of the Grant and MacLintock war whoops. Branwen had startled awake upon hearing the war whoops, and he helped her down from the mount and held out his hand. “Come.”
She wiped the sleep from her eyes and followed him without question, accepting the pats on her shoulder as she passed guards along the way. Alick nodded his thanks in response to all the congratulatory waves. He heard several people greeting his mother, then his mother’s voice called his name. “Alick?”
But his sire responded, “Leave them be, wife. They’re newly married and his wife has been in the dungeon twice. Allow them some time alone.”
He couldn’t help but grin at that.
Even John came into the courtyard to greet them. Joya handed him over to his father, the lad’s wooden sword busy. “Ales and meat pies for all in one hour!” Emmalin shouted.
Alick ushered Branwen inside the keep, the great hall empty except for serving lasses and maids cleaning. He headed up the stairs, into the chamber they’d been given, and proceeded to push a chest in front of the door.
Then he lifted her up against the wall and plundered her mouth as though he were starving for her, and the truth was he desperately needed her. He hoped she felt the same way. He stroked her mouth until he heard the soft whimper in the back of her throat he’d wanted to hear so badly. He stopped, holding her up with his hands under her bottom, squeezing her gently.
“Do you want this as much as I do? I need you, sweetling.”
“Aye, I do.”
He set her down, helped her out of her clothing, then lifted her again after tossing his own clothing off. Teasing her with his fingers until he knew she was ready, he thrust inside her with one movement, seating himself fully inside her warm sheath. He groaned with pleasure, leaning his forehead against hers. “I love you, Branwen. You’re the only one for me.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered, tears on her lashes.
He lifted her just so, then moved over to the bed. “I think I could do this better.” He slid out of her, settled her on the bed, then positioned himself inside her thighs. While he wanted to thrust into her the way he had before, he teased her instead. He slid in just a bit, his thumb finding her pleasure spot and caressing her. Each time her legs opened wider, and he’d slide in a little farther, then pull back, then in and out a little farther until she begged him.
“Alick, enough teasing. Now.”
Her nails dug into his shoulders so he did as she asked, plunging inside her and setting a rhythm that was brutal. “Am I hurting you, lass?”
“Nay. Harder. Faster. Alick!”
He did his best to hit her where she wanted him, driving into her relentlessly until he thought he would lose control, but he heard her gasps cutting in that raspy way that told him she was close.
When she climaxed, he kept his rhythm up until he could tolerate it no longer, giving in to his own need with a growl.
After they finished, he listened to their panting, savored in her smile, which looked as contented as he felt. “I pleased you, wife?” he whispered, nipping her ear lobe.
“Aye, you did. I never guessed it could be like this, Alick.” She let out a deep sigh and wrapped her hand around his neck, massaging him there.
He was in heaven. That was the only possible explanation.
***
Two hours later, after they each enjoyed a bath, they headed belowstairs, only to hear cheers erupt as soon as they hit the first step. Branwen’s eyes widened as she looked at all the people in the hall staring up at them, laughing and jesting.
She blushed all the way to her toes, but he leaned back to kiss her cheek. “’Tis most common to tease anyone who’s newly wed, so they will be ruthless. Just ignore them.”
“But Alick,” she whispered. “Could they hear us? Is that the reason they tease us?”
“Nay, listen to the noise they’re making. Do you truly think they could hear anything above this din?”
She smiled and said, “Nay, you’re right.”
“My cousins may tell you otherwise, but don’t believe them.”
She was pleased to see Lora looking much better, sitting with Dyna and Kyla at the end of one of the trestle tables. Alick’s mother had wee Ailith on her lap. Alasdair, Els, and the other men sat at a different trestle table.
Alick led her over to that