You need to get some rest. Tomorrow will be another long day of travel.”
“I doubt I will sleep much with your arousal pressing against my backside,” she giggled, and nestled into him more, pushing back into his hardness.
“You are going to make me lose my resolve, woman.”
“’Tis the point,” she giggled, and he growled into her ear, sucking on her neck, causing her to squirm as new sensations coursed through her body.
“Soon, love. Very soon…”
Laying her head down, she felt his arms slip beneath her and yawned the moment they were settled. She was in fact, exhausted. Allowing her eyes to slip closed, she felt a new sense of comfort and peace wash over her as she quickly drifted off to sleep in Brennain’s strong embrace, the heat of his body enveloping hers.
* * * *
Ráth Mór was only a few miles away and strangely, Brennain was not as happy to arrive home as he had expected. Aside from the news that Mal was, in fact, planning an attack on Ráth Mór and all Ériu with the Rómánach by his side, he had rather enjoyed his time with Morna the last two nights. If their first night under the stars had not been intense enough, it took them every ounce of strength they owned to keep their clothes on last night.
He had always known Morna had passion hiding beneath her calm and practical exterior, but she truly blew him away now that she had opened more to him. During the day she seemed happier and playful during the cart ride, and at night she made him lose his mind as she stroked him through his trousers until he nearly made a mess of himself. He had worn a ridiculous smile all day, similar to the one his brother always wore when he was around Maggie. Now he understood why Flynn never seemed to care when he teased him about it. Brennain could not seem to care one bit every time Reaghan looked over at him with a knowing smirk.
Brennain was not at all sure what, if anything, was happening between Nola and Reaghan. So far, it appeared he meant to do no more than protect the lass and get her safely to Ráth Mór.
“Wipe that awful smile off your face, mate,” Reaghan laughed. “You look like a bloody fool.”
Brennain snorted and widened his smile, staring straight at Reaghan. “Is that better?”
“Nay, that is going to give me a nightmare later. So, what are your intentions with Morna when we arrive home?”
With a shrug, Brennain replied, “I expect she will stay at my family home where Flynn and Maggie are, as well. I will ask her to marry me properly as soon as I have the opportunity. She was not ready before, but I hope she is ready now.”
“I do not want to even know what has caused that smile on your face, but I wish you good fortune, mate.”
“My thanks. So, what of you and Nola?” Brennain bumped Reaghan’s shoulder with his, trying to get a reaction from his companion.
Reaghan looked genuinely surprised by the question. “Why would you ask that? What about her?”
“Really? She has clung to your side for several days. She sleeps beside you at night and she is a very bonny lass. I thought you had an interest in her.”
“She is bonny, aye. But I do not have an interest in every bonny lass I come across, Brennain. I am not you.”
“Ouch. That stung. I happen to be a new man.”
Reaghan rolled his eyes. “I know that, and I am glad for you. As for Nola, I helped her because she asked for the help, just as you did. She clung to you at times when I was unavailable. She does not fancy me any more than I fancy her. She simply required help and we gave it. I slept beside her at night because it was bloody cold outside.”
“I see.” Though Brennain had read the situation entirely wrong, he still was surprised by Reaghan’s lack of tenderness for the lass. “Well, we shall arrive within the next hour, then you can see her settled and do as you please.”
“Aye.”
Reaghan seemed very disinterested in the conversation, so Brennain was more than happy to stay silent as they traveled the familiar road leading to his village. He knew for certain that rest was not in his future. With an impending attack and all the gold he and Reaghan still had in sacks in their satchels, he was certain Tuathal would have some very important work for him to do. They would also need to gather their allies. He prayed that if they could eliminate Mal Mac Rochride once and for all, they may actually find some peace here in Ériu. To do so would require defeating the Rómánach and he was unsure if they could manage it.
Chapter Eleven
Never had Morna been more overwhelmed or confused in her life. The cart rolled through the large iron gates of the biggest tuath she had ever seen. The stone wall towered above them and the cart wheels creaked below. The road was made of gravel and rather bumpy, but by now her backside was so sore it was practically numb. Glennis slept peacefully in her arms, but there would be no peace for Morna until she knew her new place in life.
Brennain had a very large family and from all she had gathered from previous conversations, they were some of the most prominent nobles in all Ériu and Alba. It was said his family helped win the war that put King Tuathal on the throne, thus earning his eternal gratitude, not to mention the king had married Brennain’s cousin and his father had once been the king of his own small tuath before merging with Ráth Mór. His uncles had been kings as well, and his mother… well, she did not know much about the woman, which only made Morna fret even more. What if his mother hated her or was cruel? What about all his many female cousins? Would they reject her? At least his brother was married to Maggie and she knew Maggie to be kind of heart.
The cart had hardly entered the heart of the village before they were swarmed with people cheering, laughing, waving and smiling. Morna wished to duck her head and hide from the curious stares. She never did well in these sorts of situations… come to think of it, never had she been in this situation, but she found she disliked it immensely, especially since she was nothing to these people. Not their kin, not a wife, hardly a companion. In truth, she was a strange woman who had been taken away from her home and had nowhere to live at the moment. She knew Brennain would make sure she was safe, but then what?
In the past two days, she and Brennain had grown quite close once more and their previous bond had only strengthened. They talked well into the night about their lives and had physically connected on a deeper level, though they had not truly made love. She had to admit that the prospect of marrying him was much more enticing than it had been in the past. If he asked her again, she would be likely to agree, however she felt she needed to truly get settled, meet his family and find her place before she made such a commitment. She had, after all, just separated from Caleb. It would be ideal to become her own woman before becoming Brennain’s wife. If she was being fully honest with herself, she also needed to see how he behaved around other women. A lass cannot simply marry a man like Brennain Mac Greine, who was well known for his prowess with women, without first making sure he had no steady lovers or spiteful former lovers who would make her life miserable.
After all she had endured, she would rather be unmarried than married to a man who drew in women like bees to honey. Caleb had been much the same and he had shown no resistance to it. She had no doubt Brennain meant every word he said, but how well would those words stand up when he was settled back at home and surrounded with beautiful faces… the faces staring at them as they climbed out of the cart.
Brennain hopped off the bench seat with more agility than a man had a right to have after driving a cart and sitting on a stiff wooden seat for several hours without rest. He smiled and waved at a few people before coming around to carefully lift her out of the cart while she held onto Glennis, shamefully wearing her own daughter as a shield.
Reaghan helped Nola out as Brennain helped Elsbeth and before she could so much as stretch her aching muscles, they were swarmed by huge men and beautiful women. Looking down at the gravel, she shuffled her dirty boots, knowing she looked disgusting and wishing she had had a moment to clean herself up before being seen by so many people.
“Brennain!” A beautiful brown-haired woman who looked to be in her late forties, though lovelier than even a woman Morna’s age, ran up to him and wrapped Brennain in a warm embrace. “Och! My lad! You have nay idea how glad your mother is every time you arrive in one piece.” She seemed to scan his body to make sure he was indeed in one piece before she jumped at him again and squealed loudly.
“Enough, Una. You will tear him limb from limb. Let the man catch his breath.” A huge man with black hair streaked with gray stepped forward and pounded Brennain hard on the back, his hazel eyes swimming with pride. “Welcome home, son.”
There was no doubt these were his parents, even if they had not said so. Brennain had inherited his father’s immense height and muscle mass, along with the man’s raven-colored hair, yet the green eyes he owned were most assuredly passed down from his mother, whose gaze instantly snapped to Morna, a huge smile spreading across her face.
“Oh my! You must be The Morna. Oh, my!” she repeated before running toward her, arms outstretched for a hug, careful not to squish Glennis. Morna’s heart sped up. Had his mother called her “The Morna”? Had Brennain talked about her to his family? Una’s eyes grew wide as she looked at the child. “Can it be…” Turning to Brennain, she covered her trembling lips and her hands visibly shook. “Brennain… did you leave a beautiful wee lass back in Alba all this time?”
Morna shook her head, but Brennain chuckled and answered before she could. “Nay, Ma. This is Morna’s daughter, Glennis and her mother Elsbeth.”
“Oh.” Something close to disappointment took over the woman’s lovely face. Was she actually sad that Brennain had not planted his seed? The notion seemed ridiculous but there was no hiding the sigh she let out before turning to Elsbeth with a smile. “What a beautiful name. I am Una. It is wonderful to have you. Will you both be visiting long?”
Brennain made a choking sound and Morna looked at him with a scowl. She too was curious what the answer to that question would be. Fortunately, a man stepped up who looked nearly identical to Brennain, only slightly shorter. “Brother!” Brennain cheered, and Flynn smiled and gave Brennain yet another manly slap on the back. Brennain grinned and pulled his brother in for an embrace. “How do you and Maggie fare?”
“Morna?” A feminine voice called from behind Flynn and Maggie’s sweet face came into view. “Oh, my! It really is you!” Maggie came forward and hugged her, her blonde ringlets brushing against Morna’s face. She smelled like sunshine and lavender, and Morna was more than pleased to see her again.
“Och, Maggie! Look at you! You are verily glowing! It is most obvious that you are happy and well. I have not seen you since Clarice’s trial. That was a very upsetting time.”
Indeed, it was. Clarice had arrived quite unexpectedly to Miathi one night. Her clothes were torn, and she had clearly been abused. She was clutching a wee lad to her, begging for help. Morna had been the healer called in to help her and was pleased to do so. It turned out she was the former betrothed of one of Miathi’s best warriors, Jeoffrey, who Morna had been quite interested in for awhile. But the moment she saw the way Jeoffrey looked at Clarice, especially when she almost died of a fever, she knew Jeoffrey belonged with Clarice. Unfortunately, Clarice was wrongfully accused of murder by her abuser in another village. She had been forced to return and face trial, which could have led to her enslavement to the man who beat her. It had been a terrible time, but a few people who had truly come to know Clarice in Miathi traveled the distance to speak on her behalf at the other village.
Morna had known deep in her gut that Clarice was innocent. She was much too kind-hearted to ever murder a man and, traveling to Caledonii had been the furthest journey of Morna’s life, until now. Clarice was now happily married to Jeoffrey and they had both relocated here,
to Ráth Mór. She truly hoped they could meet again and be friends. She needed all the friends she could get in this strange place.
“I am glowing because I am with child!” Maggie replied with a smile. “I know ‘tis only a wee bump for now, but I am about four moons in. Flynn and I married after the last battle with Mal.”
“I am so very happy for you, Maggie. You deserve so much happiness.” Maggie had been the healer from Caledonii where Clarice had lived and had also been part of the trial. Neither healer believed Clarice guilty and she was proud they had both helped save her life.
“Are you and Brennain…” Maggie lifted a brow and looked between the two.
“Nay, not at all…” Morna lied. She had not meant to, but truly she had no idea what to call what was happening between her and Brennain. They were not married, betrothed, handfasted, making love, or anything more serious than exchanging compliments and exploring one another physically. What was that called?
Brennain shot her a disappointed look and she cringed. Och, she was already making mistakes. She had no idea what to say or do, so she looked away. It was just as well. Several more men and women rushed at Brennain to give their greetings and they all looked at her with curiosity and hesitant smiles, but she was glad they did not all rush her at once. They were much too interested in Brennain and all he had experienced.
A large man, probably the largest she had ever seen in her entire life, pushed through the crowd, followed by a wee blonde-haired woman holding two young lads. The man wore multiple pelts of animal fur on his shoulders and a thin gold band on top of his dark hair. He had to be the High King, Tuathal Techtmar. Her knees went weak and she averted her gaze once more. She had no idea how to address a High King. “Welcome back, Brennain,” the man’s powerful voice boomed and seemed to shake the world around her. “I look forward to all you have discovered. I am certain we need to speak. Follow me. Tonight, we shall all celebrate the return of Brennain and Reaghan from yet another journey on behalf of Ráth Mór.” The crowd cheered and started to disperse.
