Chapter 28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“ T hat’s nae gonnae happen. We beat them. They’re all dead now. Dinnae worry, I’m gonnae take good care of ye.” Liam continued holding her, rocking her gently in his arms, until there was a knock at the door. Ivy lifted her head, looking startled. “Who is that?” she asked, clinging to him.

“I asked the maids tae bring up water fer a bath,” he told her reassuringly. “Can I let them in?” She nodded and allowed him to disentangle himself and go to the door. The maids entered and began to prepare the bath, standing the tub before the hearth and filling it with the steaming hot water. Soap and towels and washcloths were set on a small stool next to the tub for their use.

When they were alone again, Liam poked the fire and added a few more logs. When he was satisfied with it, he went back to Ivy. “D’ye feel up tae gettin’ in?”

“Aye, I dae,” she replied, reaching her arms up to him. Tenderly, he scooped her up in his arms, carried her over to the tub, and set her down on her feet next to it.

“Help me take me shift off please, Liam,” she said in a dreamy, subdued voice, raising her arms.

“Aye, of course.” He took hold of the hem and carefully lifted the garment until he finally pulled it off over her head and arms. Entirely naked and without a trace of embarrassment, she took it from him, bent over like willow wand, and wrapped her hair up in it, tucking in the ends securely.

Liam stood and watched, a little breathlessly, as she stood before him, her lithe, white body revealed in all its glory. But he grimaced to see that her skin was dappled with bruises and cuts.

“Ach, look at the state of ye, ye’re back and blue!” he exclaimed, appalled, examining her.

“Am I?” she asked, looking down at herself. She shrugged dismissively. “’Tis hardly more than I get with a mornin’s trainin’” she said. “Ye probably have the same yersel’.”

“Aye, I probably dae, but even so,” he replied, finding it hard to see the evidence of the punishment she had taken etched on her fair skin. He rolled up a towel and laid it along the side of the tub. “Ye can rest yer injured arm there without the bandage gettin’ wet,” he told her before picking her up again. The soft, warm, weight of her naked body relaxing against him felt good, and he found he liked it when she put her arms around his shoulders as he lowered her carefully into the water.

“Thank ye, Liam. Och, that’s bliss,” she exclaimed softly, laying her bandaged arm along the towel as he had suggested. The steam rose about her, and she closed her eyes briefly before opening them and smiling at him tiredly. “I’m feelin’ better already.”

“Good, that’s what I like tae hear,” he replied, starting to roll up his shirt sleeves. He was surprised when Ivy suddenly placed her hand on his wrist and said, “Ye might as well take it off. It’ll only get soaked if ye keep it on.” He looked at her quizzically until she added, “Yer shirt. Ye are gonnae help me tae wash, are ye nae?”

“A-aye, I am. All right, I’ll take it off.” Seeing no reason to argue, he stripped off his shirt and dropped it over the armchair nearby. “I still owe ye fer that backrub. Me back’s felt a lot better. Ye must have healin’ hands,” he teased, wanting to take her mind off the evening’s events.

“Mmm, maybe I have, but ye dinnae owe me a thing. I’m very glad if it’s helped ye.”

He picked up the bar of soap and a washcloth. “Shall I wash yer back fer ye?” he asked, dipping the cloth in the water and working up a good lather with the soap, which smelled of lavender.

“Aye, please, if ye dinnae mind,” she said, leaning forward and clasping her good arm around her knees to keep herself steady. For a moment or two, he absently continued lathering the washcloth, transfixed by the graceful curve of her spine and the way it ran tantalizingly all the way down to the hollow between her buttocks. Her scars shone white against her already pale skin.

“Ye have a few nasty bruises on yer back,” he told her, starting to wash her neck and shoulders using slow, careful movements. “Tell me if I’m hurtin’ ye, eh?”

“Ye’re nae hurtin’ me. Ye’re bein’ very gentle,” she murmured, turning her head to look at him as he continued to wash her. “Tae tell ye the truth, I feel a bit numb all over. I felt all right earlier on, but when I came back here and Effie helped me intae bed and then went away, I started tae shake. It was like it suddenly came home tae me what a narrow escape I made tonight. I think the shock caught up with me all of a sudden.”

“Aye, that happens sometimes,” Liam told her sympathetically. “Ye need rest and a bit of lookin’ after tae help ye get back tae feelin’ more like yersel’ again.” He scooped up handfuls of hot water to rinse away the lather, watching the droplets run down her back, unable to help admiring her trim waist and slender, rounded hips as he methodically washed the rest of her back.

“There ye are, that’s all done. Would ye like tae lean back and relax a wee bit while I dae the rest?”

“Aye, thank ye.” He supported her as she leaned back against the rim of the tub with a big sigh, clearly enjoying the soothing feeling of the hot water as it sloshed over her. Liam tried hard not to pay too much attention as her round, pert breasts bobbed enticingly in front of him, the pink nipples looking as soft as rose petals. He tried to avert his gaze from the flat plain of her belly and the tempting dark triangle at the hinge of her thighs, telling himself silently to attend to the matter at hand.

He lathered up the cloth and slowly and thoroughly washed her arms and hands, making sure not to get her bandage wet. Then, he washed her feet, her calves, and as much of her thighs as she extended above the water. All the while he was conscious of her eyes, heavy-lidded, upon him.

“That’s so nice, Liam. I appreciate the way ye’re lookin’ after me. Ye seem tae ken what ye’re doin’,” she said as he rinsed her off. “Have ye done this before?”

“This? Ye mean bathin’ a lassie like this?” he asked, somewhat bemused by the question.

“Aye.”

“Nay, never. This is the first time,” he admitted, feeling arousal stir within his trews. Not wishing to frighten her off, he tried to sound lighthearted when he answered, “But I must say, I’m rather enjoyin’ it. Maybe I missed me vocation.”

“So, I’m yer first?” The idea seemed to please her, for she gave him a slow smile that aroused him even more.

“Aye, and ye’re likely tae be me last. Now,” he said, leaning back on the side of the tub, “I think I’ve done all I can decently dae. I expect ye’d like tae dae the rest with yer good hand by yersel’.” He returned her smile and offered her the cloth and the soap.

She took him completely by surprise when she immediately came back with, “Nay, I wouldnae,” and then abruptly stood up. He watched the water cascading down her body with heated fascination. “Ye’ve started the job, so I think ye should finish it.”

Her belly was level with his eyes, her breasts inches from his face. His member sprang to attention inside his trews. Their eyes met. “Are ye sure, Ivy?” he asked simultaneously excited and doubtful at her command.

“Certain sure,” she replied, her eyes dark and smoky. “I want ye tae wash me all over, Liam. Every bit.”

The tension in the room rocketed. His groin was throbbing uncomfortably. “But Ivy?—”

“Unless ye dinnae wantae, that is.”

“Och, Jaysus, Ivy. I wantae all right. But is it right? Ye ken what that could lead tae. Would I nae be takin’ advantage of ye?”

“Aye.” She smiled and nodded. “That’s what I want. I want ye tae take advantage of me.”

“Are ye absolutely sure? Ye’re still a maid…”

“That’s right, Liam, I’m still a maid. But what is the point of it? What am I supposed tae be savin’ mesel’ fer? Earlier tonight, I was almost caught and on me way tae bein’ dragged back tae marry Gael. Why should I save mesel’ fer that?”

She reached out and touched his cheek softly. “Ye’re the only man who’s ever touched me. Ye showed me how a man can make a woman feel true pleasure. Well, I’m never gonnae have that with Gael. If I’m forced tae wed him, I’ll never feel that again fer the rest of me life. I dinnae wantae die without feelin’ that again. Even if ’tis only once it’ll be enough. I want tae lie with ye. I want ye tae be the one tae make me a woman.”

He licked his lips a little nervously. “I see yer point, I suppose, and I’m very flattered ye should chose me,” he murmured, his eyes locked with hers. Of course, such a blatant compliment had his masculine pride swelling as much as his manhood. To be invited to be her first was more than simply flattering, it showed how much she trusted him. That made him feel even better.

Yet, still, he hesitated. Instinctively, he knew that if he did as she requested, which was what he was already burning to do, with the way he was already fighting back his feelings for her, things would get even more complicated. Caught between desire and doubt, he scrutinized her face and saw she was perfectly serious. “But, Ivy, in the circumstances, maybe ’tis nae such a?—”

She cut him off by leaning over and pressing her lips softly against his. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth to her, welcoming her small, hot, flickering tongue as it slid between his lips and explored his mouth in a leisurely fashion. He met it with his own, lazily tasting her mouth, letting himself revel in languorous, unhurried warmth of the kiss.

It was unlike any kiss he had ever shared with a woman, even unlike the first kiss they had shared in the garden on the night of the cèilidh. He recalled it as being passionate, fiery, lustful on his part, but this was different. It was no less arousing, but it was deeper, more intense. It stirred his senses but also reached into his soul. It was slow burning and filled with want, but also with trust.

By the time their lips parted, he had decided. He cleared his throat, grinned at her, and said, “Well, since ye’re so insistent I finish the job, I’d best get on with it.” In truth, he was more excited than he had ever been in his life.

“Good,” she murmured. He lathered the cloth and began washing her breasts. She sighed and closed her eyes as he moved the cloth in slow circles over them, cupping the soft weight in one hand while he ran the soapy cloth over her nipples, taking immense pleasure in feeling them stiffen beneath his fingers.

“Och, that’s lovely, Liam,” she whispered. “Somethin’ in yer touch makes me tingle all over and makes me hot down here.” Her hand wandered down to her sex. Liam inhaled sharply as she opened her thighs a little and slowly stroked her bud with her fingertips. The act was so intimate, so erotic, a wave of heat crashed over him. His erection was at full mast now, and any sense of restraint left him.

“I love watchin’ ye dae that,” he whispered throatily, not taking his eyes off her moving fingers as he picked up the soap and lathered his hands.

“’Tis what ye make me feel like doin’,” she replied. “And I wantae make ye feel as I dae.”

“Ye have nay idea what I’m feelin’ right now,” he murmured hoarsely. “If ye did, ye’d likely run a mile.”

She laughed softly. “I doubt that.”

He gave a small groan as lust shot through him. “Ivy, let me wash ye there.”

“Aye, I’d like that very much,” she said softly, her nipples inches from his face. He nuzzled them and caught them lightly between his teeth. Ivy gasped and moaned softly. Then, to his delight, she lifted her leg and placed her foot on the side of the tub, still stroking herself. “I liked it so much when ye touched me here. I loved the things ye did tae me with yer tongue and yer mouth. I want more.”

“I’ll give ye more,” he whispered, his desire fully unleashed now. It spurred him on when she gasped aloud and clutched his hair, moaning softly, when he slid his hands between her legs. “Ye like that, d’ye?” he asked, glorying in the softness he found there as he soaped her leisurely, opening her wider, taking his time to relish the feel of her. He ran his hands down the crease of her behind and parted the folds of her sex with his fingertips. He worked up a lather in her nest of fine, dark hair and teased her bud with his thumbs.

“Aye, I love yer hands on me,” she murmured breathily, mewling softly and tightening the hold of her fingers in his hair. “I love the way ye touch me. I never dreamed I could feel like this, like the way ye make me feel. ’Tis a kind of magic.”

Liam could hardly contain his excitement as she pushed herself wantonly against his questing hands. As he scooped up water and washed away the soap, she bent forward and dangled her breasts in his face temptingly.

He took the stiffened nipples into his mouth, sucked on them and nipped them playfully with his teeth, his senses further inflamed by the feel of her skin and her low moans of pleasure.

She moaned even louder when he slid his fingers deep inside her, and she clutched his head, pulling him into her breasts, her body bucking against every thrust. With lusty enthusiasm, he continued to touch and caress her in ways he knew were pleasurable to her and endlessly exciting to him. He deliberately quickened his movements, and it did not take many minutes before she began to tremble and murmur his name over and over, “Liam, och, Liam, please, Liam, aye!” before she peaked and fell against him, panting.