Page 80 of Won By The Highlander

Orla bit back tears. ‘We have lain down together, been as one, many times. I have shown affection, respect and obedience, Wolfric. I thought there was some kind of understanding between us, as man and wife. Yet the first time some wretch says I am a harlot, you believe it.’

‘He was right, Orla.’

‘He was only half-right. Oh, you will not listen to the truth because something in you is broken, Wolfric. You cannot trust anyone, and you have no capacity for kindness, gentleness and tenderness.’

‘I have shown you all those things, but you will not swallow your pride and care for me. Instead, you insist on playing the cold bitch. Yet when you are under me, when my hands are on you, you are in heat, Orla.’

‘Stop talking like that.’

‘I can admit to my nature, lass. It is vengeful, brutish, lustful and ill-mannered. Yet with you, I am changed. I want to be a better man - kinder, gentler. Admit to your nature in return. You are softer than you pretend to be, more in need of affection than you will ever admit, and you know I care for you, deep down.’

‘You do not care for me, Wolfric.’ Traitorous tears welled in her eyes.

‘I did not when first we were wed. I was out for the land, and you were unwanted baggage. But you didn’t want me either. You despised me and made no secret of it.’

‘Well then, we are nought but two miserable wretches.’

‘No, Orla. I have come to know you - your courage, wit and lust for life. It draws me, Orla, and I may have started out not wanting you, but by God, I want you now. The moment I laid hands on you, from that first night my body joined with yours, I haven’t been able to resist you. We are meant for each other, lass, like it or not. Why do you think I faced everyone down in the assembly rooms and stood by you?’

At the thought of his loyalty, the tears finally came. ‘I cannot believe you, Wolfric,’ she sobbed.

‘If I cared nothing for you, why would I have been so enraged by you and Nash. Even thinking about it makes me want to kill something.’

‘That is ownership and wounded pride, not loyalty, not….’

‘Love, Orla? Aye, lass, ‘tis love on my part, or at least what I would imagine it to be, for I have never felt its sting before. There, I will own to it, even if you will not.’

Orla sobbed quietly as he stared at her. She had to find a way back to Wolfric, but she didn’t have the words.

‘Do we play the parts we are cast in, Orla - me the indifferent husband and you, the cold wife?’ he said sadly.

‘No. I don’t want that. And I am sorry for what I did. I meant no harm, and I swear I did nothing with Nash. I don’t care for him at all.’

‘Then tell me, Orla, what do you want, now, at this moment?'

‘You, Wolfric. I want to be with you, and I want you to forgive me for my foolishness, spite, pride, and all the wrongs I have done you.’

His strong arms came around her, and Orla melted against his warmth. Don’t,’ she said as his lips found her neck. ‘Please. I do not deserve your affection.’

‘Say it, then. Tell me to stop. Do it.’

‘I can’t.’

‘You skin tastes like the loch - all sweetwater and wildness,’ he murmured into her mouth as his hand cupped one breast and he pressed his belly to hers. Wolfric was as hard as a rock, and as he pulled her to the bed and lay her down, it was clear his jealousy had not fully abated.

‘Why should I step aside for him, eh? Tell me that,’ he snarled against her neck as he entered her quickly, to the hilt.

‘I don’t want you to step aside.’ Orla’s lips found his neck. ‘I don’t want him, Wolfric. I never have. I only want you. It will only ever be you.’

‘Good,’ he said, thrusting hard inside her. ‘Now take your punishment like a good lass.’

Orla clung to him as hard as she could. ‘You are a wicked man, Wolfric,’ she gasped.

‘Oh, I am just getting started, my love,’ he said.

***

Hours later, even as she basked in the afterglow of love-making, Orla could not be at ease, so the question clawed its way out.

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