Page 51 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

Chapter Twenty

Bruce woke from a dreamless sleep. The night before had lifted the worries he had carried with him all the way from Bass Rock. He hadn’t realized how much these things had weighed on him. Elspeth, sweet, beautiful, resilient Elspeth, had taken his hand and gently banished all his fears. She had shown him possibilities he would not have been able to see if he had been on this journey on his own.

And then she had given herself to him and applied a balm to his soul. She was a blessing from God, a noble woman who had suffered so much at the hands of her loved ones but had turned it into compassion, love, and healing. Would he ever be able to thank the Lord enough for sending Elspeth his way?

He smiled sleepily as he thought of his reaction when he had seen her first on the shore. If he had known then what he knew now he would have fallen to his knees and kissed the hem of her dress. He reached out for her but found only an empty space.

Panicking, he opened his eyes wide. The sun had well and truly risen. Bruce estimated it was a few hours before midday. They had slept in. But where was Elspeth? Their horses were grazing quietly a few feet away, last night’s fire was a patch of ashes, and their saddlebags lay undisturbed. There were no signs of struggle, nothing seemed out of place.

Bruce tied one of the saddle blankets around his waist and walked to the water’s edge. Elspeth’s clothes lay by the shore, neatly folded. Sunlight dappled on the water and bathing in the midst of these cool waters was Elspeth, washing her hair.

Bruce caught his breath. She had her back to him, her brown hair like wet coils, dripping water along her smooth skin. The curve of her buttocks enticed him, the play of sunlight on her arms. He spied the tips of her breasts as she moved, wringing the water from her tresses.

He could take no more. He felt the need to possess her grow in his loins. Discarding the blanket on the shore he waded into the waters. She was bathing near an outcrop of rocks smoothed by the constant flow of water. His splashing must have alerted her for she turned around, her eyes flashing delight and then dimming with timidity. Her lashes lowered taking in his rigid phallus. She looked away, her cheeks blazing red. Bruce grinned to see her so coy.

Running her arm through the stream he splashed her with water. Moist beads trickled from her taut nipples. She laughed and splashed at him, then turned and climbed the rocks. Bruce grabbed her by the hips and pulled her back inside the water.

“Come back here,” Bruce growled, holding her close to him, the feel of her soft flesh against his scarred one heightening his desire to possess her there and then. But he intended to claim her fully today.

“Please, Bruce,” she said, only slightly struggling against him. “Let’s break our fast. The morning has already passed us by.”

“And who’s fault is that?” Bruce asked, squeezing her buttocks.

“Ye looked so serene I didnae want to wake ye,” she breathed, clutching her shoulder in that way she did that drove him insane.

“Well, I’m awake now,” he said. “And I’m famished.”

“Aye!” She smiled brightly. “Let me prepare some breakfast.” She tried to wrest herself free, but Bruce tightened his grip.

“I’m nae hungry for bannocks,” he said, and picked her up.

“Bruce!” she cried. “What are ye doing?”

“Breaking my fast.” He sat her gently down on the rock, and kissed her chin, her neck, and her shoulders. He dipped his tongue in her navel, his fingers stroking her thighs, traveling upwards, seeking her wet warmth, preparing her for what came next.

Elspeth moaned, her hands intertwined in his hair, and he felt her gently pull. His mouth went lower, planting kisses on her hips and the mound of fine hair that hid her treasures, gifts only he could access.

Clasping his lips around the hard nub he pulled it slightly and heard the gratifying gasp from her lips. Water lapped around them, droplets striking them at intervals. His fingers went up to tease her nipples while his tongue traced the insides of her glistening folds. She was sopping wet, and it wasn’t because of her recent dip in the stream.

“Bruce!”

Elspeth was salt and sweetness both. At first her thighs tightened around him, her buttocks squirmed, and her hands pulled at his hair, but then her body relaxed, her legs parted wider, her back arched, and her hands pushed him deeper into her.

“Oh, Bruce! Don’t stop,” she begged.

His tongue stroked deep within her, his lips sucked on her nub, and he took pleasure in her moans, he felt her legs tighten behind his neck, and then with a passionate cry she gushed forth. Her limbs trembled, and he felt her slacken. Concerned he lifted his head to see a satisfied smile on her face.

“I see ye enjoyed that,” he said, pulling up on the rock to sit beside her.

Elspeth giggled and gently grasped his throbbing manhood. “Ye look nae less pleased,” she said, biting her lower lip.

Bruce sighed. Her hand on his most intimate hardness made his throat dry. He swallowed as she stroked him, teased him. “D’ye want to please me?” he asked.

“Do I nae please ye?” she asked, licking her full lips. “Show me how I can please ye.”

Bruce lifted her chin and kissed her delectable lips. “Ye please me in every way, Elspeth.” He looked gravely into her eyes, suddenly serious. “Ye are a boon to me. Ye have healed me mind, body, and soul.”

Tears pricked her eyes, and she held his face in her hands. “Does that mean-”