One & Only (18 page)

Grey held her shoulders and gently
forced her back to lie next to him. His mouth moved over hers, gently
persuading her to return the caress.

Lost to the delight of his kiss,
Bree’s hands roamed along his muscular arms and back. She felt the power of him
and the strokes of his dizzying kiss. His hands caressed her in return and when
he touched her breast, a moan came from deep within her. Bree couldn’t think
with his hands doing such wonderful things, so she waved the flag of surrender.
She arched toward him, pressing her bosom against his hand.

Bree submitted wholeheartedly to her
desire. Any fear she’d had fled. As her hand reached his hip, she let it
continue and embraced his backside, pulling him closer toward her. Grey groaned
and tore his lips from hers.

“Ye set me afire, Bree. Let me?” He
pealed the dampened plaid from her body. She shivered and thought it was from
the way his eyes gazed at her. His eyes took in the fact that her damp shift
was practically see-through. “You’re beautiful,” he said, before setting his
lips on her neck and trailing them to her throat. The gentle suck of his lips
against her throat brought forth another moan.

The bliss of his touches and kisses
sent Bree spiraling. She tried to get him to remove his tunic by pulling at the
fabric. Grey pulled the garment over his head and tossed it aside. He shed his
tartan, revealing his nakedness. Bree let her hand sweep over the confines of
his hard chest.

“You are beautiful as well.”

Grey drew her back into his arms.
The feeling of his firm, hot body next to hers made her revel in awe of it.
Never had she imagined it would feel so good to lie next to a man.

Grey watched her, his eyes bore into
hers. “Bree, I want you.”

His words made her tremble when she
reached out to him. He set her hand on his thigh and let his glide along her
arm to her shoulder. Then something magical happened, she felt a gentle touch
on her womanhood. The touch shocked and thrilled her at the same time.

“Oh Grey, that feels nice.”

He continued to stroke her while his
lips did wickedly marvelous things to her mouth.

Cradled against him, she forced Grey
to cease touching her. She wanted to feel him against her and gently rocked her
body. His erection pressed her leg and still unafraid, she let her body rule
her mind.

Grey positioned her on her back and
came over her. She looked into his steely gray eyes and waited with bated
breath. With her knees spread wide, Grey knelt between them watching her with
his beautiful piercing eyes.

“Please, I beseech you …” She wasn’t
sure what she needed, but whatever was happening between them wasn’t enough.

“I will make you love me, Bree.”
With those words, Grey raised his body and continued to look into her eyes. His
intent gaze should have concerned her, but her mind had been trapped in the
delight of his touches.

Bree gasped when she felt the tip of
him invade her. Her breath caught in her throat and all she could do was feel
the exquisite sensations flowing through her. She gripped his arms and spread
her legs to give him better access. “Oh, Grey, this is …” She couldn’t seem to
form words.

At first he moved slowly, stretching
his way inside. She felt the thickness of him fully embedded inside her. The
feeling was shocking but exhilarating. Grey rested his head on her shoulder and
she could feel his lips pressed against her neck. The warmth there seemed to
spiral to the core of her being. She wanted him to move within her and so she
thrust her body toward his. A deep groan of pleasure came from him. Bree smiled
at that.

Grey reared back and slid his length
from her and then plunged forward. Bree about lost her breath at the sweet
torment. The pain she felt receded almost immediately. His body kept up the
delightful teasing, slowing, and then hastily moving within her. Bree felt her
entire body shaking. Grey slowed and pulled away from her, still keeping their
bodies joined.

“Look at me, Bree.”

She opened her eyes and saw his face
a foot from hers. “Aye.”

“You know what this means, don’t
ye?”

“Nay.” She huffed when he thrust
into her and took her to the edge of oblivion. An amazing feeling swamped her
from head to foot, causing her to grip his arms and squeal with pleasure.

“You’re mine forever.”

Bree held on to him for dear life.
Grey continued to tease her until she couldn’t hold her legs up from the force
of their shaking. A wondrous sensation overtook her and Bree let out an
unladylike scream when she blissfully gave over. Pleasurable twinges rushed
through her and she squeezed her eyes closed to focus on the torrent of
emotions.

Bree had never imagined making love
would be so pleasing. Each time his body came to hers, she caught her breath.
His skin felt like steel as she caressed his biceps. Warmth from his body kept
any chill away, but Bree couldn’t comprehend anything beyond what his body was
doing to hers.

She felt Grey kiss her lightly on
her lips and she opened her eyes to watch him. He gazed at her with a look of
satisfaction on his face. Grey kept up the thrusting and suddenly, he shouted
and stilled his body. For a moment, Bree thought she’d hurt him. But then he
released a moan that bespoke pleasure. She helped him by propelling her body
toward his and caressed his arms as he too gave over to bliss.

They stilled and Grey shifted his
body next to hers. His face lay next to her breast and his warm breath heated
her nipple. She rubbed his head, feeling the long locks of his hair.
Contentment filled her heart and soul. Never had she dreamed to experience such
a wonder.

“I knew it would be like this.”

“Hmmm?” she wasn’t listening and was
content to hold him.

“Bree, you were … are incredible,
lovely.”

“I know not what to say, Grey. So
were you.” Bree didn’t want to move. She was happy to lie in his arms and revel
at what had happened to her. “Is it always like that?”

Grey smiled. “Between us, it will
be.”

“Then I shall like to do that often.
I care not if it makes me wanton.” She giggled at her admission.

He kissed her quickly and sat up,
reaching for his tunic. “Let us dress and we’ll take a walk.” Grey shook his
head, sending his lochs amok. As he covered his chest with his tunic, she
watched his taut arms shift beneath the fabric.

She reached for her garment, which
was nearly dry, and donned it along with her cloak. When she was ready, he took
her hand. They walked along for a while, each content with their own thoughts.
After what they shared, she concluded she could end up loving Grey. He was a
gentle man.

Bree couldn’t help thinking how
amazing love-making was. Happiness came upon her and she smiled widely. All the
bizarre comments Cait had made about sex suddenly made sense. Bree grinned at
the thought that her friend was indeed aright. Sex was something to be enjoyed.

Grey put his arm around her and
hugged her close as they walked along. “Ye cannot say we are not betrothed now,
Bree. After that, there is no way I am letting you go.”

CHAPTER sixteen

She didn’t want to be left behind. Grey
came strolling down the stairs with a sack thrown over his shoulder. He came up
behind her and kissed the side of her neck. His lips sent a shiver through her.
“Good morn,” he said in a deep husky voice.

“Where are you off to?” Bree hoped
he wasn’t off to war with the MacHeths. If so, she would have to do all in her
power to stop him. Eventually the clans would war, but she hoped and prayed it
wouldn’t come. Grey was too determined to confront MacHeth. She didn’t want to
be the cause of useless deaths.

“I’m going to Maurice’s wedding.
I’ll be a few days at the most. Ye will be safer here, Bree. I’m leaving Duff
and Kenneth behind for your protection.”

“Pray, please let me come with you.
I want to see Adeline again and of course, Donal.” She wouldn’t own that she’d
miss him, too.

Grey chuckled and wrapped his arms
around her waist. “Is that the only reason you want to come? Mayhap you’ll miss
me? Mayhap you’ll miss me doing this?” His lips trailed over her chin, lower to
her neck and eventually led a hot trail to just above her bosom.

Bree’s breathe ceased. “I will miss
that most of all.” She wasn’t sure if she made sense, because all she could
focus on was his lips touching her skin.

“I don’t like leaving you. If ye
want to come, we need to get you proper attire. Go and ready, I’ll see if I can
get you some garments.” Grey released her and strode out of the hall.

Bree quickly took the steps and
found Cait in their chamber. She picked up a comb and began taking out any
knots. “I am leaving for a few days with Grey, Cait. We are going to the Ross’
for the laird’s brother’s wedding.”

“Let me.” Cait took the comb from
her and continued to run it through her hair. “I am gladdened that you are
going with him.”

“Will you care for Sunny whilst we
are away? I don’t want to leave her, but I doubt Grey would allow her to come.
She’s so small.”

Cait nodded. “Of course I will. The
little mite is a fast learner. She knows many signals now.” She stopped combing
her hair and began on Sunny’s tangle of curls. “My heart is lighter, Bree. I
can tell something happened betwixt you and Grey. Did ye let him have …”

Bree pretended affront. “Oh shush.
Cait, I do care for him. He has been nothing but understanding and hasn’t
pressed me for a response to the betrothal. Grey has it in his mind that we are
betrothed, and it doesn’t seem I can change his decision. We did … were
intimate. I deem Grey is trying to be chivalrous, because he hasn’t tried
anything since.”

“Chivalrous! I deem there are other
reasons. He must be beset with concerns if he is not interested in sex. I have
it on great authority.”

Bree laughed. Cait said the most
humorous things. “That must be it. But I shall be happy to be going to the
Ross’ with him. Grey went to find me proper attire. Since I lost most of my
clothing in the fire, I have nothing proper to wear.”

Cait rose and went to the chest,
where she took out a gown. “Here, Bree, wear this.” She tossed a beautiful blue
gown at her, the color of morning sky. Its sleeves were long and the
beautifully sewn jewels around the bodice gleamed.

“’Tis the most beautiful gown I have
ever seen … I cannot take this, Cait. It’s yours. Nay, I cannot accept.” She
tried to pass the gown back to her.

“Bree, my lady gave it to me years
ago. A cast off, she’d said. ‘Tis an old garment. Why I saved it, I don’t know.
I only wore it once, when we had a
Michaelmas
celebration
and the entire village came. That was a lovely night. I remember Duncan, my
lord’s farrier … Now he was a lovely man who knew how to make a woman squeal.
What he did to my body … He had the biggest …”

“Cait! ‘Tis a good thing I deem that
Sunny cannot hear.”

Cait sighed. “Nay, Bree, I shan’t
need it, take it.”

“All right, but I will only borrow
it and will return it to ye when I return.” Bree hugged Sunny and kissed her
soft cheek. “I shall miss you both.”

She donned the dress and Cait pulled
back her hair with a lovely blue ribbon. All ready, she bid them goodbye and
looked fondly at them. After another light kiss to Sunny’s cheek, she then
opened the door of the chamber and heard Grey calling.

“I am ready.” She set her satchel on
the table.

“You look … bonny.”

“Cait gave me this beautiful gown.”

Grey handed her two Gunn plaids and
a light green gown which matched the variations of the plaid. Along with the
gown and plaids, there was also two cottes she could wear for bed or under her
gowns, and a few pairs of socks. “Wear the Gunn plaid, Bree. It will protect
you when we’re at Donal’s. There will be many visitors and I want all to know
you belong to the Gunn’s.”

“Where did you get these from?”

“From one of my soldier’s wives. She
was glad to gift them to you.” Bree held in her shock, but Grey’s eyes
twinkled. “Aye, not everyone dislikes ye, Bree. I like ye more than any.” He
kissed her lips and waited for her to put all her belongings inside the
satchel.

“Grey, can we not stop by their
cottage so I can thank her?”

“Aye, I’ll have my men ready the
horses and we can take a walk.” When they left the hall and stepped outside, a
brisk wind blew.

Bree pulled on her cloak and handed
her satchel to James, who awaited with Sean, Greer, and Colm. She walked beside
Grey and looked adoringly at the clan people going about their daily rituals.
Many attended chores. Children played near their mama’s who hung wash to dry or
were getting water for their chores. Men were lifting bales of hay, carrying
sacks of farm goods, and using tools to fix items that sat around them.
Everyone was busy, their village alive with activity.

When they reached the cottage of the
soldier and his wife, Grey knocked. The lady who opened the door was very
pregnant and moved out of the way before asking them to enter.

Their cottage was homey and the
smells from their morning fare remained. It smelled heavenly inside. Bree
wanted to ask what she’d made, but the woman only understood Gaelic. Grey spoke
quickly and motioned to her. Bree bowed her head and smiled.

“This is Ronald and his wife Elaina.
Elaina is Nell’s sister-in-law. Nell was married to Elaina’s brother, Joseph.”

“Was? Did he die?”

“Aye, he did. Nell sometimes stays
here, helping Elaina with her children. She must have taken them outside. Ronald
and Elaina have six children.”

“That is kind of her to help Elaina.
Nell seems like a nice woman, much kinder than Bea.”

Grey nodded and bid her to step out
of the cottage.

Even though she didn’t deem the
woman would understand her, she thanked her. The lady smiled wide and nodded
when Bree spoke her appreciation.

Bree couldn’t help smiling when she
exited their lovely cottage. Meeting Ronald and Elaina gave her hope that
others within Grey’s clan would like her as well.

When they reached the horses, Grey
assisted her atop a palfrey and secured her satchel. His men positioned
themselves around them and they rode out.

The ride to Donal’s keep took most
of the day, and along the ride, she kept silent. The past few days were a blur.
After what she and Grey shared, she had wanted to tell him she agreed to the
betrothal. There was no one to tell her should couldn’t wed Grey. And he was
certainly a man who could protect her and give her pleasure. She wasn’t sure
what she could offer him in return, besides a possible war with the MacHeths.
That fact alone was the only thing stopping her from admitting she wanted to
wed him.

“You’re being quiet.”

“Oh, I apologize, Grey. I suppose I
got lost in my thoughts.”

He moved closer to her and touched
her arm. “Good thoughts I hope.”

“Mayhap.” Bree didn’t know how to
tell him her concerns. With all that she’d learned, Bree knew for certain that
she must conclude her dealing with MacHeth before she could rest easy.

As they approached Donal’s keep dusk
had sent the land in a dim glow, Bree noted the many tents spotting the flat
land leading up to the main keep. Many flags adorned the tops of the tents as
well as outside the entry of the courtyard. Fires were beginning to be lit.
She’d never been to such a lavish event before.

They stopped in a clearing and Grey
instructed his men erect their tent and place their belongings inside. Two of
his men were left behind to see to the task as well as stand guard. Two others
were set in charge of seeing to the horses. The rest followed Grey when he
walked off to the keep.

Bree kept silent, following him. He
stopped and bid her to take his hand. “There’s a crowd, best take hold so I
don’t lose you.”

She clasped his hand and he squeezed
her. Bree’s heart lightened at his concern. They stepped inside the hall and
were welcomed by Donal, who bellowed a greeting when he saw them enter.

“Grey! I am so gladdened ye came and
ye brought Bree. Adeline will be pleased.” Donal bowed to her and shoved Grey’s
shoulder. “She’s in the kitchens if ye wish to go and see her.”

“Bree will not leave my side,” Grey
said sternly.

“It is good to see you again, Laird
Ross. You have a lot of company.”

“Aye, Maurice invited the entire
Highlands to his wedding.” Donal laughed and bid them to sit with him at his
table. “King Alexander is expected soon. We will have a meeting when the
celebration winds down. We need speak about MacHeth. Bree, you will need to be
present.”

Bree looked at Grey before speaking,
“Laird Ross? Surely I don’t need to speak with your king. Grey can tell him all
that has happened.”

“Have ye agreed to the betrothal,
lass? The one your own father, god rest his soul, wanted?”

She didn’t know how to answer him.
“I am considering it.”

“Aye she’s agreed,” Grey said at the
same time.

“Do you not remember how fond of you
Grey was? Aye the lad wore his heart on his sleeve.” Donal laughed when Grey
glared at him. “He never forgot ye, lass, after you disappeared. Been holding
ye in his heart all these years.”

“That’s enough, Donal. I can speak
for myself,” Grey said, in an annoyed tone.

“Very little memories are coming
back to me. I remembered my mother.”

“You did? Why did you not tell me?”
Grey sounded affronted that she had not told him.

Bree lowered her gaze. “I recalled
she and I cooking. She was playing with me.”

Grey moved closer to her and raised
her chin. “You spent a good amount of time with your mother in the kitchens.
She loved ye Bree and adored all her children.”

Why Bree felt the need to cry, she
didn’t know, but tears began filling her eyes. She hastily ran out of the hall
and needed a few minutes to collect herself. Grey followed her outside. He set
his arm around her waist and guided her to their tent. Bree was surprised by
the comforts inside.

There was a pallet with several
coverings and pillows, a small table with a couple of chairs flanking the ends,
and a few pots and kitchenware. She hadn’t noticed all the items the men had
brought on their journey.

Bree sat in one of the chairs and
put her face in the crook of her arm. Being around these people brought back
feelings she wasn’t certain she was ready to face. If she’d had a loving
family, she despaired at not being with them all those years. She could have
lived a life of happiness and love. Instead she ended up at the keep of a lord
who, as Cait said, only enjoyed her for her cooking. That beat all, and
heartbreak filled her.

She wept and couldn’t stop thinking
about the family she’d never know. An image of an older man’s face came to her.
He lifted her high in the air and swung her around. His laughter was kind and
his smile true. The man’s beard tickled when he kissed her cheek. Bree tried to
keep the image in her mind but it quickly faded.

“Bree, don’t cry. I detest seeing
tears in your eyes. When you were wee, you never cried. Aye, you were a
strong-willed lass who didn’t take cosh from anyone.”

“I should have missed them, Grey.
Why didn’t I remember them? Why are they now coming back to me? It makes me sad
to think of them.”

“Are you speaking of your parents?”

She nodded. “Aye. I wish I had
remembered them so I could have held on to their love. Now I shall never know
what it felt like to be loved by them. Being here reminds me of their loss. For
years I thought they had banished me and yet I find out they verily loved me.”

Grey knelt next to her and set his
hand on her knee. “I know it must be hard to accept that, Bree. To not know you
had a loving family all those years. But you did, and I vow if it’s the last
thing I ever do, I will make MacHeth pay. He shouldn’t have taken you from the
loving arms of your family. He shouldn’t have taken you from me.”