Page 76 of A Flawed Scotsman

On the edge of a crest, Esme arched up, her body contorting as she fought not to lose control. It was inevitable and she screamed as waves of darkness slammed into her. Thrashing without a reason other than the climax was almost as terrifying as it was delicious.

Ruari had not stopped the sensual assault. His powerful body now out of control, the drives harder and faster, his groans filling their chamber until he began to shake, his release seeming to be as powerful as hers.

When he fell forward, Ruari was careful not to crush her. Both of them fought for breath, gasping for what little air managed to get into their lungs. Esme’s sex continued of its own will squeezing Ruari’s manhood as if trying to draw every bit of his seed.

“I cannot breathe,” she finally managed to say, pushing at his shoulder.

He moved, barely, his broad back shuddering. Esme began to ask that he move again but then stopped at realizing he was crying.

Unsure what to do, Esme rubbed his back. That her husband had been upset cut through like a fiery blade.

Whoever had done something to wound him would pay. She waited quietly until he blew out a breath and silently moved fully onto the bed to lay on the pillows. She crawled up from the edge and snuggled against him, placing her head on his shoulder.

“Whatever happens, I am with ye.” She was glad her voice sounded even, despite the anger at whoever had said or done something that hurt her husband.

“I saw him today,” he began. His voice was hoarse with emotion. “The man I thought to be my father.”

“Yer uncle’s brother, who ye thought dead?” Esme scrambled to remember what she knew about the man. Other than him disappearing and Ruari’s mother then leaving him to be raised by his uncle, Ruari had never said anything else.

“Aye. He was on my land. He claimed to be here after hearing of his brother’s death.”

Esme remained silent, instinctively knowing Ruari was trying to figure out things as he spoke. His voice was gruff, each word tearing at her heart.

“He told me that I was not his son. That I was Robert Ross’ bastard. All this time, I thought the laird was my uncle. Now…I am not sure what to think. How to feel. He is dead.”

Ruari let out a long sigh and met her gaze. “Do not speak of this to anyone. It is best for my cousins not to know.”

“Mayhap he lied. To explain his absence.”

His throat moved as he swallowed visibly. “After…after seeing him, I went to speak to my mother. She said it was true. That she’d seduced her husband’s brother, slipped into his bed one night when his wife was gone. She admitted to having wished to marry him instead of Conor.”

They lay in silence for a long moment while Esme did her best to soothe his pain away with kisses to his jaw and throat. He leaned his head to hers in response.

“Malcolm was right.”

“In what way?” Esme asked.

“He told me to come to ye. That ye would help calm me.”

Esme lifted and looked down at him. “Just as I am here for ye, I expect ye to be there for me as well.”

Ruari nodded and hugged her against his broad chest. The hardness of his body filled her with security and calm.

*

Ruari rose early the next day. Leaving a sleeping Esme, he hurried down the stairs. After not finding Malcolm in the great room, he went to the study.

Malcolm looked up as he walked in. “I am sending a group of men to ensure Conor Ross leaves.”

Just then, Ewan walked in. He went directly to Ruari and placed a hand on his shoulder, a simple show of support that made Ruari take a sharp breath to steady himself.

Malcolm held out what looked to be a coin sack. “Give him this. It should be more than a fair price for his portion of the lands. Tell him never to return.”

“I should go as well,” Ruari said, but Malcolm shook his head.

“Nay. That man does not deserve to see ye. He abandoned not only ye, but our clan.”

Ruari wasn’t sure what to say. If he disclosed the truth, that Conor had left after being betrayed by their father, it would only cause pain to Malcolm and his brothers. Nothing good would come of it.