Kara Griffin - Gunn Guardsmen (11 page)

Without breaking their kiss, he striped his braises and kicked the tartan covering them to the floor. He continued to touch her with his roughened hands, delighting in feeling the curves of her body. As his palm rested on the underside of her breast, her fingertips brushed his chest. They moaned in unison. Pleasure. Each of them craved it, and yet Kenneth knew he’d hurt her. He took a moment to calm his racing heart and to assess her readiness. Using his finger, he stroked the petals of her sensuality. She was nearly there and the dampness of her need fueled him onward.

“Kenneth, please. I have never been touched there. Are you supposed to be doing that?”

His fingers gently eased into her, preparing her, pleasuring her. “Aye, I am. I want you to feel good. Trust me, Elisa. Say you trust me.”

“I do trust you, Kenneth, but I am not sure we should …” she took an intake of breath when he thrust his fingers inside her. “Holy mother …”

Kenneth couldn’t help frowning for he was focused on his task. “You’re supposed to feel that way. Now kiss me. Give me your tongue.”

She did as he bode and he was kissed wholeheartedly. She gave him her tongue, whipping and luring his akin to a talented swordsman. The sounds she made in her throat pleased him, because he knew neither of them could turn back now. She was as passion-filled as he.

Kenneth rolled closer and spread her legs. He positioned himself between her knees and took possession. As he entered her, he felt her trying to push him away. Her dainty hands pressed his chest. The kiss calmed her and so he continued to ravish her mouth. With her occupied with kissing, he thrust into her, deciding to get it over with so he wouldn’t have to lay siege later. He didn’t want a weeping woman on his hands, but he didn’t want to hurt her.

“I’ve come too far to stop, Elisa. I’m lost, hold on to me.” Kenneth couldn’t help wanting to move within her. Her body was too enticing.

Elisa gripped his forearms, embedding her nails in his skin. She huffed as if she was in pain.

“Be still, sweetheart. The pain will lessen when you get used to me.”

“Promise?” her whisper sounded akin to a plea. She moaned when he moved slightly, but didn’t sound as if she hurt.

“We vowed no promises.” Kenneth grinned devilishly before jolting his body and causing her intake of breath. “Am I hurting you?”

“Gracious, no. Keep doing that.”

He moved a little and thrust gently within her. As he continued the sensual dance, Elisa began writhing beneath him, meeting his body. His heart beat faster and his body spiraled into bliss he hadn’t ever experienced. He was sure to expire soon. Kenneth wanted to ensure Elisa enjoyed her first time, so he slowed his movements and concentrated on her breasts.

“You are so bonny.” He gently eased their bodies together, but she seemed to want to go at a faster pace. Elisa tugged on his shoulders, pulling him forward.

“Oh, Kenneth, this feels so …”

“I want to make you feel good, Elisa.” Each time their bodies met, his heart beat faster and his breath quickened. He didn’t want to lose control, but damnation she wasn’t giving him a choice.

Her core tightened around his hardness, causing his breath to cease. Her body shook beneath him. Never had he felt pleasure as this, the convulsions of her womb luring and teasing him. His endurance was surely being tested.

Taking her breast in his mouth, he suckled and used his tongue to harden the tip. She moaned and called out his name. At that moment, all he wanted was to plunge deeply and end the torment or die from the intensity of it.

“Elisa, come with me, love.”

She gripped his arms tighter and tossed her head from side to side. “What? I can’t think … when you do that.” She sucked a breath when he covered her breast again with his mouth, and thrust inside her, their bodies clapping as they met.

Kenneth lost all sense of control. All he could do was move his arse and enjoy the tumultuous ride. He had to keep reminding himself to take it slow. Teasing and testing her fortitude, he pulled out leisurely and rammed himself again and again in a slow dance that would lead her to pleasure. She gripped his hair and squeezed her legs around his waist.

He thrust deep, knowing it would end his own suffering. Elisa squealed a sound of pleasure. He moaned, joining her in surrendering to the passion. She cried, saying nonsensical words. Kenneth cursed. It caused his end, as every part of him tensed. His body wracked with convulsions of desire, shaking so forcibly, he almost fell atop her. Not wishing to harm her, he rolled to his side. His breath still harsh and his heart beat ferociously. Never had he experienced such need or desire.

Elisa lay with her eyes closed, tears wetting her lashes. Gently, he kissed her cheek. Kenneth wanted to speak kindly words to make her understand that what they’d just shared was not common, but she was already asleep. He took the tartan from the floor and covered her flushed well-loved body and promptly fell asleep.

CHAPTER TEN

Elisa’s eyes shot open when she heard a manly cough. For a few moments she couldn’t discern where she was. Then it all came back to her. The wedding on the hill, Kenneth, meeting Grey’s wife, learning about her family’s fate, Domhnall’s treachery …

She turned and looked over her shoulder to find Kenneth slumbering. Gracious, she hadn’t dreamed any of it. A man, Kenneth was lying next to her, unclothed and she had…

Her face heated at the shame that overcame her. She slept with him and had allowed him to … The words wouldn’t form in her head and she believed she’d acted without a thought of decorum.

He’s your husband.

Mayhap she shouldn’t be embarrassed. Wasn’t a wife’s duty to allow her husband certain liberties? Elisa had never spoken to any of the wives she knew about the unmentionable acts. Even if she’d attending many a birthing, she didn’t discern much about what men and women did during the sex act. She did know where babes came from. It was the begetting that eluded her.

She had to face the fact that she was married and she hadn’t sinned. What they had done was beyond anything she imagined couples did. Most of it was enjoyable, more so, that she couldn’t help blushing.

Gently, she shuffled from the bed and kept herself wrapped in the cover. All her possessions and clothing were left behind, so she had nothing with which to change into except the overdress that was a bit wrinkled and rumpled. She picked up her garments, shook them out, and began dressing and then pulled her fingers through the mass of tangles in her hair. She was a complete mess and felt like one too. Groaning to herself, she rubbed the small ache in her back.

Elisa used the cover as a wrap and pulled it around her shoulders. Looking back at Kenneth, she noticed he continued to sleep. She picked up his garments and folded them, setting them on a chair in the cottage. As she tidied up, she thought of Bree and decided to go and see her. She wanted to ensure she was well and perhaps take her another cup of brew.

Quietly, she opened the door and tiptoed through the opening. A light rain fell, and a few drops hit her face. She used the cover and wrapped it over her head. The sky looked ominous. It would be pouring any moment. Elisa smiled. It was going to be a gloriously wonderful day. She always loved rainy days.

She hurried along the trail and headed for the kitchens. Just as she reached the main keep, she heard her name being called. Shouted, more like.

Startled, Elisa turned and saw Kenneth walking briskly toward her. Walking, nay more like a bull charging at an unwanted guest in the pasture. She waited until he reached her before speaking.

“Good morn, Kenneth. A fine day, is it not?”

“Fine day? Have ye lost your mind, lass? It’s miserable. Why did you leave the cottage?”

Elisa looked at her foot, becoming unsure of herself, making a small arc in the mud. He sounded angry and she didn’t know what to say to appease him.

“I needed to go to the kitchens.”

He stared at her with a frown on his manly brows. She thought he was quite cross in the morning. Mayhap he didn’t enjoy the early part of day and wasn’t an early riser. That wouldn’t bode well for it was her favorite time of day. When she didn’t elaborate, he took her hand and started off toward the buildings behind the keep.

“I would have gotten you food.”

“I wasn’t getting food.” She walked close to him and he slackened his hold on her hand.

Kenneth stopped abruptly causing her to bump into him; he ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his face. “You cannot leave the cottage, lass, unless I give you permission.”

Elisa folded her arms, content to stand and watch him. He looked strong and quite intimidating when he was angry. Still, he was handsome, too attractive for his own good. His face shadowed by light whiskers looked appealing. She wanted to touch him there to see if it would calm him. She admired the tightness of his shirt and the way he’d wrapped the tartan at his waist. His brows formed an angry scowl. She had to say something.

“I was unaware a wife needed her husband’s permission to go outdoors. Kenneth, how am I supposed to obey such absurd rules if you don’t tell me what they are?” Elisa didn’t mean to sound condescending, but it certainly came out that way. “Rule one; do not leave the cottage without permission. Pray tell me what other rules must I follow?”

Kenneth’s scowl disappeared. He looked as if he wanted to smile, but he didn’t. “Elisa, you are being difficult. It is not a rule for a wife. It is my rule for you.”

“So other wives may leave their cottages, but not I?”

“Aye, that is correct. Why were you going to the kitchens?”

Elisa wasn’t finished discussing his absurd rules. “Why must I not leave the cottage? Even Domhnall allowed me the freedom of the village.”

He took her hand and led her to the overhang of the closest building to get out of the rain, which now came heavier.

“Ah, my wife is upset with me. What to do to make amends?” Kenneth leaned close, causing her to back a step. His arms entrapped her. “Mayhap if I give her a good morn kiss, she’ll forgive me?” He pushed her against the wall with his body and kissed her.

Elisa liked the way his hard lips felt against hers. She lost her breath, shocked that he would kiss her openly where anyone would see them. His kisses were all-consuming and when his lips touched hers, she couldn’t think of anything but the overwhelming sensation. She returned his passion, allowing her tongue to twirl with his. Kissing Kenneth was pleasant. More than pleasant, it made her feel light and dizzy as if she had not a care in the world or drank too much ale. He pulled away, but kept his hold on her waist. She was gladdened because surely her knees would give out. Elisa set her hands on his shoulders, enjoying the feeling of his strength beneath her palms.

“Are you going to answer me?”

She smiled, embarrassed at forgetting what he’d asked.

“You don’t remember, do you? I asked what you wanted from the kitchens.”

“I thought to make Bree another drink in case she continued to have the stomach upset.”

Kenneth set his hands atop hers, still lingering on his shoulders. “I will explain this once, lass. You cannot leave the cottage without my permission and then, only if I go with you or the damned cottage is on fire. Do you understand?”

His voice was calm, and yet stern enough to frighten her. She realized he resorted to calling her lass when he was angry. The only thing she could do was nod.

“Alexander is sure to come looking for you. We were given the task to bring you to him and we have not. Until he is satisfied that we did not return with you, I don’t want to risk your safety. And then there is Domhnall who is likely on his way here. It won’t take him long to figure out we’d taken you. I am charged with protecting you and must know where you are every moment of the day.”

Elisa nodded again, unable to respond to his tirade. She lowered her arms, and looked toward the ground. “I didn’t think … didn’t deem … that is …”

“Nay, you didn’t. If you need anything, you need only to ask me.”

“May I take a drink to Bree?” she asked in a voice slightly above a whisper.

Kenneth used his finger to raise her chin. “Aye, I will go with you.”

They entered the kitchens to find Gell singing a bard not meant for ladies’ ears. Kenneth cleared his throat to get his attention and gave the man a look of disapproval.

“Ah, Kenneth, you’re up early this day. Don’t believe I ever seen ye at such an hour. What say ye, Laird McInnish? What can I get you?”

Elisa caught the words and watched Kenneth’s reaction. He seemed irritated, mayhap more so. “Are you a laird, Kenneth? Have you a clan?”

“Nay,” he said in a clipped tone that indicated he wanted no questions. “Elisa, get what you came for. I’ll be awaiting outside.”

Kenneth left her. Elisa went and prepared the brew, adding the right amount of chamomile to the heated water and strained it. She added a pinch of sugar and thought about adding a touch of goat’s milk, but thought better of it. She wasn’t sure Bree’s stomach could handle milk. Better not to chance it.

“Farewell, Gell.” Elisa covered the tankard with her hand to keep the rain out. She smiled at Kenneth when she exited the kitchens and walked silently next to him. Within minutes they entered the keep and found Grey sitting alone at the massive table in the great hall.

“Laird.” Kenneth greeted Grey.

“Laird Gunn,” Elisa said.

“Elisa, how …” Grey looked at Kenneth before returning his attention to her. “… are you?”

“Well, thank you. ‘Tis a glorious day.” She curtseyed.

“Nay, it is not,” Kenneth said, “It’s raining.”

“I like rain.”

“No one likes rain,” he countered.

“I do.”

Grey laughed. “I see you two are getting along well. My wife is resting in bed. God Almighty, she’s listening for once. I don’t know what you told her, but whatever it was it worked.”

“May I visit her? I brought a cup of chamomile to ease her.”

Grey nodded and before either of them could say a word, she fled to the stairs. Elisa was happy to be away from Kenneth for a few minutes, for she knew she’d irked him. She had to make sure she gave a thought to his instructions in the future. He didn’t seem to be one to cross. And yet she didn’t believe he’d hurt her. Still, she didn’t want to disappoint him.