“James,” she called, and caressed his leg. Everywhere she touched tinged with fervor.

He in turn embraced her and pulled her arse so she’d be cradled against his hardness. With her back to his chest, he hugged her close, and covered her breasts with his hands. He squeezed and rejoiced at the hefty weight of them. She moaned and the sweet sounds of her desire swarmed him with longing.

“Aye, lovely, you’re p-perfection.” He nudged his knee between her legs and reached forward to stroke her woman’s essence. She was wet and ready for him, and James kissed the side of her neck. He shifted to a better position and kept her back to him, raising her leg to give him access. He slid into her wet sheath, glorified by the tightness and warmth.

“James, oh, God.”

“I like w-when ye say my name, Emlyn. Aye, you’re so bonny.” James’ head swam, and he now wished he hadn’t drunk so much for his movements were skittish and akin to an untried lad’s. He wanted to be steady and yet he couldn’t manage to keep from shaking.

“Harder, warrior. I like this. Oh, yes, just like that.”

Her commanding words sent a ripple of pleasure through him and he complied. He thrust madly again, and he drove into her. Their bodies clashed with urgency, as if they’d both die if they didn’t move. He used his hand to stroke the nub of her womanhood and heard the guttural sounds from her throat. She pushed her arse against him, meeting his thrust and driving him to the brink.

James sensed the stirring of his orgasm and abated his will. He ground his teeth knowing she’d be wrath if he came before she did, for he wished not to be slapped again.

With that, he used his teeth to pull on the sensitive skin of her neck and lightly sucked. He licked and kissed anywhere his mouth reached. He went slower and continued to rub her essence. Emlyn was as caught in the passion as he, and he felt the vibration of her climax. She clenched him and yelled out.

“That’s it lovely. Feel me? Aye, you’re shaking. Give over to it. Find your pleasure.”

James groaned knowing he’d erupt within seconds. He thrust hard and stilled, shouting the released that entreated his entire body. His heart beat in his ears, and thrummed madly in his chest. His entire body turned to stone with the force of his culmination, for he couldn’t move.

A shudder wracked him and he was able to breathe again. He couldn’t stop touching her, and when the intensity of his climax subsided, he thrust gently and held her.

“You’re incredible, lass. Aye, I’m still shaking.” With his eyes closed, he was content to hold her and keep her where she was.

“James, I’m cold.” She shivered, and he felt her body tremble.

He sat up and reached for the tartan he’d placed at the end of the cot. When he settled back, she cuddled next to him. He regarded her face in the darkness of the tent. She looked well-loved and her eyes darkened with passion, her lips wet with their kisses.

“You’re so bonny. I swore you were a faerie when I saw you. Aye and your lovely body so pleasing …” James’ body became lethargic from the drink and lovemaking. He stilled and closed his eyes, content to give over to the sleep that called earnestly to him.

“You didn’t answer me,” she whispered. “Will you promise to take me?”

“Aye, whatever … you want.” James kept his eyes closed and succumbed to his inebriation. He fell asleep within seconds unaware of what he’d promised.

James was rousted by his comrades’ boisterous return. He groaned but kept still, for his head thumped and was akin to a drum echoing in an open field. He daren’t open his eyes certain they’d burn from the light.

“Well damn me, I knew I should’ve come back with James last eve,” Sean said.

“Aye, looks like he found a faerie in the woods,” Kenneth jested.

“Who is she?” Colm asked.

“Damned if I know,” Sean replied.

“James, best awaken and send your lass on her way before Grey comes.”

James frowned at Kenneth’s words. Lass? He moaned and squinted for the brightness outside filtered through the tent. It was morning already? He groaned at the thought that the sleep he needed had passed in the blink of an eye.

“Och she’s bonny I’ll give ye that,” Sean said.

“Aye, he was always one for red-haired lassies. Akin to me,” Kenneth said, and laughed, “for my Elisa has hair as red as the lass’ in his arms.”

“You know what they say about red-haired lassies,” Colm said, chuckling. He’d made that jest before, and none of them found humor in it.

James spied the woman lying next to him and let out a curse. “Cosh! Leave us,” was all he managed to say.

Their laughter followed in their wake as they left the tent.

James watched Emlyn’s face, and he removed a curl that fell across her nose. Her pert nose had a smattering of freckles. The bonny shade of her hair glowed in the morning light. Damn, she was beautiful up close, and amazingly, she lay in his arms.

“Lovely, we need to rise.” He shook her.

She opened her eyes and stretched, causing her body to press against his.

James couldn’t stop the moan that escaped him. “God Almighty, you’re a temptress. Och there’s no excuse for my behavior. I’m sorry I took your virginity, lass. I …” He was waylaid at his conduct and mortified. At least what he remembered of it. Damnation, he’d never drink to such a state again. The thought of not knowing his actions unsettled him.

“Who says you did?”

“You’re here in my arms, naked as am I. What else am I to think?”

“Ah, and ye deem, warrior, that I gave myself to you? You are not my first, for I’ve lain with another.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners with mirth. “Worry not, for I am not a lass to shriek over such matters.”

He didn’t like hearing that. For if she was with a man, he’d hoped he would’ve been the first, and hell, only. She didn’t seem harmed by their encounter and so he brushed it aside. When she bent to retrieve her gown, he noticed the curve of her arse and couldn’t resist giving it an affectionate caress.

Tempting.

She turned and glared at him.

“Would that I could love you again. I’m glad I wasn’t dreaming.” And as the words came forth, his rod hardened and was in the perfect position to enter her.

She gasped and shoved his chest. Emlyn rolled off the cot and stood naked in front of him. James took in as much of her as he could before she pulled the gown over her head. She knelt next to him and her pretty green eyes bore into his.

“Remember your promise. Tell me when and where to meet you for it must be soon.”

“Promise? What promise, lovely?” James couldn’t remember much of anything that had happened last eve, let alone promising her something. He tried to recall, but nothing came to him.

“When we’re to leave. You promised to take me with you.”

“I can’t do that, lass. Do you know what you’re asking?” He noticed he’d marked her and the evidence of what he’d done was clearly discernable on the delicate skin of her neck. James flinched, but couldn’t think straight with his head thumping.

“Aye, I do.” She gazed at him with ire, and bunched up his tartan and threw it at him.

James got off the cot and wrapped it around his waist. “You’re asking me to cause a war. If I take you …” He couldn’t abate the frown that came upon him.

Emlyn threw her fist and stuck him in the eye. She had a powerful punch. He saw stars for a few seconds and it smarted like hell.

“Damn, lass, what’d you do that for?” He rubbed his eye, certain it’d turn blue before he left the tent.

“For breaking your promise. I should’ve known you couldn’t be trusted. You’ve already gone back on your word.”

He shook his head, disbelieving what he was hearing. “Emlyn, I cannot do ask you ask. If I promised you that, then I am sorry for I drank much last eve. I knew not what I said. I had no right to promise you that.”