Kairos (13 page)

“How do you know what I’m thinking?”

He unfastens his seat belt and scoots next to me. His lips nip the shell of my ear, and his warm breath runs down my neck. “Because you get this ‘fuck me’ look in your eyes when you’re horny, and it’s irresistible. You’ve kept me in a perpetual state of discomfort since I first saw you. I’m turning into a walking hard-on, Sulwen.” His voice is breathy, and I feel the hair rise up on my neck as goose bumps spread down my spine. My belly tightens as the heat runs through my veins and down to my pulsing clit. He hasn’t even touched me, and I’m on fire for him.

I shift in my seat, trying to relieve the building need he’s causing. “Stop it, Logan. Not here.” My words come out husky even to my own ears.

He pulls back from my ear but not before running his tongue along the outer rim and dipping it in quickly and then withdrawing. I’m left flaming hot with desire. My groin is needy and throbbing. My nipples are hard and aching for his talented tongue. It’s been a few days since we had sex, and I’m suddenly crazed with a maddening lust to have him pumping into me so deep I feel him in my womb.

Up front Thad clears his throat, and Logan resumes his place on his side of the car and buckles up. I look up to find Thad watching us from the mirror with sharp eyes. He rarely talks, so I’ve yet to warm up to him. He strikes me as the reserved type but with a severe bad-boy edge.

“We’re almost there.” His words are blunt, without emotion, and without an ounce of warmth.

I settle back into my seat and stare out my window, trying to collect myself. Logan has the power to completely disarm and overwhelm me with a few sentences. It’s not something I’m proud of, and I’m trying very hard to retain a shred of dignity. I glance over at him, and he winks. I blush and turn away.

We pull up to a castle that reminds me of the Biltmore Estate back home in North Carolina, only three times larger and about a hundred years older. There are distinct characteristics from modern-day renovations, but overall it has maintained its medieval aura. The landscaping is lushly refined to that of an aristocrat. This could have been the home to a prince back in the day. I’m not a history expert, but this place has seen it all. It’s easy to imagine horse-drawn carriages making their way down the same drive our automobile is currently rolling down.

I lean forward and plant my forehead against the glass to take it all in. The castle is a deep gray stone, the likes of which I have never seen before. To the right is an actual tower that almost reaches above the rest of the architecture. It stands tall and proud with a steeple in each corner where flags are swaying gallantly in the breeze. It reminds me of a security turret where soldiers would stand guard in the old days.

The castle stretches from left to right and is beautifully crafted with ornate designs over the larger windows on the base floor. The middle sinks a little lower than that of the sides, as if it’s a connecting piece that was added on as an afterthought to adjoin the two corner facing towers—one to the left, peering out over the lush rolling fields, and one to the right, glancing out over the dense woodlands. Ivy snakes up the towers and fans out over the roof. Even though I know ivy is a wild plant that is damn near impossible to tame, it appears as if this castle is allowing the ivy only where it sees fit for it to grow and no more, for it is not overwhelming the monstrosity before me. No, it only serves to accentuate the sharp ridges and angular roofline.

Gold and red flowers are sprinkled throughout the landscaping giving a vibrant appeal to the otherwise gothic tone the castle is set in. A flash of purple heather, which catches my eye, surrounds a bronze stag statue we pass as we turn a corner and pull up to the front. The detail in the landscaping is mind-boggling. I have never seen such rich reds, royal golds, and vibrant purple flowers in all of my days. It’s as if this place has a magical quality that the castle and surrounding vegetation thrive on. It practically hums with life.

The SUV rolls to a smooth stop, and the guys begin to vacate with swift efficiency. I step out onto the concrete and take in the massive structure facing me.

“Good lord, I have never seen something so beautiful and majestic. I feel like I’ve been transported back in time.” I crane my neck back to stare up at the towers that line each corner. Amazing, simply amazing, that they could build something so long ago that to this day stands tall and proud.

Logan steps around the SUV and takes my hand into his. He looks down and offers me a sweet smile to reassure me. He’s with me. I’ll have Logan no matter what. He’s mine. I smile back and push out my chin, shoulders back, and proceed forward. Logan pinches my ass, which causes me to falter with my false bravado.

His eyes narrow and take on a deeper, darker shade of hunter green. He licks his lips.

His upper lip is slightly thinner, with a small V in the center, giving his mouth a kissably heart-shaped fullness. It’s so damn sexy when he does that. I don’t think he even realizes he does it when he’s turned on, but it has become my favorite expression to cross his beautiful face.

We reach the inner hall, and a butler politely takes our bags from Logan. Logan leads me into a sitting room, and it’s then that I know we have an audience.

Standing in the middle of the room is a very statuesque middle-aged man. He has wide, lean shoulders with a straight back and long, toned legs that show through the material of his black slacks. He wears a royal blue silk shirt with one button loose and the cuffs rolled up his forearm. His hair is neatly cropped like that of a businessman from Wall Street and combed to near perfection. He has a finely trimmed beard that lines his sharp jaw and flows into lean lines around his mouth and chin. He’s very well put together, and he exudes power. Like a man who knows he’s in control and owns it. A beer commercial flashes through my mind…he looks quite similar to that guy who has everything and doesn’t care to brag about it.

I giggle internally as I see him sitting on a beach astride a white stallion, proclaiming to be the most interesting man in the world. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing out loud, but I rein it in quickly as I take in the masculine elegance of the room.

The last rays of sun shine through a window and reflect off the gold and gray streaks in his rust-brown hair. He strolls to a chair, leans his hip against it, and crosses his legs at the ankles. He looks completely at ease, but at the same time like a lion ready to spring. I’m intimidated by him.

I hold my chin up and look him in the eye. Light gray swirls flecked with gold stare back at me. His eyes are uniquely vivid. They’re so light as to draw your attention, and then you notice the swirled mixes of gold and white throughout the cornea. Completely captivating.

Logan nudges my shoulder, and I stumble forward. His hands grip my hips firmly as he sets me up straight again. We take our places on a loveseat, and the striking man sits down as well. He crosses one leg over the other, ankle resting over his knee, and sets his elbows on the armrest with his hands linked and relaxed.

“Duncan, this is Miss Sulwen Macgregor. Sulwen, I’d like you to meet Duncan McKay.”

Duncan nods politely at me and then drops his hands to the armrests and leans forward. His body language is unnerving. I find myself constantly dropping my gaze to the floor to break the intensity of his stare.

“At last we meet Miss Macgregor; we’ve been searching for you for quite some time, lass. I was beginning to have my doubts we would find you in time. But here you are, and thank the gods for that.” He smiles at me for the first time, and it transforms his face from cold and sharp to soft and reassuring. He almost looks fatherly when he smiles.

Logan nudges my knee, and I realize Mr. McKay must have asked me a question. I look up apologetically to him.

“Pardon. I didn’t catch that last bit.” My face flushes pink, and I take a long, deep breath and let it out slowly. It helps me feel a little better.

He smiles again, and this time it meets his gray eyes. He has tiny crow’s feet in the corners of his eyes, giving him a mature look with an air of sophistication.

The truth of the matter is that as women age we tend to struggle with appearances and weight, but as men get older and get wrinkles and gray hair, they become more dignified. It’s simply not fair for Mother Nature to play such a horrible prank on womankind. This man could easily land a woman my age. A woman looks at him and has the impression that he could teach you things you’d want to know. But my eyes are all for Logan. He is the sexiest man in the entire world as far as I’m concerned. And he’s mine. I smile inside, and my inner diva gloats with satisfaction.

His smiling expression fades into a look of contemplation. Duncan makes me uneasy as his eyes take me in. It’s as if he can see through me, taking in every thought and insecurity with a single glance. I pretend to look around as several silent minutes pass, and then he clears his throat, and his face is once again void and unreadable.

“Never mind. It wasn’t important. At any rate you must be ready for some privacy. I’ll speak with you in the morning.” He abruptly stands as if he is in a hurry to escape my presence. “Sleep well, lass.” His stride is long and purposeful as he makes his way to the doorway, stopping briefly to look back over his shoulder at me.

He stares at me for a minute like he’s working through something in his mind, and just as I’m about to ask him what’s the matter, he turns and exits the room. I blink at the doorway, feeling confused and puzzled by his behavior.

“Let’s go.” Logan stands and pulls me up. “Your things have been delivered to your room.” He stops for a second, as if trying to decide what to say. “I have a room down the hall from you, but if you’d like me to, I can stay with you.” He glances at me quickly and starts to walk again.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I curl up under his arm, and he wraps it around my shoulder as we set off to our room.

We walk to the center of the house, which is a wide-open space filled with antique statues and gilded picture frames with tranquil landscape paintings. I do a double take when I see a fully armored knight standing in the corner. Its silver-and-gold-plated armor shines like a new penny. Its left arm is raised in a defensive gesture, holding a startlingly realistic-looking sword.

Logan gently tugs my hand; I look up and crack a nervous smile at him and follow him toward the dual staircases that start at the back of the room, one leading up the left side and the other one up the right. It’s like an episode of
Medieval Cribs
, and yours truly is hosting this extravagant walk-through.

My shoes make a soft scuffling noise as I tread across the gray stone flooring. Deep reds, blacks, and gold make up the interior design palette, but it’s the staircases that are a sight to behold. Black stone risers grace them with deep chocolate-colored wood. Carved spindles wind down to broad balusters. I squint to take a closer look.

The balusters have an emblem carved on the facing of each and every one of them as they wind up the massive staircase. It looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve seen it before. I shrug and follow Logan as we begin our trek to the upper level.

We step into our room, and Logan pulls me into his arms as he shoves the door closed with his foot. As the door clicks, our lips lock. His tongue slides against my lower lip in hot, wet circles and then plunges into my mouth. I moan, and his body pulls up harder against mine.

His arms are around my shoulders with one hand gently kneading the nape of my neck while his other hand blazes a trail up and down my spine. Our tongues begin to twist and turn around each other with fevered passion. We break apart only for a second to catch our breath, and then he’s back to consuming my mouth as if it’s his favorite dessert. He tastes like fresh mint with a kick of Scottish whiskey that bites into my senses.

His hands become needy and a little rough. I feel the moisture collect between my legs as his fingers dig into my skin and pull me hard into his muscled chest.

The breath leaves my lungs, and his lips pull back to trail flaming kisses along my jaw, neck, and to my shoulder. My breath is picking up as my pulse soars with desire. I can feel my heart pounding beneath my chest and his answering in perfect unison to mine.

It’s a moment like none other. I feel a jolt awaken within my body, and it’s as if a white-hot flame is ascending my legs, through my belly, and settling hot and heavy in my chest.

I gasp.

His magic hands have divulged me of my top, and my bra is sliding down my arms and onto the floor. I kick off my shoes, and he does the same. Our eyes are locked while we shed our pants. His eyes are darkening to a simmering emerald green. My tongue slides over my now dry lips, and his white teeth nibble seductively on his plump lower lip.

I want this man like I have never wanted anyone in my life. He makes my body burn for his touch and weep with need at the searing look in his eyes.

I’m standing in nothing but my black thong underwear, and Logan is completely naked, staring at me with the most breathtaking green eyes. I step toward him, and his warm hands circle my hips as he tenderly places sweet kisses on my swollen lips.