Chapter Nine #2
"Damnation, Camille. I'm going to blast like a cannon," he warned.
She lifted her head to look at him, wondering what he wanted her to do.
At the speed of lightning, he flipped her onto her back, pushed her legs up and plunged into her depths. She cried out at the amazing sensation of him filling her.
He growled, a seemingly animalistic part of him taking over.
With driving force, he hammered into her with a rhythm so fast and hard all thought left her mind.
The furious pleasure he wrought on her body climbed and climbed and finally catapulted her toward the stars.
Fireworks exploded within her even as she felt him shoving to her depths and grinding against her, riding out the peak of his own pleasure.
Moments later, he flopped to the mattress beside her, breathing hard, and drew her against him. She slipped her arms around his trim waist and pressed herself close to him, unable to believe how precious he was to her.
Exhausted, she fell asleep, but was awakened sometime later when he kissed her cheek and nuzzled her ear. Lying behind her now, he ran his hands over her, then palmed her breast and toyed with her nipple.
Moaning at the erotic sensation, she arched back against him. His hard shaft rubbed against her derriere. Within moments, he was again sliding within her, from the back this time, and giving her unimaginable pleasure.
The second time this happened, she asked, "Again?"
"Aye. I'm going to take you as many times as I can this night," he said, his voice gruff.
Good heavens! He had an unquenchable carnal appetite, but she would never complain.
She wanted him just as fiercely. Never had a man shown so much passion for her and she was overjoyed.
If only she didn't have to go home. If only she could stay with him and become his wife.
But he would want a true lady, not the bastard daughter of a Frenchman.
Camille's mother had been a lady but that did not make her one.
After Camille dropped off to sleep, a loud knock pounded at the door. She jumped, so startled she didn't remember where she was. The massive arm around her tightened. Dugald mumbled something in his sleep.
"Shh," she hissed, remembering exactly where they were and why no one should find him in her chamber. She turned in his arms. "Shhh, Dugald. You must be quiet."
He opened his eyes. Dawn light filtered in through the tiny window. "I wasn't going to stay here all night."
"Someone is at the door."
The knocking sounded again.
"I'm going to sleep a bit longer!" she yelled at the door.
"Aye, m'lady," called a female voice. Footsteps receded.
"Now you can escape without anyone seeing you," Camille whispered.
He turned over and sat up on the edge of the bed. "'Slud," he muttered, rubbing his face and bedraggled hair. "Too much bedding and not enough sleeping." Turning, he grinned at her as if not at all put out by the lack of sleep.
"There can never be too much." She stroked the hard muscles of his back, wishing she could wake every morn like this.
"Aye, 'tis true." He pulled his shirt on over his head. "In fact, I want you again now. But I'll have to wait."
"Do not tempt me, monsieur."
"I love tempting you, and torturing you. Making you beg for it, and scream."
Excitement bloomed through her at the images his words provoked. "Stop it or I will tie you to this bed."
He chuckled. After observing her for a long moment, he grew serious. "We'll be leaving right after we eat. Will you be ready?"
"Of course. I don't hear any rain. 'Haps we will have good travels."
"Aye."
"Let me check the corridor for you." Getting up, she found her shift on the floor. As she shook out the garment, Dugald grabbed her and she landed in his warm embrace.
"I swear you are the most luscious woman I have ever seen," he whispered fiercely into her ear.
"And you are the most gorgeous and sweetest of men."
He drew back in mock affront. "Sweetest?"
"Oui."
"I think you mistranslated."
"Non. You are a rogue, but also sweet."
He chuckled, set her away from him, then playfully smacked her derriere. "Do you need help with that?"
"Oui." She tossed the garment to him, then watched him struggle with it in the dim light which filtered through the narrow window.
Once he had it right, he slipped it over her head and let it fall into place. "Such a shame to cover all this beauty."
"Mayhap I will let you undress me again sometime."
He growled and dragged her flush against his hard body. "Aye, you will." He kissed her neck and released her.
She cautiously opened the door and stuck her head into the corridor. Not seeing anyone, she motioned him forward. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips then slipped out and toward the back servants' stair.
After closing the door, Camille missed him so badly tears pricked her eyes.
What on earth was she going to do once he took her back to Draughon and left?
She slumped onto the bed, feeling dismal and defeated of a sudden.
How could she have fallen for Dugald so quickly?
It made no sense. Maybe it was only infatuation.
Exhausted, she crawled beneath the covers and inhaled his heady masculine scent still lingering on the sheets. She craved his arms around her, his lips on hers. More tears filled her eyes. How could she live without him?
She must have cried herself to sleep, for a knock on the door startled her.
"Oui?"
"'Tis time to break your fast, m'lady. Laird MacKerrick mentioned your party would be leaving and sent me for you."
Camille dragged herself from the bed. "I am up," she grumbled. Though she didn't want to be. She wanted to be sleeping in Dugald's arms. Besides, leaving here meant she was closer to going home and never seeing Dugald again.
The maid opened the door and carried in a pitcher of water. "I will help you dress, m'lady."
"Très bien. Merci."
After Camille washed her face in the warm water, then took a quick sponge bath, the maid helped her into her clothing, which had been drying in front of the fireplace all night.
The maid then styled her hair into a single, thick braid and twisted it up.
Within minutes, Camille headed down to breakfast.
Thank the saints the meal hadn't yet begun. She was seated far away from Dugald this time, next to Laird MacVay. He asked her so many questions during the meal, he was starting to annoy her. She answered as briefly as possible each time, wishing he would leave off.
"Dugald and Sarah will make a fine couple, will they not?" he asked.