“Coming, coming,” Logan said as he hurried back to the fire. “There’s a stream nearby. I could try to catch us a fish fer our meal.”
“Nae. Not tonight, friend. Let’s just eat what’s been packed. If ye wish to fish after we’re done, mayhap ye’ll catch something we can cook up for the morning.” Dougall winked at Logan, who winked back. Helene was sure they thought they were being surreptitious when in actual fact they were nothing of the kind.
More bread and cheese made up their evening meal, along with bannocks and some apples, which Logan sliced and placed on the griddle. Despite the fact that it wasn’t a lavish meal, it satisfied them all and was quite delicious. It probably helped that they hadn’t had anything to eat in hours and were all famished.
“I’m going to go sleep down by the stream. I’ll see what I can catch fer the morn.” Helene began to protest, but Logan stopped her before she could speak a word. “Dinnae give me another thought, lass. I’ll build a nice fire and I’ll be dreaming about some Highland lovelies before too verra long. Good night to ye both. I’d say sleep well, but I dinnae ken there will be any sleeping happening in yer wee camp.”
“Good night, Logan,” Dougall said.
Helene was happy it was too dark for him to see her reddened cheeks. She was nervous. Dougall had never slept with her before this night. She had her own room in the women’s solar and he had one with the men in the soldier’s barracks. They’d done their share of kissing and cuddling, but it always ended too soon with both of them retiring to their own chambers. Anticipation caused her heartbeat to quicken and her breath to come in shallow gulps, while her core was telling her she was more than ready for this moment.
Chapter 3
Dougall moved from her side. He laid out another plaid, next to the one Helene was seated on and stretched his large frame out across it.
“Come, Helene.” He held out his hand and when she took it, pulled her down next to him. His large hands spanned her waistline, moving her so close it would be impossible for her not to feel the hardness of his wanting her.
Helene let out a small gasp and whispered something unintelligible.
“Do I frighten ye, love?” His finger traced a line from her ear to her lips.
“Nae. ’Tis just that we’ve never done this before,” her voice quivered and her hands shook.
“We’ve been so close, so many times. I promise ye, Helene, I willnae hurt ye. I wish to love ye the way ye were meant to be loved and I wish it to be so good that ye’ll be eager fer more.” His voice was low and husky. “Do ye trust me?”
“Aye.”
He could feel her apprehension waning as he kissed each of her fingers in turn and then the palm of each of her hands. “Let me love ye, Helene.”
“Aye.” She closed her eyes.
Watching her this way, his sweet, innocent Helene, Dougall felt a great responsibility to do this right. “Let me guide ye, love. Ye’ll nae regret it.” He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman. She was perfection in his eyes and he would enjoy watching her as he gave her the pleasure he knew she yearned for. His rigid staff throbbed with needing her. His sure fingers unlaced her bodice, revealing a thin shift. He cupped her breasts in his hands, thumbs stroking pebbled nipples that strained against the gauzy fabric. Dougall smiled as a sensual moan escaped her lips. “Do ye like that, love? Do ye wish me to continue?”
“Mmmm…” Another passion filled moan.
A deep, soft chuckle erupted from his throat at her response. He moved his hands up to her shoulders, drawing the shift down, lower and lower until her sweet breasts were revealed to him. He took one and then the other into his mouth as he slowly and thoroughly sucked, nipped and licked them, all the while keeping an eye on Helene, who was now moving against him, fingers entwined in his hair, holding his head fast.
Lifting her, he positioned her atop him, where she moved against his shaft. He was the one to moan this time. She smiled down at him as he undid the belt that held his kilt in place. Her hands fumbled with the yards of fabric he was wrapped in. Little did she know that each glancing touch to his rod was causing him agonizing pleasure. Between the two of them the kilt was finally out of their way and Helene’s gaze was now travelling here and there to avoid what was so obviously standing at attention between her legs.
“Helene, look at me,” Dougall commanded. When she did, he took her face in his hands and brought her lips down to meet his. Her hands ran across his chest as his tender, slow kisses explored her velvety warmth. Her tongue met his and welcomed him in, where they mingled together. Her taste was sweet and sultry and he wanted more. Gathering the folds of her skirt, he pulled them up and out of the way. He wanted to feel her womanly warmth against his skin as he plundered her mouth and set his hands to work touching and discovering the places that had been forbidden to him in the past. Each caress was met with the satisfying sounds of Helene’s pleasure. His fingers gently probed her slick, womanly center as she closed her eyes and moved over them.
Flipping Helene onto her back, Dougall removed the rest of her clothing before laying atop her. His large frame covered her easily and not wishing to crush her, he propped himself on his elbows to gaze down on the beauty who trusted him enough to allow this most intimate of moments. She reached up, coiling her arms around his neck and shyly raised her eyes to look into his.
“Kiss me more, Dougall,” she whispered.
“With pleasure, love.”
Their lips met again as their bodies pressed and rubbed against each other. The chill of the night air against their sweat slicked bodies was hardly noticed; they were consumed with each other.
Helene seemed braver, as her hand reached between them to grasp his swollen manhood and Dougall gasped in surprised pleasure. Her sweet smile as she watched him was not a match for the seductive gaze she aimed his way.
“Helene,” he whispered on quickening breath.
The little minx was a quick study, stroking him and caressing him to the brink of release.
“Not yet, love. We must go on this journey together.” He moved her hand away, positioning himself to breach the walls of her fortress. In small increments, so as not to hurt her, he pushed further and further inside of the liquid heat that would lead them on their passage to pleasure. Together in their own little world, they moved together, each wanting to please the other more than themselves. Their pace quickened, breath coming in gasps until they both reached their climax, laying satisfied and exhausted together.
Dougall reached for the plaid and pulled it up to cover them both from the night air, which had suddenly become apparent. Helene rested her head on his chest and her hand on his belly. He was content knowing he had pleased her and that they were now connected in a way that no one could take away or destroy. He tenderly kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes and thanking the stars above for his good fortune. He truly was the luckiest man alive.
