Page 65 of Highland Storm

“Aye, I do,” she admitted, feeling herself already climbing as her excitement grew.

He reached up and cupped one of her bare breasts in his large palm, holding her around the waist as he sat, helping her to maintain balance. Then his lips closed over her nipple, suckling, pulling, teasing. Her knees went weak beneath her, and she felt as if she were losing balance with the sway of the boat on the water.

“Sit on my lap, Phoebe.”

“Like last time? When we made love standing and up against the wall?” she asked. When she started to sit facing him, he stopped her.

“Nay, no’ like that. Like this.” He turned her around, his hands on her hips.

“Hawke, I dinna understand. How can we –”

He spread her legs and pulled her down on his lap, her back to his chest. Leaning her forward, he fondled her breasts as he slipped his shaft into her warmth.

“Och!” she said, feeling excited. A pulse deepened between her thighs.

“Ride me,” he told her. “Like ye are ridin’ astride.”

Their bodies glided together, apart and back together with liquid passion guiding them in their lovemaking. Phoebe’s back arched and she held on to his knees, feeling naughty but yet excited to be doing something like this in the open and on a boat no less! And when she climbed to her peak, she threw back her head and cried out, not caring if anyone could or would hear her. All that mattered was that moment. The only thing that was important was making love with Hawke. He was gentle, taking his time, making sure she was sated before he cried out her name on the wind.

It was magical and special. And when they’d both been sated, she straddled him the other way and they held their bodies together as they continued to kiss.

“I never even had time to remove my plaid,” he told her.

“Ye didna even need to,” she said. “Hawke, let’s go for a swim. It’s such a beautiful day.”

“I’d like that,” he said, kissing her on the nose. “Let me drop the anchor and we’ll take a dip.” He dropped the anchor as well as his plaid and then reached out and scooped her up into his arms, trying his best to keep his balance as the waves rocked them back and forth.

She giggled, liking this playful side of Hawke.

“Ye’d better be careful, Phoebe. Ye dinna want to fall overboard.” He climbed up on the bench with her still in his arms.

“Hawke, put me down,” she said, laughing all the while. “We’re goin’ to fall.”

“Nay, we’re no’ goin’ to – oops,” he said, falling into the water with her still in his arms. They played and kissed in the water, and finally as the sun started to set, they climbed aboard.

“Here,” he said, handing her his plaid to use to dry off before getting dressed. “We’d better get back. It’s gettin’ dark, and I’ll need to prepare for tomorrow.”

“Aye,” she said, wiping off her face as he raised the anchor. “Hawke, I dinna want anythin’ to happen to ye tomorrow. It’s too dangerous. Please dinna go.”

“I’ve made my decision,” he told her. “Sometimes, there are things we just have to do and no one at all is goin’ to stop us.”

“I see,” she said, drying her face in his plaid, looking over her shoulder at the isles in the distance. Yes, she thought. Sometimes there were things a person needed to do, and no one was going to stop them.

Chapter 20

As soon as night set in and everyone was asleep, Phoebe got out of bed and tiptoed over to where Orrick was sleeping. Her sisters and brother were on pallets spread across the floor, sleeping peacefully.

“Orrick,” she whispered putting a gentle hand on the man’s shoulder. Lying on his back, he opened one sleepy eye and then the other.

“What is it, Phoebe?” he whispered back.

They slept in the infirmary, where the guests were housed. Thankfully, Hawke and his friends had huts of their own where they stayed. Not wanting to leave the prisoners unguarded, Ethan’s wolfhound stayed watch with Orrick. The men tried to leave Jack, Logan’s wolf there as well, but the animal needed to roam free. Plus, Phoebe’s little brother, Miles, was afraid of it. Of course, Hawke didn’t think Phoebe would try to escape with her siblings there now, and she wouldn’t. If it wasn’t for her father still being at the castle, she wouldn’t even want to go there again.

“I need yer help. Grab yer bag of herbs and follow me.” With her bag slung over her shoulder, Phoebe tiptoed past the sleeping hound, only managing to get to the door before the dog was up and standing in front of her.

“Hello, Trapper,” she said, running a hand over its head. “Let me pass, please.” When she took a step, the dog growled.

“Now, now, there,” said Orrick, holding out a bone to the dog. The dog took it eagerly and lay down to chew on it, letting them pass.