As Bram nestled himself back between her thighs, Lara’s chest heaved with anticipation. Overwhelming sensations exploded throughout her body as she clutched onto him. As Bram cupped a hand around her breast, she felt a sudden awareness of an aching need between her thighs pulsing as he pressed his manhood against her. Arching her back and raising her hips, her body welcomed his. As Bram thrust his manhood forward, Lara let out a scream. The pain shot through her like a lightning bolt as it resonated through her body.
“Are ye alright?” Bram asked, lifting himself off her.
“I dinna ken. Does it always hurt like this yer first time?”
“First time? Do ye mean to tell me that ye are a virgin?”
“Aye.”
“But, ye were married. I thought that ye…”
“Nay. We never consummated.”
Bram had never bedded a virgin before. Somehow the fact that Lara had not shared a bed with another man made Bram feel more possessive of her. He felt terrible that he had caused her pain, for if he knew she was a virgin he could have taken care and been gentle with her. Not wanting to hurt her any longer he slid up beside her.
“Nay, dinna stop.”
“I dinna want to hurt ye, lass.”
“I am feeling better now.”
“Are ye sure?”
At her nod, Bram rolled back between her legs and slowly eased himself inside her. He held his body still for her pain to subside before gently rocking his hips back and forth. Lara moaned from the sensations. The pleasure she felt was almost unbearable.
The way he made her feel brought tears to her eyes. She felt as if she soared above the heavens and only Bram could keep her grounded and bring her back down. The friction between them matched their heated passion. As Bram increased the motion of his hips, he pressed harder and further inside of her causing a distinct feeling to build within her very core.
Sensations intensified as her body convulsed underneath him. Matching his tempo, she raised her legs and crawled higher to allow him better access. When her almost indescribable pleasure increased, she felt her body quiver causing her to tighten her hold onto him. Lara moaned loudly. After her release, the height of her orgasm started to decline and her breathing slowed. With Bram’s body pressed tight against hers she could feel his manhood throbbing inside of her as he climaxed and emptied his seed within her womb.
Slick with sweat, Bram rolled himself off of Lara and snuggled up behind her, keeping her tightly in his arms. With a ridiculous smile on his face, he pressed tiny butterfly kisses on the base of her neck, causing Lara to giggle. He wanted to give Lara every pleasure imaginable. By God, he loved this woman. This night had been one of the best nights he had ever had and he was determined to make each night with her better than the last.
Lara felt as if her smile would forever be painted on her face. She had never thought that what could happen between a man and a woman would be so intense and satisfying. She had always thought that bedding was only meant to produce bairns, but never did she think that she would actually enjoy her husband’s attention. Her husband. In all her wildest dreams, she never imagined her marriage to be a love match, and had she been forced to stay wed to Dermot she never would have experienced the wonders that Bram had shown her this night.
As she cuddled in his arms, she asked, “What of tomorrow? Will ye send a messenger to yer family, or retrieve yer lads?”
“Nay, I had hoped in a few months that we would travel there together. I wish fer ye to meet my family and me lads.”
“I would be forever glad to meet yer family.”
“I must warn ye, though. The MacKinnons are a hellish bunch of drunken, loud men. But ye will ne’er find yerself a clan wit more honor.”
Lara giggled. “I suppose I should have met them first before marrying ye. If all of the Highlanders are anything like ye, I could have verra well married the wrong one,” she playfully teased.
Bram’s lips twisted.
“Ach, ye lowland women, yer all the same. Stubborn.”
“Well then best ye take me again before I change my mind.”
Chapter 26
Four months later…
The winter in Norway had been brutal, one of the worst they had seen according to Queen Isobel. Hard-packed powder buried the village in three feet of snow, barricading doors and blocking several well-traveled roads. Villagers spent weeks clearing paths from nature’s winter fury. Lara and Bram had to wait until the snowcaps on the mountains melted before they could travel back to Scotland.
As the days and weeks went by, early signs of spring started to show. Lara and Bram packed their belongings and sailed back across the ocean towards Scottish soil with a chest full of coin and a new Norwegian ally.
For several days they rode across the Highlands towards Lara’s new home at Dunakin Castle. Nerves pricked under her skin at the thought of meeting Bram’s clan. One Highlander she could manage, but a whole clan of them was something entirely different.
Heavy spring rain fell with intense fury, causing several unexpected delays. But Lara did not mind so much, as each night Bram would make sweet and passionate love to her and hold her throughout the night to keep her warm. Since Adam and Eve, no two souls had ever connected so strongly, and proof of their love was evident by the bairn in her womb.
Lara knew she was with child when her monthly flow had not come in weeks, but she kept the secret to herself until she could find the perfect time to reveal her condition to Bram.
After several days travel during the treacherous storm, the sky had finally cleared. By early morning, the surrounding landmarks became more familiar to Bram as they rode towards his home. Excitement filled his heart when he knew within minutes he would be looking down on his village and castle. As they reached the edge of the hill, from his position high on the mountain peak, the sight of Dunakin Castle caused a sense of comfort to wash over Bram like a rainstorm. Never had he been more excited to be home. Home. Just the sight of it brought a smile to his face. The anticipation of seeing the smiles on his two young lad’s tiny faces had almost bought a tear to his eye.
The castle looked to be exactly the same as when he left almost nine months ago, not that he had expected the walls to be caved in or the keep to be badly destroyed. After all, he knew his brother and cousin could manage well without him, though the three of them had been inseparable.
The horse trotted slowly down the rocky mountainside as it pulled the cart with their belongings. Draped with a thick black cloak, Bram’s return was not apparent to anyone they had passed in the village, but his first priority was reuniting with his family.
As they rode into the courtyard of Dunakin Castle, Bram spotted his two lads sitting on the ground with a bonny fair-haired lass who appeared to be heavy wit child. He watched them for a moment before he directed his horse in their direction. Butterflies swarmed in the pit of his stomach.
Dismounting the horse, he asked, “Excuse me, lass. Do ye ken if Laird MacKinnon is within the keep?”
“Yes, he is,” she replied stepping away from the children to greet him.
Bram almost lost his footing by the lass’s English accent. What in bloody hell would an English lass be doing here and playing with his lads of all things?
“Who are ye?” he questioned in a demanding tone.
“My name is Jacqueline. And may I have the honor of your name, Sir?” Jacqueline asked, not liking the way he looked at her.
Bram raised his eyebrow at the outspoken Englishwoman.