Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (109 page)

But Mairi was wholly opposite. She was fun-loving and playful, and he enjoyed her quick wit. He had been like that when he was a lad, especially when around Ronan and Aidan, but he had no idea when he had lost that quality.

Connell rarely jested with others anymore, and that change had come upon him gradually after William had been born. He remembered it had returned when he traveled with Robert to fetch Lia from England. Lia had been so fearful. She had never traveled, and she most certainly never imagined she would travel to Scotland. The poor lassie had been almost as terrified of horses as Mairi had been. Her terror had been painfully obvious to Connell, and he had worked to divert her from it, making light of the situation as they traveled, playfully arguing with Robert whenever the opportunity presented itself. That was the first time in a very long time that Connell had allowed his sense of humor free rein. Thankfully, it had helped ease Lia’s fear. She had gradually uncoiled over the two weeks it took to reach Glen Gyle, eventually laughing with them.

Connell couldn’t help but wonder if losing Ina and William wasn’t the only reason he had buried so much of himself.

Mairi returned and sat cross-legged on the rug before him. “I vow Gabriel’s Horn wouldna wake the lad up right now.” She paused as he looked at her. “Are ye all right?”

Because of Mairi, he was rediscovering parts of his personality that he had missed, what he had considered better aspects long ago. He was not only returning to the man he once was but making new discovers about himself. “I be . . .” He hesitated, remembering when he had been injured, and his smile broke free. “I be better,” he said.

“Good, I was a little concerned there.”

He turned his attention to the cups and handed her one. “Perhaps Adam will allow us to sleep in a little tomorrow.”

“Ye mean ye willna be up at dawn?”

“The shop be closed tomorrow. Ian kenned we’d both drink, and working over a forge with a hangover be foolish indeed.”

“True.” She placed a small box on the hearth stones.

“And what’s that?”

“’Tis yer gift.”

He arched an eyebrow and looked at the box again. “So that be what caused all the trouble?”

“We be the ones who caused the trouble.”

“True.” Connell chuckled, refilling both their glasses. “I probably shouldna do this. I think we both be reaching that point.”

She frowned and took a drink. “Yer words make me ask the question why.”

“What do ye mean?”

“Connell, when was the last time ye got roaring drunk?”

He had not expected that question, and his thoughts scrambled when he realized he couldn’t remember.

“I thought as much,” she said, reading his expression. “Earlier this eve, I was telling myself the same thing, that I had to behave, then I asked myself the same question I just asked ye, and I canna remember either.”

Connell thought for a moment. “If Aidan were here, he’d be telling me that the man who doesna have fun every once in a while eventually ends up broken. Of course, this is Aidan we’re speaking of; every day be a revel tae him.”

She giggled. “Aye, I think he’s right though. Ye work hard over the forge, we have been running for God knows how long, it be long past time we allowed ourselves tae have fun for once. I worked hard helping Fiona and the others prepare for tonight. If I want tae have a drink, I’ll drink. If I want tae get drunk, I’ll get drunk. I’ve earned it . . . ye’ve earned it.”

Connell felt his lips tug upward, and he saluted her with his cup. “I’ll no’ argue with ye.”

“Good man.” She took a drink as well, and Connell’s gaze slid back to the small box sitting on the hearth.

Mairi noticed his gaze. “It be driving ye daft, aye?”

He felt his face heat and ducked his head. “Aye.”

Her smile grew. “Ye are absolutely adorable.”

His face heated even more. He knew it was because he was drinking, but there was no harm in Mairi being playful, and he enjoyed seeing this side of her. She was right, they did deserve it.

“I tell ye what,” she said, her dark eyes sparkling mischievously. “Give me a kiss first, then ye can open yer present.”

His thoughts immediately wandered, and not to the box sitting on the hearth. Again hot desire shot through him. The words they had just spoken echoed in his ears. They did deserve to have fun and he wasn’t going to allow the opportunity to pass him by. He shot her a sideways glance as he put his cup on the hearth. “There is definitely a present I want tae open.”

She arched an eyebrow at him. “Anxious, are we?”

He gently tugged her cup from her fingers and placed it beside his, then leaned forward until his lips were hovering over hers. “’Tis driving me mad.”

She didn’t retreat but focused on his mouth. “A kiss first, then, but it better be a good one.”

“Oh, it will be, lassie,” he murmured and touched his lips to hers in a featherlight brush. “It will be.” He returned and kissed her fully.

A soft groan curled up the back of her throat as he plundered her mouth. The sound only inflamed the desire that seized him in its grip. It possessed him so quickly and so completely he never had a chance to resist it, but he didn’t want to either. His hands traveled over her body, cupping her breasts through her dress. His kiss reflected the need within him as it grew more powerful and passionate. He wrapped Mairi in his arms as she started to fold underneath him. His kiss never stopped as he cradled her against his chest. Her hand reached up behind his head, her fingers weaving through his hair.

She returned his kiss with all that was within her, matching him turn for turn. Connell’s heart soared. Every time he made love to her, she responded with all of herself, no holding back. His pulse was a dull roar in his ears. His hands caressed her, but he found himself growing more frustrated. He had little patience. He had to get her clothes off now.

He could barely think through the haze of his desire. Mairi’s soft pants for air and tiny moans undid any control he thought he might have possessed. His fingers finally found the laces of her dress, and he quickly loosened them. But the garment was still in his way.

He growled in frustration and tugged it off over her shoulder. He didn’t want to take his time. He pulled again and heard a tearing sound, but he didn’t care. Mairi gasped softly as he exposed her breast.

Connell hesitated then. She was so beautiful, her breast full and inviting, her nipple hard. He cupped it in his hand, still cradling her in his left arm. He watched her as his fingers gently toyed with her.

Mairi closed her eyes, relaxing in his arms, and let her head drop back. “That feels good.”

Oh God, he loved her like this. He quickly pulled the other side of her dress off of her shoulders so he could enjoy both.

“Dinna move,” he murmured, lifting her in his arms enough that he could take one breast in his mouth while his fingers teased the other.

She gasped softly, and her hand at the back of his head tightened, encouraging him to remain. He drew hard on her, and she froze underneath his mouth. He wondered if she had forgotten how to breathe, but as he drew on her a second time, she arched her back and let her head fall back completely.

He lifted his head to gaze down at her. Seeing her helpless in his arms was wildly erotic. His heart battered his ribs. He was painfully hard, but he wasn’t going to worry about his own clothes just yet. His hand left her breast to tug at her skirts until they were bunched around her waist.

Seeing the gentle curve of her hips, sweeping to her elegantly shaped legs, and her dark mound of curls so provocative before him made him question his resolve. He should just bury himself inside her and find relief from the need building within him. His breath rattled hoarsely in his throat as he slowly slid his hand down her body to her hip, moving ever closer to his goal. His gaze traveled over her body as he slid his finger across her folds and found what he was searching for.

Her legs opened, and she arched against him, lifting her breasts invitingly.

“Connell,” she moaned.

“Aye,” he murmured, stroking her gently. “I ken ye love this.”

She was moaning constantly and starting to writhe against him. “Connell, please . . .”

“What, my sweet?” he asked teasingly. He lightened his touch and smiled as her hips lifted of their own accord, begging him to exert more pressure.

“Please . . .” she whispered.

“Ye want more?”

“Ye ken I do. Please, Connell.”

“I want tae give ye a new pleasure.” Before she could respond, he moved, rising to his knees and pulling her to him in one fluid motion. He steadied her until she could catch up with the abrupt action. He held her hips, his mouth about level with her waist.

“What . . . what are ye doing?”

“Opening my present,” he replied absently as removing her dress completely possessed his attention. He slid it down over her hips and encouraged her to step out of it so he could toss it out of the way. Her dark eyes, glazed with passion and a bit of confusion, regarded him intently. He smiled up at her. “Trust me, my sweet.”

“I do.”

He encouraged her to open her legs, and with one hand, he parted her folds. Her eyes grew wide as he kissed her most intimate place and stroked his tongue over her nub.

He felt the energy rock through her, and she released a startled cry. He looked up at her, his grin growing wicked. “Ye better hold on tae me.” He kissed her again, then his tongue pursued her in earnest.

Her legs nearly buckled. If he hadn’t been bracing her with his free hand, she probably would have toppled over. But the shaking moan she uttered was exquisite. She not only opened herself to him but her body demanded that he intensify his actions. He explored her with his tongue, he kissing and suckling her, lightly raking his teeth over her tender folds. She grew more frantic and he more aggressive.

Her hands clutched at his head. Her moans became soft cries of his name. He felt the tremors start deep within her and knew she was on the edge. He wanted her to find her joy while he savored the sweet taste of her. The scent of her dizzied his senses. As the tremors increased, she tasted sweeter and sweeter. Then he felt her pleasure take her, shuddering through her. He worshiped her with his mouth as she lost herself completely, crying out his name. He refused to stop until he was certain he had brought forth every last ounce of pleasure within her and she had nothing left to give.

She collapsed against him, but he didn’t let her fall. He guided her until she too was on her knees facing him, and he was trailing soft kisses across her bare skin. She battled to breathe and was still making soft mewling sounds that he had never heard her make. The sounds along with the taste of her stirred him even more.

“I canna wait any longer,” he whispered between kisses and nibbles. He paused only long enough to haul his tunic off over his head and loosen the laces of his trewes. “Forgive me, Mairi, but I canna—”

She opened her eyes and locked him in her gaze, stopping him in his tracks. He swallowed hard. Had he upset her?

But the fire burned ever brighter. “Ye were right,” she said, her voice low and husky. “Ye did find yer way into trouble.”

His heart stalled in his chest. What had he done?

She leaned forward, stroking his hair away from his face in much the same fashion he had done to her. “My turn,” she whispered. She pushed his hands away, and her fingers took over the unlacing of his trewes. “Now, Connell,” she said in gentle reproach, her gaze never leaving his. “Dinna be so stubborn.”

His thoughts were still spinning, still trying to determine if she was upset with him or not.

Then she freed his cock, and he released a ragged breath as he was no longer painfully trapped. But he immediately sucked in another one as her hand fondled him. He shivered and looked down at his shaft, hard and thrust straight out from his body. Her hand lightly traveled over it then descended to cup him in her hand. Her fingers explored a little more, much to his delight, then traveled to the base of his shaft where she pressed ever so slightly. His vision spotted with the intensity of the sensation that shot from his cock to the deepest part of his being. The air fled his lungs and he grunted, every muscle in his body contracting.

He heard her suck in a breath as well.

“Ye are beautiful when ye do that.”

“What?” he could barely speak.

“Tighten so much I can see every curve of muscle.”

He was just trying to remember how to breathe. She continued to fondle him, but her touch was light and gentle. He longed for her to intensify her actions.

“Stand up, we need tae get yer trewes off.”

Nay, they didn’t, he could continue just fine like this, and if he didn’t bury himself inside her in the next few heartbeats, his body was going to rip him apart from the inside out. But he found himself rising and shoved his trewes off.

Still on her knees, Mairi focused first on his cock then looked up at him. He saw the fire within her change to something far different, and he suddenly realized what she meant to do.

“Oh God,” he growled between clenched teeth as she took him into her mouth. He fought violently not to spill his seed in that instant. His entire body shook, and this time he threw back his head and struggled to remain standing. Her tongue laved at the head of his cock, sending a brilliant current of pleasure through him. He forced himself to open his eyes and gulp a deep breath. Then he looked down at her. Watching her only intensified the energy coursing through him.

He stroked his fingers through her hair. “Ye inflame me tae the point of madness. I need ye tae take me tae the edge then push me beyond it.” He groaned as she took him deeper into her mouth. “Aye, do that tae me and more. But dinna let me find my release.” He sucked in his breath as she again drew on him. “Aye, just like that.” He battled to stay in control, he battled to breathe. Already his body was shifting subtly in time to the movement of her mouth. He didn’t want it to end. He had sacrificed so much of himself and never realized it until now, but no longer.

“I want tae finish deep and hard inside ye.” Her hand fondled him, but just as she intensified her actions with her mouth, he again felt a gentle pressure on the base of his shaft with her hand. A second time his vision spotted, and every muscle in his body coiled. He could only watch her do exactly as he asked, watch her and enjoy every moment.