Sensations intensified as her body convulsed underneath him. Matching his tempo, she raised her legs and crawled higher to allow him better access. When her almost indescribable pleasure increased, she felt her body quiver causing her to tighten her hold onto him. Lara moaned loudly. After her release, the height of her orgasm started to decline and her breathing slowed. With Bram’s body pressed tight against hers she could feel his manhood throbbing inside of her as he climaxed and emptied his seed within her womb.

Slick with sweat, Bram rolled himself off of Lara and snuggled up behind her, keeping her tightly in his arms. With a ridiculous smile on his face, he pressed tiny butterfly kisses on the base of her neck, causing Lara to giggle. He wanted to give Lara every pleasure imaginable. By God, he loved this woman. This night had been one of the best nights he had ever had and he was determined to make each night with her better than the last.

Lara felt as if her smile would forever be painted on her face. She had never thought that what could happen between a man and a woman would be so intense and satisfying. She had always thought that bedding was only meant to produce bairns, but never did she think that she would actually enjoy her husband’s attention. Her husband. In all her wildest dreams, she never imagined her marriage to be a love match, and had she been forced to stay wed to Dermot she never would have experienced the wonders that Bram had shown her this night.

As she cuddled in his arms, she asked, “What of tomorrow? Will ye send a messenger to yer family, or retrieve yer lads?”

“Nay, I had hoped in a few months that we would travel there together. I wish fer ye to meet my family and me lads.”

“I would be forever glad to meet yer family.”

“I must warn ye, though. The MacKinnons are a hellish bunch of drunken, loud men. But ye will ne’er find yerself a clan wit more honor.”

Lara giggled. “I suppose I should have met them first before marrying ye. If all of the Highlanders are anything like ye, I could have verra well married the wrong one,” she playfully teased.

Bram’s lips twisted.

“Ach, ye lowland women, yer all the same. Stubborn.”

“Well then best ye take me again before I change my mind.”

Chapter 26

Four months later…

The winter in Norway had been brutal, one of the worst they had seen according to Queen Isobel. Hard-packed powder buried the village in three feet of snow, barricading doors and blocking several well-traveled roads. Villagers spent weeks clearing paths from nature’s winter fury. Lara and Bram had to wait until the snowcaps on the mountains melted before they could travel back to Scotland.

As the days and weeks went by, early signs of spring started to show. Lara and Bram packed their belongings and sailed back across the ocean towards Scottish soil with a chest full of coin and a new Norwegian ally.

For several days they rode across the Highlands towards Lara’s new home at Dunakin Castle. Nerves pricked under her skin at the thought of meeting Bram’s clan. One Highlander she could manage, but a whole clan of them was something entirely different.

Heavy spring rain fell with intense fury, causing several unexpected delays. But Lara did not mind so much, as each night Bram would make sweet and passionate love to her and hold her throughout the night to keep her warm. Since Adam and Eve, no two souls had ever connected so strongly, and proof of their love was evident by the bairn in her womb.

Lara knew she was with child when her monthly flow had not come in weeks, but she kept the secret to herself until she could find the perfect time to reveal her condition to Bram.

After several days travel during the treacherous storm, the sky had finally cleared. By early morning, the surrounding landmarks became more familiar to Bram as they rode towards his home. Excitement filled his heart when he knew within minutes he would be looking down on his village and castle. As they reached the edge of the hill, from his position high on the mountain peak, the sight of Dunakin Castle caused a sense of comfort to wash over Bram like a rainstorm. Never had he been more excited to be home. Home. Just the sight of it brought a smile to his face. The anticipation of seeing the smiles on his two young lad’s tiny faces had almost bought a tear to his eye.

The castle looked to be exactly the same as when he left almost nine months ago, not that he had expected the walls to be caved in or the keep to be badly destroyed. After all, he knew his brother and cousin could manage well without him, though the three of them had been inseparable.

The horse trotted slowly down the rocky mountainside as it pulled the cart with their belongings. Draped with a thick black cloak, Bram’s return was not apparent to anyone they had passed in the village, but his first priority was reuniting with his family.

As they rode into the courtyard of Dunakin Castle, Bram spotted his two lads sitting on the ground with a bonny fair-haired lass who appeared to be heavy wit child. He watched them for a moment before he directed his horse in their direction. Butterflies swarmed in the pit of his stomach.

Dismounting the horse, he asked, “Excuse me, lass. Do ye ken if Laird MacKinnon is within the keep?”

“Yes, he is,” she replied stepping away from the children to greet him.

Bram almost lost his footing by the lass’s English accent. What in bloody hell would an English lass be doing here and playing with his lads of all things?

“Who are ye?” he questioned in a demanding tone.

“My name is Jacqueline. And may I have the honor of your name, Sir?” Jacqueline asked, not liking the way he looked at her.

Bram raised his eyebrow at the outspoken Englishwoman.

“I’m a MacKinnon that is who I bloody am.”

“A MacKinnon? Then ye must be related to my husband, Ewan,” she said as she nodded her head past Bram towards the stables.

“Ewan? Yer husband?” Bram almost fell over in laughter at the woman’s statement.

“How dare ye talk to my wife that way?” Ewan asked from behind him. Bram knew his voice instantly.

Bram turned, keeping his hood up, covering his face.

“Ewan, of all people. Married to an Englishwoman. I guess ye did say there was nay a lass in all of Scotland who could tame ye.”

Ewan’s jaw dropped as Bram lowered his cloak.

“Bram!” Ewan exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around him. “Yer alive!”

“Aye, but I will nay be much longer if ye dinna loosen yer grip around my neck,” Bram choked out. Ewan released him, but kept his hand firmly on his shoulder.

“What happened to ye? Where have ye been? I thought ye were dead. Had I known, I swear I would ne’er have…,” Ewan asked.

“Tis a long story, cousin, but first I wish to see my lads and my brother and mother. I can regale all of ye wit my journey over a warm meal,” Bram said reassuring him.

“Well dinna just stand there, come inside, ye fool.”

Bram turned and headed back to his horse, where Lara was still perched, watching the joyous reunion. Holding his hand up to her, he helped her off the horse.

“Ewan, I would like ye to meet, Lara. My wife.”

The expression painted on Ewan’s face as Lara came into view went from pleasant to jaw-dropping astonishment.

“Wife? So after all this time and all the lassies ye finally found one and settled down.”

“Aye, I did.”

Colin and Connor dropped the toys they were playing with and ran in between both Ewan and Bram.

“Da?” Colin cried out.

Bram smiled down at the two teary-eyed boys. Both lads leapt from the ground and jumped into Bram’s arms. The sound of tears and laughter warmed Lara’s heart. It was delightful to witness such affection from a father to his sons. It made missing her father all the more painful, but she was glad for the short time she had with him.