The revelry of the celebration rose and many danced around the fires. His comrades were in discussions with Llywelyn’s men, but he couldn’t hear any of it, and nor did he care. He watched as arrows were lit with fire and released to the air. The bright streaks lightened the ground beneath and all those around him. His eyes blurred, and he kept drinking. Warmth settled in his stomach and he began feeling the wondrous effect of the spirit. His limbs grew heavy and a sweet lethargic aura came over him.
“We’re going to have to carry him to bed,” Sean said.
“Ye mean drag him for I’m not wont to lift him,” Kenneth said.
James laughed. “No one will have to c-carry m-me anywhere.” He continued to swallow the brew and was pleased with the dulling result that came over him. Aye sooner or later, he’d be able to forget the winsome lass.
But honestly, he was a besotted bugger. When he learned who she was, his heart could’ve fallen from his chest. The lovely lass was betrothed to Llywelyn’s enemy and completely off limits. But damn, he wished he could make her his.
James nudged Grey for more drink and he obliged. As he tipped the cup, he saw the lady who’d occupied his thoughts since he’d seen her at the loch. With the two lassies she’d swam with, they danced and their laughter merry. She wasn’t garbed in her manly clothes, but wore a gown of dark crimson. He noticed the dip of the bodice and the creamy skin of her neck and cleavage.
When she noticed him watching her, she ceased dancing and looked at him in return. Her hands flatted the material of her gown and slid upward, over her breasts.
He could’ve swallowed his tongue, for the gesture sent a fire coursing through his veins. James groaned and looked hastily away. With a bang of his cup to the table, he rose and wobbled on his feet. “I’m-m off.”
“Do you want us to go back with you?” Sean asked.
“Nay, I can find my own way.”
“Can you walk?” Kenneth asked.
“Since I was w-wee,” he replied crisply, and laughed as he sauntered away. He made his way through the revelers, two of which spun him around. Thankfully he ended up facing the direction he was headed, and he walked through the gate which had been left open.
“Damn her for being so appealing,” he muttered to himself.
The noise of the celebration lessened, and now he heard the night sounds of crickets and other insects. Clumsily, he hastened ahead. The path to their encampment was dark, and James stumbled over an uprooted tree bark, but he kept moving forward.
In the clearing ahead, he made out the tents and after looking inside two, he found his. He shared a tent with Sean and Kenneth, their belonging scattered the inside.
His cot was the farthest from the flap. As soon as he reached it, he removed his tunic and tossed it aside. He unbelted his tartan and placed it at the foot of the cot. The day had grown hot, and he’d forgone his braises when he’d dressed early that morn. James wasn’t one for other garments and once he kicked off his boots, he stood naked, and dropped his belt next to his boots. A clank sounded when his sword hit the ground. He reached for it and as he did so his eyes blurred. A sweet, welcomed dizzying sense overtook him. James placed his sword within reach and lay back on the cot.
“Ah, this is w-what I need. S-sleep.” He closed his eyes and sighed. A drunken contentment came and he’d slumber soundly this night. That was if he got the vision of her hands moving over her breasts from his mind.
“James.”
His eyes shot open when he thought he heard a woman’s voice. He must have been mistaken and closed his eyes again. Damnation, now he was hearing her voice.
“James, I need to talk to you.”
He moaned, and thought mayhap she haunted him, but he answered anyway. “Hmmm, lovely?” He felt her touch when she shook him. James grabbed her wrist and pulled her over his body. “You came.”
“Aye, I must speak with you.”
James fondled the curve of her hip and moaned. “Nay, no talk, lovely. Will ye give me a kiss? I’ll sleep contentedly if you do.” He gave her no choice when he forced her head closer, and was able to set his lips on hers.
A moan escaped him as pleasure swarmed his already heated body. He forced her mouth open with his tongue and touched it to hers. By God, the kiss was everything he’d imagined. She squirmed against him and James kept her from moving away with his hands linked behind her back. She broke off the kiss and slapped his face hard.
James sobered briefly and laughed. He rubbed his face of the slight sting. “Aw, lass, why are ye angry? Come, give me another kiss. That one was just practice.”
She slapped him again. “Are you drunk?”
He chuckled knowing if he hadn’t drank so much his face would be afire with the force of her ire. “Mayhap, a wee b-bit. Aye, mayhap a lot of b-bit.”
“I’d say the latter. I should leave.” She tried to pull away and narrowed her eyes when he refused to release her.
James kept a tight hold of her wrist, for if he was really dreaming he wouldn’t allow it to end. Not this soon. “Nay, s-stay. ‘Tis your f-fault, for being s-so lovely. Aye you caused me anguish, for my heart never hurt s-so much. But God, I want you. Let me.” He tugged the bodice of her gown and exposed her breasts. “So beautiful, the p-prettiest bosom I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He leaned forward and kissed the flesh until his lips reached her nipple. His tongue laved at it, and he took it into his mouth and suckled.
She gasped and remained still.
He moaned as pleasure rode his thoughts. “Ah, Emlyn, what you d-do to me.”
James continued to ply his attention on her breasts and would’ve been happy to do so for the remainder of the night. He returned his lips to her mouth and kissed her tenderly. Ever since she’d bested him on the field, he wanted her in his arms, wanted to taste her, and wanted her attentions. His dream came true for she lay against him and returned his kisses willingly.
“Let me love you, lass.”
“James, we shouldn’t. I came here to discuss a proposal.”
“Aye, but we s-should. Give me this one night and I shall die a contented man.” He kept her in his arms, fearful if he let her go, she’d vanish again.
“You’re drunk and I only came here to ask you something.” Her voice was soft, feminine, and caused him to caress her.
“Ask m-me anything for I am at your s-service.”
“I want you to take me with you.”
His body hummed with excitement, having her next to him, pressed so intimately against his body. “Aye? That’s what I’ve been asking you, lovely. Remove your gown.”
“I don’t know if I should.” She continued to keep her body rigid.
“You should. I promise you won’t regret it.”
She shifted her body and he helped her to pull the long skirt over her head. The vision of her body waved before him and he closed his eyes wishing he hadn’t drunk so much.
“Aye, ye make me hard, Emlyn, f-feel. Touch me.”
She did as he asked and gently held his erection. James groaned as explicit longing coursed through him. Her touch stiffened every inch of him and he waited with anticipation to see what she’d do. When she continued to fondle him and made no move to lie with him, he made room for her, and pulled her next to him on the cot. Their bodies touched and James firmed his jaw for he wanted to be inside her.
“James,” she called, and caressed his leg. Everywhere she touched tinged with fervor.
He in turn embraced her and pulled her arse so she’d be cradled against his hardness. With her back to his chest, he hugged her close, and covered her breasts with his hands. He squeezed and rejoiced at the hefty weight of them. She moaned and the sweet sounds of her desire swarmed him with longing.
“Aye, lovely, you’re p-perfection.” He nudged his knee between her legs and reached forward to stroke her woman’s essence. She was wet and ready for him, and James kissed the side of her neck. He shifted to a better position and kept her back to him, raising her leg to give him access. He slid into her wet sheath, glorified by the tightness and warmth.