Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy (11 page)

Whispering into her ear, he said, “I can’t wait any longer. Can ye … move?” Her resistance faded and she moved against him. Lost to any thoughts, his discipline wavered.

Watching her writhe beneath him, a sudden urge overcame him. He wanted to keep going and yet end it at the same time. She closed her eyes tightly, holding him as if she’d fall a great distance if she let go. The warmth encasing him felt so tremendous, he wondered at the intensity of emotions suddenly hitting him.

Whimpering, she called his name. She rolled her head side to side, sucking in a good amount of air. “What’s happening? I feel strange, and oh …”

“Let yourself go, lass. Feel the bliss.”

She didn’t understand what was happening, but he knew. He kept moving, knowing that he too was on the verge reaching his end. How long could he last with the torture tugging at him? Colin’s body betrayed him, giving way to its own reward. When he could thrust no longer, he could barely hold himself up. She sighed contentedly when he rolled over and pulled her into his arms.

“I think ye killed me, sweetheart,” he whispered.

“Mmm. I do adore it, just as Sara had said. I was silly, wasn’t I?”

Before he could respond, she closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.

He grinned at her admission. That was a good enough start for him. He wanted to wake her and take her again, but laughed when she groaned. Holding her close, he didn’t want to release her yet. What the hell had happened? He’d never had such an intense sexual experience before. He thought he might be falling for her. If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought for sure his heart had exploded.

He fell asleep with a smile on his face, lying in the deep enchanted woods of his Highlands.

He awoke frowning at the bright morning sun shining on his face.

Colin watched his men’s departure. He approached Julianna, noting she continued to sleep. If he had any sense, he’d join her beneath the blanket, but there was no time for that this morn. He leaned forward and kissed her.

“Ye cannot be a slug-a-bed. We must be off, Jules. We’re almost there and I know how excited ye are to see Sara. Get a move on, will ye?” He laughed at her expression, and whacked her bottom.

“I slept overlong, I didn’t mean … to. Were you … awaiting me?” she stammered. Her cheeks burned red, and she pulled the plaid to cover herself.

“Aye, the men left. They’ll wait for us by KirkConnell land. We have only a few hours before we reach the keep. Did I hurt ye last eve?”

“Oh Lord Almighty! Truly, we … I thought it was but a dream. How could ye?”

Colin didn’t know what to say to that.

“I’m going to see Sara in a few hours? Why did ye not say so? Will you please t-turn around so I can r-rise?”

He laughed. “There’s no reason to be embarrassed. Don’t hide from me. I know what ye conceal beneath those blankets. Very pleasing.”

She screamed.

“Get dressed and meet me by the horse.”

He walked away to provide her privacy. The woman moved so swiftly, she was a blur, and was dressed before he could turn around. He found her full-fledged blush endearing. After pulling on her gown, she gathered the covers and approached. Aye, she was angry. She thrust his neatly folded plaid at him.

Silently, he watched her. Was she embarrassed again? Lord she was lovely in the morn with her hair free. A thought occurred to him that he’d like to see it flowing down her back over her beautiful bare behind.

This morn he’d been in a lighter mood, and even his men noted his smile. Colin thought Bleeth would challenge him when he saw her lying next to him, but he hadn’t.

Shoving the plaid back, he said, “I gave ye the plaid for protection. Put it on.”

“I don’t need it. We’ll be at Sara’s keep soon and I’ll be safe forever.”

“I insist that ye wear it, and what do you mean safe forever? While we are on the subject of safety, I will keep ye safe, have no fear.”

“Oh? I was supposed to be safely sleeping last night and … you … Ye didn’t keep me safe. I cannot believe I let ye …” Her words trailed off, and she ran to the bushes.

Ah hell, she was madder than an ox, but she hadn’t been incensed when she first woke. He had pleased her last night, hadn’t he? Why wouldn’t she accept that? He had taken her aye, but he did give her a chance to stop him. She wanted him, did she forget that? He’d give her time to come to an understanding. Aye, he’d make her accept him eventually.

She returned a few minutes later to find him waiting by the horse. He grinned devilishly while leaning against a tree, crooking his finger, bidding her to come. She shook her head.

“Come here, Jules.”

“Why?”

“Just do it,” he demanded calmly.

She walked to him, stopping a foot away. Colin clenched her wrists, jerking her forward. Turning her about, he pushed her back against the tree. Her breathing rasped. Frowning, she reached to strike his face. Before her hand struck him, he grabbed it, and kissed the palm.

“Not again, lass.” Pulling her forward again, he leaned against the tree, and settled her against him. Colin tried to ease her tension by remaining silent, but what he wanted to do was to kiss her wildly and show her how much he wanted her. That would only ignite sparks of angst and she wasn’t in the mood for love play.

She seemed to calm, but still stood rigid in his arms. He’d never felt such strong feelings for a woman before. Mayhap he cared more than he realized. His thought caused him to pull back and give her an impish grin. How easy it was to gain her acceptance.

He thought about removing her gown so he could look upon her beauty, but he shook his head. He wouldn’t be so irreverent. After all, she was the woman who would bear his sons. Nay, he’d show her that he had compassion, and he’d eventually assuage his misdeeds.

The woods came alive as birds fluttered overhead, and small animals scurried from the underbrush. He swallowed his contention, wanting to worship his own faerie. Lifting her chin, he looked into her still incensed eyes. Her mouth, a short distance away, called to him, and he took advantage of his position and gently kissed her.

“I didn’t intend to ire ye, sweetheart. Don’t be mad.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and remained quiet. He leaned his head on her shoulder, and she seemed content to stand there. After a few moments of silence, she pushed against his shoulder.

“Ye can release me now. I shan’t strike ye, even though ye deserve it. I cannot believe I acted so … I am truly wretched.”

“You are not wretched. Tell me ye enjoyed it.” Colin laughed, smiling broadly.

“Nay, I won’t be admitting such a sin.”

“I know ye did. You’re a vibrant lady, aye, ye are.”

“Colin, I told ye not to touch me, and yet you … didn’t listen. Ye made me forget myself.”

“I have wanted ye for so long, and I cannot get enough of you. I want you even now. Feel,” he said, placing her hand on his nakedness beneath his tartan.

She yanked her hand free. “Stay away from me, and we shall both survive this trek.”

“Your threat is paltry compared to what I want. How can I keep my distance when we have to ride together?” He wasn’t prepared for her reaction to his teasing.

Julianna screamed. Once her frustration was released, she swiped the blanket from the ground and walked away.

He laughed at her sweet temper, but then groaned, seeing her sweet bottom as she bent to pick up the blanket. Colin mounted his horse, leaned to the side, and pulled her onto his lap. She adjusted her skirts and said nothing. His mind reeled with visions as he recanted their lovemaking. Her eyes shot daggers, turning dark as night. He grabbed her chin and shifted her face. She jerked her chin from his hand. He heard her grimace. Aye, angst flashed in her eyes. What spirit the lass had. He’d enjoy their sparring.

They rode away from the camp—the magical place where he’d taken her innocence. He would always remember it. She wasn’t married, that thought snapped in his head. No one had been with her; he’d been the only man who touched her. Who beat her then? That question nagged him.

The weather cooled, the winds much more hale than the day before. He felt Julianna shiver, and he pulled an extra plaid from behind him, wrapping it around her shoulders. They caught up with the MacKinnon men. Colin joined the group when they reached the pass.

“What are ye thinking? You’re being too quiet.”

She turned her face, but didn’t look directly at him. “I was thinking about Sara and how happy I am to see her again. I was also thinking about what
you did
, even though I prayed that I wouldn’t.”

“What
I did
? Ye know what I was thinking?”

Her chin lifted. “Nay, and I am not sure I want to know.”

He laughed. “I wasn’t thinking about what
we did
. I was considering the soldier who tried to harm ye. Does anyone else besides your aunt know where you are going?”

She shook her head.

“Would ye tell me even if there was? Why would the soldier try to kill ye? Those men followed us a great distance. Are ye going to answer?” He waited, but she shook her head.

The lass was stubborn. Colin didn’t press her, because they had entered hostile territory. He didn’t like that Julianna rode with them and he was possibly putting her in more danger. A noise sounded from the trees adjacent to the trail they rode. He heard the sound of rustling leaves and the breaking of twigs.

“Keep quiet, we are about to have company.”

She agreed by nodding. He reined the horse, as the others had already stopped.
The Ferguson
. Colin wasn’t pleased, but they had to skirt the outlying edge of his land to reach the KirkConnell’s keep, and they had almost made it through without a run-in.

“MacKinnon, thought I heard someone riding on me land.”

Colin grunted a greeting. The MacKinnon warriors moved their horses to flank him and positioned themselves to protect Julianna. They acted like ruffians, and he almost laughed aloud. He knew they had surmised what he’d done, and now there was no turning back. His men would consider Jules their lady, whether he recognized that fact or not.

“Seamus.”

“I haven’t seen ye lately, lad. What have ye been up to? What have you there, something I can take off your hands?” The aged warrior laughed briskly.

Colin whispered in Julianna’s ear, “Don’t look at them; keep your eyes downcast. I don’t want trouble.” He squeezed her arm gently to enforce his command. In Gaelic, he said, “I do have something, Seamus. She’s my woman, and ye will not ogle her.”

“Oh, ho, she be yours? MacKinnon, you’re too green to know what to do with such a woman.” Seamus nodded at his men, who agreed.

“You are insulting me, Seamus.” Colin almost jostled her when he pulled out his sword. His horse sidestepped, being too close to others. The MacKinnon warriors followed suit and Seamus’ men noted the hostility.

“Aye, lad, I see that ye do. Don’t look stern. I will be sure to tell the lassies you are no longer available.”

Colin wanted to flay the priss-arse to the ground, but held firm, not wanting to cause Jules an upset.

“What’s the pretty’s name?” Seamus provokingly asked.

“She’s Lady MacKinnon to ye.” This came from Brendan, whose sword directed aggression at Seamus.

“The MacKinnons are cranky today, lads. Don’t get riled, I only asked.”

“Ye have no right to question us about our lady,” Robin said stringently. The MacKinnon warriors nodded in agreement.

Colin had had enough conversation and wanted to be away. “I thank ye for allowing us through. I want to get home to me and mine,” he said curtly.

The Ferguson nodded, turned his horse, and led his men from the clearing. They’d had a bit of fun, but knew not to push Colin further. Seamus wasn’t that daring.

Colin relaxed his hold and turned to his men. “Let us get off his land in all haste. I don’t like the way he looked at Lady Julianna.”

“You know what ye did, don’t ye?”

Colin turned to look at Robin. “Nay, what, send the priss-arse on his way?”

Robin tilted his head to Julianna. Colin hunched his shoulder. His warriors grinned.

“Ye damned well admitted it, Colin, aye, in front of witnesses. It’s as good as being married to our way of thinking.”

Colin thought his men lost their minds. They looked at each other then jumped off their horses. He wondered what they were about until they knelt on the ground with their swords raised and their free hand covering their hearts.

Chants of
Lady MacKinnon
followed.

He was about to tell them to rise when he felt Julianna pinching his arm. She looked at him, then at Bleeth, then at his men. Her scowl didn’t intimidate them at all.

“I am not Lady MacKinnon,” Julianna said stiffly.

“They believe ye are. They honor you, and have vowed to protect ye with their lives.” He smiled when she shook her head.

“That’s ridiculous. You got all that from their chanting Lady MacKinnon? You will have to correct them.”

“If they want to believe you are Lady MacKinnon, I will not dispute it. Nothing will sway them now.”

“You’re being ridiculous, too.” Julianna scoffed. “Pray, I want ye to tell them not to call me that.”

“Nay.”
Lady MacKinnon
. The name reverberated in his mind and to him sounded quite agreeable.

“Faith, save me from mindless shanties. Cease squeezing my arm. Ye shall not command me, Laird MacKinnon.”

“What did ye call me?”

“A shanty?”

Colin grinned. “Nay, Laird. I am your laird for now, and I alone command ye.”

“I shan’t listen.” Julianna covered her ears.

Colin burst out laughing at her childish act. She was becoming more and more likeable by the minute. They reached the top of a hill and stopped. Looking ahead, he smiled at the view. He raised his hand and pointed to the far-reaching glen.

“Sights behold, the bonny Highlands.”

She breathed a loud sigh. “Oh my, ‘tis breathtaking.”

He had to agree, seeing the slope hues of green, blue, purple, and yellow meshing together, weaving a scene of beauty. The view of the mountain peaks and valleys cleared of its mist, made the day brighter. He pressed onward, down the slope, and Julianna’s body pitched toward his. Holding her tightly around the waist, he felt her squeezing his arm. When they reached the bottom, she let out an unladylike screech.

She turned to him and before she could speak, but he tilted her chin, and kissed her before she could stop him. He wanted to keep kissing her, but he pulled away.

“We’re here.”

Her beautiful blue eyes held him captive, and he couldn’t look away. Something about the way she looked at him made him want to kiss her again—and so he did.

He lowered his mouth, setting it firmly on hers. Her cool tongue touched his timidly at first, but then his became wild with the need to duel. She became as demanding, her tongue jabbing his in a fight he would surely lose on purpose. Using his arm, he kept her pressed against him, and he used his free arm to touch her face. He heard someone clear their throat and he knew his men watched. They were probably smiling like lads.

“Colin, don’t ye think we should get to Steven’s before ye woo Lady MacKinnon?”

Rumbling low in his chest, he couldn’t tear his mouth from hers. She excited him; he wanted her again. His hand cupped her jaw, not allowing her to pull away. He didn’t want to end the kiss, but his men began whooping and cat-calling.

He broke off the kiss; so much for trying to intimidate her. Each one of them continued to stare. Her lips wet from his kiss made him grin at his men. His men shared his smile, except of course for Bleeth, who seemed to want his blood. Aye, his look was severe, almost murderous.

He lowered his eyes to hers. “There lies the Clan KirkConnell.”