His Bonnie Bride by Hannah Howell (the beginning after the end read novel .TXT) 📕

her gown. " 'Tis ne'er wrong to want to escape the pain, to seek to prove to yourself that ye are still alive and nay alone. I understand your need. Dinnae feel any shame. No one would fault ye for what ye seek. I only hope I can give it to ye."

When he removed the last of her clothing and held her close to his hard length she sighed and held him tightly. "Ye can, Tavis. I am sure of that if naught else."

He made love to her slowly, taking his time and using all his skill to bring her passion through the heavy layer of her grief. She did not halt him in any intimacy he took, wanting to lose herself in a feast of her senses. Becoming a total voluptuary, she feasted upon him, her lips and hands tasting every inch of him, luxuriating in him, following his hoarse requests and directions without any qualms. She wanted to push away all thought of her loss for just a little while.

Tavis feverishly wondered who was warming whom as time and time again her gifted mouth drove him to the brink only to pause, keeping him at the heights yet never allowing him to descend. He quickly saw that she hoped to lose herself, if only briefly, in a wanton feast of passion, and told her all that he wanted, reveling in the ecstasy that she brought him. His eyes never left her as she pleasured him, the visual heightening the effect of her inborn skill.

When he knew he could take no more he drew her up his body slowly. He kissed her, the taste of himself upon her lips causing him to shudder with need. As his mouth moved to her breasts, his hands traveled over her greedily. He suckled and tongued her breasts until she moaned and ground her hips against him. Then he made his way slowly downward, pausing to dart his tongue in and around her navel. He ignored her gasp of protest when he moved even lower to let his mouth pleasure her as hers had done to him.

Storm clutched the bedpost, her eyes closing as waves of pleasure washed over her. His hands caressed her backside as his tongue stroked and probed. She cried out as she neared her peak, but he stopped her attempt to retreat, relishing the gift of her passion, and then skillfully brought her back to the edge of culmination before pulling her shaking body down to fit it neatly to his. His eyes never left her as she rode, his hands moving over her in a restless greed, cupping her breasts and gliding down to touch where their bodies joined. They peaked together, their hoarse cries of repletion blending as she collapsed against him.

"Nay," she begged as he moved to separate them. "Just a moment longer. I need the closeness."

Silently complying with her request, he held her as she fell into a sated sleep. If nothing else, he mused as he settled her beneath the covers and rose from the bed, I have helped her find that oblivion. As he dressed, he studied her, sympathizing with her grief but selfishly pleased to know that she would be staying indefinitely now, would continue to bring him sensual delight.

"How is the lassie?" Colin asked when Tavis was admitted to his chambers.

"The major storm is past, but 'twill be a while ere the pain of loss eases. She will stay?"

"It looks so. There be nay another place for her and the lad to go."

Tavis nodded and turned to leave only to pause in the open doorway as he recalled Storm's words. Colin could be lost as easily and as suddenly as Lord Eldon. He had already come very close to death.

"Father?"

"Aye, Tavis?"

"I love ye," he said quietly and hastened away, feeling lighter of heart but leaving a very startled Colin behind him.

Chapter Sixteen

Frowning, Tavis watched a force equaling half of their fighting strength ride off to Athdara. It was not that he begrudged the MacBroths assistance, but he was plagued with doubt as to their need. He grimaced, chiding himself for being fanciful only to turn around and meet two sets of worried amber eyes. With a quirk of his eyebrow, he invited them to put voice to their concerns, although he was not at all sure he wanted to hear them. He had enough of his own worries and would prefer them put to rest.

" 'Tis a bad time for ye to be short half your armed force," Storm said, feeling suspicious and worried, but lacking the facts on which to base her feelings.

"Aye, there be no arguing that, little one." Tavis draped his arm over her shoulder. "There has been nary a raid to pay back the one we made upon Hagaleah.

The uncertainty of your fate held it off, I think."

"And now my fate has been decided," she said softly, the pain of her loss still fresh, and felt Tavis's arm tighten on her shoulders. "Sir Hugh and Lady Mary need not hold back for the sake of my safety."

"Do ye think Sir Hugh still wishes ye to be his bride?"

Storm shrugged, but Phelan had an answer ready. "Her fortune still remains. 'Tis already in her hands, put aside as her dowry for when she weds or her livelihood if she does not. He could still need that."

"Mayhaps he will wed Lady Mary?" Storm mused, but felt it an empty hope even as she spoke it.

"Mayhaps, but 'twill not gain him much. Ye know your father left most of his wealth and property to his heirs. Her two sons hold that now, though 'twill be in trust 'til they come of age. He said he had made an allowance for me, and he left no small amount to Mistress Bailey and the children they share. Though I doubt he left her penniless, I would wager Lady Mary is far from the wealth she feels a need for."

Tavis's brow creased