He was down on her then, parting her thighs with his deft hand, his finger teasing the opening there as he whispered, “Hot honey … such hot honey.” And then his tongue followed his fingers and lapped her there in a way that built up her need to a point where she found herself moving and pumping against him, wanting something, wanting, and then it happened, her first climax, and he moaned with satisfaction. “There, love, I mean to make that happen for ye over and over …”
She felt the head of his rod play with the opening of her cleft, and she was arching once more, groaning his name, telling him with a voice she couldn’t believe came out of her lips, “Yes, please, yes.”
He started to enter, and suddenly she felt her body stiffen and resist. He would never fit, and she objected, “Oh … I don’t know …”
He smiled, reached down for her rump, and lifted her to him. “I do.” And the next thing she knew she felt a sudden, searing pain, and he almost withdrew, but she held his arm and surprised herself with her wantonness. “Don’t stop.”
He didn’t. He shoved himself inside her and began a series of movements, grinding her, manipulating her, kissing her nipples, her neck, her ears, her lips, and then she reached that next ultimate moment. She grabbed his strong arms as she pumped hard into him and said his name. “John, oh … John, yes.”
“M’darlin’ lass …” he said with satisfaction. “Do ye want more … are ye able?”
“Yes,” she cried, not wanting it to ever stop. He seemed to care more about her and what she needed than himself.
He rolled her over with him, so that he was on his back. “Climb on, lass,” he said with a grin.
Climb on? she wondered and hesitated.
He laughed, took her waist, and positioned her. “Aye, let me help ye, love.” His voice was husky, and the tone of it swept through her. She wanted him in every way possible. Being with him was all that mattered at that moment, the way they felt together was so right, so meant.
He stared up at her breasts hanging over him and groaned. “Beautiful, I canna even tell ye how beautiful ye are, how perfect for me.” As he spoke he guided himself inside her, took her hips, and showed her how to move to maximize their pleasure, and she was lost. She knew herself forever lost. Was this a mistake? No, she would never think this a mistake. This was love, she absolutely knew this was love, and before she was done he would know it as well, because he was so much better than he thought himself.
* * *
Later, much later, after they had dozed, she woke with a start, hoping she hadn’t slept too long, for she would have to get back to her own room. The dark made her sigh with relief, and he said, “Are ye all right, love?”
His hand tipped her chin so that she had to look at his oh, so very handsome face, and she nodded. She cleared her throat and said, “Before I go, tell me, please, what did you find out? What are we going to do about Thomas, because Mary Russell was here yesterday and insisted on seeing him and won’t be put off much longer.”
“I am taking him back to his father today, but we won’t be telling Mary Russell that. We will let it slip, instead, that if he is well enough, he will be on the Post Road tomorrow to his father, who has requested he be returned home. And then lass, ah, and then.” He sighed. “It is the devil’s own business, for it isn’t just Holland we have to be wary of. ’Tis Mary Russell.”
She propped herself up on her elbow, and her eyes were wide. “Faith, what are you saying?”
“Mary was next in line to inherit. She knew it, her uncle had told her so, but what she didn’t know, what he had just arranged before all this business, was that he left her a very fine stipend as he was aware her husband’s death left her with heavy debt.” He shook his head. “The squire was in shock and hurt, for he had a fondness for Mary Russell. It is my belief that she was paying Holland to take care of the dirty deed for her and be rid of the boy. He stood between her and a considerable fortune.”
She pushed herself up to her elbows. “What are you saying? What are we going to do?”
“Aye, first thing before she makes her way over here for a morning visit, let her know that Thomas will be, as I said, on the Post Road to home tomorrow after breakfast, and that all her dealings will then have to be with her uncle, Thomas’s father.”
“You think when Holland finds this out, they will make another attempt at abduction.”
“I do. It will be their last chance, but instead of Thomas, Holland will find me, and matters will change after that.”
“But then you will be in danger.” Bess dove at his chest.
He held her tightly. “Och now, what are ye saying? Doona ye think I can handle a fop of a fellow like Holland?”
She gave him a half smile. “What if he hires horrible people to go after your coach?”
“Again I ask ye, lass of mine, doona ye think I can handle them when I am fully expecting trouble?” He shook his head. “I have it all worked out. Tomorrow I take the boy to his father. The day after, I will be armed, and I have a plan that I know will work.”
“Why put yourself in such danger?” she complained.
“Och, look who is talking?” He chuckled and stroked her cheek. “It must be done, for the squire is too weak to handle such a pair, and the boy needs a permanent solution to maintain his safety. I have that solution. Doona ye trust me?”
“With all my heart,” she said vehemently.
She would have encouraged him to kiss her then, but he held her by the hand as he jumped out of the bed and pulled her up. She was reluctant and pressed herself to him.
He reached past her, took up her wrapper from the edge of the bed, and said huskily, “M’darlin’ lass, please put this on, for the truth is, I doona have any control of m’self when I am with ye.”