The Highlander's Conquest (27 page)

A grand feast ensued
within the great hall
.

Her husband leaned down to whisper in her ear, his breath tickling her skin. “Temptation, I’ve a need to take ye upstairs and bed ye properly…”

Aliah nearly choked on the wine she sipped. Liquid heat pooled within her core and tingles spiraled up her spine.
Certain heat infused her cheeks, she face
d
him, her eyes mischievous. “And I’ve a need to see just
what
ye mean by that.”

Amid cheers and hollers, Blane lifted Aliah in his arms, swirled her in a ci
rcle and headed for the stairs.

“Put me down! You’re still healing.”

Blane winked and whispered in her ear, “Lass, I intend to use your special medicine—your honey.”

Her head fell back as she laughed and waved goodbye. At one time she would have been embarrassed, but now, in this moment, she didn’t care. Blane was her husband and he had every right to carry her up stairs, and every right to ravish her. And she wanted him too, desperately. She shivered in anticipation.

For the first time they could embrace and not worry about who would notice, or how the other felt. They’d both bared their hearts and with each passing moment, Aliah found herself falling deeper still.

Carrying her into a
chamber that was not her own, Blane
set her down before
shut
ting
the door and bar
r
ing
it
. But within moments she was in his arms again.
Candles were lit around the
masculine
room, giving it a soft, romantic glow. A vase of fresh wildflowers sat on a table between two chairs.

“At last, we are alone,” he said, his eyes darkening with the same passion she felt scorching her blood.

“Make love to me,” she whispered, “on the bed.”

“With pleasure, lass.”

Blane carried her to the large four-poster
bed
, easily one and half times the size of her own.

“Is this your chamber?” she asked.

“Aye. I made this bed myself a few years ago. Cutting the wood helped me to deal with
my
anger.”
He flashed her a boyish grin. “That’s all changed now.”

Aliah
grinned
. “Then mayhap I
will
make you angry every now and then. ’Tis a beautiful piece.” The pillars were
carved with Celtic swirls, knots, falcons and wildcats.
The surface
,
a deep brownish-red color
, was
polished to a
brilliant
shine.

“
I
’ll
not have
to be angry to make something fine for ye.”

Aliah touched his cheek, gazed into his eyes. “I love you, Blane.” The words never seemed to get old and excitement still simmered through her when he vowed his own love.

“I love ye, too,
mo
chridhe
.”

Aliah smiled. “Do you know I speak Gaelic?”

He winked. “I happened to see the book ye were studying.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth opened into an O of surprise. “You knew all along.”

Blane nodded and placed her on the bed, coming over her in
one single
fluid mo
ve
ment. She liked the weight of him on her and her body awakened, remembering his touch an
d what pleasure it brought. He settled his mouth on hers, kissing her tenderly, lovingly as his hands explored the expanse of her ribs, her breasts. But it wasn’t what she wanted. Now that they could savor every moment, Aliah wanted to be skin to skin.

She ga
v
e Blane’s chest a little shove. When
he
knelt upon
hi
s heels
, his knees sinking into the mattress, he
look
ed
down at her with confusion
. Aliah came to
kneel in front of him
, her knees touching his
.

“I want to feel you against me,” she said boldly.

Blane grinned wickedly. “There’s the temptress.”

He helped her undress, and in his haste ripped her gown on one shoulder. In retaliation, A
liah yanked on the ties of his
shirt, but nothing happened.

“Sutherland wools are unmatched,” he teased.

Aliah rolled her eyes, and set about retaliating in a different way. She kissed his throat, nipping at his tender flesh. Blane breathed deeply, moaning. Her fingernails scraped over his bare knees, beneath his plaid over his thighs
until she reached his thick, hard shaft. Gripping him, she marveled once more at the silky texture. Blane groaned deep in the back of his throat, wasting no time in divesting
himself
of his garments.
But still she didn’t let him go. Instead, she delighted in tempting him with her mouth.
Fever ignited when his thick velvet length slid over her tongue and only intensified by the carnal sounds issuing from his lips.

“Och, lass, ye are temptation itself.”

He nudged her back, crawling over her until he settled the hot length of his entire body on hers. Aliah was instantly wrapped in warmth and a haze of sensuality. Skin to skin was definitely superior to
being
clothed.

They moved slowly, each exploring the other with leisure. Aliah discovered that Blane was ticklish along his ribs if she slowly scraped her nails over his flesh. He shivered with each stroke. Blane also found how sensitive her back was as he rolled her onto her belly and kissed the length of her spine, pausing at each vertebra to breathe hotly on
her
skin. By the time he reached her lower back, Aliah was a trembling, boneless mass.

Her husband was right
.
It did get better and better.

While
she was
lying on her belly, he used his knees to gently spread her thighs apart, settling his thick member at her slick entrance.

“Is this…possible?” she asked, turning her head in order to gaze at him behind her.

“
Oh
,
aye, love,
” he said softly as he sank inside her.

They both cried out
as he filled her, touching her in a way that was completely different than before
. Most definitely possible.
Blane used steady, excruciatingly slow
strokes
to torture
her with pleasure
for what seemed like hours. Her entire body trembled, her skin afire. He kissed her back, gently sucked at her shoulders and neck.
His fingers trailed over her arms, pulling them to rest on the pillows above her head,
and
threading
them
through her own.

Aliah gasped with each stroke of his shaft, feeling
like
she might break apart at any moment. She writhed beneath him, lifting her buttocks to match his thrusts.

“Are ye close
?
” he whispered in her ear.

“Aye,” she whimpered. With just one more nudge, she’d surely fall off the precipice.

Blane withdrew, leaving a breeze of cool air on her hot rear. Gripping her hips, he urged her to roll over. “I want to look into your eyes as ye find your fulfillment.”

Aliah had never heard anything more
stimulating
.
She nodded, hooking her feet to the back of his legs and spreading her thighs, she urged him to enter her once more.
When he did, she arched her back, crying out in pure ecstasy. The time for slow and steady had met its end. Blane thrust hard and deep. What she thought was close to climax before was nothing compared to the fire he built in her now.

Blane held
himself up on his elbows
and
Aliah wrapped
her arms
around his
neck, careful to avoid his injured shoulder
.
Blane’s gaze smoldered with her own. Moments later, she felt rapture as it encompassed her entire being, wave after wave wracking her body.

“Blane!” she cried out, working to keep her gaze steady on his.

“
Mo
chridhe
,” he answered as his body shuddered over hers.

As they lay there, limbs entwined, Aliah decided that life could not get any better than this. If Blane had never come to retrieve her, she’d never have known what she was missing. ’Twas a terrifying thought. One that made her hug him tighter and thank God for small miracles.

A swift breeze blew, making the furs at the windows flap against the walls.
There was a noticeable draft wafting around the room.

“’Tis chillier in here than before,” Aliah remarked.

Blane laughed. “Nay, I think ’tis simply we were otherwise distracted.” He rose and lit a brazier—the metal
clang
ing with each
stick
of wood he placed in it.
Her eyes were riveted to his solid, naked form
, t
he breadth of his shoulders
and
his height mesmerizing.
Swarthy
skin cover
ed
corded muscle. Even with the wounds on his thigh and shoulder, the man was breathtaking, exquisite.
“Once the new keep
is built, the chambers will each have a hearth.” He glanced up at her, excitement curling his lips. “Hopefully by then, our own manor home will be built.”

Already Aliah could feel
warmth f
rom
the small fire. She wasn’t sure though if it was in fact the flames, or the heated gaz
e of her husband. Desire sparked anew.
She curled her fingers, beckoning him back to bed. Blane obliged, pulling her into his embrace. She rested her head on his uninjured shoulder.

“
On our journey, y
ou mentioned
having
a
falconry
at
your home
.” Aliah stroked her fingers over Blane’s chest, watching his muscles rise and fall with each breath.
“You meant Dunrobin didn’t you?”

“Aye. Would ye like to hunt with me tomorrow
?
”
he asked.

“As long as it isn’t raining.”

Blane rolled onto his side, propping his head up on his elbow as he gazed down at her. “Now what kind of an adventure would that be? I say we go no matter the weather.”

She grinned up at him, running her hand down his belly.
“I suppose if I have to be stranded in a storm, there’s no one I’d rather be with.”

Blane winked, his smile turning carnal
as h
is hand smoothed over her nude hip.
“We’ll have to keep each other warm.”

“A task I will most enthusiastically take to heart.”
And with that she kissed him soundly
, wondering if he’d be amenable to a steamy bath for two.

“T
he End”

If you enjoyed
THE HIGHLANDER’S
CONQUEST
, please spread the word by leaving a review on the site where you purchased
your copy, or a reader site such as
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!
I love to hear from readers too, so drop me a line at
[email protected]
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. I’m also on Twitter: @
ElizaKnight
Many thanks!

AUTHOR’S NOTE

In fiction, an author often takes creative license to bend fact around their story. I did so in this case with the Earldom of Sutherland. The original earldom was given to the Sutherland Clan in 1235, about 62 years before my story takes place. For the purposes of this family saga, it was important to shift this date slightly. Of additional note is that the family seat of the Sutherlands wasn’t officially Dunrobin until the 1400’s, however history shows that a castle stood on the site from the time of the earldom.

Hope you’re enjoying the Stolen Bride series so far! I’ve certainly been enjoying weaving a tale around these fascinating characters.

The saga continues! Look for more books in
The Stolen Bride Series
coming soon!

Book Three
– The Highlander’s Lady
– December 15, 2012

A Highlander tamed…

Laird Daniel Murray seeks adventure, battle and freedom for his countrymen. Putting off his duties as laird—with a promise to his that clan he’ll return come spring—Daniel sets off with his men to fight alongside William Wallace and the Bruce. But soon he stumbles across an enchanting lady in need. She tantalizes him with an offer he simply can’t refuse and a desire he attempts to dismiss.

A lady’s passion ignited…

Escaping near death at the treacherous hands of a nearby clan, Lady Myra must find the Bruce and relay the news of an enemy within his own camp. Alone in a world full of danger and the future of her clan at stake, she must trust the handsome, charismatic Highland laird who promises to keep her safe on her journey—and sets her heart to pounding.

Together, Daniel and Myra will risk not only their lives, but their hearts while discovering the true meaning of hope and love in a world fraught with unrest.

There
are
six books total in The Stolen Bride Series
! If you haven’t read Book O
ne, look for THE HIGHLANDER’S REWARD at most e-
tailers
.
Check out my website,
for information on future releases
www.elizaknight.com
.