The Stolen Bride (Lions of the Black Isle Book 1) Read online

  She loved his mouth, the supple masculine strength and warmth that made her shiver—as it did now. The juncture between her legs tightened with desire. Disdain rose at her weakness. He covered a breast with his palm. God help her, she’d missed him badly these last months. His hands were glorious. Was she dreaming? Tears stung.

  “I loved ye from the moment I saw you,” he whispered.

  She blinked. “What?”

  “Dinnae act innocent,” he said. “Ye know the truth.”

  Truth? What truth? That she would sacrifice her pride and dignity just to have him close? He gently thrust and she drew a sharp breath when the hard ridge of his arousal dug into her belly. She shivered.

  Aidan thrust again. Desire streaked through her. Her heart beat hard and fast. Just a look from him weakened her knees. This…this rendered her senseless. He kneaded her breast and she arched into his palm. His mouth covered hers and he thrust his tongue between her lips. She opened for him, urging him to plunder. The ache between her legs intensified and she could think of nothing but having him inside her. As if he’d read her mind, he broke the kiss, yanked up her skirt, and settled between her legs. The warmth of his hard thighs sent a dizzying current through her. She tightened her arms around his neck as he drove inside her.

  He shoved his arms beneath her and hugged her so close, she felt as if they shared one skin. Each stroke of his cock against her channel walls sent a ripple of pleasure through her. How had she thought it possible to live without him? He kissed her again and, this time, he sucked her tongue into his mouth. He groaned and plunged into her channel. Brighid gasped. Pleasure ripped through her.

  “Brighid,” he whispered.

  Her heart thundered.

  The flutter deep in her core that signaled her climax intensified. He pumped faster. She wrapped her legs around his hips and urged him deeper. He buried his face in her neck. His warm breath bathed her skin and she fell over the precipice. Light exploded behind her eyes.

  “Aidan,” she cried out.

  He groaned. She dropped her feet to the mattress and shoved her hips up to meet his thrusts. He slid his mouth along her neck, then down over the curve of her breast. A tremor rocked her when he tugged down her bodice and flicked his tongue on her nipple. His thrusts slowed and she gasped when another climax rolled over her. Three final, slow thrusts stroked her channel walls before he finally collapsed on top of her. His heart galloped against her chest. She loved holding him close in the moments after he’d found his pleasure. It seemed in those moments that nothing existed but the beating of their two hearts.

  Aidan drew a deep breath and slowly eased from her, then pulled free and stood. Pain slashed through her. The moment had lasted a fraction of the usual. Perhaps he realized his folly in kidnapping her. Was the ceremony performed by the visiting priests binding?

  He started toward the door. Her heart skipped a beat. Did he intend to leave? He halted by the door and picked up a sporran. He pulled something out, then turned and strode toward the bed. Brighid sat up and yanked her skirts down over her legs as he reached her. Aidan sat on the mattress beside her, then grasped her left hand and slipped a ring onto her finger. The stone glinted in the firelight and she drew a sharp breath at seeing the dark emerald set in gold. Was this the ring Aidan had spoken of, the ring his father had given his mother?

  She snapped her face up to his. “I-I dinnae understand.”

  “Nae?”

  She gave a single shake of her head.

  “I told ye when we married you would wear my mother’s ring.”

  “That wasnae a real wedding,” she whispered.

  He lifted a brow. “It was—and if ye say otherwise, I will call the three priests as witness to our joining—and consummation.” He stood and pulled her up.

  Her pulse raced. Was this real? Maybe she’d been dreaming all along.

  Aidan placed a finger beneath her chin and tilted her face upward. “Ye need to know something.”

  She stared.

  “I love you. And I will never stop loving you. Do ye understand?”

  Did she understand? Brighid nodded.

  “Good. Now we are going home where I can properly make love to my wife.”

  ###

  The Convenient Bride

  He is forced to marry for money, but won’t give up love. Even an impoverished Lion of the Black Isle can charm a wife into falling in love with him.

  Chapter One

  What woman on her wedding day sees a man for who he truly is?

  Fiona Grant stared at the floor as her father led her up the narrow chapel aisle past the guests and halted at the altar, where Liam Munro stood before the priest who would bind them as man and wife for eternity. Her pulse quickened. If not for the conflict that had broken out between the Munros and the Patersons three years ago, she probably never would have met Liam. But his father made peace with her father after a five-year cattle grazing dispute and proposed an alliance that brought the Patersons to their knees.

  Liam’s offer of marriage three months past had shocked her, for her foolish heart had leapt at the possibility that he had fallen in love with her upon that first meeting, as she had him. Of course, he hadn’t. As a man, Liam Munro could have his choice of women—and no doubt had. As a Lion of the Black Isle, he needed a well-dowered bride to fill the family’s depleted coffers.

  Fiona hazarded a covert glance at Liam, and suddenly wished she had met with him a month ago as he’d requested. She’d feared if he guessed her feelings, he would withdraw his offer. After all, what need had a lion for the love of a convenient bride? She, however, was ashamed to admit that she would take Liam Munro on any terms. Now, that lion stood beside her at the altar. Mary, mother of God, give her strength.

  Her father kissed her cheek. “Courage, child,” he whispered in her ear, and left her standing with Liam.

  The priest began the benediction, nodding solemnly as they grasped hands. He looked past her, into the candlelit chapel and spoke in his deep, carrying voice. Moments later, he pronounced them man and wife.

  Liam shifted and Fiona started when he grasped her shoulders and turned her toward him. She lifted her gaze to his face. Shock reverberated through her. She hadn’t expected love, but neither had she expected the cold mask that stared down at her. He bent and brushed his lips across hers. Except for the warmth of his mouth, she discerned no other indication that he was made of flesh and blood.

  Fear lanced through Fiona. Did he hate her?

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  Other Lions of the Black Isle stories

  The Forbidden Bride

  Book Three

  The Wicked Bride

  Book Four

  Edge of Yesterday

  Book One Edge Series

  Men are disappearing in the Highland crofting village of Heatheredge. The authorities suspect foul play, but without signs of violence—or bodies—they can’t prove a thing.

  World champion swordsman Cailean Ross is living the fantasy of a lifetime as the victor of Heatheredge’s medieval reenactment Gathering. But when the fantasy turns into reality, swordplay becomes a fight to the death and he finds himself among the ‘missing’ statistics.

  Julianna Mackay flees a man she fears is an evil wizard and literally runs into handsome Cailean Ross. Cailean defends Lady Julianna from her attackers. Together, they set out in search of the key to a six-hundred-year-old curse that can only be broken in medieval Scotland.

  When the veil of time is lifted, Cailean and Julianna find that love may not be enough to save them or those they hold dear.

  Excerpt--

  She preceded him into the kitchen and stopped at sight of Cailean, hip leaning against the heavy oaken table where Sue pounded bread.

  “Ye are a rogue, Cailean.” The dark-haired girl laughed a husky, sensual laugh.

  Cailean laid a hand over his heart. “Ye wound me, lass.”

  “Cailean, since you are here playing with the lasses, ye can m
ake yourself useful,” Cook said.

  “I am at your service, madam.”

  Cook gave him a stern look that didn’t quite mask the smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Julianna stared. Cook was ancient. Surely she wasn’t charmed by the man? He clearly enjoyed being the center of the women’s attention, but that was like a man. Still, she had been certain he had some affection for her. Why— Then she knew why. Sir Lawren hovered at her side. Someone told Cailean that Sir Lawren courted her. Lennox—no, she realized as quickly as the thought formed. After last night, Lennox couldn’t be amenable to the match. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t allow Cailean to believe there was more between her and Sir Lawren than there was. She would have a long talk with her brother.

  “Bring those oats over here, Cailean.” Cook pointed to a sack of oats in the corner near the kitchen door.

  Sue’s eyes shifted to Julianna and Cailean looked in her direction.

  He straightened from the table. “My lady.”

  The amusement died from his expression. Aye, something had definitely changed between them.

  Cook and the other women looked her way. Sweet Jesu, they had been so enthralled with him that they hadn’t noticed her presence. Sue yanked her attention to the bread she was kneading.

  “You seem to be enjoying yourself, Cailean.”

  Sir Lawren stiffened beside her and she realized her mistake. Julianna went to the table and set down the eggs. Cailean seemed to break from a spell and hurried to the corner and fetched the bag of oats.

  “Thank ye, Cailean,” Cook said.

  Julianna glimpsed the side-look Sue cast in his direction. This time, he seemed oblivious of her attention. He also wasn’t looking in Julianna’s direction. She would take care of that. First, however, she had to send Sir Lawren on his way.

  Julianna strode from the kitchen and wasn’t surprised when the knight followed.

  “Lady Julianna,” he said when they’d taken a few steps, “I would speak with you alone.”

  She glimpsed the handful of knights sitting near the hearth and her cheeks warmed when two of the men glanced in their direction. Heaven help her, Lawren was either going to propose or try to make love to her. Now was not the time for either.

  “Forgive me, Sir Lawren, I forgot to give Cook instructions for the evening meal. My mother invited guests.” A blatant lie, but one that would save her a great deal of trouble. “Can we talk later—or tomorrow, perhaps? I have much work today.” She turned and headed back to the kitchen.

  She got three steps when he called, “Lady Julianna.”

  Julianna feared he would come after her. She glanced over her shoulder. “Please, my lord, I—”

  His eyes widened and he took a step toward her. “My lady—”

  She yanked her attention toward the kitchen and got a mouthful of shirt and hard muscle. Something thudded onto her feet. She cried out as strong fingers seized her arms. Julianna snapped her head up and met Cailean’s gaze.

  “Are you all right, my lady?” he demanded.

  His brow furrowed and the concern in his eyes made her knees go weak. Something struck her foot and she looked down to see apples scattered across the floor. A burlap bag lay half across their feet and half on the floor.

  She lifted her face to Cailean’s. “Apples.”

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  About the Authors

  USA Today and Internationally bestselling authors Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Tarah Scott have more in common than friendship. For many years, they’ve both enjoyed spending their working hours in a world of romance and adventure, bringing handsome Highlanders and their ladies to life. Now they’ve joined pens, deciding that when it comes to happily-ever-afters, two writers can stir up even more danger and desire for the characters they love.