A Warrior's Perception (15 page)

She dreamt of gray eyes and black hair, of long powerful legs and broad shoulders, of rippling muscles and strong hands. She smiled in her sleep as the man handed her a round band of gold and fell to his knee. Every little girl’s dream, her knight in shining armor coming to proclaim his love.

His expression was loving and soft. Her dream grew foggy and he reached for her with a sudden look of fear. The fear turned to disgust as Pierre wrapped his arms around her naked body and laughed at the man. The man stood and turned as Andra screamed for him to help her. He did not turn back and simply walked away as the ring fell from her fingers.

Andra jerked upright with a scream on the edge of her tongue. She tightened her legs around Demon's sides and looked at the guards. They were unaware of her nightmare and she tucked it away behind her shell as they entered a lovely village.

Her childhood dreams seemed odd now. They were all about women with curvy figures and long flowing hair the same color as hers and sparkling sea green eyes that promised peace and tranquility. The one face that stood out was her aunt, Joaquinn. She vaguely remembered meeting her as a small child on a
faraway
land of immense beauty. Crimm had stayed there for a while and never spoke of his visit to Andra, although she had pried many, many times.

Andra wished silently that she could recall her mother’s face, which should look like her aunts seeing as how they were twins. She frowned as she searched her memories and came up empty. Someone would know where her mother’s island was and she knew who that someone was Crimm!

Andra reassured herself that he would eventually turn up at McKregan Keep and she would force him to tell her how to get to Vacrey Isle. She smiled and laughed out loud, ignoring the guards’ curious looks.

She leaned over Demon's neck and whispered into his ear,
“
Donna fret o'er me, I will take flight to Vacrey and lea'e this man's world to crumble round them, and if gi'en the chance, I will take ye with me if ye wish where ye can roam free and live with others who are enlightened with ye beauty and intelligence.
”
Demon's ears pinned back and he snorted, pulling his magnificent head up and down as if he agreed to her suggestion.

Andra pulled her attention to the village that fell at Demon's hooves. Its streets were cobbled and the cottages looked like they had jumped right out of the pages of a fairy tale. Vines hung everywhere and street lamps glistened at every corner. The little shops were amuck with the hustle and bustle of villagers and children. The streets were clean and neat, no mud or dirt in sight. Andra smiled as children ran about chasing one another and threw wads of balled linen at each other.

She caught her breath as she looked up. In the distance, McKregan Keep loomed from the mountain's base. Its gray white walls reached to the sky in perfect columns and peaked arches. Red and silver banners flew from the rounded rooftops and danced in the light wind. They continued through the village and plodded along the cobbled street that led to the keep. Tall trees lined the street and swayed gently in the wind as if to welcome her.

The street gently tilted upwards and opened into the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. The drawbridge of the keep was down over a crystal clear mote. Lily pads glided across the
water’s
surface and tall white flowers grew along the banks.

Once inside, the cobbled street started again and led to another garden at the massive arched entrance. The garden surrounded the keep and worked itself in mazes out to the protective stone walls. Stone benches and tables sat under trees and along the walls of the inner manor. Flowers bloomed in every nook and crevice. Huge blooms hung from the trees and filed the air with a heavenly fragrance.

By sunset, she was curled up in a massive bed, besieged with red and silver pillows. The bottle of scotch on the bedside table was open and half full. Andra was more relaxed than she had ever been. Her stomach was full and her naked body stretched lazily as she closed her eyes. She yawned and rubbed her backside.

Sleep begged her to visit and she wilted as it tried to claim her. The alcoholic effects ran through her veins like whispers of pine needles on the skin. Her insides tingled and her heart grew mushy thinking about the warrior who was trying to bed her.

Her reprieve lasted only a short while as a knock wretched her eyes open. She sat up as Laird Kagan entered. She was too sleepy and too encumbered by scotch to care that she was nude. She rolled her eyes at him and fell back onto the pillows.

“
I ha'e need of ye.
”

“
Can it wait?
”
she asked dryly.

“
Nay, pain donna wait on the weary,
”
he replied softly as she swung her shapely legs to the floor.

Brazen and bold she stood, naked, and stretched. She slowly took the sheet and wrapped it around herself. She pattered toward Kagan, clad only in his kilt and stifled a yawn.

“
Back rub?
”

“
Aye,
”
he muttered as he ushered her through the door to his bedchamber.

His heavy body sagged to the bed and stretched out on his tight stomach. Andra grinned; she would be wicked this night. He knew she would be tired from the journey and still he wanted his back rubbed. She would give him a rub he would never forget. The sheet dropped to the floor and she climbed up onto his buttocks. His butt tensed under her naked flesh and Andra's drunken smile broadened.

“
Rub!
”
he ordered.

“
I am afraid, one handed rubbin' is all I can muster tonight,
”
she whispered as she leaned forward, letting her long curls caress his back.

“
Rub,
”
he roared as she scooted her thighs along his waist.

“
Ye are so tall that I will ha'e to sit on the lower part of ye back to reach ye shoulders and neck,
”
she whispered as she sat astride him.

Her mound of curly hair stroked his back and he groaned as she spread her hand across his shoulder blade. She rubbed gently, kneading at the tense muscles and urging them to relax.

“
What ha'e ye been doin' to tire ye muscles?
”
she asked.

“
I needed a sword,
”
he curtly replied as she leaned to place a kiss on his spine.

She stretched to his neck, cruelly letting her nipples stroke his shoulder blades. She rubbed and breathed on his neck and held him tightly between her legs. With her inhibitions vanishing under the influence of the scotch, she placed kisses on his neck, his shoulder, and his spine. She eased down, leaving a trail of fire down his spine straight to the edge of his kilt.

He groaned as she stretched up the length of him. She teased him wantonly as she stroked his biceps and licked his ear. He could smell the scotch on her breath but could not stop the deep primal growl that sent shivers of excitement up her spine.

She sat up and rocked gently on his butt, pulling his kilt up so that his skin touched hers. Her loins flamed and she moaned softly as she slid her hands down his legs arching her back to reach as far as she could.

“
Woman!
”

“
Aye, that is what I am,
”
she teased.

“
Do ye wish me to break my oath?
”

“
Aye,
”
she whispered.

The gigantic man rolled over underneath her, capturing her round soft hips and sat her astride his pulsing manhood. Her tender mound of womanly flesh caressed his shaft and he arched under her in need. His hands held her hips in place as he arched again, letting her know he wanted her.

“
Mine to command,
”
she whispered as he slid his hand up her waist, reaching for her breast.

He stilled at her words and dropped his hand to his side. No one had ever commanded him, none had ever dared. His eyes hardened as she leaned forward and rubbed his nipples. He went completely stiff as she caressed his tight rippled abdomen. Complete silence claimed him as she curiously explored his chest and midriff.

Forcing himself to close his eyes, he let her exploration continue even though it was a maddening dance across his skin. Battle strategies came to mind as she leaned forward and let her hair billow around his body. Perhaps if he went about this entire game as if it was a war, he could make better headway.

Her nipples teased his skin as she stretched up his chest and kissed his chin. She cupped his face and licked his lips. This was what he wanted, her docile and giving, wickedly wanting him like no other.

His eye lids flew open and met her misty green highland eyes. He felt the need in her loins as she sat up onto his abdomen. She was hot and slick with desire.

“
Do ye think my breasts are too big?
”
Andra grabbed her breasts with both hands.

“
Nay, they are perfect.
”
His voice was husky and laden with feral undertones.

“
Do ye think my eyes are much too big for my face?
”
She winked at him and he grinned huskily.

“
Nay, they be perfect.
”

“
My lips?
”
She bent and kissed his chest.

“
Perfect.
”

“
And would ye na lie to get what ye want?
”

“
Nay.
”
His answer was barely above a whisper.

“
Then tell me what ye want from me in honesty,
”
Andra insisted.

“
Ye.
”

“
My virginity?
”

“
Aye,
”
he drawled,
“
And more.
”

“
I ha'e nothing else and that is why I can'na gi'e it to ye,
”
she whispered as she cruelly rocked against his shaft.

“
As my betrothed, tis mine by right,
”
he answered.

“
And when ye get it, ye will'na want me anymore,
”
she coolly stated as she slid her hands along his arms.

“
I will keep wantin' ye cause ye are mine,
”
he growled as she bent and kissed his chest.