Page 45 of An Allusive Love
“Och, no, love. I—” Her slender fingers crept under his belt, shyly touching his member. He covered her hand with his and moved it in a slow circle. Just for a moment, he’d indulge her. Allow himself a brief instant of pleasure after weeks of restraint. And then he was lost.
His thoughts scattered as her palm brushed over his sensitive tip. He stiffened; the pulsing forced his eyes closed, and his head fell back as he moaned her name. She chuckled softly and continued to lightly rub the head while his hips moved with her.
“There’ll be consequences if ye dinna stop,” he said through gritted teeth but blew out a frustrated sigh when she obeyed.
Kirstine chuckled softly and loosened his belt. Her hand gripped his shaft, sliding up and down in a slow rhythmic motion, mimicking the way he’d caressed her. His body betrayed him, refused to listen to his brain and stop her. As Brodie gave in to the passion, her timid movements became bolder, firmer; the swirl of pleasure in his belly churned into a squall of desire. When his manhood swelled, he thrust up into her grasp, hungry for fulfillment. Her strokes quickened with the first drops of his seed, sliding up and down his shaft until he let out a long, satisfying roar that echoed against the cliffs across the loch. His body shuddered as he struggled for breath, the climax leaving him weak and dazed.
“I hope no one is nearby. Ye could wake the dead with that shout.” Kirstine giggled. Her warm breath tickled his ear.
Without opening his eyes, he pulled her close. She snuggled against his chest, her head tucked under his chin.
“That shout has been building for months. I couldna have been quiet if my life depended on it.” He ran a hand down her hips and cupped her bottom. “I think I need a wee nap.”
Kirstine laughed and held up her hand, wiggling her fingers. “So much power in such a small appendage.”
“Aye,” he said, grabbing her wrist, “and it’s brought down mightier men than me.”
*
Two weeks later
Kirstine studied thepastry then gave her friend a dubious look. “Ye’re sure it’s safe?” Brigid had stopped by on her way to the MacDougals. Glynnis was now cooking for the two Liams and had sent her daughter with a basket.
Brigid laughed. “I’ve no intention of eliminating my newfound sister. It’s the second time I’ve made them properly. So ye’re no’ an experiment.”
She bit into the flaky crust, and the sweet berry filling coated her tongue. “It’s good,” she admitted. “But ye won yer wager with Brodie, why are ye back in the kitchen? Did yer mother sprinkle ye with faery dust while ye slept?”
“Verra funny. My Aunt Maeve and cousin Gideon are arriving tomorrow, so I thought I’d try again.”
Kirstine raised a doubtful eyebrow.
Brigid let out a long dramatic breath. “I heard Ma talking last night. She wants to send me to Aunt Maeve’s in England for the nextSeason,as if we dinna have seasons here.”
“Och, she means the marriage Season.” She took another nibble. “Merciful heavens, I canna imagine ye in London. From what I’ve read, it’s all proper conversation and remembering when to curtsy and who is a mister or lord or lady and such-and-such.”
“Aye, so I ventured into the kitchen againandplan on flirting with MacDougal at the cèilidh. I hope it will be enough to change her mind. Ye’ll be there?”
“Of course. Yer aunt hasna been home since she wed. I look forward to meeting her and yer cousin. Does Liam ken of yer plans of seduction? Ye may want to warn him. Or pick someone younger if ye’re to appear sincere.” Kirstine worried for her friend. She might have appeared tough and boyish on the outside, but inside, Brigid wanted love as much as the next woman.
“When I find the right mon, I’ll ken it here.” Brigid patted her chest. “So far, he has no’ been in my line of vision.”
“So ye believe in love at first?” asked Kirstine. This was a new side to her old friend.
“I accept that it’s possible. Ye’ve loved Brodie since ye could remember. My mother and aunt both fell in love at the first meeting.” Brigid stood and brushed the crumbs from her skirt. “The problem is, I’ve already met everyone in the glen and Dunderave. And not even a flutter in my belly when I met MacDougal.”
“Perhaps a trip over the border would be good for ye. Consider it an adventure.”
Brigid snorted. “I’ve had enough adventure battling with Enid in the kitchen. But it was worth it. It got me the sister I’ve longed for.”
Kirstine hugged Brigid at the door. “I thought ye won a pony?”
“Aye, for lasting a week in the dungeon. But for mastering a dish, I—” Brigid’s eyes grew wide, and she collected her basket from the table. “My, where did the day go? I must be off.”
Suspicion clenched at Kirstine’s stomach. She grabbed her friend’s sleeve and held firm. “Brigid MacNaughton, ye’ll no’ leave until ye explain yerself.”
“Weel,” she hedged, suddenly interested in a loose thread on her skirt. “I was truthful about the wager. At least the part I told ye about. It’s the portion I omitted.”
“And?”
