Page 76 of Bound to a Scot
She nodded but still didn’t look convinced. Maddox couldn’t blame her. In truth, he didn’t have much faith in the royals either. He was used to settling his affairs with face to face meetings, or if all else failed, with his blade. He believed in his strength and skill. Playing these political games had him feeling well out of his depth. But he’d given his word that he would use every other tool available to them before resorting to baring blades. And he intended to keep his word.
After finishing their meals, Maddox and Emmeline walked around the marketplace, looking at the trinkets for sale in the various stalls. Most of it was garbage, but there were some quality items as well. Maddox noticed that a stunning gold necklace set with an array of jewels that glittered even in the gloomy overcast light of the afternoon seemed to have caught Emmeline’s eye. She smiled as she marveled over the craftsmanship. Maddox was just about to purchase it for her when Lorn appeared, putting a hand on each of their shoulders.
“We need tae move. Now,” he urged. “Let’s go. Now.”
He escorted them away from the stall, much to the disappointment of the vendor, and ushered them through the crowded marketplace.
“What is goin’ on?” Maddox asked.
“Burchard is in the crowd behind us with some of his goons,” he said, his voice a harsh whisper. “We cannae let them see us or this is all fer naught.”
Picking up their pace, Maddox let the big man guide them through the marketplace, eventually pausing before a blacksmith’s forge. He and Lorn pretended to marvel over the crafting of a pair of swords, all the while, sneaking glances at the crowd around them.
“Bleedin’ hell,” Lorn muttered. “They’re still comin’.”
“Have they seen us?” Emmeline asked, alarm in her voice and Maddox could feel her whole body trembling even if they weren’t touching.
“I dinnae think so,” he replied. “But ye two need tae get indoors. Find someplace quiet and hide until I come fer ye.”
“And what are ye goin’ tae dae?” Maddox asked.
“Get what we came here for in the first place,” he said. “We need information.”
“Let me go,” Maddox objected. “I can help?—”
“Ye can help by lookin’ out fer her,” Lorn cut him off. “Get her indoors. Now. I will find ye when it’s safe. It willnae be as weird fer me tae be here as it will be fer ye if Burchard sees ye.”
Moving quickly and lithely, the big man melted into the crowd. Feeling the headsman’s axe drawing closer with every passing second, he grabbed Emmeline’s hand and pulled her through the bustling marketplace. Needing to get her out of sight, Maddox found a small shack behind the blacksmith’s forge and threw the door open. Aside from some boxes and tools, it looked as if it hadn’t been used for some time. Maddox pushed her inside then stepped in and closed the door, throwing the latch down to lock them inside.
The smells from the food vendors, the scent of the sea, and the sound of the musicians filled the air around them. Maddox pressed his eye to a crack between the boards of the wall and stared out at the square, half-expecting to see Burchard and his men surrounding the shack. He saw nobody and breathed a sigh of relief.
“I think we’re safe,” he said.
“We’re nae safe from the dirt and dust in here.”
He turned to see Emmeline looking at the surroundings with distaste. It was a bit dusty, and cobwebs clung to the corners, telling Maddox this wasn’t a place used very often. He found a rag and quickly dusted off the table that sat in the center of theroom. Emmeline squeaked as he picked her up and set her down on it.
“There,” he said. “Ye’re safe from the dirt and dust now.”
“Ye’re quite the gentleman.”
“Aye. I ken.”
She laughed and though Maddox knew he should turn back and keep watch on the grounds outside, he found himself captivated by Emmeline’s vibrant gaze. The silence stretched out between them and Maddox found his eyes traveling the line of her neck, sliding all the way down to the swell of her breasts. The air between them thickened and he felt his arousal stirring. And before her realized what he was doing, he leaned forward and kissed her.
Their tongues swirled around one another and Maddox ran his hands all over Emmeline’s body, relishing the feel of her soft, gentle curves. As she kissed him back, he felt the heat wafting off her and he felt himself growing thick and hard. It was the worst time to do what they were thinking, but when he looked into her eyes, he saw that she needed it as much as he did. With so much fear and uncertainty swirling around them, this one life affirming act seemed necessary. The only solace they had in this world seemed to be each other.
Maddox reached down and pushed her dress up to her waist as she fumbled with his breeches. Their breathy moans echoed in his ears and when she grabbed hold of his staff and squeezed ittightly in her fist, Maddox felt as if he could explode right then and there. As she ran her hand up and down, squeezing and stroking him, he turned his head up to the ceiling and groaned, pleasure running through him like fire. He would have been happy to let her pleasure him with her hand, but Maddox knew she needed the comfort and connection their coupling could provide.
Emmeline spread her thighs as he stepped forward and he leaned forward, kissing her fiercely as he pressed his manhood into her warm, slick opening. Maddox plunged deep into her soft recesses, reveling in the heat and tightness of her sex. Emmeline slipped her hands around the back of his neck and leaned back as he thrust himself into her with a frenzied abandon. The sound of their bodies crashing together blended with her breathy moans and his grunts. Maddox’s entire body was alight with sensations that made him shudder from head to toe.
Her eyes were locked onto his, heightening the intensity and intimacy between them. Maddox was harder than he’d ever been, and he felt himself swelling already as the feeling of being so deep within her velvety warmth pushed him to the brink. Emmeline’s eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open. He quickly kissed her, muffling her cries of pleasure. She writhed beneath him, her body shaking wildly as she climaxed.
As her trembling began to ebb, she pulled back and stared at him with a wide-eyed look of amazement on her face and a sultry smile on her lips. She leaned forward, her full lips brushing his ear. Her breath was warm upon his neck, and he shuddered, the sensation of it sending a lightning bolt of pleasure firing through his veins. Maddox’s shaft swelled and his entire body grew taut.He gritted his teeth, trying to hold back but he knew he’d already lost the fight.
“I want tae feel yer seed inside of me, please,” she whispered.
He shook his head. “I cannae.”
