Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (30 page)

The Sinclair thrust her legs up until they were over his shoulders.

“Alexander,” she groaned feeling the cool air below and seeing the mad lust in his eyes. If he took her now, at this moment, it would be out of revenge. He might have thought he’d let it all go but she knew he hadn’t.

And she didn’t blame him.

She’d done a terrible thing.

Iosbail kept her eyes locked with his, not surprised to see a tear roll down his cheek.

“Alexander, I am not that
lass
anymore.” She shook her head. “Nay, that was wrong, maybe I am. But I’ve not the vengeance or the need to hurt.” Iosbail cupped his cheeks and stroked his face. “Please dinnae lay with me with bad thoughts in your mind. Please.”

His member strong against her belly he seemed to relax slightly, his voice soft when he said, “I let you go this eve. I gave you away to the MacLeon.
I didnae fight for you.”

“’Tis not how it is now though,” she said.

“Nay,” he whispered, his eyes covering her face. “When I saw you in the bath it became something entirely different. An old desire, one that I knew… know you’ll let me fulfill.”

Iosbail felt her throat tighten. “I
cannae
if ‘tis be an old need.”

His jaw tightened and he ground his cock deeper against her belly. “’Tis a very old need indeed.”

“Then you choose your battle. Because now ‘tis your decision whether or not it be wisely,” she said, keeping her eyes locked with his.

Iosbail hated to see the battle in his eyes, to know she’d created that battle. But as all battles tended to do, either a good or bad man would be made of them. As she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, willing, she hoped he’d find the good at the end of his own battle.

Alexander leaned down and smelled her hair, his hands slowly releasing her legs to let them fall so he could run them alongside her torso. For a long time he breathed and felt her but never grabbed her again. When he fell to his back beside her, Iosbail released a choppy breath of relief.

He’d conquered his own demons.

The Sinclair had not taken her against her will to appease his old desires.

Little time passed before Iosbail knew she could take no more. She swung her legs over him, looked down and whispered, “Thank you.”

To say another word would be impossible as he pulled her lips quickly to his. Their tongues twirled and explored. They were as eager and curious as they’d been the very first time. The light layer of hair on his chest rubbed against her nipples and Iosbail burst to life. She couldn’t touch his hard skin enough, couldn’t kiss him enough. The feeling of his muscles rippling beneath her fingers made every nerve ending come alive. Teeth bared, she trailed down his chest while running her hands over his broad shoulders. Hot and burning, his body seemed to reach out and welcome.

With a quick movement, he had her beneath him again.

This time the battle was gone.

Now a war raged.

But a war made of here and now and all they’d gained.

A whimper and groan escaped her as his lips met the sensitive area beneath her breast and his fingers curved down over her center. When he curled a finger up and nipped then suckled her breast, Iosbail jerked up.

“I love you, lass,” he whispered as his lips trailed up her neck then covered her mouth.

Their lips molded, formed, suctioned, leaving her without a response as he pushed up and slowly filled her. To grasp him would be impossible. Her fingers curled. Pleasure made her hands flex and try to hold thin air. When he pushed forward until he could go no further, an indescribable sound escaped her lips.

When he began to move, Iosbail closed her eyes and cherished. She wrapped her near numb arms around his shoulders and her legs around his torso.

Nothing had ever felt as perfect as having this man inside her.

Now.

Here.

Tomorrow.

Forever.

When his lips found hers again, Iosbail lost herself.

They began to move, slowly at first then much faster, both eager and hungry.

It happened so quickly, neither saw it coming.

Alexander pulled back suddenly; his eyes wide open to hers before they quivered shut. Unprepared for the feeling connected to the emotion she cried out and bucked. The Sinclair cried out as well, pulling her body tight against his as they throbbed and exploded simultaneously.

The world seemed to rip apart in that moment. It was if she was cold and hot all at once. As though she’d found the greatest thrill and then gone far over the edge. Everything had sensation but was numb. To hold onto him any longer was impossible. Nothing existed but pure feeling.

They stayed that way, caught in what seemed a never-ending mutual release.

Eventually, Alexander didn’t leave but rolled them to their sides and stroked her hair.

He said nothing as he curled his body around hers.

As dazed and fulfilled as she was Iosbail knew that it was the first time a man had ever done such a thing for her, not only the spectacular orgasm but the caring afterwards. It was impossible not to curl into the warm alcove of his strong body as it surrounded hers. She tucked his arm beneath her chin and closed her eyes, her nose turned to the smell of his skin.

It seemed mere minutes later that his words whispered in her ear, “Are you awake?”

“Aye.”

“I’ve got to go down. You ken. Not all Sinclair’s were killed last eve. Many chose to hold back and remain loyal. Will you come with me?”

Iosbail smiled. It wasn’t often a lass could say a king asked her to be with him the first time he confronted a clan, even if it was one from his past, even if he truly belonged to a far more powerful one. She knew Alexander would always be a Sinclair at heart. They’d raised and cared for him.

“Where else would I be?”

Alexander turned her beneath him and said, “Spending a few more minutes with the enemy.”

“No longer my enemy,” she murmured before his lips found hers. “We’ve not the time,” she said hoarsely as he came between her thighs, sparking a riot of sensation.

“Something tells me time is what we’ll want to make use of,” he breathed as he pushed forward.

Iosbail bit her lower lip and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He was right about the time. It did not matter.

The Sinclair had only pushed forward three times when she fell apart, ripples skittering and tingling through her already spent body. Alexander held her tight, finding release of his own, body locked, breath harsh and hot against her neck.

Sweat slicked their bodies when she finally lifted her hands to his face.

Alexander’s eyes met hers, intense, still aroused. “You are not as I ever imagined.”

Iosbail tried to swallow but found it impossible so she nodded.

Seeing the pain in her eyes one hand cupped her head.
“You dinnae ken, lass.
Everything about you is so verra much better.”

Though she wanted to shy away from his gaze she did not. He’d said what he said and meant it. What they shared here and now had nothing to do with magic and everything to do with
them.
From the moment they’d declared one another enemies to this time here and now, their bodies interlocked.

A wonderful truce.

Iosbail thought back on all her long years and all the men. Had any other touched her like this?
Nay.
She’d known it the night before and nothing had changed. Shame on her for thinking it might. Alexander deserved more.

He would always deserve more.

“Nay,” Alexander whispered, tilting her face so that their eyes locked. “You tend to think too deep. When you do you find a reason to lose me from your life.” He kissed her, his lips warm and needy, before he pulled away. “’Tis too late now, even for you.”

His quicksilver eyes sucked her in and made her need more. She opened her lips to meet his. Hungry, forever curious, they explored.

The Sinclair was absolutely right, it was far too late.

She was helplessly in love.

To have their bodies separate seemed so wrong, to part for even an instant would be too much, to consider an existence without him seemed not only ridiculous but… boring?”

Iosbail ran her fingers over his skin, studying every nuance, every mark and curve. If she concentrated hard enough he’d be with her always. Wouldn’t he? Dread filled her heart.

“There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you already. It has to do with my aging,” she stuttered, unsure.

Alexander put a finger to her lip.  “Adlin explained everything to me before he annulled our marriage. When you find true love you begin to age but much slower than we mere mortals.”

“Aye,” she whispered.

“And how do you feel about that?”

“Wonderful,” she burst out then closed her eyes. “What I mean is that I dinnae care anymore.” Iosbail’s eyes met his and she ran her finger over the arch of his eyebrow. “The hardest thing has always been that you’ll age alone. Or should I say you willnae age with me as we should. Something lovers should do together… age that is.”

The Sinclair brought the back of her hand to his lips and kissed softly, eyes never leaving hers.
“It doesna matter to me if you stay young while I age, lass. ‘
Twill
be
harder on you than me. My hope is that our love will help us see things clearly as life goes on. All aside, I willnae let you go now that I’ve found you. One way or another, this love will endure.” He cocked a brow and offered a half grin.
“Unless, of course, you’ve an issue with me aging?”

Iosbail took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes. “I suppose time will tell about that.”

Alexander grinned. “So you see there’s not much to worry over at this moment. In the end a Broun always does what she wants.”

“And she always gets
who
she wants,” Iosbail said, smiling as she kissed him long and hard.

When he pulled away the Sinclair stroked her hair away from her head and smiled. “We’ll find a way for as long as we can lass, I promise.”

Iosbail knew he meant it and so did she. They would find a way.

Alexander kissed her one more time, tender and heartfelt before he rolled away, stood and dressed. Iosbail watched avidly. “What is the rush?”

He cinched his plaid and pulled her from the bed, smiling. “We’ve a bit more time before I’ve got to go be king. For now, you and I need to be on the shores of the loch when the sun rises.”

Iosbail rolled her eyes. “Have you any idea how many times I’ve watched the sun rise on this loch?”

“But have you done it from beneath the water?”

“Nay, nor has any man in his right mind.”

Before she had a chance to say another word he pulled her up and flung her dress over her head. “Let’s try to make a habit to not be in our right mind. I think we’ll get on better that way, aye?”

Iosbail laughed as he pulled her after him. No doubt, she looked terrible. Her hair was wild, dress in disarray.

“Quick, we’re running out of time.”