His shaft was hard and ready. Asilinn moved down to caress it and he groaned in ecstasy when the silky purse of her mouth closed over him, tasting, nibbling. Slowly she moved her caresses up his body, bringing the sweet juncture of her thighs to rest over his hardness. She reached down and took him in her hand, guiding him into her.
He felt the velvet glove of her flesh surround him, urging him into her tight sheath. He thrust eagerly, exhilarated by the feel of her body contracting around his. With rhythmic movements, she pushed him deeper driving him to the brink of insanity. An urgent whimper escaped her each time she pressed him to her depths. He was in a frenzy to please her.
She was making love to him—having everything her way—pleasuring him as she pleased—in control of his body. And he loved it. Lunging into her, he was oblivious to the pain of his bruised body. She drove all thought from his mind until the only thing that mattered was union with her. She arched wildly to receive all he could offer. When he spilled his seed deep within her, Asilinn collapsed on his chest.
A burst of pure euphoria shot over him, leaving him clinging to her in spent passion. They rested that way for some time, intimately intertwined… unwilling to disengage.
At length Asilinn rose up on her elbow and looked into his eyes. “Milord, there is something I would tell you,” she said softly. Sitting up, but still physically engaged and straddling him, she took his hand and led it to her smooth white belly. “Your child grows within me.”
Jared’s hands palpated her still-flat stomach spellbound by the thought his child was inside her. His member still rested within her and now he felt the impossible—he was swelling again—growing hard and erect. But other thoughts ruined the moment for him. This was why she came to him today—this was why she saved him and nursed him. Not because she cared for him, but because she wanted to be sure he would protect her and the child—just like his first whore-wife.
“Your news pleases me. Can you feel it?”
There was an edge to his voice that made Asilinn wary. His member grew hard within her but his eyes had lost the glaze of passion’s flame. They looked angry and cold. She didn’t know how to respond—didn’t know what would diffuse his anger. Instinctively she pressed him deeper and leaned over his chest so her face was close to his. “I feel your pleasure at my news,” she whispered, kissing him lightly.
Jared pushed her away, grabbing her by the waist and tossing her on her back on the bed beside him. She caught a fleeting glimpse of his erect manhood, tall and hard, still glistening from the mating that had just occurred. The next moment he was on top of her, spreading her thighs and shoving himself inside her. He pressed tight into her then rose on his elbows and stared down into her face. His midnight hair fell like a curtain around her, blocking out any other view but his dark, brooding eyes.
Jared was so furious he could barely control himself. Asilinn, sweet innocent Asilinn who had come to him pure, untouched by any other man, was acting just like his first wife. She used her body to gain his favor and to get his protection. The thought should quell his need for Asilinn, but it didn’t. All he wanted now was hot punishing sex—sex that made her scream for him—cleave to him—want him so desperately she begged him for it.
He moved his body in and out, thrusting very tight and controlled. He watched her frightened expression, the tears shinning in her eyes while her body reacted involuntarily to his every movement. It was his best weapon against her—the one thing about him she was unable to resist.
“Tell me why you came to me today, Asilinn.” He prayed she had the sense to speak the truth because the rage within him at this instant would burst forth uncontrollably if she lied—lied in the most intimate circumstance—lied with him inside her.
The dark, simmering anger—the tension she felt in every muscle in his body joined intimately with hers made Asilinn’s whole body shake. “I—I am your wife. I came to you as a wife should.”
There it was again. The tight thrust in and out, almost punishing as he gazed down at her. And her body enjoyed the sensation despite the bizarre circumstance—rose to meet him—tightened around him each time. The dragon lord was enchanting her again, controlling her and making her gasp when he moved inside her.
He stopped his movement and gazed hard into her eyes. “You were my wife before, yet you never came to me like you did today. I would know your reason.”
“I am glad you are live.” Again the thrusting until she cried his name. “Jared,” she gasped breathlessly. “Why are you doing this?”
He stopped and dropped his head so close to her face she could feel his hot breath when he spoke. “Why are you glad I live?”
“Because our child needs you.”
“What does he need from me?”
“Your protection,” she whimpered. “He needs your protection. I wanted to be sure you would protect him.” She was crying now, the tears running around her cheeks into her ears.
“You had but to ask,” he said tersely.
“I’m sorry—I’m sorry. I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?” Jared gave a gentle thrust, more to keep himself ready than to punish her, but her body contracted around him making him eager to be done with talk. She had told him the truth even though it was not what he wanted to hear.
But she surprised him by running her hands over his shoulders while she gazed up at him through her tears. “First I was afraid you were dead and I was alone among the warring clans with no protector. Then I was afraid when you finally woke, you would have no memory of our marriage. Now I only fear for the child who grows inside me. He will not survive long without his father’s protection.” She grabbed his black mane of hair and held it back from his face, staring deep into his eyes. “And now, Milord, I ask you to forgive me for having so little faith in you I didna just ask.”
Asilinn circled her arms around him and pulled herself up off the bed so her nipples tickled his chest. She found his lips with hers and kissed him deeply, flicking her tongue intimately into his mouth until he pulled her to him roughly and took control of the kiss. He mimicked the action that had begun again where they were already joined with his thrusting tongue. She accepted him eagerly, wrapping her slender legs around his buttocks to take him to new depths and sucking his tongue.
But he didn’t trust her words or her actions and in his erotic haze, Jared still wanted her to beg him. With her legs still wrapped tightly around him, he rose up and dragged them both to the edge of the bed. Disengaging from the kiss, he stood and ran his hands up her body to make her arch back for him. As he grasped her hips—her body tumbled back, golden hair flying, brushing the bedding while he rode her hard and deep. She was breathless when she grabbed hold of his hair and pulled him down to her breasts. Asilinn pressed his head to her as he suckled—nipped—bit each contracted nipple, all the while plunging into her time after time. Her hands were tangled in his hair—she whimpered and moaned, pressing her breasts into his mouth, clasping him tight with her legs, pushing him deeper into her than he thought he could go.
Asilinn was desperate for him. Wave after wave of desire swept over her and the only thing that would satisfy the raw need he had created was to feel him burst inside her. The huge four-poster bed rocked. She clawed his shoulders—his back—clung to him, gasping his name each time he drove into her. “Now, Jared, please—please,” she begged, frantic for his release. Finally, a scream tore from her throat, “Jared!” Her body convulsed around him in hard, quick spasms. He did what she asked, burst inside her with a shot of hot seed that made her quiver. He let out a ragged moan and collapsed on her. It should have crushed her, but now it felt wonderful. She told herself it was just the joy of knowing he would protect her and her child.
He lay there for a few minutes, deadly still, and then saw she was having trouble breathing with his weight pressed upon her and rose. Climbing back onto the bed, he pulled her up beside him as he laid spread eagle on the soft bedding.
Asilinn had always fou
nd pleasure in their joining but this was something beyond anything before. She lay beside him gasping for air. Neither of them seemed inclined to move, but truth be told, she felt like she wanted to snuggle against him and go to sleep. Asilinn breathed in the musky scent of their union, struggling to bring things into perspective. She was his brood mare and he was her stallion. Hadn’t he just made it perfectly clear with his total mastery of her body? If that was what it took to save her child, she was willing.
His hand moved over to rest on her belly, rubbing it gently. “I am glad you are with child, Asilinn,” he said. “But I warn you, dinna use this physical attraction that sparks between us to try to mold my will. You have only to be truthful.”
Jared pulled the covers over them and turned his back to her. Asilinn Innes was as deceitful as his first wife was. Why was he drawn to her? He must surely be cursed.
Chapter Eighteen
Recovery was a long and arduous process for Jared, but he worked at it relentlessly. Every morning he did physical and combat training with his troops. In the afternoons, he rode out on Ailleagian trying to regain the strength and endurance that had made him a legend among his people.
Asilinn watched his persistence in wonder. He pushed himself beyond the limits of a normal man. The one thing he seemed disinterested in was physical contact with her. This reinforced her belief he had only married her to create the life that now grew within her. Despite his apparent lack of interest in her, he slept beside her each night and pledged he would protect her and the child. He told her he would try to make peace before the child was born. For the first time she found she did not doubt his word.
She should be content but she found night after night when he lay within her reach and failed to touch her, her desire for him grew. It was some foul trick of his, she was sure, or else now she had fulfilled her purpose, her body held no interest for him. Asilinn didn’t know why that thought disturbed her the most.
Finally, after a month-long regimen of fighting to get his strength back Jared seemed satisfied with his condition. There was still unrest among the people. Some accused Asilinn of bringing their laird back to life and bewitching him, but no one dared accuse her in his presence. She had continued to minister to the sick and injured and had developed her own following of grateful admirers.
The one thing confounding Jared was his inability to discover the leader of the masked riders. In spite of this setback, he seemed relatively content.
Asilinn was in the kitchen with Flanna when she felt a presence behind her. She whirled around and found herself face to face with Jared.
“Milord, do you wish me to leave you alone with Lady Asilinn?” Flanna queried.
“No, Flanna, I wish to speak with both of you. I need a banquet prepared tomorrow evening for all my clansmen. If the notice is too short, we can make it a few days from now. I need to meet with them and would see them entertained royally.”
“It can be done by tomorrow, Milord,” Flanna assured him. “The larders are full.”
“I want you to carry it out with your usual flare. Lady Asilinn will help you choose the menu, but first I must speak with her briefly. Come, Asilinn.” He pulled her with him into the small chamber on the main floor that served as his office.
As soon as they got inside the room, he laid his hand on her still-flat stomach. It was the first time he had touched her in a long time. She stood still like a stone, hoping he would not take his hand away. Slowly she laid her hand over his and held it in place.
“What is the purpose of your banquet, Milord?”
He smiled at her and brushed a wayward curl from her face with his free hand. “I will hold the feast to announce you are with child. After the matter is common knowledge here, I will ride to Cairngorm Castle to tell your father and urge him to accept the peace agreement.”
Asilinn drew a deep breath. “He will be very angry I have allowed this to happen.”
He lifted her chin so she looked into his eyes. “I will make him see the beauty of our child. After all, it will be his grandchild.”
“Jared, let me come with you. I havena been home since the night you stole me from my father.”
“I canna risk our son or daughter with an arduous ride.” His hand caressed her belly. “You are not far along and I would not risk a miscarriage by taking you with me. But I promise when you have recovered from childbirth, I'll take you and the child to see your father.”
“Is that why you no longer take your husband’s rights? Do you fear I will lose the babe if you have me?”
He arched an ebony brow and stared hard into her eyes. “Do you miss it, Asilinn… the feel of me inside you? Mayhaps I need to fit you with a chastity belt while I am gone to assure you dinna find another to fulfill your desires.”
Asilinn stepped back and slapped him hard across the face. His jaw tightened but he didn’t move. “You know I have never been with anyone but you! How dare you insinuate I am like some bitch in heat—that I would take any man to fill my needs?” She could feel the color rising in her face—tears burning in her eyes, but she refused to run from him. She would have this out now.
“Mayhaps my sordid past makes me a skeptic.” He reached over and ran a finger over her forehead. “If only I knew what really goes on inside your head.”
“Allow me to enlighten you, Milord. Ever since I have been your wife, you have used your body like a weapon against me. You drive your sword into me until you make me desire our mating but when you are done with me, you grow cold. You dinna let me come close to you, yet this is what you claim to desire.” Asilinn brushed away her tears with the back of her hand. Now she had started she was going to finish despite his angry scowl. “And now I am with child, you dinna touch me at all because you accuse me of using my body to win your protection. Is what I did different from what you have done, Milord? I dinna think so.”
“You should have asked me, not tried to seduce me into it. I cannot abide devious women who use their bodies to gain favor.” He stroked the side of her face. “And you, sweet Asilinn, with your veil of innocence that has been like an aphrodisiac to me, when you did something like what my foul first wife did….”
“You judge me by another’s sins.” She grabbed his hand and led back to her stomach. “It is your child that rests here. I didna come to you with another man’s child in my belly. Do you doubt it?”
“No, Asilinn.”
“I tell you this. I am a religious woman and I will not break my wedding vows, no matter how they were made. No other man will go where only you have been unless I become a widow.”
“If only I could trust you, Asilinn.”
“Zounds! I will wear a chastity belt, if that is your desire.” She pulled up her skirt and exposed herself to him. “Would milord like to take some measurements for it now?”
He grabbed her skirt and yanked it back over her. “That will not be necessary,” he said tightly.
“Does that mean you dinna need to measure or you wilna subject me to such degradation?”
“Do you really think I use my body as a weapon against you?”
She stepped closer and met his luminous gaze. “How many times did you give me the sweet torture of moving in and out of me during your inquisition? ‘Who feels pleasure Asilinn?’ ‘Tell me you want it, Asilinn.’” She poked his chest with her fist and felt some sense of satisfaction when she saw him swallow hard.
He let out a heavy sigh and moved away from her, his cheek still red from her earlier slap. “Please help direct Flanna in the preparations. After the banquet, I shall be gone for about ten days.” He looked at her rather sheepishly. “I am sorry I canna risk taking you to see your father.”
This was as much of an apology as she was going to get. She knew he was right about the trip. “Mayhaps you could take Skye, she needs a diversion.”
He smiled. “I'll give it some thought, but I dinna want to kindle the fires of war. The girl has no talent for diplomacy.”
“Consider
it.”
“Aye, so,” he agreed.
***
The banquet was a full dress affair with each attendant proudly wearing his colors. Several allies from neighboring clans were present for the festivities.
Asilinn was determined to dazzle her husband. She had chosen a magnificent black velvet gown and Wynne attached the Innes plaid to one shoulder in a rosette and the MacLean plaid in a similar fashion on the other. Wynne intertwined the two lengths of plaid which fell back over her shoulders. In the back, they formed a train of interlaced fabric. Asilinn was disappointed when she did not see Jared as she first entered the hall, but there was enough of a murmur at her arrival to assure her, her gesture had not been missed.
Jared was outside greeting their guests and had not seen her complete outfit until he walked back into the hall in their company. When he first caught sight of Asilinn, she stood on the raised platform talking with some of his warriors and their wives. Her imitation of what he had done symbolically on their wedding day moved him immeasurably, especially after he had treated her so shabbily earlier.
Her hair looked like spun gold as it cascaded in gleaming ringlets across the black velvet. The two plaids decorated her shoulders. Seeing him, she smiled and walked down towards him stopping in the center of the floor to spin around and show him her creation. Jared forgot what he was saying to Laird Glendon and stopped mid-sentence. The older man followed his gaze and chuckled.
“I see tales of her beauty were not exaggerated,” Glendon commented with an amused smile.
“Forgive me, John, I must greet my wife,” he mumbled. Laird Glendon cackled with unabashed mirth when Jared hurried to Asilinn's side.
“Asilinn, you look lovely.”
She smiled. “Mayhaps it is the glow of motherhood,” she replied. Taking her arm, he led her around the room introducing her to those she had not met.
Jared presided over a bountiful feast with his wife at his side. This would be the final blow to the discontents. His announcement would cut them to the core. He stood and addressed the gathering.
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