Page 16 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior (Highland Whispers of Love #1)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

M oira seemed so fragile that he wanted to be gentle, and his kiss was at first. But now that he finally had her in his arms, he found it difficult to control himself.

Roderick took hold of Moira’s waist, pulling her closer until she was pressed against him, his tongue intertwining desperately with hers. Her soft breath fanned against his face, the sensation spurring him to kiss her with greater force.

“I’ve wanted this,” Roderick said, bringing his lips to her neck, “since I saw ye again.”

Moira moaned, her eyes drifting shut as he continued to kiss up her hairline, to her ears and the side of her neck.

She tasted so sweet, and her scent alone was intoxicating to him.

“I didnae ken if ye wanted me like I wanted ye,” Moira said, moving her hands up his chest, her fingers trembling as she brushed over the fabric of his shirt. She was a bit clumsy and uncertain, and to Roderick’s surprise he liked it. He liked feeling her raw need.

The storm outside seemed to rage louder, the windows rattling with full force. Roderick took hold of Moira, lifting her up gently, and placing her on the bed below him.

He hovered over her, his breath shallow and uneven, his gaze never leaving hers. As he looked down at Moira, her black hair flowing freely and her flushed face, a mixture of innocence and desire in her eyes, he knew that what was happening was more than physical.

He didn’t feel his heart racing just because she was bonnie. It was because she was her.

“I’m ready,” she said. “Ye dinnae have tae wait, I want this, wi’ ye.”

“Are ye sure?” He asked her, near breathless.

“Aye.”

His lips lowered and slowly devoured hers as his hands worked to unlace the bodice of her dress. The fabric felt as though it would burn him if he didn’t get it off quickly enough. She shuddered beneath him, her fingers twisting in his hair, pulling him closer with all her strength and need.

Roderick gently pushed the gown down her shoulders, exposing her skin little by little. His hands were careful, reverent, as though he were handling the most delicate of jewels.

As the gown pooled around her waist, he removed the rest of her top undergarments, tracing the curve of her shoulder, down to her arm, feeling the warmth of her two mounds beneath his hands. Moira’s breath hitched at the contact, her body arching toward him instinctively, despite her initial shyness.

He noticed her biting her lip, and instinctively he brought his mouth toward her protruding nubs, like two rose petals. She moaned as he sucked light at first, then increasing with force to match the pressure in his groin. He felt as though he was going to lose his control, she was too soft, too ripe, but with whatever strength he had left he held onto, working to please her first.

Their hands brushed as Moira assisted him pulling her gown the rest of the way down, and then removing with speed the remainder of her lower undergarments.

He brought himself up to view her, drinking in the sight of her naked body, as his desire sharpened and became almost unbearable.

He admired the way the dim light of the fire cast a warm glow over her, the curve of her neck, the gentle swell of her breasts, and the softness of her skin that begged to be touched. With speed, he shed his shirt, tossing it aside as his body came back to her. He kissed her again, deeply and urgently, his hands now roaming across her thighs and squeezing her buttocks.

Memorizing the feel of her skin, the way her body trembled beneath his touch made him shudder.

Moira’s hands moved over his back, her nails scraping gently over his muscles, sending a surge of heat through him. The feeling made him groan, his body reacting to her in ways he could no longer control.

She parted her legs for him, her breath panting as Roderick slid a finger, then two, into her folds. She gasped and was wetter than he had expected, her moistness dripping across his hand as he continued to work in rhythmic motions around her nub.

Her face was filled with more expression than he’d ever seen on her before. She was alive with desire, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted as soft breaths escaped her. Her eyes, half-lidded with pleasure, locked onto his initially before shying away.

He remembered, that as feisty as she was, Moira was still bashful, keen for him to take the lead. It impassioned him even more.

“Dinnae look away, Moira,” he said, as he increased the speed of his fingers, moving in rapid motions across her petal-like nub.

But she could barely talk, her mouth wide with desire and her breath short. Roderick brought his free hand to her face, gently guiding her gaze back to his.

“Like this,” she moaned between breaths, her green eyes sending a wave of sharp desire trickling down the back of his spine. His member ached, thrashing angrily against his trews.

“Aye,” he said, moving rhythmically with his fingers, his jaw tensed and his torso hardening with the motion until a forceful gasp escaped her lips. Her mouth widened, and her eyes weakened as her gaze traveled toward the ceiling.

She let out a deep moan, as she reached her climax and Roderick knew that she had been sent over the edge. He smiled as her opening pulsated around his fingers, her moisture dripping on the bed and his hand.

Roderick hissed as his own desire, stoked from the sensation of Moira’s wetness on his hand overwhelmed him, becoming too much. With force, he removed his trews, taking off his clothes to reveal his throbbing, aching member

Her gaze flickered from the ceiling to his penis, and she bit her lip expectantly as she appraised it with a cautious interest that showed Roderick exactly what she wanted. He longed to be in her.

Taking his shaft in his hand, he teased her soaking opening for just a moment. Moira pulsated her body with the movement rocking back and forth.

“Are ye sure ye want me tae continue?’” He asked looking deep into her eyes and she nodded without hesitation.

As he plunged himself in further, sliding in with ease, he let out a small grunt, leaning down to meet Moira as his tip pushed through to her back walls.

Moira let out a deep groan, bringing her hands to the width of his large back.

“Are ye all right?” he asked her, pressing in deeper, the sensation spreading throughout his body.

“Aye, there was a moment of pain, but it is gone” she said, her hot breath tingling his ear “I want ye.”

“Ye’re so bonnie,” he murmured, bringing his hands to the sides of her ass.

As Roderick pumped, his movements grew more deliberate yet urgent, thrusting deep inside Moira as she let out a lustful moan. Her voice vibrated across the walls—a cry that had Roderick tightening his fists at the top of the bed.

“Roderick,” she breathed, her voice trembling as her legs tightened around him, pulling him even closer. The warmth of her embrace, the way her body responded to his every motion, threatened to unravel him completely.

“Ye tak’ me so well,” he murmured, his voice rough with need. His hands digging into her hips, gripping her firmly as he shifted his angle slightly, and she let out a sharp gasp.

Roderick could tell that she was close again as her head shifted upward against the pillow, her face twisted with so much pleasure it almost looked as though she was in pain.

“Moira,” he murmured, kissing her neck gently. As he took in her sweet scent and the feel of her softness tight around him he looked down at her, deeply into his eyes, as his primal instincts took over. He grabbed her thighs and plunged himself even deeper into her, his large, chiseled body taking full control.

She looked up at him, her mouth wide with pleasure and for a moment she went still, on the verge of release.

“Let go, lass,” he urged, his voice barely above a whisper, rough with restraint. “Give it all tae me.”

He pressed into her harder, and she let out a cry as her body obeyed his command. She trembled violently as her release claimed her, and Roderick opened his mouth too—the sight of her surrender, the feel of her pulsating around him, sending him over the edge.

With a final, powerful thrust, he buried himself deep inside her, a guttural groan tearing from the back of his throat as he found his own release.

Their cries intermingled, intimately twisted in the air around them as Roderick came down to meet her. He kissed her first, softly on the cheek and then lingering on her lips while he tried his best to catch his breath.

Settling down beside her, he marveled at her beauty—for her eyes had fluttered shut and it appeared as though she was in a deep sleep. He took in the softness of her curves, the petiteness yet fullness of her body.

She was perfect. As he stretched his large arm across the pillow, she silently nestled into him, so that her head was resting right by his chest. They lay tangled together for a moment, the room in silence aside from the rattling storm and their heavy breaths.

To Roderick it felt as though they were in a state between consciousness and sleep, separated from the reality that faced them, at least for a little while.

He watched the droplets of rain that bounced off the small window in the darkness of the night. It was peaceful, his body in a state of perfect release, as he played with Moira’s fine hair with his fingers.

“I’ll have ye ken,” Moira said, life returning to her, “that this wasnae planned.”

Roderick chuckled, his fingers grazing the side of her cheek. “What dae ye mean, Moira?”

“I mean I didnae tak’ ye here tae seduce ye or anythin’ o’ the sort,” she said. “Just in case ye thought it was.”

Roderick smiled, looking down at Moira, whose face was now both pointed and serious. Her guard was up again, but only as much as was possible for someone unclothed and nestled beneath his arm.

Roderick shook his head, charmed by how she sought to retain her pride.

“Ye seduced me from the moment I met ye,” Roderick said, amused by the shift in her expression as she tried to pretend that she wasn’t affected by what he just said.

“Ye’re lyin’,” she said.

“Och, am I, an’ how would ye ken?” He smiled, his fingers idly tracing patterns along her arm.

Moira narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing into a defiant line as though she was about to launch into a retort. But the way her cheeks flushed and her gaze flickered downward betrayed her.

“Because,” she began, her voice faltering just enough for Roderick to notice, “because ye cannae be seduced so easily, surely.”

“Easily?” He raised a brow, his grin widening. “Lass, ye underestimate the power ye wield. Ye didnae even have tae try.”

Her eyes darted back to his, and for a moment, the steeliness in her expression softened.

“Ye’re full o’ charm arenae ye, Roderick?” She smiled “An’ perhaps lookin’ back on it, it is ye who seduced me– wi’ that gentle kiss of yers”

“I thought ye’d stay in that armchair all night, watchin’ me as though I were a puzzle ye couldnae quite solve,” he said. “Ye didnae even blink when I spoke tae ye, just sittin’ there like some brooding Highland statue.”

Moira laughed, a full smile spread across her lips, and Roderick’s whole body warmed at the sight.

“Ye have a way wi’ words ye dae, when ye want tae that is.”

Roderick smirked, his fingers trailing lazily down her arm. “Only when the occasion calls fer it. An’ when the right lass is listenin’.”

Moira tilted her head, her smile lingering as she studied him. “Ah, so ye reserve yer silver tongue fer moments like this, then? When a lass is tangled in yer sheets, wi’ nowhere tae run?”

He chuckled, the deep rumble vibrating through his chest. “When a lass is tangled in me sheets, she’s usually nae wantin’ tae run.” His fingers slid lower, grazing the dip of her waist, and he watched with satisfaction as a shiver ran through her.

She huffed, though the soft flush on her cheeks gave her away. “Ye’ve an answer fer everythin’, havenae ye?”

“I try,” he murmured, his lips brushing her temple before he pulled her closer, their bodies fitting together with ease.

For a moment, they stayed there, intertwined, the only sounds those coming from the outside world.

“It’d be nice tae stay here fer a while,” Moira said. “An’ I’ve grown so tired, but I dinnae want to sleep.”

Roderick knew exactly what she meant. He was also exhausted from both physical excursion and all the stress that had come with the past few days. He’d never slept so little in his life, and although his eyelids were starting to close—he wished to be awake too—to stay with Moira like that for as long as they could.

“Aye,” Roderick said, pulling at the sheets and wrapping them over them with his free hand. “Ye should rest, and I’ll be right here keepin’ ye safe although ye’ve proven well that ye dinnae need it.”

“I dinnae,” Moira agreed, resting her head on Roderick, and closing her eyes. “But still, it is nice to hear– although if ye quote me on that I’ll deny it.”

“Of course, ye will,” Roderick murmured, the steady rhythm of the rain lulling his own eyes shut.

“Roderick,” she whispered.

“Aye?”

“Promise me ye willnae forget this moment.”

“I promise,” he said, his breathing turning heavy before both he and Moira fell into a long deep sleep.

Roderick awoke before Moira and after a while of staring at her resting peacefully in his arms, he slipped away, climbing carefully across the bed.

He only intended to relieve himself, but out of the corner of his eye, he spied the letters forgotten to more interesting distractions the night before. They were still where he had left them, staring up at him on the nightstand by the bed.

Although he didn’t feel quite ready, the night he had spent with Moira had soothed him. He felt a glimpse of joy, and that made him feel stronger, as though he could take on whatever the letters said.

Carefully he took them in his hands, peeling them one by one, handling each one delicately, like the petals of a cherished flower.

He welcomed his father’s voice that rang through his ears as he digested each word.

The contents of the letters could not have been clearer. They also could not have been worse.

Roderick felt a deep wave of nausea as dread rushed through his stomach.

He had failed his father.

His attraction toward Moira was wrong. Everything they just did in his father’s cabin had been a mistake—and although it pained him, he’d need to stay as far away from her as possible.

Roderick’s face hardened with the realization, and he took a steadying step forward, unable to look back. Despite everything in him drawing him toward Moira he would have to be strong—he would have to resist.

Roderick clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around the parchment until his knuckles whitened.

The scent of Moira still lingered on his skin, a ghost of warmth and softness that mocked his resolve.