Lily (The Highland Clan Book 3) (14 page)

That one movement somehow managed to knock down every barrier he had in place. Hellfire, but she was so beautiful and loving and warm. Capturing her lips with his, he slanted his mouth over hers, tasting her, teasing her until she cried out, just enough to put him completely over the edge of any sensibility.

He was lost in all that was Lily. He knew it, but he no longer cared. All his carefully contained control, everything he’d done to battle his need to be with Lily, had just fled him, leaving him with naught but a lust that could not be sated. Hellfire, he wanted Lily more than he’d ever wanted any lass.

He kissed a trail down her neck and across the fine bone in front of her chest to the valley of her breasts. To his astonishment, she clutched his upper arms and said, “Aye, Kyle. ‘Tis what I want, you and only you.”

“Lily, my sweet precious Lily. Do you know how often I’ve dreamed of this, of tasting every inch of you? You make me wild with desire.”

“Aye! More! I want all of you. Do you not know we were meant to be together? ‘Tis our destiny. You understand?” Her innocent gaze caught his and he groaned, taking her lips in his again. She ended the kiss abruptly and pushed him away so she could sit up.

Tearing at her ribbons, she unlaced them and lifted her gown over her head, then tossed it off to the side. He was frozen, unable to move, unmanned by her innocence, her trust in him. She had given herself over completely to her emotions, a move that humbled him.

Lily, his beautiful Lily lay on the bed in front of him, her chemise tossed to the side in haste. She lifted her chin to him, a beautiful smile dancing across her face. “Can you not feel it, Kyle?” She lifted her arms over her head in wild abandon. “This is how ‘tis meant to be between us. Love me, taste me, so I can do the same to you. Show me your true desire.”

Kyle stared at Lily, the most beautiful lass he’d ever seen, her skin glowing with a fine sheen that he needed to taste. He tossed his clothing off and leaned in to nuzzle her neck, cupping her breasts in his hands, his desire overtaking his reason. “Lily, my Lily, do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

She smiled, running her hands across the muscles in his arms. “Make me yours, Kyle. I can feel how right it is for us to be together. Show me everything. Show me what love is about, how it feels to be one with another. Show me.”

He knew he should stop, but he could not. Instead, he lowered his lips to her breast, nibbling and suckling each sensitive apex until she cried out and dug her nails into his shoulder. Her passionate response to him fueled him forward, all the pent-up desire for her after all these moons finally sparking to life.

A small part of him knew it was all wrong, but his heart knew it was all right. This was meant to be, Lily in his arms forever, her body sizzling with desire, and his body fevered with a need to be one with her.

“Lily, we should stop,” he forced himself to say after lifting his head from the valley of her creamy flesh, caressing and molding her sweetly curved mounds in his hands. “I swear you have the softest skin ever. But we must stop.”

“Never, Kyle, Never.”

Chapter Thirteen

Never, she would never stop this beautiful thing arcing between them. Her body thrummed in response to his touch, but she needed to touch him the way he was touching her. His soft caress stirred a need inside of her belly that she did not understand, but she wished to do the same for him.

“Kyle, please. I wish to feel your skin.”

His gaze almost made her afraid of what he would say, but he gave her a wicked grin after a moment and rolled onto his back. “I’m all yours, lass.”

Lily rose up on her knees and positioned herself next to him, her hands trembling as she sat back and moved them to his skin. She locked gazes with him and started with her thumb, running it across his lower lip. He growled and suckled her thumb until a craving grew deep inside her belly. She pulled her hand away and shook her head at him. “Kyle, ‘tis my turn. I wish to know all of you.”

Her hands followed a path of their own, traveling down each shoulder, across the rippling muscles in his upper arms and then spanning his chiseled chest before settling one finger on each nipple. She brushed her thumbs across him, emboldened by the response she received from the man she loved. His entire body tensed at her torture, so she massaged his chest, the tough muscles flexing in front of her before she moved on to his hard belly, caressing him, teasing him with delight.

“Kyle, your manly parts move on their own, do they not?” She giggled as she teased him with the tip of her finger, following the line of coarse hairs down the middle of his abdomen and finally moving on to his jutting manhood. “You are so hard, yet the skin is so soft. I wonder how it will feel to have you inside of me.”

“Lily, I cannot.”

“Aye, Kyle. I want you inside of me. Make me yours.” Her fingers caressed a circle around the tip of his penis, before running down the length of him, stroking his turgid arousal. She experimented with different pressures on his hardness to see how he reacted, pleased whenever he arched his pelvis toward her in response to her playful touch.

He bolted up as if burned with fire and wrapped his hand tenderly around his wrist. “Nay, Lily.” He leaned toward her, burying his face in her golden strands. “Lily, I cannot take your maidenhood.” He hugged her close.

“Please, Kyle? I need you,” she whispered. “No one will know. We are here alone. There is a need that is blossoming inside me. Only you can satisfy it.”

“I will know,” he whispered. “I will not dishonor you like that. I can give you pleasure in other ways.”

Lily had no idea of what he spoke, so she waited to see what he would do next. He positioned her so she was lying on her back on the bed, then rolled onto his side and propped himself on his elbow next to her. “But Kyle, my body is humming for you.”

“Hush, sweet one.” He took her nipple in his mouth and suckled her until she fell back on the bed, her head on the pillow as she arched her back, showing him what she wanted. His hand moved down to the juncture between her thighs, parting her curls, his fingers finding a spot that made her squeal in response to his touch.

“Hush, and I will take care of you.”

His thumb rubbed her tender spot and his fingers found their way inside of her, causing her to spread her legs wider in invitation. “You are so wet for me. Someday you will feel me inside of you. We will be wondrous together, I am sure of it.”

“Aye, Kyle.” She gripped his arm, unsure of what was happening to her, but trusting him completely. He rubbed and invaded her until she thought she would explode. Her breathing hitched and hitched, as if something needed to happen, but she knew not what. “Kyle, help me. What do I do?”

“Relax and it will happen. Trust my touch.” He suckled her nipple again and she gripped her fingers in his hair as a need grew inside her that would not stop, pushing her, tugging her. His teeth scraped across her nipple and she plunged over the edge, her body reacting with such joy she screamed, convulsing around his fingers as he continued his rhythmic strum on her body, until all the tension suddenly left her and she melted in his arms.

“Oh, Kyle. I…”

He smiled, taking her lips in his, a gentle kiss that told her how much he loved her.

“But you…I do not understand. I must do the same for you. Tell me what to do.”

He took her hand and placed it on his penis. “Wrap your hand around me, but do not squeeze too hard.”

She did as he asked. “Like such?”

He groaned, pulling her closer, cupping her breast with one hand. “Aye, now move your hand up and down. ‘Twill not take much. You have teased and tortured me until I am raw with need.”

She did what he asked and watched him. He closed his eyes, and she watched his jaw tense, his focus all on one place. How she loved him, how she trusted him, how she wished to do this for him.

“Faster,” he whispered.

She did as he asked and he clutched her to him, emitting a deep growl before his seed erupted, and she smiled, knowing she had given him the same pleasure he’d given her. She did not stop until he grabbed her hand, stilling her movement.

“Lily, forgive me.” He jumped off the bed, reaching for something to cleanse her hand. “My apologies, I should not…”

Finally finding what he searched for, he returned with a wet cloth and held her hand with such tenderness that the love she felt for him overflowed. “Kyle, do not apologize. I pleased you, did I not?”

He gave her a sheepish look and kissed her, tossing the cloth aside. “Aye, you please me verra much. But I should not have done that. I lose all control around you.”

“But I want you to lose control with me. I love you. Is that not the way it should be?” She gazed up at him, hoping he was not about to retreat from her again, as he so often did. She did not understand what drove his moods.

Kyle leaned his forehead against hers, then closed his eyes. “Aye, you have the right of it. You and I together, ‘tis the way it should be. Marry me, Lily. Do me the honor of becoming my wife. Say aye and I’ll ask your sire for your hand upon our return.”

Lily could not believe what he’d said, but she would not ask him to repeat himself. She threw her arms around his neck and said, “Aye. I’ll marry you. I do love you so. Our spirits are enmeshed. We should never be apart. ‘Tis the way the heavens and the stars want it. We belong together, forever.”

He kissed her deeply, and Lily decided she’d just spent the best day ever with her betrothed. Then he picked up her chemise and handed it to her.

“Kyle, the night is not over. Come to bed with me. I’m tired, and I wish to sleep. You promised to stay with me.”

“I know, Lily, and I will stay with you, but not when you’re like that.”

“Like what?”

“Lily, you need to get your clothes on.” He reached for his own tunic and plaid.

“But I do not understand. I prefer to be skin-to-skin with you. ‘Tis meant to be. Can you not feel it? Please do not cover yourself.” She gave him an appreciative look. “I like your body.”

“Aye, I do feel it. ‘Tis exactly the problem.” He wrapped his plaid around his waist, then returned to the bed.

“Then why do you look at me like that, and why must I cover myself?”

Kyle sighed, staring at the ceiling for a moment.

“Kyle Maule, how can you look at me with such love, touch me so tenderly one moment, and then a few moments later stare at me as if I’m a bug that needs to be squashed?”

Kyle chuckled as he helped her put the night rail back on. “Because, love,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “What we did was wonderful—” he kissed her forehead, “—but it should only happen between two people who are married.”

“Nay, ‘tis right between us. You have asked me to marry you and I agreed. Why must you reject me?”

“Because we are not yet married, and I dishonored you. Believe me, if your uncle knew of what we did, he’d hang me by my ballocks.”

Lily stared off into space, deep in thought. Why, suddenly, it all made perfect sense.

“What is it?” Kyle asked her.

“I was just thinking that now I understand why lads fear being hung by their ballocks.”

Kyle couldn’t contain his grin, so she laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I love you, Kyle. But you still have not explained why we must wear our clothes to bed. My aunt and uncle shall not return for another day or two.”

“Because. If I feel your skin against me throughout the night, I’ll have no self-restraint. You’ll not have your maidenhead by the morn, and I’ll have to explain to your sire, your brother, and your uncle. Please, for me, just climb into bed and close your eyes. No more talking or teasing me.”

Lily kissed his cheek and then bounced on the bed and slid her legs under the covers. “All right, Kyle. In fact, I have the perfect solution.”

Kyle climbed in next to her and reached for her to tuck her into his side.

Lily said, “But I have a much better idea. I’ll back up to you, just like I do to the fire in the hearth. Then it won’t be much of a tease to you.”

She rolled until she faced away from him, then tucked herself back up against him for his heat, wiggling her bottom until she was settled nicely against his middle.

Kyle let out the longest groan she’d ever heard from him. She glanced over her shoulder to see his eyes closed and his jaw clenched as if he were gritting his teeth.

She’d never understand lads. She’d tried her best to do him a small favor, and all he could do was sigh and moan.

Would she ever understand him?

***

Once Kyle’s erection had subsided from the sensation of Lily’s soft bottom nestled against him, he’d finally fallen asleep. He’d waited until he heard her rhythmic breathing to close his own eyes.

He’d awakened at dawn to the scent of flowers, only to open his eyes and find Lily staring at him, a smile on her face.

“What is it?”

“Naught. I just like to look at my betrothed. I like your dark hair. It rarely gets mussed up like mine does.” She fingered the disheveled locks hanging in front of him. He’d always kept his hair a bit longer than most, allowing it to fall well past his shoulders.

“It seems I’ve done a fine job fooling you then.” He kissed her forehead before he climbed out of bed.

“What do you mean by fooling me?”

Kyle put his breeches on. “Because my hair is always a mess. I rarely comb it.”

“Where are you going?” Lily would not tear her gaze from him.

He leaned over to kiss her lips before he moved to the door. “Since the sun is nearly up, I thought I’d get my betrothed some water to refresh herself if she’d be so inclined.”

“Aye, my thanks.”

“And Lily? Please do not say aught to your aunt and uncle about the betrothal. I’d prefer to speak with your uncle in private first. And when we reach Ramsay land, I’ll be speaking to your sire first.”

“Whatever you say, Kyle. I had sweet dreams last night.”

“I’m pleased.” After moving the chest to the side of the door, he picked up the urn on the side table and moved over to the door. “I’ll return shortly.”

Kyle whistled as he trudged down the passageway. Lily had been so passionate last eve that he’d almost made a huge mistake, but the fear of dishonoring her had been keen enough for him to restrain himself. After he brought the water back to her, he guarded the outside of her door until she was ready for him to escort her to the great hall to break her fast. He’d sent the other guards ahead of them, promising to meet them in the hall.

The day was uneventful. Kyle spent it guarding Lily while she watched the minstrels and the fiddlers who played outside at various times throughout the day. He loved watching the expression of rapture on her face while she enjoyed the entertainers. Her heart was truly delighted by them. He offered to take her back to the fair, but she refused, apparently content to stay near the castle.

The king’s steward rushed over to them as soon as they walked into the great hall. Muttering apologies, he requested they take their meal in the great hall that eve.

“The king sends his apologies,” he said, “but this is our usual night to open the great hall up to the members of the burgh. He likes to feed the Scots once every sennight. With so many in attendance, the entire staff is needed in the great hall. If this unsettles you, eat early and retire early. The festivities do not become rowdy until later in the eve when the minstrels and the fiddlers arrive after the big meal.”

Kyle glanced at Lily to see how she would react to this information. She had enjoyed supping in the private chamber, but they needed to abide by their host’s requests.

Lily folded her hands demurely in front of her and gave the steward a wide, warm smile. “We would be most happy to join the festivities in the great hall.”

“I think you’ll be quite pleased by the fare offered this eve, my lady. Cook is wonderful.” The steward beamed and pivoted to return to the kitchens.

Once the steward had left, Kyle said, “I can see through your forced smile. This arrangement does not please you as much as others will believe.”

Lily hung her head. “Nay, you are correct. I would rather not be forced to deal with the festivities. But we can eat early and leave, can we not?”