“I meant for food.” He wriggled underneath her and groaned. “Hold still, love.”
“I cannae hold still.” And going by the hardening of the bulge within his pants, he too held a definite hunger for her. She tentatively touched the heaviness of his shaft through the soft black leather and another husky groan rumbled from deep within his chest. “Do you hurt?”
“Immensely, and that part of me has no’ ceased aching since you fell asleep in my lap.”
“An ache I shall tend to the first moment I can.” She rubbed her palm over him some more and nibbled again on his neck, grinned as he growled low a second time.
“Lower the sail and all to oars,” Duncan ordered, and not soon enough for her liking or Ronan’s either considering his harried thoughts.
Along the rugged coastline, the forest butted right up to the sea and sunshine bathed the treetops a golden hue. They cruised into Red Point beach, found a clear spot on the sand where the men set up camp, hunted game then roasted their catch over an open fire that sizzled and warmed her through where she sat before it. Her belly rumbled as the succulent aroma of cooked goose and fried fish pervaded the air.
“No’ long now.” Ronan shrugged on a fur vest and settled in behind her, his legs either side of hers.
She leaned back against his chest, her tartan snugly wrapped around her and the fire’s brilliant orange and red flames flickering bright. Never had she been so content, well except for her itchy skin. Salt encrusted the black cloth and it scratched and irritated. “I would dearly love a wash and a change of clothes.”
“We can bathe after we’ve eaten. I’ve been to this place a time or two afore and there’s a small pool of water in the forest which is very private.” Gently, he swept her hair to one side then buried his nose against her neck, his touch making her want to rub up against him in every single way. “Your skin is so silky and soft, your hair such a striking shade that it shimmers like burnished gold in the morning light.”
“It does?”
“Aye,” he purred in her ear. “I want to see your hair spread over my pillow as the sun rises each morning, and your skin, I want to explore every inch of it, day and night.” He selected one of the sticks of meat from the fire, set it aside to cool down then once it had, he tore off a chunk and slipped the morsel between her lips. “I intend on beginning that exploration very, very soon. How fast can you eat?”
“I can inhale my food if needed.” Giggling, she plucked a piece of meat from the skewer and fed him. “What of my parents?”
“’Twill be best if I send a messenger with a missive for them instead of riding to see them myself. You can add your own words to mine. Just dinnae ask me to leave you right now, no’ after all that has occurred.” He continued to feed her and as they ate, the other men did the same from where they sat scattered about the beach and along the grassy bank edging the forest.
The galley sat half-beached on the sand and Duncan foraged about onboard, snagged a couple of bags then bounded onto the sand and strode toward her. He set one of the bags at her feet then perched on a low boulder wedged in the reddish-gold grains next to her. “I’ve borrowed some clothes from my squire and they’re in that bag. They should fit you. How do you feel?”
“I’m fine, and I’m also truly sorry that Jeremiah caught me unawares at Carron. He didnae give me the chance to call out a warning.”
“Jeremiah will never take you from us again, and the moment we return, I’ll ensure the underground tunnels are blocked off completely so that none can ever enter through them again.” Duncan chose a skewer and bit the meat off. “With your abduction, Jeremiah has declared war against Coll and I, which means building up our ranks is now of the utmost importance.”
“You can include me in those ranks.” Ronan tightened his hold around her waist as he eyed her brother. “I’ve no intention of deserting you and Coll when your need is so great.”
“You have my immense thanks.” Duncan nodded as he ate. “Glad I am to have you as my brother now, and you can be assured neither my men or I will ever raise arms against a Matheson.”
“We have so many lost years to make up for.” Ronan extended his hand and Duncan shook it.
“That we do.”
“’Tis wonderful to see you two getting along so well.” She beamed, her happiness overwhelming her. Having her nearest and dearest right here with her was a dream, and once Coll returned from his mission, even more so.
“I would do whatever it took to make you happy.” Ronan dropped a soft kiss on her neck. “Have you eaten your full yet?”
“Most definitely.”