Callum spent the day in search of Keith. When he arrived at the Sutherland fortification, he’d been told Keith traveled to Edinburgh to get news with regard to the king’s treaty assembly with England. His comrade would bring the news to the north and a messenger would relay it to all the clans. Callum had correspondence with the king’s son, Earl Carrick, stating his brother sided with those who supported the king’s wish to further instigate England to arms.
With the king ailing, the council needed to name the guardianship of Scotland. Callum assumed it would pass to Carrick, the king’s eldest son, but he was badly injured recently on his return to Fife. The political unfolding would shape their kingdom and he hoped all passed smoothly, and their land wouldn’t succumb to chaos. That was if Carrick could get his brother to desist in riling the temper of England’s King Richard.
After learning the disparaged turmoil in the south, Callum was glad he’d set his men to train. Their arms might be needed sooner than he’d thought. Hopefully, his comrade would help to smooth over the discourse, or at least put forth their view. None wanted further frays, but if the English persisted, they’d have to defend their freedom.
He’d need to revisit the Sutherland holding when he received word Keith returned. Until then, he hoped Keith didn’t do something daft, like align with the Mackenzies. Callum rode hard for Sinclair land and reached his home after dark. He intended to see his lass and stood by her door. He didn’t intend to intrude or to listen to Violet and his daughter’s conversation, but he was captivated. Violet endeared his daughter, which wasn’t an easy thing to do, especially of late. It was their discussion of Violet’s daughter that drew his frown. He hadn’t known she had a child. She’d never mentioned a lass, nor had Henry.
The woman was here for a short time, and he had to remind himself of that. There could be no romantic pursuit of her, even if his manliness wouldn’t accept that. But he was unable to be in her presence without his need plaguing him, or his desire to touch her as he wanted. As much as he wanted to refute his attraction, he doubted he’d be able to.
Before she left his daughter’s chamber, Callum retreated to the kitchens to get food because he hadn’t eaten all day. Violet’s maid appeared friendly with his cook, Bailey. The two stood close, much too near for there not to be interest between them. She scurried away and hurried to get a trencher ready for him, and smiled widely while doing so. He returned to his chamber, set the trencher on the desk and peered at the missive he’d written to Henry. In it, he’d pled with Henry to settle Violet elsewhere. Callum took the missive and crushed it in his hand. He pitched it into the empty fire pit in the hearth. He considered his cousin’s words as he ate the light fare from the trencher. Clive insisted he do as he wanted. And he certainly was tempted to let his guard down with Violet.
He’d forgotten his promise to Dela and hastened to her chamber. The lass slept soundly and he didn’t wish to awaken her. On the morrow, he’d spend the morning with her and hopefully win her forgiveness. With all that happened since his visit to the border, he hadn’t realized Dela suffered. She’d not only lost her mother but him as well. He’d right the wrong. Callum pressed the covers around her and placed a light kiss on her head. He left the chamber and returned to his.
Once he stripped his clothing, he ambled to the antechamber and approached the bed. He stood braced in awe to find Violet in his bed again. Last time, she’d lain atop the covers and slept. This time, she lay beneath the covers, unclothed, and watched him. He swallowed hard as he discovered her in his bed, where his depraved mind had envisioned her all day.
Callum sat on the edge of the bed and the entire time, she kept her eyes fastened on his. He swallowed again, knowing he wasn’t about to ask her to leave. Her being there in his bed would be his defeat. With little thought, he leaned close and raised a brow at her boldness.
“Violet, what are you doing here?”
She settled her hand on his thigh and lifted her chin. He reached for her and she ended up in his arms. She settled her hand on his chest and he embraced his arm around her waist. The slightest touch of her fingers brought a sense of ease to him. Her face inches from his caused his heart to thud heavily in his chest. The will to resist her dwindled and lust swarmed his thoughts with images of her naked in his arms.
“Ever since I laid eyes on you, I longed to be held by you. To have your lips on mine, our bodies joined as one.”
Callum moaned softly in the back of his throat at her lustful words. No woman had ever been as truthfully forthright or sexy. “As have I but―”
She placed the tip of her finger on his lips. “Shhh, there are to be no buts. No man has ever affected me as you do.”
He set his forehead on hers and closed his eyes. His breath hitched as he considered her alluring invitation. Was he dreaming of the erotic moment? “I cannot speak a falsehood and say I’m not drawn to you.”
“Then kiss me, Callum.”
His lips pressed hers briefly before he opened his mouth and passion took control. He used his tongue to speak the words of his desire. The kiss spurred a longing he hadn’t possessed in a long time. His dreams of her kissing him didn’t compare to the softness of her body ardently pressed against his. He kept her against him, and the hardness of his manhood throbbed. Callum pulled back and his breath labored from the overwhelming kiss they shared.
His voice almost broke when he spoke, “If you don’t leave now, I cannot promise I won’t ravish you.”
She didn’t smile or frown but pressed her dainty hand on his face. “I want to be ravished. I want to touch every part of you, and I want you to touch me.” Violet slid her hand over his chest and settled it on his hip. “Will you deny us the pleasure?”
He should’ve said aye and forced her to leave his chamber, but Callum hadn’t wanted anything so badly in years. “Nay,” his voice cracked, and he swallowed to clear his throat. He slid his hand over the thin material of the bed cover and cupped her breast. Callum teased her nipple until she shrieked. He wanted her naked and grasped the fabric and pulled at it. Once the cover was stripped away, he peered at her naked body, so bonny and on display.
He barely breathed at the sight of her loveliness. “You are beautiful, aye more than that.”
She edged toward the center of the bed and patted it. He joined her and pulled her back against him, and kissed her shoulder. She faced away from him and leaned against his chest. Her body provocatively pressed against his hardness. His hand caressed the smooth skin of her bonny arse, and he groaned.
Callum stroked her body and splayed his hands over her stomach. He wanted to take her in that position, but he was hindered. Using his body, he pressed her toward the bed. She sprawled in front of him, and he knelt and gripped her leg until she was in a perfect position. He wanted her ready because he knew well his onslaught would drive him to the brink. At least she would have some pleasure before he met his end. Callum set his mouth on her womanhood and prepared her. Her gasps and shaky legs told him she enjoyed it. He kept up the tumultuous play until she squealed with her culmination.
He rose and entered her. Violet moaned at his measured movements and he feared he might hurt her, but he pressed onward until his breath strained with words, “Do you want me to…continue?”
Violet reached out, and he bent forward to set a kiss on her chest. She didn’t speak and answered his question with a nod. Callum took hold of her leg and thrust forward until he settled within. Violet gazed at him with wide, sultry eyes. He didn’t like the look of fear in her bonny blue eyes, or perhaps it wasn’t fear, but her unbridled passion. With that in mind, he slowed his pace. He needed to calm the hell down.
“Don’t move… Be still, bonny lass. Give yourself time to adjust…” Bollocks. If she moved, it might cause him to throw over and reach his end. Yet, he gritted his teeth and swore not to give in to the lure of his orgasm.
“I’m not fearful. Touch me… Do you like it when I kiss you?”
“Aye, but there’s more…so much more.” He nodded to heighten his promise and she pulled him forward. Violet kissed him, and her tongue twirled his with passion. The desirous play sent him floundering because he wanted to please her, but he also wasn’t sure he would withstand the urgency of meeting his end. Callum spurred her passion by lowering her foot and sliding his hand along her leg. He pressed his fingers on her vee and shifted his body to easily thrust between her legs.
Within seconds, she cried out with pleasure. Her climax was long, and it utterly affected him. Callum couldn’t hold back and his body shook. In seconds, he vastly lost control. He thrust mindlessly until every part of him ceased to exist. His climax rivaled hers, and he shouted when his essence burst forth and drained him of his strength. Violet leaned on her elbows and watched him. Her pretty lips parted and she moaned as he continued to move within her.
Callum shook, and his knees gave way. He fell atop her and rolled to his back. His breath raucous, his blood rushed through him, and his ears rang. All this brought a rare smile to his lips. Violet knelt on the bed next to him and kissed his chest. He stared at her lovely face and tried to figure out how she’d easily slayed him. As much as he hadn’t wanted to ravish her, or be as brutish in his lovemaking, he was overtaken with a fervent rush. He shook his head at his debauched behavior. He would have ravished her if he hadn’t taken more time beforehand to ensure she was properly prepared.
“Thank you.”
He scowled at her words. The last thing he expected to hear, was her gratitude. “I should thank you. Why, Violet?”
She kept her hands on his chest and ceased kissing him. She leaned across his body and smiled. “Why what?”
“You gifted me with your body… I want to know why.” The question echoed in his mind. Women didn’t give themselves unless there was something in it for them. At least, that was the excuse he’d come up with to account for his wife’s mistreatment. Why was he being so indifferent? Violet wasn’t like her… At least, he hoped not.
She pressed a light kiss on his lips. “I told you, I wanted you. My marriage was one of friendship. I could never reach fulfillment…with Charles. I thought myself incapable of… You proved me wrong because I never felt like that before.”
“Why, did you not love him?” Callum shouldn’t have asked such a question. Speaking of another man’s amorous pursuit of her didn’t seem right.
She took his face in her hands and he closed his eyes. “Callum, please look at me.”
He opened his eyes and his jaw tensed in wait of her answer.
“He was a good man and wanted me to love him. I never got the feeling I thought love to be. I wanted to be with you and to experience true passion—”
He stopped her with a kiss. Callum continued to move his mouth over hers in the hope she wouldn’t profess such sentiment to him. He gently forced her beside him and leaned on his arm and finally broke the kiss. “You should have saved yourself for your new husband. You’re young enough to remarry. I don’t like that I’ve dishonored you.”
She set her hand on his neck and her finger massaged the slope of his skin. “I didn’t want to save myself. And there is no dishonor in what we shared. Besides, there is little hope that I’ll remarry unless I agree to wed the king’s choice.”
He narrowed his eyes. “If you came in here intent to seduce—” She stopped him from speaking when she straddled his hips. Her lovely body displayed before him. Renewed vigor came and he groaned at how easily she taunted him. “Violet, what you’re doing to me… I don’t want to hurt you, but I want to take you again.”
“You can never hurt me.” She pressed her bottom against him and joined their bodies.
Callum lay back thoroughly content to watch her seduction. Their desire sated again and Violet snuggled beside him. No woman had ever pleased him as much as Violet had. He wanted to understand what passed between them, but he wouldn’t question it. She wanted him and he admitted he wanted her. Perhaps he’d been too long without a woman’s touch. That had to be the cause of his uncontrolled response. At least, that’s what he told himself to accept his culpability.
“You cannot love me.”
She didn’t blink or show enmity of his words. Violet smoothed a hand over his tender shoulder and tilted her chin. “I will not say love words to you. If I do fall in love with you, Callum Sinclair, I shall keep it to myself.”
He rolled to his side and trapped her within his arms. “We should keep this easy and not complicate it with a sentiment. If we’re to be together… I want your promise not to be with… others. We should make a pact.” Callum needed her vow not to cavort with others. But she wasn’t like that, or at least, he didn’t deem she’d be unfaithful. Still, giving himself wasn’t easy and if he wanted to pursue her, he had to assure himself, he wouldn’t be mistreated again.
“You have my promise, Callum. I won’t be with others and only want you. I should like to do that often.” She lay beside him and peered at the ceiling.
“You’re a sweet minx to give yourself to me.”
She giggled when he pressed light kisses on her neck and shoulder. “If I pleased you, then that makes me happy. You have my permission to kiss me, whenever you like.”
He kissed the side of her neck. When he pulled away, he grinned. “Tell me about your life. You spoke of the fiend the king wanted you to marry. What about your happiness? Were you content?” Callum held her hand, and she lay against his side. He leaned his head against hers and hoped she tell him something of her life before she came to the Highlands. She might even mention her daughter and what happened to her.
“I lived in the country far from London or towns. We lived a simple life, and I rarely saw my husband. Our manor home was small compared to your castle, but comfortable. I have a daughter, Cora, who is three in years, soon to be four. I miss her.”
Callum scowled and didn’t like the distress in her tone. “You have a lass? Why did you leave her behind?”
She sighed and wiped a tear from her eye. “I wouldn’t leave her for any reason. The king took her and told me he wouldn’t release her unless I accepted the knave as my husband. I wouldn’t agree, Callum, and if I had married him, he would’ve hurt me. Cora would’ve been hurt too. I must trust Richard wouldn’t harm her. I pray she’s somewhere safe. Henry promised he’d find her and has his men in search of her.”
He pressed her back and set a gentle kiss on her lips. “We will find her, Violet, somehow. Don’t despair.”
“Each day that goes by… I fear I’ll never see my baby again.”
“You will. I promise we won’t give up hope. You’ve been kind to Dela and it’s the least I can do… to help in search of your daughter. My lass hasn’t had an easy time these past months and she seems to take to you. Thank you for that.”
She pressed a hand on his chest. “I wanted to speak to you about her…”
“Nay, let us sleep. On the morrow, we’ll discuss her. Rest, sweetheart.”
She closed her eyes, and Callum continued to hold her. He thought about her daughter and how he might aid in finding her. There was only one person who was friendly enough with England and its peerage, to gain information on the lass’s whereabouts. He’d send a missive first thing in the morning.