Debbie Mazzuca Bundle (30 page)

Ali slowly shook her head from side to side, as anxious for him to be rid of her clothes as he was. Rory tugged her gown over her hips, then froze. Searching her face, he shoved his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry, Aileanna—the bairn, I forgot.”

He caressed her belly, then dipped his head to drop a soft kiss there. The muscles in her stomach contracted. Her core grew slick and hot with need. With one last gentle pat to her belly, he dropped onto his back, an arm over his eyes, his breathing ragged.

Ali struggled out of the rest of her clothes and came onto her knees beside him. She lifted his arm from his eyes. He cracked one eye open. “You can’t be serious?” she muttered.

“I doona’ want to hurt you or the bairn. We can’t…” He waved his hand at their naked bodies.

His eyes widened when Ali straddled him. She brought her face within inches of his. “Rory MacLeod, I am strong and healthy. So is our baby. Trust me—not making love to me at this moment is much more harmful to my health, and that is definitely not good for the baby.”

His eyes searched hers. A slow smile curved his full lips. “We canna’ have that, now can we?” He threaded his fingers through her hair and brought her mouth to his. “Yer certain?”

“Positive,” she murmured before she nibbled the corner of his mouth, sweeping the tip of her tongue over his lips, tasting the smooth, rich flavor of whiskey. She delved inside the moist heat to thrust and parry with his tongue. With her kiss, she showed him how much she loved him, how much she needed him.

Rory groaned and wrapped her in his arms. “You canna’ ken how much I’ve missed you, missed this.”

Ali blinked back tears. She didn’t want to cry, not now. Raw emotions simmered too close to the surface, and she could only nod her agreement.

She eased out of his arms. “Now it’s my turn to take care of you.” Her voice deepened with desire.

Rory’s eyes darkened. “Whatever you say, my love.”

His long, hard erection jerked against her. Ali leaned forward with her hands pressed to his broad chest and slid up and down his shaft.

“Ride me.” His thick brogue grew more pronounced.

Ali wrapped her hand around his pulsating shaft and guided it to where she was throbbing and needy. She lowered herself slowly. Taking him inside her, her sheath embraced him. He arched his hips, filling her to the hilt.

She rode him, panting, groaning when he kneaded her breasts with his big, rough hands. He pulled her down to him, drawing her nipple into his mouth. He suckled hard. She opened her eyes. He devoured her with his, her love and passion reflected back at her.

“Come fer me, Aileanna.” His voice was thick with desire.

She leaned back, her fingers digging into his strong, muscular thighs. He plunged in and out of her, stroking her nub with his talented fingers. He seared her with his touch, branding her as his. Ali felt the intensity building at the center of her core and shuddered as the sensations washed over her. She shattered at the same time as Rory let out a low, guttural groan and came inside her.

Later, lying spent in Rory’s arms, she brushed the pad of her thumb across the full bottom lip of a mouth that had brought her to unbelievable heights only moments before.

He smiled and dropped a kiss on her forehead. He tugged a silver band from his baby finger and brought her left hand to his mouth. Rory kissed the tip of each of her fingers before sliding the ring onto her fourth one.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, admiring the intricate markings on the thick silver band. “Was…was it Brianna’s?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She wished it didn’t matter to her, but it did. “What are you doing?” she protested when he slipped the ring from her finger.

“I had the ring made before I went to Lewis, Aileanna. Can you see the etchin’ on the inside of the band?” His voice was gruff. He held the ring so it gleamed in the moonlight, tilting the band so she could see the engraving.

She squinted. “I can’t read it.”

“It says, ‘you and no other’.” He slid the ring back on her finger. “There is no other fer me, Aileanna, but you. Yer sister and I married, as most do in my time, fer the betterment of the clan. I did love her. But no’ like I love you. At one time it scared me how strong my love fer you was, but no longer. I ken I’m no’ my father.”

“I’m sorry, Rory. I don’t mean to be jealous.” She brushed her lips along the underside of his jaw. “Maybe it’s time to let go of our ghosts and concentrate on our life together, our love for one another.”

He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Aye, on us and the little one.”

She entwined her fingers with his. “Are you happy about the baby?”

He smiled. Leaning over her, he nuzzled her stomach before he lifted his eyes back to hers. “In truth, I’ve never been happier than I am now. You and the bairn will want fer nothin’.”

“If we have you, we won’t need anything else.”

“You have me, Aileanna, all of me—heart, body, and soul.”

Ali eased her son’s flailing arm through the sleeve of the long, white, lacy gown and kissed his little rosebud mouth before he let out a lusty wail.

She glanced over to Rory as he closed the door to their room. He released a long-suffering sigh, a tortured look on his gorgeous face. She bit back a grin.

“Doona’ you laugh, yer no’ the one who has to put up with him. Please tell me he’s leavin’ after the bairns’ christenin’.”

Ali heard the rustling in the cradle and said, “Bring me Jamie, Rory. Alex is ready.” She held the baby up for his father’s inspection.

“Aye, he looks charmin’ in his wee gown.” Rory shook his head while he fingered the lace. He pressed his lips to Alex’s inky black curls, then gave Ali a mind-numbing kiss until the baby squawked in protest. Rory grinned. “Ye have the look of me, laddie, but ye have the temper of the old goat down below, and yer mother.”

He gave Ali a playful slap on the behind as he walked over to the cradle and lifted Jamie into his arms. “And yer as bonny as yer mother with yer father’s easygoing temperament.” He kissed his son’s cheek and laid him on the bed beside his brother.

Ali rolled her eyes, then began to dress Jamie.

“Hurry up now. If we’re quick with the celebratin’ we’ll have them on their way while it’s still light,” Rory urged impatiently.

“That’s not very nice. He’s my father.”

“Aileanna, I’m no’ jokin’. The man will make me daft if he’s here much longer. And you ken I love yer aunt, but she’s always flittin’ aboot and I’m no’ gettin’ enough time alone with you.”

Ali arched a brow. “I seem to recall last night we had quite a bit of time alone.”

He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Aye.” His voice was deep and husky. “But I’m a verra greedy mon, with an insatiable appetite fer my bonny wife.”

“Just like your sons.” She hummed in pleasure when he nuzzled her neck.

“Please, mo chridhe, promise me you’ll send them home.” His heated breath caressed her ear.

“I’ll—” Ali didn’t get a chance to finish what she was about to say. Her father barged into the room followed by her aunt, Mrs. Mac, Fergus, and Iain.

“Can ye no’ leave my daughter alone long enough to get the bairns ready?”

“Aileanna,” Rory growled in her ear.

“The boys are ready. Look at them—aren’t they adorable?” Mrs. Mac and her aunt all but shoved her aside to get to the babies, oohing and aahing over them. Before Ali could get out another word, the two women made off with Alex and Jamie. The three men followed close behind and ordered the women to have a care, instructing them on how they should be holding the babies.

Ali turned in her husband’s arms. Threading her fingers through his thick, black hair, she tugged his mouth down to hers. “See, there are some benefits to keeping them around,” she said against his lips.