“I think you do. You must because what you’re doing feels amazing. I—” Another moan leaked from Abigail’s mouth as Ronan’s cock pressed against her mons. She shifted her hips to gain more friction. “That, Ronan. Rub your cock against me. It feels so good, but it makes me want you so much more.” Ronan obliged and thrust his hips forward, and he discovered just how good a woman’s body could feel, even though they were still clothed.
Ronan felt Abigail’s mood shift as she grew restless. Her hands found his backside and squeezed as she pressed him against her harder. Her hips flexed with the rhythm of his thrusts. He watched as she tilted her head back, the chords in her neck straining. Ronan had never brought a woman to climax, but he knew what he was watching. He rocked his hips harder and faster as Abigail’s nails bit into his backside. It was only a moment later that Abigail’s breath hitched, and her body went stiff. Her hands gripped his upper arms as she coasted through her release. Ronan stepped back, thinking he should give her room to breathe. He was unprepared for her hand to dive beneath his plaid and wrap around his cock. She stroked him thrice before he shuddered, and his seed coated her hand.
Ronan sucked in deep lungfuls of air as he watched Abigail pull her hand free. When she reached for her arisaid, he caught her wrist and shook his head, wiping her hand with his own plaid. As his mind cleared as more oxygen reached it, he blushed to his roots.
“I don’t usually—I mean it’s not always so—” Ronan was embarrassed yet again.
“I’m glad it didn’t take long. I find it incredibly flattering. Mayhap there will be other times when it takes longer, but it makes me feel good to ken you desire me as much as I do you,” Abigail shrugged.
“Are you saying that to make me feel better?”
Abigail scrambled to kneel on the table, so they met at eye level. “You have been honest with me each time we’ve talked. I’ve been honest with you. Why would I start lying now? You lasted longer than I did.” Abigail pressed her body against his as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Ronan, I will do my best never to compare you to Lathan. But I will this time. You make me feel more desirable than any mon ever has. My bodyneverreacted like this, and he never made me feel this way.”
“You’re not repulsed that the mon who wishes to woo you is less experienced than you? You’re not disappointed that I don’t know how to pleasure you?” Ronan whispered. Abigail sat back on her heels, her expression incredulous.
“You told me you don’t care that I’m not a virgin. I was confused, but I never judged you for being one. Now I understand what you meant last night.” When Ronan looked at her quizzically, she explained. “I didn’t get the implications, but I will always remember every word. You said, ‘I think people put far too much store in believing women should be virgins on their wedding nights while men should bed every whore in sight before his.’”
“I don’t remember saying that, but I meant it.” Ronan grinned. “Besides, someone should know what they’re doing in the dark.”
“Dark? Oh, no. I intend to see every inch of you.” Abigail’s eyes went wide, and her nostrils flared as she realized she’d spoken her thought aloud. “I mean, if we marry,” she finished lamely.
“I understood what you meant. Abigail, it will always be your choice whether we couple. I don’t expect us to join without marrying just because I know you’re not a virgin. It’s your decision when and if.”
“How are you so wonderful?” Abigail mused.
“Because I want to be good enough for you,” Ronan confessed. “At least good enough for you to consider me.”
“Holy Mother! Ronan, it will never be a question of whether you’re good enough for me or any woman. You are. You absolutely are. Better than most of us could ever deserve. It’s whether we find we suit besides our physical attraction.”
“I’d like to find that out too,” Ronan said before kissing Abigail’s forehead. “Aren’t you expected to be with the queen?”
Abigail bit her lip as she shook her head. “I saw you in the lists. I saw how those men followed you, how they trusted you and didn’t even realize how they obeyed your commands. I realized I’d grossly underestimated you. I felt—still feel—horribly aboot that. It was unsettling. One of the ladies noticed I wasn’t acting the way I usually do. She offered to make my excuses, so I could return to my chamber. That’s when my nose ran into your chest,” Abigail grinned.
“Abby, I don’t want you to worry aboot that anymore. Nay, I don’t like the idea that you thought I was weak, but I did naught to change your opinion. I wasn’t trying to manipulate you, but I have learned to use that impression to my benefit in politics. I hope you understand that I will never be as outgoing as some, and I will never feel comfortable in crowds of people I don’t ken. But I’m not weak. I can promise you that.”
“No one else calls me that,” Abigail murmured before she realized that wasn’t the most important thing Ronan said. “I know you weren’t manipulating me. I find that now that I understand, I rather like that you prefer a more sedate—shall we say—life. It suits a mon of the isles. I never doubted your ruggedness or your obvious strength as a warrior. Tall, blond, and brooding is incredibly attractive.”
Ronan grinned. “Is it?”
“Aye,” Abigail breathed. “Would you kiss me again? Please.”
Ronan nodded before lifting her so Abigail could uncurl her legs. He came to stand between her thighs as their kiss sparked into passion. Abigail tugged at Ronan’s leine until her hands could slip beneath the fabric and touch the smooth skin at his waist. She trailed them up his abdomen, then froze. She pulled back from their kiss and snatched her hands from beneath Ronan’s shirt. He blinked several times.
“I don’t want you to think I’m a whore,” Abigail blurted. “Just because I’m not a virgin doesn’t mean I’ve been with other men. Others besides Lathan.”
“I never thought you had. Abby, just like it flattered you that I didn’t last very long,” Ronan chuckled ruefully. “I’m flattered that you want me.” He leaned forward, but a noise at the door made them both look in its direction.
“No one ever comes here,” Abigail whispered. She slipped from the table and tugged Ronan’s hand as she pulled him toward a tapestry that hung in the shadows of the chamber. They hid just as the door opened. Ronan backed into the corner and wrapped his arm around Abigail’s waist. As she leaned back against his broad chest, Ronan’s arm brushed against the underside of her breasts. She didn’t make a sound, but Ronan felt her inhale. His other hand rested on her shoulder. The temptation to slide his hand beneath the neckline of Abigail’s kirtle made Ronan want to groan.
“Oh, Stuart,” a woman’s voice moaned. “I thought you’d never get the door open. I can’t wait any longer.”
Ronan and Abigail peered around the edge of the tapestry as a man lifted the woman onto the table, much like Ronan had done to Abigail not that long ago. Except this woman pulled her skirts to her waist while the man pushed down his leggings. At their grunt as he entered her, Abigail’s fingers dug into Ronan’s forearms. She hadn’t realized they rested there until she felt the muscles tense. Ronan’s arm tightened around Abigail, and her backside brushed against his sporran. She reached back and pushed it out of the way, her bottom now rubbing against his cock. As they watched the couple thrust against one another, Ronan gave into his impulse and slid his hand beneath Abigail’s gown, his fingers finding her taut nipple. Abigail gathered handfuls of Ronan’s plaid as her head tipped back against his chest. With each moan from the woman laid spread-eagle on the table, Ronan rolled and pinched Abigail’s nipple. They could feel each other’s rapid breathing, and it heightened their desire.
“I ken we shouldnae watch,” Ronan whispered, his voice thick with lust. He hadn’t noticed he slipped back into his burr. “But I ken I canna look away.”
Abigail nodded her head. She guided Ronan’s hand to cup her mons. He pressed his fingers between her legs at she clutched his thighs, pulling herself tighter against his body. They continued to watch in silence, but the couple finished nearly as quickly as they began. The woman righted herself as the man pulled his breeks back into place. With a giggle, the woman pushed her breasts back into her gown and hopped down from the table. Without a kiss or a fare-thee-well, she walked to the door and left. The man didn’t dawdle and left only moments later.
Abigail didn’t know what to do. She wanted to turn around and beg Ronan to toss her skirts like they’d just witnessed the unknown man do. But another part of her thought they should slip away now that the unexpected show had ended. Ronan squeezed Abigail’s breast and mons before withdrawing his hands. Abigail felt the hesitation and nearly held them against her.
