sauntered around the table and whispered in Ailish’s ear, “Next time, mayhap you can share a bed with me, m’lady.”
Gasping, her back went ramrod straight. “How dare you,” she hissed, her face fiery hot.
“Come, Torquil,” said James who had obviously been too wrapped up in conversation with Finlay to have noticed the Cunningham lad’s advances. “Her Ladyship needs her rest.”
The cur bowed as if he thought himself a gentleman. “Good night, m’lady.”
She pursed her lips and leered before she looked to the others. “Sleep well.”
***
After the men had retired to the stables, James sauntered toward the table where Ailish sat, suddenly looking like a hen ready to fight off an annoying cock. Albeit an incredibly bonny hen.
“What did he say to you?”
“Nothing of any importance.”
“Tell me.”
“You ken Torquil. He likes to stir the pot.”
“And he’s about to have his tongue severed from his mouth. Now tell me what he said.”
“Please, I cannot repeat it.”
“Then I will ensure he keeps his comments to himself.”
“Do not make a fuss on my account.” She peered into her tankard, then pushed it aside. “He’s vulgar. And I pray I never have to endure a moment alone in that man’s company.”
“I shall ensure you do not.”
“My thanks.”
James gestured toward the bed. “Go on, you’d best take your rest.”
She hesitated for a moment, those crystalline eyes searching his. Then, with a subtle nod, she pushed to her feet and strode to the bed. With her back to him, she removed her circlet and veil. “I—”
He suddenly found himself standing behind her, his hands reaching forward. How had he moved so quickly? “Hmm?” he asked, clenching his fists. Damnation, he needed to stop acting on his urges.
She turned with her eyes lowered. With a heave of her chest, she placed her palms on his midriff and slowly slid her fingers upward in tandem with her gaze.
God on the bloody cross. The expression on her face was enough to bring James to his knees. Her breath grew more labored, the warmth seeping through his tunic. A pink tongue slowly slid across her bottom lip as she glanced over her shoulder. “I…we…are…?”
He quirked an eyebrow. She was flustered, making her allure all the more irresistible. “I will sleep on the floor,” he whispered, hating the words but knowing he must.
A furrow of disappointment creased her brow. “Oh.”
“Unless…” James trailed off, stopping himself before he tried to encourage her. Damnation, she was too precious to bed like a common alehouse wench.
Her fingers tickled the base of his neck. “Unless?”
“You want…” He clenched his teeth.
“To kiss you?”
You have no idea.
He wanted to do so much more than kiss. But as she inched upward on her toes, his restraint vanished. Unable to utter another word, he captured her mouth, plunging his fingers into her silken hair, proving how deeply he desired this woman. His cock strained against his braies as his lips wandered across her cheekbones to her tiny earlobes. Ailish shivered and sighed as he kissed her neck, then trailed lower, finding a treasure between the glorious breasts swelling above the neckline he hadn’t been able to block from his mind since he’d set eyes on her this morn.
Sighing, Ailish tilted back her head and rocked into him, her fingers clinging to his hips. She brushed her mons from side to side, rubbing his cock, ratcheting up his need.
Loosening the laces of her gown and the shift beneath, he captured a rosy nipple between his lips.
“Ahhh,” she sighed, the ardent moan begging him for more.
It took but a moment to lay her down, and stealthily tug up her skirts. He nudge between her knees and ran his tongue along the silkiest, most shapely thigh he’d ever seen in all his days.
As he slowly inched up, she arched for him, the intoxicating fragrance of woman sending his mind into a fervor. When he pushed her skirts higher, his seed pulsed to the tip of his cock.
“Magnificence,” he growled, admiring the slender legs, flair of hip, a mahogany nest of curls.
Ailish pushed the cloth just enough to hide her treasure. “Are you sure?”
Him?
Sure?
“Och, lass, all that matters is what you desire.”
She eased back and let her knees drop, opening herself to him. “I want you.”
“Then allow me to bring you pleasure.”
***
Certain she’d gone completely mad, Ailish swirled her fingers through James’ hair while he kissed the most sacred, secretive place on her body. She ought to be utterly mortified and embarrassed to her soul.
But she wasn’t. She spread her knees, delighting in being