of his shirt. His powerful, naked body, golden skin stretched tight over rippling muscles, was a feast for the eyes. A feast she was only too happy to partake of. Ali ran the tip of her finger along his jutting erection. His long, thick shaft twitched, and he groaned. “The priest was right—yer a witch,” he growled.
“Hey.” She twined her fingers in his chest hair and tugged lightly.
“Rough, too, but I like it.” Rory grinned. Reaching for her, he hauled her within easy reach of his nimble fingers and unclasped her necklace, tossing it on the bedside table. He worked at the hooks of her gown. Seconds later, he had her bared to the waist. “You must have had a lot of prac
tice to be able to get me out . . . ah.” She moaned when he reached up to cup her breasts, sucking one nipple and then the other into his hot, wet mouth.
She let out a startled cry when he tossed her onto her back. He lifted his head and winced. “I’m sorry, did I hurt you, love?”
Ali slowly shook her head from side to side, as anxious for him to be rid of her clothes as he was. Rory tugged her gown over her hips, then froze. Searching her face, he shoved his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry, Aileanna —
the bairn, I forgot.”
He caressed her bel y, then dipped his head to drop a soft kiss there. The muscles in her stomach contracted. Her core grew slick and hot with need. With one last gentle pat to her bel y, he dropped onto his back, an arm over his eyes, his breathing ragged.
Ali struggled out of the rest of her clothes and came onto her knees beside him. She lifted his arm from his eyes. He cracked one eye open. “You can’t be serious?”
she muttered.
“I doona’ want to hurt you or the bairn. We can’t . . .” He waved his hand at their naked bodies. 338
His eyes widened when Ali straddled him. She brought her face within inches of his. “Rory MacLeod, I am strong and healthy. So is our baby. Trust me—not making love to me at this moment is much more harmful to my health, and that is definitely not good for the baby.”
His eyes searched hers. A slow smile curved his ful lips. “We canna’ have that, now can we?” He threaded his fingers through her hair and brought her mouth to his. “Yer certain?”
“Positive,” she murmured before she nibbled the corner of his mouth, sweeping the tip of her tongue over his lips, tasting the smooth, rich flavor of whiskey. She delved inside the moist heat to thrust and parry with his tongue. With her kiss, she showed him how much she loved him, how much she needed him. Rory groaned and wrapped her in his arms. “You canna’
ken how much I’ve missed you, missed this.”
Ali blinked back tears. She didn’t want to cry, not now. Raw emotions simmered too close to the surface, and she could only nod her agreement.
She eased out of his arms. “Now it’s my turn to take care of you.” Her voice deepened with desire. Rory’s eyes darkened. “Whatever you say, my love.”
His long, hard erection jerked against her. Ali leaned forward with her hands pressed to his broad chest and slid up and down his shaft.
“Ride me.” His thick brogue grew more pronounced. Ali wrapped her hand around his pulsating shaft and guided it to where she was throbbing and needy. She low
ered herself slowly. Taking him inside her, her sheath em
braced him. He arched his hips, fil ing her to the hilt. She rode him, panting, groaning when he kneaded her breasts with his big, rough hands. He pul ed her down to him, drawing her nipple into his mouth. He suckled hard. LORD OF THE ISLES
339
She opened her eyes. He devoured her with his, her love and passion reflected back at her.
“Come fer me, Aileanna.” His voice was thick with desire. She leaned back, her fingers digging into his strong, muscular thighs. He plunged in and out of her, stroking her nub with his talented fingers. He seared her with his touch, branding her as his. Ali felt the intensity building at the center of her core and shuddered as the sensations washed over her. She shattered at the same time as Rory let out a low, guttural groan and came inside her. Later, lying spent in Rory’s arms, she brushed the pad of her thumb across the ful bottom lip of a mouth that had brought her to unbelievable heights only moments before. He smiled and dropped a kiss on her forehead. He tugged a silver band from his baby finger and brought her left hand to his mouth. Rory kissed the tip of each of her fingers before sliding the ring onto her fourth one.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, admiring the intricate mark
ings on the thick silver band. “Was . . . was it Brianna’s?”
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. She wished it didn’t matter to her, but it did. “What are you doing?” she protested when he slipped the ring from her finger.
“I had the ring made before I went to Lewis, Aileanna. Can you see the etchin’ on the inside of the band?” His voice was gruff. He held the ring so it gleamed in the moonlight, tilting the band so she could see the engraving. She squinted. “I can’t read it.”
“It says, ‘you and no other’.” He slid the ring back on her finger. “There is no other fer me, Aileanna, but you. Yer sister and I married, as most do in my time, fer the better
ment of the clan. I did love her. But no’ like I love you. At one time it scared me how strong my love fer you was, but no longer. I ken I’m no’ my father.”
“I’m sorry, Rory. I don’t mean to be jealous.” She 340
