Page 65 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“The harvest was good?” Shaw asked.
“Aye, the best in the last few years. Och, we had good weather and rain.”
“I am gladdened to hear that.” Shaw stood. “Well, I thank you for your hospitality. Now we will be off to seek our rest.” He stuck out his hand and shook Cadge’s. “In the morn, we shall leave early so I might not see ye. I bid ye farewell. Come and visit us at the keep soon.”
Cadge and his wife walked them to the door. Sorsha wished them well and followed Shaw toward the encampment that his men had made. There were four large tents in all. The horses were settled and there was a big fire in the center of the tents.
Walen met them when they reached the fire. “Laird, your tent is ready. I will command the men to take to their rest but set two men to sentry duty during the night.”
Shaw nodded to him and walked toward a tent. He held the flap for her and she entered. The confines were comfortable with various furs, pillows, and covers set in a makeshift bed. Their belongings were placed in one corner and Shaw’s sword stood against the fabric of the tent beside the bedding.
“Let us get some sleep. We will get an early start on the morrow.”
She nodded and began undressing. Sorsha left her underdress on and would use it to sleep in. Lifting the top cover, she shifted onto the makeshift bed and moaned when her head hit the pillow. “Lord, it has been a long day.”
“Are ye sore?” Shaw asked as he pulled his tunic over his head. He undressed quickly and didn’t bother to wear a stitch of clothing for sleep.
“A little.” She snuggled against his hard, hot body and moaned again. It wasn’t soreness that caused her to groan but the warmth and strength of his body. She palmed his chest and gently stroked her fingers over the musculature.
“If ye keep that up, I will not be responsible for my actions.”
She giggled. “I do not want you to be responsible for your actions.”
Shaw chuckled. “Nay? Well then perhaps I deserve a kiss or two?”
“You might.” Sorsha shifted her leg over him and straddled his hips. She used her hands to keep herself from falling againsthim. With her lips slightly pursed, she leaned forward and set a sweet kiss on his lips.
Shaw pulled her against him and she felt the heat of him through her garment. He braced her back and she shifted forward effortlessly sliding her underdress to her waist. She closed her eyes and moaned softly at Shaw’s gentle invasion. Shaw eased forward to a sitting position and they rocked together, partners in desire. Sorsha wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly as passion completely overtook her.
Their movements increased as if neither of them could meet the other fast enough. Sorsha squealed with pleasure and Shaw grunted. He helped to lift her and she tried to give him room to move. Sorsha tilted forward until she was able to press her breasts against his chest. His hardness entered her swiftly and sent waves of culmination through her entire body. Shaw joined her and climaxed too. His open mouth pressed against her chest and he moaned. The sound of him attaining pleasure made her happy and she took his face in her hands and tilted his head back.
“What you do to me,” she said breathlessly. Sorsha set her mouth on his and kissed him with all the passion she could muster. She twirled her tongue with his and kept kissing him until she was forced to take a breath.
“Ye are the bonniest lass,” Shaw whispered.
They stayed joined and held each other for a good bit of time. Sorsha’s legs twitched and she was sure she would be aching on the morrow, not only because of their vigorous lovemaking but also from the long day’s ride. With care, she moved her leg and shifted to sit next to him. Shaw leaned over her and used his fingers to press back the locks of her hair. He placed a kiss on her forehead.
“We should get rest. I warn ye, sweetheart, not to wiggle that bonny bottom against me during the night. I will not be responsible for what I do, for I’ll be unable to resist ye if ye do.”
Sorsha rolled to her side, closed her eyes, and was content with being held by him. She giggled lightly at his warning and she seriously considered wiggling her bottom just to see if he would own up to his promise. A moment later, she drifted to sleep held by her handsome, passionate, and charming husband.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sorsha awakened tolight filtering through the tent flap. She sat up and peered at the empty spot next to her. Shaw had risen already and was probably making ready for their journey to the next croft. She didn’t want to be the reason for a delay so she crawled from the bedding and hastily pulled on her overdress.
Before she left the tent, she folded the blankets and stacked them in a pile for the men to collect. She grabbed her satchel and now that she was ready, she wanted to go and wash by the stream and perhaps get a bit to eat before they departed.
Outside the tent, she didn’t see anyone about until Walen rounded a tree and waved to her.
The man appeared tired and his hair was a tangled mess about his shoulders. “Milady, Cadge’s ox got loose last night and the men went in search of it. We will leave when they return. There is some food there, in the satchel,” he said, and pointed at the fire. “Help yourself.”
Sorsha knelt to rummage through the assortment of fruit and grabbed three plums. That would abate her hunger until they stopped for the midday meal. “Is there a place to wash?”
Walen was about to answer her, but Corliss ambled forward. How the woman appeared so beautiful in the morning, irritated Sorsha, but the woman’s lovely black hair fell in untangled waves to her waist. Her blue eyes shone brightly and were stunning. Ifonly she wasn’t such a shrew, they might be friends. But then Sorsha almost scoffed aloud at that thought.
“Sorsha, I would like to wash too. There is a river not too far from here. We shall go together. I would probably get lost trying to find my way back.” Corliss linked her arm with hers. “We shall return shortly, Walen. Tell Shaw not to worry.”
Sorsha had no chance to refuse Corliss’s offer and walked along with her. Corliss gave no care that her skirts grazed the ground as they walked. Sorsha tried to hike her skirts up a little to make it easier to walk because with her long legs, Corliss’s stride was quicker than hers. As they left the treeline, a stretch of open fields sat before them that led to a craggy area of rocky hills. Beyond the steep hills, she saw the glimmer of water. Near a huge bluff where a boulder sat and shaded the ground before it, Corliss stopped.