Pledged to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy 1)

He laughed. “You didn’t hurt me.”

“You hurt me by not waking me the usual way you do,” she said. “I sprang out of bed when I realized you weren’t here, fearful something terrible had happened that took you away.”

“I didn’t mean to worry you,” Royden said, his arm going around her and his hand, stroking delicately down along her cheek.

Oria shivered at his faint touch. “Well you did and I’ll have your promise now that you’ll never do it again.”

“You have my word, wife,” he said.

“Good,” she said and stepped out of his embrace and took his hand in hers, tugging at him as she walked toward the bed. “Now you will see to your husbandly duties that you failed to see to this morning.”

“Will I now?” he teased with a laugh.

“Aye, you will,” she commanded and when he laughed again, she gave him a shove that sent him tumbling down on the bed, which made him laugh even more. She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’ll see how much you laugh when I refuse to couple with you.”

Royden sprung up just enough to grab her arm and yank her down on top of him.

Oria tried to squirm free, but he held her too tight and besides, all her squirming was growing him hard against her.

“Still you grin at me,” she said, annoyed.

“Because we both know that you’ll never refuse to couple with me. I’m too irresistible to deny.”

Oria laughed, she couldn’t help it.

“And you’re too kind to make your poor husband suffer like that,” Royden said.

“He wouldn’t be the only one suffering,” Oria admitted. “I love the feel of you inside me.”

“I love being inside you.” His hand drifted down to cup her bottom and give it a squeeze.

“Then what are you waiting for?” she asked.

Royden rolled to his side, slipping Oria onto her back. His hand went to her breast to tease her nipple with his fingers as his lips touched hers playfully at first, but not for long since her response was more demanding.

His hand slipped down along her slowly, enjoying the feel of her soft skin before his fingers disappeared between her legs.

He pulled away from their kiss. “You’re more than ready for me.”

“I’ve been ready for you since I woke this morning, so do not keep me waiting or this will be done before you enter me,” she warned. “Now get those garments off. I want to feel you naked against me.”

He was all too willing to oblige her, moving off her to shed his garments when a knock sounded at the door.

“No. No. No,” Oria cried.

“An important message,” a servant called out.

“Go away,” Oria commanded.

“It’s from Arran,” the servant said and footfalls could be heard rushing away.

“Go!” she ordered frustrated, his brother’s message more important than coupling.

“No, wife, I’ll not leave you like this.” He spread her legs and dropped down over her, his shaft falling perfectly at her entrance. He plunged into her, knowing it wouldn’t take long for either of them to climax, though he was determined to see to a lengthier and uninterrupted coupling later.

Oria grabbed onto her husband’s arms, his quick thrusts bringing her rapidly to the edge of an explosive climax. She wished she didn’t have to let go. She wished she could linger a bit longer.

Later, she promised herself. Later they would linger.

Oria let go, digging her fingers into her husband’s muscled arms and releasing a shout she was certain the whole keep heard.

Royden joined her, though he let loose a quieter groan as he emptied himself into her.

Normally, they would have lingered, but any news from Arran was important, so they both were up not long afterwards. Oria rushed to dress and raked her fingers through her hair as they hurried out the door.

“Your da should hear this,” Oria said as they entered the Great Hall.

“I sent for him,” Bethany said, standing beside a table where a man, slim and of good height, though dirt covered and weary-worn, sat shoveling food into his mouth.

“You have a message from my brother Arran?’ Royden asked.

The man nodded, his mouth stuffed with food.

His da and Wren rushed into the Great Hall, both appearing a bit disheveled and he wondered if their coupling had been interrupted as well. He shook the thought away, not wanting to think about it.

“What’s the message? Has Arran found Raven?” his da asked anxiously.

Royden wondered the same. All the inquires he had sent out about his sister came back with no news of her. They at least knew she was alive, but where had she gone? Where was she hiding?

“What word do you have from my brother?” Royden demanded.

The man took a swig of ale and wiped his mouth on his sleeve, then slowly looked to each one.

“If the news is painful, then deliver it and be done with it,” Royden ordered.