It was far too difficult to douse that blaze of passion that seared his thoughts. She’d never been kissed before him. He’d been able to tell by the initial clumsy flicks of her tongue against his.
She was a fast learner, though, her body acting with an instinct that set his blood alight. A woman of incredible passion.
His cock stirred, as it did far too often now. It woke him in the middle of the night, painfully hard with desire. It was there in the morning, too, greeting him to a new day of unsatisfied lust.
Damn desire.
The journey took longer than anticipated due to an abundance of rain that left the roads thick with sucking mud. By some miracle, William’s wound didn’t get infected despite the dismal conditions. Indeed, it had begun to heal nicely with a pink, new skin slowly closing over the injury.
It was a good thing they did not try their luck at Mabrick Castle again, else they would have arrived late. As it was, the hulking form of Edinburgh Castle appeared on the horizon the day they were due to arrive.
The castle had been reclaimed some months before by King David’s cousin, Edward, which made it the perfect meeting place for their impending attack on Lothian.
William’s father would be waiting for him in those thick castle walls. The thought was enough to wilt even the hardest of cockstands.
Reid rode up alongside him. “I see yer kiss dinna win her over.”
William glanced to where Kinsey rode, straight-backed and determined as any warrior, her gaze focused ahead. She hadn’t so much as turned in his direction all day.
Mayhap he’d gone too far by kissing her silky throat or taking her fine breast in his hand. She’d been firm and full in his palm, her nipple taut, as if eager for the heat of his mouth. And she had moaned with pleasure when he’d caressed her.
She hadn’t pulled away. He wouldn’t have persisted if she had.
Indeed, she had ground her body against him, stoking the inferno of his desire with each flex of her pelvis against his.
William lifted his shoulders in a shrug, as though he didn’t care. “I’ll have to try harder next time.”
Reid smirked. “If ye think there will be one.”
William let his gaze linger on her as he recalled for the countless time the eagerness of her kisses. “Ach, aye, there will be.”
He said it with such confidence, he almost believed it himself.
After all, he’d always attracted women. It was effortless on his part. They’d seemed drawn to him. Until Kinsey, who appeared absolutely unaffected by him. The more he tried, the less she cared.
At least until that kiss.
The longing nearly drove him mad. He wanted to kiss her again, hold her again, take things further than he had the first time.
All too soon, they were riding through the slanted streets of Edinburgh, making their way up the steep hill toward the castle. Toward William’s father.
William allowed his army free reign of the city, with instructions to meet back at The Pig and Pony, an inn he’d stayed at previously. The place had good ale and was mostly free of vermin.
Among those who dispersed was Kinsey, without even a backward glance at him.
Reid stayed at William’s side, as he always did. They arrived at the castle and deposited their steeds with a stable lad. Inside, the halls bustled with activity, suggesting the king had already arrived as well.
“William.” The familiar voice coiled around William’s chest and squeezed.
He turned to find his father making his way toward them in an immaculate red tunic embellished with gold thread. His thick gray hair fell to his shoulders in purposeful waves.
Laird MacLeod was a proud man. Proud and cold.
They met without embracing. “I trust ye have a victory to announce,” his father said.
William’s heart sank, knowing the disappointment he would lay at his father’s feet. Dread washed over him like an icy wave.
He shouldn’t care, damn it. He wasn’t a lad anymore. He was a man, one who made careful decisions, who put his men before glory.
“I see.” His father’s gray eyes narrowed. “I’d like to speak with ye.” He redirected his glare at Reid. “Alone.”
Reid inclined his head. “Aye, Laird.” He cast a quick look at William, as though wanting to lend his support and decline the laird’s offer. In the end, he said nothing and turned toward the Great Hall.
Laird MacLeod led William up the winding stairs to a small private room. Though nearly the size of a privy chamber, the quarters that William’s father was given to stay within was an honor. William, however, would be sleeping at the Pig and Pony, along with the rest of his men.
Once the door was closed, William’s father turned toward him with such vigor, his tunic rippled. “There was no victory, I take it?”
“No’ on our first attempt.”
“There was a second?”
William squared his shoulders. “No’ yet. The guards were alerted to our presence, so I thought it best to come to Edinburgh rather than engage in a second attack. Lucky that we did, else we’d no’ have made it on time.”
His father lifted his chin. “Ye failed.”
William could have offered excuses. Especially in regard to the new weapon the English had used. “’Tis only failure if I stop trying. I intend to go back. And next time, I will be successful.”
Laird MacLeod shook his head. “Ye take after yer mum. Her head was in the clouds more than on the ground, like ye.” He frowned with disapproval. “Men canna have the luxury of such distracted focus.”
“Dinna speak of her in such a manner,” William said, raising his voice.
His father smirked. “Ye dinna even know her.”
“I know she gave her life for mine.” William glared at his father. “And I know she had fortitude enough to endure yer cruelty.”
Laird MacLeod’s mouth opened in outrage.
William put up a hand to stop anything his
