‘More than you could know,’ he said, kissing her forehead softly. ‘I am exhausted, but I cannot stop having you.’
‘I am sorry for the bite,’ she said, reaching over and kissing it.
‘Tis no matter. I quite enjoyed it. The pain spurred me on. Did you not notice?’
‘I did.’ She laughed. ‘If we carry on in this sinful way, there will be a bairn on the way.’
Jasper froze. ‘Is there?’
‘Not yet. But soon, I think.’
‘Aye, for I am tireless, am I not?’
‘You are.’
Rowenna straddled him and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Her long, gilded hair brushed his face, mirroring the feathery touch of her fingers as they found his manhood and raised it again. She was achingly lovely in the dusk’s soft light, and within moments, he was inside her, his pleasure building when she gasped at how deep he went.
Rowenna took a ragged breath. ‘Seeing as I am working so hard for your pleasure and your heir, may I ask something of you,’ she said, her words, nervous, tumbling out too fast.
Jasper knew what was coming, but a gut punch of anger and disappointment choked him. Rowenna had been clever enough to wait a while and get him firmly on the hook before she made her move. He prayed she would not say the words he dreaded, which would humble him before a woman again.
‘Anything for you, my love,’ he said, wariness tainting his words. ‘Is this why your lust for me was so unbridled today, because you wanted something from me, my love?’
She blushed prettily, eyelashes fluttering. Did she use that blush knowingly or was it just God-given?
‘This feud with my family, can you not set it aside for the sake of peace? Can you not forgive Bran for his transgressions? He is young and foolish. I am sure he never meant to wrong you. And he has yet to come home.’ Her wide eyes were dark pools of innocence as Jasper’s fingers found her hips and stroked. ‘Perhaps if you put the word out that he is forgiven, he would return.’
‘Perhaps he has crawled back home already. For all you know, he is as drunk as a lord at Fallstairs or on top of some whore, even as we speak.’
His harsh words raised a frown on Rowenna’s bonnie face, but she was not deterred.
‘Either way, if you make it known that you will not punish Bran, then we can be sure he will return. We could put all this vexation behind us.’
Her mouth took his again, slick, hot and exciting, beating back his good sense. Jasper had to admire her guile.
‘I suppose we could, for the sake of unity between our two houses,’ he said.
‘So you agree? Will you cancel all debts and threats against us, MacCreadies? And Bran will be free to make amends.’
‘That would make you happy, wouldn’t it?’ Jasper had to force the smile onto his face.
‘Aye. And I will make you happy in return,’ she said, sliding a hand up his chest and rocking her hips, grinding against his cock. It was the worst thing she could have done. The traitorous thing swelled in spite of the bitterness choking Jasper’s throat.
He sighed heavily. ‘So, we are here at last.’
‘Where?’ Rowenna’s smile was broad and utterly beguiling.
‘You took your time asking, not that I am complaining. It is very enjoyable having you. I admire your patience.’
‘I don’t take your meaning,’ she said. Her smile faded at the taint of anger in his voice.
‘You mount me and then ask for favours, like any common whore, all for the sake of a man who is not fit to lick my boots. How can you ask me this when I am still inside you?’
Rowenna took a sharp intake of breath at his cruelty. She stopped moving. ‘Am I not to ask for leniency for my family?’
He stroked his fingers down her body, sliding them over the soft little dip of her belly button. ‘Ah, but that is not what you are asking, is it?’
‘Jasper, I don’t take your meaning. I only ask that you spare your wrath where my brother is concerned.’
