Highland Courage(28)

“Well, now that ye mention it, maybe there is something else we can play as well.” He scooped her into his arms, carrying her giggling out of the solar to their bedchamber.

He tossed her on top of the bed and stripped off his clothes. She grinned and undid the brooch holding her plaid on. She laid it on the bedside table with the recorder, which she still held. She had barely removed her belt and was untying the ribbons of her léine when he jumped on the bed beside her, completely naked. He pushed her garments up and nuzzled her flat stomach causing her to giggle even more.

“Tadhg, please, I can’t breathe.”

“Well, then, we need to get this off and give ye some air,” he teased. He pulled her léine off, tossed it over his shoulders, and captured her lips. If the tickling weren’t enough to take her breath away, his kisses certainly were.

“This must go too,” he growled, tugging on her kertch, releasing her hair. He buried his face in her thick curls, inhaling deeply. “Mmm, I love the way ye smell.”

His hands roamed freely over her body. “And the way ye feel, soft and smooth.” He cupped the creamy white mounds of her breasts, squeezing the nipples lightly.

Enjoying the delicious feel of his hands she writhed like a cat in the sun and practically purred, “Tadhg.” Returning the favor, she ran her hands over his chest and down his arms. She loved the feel of him too. His muscles were hard and sculpted, and his skin warm. She trailed her hands down, tickling the crisp curly hair at the base of his manhood. She smiled coyly when he moaned and grabbed her hands.

“Ah, lass, I can’t bear it.”

He slipped a finger between her moist folds, stroking her sensitive nub, and it was her turn to moan. She pushed against his hand, wanting more. He brought her to the edge then stilled his hand, smothering her protest with kisses. Then he brought her to edge again and just before she reached her release, he stopped again. She groaned and raised her hips toward him.

“No, Mairead, not yet.” He started the sensual torture one more time only to remove his hand just a moment before she soared.

“Tadhg, please, I need—I need—oh, Tadhg…”

“Is there something ye want, dearling?”

“I want ye, Tadhg, please.” Her plea sounded desperate to her own ears, but she didn’t care.

“Since ye have asked so sweetly, I’ll see what I can do.” He knelt between her legs and moved his hands under her, lifting her and sliding her onto him in one firm stroke. As he filled her, she was overcome with the shuddering waves of her climax and they seemed to go on forever. He continued thrusting into her, sustaining her pleasure. Before the aftershocks of her release ended, the sweet tension began building yet again. Putting his hand between them, he stroked her until she crested once more. As the muscles at her core contracted repeatedly around him, she felt the hot surge of his seed when he found his release as well. She marveled at the blissful sensations coursing through her body—even her fingers and toes tingled.

He held his weight off her as he caught his breath. Then he gently withdrew from her and lay beside her on the bed, still panting. “My precious lass, ye are perfect, more delightful than any man could dare to hope for.”

Still in the haze of their lovemaking, she answered, “I’m rather impressed with ye as well.”

At that moment, the door to the room swung open and the chambermaid, Meriel, strode in with a stack of linen towels followed by a manservant carrying a tub.

~ * ~

Tadhg flew off the bed and roared, “Get out! How dare ye enter unbidden?”

Mairead grabbed at the plaid, which lay under them, scrambling unsuccessfully to cover herself.

The stunned manservant stared at them momentarily before rushing out of the room.

Meriel didn’t appear to be as shocked. “Laird, I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t know ye were in here. I was told that ye wanted to have a bath after—”

“There is no excuse. Ye would have known if ye had but knocked. Remove yourself now!” he roared again.

“Aye, Laird.” She calmly placed the towels on the table before leaving.

Tadhg turned to Mairead, expecting to see her embarrassed, blushing. She was, however, not blushing; she was ashen. Her knees were drawn to her chest, and she clutched the edge of her plaid in front of her.

“Mairead, I am sorry. I asked for a bath to be prepared for after supper. They never should have entered unannounced, whether they thought the room was empty or not.” He tried to comfort her, putting his arms around her. She leaned her forehead against him, but didn’t return his embrace, continuing to clutch her plaid. God’s teeth, could anything worse have happened?