Page 117 of Edge of Yesterday

“Crowe,” Cailean hissed.

Lennox’s head jerked in Crowe’s direction and Crowe’s eyes shifted onto Lennox. Lennox nodded to Cailean and pushed through the revelers, but Crowe was gone.

Cailean would deal with the asshole tomorrow. Tonight however—he pushed the woman’s hands away and turned toward Julianna. Someone seized his shoulder and spun him around to face the door again. The woman who had been unbuttoning his shirt began to finish the job. Cailean tried to break free but the grip on his shoulders turned vise-like. His shirt fell open and was pulled from his arms. Hand on his belt, he shoved them away, but someone grabbed his arms and pulled them back as the woman who’d unbuttoned his shirt began to unbuckle his belt.

Football, he told himself. Think of football, anything to put a stop to his erection. But it was no good. The plaid fell from his waist and he stood naked, his arousal hard and proud for all to see. He was turned and came face to face with Julianna.

“What say ye, my lady?” said one man, too close to his ear. “Does your new husband meet with your approval?”

She began a slow walk around him and when she faced him again, she said, “Aye, he will do.”

Low laughter went up, and Julianna stood still while the women gathered around her. Cailean’s heart began to beat faster. Good God, they weren’t really going to strip her naked in front of all these men? But her shift was lifted off her head, then the women stepped back and, sure enough, Julianna stood before them completely naked. Her long golden hair reached to below her breasts. Full breasts with pink areolas that peeked through her thick locks. His eyes dropped to the thatch of golden curls between her legs before he jerked his gaze up.

His cock throbbed.

“I think the lady needs his approval, as well,” a man said, and raucous laughter followed.

Someone pushed Julianna and she tumbled into his arms. The crush of her breasts against his chest as he caught her, sent the signal directly to his groin and his bollocks drew up painfully. Julianna’s head snapped up and she met his gaze, but all he could think about was her belly against his cock.

“To bed,” someone shouted, and the shout became a chant.

Cailean held Julianna close, shielding her body with his as he walked to the bed. She climbed up on the mattress and pulled the blanket over her.

Cailean looked over his shoulder, and said, “You’ve all had your fun. Now off with ye.”

“Not until we do our duty, lad,” someone shouted.

“The fun has just begun, laddie,” the man to his right said, his eyes twinkling. “We willnae leave until we are certain you can perform your duties properly.”

“You’ve see enough,” Cailean growled.

The group descended upon him and pushed him into bed. He landed on top of Julianna and everyone laughed.

“At least kiss her before you take your pleasure, lad,” someone shouted.

Cailean looked down at Julianna. She cocked a brow and shrugged. Before he realized her intent, she grasped his neck and pulled his face down. Their lips touched and desire rocketed through him.

Steady, man, he told himself. You’re not going to make love to her while everyone looks on.

She flicked her tongue against his mouth and he groaned. More laughter sounded behind him.

“Look at the poor thing,” a woman said. “He doesnae know he cannae satisfy her with a blanket between them.”

Cailean broke free of the kiss and muttered, “I’m going to commit bloody murder.”

“Ho ho!” a male voice hooted. “The lad is anxious to get on with the bedding. Show us what ye are made of.”

A broad hand smacked his arse. He leapt from the bed, lunged for Triumph and yanked her from the scabbard. Roars of drunken laughter filled the room and he realized the picture he must paint, sword in hand, eyes blazing, and cock jutting upward like a banner staff.

“Lady Julianna, ye are a lucky woman,” one woman said with a giggle.

“God has rewarded ye for being a good Christian,” another said.

“Out,” Cailean roared, but they only laughed louder.

“Cailean, come to bed,” Julianna called.

He glanced at her, and a hard body tackled him. Triumph flew from his grasp as he hit the floor, the bloody rushes jabbing into tender places. Pushing to his knees, he scowled and started swatting at the prickly bits of straw and heather. Before he could finish, he was lifted and tossed onto the mattress.