Page 162 of Claimed Highland Brides

Aileen searched his eyes. “It was…exceptional for ye too?”

Barclay leaned close so their noses were almost touching. “More than exceptional,” he whispered.

“Oh…” Her breathing became shallow as she met his eyes. They gazed at each other, frozen in a moment that seemed to last a lifetime. Slowly, without taking her eyes away from him, Aileen reached for her bodice and loosened it. His eyes dropped to her exposed breasts before returning to meet hers.

He leaned in, slowly watching her eyes as his lips joined with hers. His hands tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. “I want ye,” he murmured against her lips.

Her hands flew around his neck, clinging to him as his tongue found its way into her mouth, tangling with hers.

“Mmmm.” The sound caused vibration in his mouth as she moaned. He propelled her up the bed, covering her body with his. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and she moved against him, wanting to feel him as close as possible. Her body was soft with desire, wet with need, and hungry with want. As he lay atop her, she reveled in his nearness as he pulled off her gown and then her petticoat, leaving her naked to his gaze. He lost no time divesting himself of clothing, and soon he was between her legs, fingers questing inside of her, rubbing at her sensitive nub.

“Ye’re so wet and ready fer me. Cannae wait to be inside ye,” he murmured, licking at her belly button and causing her to draw in a deep breath.

“I…cannae wait either. Do it now.”

“Oh, impatient, are we?”

She sighed, rolling her eyes. He laughed, shimmering up her skin to hover above her. His hips jerked as he entered her, making her jolt in surprise, the intrusion fast and hard—nothing like it had been last night.

It was no less pleasurable for that fact, as he pounded into her, sweat beading on his brow. She clung to him, savoring the internal bursts of feeling that resulted from every thrust.

“I-It’s happening again,” she whispered as she felt the bubble growing within her, taking her over cell by cell until it was almost larger than she was.

“Dinnae hold back, mo chridhe. Let go.”

* * *

Travel back to Braenaird Castle was achieved much quicker, now that they did not have to hide. They traveled through the day and found shelter where they could in the evenings. It took three days to get back to the keep, and as they approached the gate, Aileen turned to Barclay. “I dinnae ken if we should tell Daividh and my sisters aboot our marriage. They wilnae be pleased aboot it.”

Barclay sighed with impatience. “Then what do ye propose, eh? We are to call Gilroy for a summit. One of the reasons we will do tha’ is because we are marrit, and so the land belongs to me outright. Do ye want them to hear it the same time as Gilroy?”

Aileen sighed even as she shook her head. “Vera weel then. I shall be the one to tell them.”

“Tha’s fine. ’Tis yer prerogative if ye wish to.”

“I do.”

Barclay nodded curtly and spurred his horse ahead so that he could ride with Diego. Aileen watched him go, knowing that she had upset him, but not why. Slowly, Antonio came abreast of her, riding by her side without speaking. She almost felt tempted to ask him what might have ruffled Barclay’s feathers, but she did not know him well enough.

He was not as garrulous as his brother and seemed to keep his own counsel and spend his time observing others. So instead, she fixed her eyes on Barclay’s stiff-backed profile.

“He feels just as unsure as you do, señora. You must be patient with him.”

“Do ye tell him to be patient with me too?” she couldn’t help but snark.

Antonio grinned. “You are right. What is good for the goose, eh?”

Aileen snorted. “I dinnae even ken wha’ it was I said.”

Antonio sighed, shaking his head. “Barclay will bristle at anything he deems to be rejection. When you tell him to keep the marriage a secret, he hears only that—denunciation, dismissal, denial.”

Aileen pursed her lips in understanding. “I dinnae mean to⁠—”

“Of course, I understand. Barclay does too, I am sure…deep down. But he reacts with his feelings and not reason.”

Aileen nodded in understanding. “I suppose we mun’ take more care aboot how we speak to each other.”

Antonio nodded with a slight smile. “That would be wise.”