During their first time, his own desire had nearly consumed him. Now, he wanted to give her more of his attention.

When he started moving, she cried out and held on tighter around his neck. "Aye," she breathed against his mouth. He captured her beautiful lips and devoured them. His body near went up in the flames of sexual pleasure.

She lifted her hips, boldly meeting each of his thrusts. Damnation, he was fast becoming addicted to this woman. They'd only indulged a few minutes ago. And he feared twice in one day would never be enough for him.

'Twas as if the first time had only been an appetizer and this was the main course. She accepted his scorching kisses, taking everything he was giving and eager for more. Thank the saints, she was a passionate woman who loved carnal pleasures. Or maybe 'twas their special connection and him that fired her up. He hoped.

"So damned good, Jessie," he growled against her mouth.

"Aye. Amazing," she hissed.

Her obvious enjoyment and her ardor for him sent his arousal blazing toward the sky faster than he would've liked. Nay, he had to pace himself and give her more pleasure than she'd ever thought possible. She wouldn't even remember MacBain's name by the time he was through with her this day. Torrin wanted her addicted to the pleasures he could give her. He wanted her to need him and think of him night and day.

Pausing, he moved down and drew her puckered nipple into his mouth while cradling her breasts within his hands. Her breasts were not overly large, nor were they small. Just the right size, to his way of thinking. Beautiful, creamy and perky with rosy pink nipples.

He moaned and switched to her other nipple. As he suckled it, she shoved her hips upward, imbedding him deeper. The sudden decadence of the move gripped him, and he growled. He wished he could bring her to climax several times before he reached his own, but he wasn't sure he could endure it this time.

After licking his thumb, he slid it between their bodies to stroke that highly sensitive pleasure point, that wee rigid bud just above where he slid. While caressing with his thumb, he thrust harder and faster. The expression on her face was beyond blissful. How he loved watching her at the peak of passion.

Her nails dug into his shoulders, tighter and tighter until she screamed, her body flexing hard and bowing upwards. Her nipples grew even harder and he suckled at one while pounding into her at the height of her pleasure. He held back his own release as long as he could. Once hers ebbed, his own crashed in on him, consuming all thought except how much he loved this woman. Aye, she was his, and he was never letting her go.

The pleasure drained away, bit by bit, and he slowly came back to himself, breathing hard. Saints, he felt like he'd climbed a mountain.

"Jessie," he said between hard breaths. "You are amazing."

She giggled, and the playful, happy look in her eyes told him all he needed to know right now.

Lying down beside her on the warm sand, he kissed her and held her close in his arms. The smile would not leave his face and his heart beat with joy and victory. Aye, she was his now, and she would soon realize that of her own free will. He didn't need to use words to convince her of anything. She would feel it when the time was right. He would show her what a joy life could be.

He drew back. "How about another swim? That one was cut short."

She smiled. "Aye, I'm ready to cool off."

He stood, then took her hand and helped her up. Hand in hand, they ran toward the water. He loved how fearless she was, going naked just as he was. She was a good swimmer, too.

For an endless time, they played in the water, splashing each other, swimming and jumping waves. Torrin grabbed her and kissed her every chance he got, and each time aroused him more and more. Soon, he would need her again, and he hoped she would need him as well.

Movement on the beach caught his attention. He blinked the burning salt water from his eyes. Around a dozen men were lined up along the beach. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? "What the hell?"

Jessie turned abruptly. "Who is—? Haldane?"

Chapter Eight

"That little bastard." Rage twisted through Jessie, and she started from the chest-deep water toward her youngest brother, Haldane, an outlaw who knew better than to show his face here.

"You're naked." Torrin grabbed her arm just as a wave crashed over their shoulders.

She muttered a curse and slid behind him while looking over his shoulder. "Haldane!" she yelled over the crashing waves. "Take your men and go!" She pointed firmly. Though Haldane was an adult and was by no means small, he was four years her junior. She'd always ordered him about, but he'd rarely obeyed her, or anyone.

Even at this distance, she saw his satisfied smile. He shook his head, his bright copper hair and short beard gleaming in the sunlight.

"That gray-haired man beside him is McMurdo," Torrin said.

"Aye." Jessie had seen the infamous highwayman only a few times in her life and knew he had killed at least eighteen people, maybe more, including her cousin. Plus, he had come close to killing Dirk.

"We can wait all day," Haldane called, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What do you want?" Torrin demanded.

"My sister is going to gain us entrance at Dunnakeil."

"You're wrong, Haldane!" she yelled.

"What are you going to do about it? I have your clothes and your weapons. There is no escape from Sango Bay except up this bank, unless you have a galley somewhere. Or maybe you can swim for a couple miles in the sea."

"Oh, that bastard," Jessie growled between clenched teeth. "I could choke him." He was right; there was no exit from this bay except behind Haldane and his men. Sheer cliffs enclosed the two sides. "Leave now, Haldane! Or I'll throttle you."

He laughed. "I doubt that, sister. You and your lover are outnumbered. We're armed and you are not."

Her blood ran cold and the chill sea water wasn't helping any. The sun was descending in the western sky, and the wind was growing cooler. How long had she and Torrin been here? Clearly, they should've left an hour ago.

"Leave our clothes at the edge of the water and turn your backs!" she commanded.

Haldane did as she said, leaving their clothes in a pile just beyond the surf, turned his back, then he said something low to McMurdo. Several more of the men faced the bank, but not McMurdo.

"Turn around, McMurdo!" she demanded.

He shook his head. "Are you thinking I've never seen a naked woman afore? Trust me, I've seen a few." His nasty grin revealed several missing teeth.

"Ugh."

"'Slud!" Torrin said. "We need to turn the tables on them."

"Aye. But how? There are a dozen of them and only two of us."

"I'll think of something. Come, let's get dressed. Stay behind me."

How mortifying to have to depend on Torrin to shield her from the view of the outlaws. Gil, a young archer who was formerly a member of the MacKay clan, stood on the hill with his arrow aimed at her and Torrin. With her wet hair hanging over her breasts, at least she was partially covered. Torrin bent and retrieved her smock, then helped her put it on, along with the rest of her clothing, uncaring of his own nudity.

She eyed the outlaws while Torrin dressed. Most of them faced Jessie and Torrin again, vile grins on their unshaven faces. Their unkempt hair and dirty clothing told her what sort of men they were—desperate outlaws just like Haldane. Where had he rounded up such a ragtag group? 'Twas hard to believe her wee brother had turned out so horribly. Their father would be mightily ashamed of his youngest son.