Taken by Angeline Fortin (great books of all time TXT) 📗

mischief passed across his face.  “The idea has merit.  But, nay.  I hae no tenants, no fields.  The ground of Achenmeade has lain fallow for many years.”

Achenmeade!  Scarlett knew she had heard the name before.  Now she remembered why.  Why the Achenmeade label was one of the oldest brands of Scotch in the world.  Almost, well, five hundred years old.  Wasn’t that a coincidence?  “Scotch,” she blurted out.  “You could make scotch.  The best the world has ever known.”

“Scotch.”

“Whiskey,” she hurried on excitedly, turning to catch his hand between hers.  “All you need is to go dig up that friar of yours and start bottling the stuff.  You could sell it and get rich.”

“I cannae fathom.”  Laird shook his head, but he was thinking about it.  Scarlett could see the wheels turning in his mind.  “Mayhap I could keep Dunskirk wi’out Father’s aid.”

“Wouldn’t you rather have a trade than be at his beck and call?”

“The idea does hold some appeal.”

“You could be free to do what you want.”

“Could I?” Tilting her chin up, he brushed his lips across hers and she felt the ever present spark between them ignite once more.   “How aboot right now?  ‘Tis been a long day wi’out ye, mo chroí.”

“Has it?” she teased breathlessly, parting her lips to deepen the delicious kiss.

Wrapping his arms around her waist and lifted her against him as he backed her into the tent without breaking their kiss.  She lips softened, parting beneath his with a sigh.  “Mhianliom tú, mo chroí.  I maun hae ye.”

“What about propriety?”

“Fook propriety.”

“Okay.”

28

 

Gasping for air, Scarlett pushed away from Laird and pulled off her headdress.  She flung it to the side and began untying the laces on the sides of her gown as she watched him strip away his kilt, hose and shirt.  Already the delirium of her desire was setting in.  Her heart was fluttering madly, her head woozy. Her body feverish and aching.

She’d had illnesses that were more mildly symptomatic.

His eyes darkened with hunger as she peeled the dress off her shoulders, leaving her in only her chemise.  Laird eagerly aided her in seeing to its dismissal, sweeping it over her head and throwing it aside.  Her nipples hardened, aching as his calloused palms curled around her breasts.

“I don’t know how you do this to me,” she moaned as his lips scathed down her neck to the hollow of her throat.

“Ye enflame me much the same,” he murmured softly.

“I’m not sure if I like it.”  Contrary to her words, Scarlett wrapped her arms around his head, pulling him closer.

His warm chuckle puffed against her sensitive skin sending a wave of sensual chills down her spine.  “Neither am I.”

Scarlett gasped as Laird cupped her bottom and pulled her flush against his long, hard body. “You might be more than I can handle.”

Even knowing that, she couldn’t resist him.

“Let’s find out.”

Laird lifted her and carried her to the mattress, falling with her onto the feathered depths and turning her beneath him.  Scarlett pushed against his sweaty chest, harder still until he rolled onto his back, chest heaving, and a quizzical look on his face.

“What are ye aboot, lass?”

With a smile, she crawled over him until she straddled his hips.  The rough hair of his thighs abraded her tender skin but the feel of him hard and naked below her only roused her more.

Clasping his face between her hands, she ran her fingernails over the scruff of his beard before dipping her head and kissing him passionately. She ran her tongue over his lips, nipping gently before she trailed kisses to his ear.

“Possession,” she whispered, breathing hard.  “You had your chance before.  This time it’s my turn.”  She shifted from side to side, inching upward until he was nestled tightly against her groin.  Her body was trembling, shaken be the force of her desire and by the frantic pounding of her heart.  “I am going to take you, Laird.  And not only because I want to shag you.”

Laird tensed beneath her with a swift intake of breath, Scarlett could feel his surprise in every line of his body.  Grinning wickedly, she lifted her hips and positioned herself over him.  Her breath seized, her body quivered as she descended slowly.  Spreading for him, moisture gathering.  His throbbing erection was poised for entry and Scarlett was aching for him. Laird sat up, wrapping his arm around her waist, lifting her.  “Let me.”

“No,” she released a ragged breath. His intent, she knew, was to flip her beneath him and take control.  She wanted this.  Wanted to see him.  Scarlett pushed him back once more, bracing her hands against his chest.  Closing her eyes, she threw back her head and slowly took him in.

God, he was huge!  Inch by inch she took him, a long moan torn from deep within escaped her as he filled her.  She clenched around him, adjusting to him until she was seated completely. Savoring the moment, she ran her palms over his shoulders and chest, marveling at the feel of him, velvet over steel.  Across the swell of his pecs, over the rise and fall of his abs.

“Lass.  Scarlett,” his voice was harsh.  “Look at me.”

Opening her eyes, Scarlett met Laird’s gaze, churning beneath hooded lids.  Molten.  His hands ran up her legs, roughly kneading her thighs until his fingers dug into her hips.  He flexed his hips, his manhood jerking inside her.

“Are ye done wi’ this game of yers yet?”

Biting her lip, Scarlett shook her head.  “Oh, it isn’t a game.”  Rising up, she slid down his silky length but was up again quickly, then descending faster, harder.  Her gasp was drown out by his agonized groan but again she was up.  This time Laird was ready for her.  His grip tightened on her hips and he pulled her down roughly, arching beneath her.  Sensation shot through her, stealing her breath. Her heart stuttered.  “Oh God,” she moaned.  Lifting her, he urged her on, each time driving upward, more fervently.  Meeting her frenetic