Highlander's Caress: Medieval Romance (The Fae Book 2) (15 page)

The lightest creak of the floorboards outside her bedchamber door stirred Ella from her sleep. She stretched and opened her eyes. Grandma and Grandpa must have returned. Covers tossed back, she eased out of bed and straightened her forest-green skirts then popped her slippers on.

She made the door just as it swung open and Duncan filled the frame.

Goodness. Her jaw dropped and her mouth dried out. The renewed sight of him took her breath away, his tan leather vest studded with bits of steel stretching tight across his broad shoulders, his leather-covered legs braced wide apart. “W-what are you doing here?” He should never have been able to catch up to her this fast.

“You. Left. Me.” He closed the door behind him, heaved her up against the wall and pressed his big body against every inch of hers. “I take it this your grandparents’ cottage?”

“Aye, and they’ll be back soon, right after they’ve run an errand. They’re collecting mounts from the harbor village for our ride to Dunscaith. I willnae be alone in my coming mission. Grandma is a compeller and they’ve both agreed two compellers will be stronger than one. I’ll ensure Gavin is halted, as will my grandparents as well.”

“You’re no’ going anywhere near Dunscaith. My decision at the cavern still stands.” He hauled his belt free, grasped her hands together and strapped the thick leather around her wrists before cinching it tight. “You’ll be locked away within Ardan’s walls where no harm can possibly come to you. Ivor is with me and he too will ensure that is so.”

“Duncan, you cannae bind me in this way.”

“I am, and I have.” From his pocket, he pulled out a wad of cloth and stuffed it in her mouth then wrapped a length of tartan around her head to keep it in place. “’Twill be I alone who deals with Gavin MacDonald. Am I understood?”

“Nay,” she mumbled into the cloth and pushed the wad free with her tongue, his binding around her mouth not nearly as tight as he should have made it to keep it in place. “Dinnae do to me as your father did to your mother. He kept her bound and contained. I willnae allow you to keep me as your prisoner, nor beat down my spirit and control me.” Squirming for release, she lashed out and swung her leg.

He blocked her kick with his leg, stuffed the wad of cloth back into her mouth then moved to tighten the knot at the back of her head, but suddenly stilled, his hands shaking and agony flaring across his face. “You truly believe I’m treating you just as my father so badly treated my mother?”

She spat the wad back out and the strip slipped down to her neck. “You are treating me as if you own me, wishing only to bend me to your will. Duncan, you dinnae have your father’s devious nature, only your mother’s strong heart. What did Beth want when she learnt of your father’s true intent?”

“To run from him.”

“Do you wish for me to desire the same as well? To run from you.”

“Nay, never.” Stumbling back a step, such anguish pooled in his eyes. “What am I doing?”

“You only wish to keep me safe and I understand your need, but I am no’ a lass you can easily bend to your will. Remove my bindings.” She gentled her tone, searched his gaze and stuck her hands out toward him. “No man who truly loves his wife would ever bind her in such a way.”

“You’re right.” Disgust laced his tone and he hauled the binding from her hands free, his hands still shaking as he shoved back and paced the room. “I’m so sorry, Ella. You deserve a far better husband than me.”

“You are the only man I want”—she stepped in his path, halted him in place—“but most of all, I want your trust. I can see to this mission and bring Gavin’s destructive strikes to a stop. You must believe in me, have faith that I can do as I’ve said.”

“I understand your skill is strong, but even so I still fear for your safety. You can never halt that from arising. You also ran away from me, and that I can never allow again.”

“I agree running was no’ wise, but you truly left me with no other choice. If you promise me that you’ll never bind me in such a way again, I promise to never run.” Needing him so desperately, likely as he needed her too, she worked the ties on his pants loose and freed his cock, which hardened and pushed eagerly into her hands. “Do we have an agreement?”

“Aye, we do.” He hoisted up her skirts and thrust into her, so fast she almost lost her breath. “By the way, you forgive far too quickly.”

“Oh my.” Filled to the brim with him, she clutched his broad shoulders, this moment so sweetly necessary. “’Tis worth forgiving quickly to ensure this kind of joining.”

“I couldnae stand our parting.” He gripped her backside, lifted her up and dropped her back down on top of him.

“Mmm, neither could I. Do that again.”

“I am so fortunate to have you as mine.” Growling low in his throat, he took possession of her mouth, his kiss thrilling as he thrust his tongue between her lips and did exactly as she’d asked. He thrust into her, over and over until she moaned her pleasure.

* * * *

Duncan tried to pull himself back, to not take Ella so madly against the wall, only her forgiveness made his need for her roar though with such fierce intensity. As he pounded into her, he tugged the low neckline of her gown down and lifted one breast free. Head dipped, he suctioned his mouth around the hard nipple, his desire to mark and brand her with his kisses all that drove him. He tasted and devoured her and she thrashed against him, her gasps for more sending him half crazed. With his pants sliding to his knees and her bottom in his hands, he tumbled her to the floor.

“You’re heavy, Duncan.” She squirmed underneath him. “Let me up on top.”

“Sorry, love.” He rolled her with him as he moved onto his back and she sat up over top of him, straddled his hips and rocked him ever deeper inside her. “Aye, that’s it. Ride me and dinnae stop,” he demanded.

“I intend to.” She gasped as she moved up and down over him, taking his shaft deep into the heavenly heart of her core. “Oh, aye, this I love.”

“I’m going to lose my mind.”

“Then let’s hope you lose the part that cannae deal with my need for freedom.” She arched her back as she picked up her speed.

The intensity of the moment shook him and he grasped her hips, rocked them even harder together until her tight channel swamped him in such sweet pressure as she hugged him all the way to his balls.

“Duncan, I cannae hold on any longer.”

“Neither can I. Let go. I’m right here with you, always with you.”

“In this need we are the same.” She cried out her pleasure, her inner channel pulsing around his cock and with no choice left to him, he came hard and fast, his seed shooting to her core as he shattered right along with her.

Hell, he couldn’t move, his limbs so heavy and his body saturated with pleasure. ’Twas as if she’d drained his life’s blood and not on the battlefield but on the hard floorboards of her grandparents’ cottage. Such control she wielded over him and always would.

With her slumped on top of him, he ran one hand down her back and over her long, loose locks. The silky brown strands slid between his fingers. “Ella,” he murmured in her ear, “I have no desire to beat down your spirit and control you.”

“I’m aware.” She lifted up a touch, both her breasts now swaying free and her forest-green skirts bunched between them. “Let us return to the plan we made at the inn. We’ll both head to Dunscaith, Ivor as well since you said he came with you. You’ll both don hooded cloaks and Grandma and I will compel any unwanted attention away from you both. We’ll remain at Dunscaith for no longer than is absolutely necessary.”

“I can agree to that. We’ll be in and out, as quick as we can.” He cupped the back of her head and brought her mouth back to within an inch of his. “Kiss me again, and dinnae stop.”

“If I kiss you”—she pressed her fingers to his mouth—“we’ll never get off this floor.”

“The bed is fairly close and I’m certain I can make it there.”

She giggled and shook her head. “My grandparents are due back at any moment. I told them all about you, although no’ of your fae blood. Unfortunately though, they’ve guessed all the same. They know I’d never wed a man unless a bond had formed between us.”

“They’re aware we’ve spoken handfast vows, that you chose to run from me?”

“Aye.” She rolled off him, flipped her skirts back down as she lay on her back and stared at the planked ceiling, an inquisitive look on her face.

“What are you thinking?” He eased onto his side, slid the sleeves of forest-green gown farther down her arms and palmed her breasts. Head bent, he licked each pebbled tip and reveled in the taste of her. Like a fine wine, he wanted to get drunk on her and gently, he suckled one aureole deep inside his mouth then moved to the other and flicked the tip with his tongue.

“Duncan?” Lashes fluttering down, she moaned.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“About naught but you at the moment. You always scramble my thoughts.”

“My laird?” A knock and Ivor’s voice echoed through the door. “My lady’s grandparents have returned from Kinloch harbor with three mounts and wish to ensure their granddaughter is well. They also dinnae seem very surprised to find us here.”

“We’ll be out in a moment.”

“Tell them I’m well, Ivor. Very well.” Ella lifted her sleeves embellished with golden embroidery back up her arms, slipped her breasts inside the bodice and as she sat up, adjusted her golden girdle at her waist.

He pushed to his feet, straightened his own clothing and offered her a hand. “I seem to be falling into your plans with far more ease than I thought possible during my trek here. Can I ask if you’ve compelled me since my arrival?”

“I’ve compelled naught of you.” Laughing, she reached up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’ve simply seen reason, which is what happens to a man when he discovers his mate talks sense.”

“When do you wish to leave for Dunscaith?” He detested losing this precious time with her, but with this fine weather, Gavin would be on the move and they needed to reach the MacDonald’s stronghold as soon as possible.

“Once you’ve had a short rest.” She traced her thumbs under his eyes. “I dinnae care for these black circles and you need to be at your most alert while journeying across MacDonald land. We’ll depart closer to dusk. Traveling the roads during the dark will also ensure less notice is drawn to you and Ivor. There will be no harm in waiting a few more hours. Do you agree?”

“Aye, agreed.” He rubbed against her, surrounded himself in her delicious womanly scent. Sweet vanilla swirled around him and his cock twitched and rose back to life. “I want to be buried deep inside you again.”

“I want that too, but for now, come and meet my kin.” She towed him to the door and swished out into the main room.

Next to the fireplace, an elderly man with thick hair and a beard sat in an unusual chair, the base made of two half-moon shaped wooden wedges attached to the legs. Chair creaking, he rocked back and forth, his hands curled around the smooth wooden armrests and his gaze moving from Ella to him and back to Ella again. In dark trews and a brown tunic, the man nodded as if what he saw pleased him. “You’re Duncan, I take it?”

“Aye, and I apologize for my unannounced arrival.”

“Think naught of it.” He waved his concern away. “My granddaughter appears content now, no’ as anxious as she did this morn upon her arrival. Your man, Ivor, explained your trek here to us. Welcome to our home, Duncan. I’m Ewen.” He gestured to Ella’s grandma sitting at the table, her gray hair piled high upon her head and her blue woolen skirts fluffed around her. “This is my wife, Marie.”

“’Tis good to meet you both.”

“’Tis lovely to meet you too, Duncan.” Marie offered him a wide smile.

“Duncan and I have spoken.” Ella crossed to her grandpa, popped a kiss on his cheek then popped another on her grandma’s cheek as well. “Both he and Ivor will be traveling with us to Dunscaith, both with a hooded cloak to disguise themselves. Grandma, you and I will need to compel any unwanted attention away from them both should they garner any.”

“Aye, that I can easily do.” Marie nodded.

Ewen rocked back and forth in his chair. “We’ll need to secure another two mounts for the ride. ’Twill be easily enough done though.”

“We’ve decided to leave at dusk and travel the roads during the dark of night. Less notice will be drawn to us if we do.” Ella glanced at Duncan. “Are you hungry, my stubborn one?”

“Famished.” He winked at her and she blushed.

“Naughty husband. I didnae mean that kind of hunger.” She caught his hand, led him to the bench seat before the table and continued on to the kitchen. “Sit and talk to Grandma while I rustle us all up a meal.”

“Aye, I would like to speak to them about my birth and how I came to be your husband.” Ivor remained outside so he could do so without the knowledge going any further than the four of them. Ella trusted her grandparents and so too would he. No more secrets. Not with her most beloved kin.

Eyes alight, Ella picked up the jug and poured cider into four tankards and set the drinks on the table. She rummaged about in the cupboards and laid out platters of food. Bread, cheeses and a selection of meats, a pot of raspberry jam and a tub of honey too.

She was so at home here, just as he wished for her to be at home at Ardan House, the lady of his keep as she oversaw all. Her grandparents too followed her every move, love shining bright in their eyes. How he wanted to meet her mama and brother as well, to ensure all her nearest and dearest were aware they’d always be welcome at his home, no matter he was a MacKenzie and currently their clan’s greatest enemy.