Heart of the Highlands: The Beast (Protectors of the Crown Book 1) (15 page)

Keira’s heart sank. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for the guilt he bore. She now understood why his heart seemed cold and protected at times. Keira felt an unnerving urge to reach out for him and hold him in her arms. She wanted to comfort him and lift his pain. No man should carry such a burden. Her eyes glossed over with sympathy as he spoke.

“I am sorry, Ian, that ye bore such pain and sorrow.”

“I dinna need yer sympathy Keira. It was a long time ago. I made my mistakes and must live wit’ them. But ye are my wife now and I will no’ make that mistake again. Tis my duty to protect ye, and I will wit’ my life.”

Ian’s declaration sent Keira over the edge. She was pleased to hear he cared for her so much. Overwhelmed with emotion, she leaned toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. No one had ever made her feel the way Ian had. In just the past two days, he had stirred emotions inside her that she could not explain. It both confused her and excited her.

Leaning back slightly, Ian placed both hands on the side of her face. Looking down into her eyes, he captured her lips in a warm, sensual kiss. Keira melted against him as she opened her mouth willingly to him, allowing his tongue to enter.  

“God blessed, woman! Ye are making me mad from the want of ye,” Ian said, murmuring against her lips.

Chapter 19

In the back of Ian’s mind, he couldn’t help but wonder how his luck had changed. God must be smiling down on him to have blessed him with such a woman as Keira. She was everything a man could ever want in a wife. Not only was she beautiful and smart but had honor and a brave heart, similar to any Highland warrior. He took pride in her ability, the way she had handled herself thus far. Most women would have broken into a fit of tears. But she was nothing like any other woman he had ever met, nor what he had expected from a Sinclair lass. She was stubborn to a fault, of course, but even that did not bother him. She was perfect; his wee, fierce bride.

Rylan and Leland returned from their trip to the loch and boasted about how warm the water was. Keira expressed her eagerness to wash the day’s sweat and grime off her skin.

“I dinna have any soap fer ye lass,” Ian said.

“That is alright. The water will be fine, I am sure.”

Ian stood. Grabbing his plaid off the ground, he rolled it up in his arms.

“Are ye ready then?”

“Ready for what?” she asked, expressing utter confusion.

“Fer yer bath.”

“I am, but where do ye think ye are going?”

“To join ye.”

“Ian MacKay, I will no’ share a bath wit’ ye!”

“Aye, ye will. Ye are my wife. And I too need to bathe.”

“Then I will wait right here fer ye to finish. T’would be indecent!”

Out of earshot of Leland and Rylan who looked as if they were positively enjoying their banter, he leaned towards her and whispered, “Listen to me wife, for I will only say this once. Ye are no’ leaving my sight. So if ye wish to bathe, yer gonna have to accept that ye will no’ be doing it alone.”

Keira huffed in frustration.

“I dinna like ye ordering me around, Ian. I am yer wife, and I have no’ denied that. But I will no’ be treated like I am yer chattel.”

“That is where ye are wrong, lass. Do ye always question authority?”

Ignoring his question, she asked one of her own. “Do ye always order people about and tell them what to do?”  

“Aye, I do. And they listen.”

“Well, if we are to be married in truth, I would like to have a say in certain matters.”

“Are ye trying to compromise wit’ me?” he asked, finding humor in her sudden display of confidence.

“Aye. I am.”

“Alright! I will listen to what ye have to say, but only in our private quarters and ye are never to question me in front of my men.”

“There is a verra big difference in hearing what I have to say and listening to what I have to say,” she stated.

“I understand. I promise to listen, but ye may no’ always get yer way.”

“I can live wit’ that, fer now.”

“Good, now that’s settled, I will escort ye to the loch where ye can bathe,” he said, having no intention of allowing her to bathe alone.

Keira stood and stormed away in frustration which made Ian snicker all the more. He loved getting a rise out of her. He imagined she would be a wild cat in bed. Ian was unsure how much longer he could go without taking her into his arms and ravishing her. He had thought to wait until they reached his castle where he would properly bed her, but that was almost a week away and the ache in his groin was almost too unbearable. He was full of need, and a week was far too long to wait.

~*~

After the hours spent atop the horse, walking had proven to be a challenge all its own. Keira’s backside ached from the hard ride and her thighs burned as if she had been marked by a branding iron.

“Bloody Christ!” she yelped, falling to the ground and quickly grabbing her calf.

Her leg muscle twitched and tightened. The pain felt as if a horse had just stomped on her leg. Vigorously, she massaged the tight knot but the pain in her leg did not abate. Ian rushed to her side and grabbed her calf in his hand. With his large, warm hands, he worked out the knot from her muscle.

He was very tender with her as he caressed her leg. His touch was warm and pleasant. It appeared he had done this before as he successfully calmed her twitching calf. Though the pain had stopped, she held off telling him just yet.

The intensity of the attraction she felt for him grew. It was as if just being near him wasn’t enough. She wanted to feel his hands upon her; for him to touch her, hold her. She wanted to feel the warm sensation she felt when he kissed her lips. God was she becoming a wanton woman!

“It’s better now. Thank ye,” she said, pulling her leg away.

“Muscle cramps are common when riding fer as long as ye have been. Best ye stretch yer legs before tomorrow as we have another long ride.”

“How much further must we travel?”

“Another whole day.”

Keira sighed at the thought of riding again for so many hours. With her backside as sore as it was, after tomorrow, she would not be able to sit down for a week!”

Keira followed Ian through the woods towards the loch. When they finally reached the shore, she felt a sigh of relief as she felt the cool water on the sore muscles.

The surrounding landscape was calm and serene. The reflection of the moon shone over the still water like a mirror. And lightening bugs danced and sparkled over the water as if she had stepped inside the realm of the fairies.

“I’ll just be o’er there making sure no’ one comes upon ye,” he stated as he sat upon the shore, still in full view.

He was true to his word. He really wasn’t going to let her out of his sight. The ignorance of him! Well, I don’t have to completely undress, she told herself. Removing her gown only, she kept her chemise on and walked into the water.

“Do ye always bathe wit’ yer clothes on?” he asked amusingly.

Just to spite him, she did not want to give him the satisfaction of ever believing he would see her naked.

“Aye, husband I do.”

“Yer jesting wit’ me, wife”

“Are ye so sure?” she asked, keeping a straight face.

“Aye, I believe ye are.”

“Then ye have much to learn about me Ian MacKay,” she said as she sank further into the water.

After dunking her head under the loch’s surface, she rose up and turned back to the beach, but Ian was nowhere in sight. Had he finally given her the dignity of some privacy?

“Ian?” she called out, but he did not respond.

Then, startling the hell out of her, Ian popped out of the water in front of her and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

“And ye have much to learn about me as well, wife,” he said, pressing his lips hard against hers.

Ian reached down, grabbed the back of her thighs, forcing her to wrap her legs around him. Deepening the kiss, he held his hands firmly on her backside, pressing his groin against her. Keira could feel his hard shaft pressed against her as it bobbed in the water. He was naked! Keira blushed and wanted to pull herself out of his hold, but her attempt was stopped by Ian’s hands moving up the outside of her thighs. As if her body had a mind of its own, her hips pressed harder against him. She wanted him in every way. Ian must have sensed her reaction to him, as he carried her out of the water.

Gently, he placed her down onto the plaid.

“Are we no’ returning to camp?” she asked with a breathy voice.

“Aye, we will. Soon,” he said as he nuzzled her neck, sending shivers down her body.

“Ian,” she moaned, feeling as if she was about to lose control of her senses.

“Aye lass,” he said, as he continued to kiss and suck on her flesh.

“Ian,” she said in a weak voice.

“Say it!” he said, rubbing his hands down the length of her body, stopping between her thighs. Keira could hear the desperation in his voice. He wanted her as well. “Tell me, ye want me!” he softly growled.

Keira felt an eruption of emotion and sensation stirring and tingling every nerve ending in her body. His hands roamed freely, exploring each curve and the warmth of his mouth on her neck caused her to feel as if she could touch the stars.

Her pulse quickened and she trembled beneath him. She no longer cared what anyone would think of her. She was a married woman after all; a woman who desperately wanted her husband’s touch and embrace. She did not want him to stop.

“I want ye,” she responded, breathlessly. “But are ye no’ afraid someone will come upon us?”

“Nay!” he said, carelessly.

Raising her chemise to expose her legs, Ian slid his hand under the fabric to the juncture of her thighs. Keira let out a breath, as he slipped his fingers inside of her most sacred area. At his touch, her skin tingled and every limb pulsated. With her body twisting and twitching, her hips raised, forcing his hand harder against her.

“Ian,” she cried out, as a wave of pleasure exploded within her.

Ian’s lips descended on hers as he continued his sweet torture, stretching his fingers deep inside of her.

“Ye are so wet for me,” he breathlessly uttered.

“Is that bad?” she asked.

Ian laughed softly.

“Nay lass. It means ye want me.” 

Ian knew just when and where to touch her to make her succumb to him and she was a willing partner. Removing his hand from her, he began helping her out of the wet chemise. She lay there, fully naked in front of him but he blanketed her with his own warm, naked body. His mouth went to her breast and suckled her nipple. The sensation was almost mind-blowing.

Positioning himself between her thighs, without warning, Ian drove himself into her, breaking through her maidenhood. Keira yelled out digging her fingernails into his back. She felt as if he had just knocked the breath right out of her. The pain, so intense, made her stomach clench.

“Ian,” she cried out.

“Tis alright lass, dinna move,” he ordered.

Keira had not realized that such pleasure could cause such pain. Listening to Ian, she lay still. A few moments later, the pain subsided and the aching desire she had once felt returned in full force

“Has the pain gone?” he asked.

Keira could see the concern on his face. Nodding her head, he slowly pulled out and without reservation plunged himself deep within her again. Wrapping her legs around him, she raised her hips to meet his. She wanted him, all of him. In all her life, she’d never dreamed what happened between a man and a woman could be a wondrous and magical feeling. She did not wish him to stop. She loved the feel of him on top of her and the feel of him holding her in his arms. Each time he moaned, she smiled knowing that she was the cause of his pleasure.

~*~

Ian wanted to be gentle. He had meant to go easy on the lass, but he could not stop from wanting to pound the hell out of her. She felt so good in his arms, he did not want to stop. He tried to slow down but his climax was building and he felt his seed on the verge of spilling. Her skin under his touch was as soft as if he was wrapped in the finest silk. Pressing his lips to hers, she tasted like a sweet apple. It made him want to devour her all the more. There was nothing he would not do for this woman.

Within moments, he collapsed on the ground next to her and gathered her in his arms. Keira pressed her backside up against him. Desire shot to his groin, as her backside pressed against him. He wanted her all over again, but had to resist. He knew she would be too sore and he hoped she would heal quickly so he could make love to her again tomorrow, God willing.

“Ian, have ye been wit’ many women?”

Ian’s brow rose at her question. He wondered where that had come from.

“A few,” he truthfully responded.

“Did I please ye?”

Ian smiled at her question. Though he found her question silly, it was a valid question. She had no experience in such things and could not have been expected to know what to do. But he wondered how she could think that she had not pleased him? In truth, she did please him very much.

“Aye, lass. Ye please me,” he responded.

~*~

Keira felt completely drained of energy. Ian on the other hand, walked around as if he felt refreshed. Handing her the gown he had tossed onto the ground, Keira slipped it over her head and stood.

“We should head back to camp before the lads come looking fer us,” he suggested.

“I agree. I certainly dinna want them finding us in such a predicament.”

Keira and Ian walked back to the camp where Leland and Rylan were already fast asleep near the fire. Quietly, Ian and Keira slipped inside the tent and covered themselves with the plaid. Unlike how she felt the first time they’d slept in the same bed together, Keira did not protest when Ian grabbed her and held her in his arms. She found she rather liked it there. It did not take long for her to get comfortable snuggled inside Ian’s warm embrace and she fell fast asleep.