For a moment, confusion filled hismind. She was already touching him. Then she moved away from his chest andtwisted around until she faced him. Her hand dipped under the water and camebetween his thighs. Her gaze drew downward to his staff, and understanding madehim hard as stone.
“Ye can touch me anytime ye wish,”he fairly growled, his voice rough with barely restrained desire. “Ye neverneed ask.”
She nodded again and slowly ran thetip of her fingertips lightly over his rod. He’d kept his silence through athrashing during which he was tied to a post, and he’d kept his silence whilehaving many a terrible battle wound cleansed with fire, but he could not keephis silence at her touch. A deep, guttural groan escaped him as his musclesflexed and his blood rushed through his veins. By all the saints, he swore thatevery drop of blood in his body went to his staff; the thing fairly throbbedwith the need to be within her.
He saw the delight that brightenedher green eyes. She brought her gaze to his once again. “Do you think it’s asin for me to kiss you there?”
“Nay, Marion.” His voice vibratedin his ears. “I think it’d be a sin for ye to deny yerself, and me, suchpleasure.”
She laughed. “Well, even if it wasa sin, I have to confess I’d chance it and beg forgiveness later.”
“I like a bold lass.”
She cocked her eyebrows. “Anylass?”
He remembered their conversationfrom earlier and her jealous nature. “Nay,” he assured her. “Only ye.”
“Stand up,” she said, her voicethroaty and her green eyes half-closed.
“Is that a command?” he teased.
“Aye, laird,” she murmured. Hestood immediately, water dripping off him, and without another word, shekneeled and clutched his thighs. Her fingers curled around his muscles as hermouth found the tip of his shaft. Searing lust exploded in him as her tonguecircled him. When she took the tip into her mouth and sucked, he pressed towardher, and as he did, a pounding came at the door. She jerked back, her eyes widewith fear.
“Go away!” he roared.
“My lord, the MacLean sent me tofetch ye.”
“I dunnae give a care if Godhimself sent ye to fetch me. Get away from my door.”
Marion clamped a hand over hermouth, her eyes crinkling with mirth as merry laughter trickled from her. Iain’sheart expanded within his chest, a deep happiness spreading through him. It wasso foreign, so forgotten, and so surprisingly welcome in this moment.
“Laird,” came the frustrated Scot’svoice from the other side of the door. “Alex begs yer attendance. Archibald hasreturned with his report, and Alex believes ye may want to hear it. What sayye?”
A hundred foul curses filled Iain’shead as he held his wife’s gaze. “I must go.”
“Must you?” she asked and gave hima lustful look that made him want to stay, but if Alex thought Iain would wantto hear the report now, there must be news. Until he knew what it was, he’dkeep what Archibald was out doing to himself. There was no sense in worryingMarion needlessly.
“Aye,” he grumbled.
She looked crestfallen but didn’tpout.
As he got out of the water, hecalled to Alex’s man that he’d be down shortly, and then he quickly dressed.When he turned back to Marion, she was humming gaily and washing herself with abar of soap that the servant had brought. He strode over to the tub, his needfor her a hunger gnawing in his belly. Bending down, he settled his forearmsover the edge and crooked a finger at her.
She leaned forward, but he motionedher closer until every breath she exhaled was one he inhaled. “If I’m verrafortunate, I’ll be back before we must go down for supper and we can continuewith yer sinful ways, if ye’re willing?”
“So I was doing it right, then? Iwasn’t sure.” Her face, neck, and even the tips of her ears flamed red.
He couldn’t resist teasing her. “I think,”he said, making his tone serious, “ye may need a good deal of practice beforeye get it just right.”
“Really?” she said, her smallshoulders drooping slightly.
He chuckled as he claimed her mouthwith his and gave her a long kiss. When he pulled back, he cupped her neck andrubbed his thumb over the long, delicate column. All he could think was howthis woman was now in his care, and he never wanted anything bad to happen toher again.
“Nay,” he said gently. “I near wentmad with what ye did. I imagine I’d now be a simple fool if we’d nae beendisturbed.”
A smirk came to her lips. “Ithought I might be doing it right by your response.”
He scoffed at that and stood, notwishing to part with her but knowing he must. “I’ll return soon.”
