Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (106 page)

Mairi should have broken in the midst of what this life had thrown at her. But she had not, and she was making new discoveries about herself, which inspired Connell to make his own.

He intensified his kiss again, and this time Mairi not only responded, she surprised the hell out of him when she took over their kiss. Not only did her kiss become more aggressive, she moved until the entire length of her body was pressed firmly against him. She hooked her leg around his thigh and very subtly shifted her hips against him, moving as if he were already inside her. But he wasn’t, and he needed to correct that immediately. He reached for her, but Mairi apparently had other plans. Her fingers wrapped around his shaft, and she fondled him. Lightly at first, tormenting him with her soft caress and teasing him with hints of pleasure until he was certain he could stand it no longer. But she was just as attentive to him as he had been to her, and she stroked him more aggressively. Suddenly, he couldn’t move. This time, it was he who couldn’t find his breath. She had turned the tables on him. She stroked him confidently and brought everything within him brilliantly alive.

Connell supposed it was only fair after all.

She shifted slightly, and he groaned as every muscle in his body clenched. He loved feeling her hands on him and found himself as helpless to her as she had been to him. He knew he was dangerously close to ending it too soon, but he had never been pushed to the edge so intensely before. The harder he fought not to spill his seed, the more he enjoyed what she was doing to him. He heard himself encouraging her. He wanted her to take him to the very moment when his body would demand its release, and she did just that.

He had no choice: if he didn’t move now, he would ruin everything. He pulled her to his chest and battled to breathe. He was so close that it was almost painful for him not to go through with it, but a powerful energy coursed through him, and he savored it, even though it felt as if it settled in his cock and hardened him even more.

But now he was thoroughly provoked. He had gone so long that his need to bury himself deep within Mairi wouldn’t allow him to think straight. He pulled her even closer so she covered his body, and his kiss ravished her mouth. He intended to turn over until she was underneath him and take her powerfully, but his hands were already around her hips, encouraging her to sit up. Before he truly realized what he was doing, he lifted her and guided her onto his cock.

He entered slowly; the groan that escaped him only hinted at the pleasure radiating deep within his being. Mairi settled upon him but didn’t move. He heard her soft gasp and looked up at her as his hands gently stroked her breasts and his fingers teased her nipples. He suddenly became aware of the tremors leaping through the deepest part of her being.

“You be so very close again.”

She panted for air. “I canna help it . . .” she said breathlessly. “Ye feel so verra good.”

His lips lifted. “Seeing ye take such pleasure only makes me want tae give ye more.” He pulled her hips down at the same moment he thrust within her.

Her entire body responded to his action, and the softness of her cry was completely opposite of what her body shouted at him. She moved instinctively, her hips welcoming his thrusts, slowly at first but with increasing confidence. His vision hazed with the desire pounding through him. He filled her completely, and she was so wonderfully tight. He felt the tremors increasing within her, but then they changed slightly. His eyes flew open, and in that instant, he knew her fulfillment was upon her again a heartbeat before her breathing changed.

His hands tightened on her hips, pulling her down harder at the same moment the first wave slammed into her. Once again he watched as she completely lost herself to what he was doing to her.

His own heart thundered like a drum as he too savored the pleasure he felt burying himself so deeply. “That’s it, Mairi . . . Sweet Jesu, that’s it. I love feeling ye like this.” He levered himself up on his elbows and brought his knees up behind her, kissing her breasts and suckling her as she continued to ride him. Her fulfillment took her full force, and she demanded his own in return. Everything fractured in brilliant pleasure as he lost himself equally, and he savored every moment of it.

HHH

Mairi collapsed into Connell’s arms, her heart racing. He pulled her close, and she felt his heart doing the same. They both battled to catch their breath as the aftershocks leapt through them. He was still buried inside her, and she knew she should move, but she couldn’t. Her thoughts reeled, and she struggled to grab ahold of them. For so long she had wanted to love him, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined it would be like this.

Her muscles were beginning to protest. She had to move even if she didn’t want to. She started to slide away, but Connell’s arms tightened even more and kept her trapped against him.

“Where do ye think ye be going?” he whispered and moved enough so his lips traced softly over her ear.

“I was going tae move next tae ye.”

“In a moment. I like ye right where ye are.”

She smiled and buried her face against his throat, kissing him softly.

He shivered. “Now that be a delightful sensation.”

She lifted her head and grinned down at him. “Aye . . . but ye have work tomorrow—”

She squeaked in surprise as he suddenly rolled over, taking her with him. The next thing she knew, she was on her back in the bed, gazing up at him.

He grinned at her, that bright, beautiful smile she so loved. “Ye willna escape me that easily.”

“Escape?”

“It will take a bit for me tae recover, but when I do, I will be able tae make love tae ye for much longer.”

She blinked at him, stunned. “Longer?”

“Aye,” he said, and his grin turned absolutely wicked. “I made ye a promise, remember?” He lowered his head and kissed her deeply. “And I mean tae keep it.”

HHH

Adam’s fussing slowly pulled Mairi from sleep. Despite her efforts to get him to sleep through the night, sometimes he still awoke when he was hungry, and she was sorely grateful he had not interrupted them. She blinked, realizing she was still wonderfully entangled in Connell’s arms. He had been right—he had lasted a very long time. It felt as if she had just fallen asleep only moments ago. She wasn’t sure what time it was, but it was still very dark in the room, and the normally bustling city was very quiet. It had to be the middle of the night. Only half-awake, Mairi crawled out of bed and scooped Adam from his cradle. Connell moved as she settled back in bed and put Adam to breast. Connell’s arms wrapped around her, and he sucked in his breath sharply.

“I didna mean tae wake ye,” she murmured. She closed her eyes and settled her head against his chest as his hands began to travel over her naked body.

“Mairi.” His whisper of her name was so soft it caused her to look up at him.

“What’s wrong?” The weak moonlight from the window high on the wall cast a dim glow on his face as he gazed down at her and Adam.

“I ne’er thought I’d hold a family in my arms again.” His voice, although still soft, trembled with such emotion that her worry for him jumped.

“Are ye all right?”

His arm tightened around her, and he pressed his lips to the top of her forehead. “This is one joy I never kenned, and I willna trade it for the world.”

She studied him uncertainly but could see little of his expression in the dimly lit room. “What’s wrong?” she asked again.

He remained silent for a long time before finally drawing in a shaking breath. “Ye said I could speak of Ina when I needed tae.”

“Of course.”

“My da arranged our marriage. We were verra young, so I didna expect it.”

“How old were ye?”

“I had just turned sixteen. Ina was a couple of months younger than I. She was from another clan. We had kenned each other since we were younglings, but no’ verra well. My parents were good friends with hers, but we only saw the family once a year at the clan gathering. But every year, we made it our habit tae visit with them and have a small revel together. On my fifteenth year at the fair, I made mention tae my da that I thought Ina was growing into a bonny lass. Apparently, that was enough for him tae think I wanted tae take her tae wife. I didna ken he had arranged the marriage until a few days before it was tae happen.”

“So ye didna want tae marry her?”

He shrugged. “I simply made the comment in passing.” He hesitated and cleared his throat. “I . . . was doing things lads of that age typically do, and quite enthusiastically.”

Mairi almost laughed aloud. At that age, lads were typically discovering sex. No doubt Connell had been a handsome youth, and few lasses would have told him nay.

“Because I was such close friends with Ronan and Aidan, they had me spar with them. When faced with those two, trust that I learned how tae handle a sword well and quickly.”

“So that’s how ye learned tae fight as well as ye do?”

“It began there. Normally, as the son of a blacksmith, I would have learned only the basics of handling a weapon, but because of the brothers teaching me and because I wanted tae keep my hide where it belonged, I learned quickly. One day their da caught us sparring, but instead of rebuking us, he told me I had talent and allowed me tae train with his sons in earnest.”

“Is that why ye didna become a blacksmith like yer father.”

“Aye, and I had a unique opportunity tae obtain a higher status than what I had been born tae. I recognized it and pursued it. But my da didna see it that way. I was a bit at odds with him anyway. I wanted tae be a swordsmith, and he refused tae allow me tae leave tae find a master smith. So I countered with wanting tae serve my laird. I suppose it was a matter of pride tae him that his eldest son inherit his trade. I think that be why he in turn arranged my marriage, so I would be forced tae mind my place and follow him as village smith. At that age . . . well . . . I was certain that I could improve my standing in the clan.”

“Understandable,” Mairi said.

“Apparently Ina’s father dinna tell her what he had done either until he brought her and her family tae Glen Gyle for the wedding. I was a strong lad because of my work before the forge and with the sword. Of course, I wasna even close tae the size I am now, but I was still braw enough that Ina was fearful of me. Seeing that fear in her eyes on the day of our wedding vexed me more than anything.”

That Mairi could understand. She had known her husband before marriage, but he had been an intimidating man. Not in attitude but in presence. She had been afraid of the unknown on her wedding night too. Fortunately, her husband had been understanding. “I’m sure ye won her over quite quickly.”

“No’ as quickly as ye believe. Our wedding night was a bit of a struggle at first, but it ended well, so I was reasonably hopeful for our marriage. Time passed and our relationship grew. At first, Ina was timid and shy with everyone, but I tried tae be patient with her, and she slowly started tae emerge. It wasn’t long after that Ina told me she was breeding. I was ecstatic, but she struggled with carrying a bairn.”

Her heart lurched. “William?”

“William,” he said softly. “He was born healthy and strong, but Ina had a difficult time. She was unable to bear children after him. Ye think that would have taught me the lesson I needed tae learn, but it didna.”

“What do ye mean?”

“My da was usually no’ a harsh man, but there were certain principles he held that he pounded into my brother and I as powerfully as if he used his hammers. The first was respect for the Almighty, the second was duty—duty tae our laird, tae our clan, tae our country. It outweighed anything else. As the eldest, the responsibility fell on my shoulders tae serve our laird and clan. I think that be why my da never truly voiced his objection tae my friendship with Ronan and Aidan, even though he wanted me tae inherit his trade. Because I was already underfoot at the castle, Ronan’s da often looked tae me to perform various duties. Unfortunately, he passed a few years later. When Ronan became laird, he was still quite young. Because he and Aidan had been such hellions, many didna believe Ronan could lead the clan. Many didna truly realize the challenges he faced during that time, but almost daily I witnessed his struggles and also the victories he earned, and with each one, he also earned my loyalty all the more.”

“He was yer friend, and from what I saw at Castle MacGrigor, although brief, he and Aidan still are.”

“They are,” Connell replied, “verra much so. I am glad ye understand because Ina never did.”

“She didna?”

“Nay,” he said, his voice unusually soft. “No’ long after she announced her breeding, she began tae withdraw from me. In the same manner she had once ceased being timid and shy, she started tae return tae it, but only with me. She became even worse after she had William. She never allowed me tae hold her like this while she held the bairn tae breast. In fact, she would go into the other room tae feed him, and I wasna allowed tae enter. She didna even want me tae hold my own bairn when he was a wee laddie. Nothing I did could please her, and I tried so verra hard tae win her back. William was no’ yet walking when I returned home and Ina made known her desire tae open a fuller’s shop in the village. She was quite talented at spinning and weaving. I was hesitant at first, but I realized she needed something tae occupy her when I was away.”

“So the fuller’s shop we stayed in . . .?”

“That was where Ina spent most of her time. That’s where William grew up.”

Mairi squeezed her eyes closed, remembering the well-worn cradle they had placed Adam in.

“I built that cradle with my own two hands,” Connell said as if knowing her thoughts. “At least that was one thing I was able tae give them.”

She studied him a long moment, then the realization struck her. “Is that why ye objected so strenuously when I asked tae bring in mending?”

He slowly nodded. “In part.”

“Oh, Connell, forgive me. I didna—”

“Hush, lassie, it was a misunderstanding, nothing more.” He sighed softly. “When Ina was dying, she told me she had been afraid I would take William away, but by then it was too late for me tae amend my mistakes.”