Page 42 of Darach

“He’s too quick now for me to repay the favor.” He hesitated before he said, “When you go speak with the MacAnvoy, guard your words. If he desires see the nags himself, say you’ll bring them to his stables. Dinnae for any reason invite him to Dun Lasair.”

Taveon didn’t need the armorer to tell him why. “Ailsa schemes to come here and demand in person the laird’s permission for you to wed her, then.”

“She vowed as much in her last dozen scrolls. Ramsay shallnae permit her come here alone, but if invited he might bring her along with him. Then we shall never be rid of her.” Camdyn wiped his hands on a rag before he regarded him. “Luthias reckons soon he shall stop burning her messages, and instead deliver them to her sire so he may ken his daughter’s foolishness.”

Taveon winced. “Mayhap ’tis for the best. The MacAnvoy should send her to her mother’s people in the west. They’ve a fine clan, and plenty of strapping young warriors. Surely one shall catch her eye and replace you in her heart.”

“Or out of love for that bampot wench, Ramsay shall declare the MacRoss his enemy and attack us.” The armorer eyed him. “Be ready for such, War Master, for I reckon Ailsa’s madness didnae come from her màthair.”

“And what of Mistress Walsh? Shall she drive you and Darach to such madness?” When Camdyn said nothing he knew Luthias had been correct in his suspicions. “Since Kendric left, you and Darach do naught but quarrel and fight. Should you drag the lady into the clash between you, ’twillnae end in just another brawl.”

“We’ve already come to blows over her. Darach claims she wants him.” The words came from the armorer as if dragged out by trawling lines. “Only ken should she change her mind and come to me, I shallnae refuse her. Once she’s mine, I’ll kill any man who touches her.”

“No’ that you’re counting on such.” Taveon watched him stalk out of the forge, and rubbed his aching head. “Fack.”

Chapter Eleven

Being safe in Darach’s arms after another brush with death made Charlotte imagine herself as a rescued princess, but her Rose Knight had been a fairytale character. Her deep attraction for the real man took a decidedly erotic turn as his teeth nipped her earlobe, and the velvety dampness of his tongue stroked the flesh beneath it. Nothing had ever aroused her as much as the way he touched her now, his work-roughened hands rasping against her skin as he forgot to be careful and instead caressed her like a woman he meant to pleasure.

This is why he was afraid.

Charlotte could sense herself changing, as if every touch stripped away some façade she had worn all her life. Darach’s heat and desire melted away the cool, collected woman she had been to reveal her primal female self. She had never experienced emotions so powerful or fearless.

Can I do the same for him? The lukewarm encounters she’d had in the past didn’t reassure her, but no man had ever made her want to tear down all the barriers she had spent a lifetime building around her.

Yes. This night, me, and the man I’ve been waiting to find. That’s all I need.

Darach moved his arms under the plaid, one hand curving over the top of her thigh and the other stroking her arm. She shifted her legs apart in silent invitation, and closed her eyes as he caressed the sensitive skin on the inside of her thigh.

“Does this count as reaching for you?” Charlotte asked as she slipped her hand around his strong neck. “I don’t think I can wait until we’re in bed.”

“Aye, ’twill do.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “Only I want you naked for me.”

“I’m not wearing anything under this shift.” She rubbed her hot cheek against the thick softness of his bronze mane. “But you knew that when you picked me up and carried me here, didn’t you?”

“Aye. I didnae wish anyone to see how thin this wretched garment ’tis on you––save me.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “Nor do I wish to love you in a chair. Permit me turn down the lanterns, and then we shall take to my bed.”

“Leave the lights on. I want to see what’s under your clothes,” she told him, looking directly into his eyes as she shifted off his lap and onto her feet. “And if you really want me naked for you, you’ll want to look at me, too.”

“Show me, then,” Darach told her.

Charlotte unwrapped the plaid, folding it to give herself a little more time to gather her courage. She’d always been passive during sex, probably because she’d never experienced any significant arousal from foreplay. Now she had grown drenched between her thighs, and all Darach had done was pet and nuzzle her a little. What would happen when they made it to the bed?

I don’t care if I come apart at the seams and embarrass myself. It doesn’t matter, not with him. I want to be real with him.

“Charlotte, wait,” Darach said as he got up and came to her. “’Tis been a long day for you, too, my lady. I wouldnae press myself on you if you’re weary.”

“You’re still trying to be polite.” Reaching for the hem of the shift, Charlotte pulled it up and over her head. “That has to stop.”

Although she knew she had an attractive body, standing naked in front of him required more daring than she imagined she had. Yet she pushed past the doubts about herself for Darach. She wanted him to think of her as beautiful and sexy, so much so that he would forget to be polite. She wished she could drive him so crazy that he would pick her up, toss her on the bed and do whatever he wanted to her.

Darach looked at her body, reached for her, and dragged her up against him. He bent his head and kissed her, his hands stroking down her back to cup her bottom. As he ravaged her lips Charlotte whimpered with need, and he lifted her up and carried her a few steps, putting her down atop a table beneath the window.

“This is not your bed,” she murmured against his mouth.

“’Tis too far, and you’re naked for me. I cannae wait another moment.” He reached back to jerk at the laces of his pants, and then pushed them down before pulling her hips to the edge of the table. “I’ll take you now, or go mad.”

Before she could catch her breath he pulled her closer, rubbing her bare breasts against the muscle-paved wall of his chest as he reached down between them. Charlotte gripped his shoulders as he fit his broad cockhead between her folds, and then pressed in. Looking down at his thick, heavy shaft as he came into her made a surge of sensual excitement jolt through her; sending another gush of wetness that enveloped him with her own liquid heat.