Still deep within her, touching her core and making her scream again, he leaned over her, his chest against her back, one hand twisting the length of her hair in his fist and pulling her head back to him and exposing her neck to him. His mouth was hot, his teeth grazing the skin and seeking the tender spot again, knowing what it did to her.
He never stopped moving or touching or thrusting within her. It hurt to breathe, every place felt so wet and ready, she wanted him to make it happen. Pushing back and down against his cock to move him deeper, she heard him laugh against her skin.
“Not so fast, wife,” he taunted. “I am not ready to finish with you yet.”
Elizabeth did scream then, for instead of filling her, he withdrew from her just when the ripples of pleasure and release threatened inside of her.
“Jamie!” she cried out. “Now!” He held her steady as he laid on the bed next to her.
“Ride me, lass.”
He liked it when she climbed on him and was in control of the pace and timing. He liked it because he could watch her face as she reached that final peak. He liked it because he could reach up and touch and suckle her breasts as she moved over him.
He especially liked it when she shuddered and shook through her release after he rubbed his fingers between their bodies in that place she liked. It was swollen now from his mouth using it and it would take only a touch or two to push her over her edge. She climbed over his groin as he lifted his cock and let her ease down on it.
From the tight fit, he knew it would take him little to explode within her. She pulled her knees in close to his hips and began the torture he so loved. Her hair fell like a silken curtain around her body. As she arched and moved, her nipples peaked through, inviting his touch there. Leaning up, he took one then the other in his mouth and suck it hard, grazing his teeth over the tip until he heard her breathing change.
The muscles within her core began to tighten and he knew his seed would be filling her at any moment. His flesh swelled thicker, and she pushed against him. Then he held her hips and thrust deep once and again and a third time until he exploded.
It was some moments before either one could speak or breathe. Elizabeth collapsed on his chest and James wrapped his arms around her. When their hearts calmed, he brought her to his side and drew the bedcovers up over them.
Mornings were colder now and frost greeted them most days. Winter would be on its way to these lands soon. He would not mind it this year for it would bring them closer to the birth of their first child.
James had noticed the changes in her body almost before she did, beginning with the ones to her nipples and breasts. Now, her waist thickened and soon she would be ripe and full of his child.
The child he wanted to be born in his home. He needed to try to make peace with his father...and with Connor first.
Though unsure of her welcome, she understood his need to return to his home and make things right with his parents. In these last few months, they had hidden in plain sight, remaining here in the village and working as any other married couple would. James was learning the skills of the blacksmith and Elizabeth kept house and cooked. The witch had lied about that—she was a skilled cook though he was certain her brother would disagree.
He’d seen Dougal a few times when he rode through the village on the earl’s business, but he’d never drawn attention to himself. Through some of the villagers, he’d learned that Tavis had indeed claimed Ciara as his wife, even before learning of James’s actions. If Connor had allowed it, there was hope that he would not object too much to his and Elizabeth’s marriage.
And today was the day they would begin their journey back to discover the true situation.
“Beth, my love,” he whispered to her. “We must get ready for our journey.”
She mumbled something and rolled to her other side.
“Everything is packed and ready. It all waits only for us.” She lifted her head and glanced at him.
“And you are ready to return?” she asked, sliding from the warmth of the bed and beginning to dress. “What do you think Connor will say?”
“He cannot pull us apart,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her close. That was her biggest worry. “He allowed Ciara to marry Tavis—a good sign, that.”
“What about your parents?”
“They will come to love you as I do. If they want their grandchild born in their home, and I think they will, they will accept us together.” He kissed her as he stood next to her. “Oh, there will be some rough days, but with you at my side, we will get through it.”
Within hours, they were on the road north and west toward the center of the MacLeries’ lands and his main stronghold. More than that, they rode together into the life they’d been bold enough to claim for themselves.
Love, he thought, made everything simple.
Connor stood in his favorite place, watching the couple enter through the gates of Lairig Dubh. He knew who they were and knew they would arrive this morn. As he observed them, he took note of the way the younger man reached out to touch his wife’s hand often as they rode to the keep. He saw how others in the yard caught sight of them and stopped to watch them go by.
Duncan and Rurik called out to him as they crossed the battlements to reach him. He waited for them before going into the hall to greet James Murray and his wife on their arrival here.
“You knew, did you not?” Duncan asked.
“I own the village. Of course, I knew,” he answered. “The priest earns his living from my generosity. I knew when they arrived there, the trouble they had and knew when they married.”
