Page 103 of Under the Laird’s Promise

"Easy, lass. I've got ye." He pressed a kiss to her hip bone. "Just relax. Trust me tae make ye feel good."

"I dinnae ken what ye’re… what ye mean tae…" Her words dissolved into incoherence as his fingers found sensitive flesh, stroking gently.

"I ken ye dinnae." His breath was hot against her stomach. "That's why I'm going tae show ye."

He shifted lower, settling between her legs. Maighread's hands fisted in the fabric of her discarded clothes, uncertainty flooding through her.

"Tavish, what are ye⁠—"

"Hush." He pressed a kiss to the inside of her thigh. "I promise ye'll like this. But ye need tae be still fer me. Can ye dae that?"

"I…" She bit her lip, nodding.

"Good girl." His approval made something warm unfurl in her chest. "Now close yer eyes and feel."

The first touch of his mouth there made her cry out, shock and pleasure warring in her system. She tried to pull away instinctively, but his hands gripped her hips, holding her steady.

"Tavish!"

"I told ye tae be still." His voice carried gentle command. "Trust me, lass. Just feel."

He returned to his task, and Maighread discovered she couldn't have moved if she'd wanted to. Every stroke of his tongue sent sensation spiraling through her, building into something overwhelming. Her hands found his hair, uncertain whether to push him away or pull him closer.

"That's it," he murmured against her. "Let go. I've got ye."

The encouragement undid her. She stopped fighting, stopped thinking, and simply surrendered to what he was doing. The pleasure built higher, tighter, until she thought she might shatter from it.

When release finally crashed over her, Maighread did shatter. Her entire body went taut, a cry tearing from her throat that echoed off the cave walls. Tavish didn't stop, drawing out her climax until she was trembling and oversensitive.

Only then did he lift his head, pressing a final kiss to her inner thigh before crawling up her body. His expression was pure masculine satisfaction mixed with raw hunger.

"That," he said, his voice rough, "is what I've been thinking about since the first time ye smiled at me."

Maighread could only stare at him, still struggling to catch her breath. "I… that was…"

"Worth begging fer?" The smugness in his tone might have annoyed her if she had any energy left for annoyance.

"Aye." The admission came easier than expected. "That was… I didnae ken…"

"I ken ye didnae." He settled beside her, pulling her against his chest. "But now ye dae."

She buried her face in his neck, heat flooding her cheeks as awareness returned. "I cannae believe I let ye…"

"Ye can and ye did." His hand stroked her hair. "And there's nay shame in it, Maighread. That's what happens between a man and his wife."

"We're nae wed yet."

"Close enough." He tipped her chin up, making her meet his eyes. "And when we are properly wed, I'm going tae dae that tae ye every chance I get. Until ye forget tae be embarrassed about it."

"That seems unlikely."

"We'll see." He kissed her, slow and thorough. "The storm's passed. Let’s have a bite and then slowly head back before they send search parties."

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The letter arrived with the morning post, sealed with MacBain green wax that caught the light as Tavish broke it open. Fionnlagh's script covered the parchment in neat lines, confirming what Tavish had requested weeks ago. Reinforcements. Twenty seasoned warriors, supplies enough for a siege, and his brother's blessing to do whatever was necessary.

He read the words twice, letting them sink in. The cavalry was coming. Within three days, MacEwan Castle would have enough military strength to make Keir think twice about any further schemes.