Page 71 of A Bride for the Kilted Beast

“Gimme that soap,” he suddenly exclaimed gruffly, snatching it from her hand and throwing it to the side. “Now, come here.”

He spun her around sharply and bent her over the edge of the tub. Laughing, she braced herself with her arms, gasping to feel his hard length nosing into her from behind, pushing back against him as he thrust into her with a deep groan of satisfaction, eliciting moans of pleasure from her lips.

Diarmaid held her hips firmly as he drove into her, hitting new spots deep within her and sending her spiraling upwards to fresh heights of pleasure. She closed her eyes and abandoned her whole being to the thrilling sensations gripping her as he took her up and up, until she was engulfed in waves of ecstasy. They only intensified when she felt him tense inside her, his thrusting becoming more urgent as they climaxed together, his shuddering groan mingled with her cries of bliss.

It took them quite some time to mop up the worst of the water, and by that time, they had to get dressed to attend the feast Aiden had organized to celebrate Lillie’s homecoming. When she walked down the staircase arm in arm with the man she adored, she felt as if she was walking on air, her happiness seemed so complete.

Later that same evening, the MacDonalds and the Kincaids were seated together at the laird’s table in the dining hall of Castle MacDonald. Below them, the ranked tables were packed with people, eating, drinking, chattering and laughing, all enjoying the wonderful feast celebrating Lady Lillie’s safe return home.

“The poor musician’s given up,” Diarmaid joked to Lillie, gesturing at the lute player in the corner, whose lovely melodies were being completely drowned out by the din of the carousing diners.

Aiden must have overheard, for Lillie noticed when he whispered to a servant, who nodded and took a flask of wine and a platter of food over to the hapless fellow and said something to him. The musician’s face showed pleasant surprise as he laid aside his instrument, and when he looked over to communicate his thanks to the laird, Aiden sent him a kind smile and nod.

Diarmaid had evidently noticed this act of kindness, for he leaned over and said in her ear, “Yer braither’s a grand laird, and a good man.” His words warmed Lillie’s heart.

“Aye,” she agreed, feeling proud of Aiden, as well as thankful he had come to Ciarán’s aid and helped to save her from being forced to marry Odhrán Lennox. The very thought still made her shudder. She sent up a silent prayer to the Lord above for her two wonderful brothers, reflecting on how glad she was to be reunited with them.

She squeezed Diarmaid’s hand beneath the table, smiling with joy as she looked at the people around the table, all those whom she loved most in the world. Not only had she been reunited with Aiden and Darragh, but also with her two sisters-in-law, Ciara and Lara.

“Och, Lillie, ’tis so wonderful tae have ye back!” Ciara had cried when she and Lara had raced towards the war party arriving back at the castle gates.

“Sister! Thank God ye’re safe!” Lara had sobbed happily as the pair threw their arms around her, hugging her tightly as the three of them sobbed with joy to see each other again.

“Ye dinnae ken how glad I am tae see ye both,” Lillie told them, finally recovering enough to proudly introduce them to Diarmaid. She had to laugh at the cheeky winks and nods of approval Ciara and Lara sent her behind his back, while greeting him to his face like perfect ladies.

“There’s a wee fella who’s been missin’ his auntie greatly,” Ciara told her once they had entered the castle’s great hall. “Come on up tae our chambers, and I’ll show ye.” The trio ran excitedly up the staircase to Aiden and Ciara’s chambers. “Here he is, the next laird.” Ciara announced as the smiling nursemaid moved aside to let them near the beautifully carved crib that stood next the marital bed.

“Och, me goodness, what have ye been feedin’ him while I’ve been gone? He’s enormous!” she cried in delight, leaning over to see the sturdy little fellow who was wriggling inside, chewing furiously on a small, knitted lamb. “Look at his red curls, Ciara, he looks just like ye,” she said, reaching down and picking up her nephew, holding him close to her chest.

“Aye, but he has Aiden’s eyes, dinnae ye nae think so?” Ciara said, beaming at her son adoringly.

“He does at that,” Lillie agreed, admiring the babe’s big gray eyes, knowing how sensitive Ciara was about her own flaming red hair. She said it attracted too much attention, which was why she always wore it up. “Good day tae ye, wee Rónán, d’ye remember yer Auntie Lillie?” she cooed, dandling the child on her hip. His gaze fixed upon her face, and he stopped chewing his lamb. His round face split into toothless grin as he thrust the sopping wet toy at her with chubby fingers, gurgling happily, as if inviting her to have a chew herself.

“Och, he’s beautiful, Ciara,” Lillie said, feeling a little pang of longing in her heart as she imagined holding her and Diarmaid’s child in her arms one day.

“And there’s more goods news too,” Ciara said, gesturing with twinkling eyes at Lara. Lara smiled and blushed, her hand going straight to her belly.

“Ye’re expectin’, Lara!” Lillie exclaimed delightedly, bouncing Rónán up and down as he gurgled and chattered contentedly. “But ye dinnae show yet. When’s me new nephew or niece due?” She peered at Lara’s still flat belly.

“Nae due fer another half a year or so,” Lara told her, “but I’ll be getting’ bigger soon enough, ye’ll see,” she added, making them all laugh.

“Och, ’tis great news tae come home tae. Congratulations tae ye and Darragh. I cannae believe I’m gonnae be an auntie again so soon,” Lillie told her, pecking her on the cheek. “I’m so happy fer ye.”

Now, seated next to her husband at the feasting table, looking around at the dear, familiar faces of her family, Lillie was filled with a mixture of pride and joy.

Aiden was at the head, flanked by Ciara and Darragh, with Lara next to him. Then her and Diarmaid, with Ciarán and Maddison opposite. And though everybody was smiling and laughing, Lillie often glanced over at her new sister-in-law, mindful of the great suffering Maddison had endured over the last year in the Lennox’s dungeons.

Maddison looked merry enough, for no doubt she too was filled with joy to be back with her brothers. However, Lillie knew it would not be easy for her to overcome the mental scars her incarceration would leave on her. She had suffered them herself, as had Lara, and she vowed to help Maddison in any way she could.

It was natural that after they had caught up on all that had happened in her absence, the talk should turn to the events that had so recently played out at Castle Lennox. To Lillie, they seemed unreal, almost like a bad dream she had woken from, to find herself safe in the bosom of her family. But the conversation reminded her that it had been all too real.

“So, Diarmaid, will ye tell us all about how ye and Lillie happened tae find each other?” Aiden asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.

“Aye, what’s this we’ve been hearin’ about an auction. Is that all true?” Darragh wanted to know.

Diarmaid took a long drink of ale form his tankard and leaned his elbows on the table. He looked at Lillie.

“Will ye tell them, or shall I?” he asked, his eyes signaling his slight discomfiture at having to relate the details of their unusual history to her brothers.