Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (113 page)

Connell could not resist the laugh that bubbled within him. “The good thing about that present is that I get tae open it whenever I wish.”

“Just like ye did last night?”

“Nay, no’ just like last night . . . tonight be a new night . . .” He leaned forward, lightly brushing his lips over hers.

“And what do ye have in mind for this new night?”

“I dinna ken yet, but I do ken that a new night leads tae a new dawn, and I be looking forward tae sharing tomorrow with ye.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.

He didn’t understand how it was possible for his desire for her to grow even more powerful. It seemed as if the more he had her, the more he wanted her. Even now, his body was telling him to remove her clothes as quickly as possible, skip the beginning entirely, and jump straight to the middle.

As he placed her on the bed and she pulled him down for a powerful kiss, he realized that her kiss, as well as her ability to take the initiative when she pleased, pushed him to the edge of his control. Lasses were supposed to be more reserved, and Connell had never truly examined what society had mandated for the most part. But he was making more discoveries about himself in the past few months than he had in years. He never realized what he most desired in a lover was one who could turn the tables on him and take the initiative. Mairi had done so several times and never failed to drive him to distraction. Even now, her hands were tugging at his belt as his kiss grew more passionate. In an instant, she cast it away and slid her hands under his tunic.

He stopped their kiss only long enough to haul it over his head, but he hesitated as he looked down at her. The bed was large and high off the ground. This sort of thing wasn’t fair at all when he noted her position and that all he had to do was push her skirts out of the way, lift her legs, and he would be able to take her as he stood.

He continued to stare at her, clenching and unclenching his fists. While he had enjoyed himself immensely when they had made love after the revel, he wanted tonight to be different, but suddenly he had no idea where to start. The heated desire pushing him began to fade. Nay! This was not what he wanted. He wanted tonight to be more than had come before, so she would never doubt how much he loved her, but his own indecision was stealing that away from him.

Mairi’s eyes narrowed, and she abruptly sat up, taking his hand in hers. “Connell, what’s wrong? What just changed?”

He was so very grateful she understood him so well. “I just want tonight tae be special, Mairi, but it’s as if I canna think. I dinna ken what I want, and I dinna ken what ye want.”

She studied him a moment then gently tugged on his hand until he sat next to her on the bed. “Ye be overthinking it too much.” To his surprise, she crouched before him, helped him remove his boots, then rose to prepare herself for bed as if nothing had happened.

Disappointment rose within him, but it was his own damned fault. He started getting ready for bed, hauling off his trewes, wearing only his braies.

She moved to the other side but didn’t extinguish the lamp as she usually did. She only lowered the wick so the light was a soft, dim glow. His gaze locked on the floor while she crawled into bed, angry with himself.

Finally, she spoke. “Ye said a few nights ago that I was able tae let everything go and just be there in the moment.”

“Aye,” He removed his braies and slid into bed.

Mairi sat up and turned so she was on her knees and facing him, completely naked. The light from the lamp cast a beautiful golden glow upon her skin. The other night, before the brighter light of the hearth fire, Connell had found himself delighting in watching her, able to truly admire her. In the bedroom it was usually dark even when the moon was shining bright. He could see her, but after having the light of the hearth he realized the difference. With the light of the lamp, he could see her perfectly, yet it was beautifully soft. He sucked in his breath as just seeing her brought his desire roaring back with surprising power. Then he realized what she had done. By getting ready for bed instead of forcing themselves to try to find a way through the hitch, she had effectively distracted him from his concerns, and now they were naked in bed together. He felt himself growing hard as the fire within him came back to life.

“I think that’s what ye need tae do,” she said softly.

“Aye,” he replied, even though he had completely lost track of what she meant. He reached out and touched her silky skin, running his fingers up and down the inside of her thigh. She watched him a moment and smiled. “Better?”

“Better,” he said and was surprised to hear his voice already hoarse with need. “Stay just like that, but open for me. I long tae see ye.”

Her knees opened, but he could not quite see what he most wanted. He caught her hands and guided her to open herself so he could clearly see her lovely folds. “Stay just like that.” His cock was growing harder. As he gazed at her beauty, he stroked himself, shivering in pleasure as his cock fully engorged. With his free hand, he reached out and lightly traced his fingers over her soft folds.

She gasped softly, and he heard her suck in a breath. “I always love it when ye do this.”

His gaze flicked to her face for a moment, but she wasn’t looking at his eyes, she was watching what he was doing with his cock. Another shiver of pleasure leapt through him.

“See something that interests ye?”

“Aye, I find watching ye like this provokes me. I canna wait tae feel ye inside me.”

Her folds were so very slick, but he continued to only caress and explore. Her breathing grew more rapid.

“Will ye ride me tonight?”

“How do ye ken exactly what I want?” she asked breathlessly.

His lips lifted. “Do what ye will, then.” He pressed a little harder as he stroked her. Her moan was deliciously quiet. She gazed at his shaft a moment more and watched his hand move as he continued to fondle and tease her.

She finally moved then. Connell didn’t withdraw, but his fingers followed her. As she moved to swing her leg over him, he pressed her nub hard. Her cry was harsher than he expected, but she was fighting to breathe all of a sudden and just barely managed to straddle him as a deep shudder passed through her.

She gulped a deep breath. “Ye almost sent me into my fulfillment doing that.”

“I wish I would have.”

“Ye already be close. Just keep doing that. I have a feeling when I have yer cock inside me, it will hit hard.”

“That’s what I really enjoy, when ye no longer control the responses of yer body—I do. But tonight, ye do whatever ye need tae do tae make yerself find it.”

“Myself?”

“Oh, I’ll be helping, of course, but I want ye in control tonight. Ride me fast, slow, deep, hard, whatever ye will.”

She lifted her hips, and Connell guided her onto his cock. She moved so very slowly, savoring each inch as she slid downward. He groaned at the pleasure of the head of his cock entering her tight sheath. She was so slick and heated, and that heat traveled through his shaft, settling in the deepest part of his being.

“Oh, Connell,” she murmured in delight.

He filled her completely. She started to move, her hips thrusting back and forth, but all she was truly doing was settling more firmly upon him. He sucked in his breath as ecstasy shot through him. He grabbed for anything solid, locking his hands on the headboard.

“Ye are perfect like that,” she murmured.

He could barely see straight. A low groan escaped him, and every muscle in his body coiled. He focused on her face and saw a smile playing on her lips. Then he realized she was in complete control this time, especially while his hands gripped the headboard. In this moment, he was absolutely helpless beneath her.

And he loved it. “God, Mairi . . .”

“This is very different, but you like this, aye?”

He didn’t reply, still fighting to suck air into his lungs.

She abruptly stopped, and he ground his teeth in frustration. “Tell me, Connell.”

He would say anything if only she would start moving again. “Aye,” he growled between clenched teeth. He started to move his hand, hoping he would find new ways to encourage her to continue.

“Put yer hand back,” she said sternly. “Like I said, I like ye exactly as ye are.”

He grasped the headboard again. She came down hard, then returned to her slow but incredible movement. Connell’s vision spotted, and he groaned again. He was enjoying this too much, but apparently so was Mairi.

“Do ye want me tae bring ye to yer pleasure?”

He almost objected. He couldn’t find his pleasure until after he witnessed her in her throes. Seeing her at the height of her pleasure drove him wild. Then he realized that was something that had changed about him as well. Mairi could bring him to his pleasure whenever she wanted to.

“Do ye want me tae push ye again? Ye always seem to enjoy it so much.”

“Aye,” he finally said. “Ye have no idea how much I’m enjoying this.”

“Oh, this will be fun,” she murmured.

And it was. Mairi didn’t just push him past the line, she took him to it then pulled him away. He would encourage her one moment then beg and plead with her as she did it all over again. He kept his hands locked on the headboard as if they were tied to it. That thought brought him to utter arousal, and a deep heat ignited in his loins and the base of his cock. He felt the first stirrings of his release and wondered if she would change her tempo again and lead him away from it. “Mairi . . . please . . . Sweet Jesu, please . . .”

She didn’t reply, but her body started to rock more urgently against him, and he heard her make tiny mewling sounds again. Her movement intensified, and even though she was losing control, her eyes never left him. He looked down and saw her sliding up and down his shaft, growing more forceful. That sight sent the pleasure thrumming through him in a whole new wave. He couldn’t take his eyes off of his cock, wet from her slick heat as she lifted herself then rocked down until he was buried deeply inside her.

“I want ye tae find yer pleasure first, I want tae see ye helpless this time,” she purred.

Her words were bold, but he also felt her tighten inexorably around him. She was so very close to hers. It was that exquisite sensation that brought him to the apex. The energy built then erupted, sending his seed pumping into her. He shuddered and bucked underneath her. He had never found his release first, but now he knew this would certainly not be his last time. He called her name in utter abandon. Before he lost the last of his seed, she was suddenly gasping his name as well. Watching him achieve his release had shattered the last of her control. He felt her body tighten, demanding he give up even more. Another wave slammed into him, and somehow he spilled even more of his seed when he thought he had nothing left. His vision spotted as he experienced the hardest release he had yet known, and his body wasn’t done. Watching her lose control while she rode him made it that much sweeter.

HHH

His pulse still thudded in his body, even though he had spent himself utterly this night. Connell watched Mairi rise and fetch Adam from his cradle. He could not explain the profound effect it had on him watching her put the babe to breast. The child wasn’t even his, but he loved Adam all the same.

“Come here,” he said, tugging her into his arms. “I love holding ye.” She settled her head against his chest, and his arms tightened around her. “Thank ye for giving me this gift.”

She looked up at him and smiled. He kissed her brow and watched Adam feed for a moment.

“I canna explain it,” he whispered. “But this gives me such joy. Just like fixing the chair for ye. It was a simple action, but I enjoyed being able tae do it for ye.”

She drew a deep breath and looked up at him again. “I love this life ye have made for us, and I love being able tae share it with ye.”

He cupped her face in his hand. “We dinna have much. I would give ye more if I could.”

“I dinna want more. All I want is ye and Adam. I want a home and a normal life. And ye have given me that. I couldna be happier.”

“Are ye sure, Mairi? Are ye sure ye be happy?”

“Connell MacGrigor, never, ever question that. I didna ken what happiness was until I heard ye say ye love me.”

He smiled and lightly kissed her brow. “I love ye, more than ye will ever ken.” He pulled her close and squeezed his eyes closed, thanking the Almighty for granting him a second chance. He held joy to his breast, and this time he would never, ever let it go.

“A true friend stands beside ye no matter the odds. An even better friend brings his brothers.”

~
Connell MacGrigor

M
airi looked out the window and scowled. The day was again dark and cold, but this time a sharp wind bent the grass around their small home. She turned to Adam, bundling him in his warmest clothes.

“I have no choice,” she told him. “I must go tae market today. Perhaps we can get it over and done before it starts raining.”

“Da-da-da.”

“Nay, my sweet. We willna see him until Nones today. I hope.” At least this time there weren’t so many horses in the yard. She had a number of things to get from market, and the faster she departed, the faster she could return and cook dinner.

The streets were surprisingly busy for such wicked weather, but perhaps the majority of people were like her and wanted to complete their business before it started raining.

As always, she approached Dugal’s booth first; he seemed to have a nice supply. As she examined the fruit and vegetables, she happened to glance up and spotted the captain and his men from yesterday a short distance away. Once again the captain watched her, but the moment she looked at him, he turned his head away.

Fear snaked through her. What were they still doing here? Connell had finished their horses yesterday.

Then she chided herself. Edinburgh was a large city; no doubt they had plenty of reasons to remain. But wasn’t it large enough that they could find elsewhere to do it?

“Stop being a frightened mouse, Mairi,” she muttered to herself, forcing herself to ignore them.

She made her selections of vegetables, chatting and haggling a bit with Dugal, plying him as she did every time about seeds for springtime. Mairi desperately wished for her own garden. Although it seemed she pulled weeds more than anything else, she missed working outside in the springtime when all the flowers were blooming and it was so bright and colorful. Dugal, as always, promised her he would have plenty of seeds for her when it came time to plant.

Mairi looked around again, but the captain and his men had vanished, nowhere to be seen. She sighed in relief. She had been imagining things. They had been on the trail too long, that was all. She was seeing danger where there was none. She glanced at the guards ever-present in the square. The serjant gave her a polite nod and continued his conversation with the guard next to him.

See?
she told herself.
It be yer imagination. Everything is just as it should be.

“Good morrow, Mairi,” Titus said with a smile as she approached. “I keep telling ye I dinna have anything for ye until closer tae springtime.”

She laughed. Titus sold items for gardening, but she could not resist stopping by his booth every time she came to market. “Forgive me, Titus, but I canna wait for spring tae arrive. In truth, I’m in need of cabbage for supper tonight, and Dugal was out. He thought you might have some and I hoped ye might have some herbs for seasoning.”

“Och, lassie, now the cabbage I have plenty. I have some herbs for seasoning chicken that ye will enjoy.”

She opened her mouth to reply, but he held up his hand.

“And I will have the cuttings for ye tae plant come springtime, ye dinna have tae ask.”

She laughed. “I fear ye ken me too well.”

They chatted a bit more while Mairi made her purchases and Titus wrapped them for her to place in her basket. Then she bid him good day and moved on.

“Good morrow, Roderick, and how be ye this fine day?”

He looked up at the clouds and grimaced. “Fine?”

She laughed as he grinned at her. “Ye have any fresh bread today?”

“Aye. Made just this morn.” He wrapped a loaf up for her. “I also saved ye a bit of flour and yeast as ye asked so ye can make yer own.”

“Thank ye. With winter upon us, the fewer trips I can make tae market the better.”

“Aye,” he said and took her coin. “Ye dinna wish yer wee laddie tae catch a chill.”

She put the bread along with the package of flour and yeast into her basket and bid good-bye to Roderick, turning toward Hamish’s booth. “What do ye think, Adam?” she whispered to her bairn. “Does chicken sound good tonight?”

“I think it sounds wonderful,” a voice said from behind her.

Mairi squeaked and spun around, seeing the captain and his men form a loose semicircle around her. The captain’s gaze crawled over her, and her revulsion rose. She suddenly felt trapped. She dropped her basket and held Adam tightly. The terror she had experienced on the trail came roaring back. She couldn’t think. Where was Connell?

“Forgive me,” the captain said, “but ye dropped this.” He held up one of Adam’s toys.

Mairi’s gaze stopped first on Adam’s hand. He still gripped the toy they had brought with them. Then she focused on the one in the captain’s hand, and her terror increased. That one they had left at home. She was certain of it. How was it the captain now held it?

Surely they wouldn’t try to grab her on a busy street. She knew that was her only advantage. She suddenly didn’t care about the food she had purchased. She saw a gap between the men and bolted.

HHH

Connell again worked over the forge, longing for the bells to ring for Nones, but he had a couple of hours to go. He grinned to himself. Aye, he was smitten to the core. He had thanked Ian for his kind gift, and the man was most pleased to learn that Connell had made a ring for Mairi.

“Connell!”

Surely he was imagining things if he heard her voice, but he looked up, and his heart nearly froze in his chest.

She ran clutching Adam to her breast as if the hounds of hell snapped at her heels. Her face was ashen, and the terror he saw in her eyes he knew all too well. He had seen it so often on the trail and had hoped to never see it again. It twisted his heart and clawed at his soul. He withdrew the metal he was heating from the forge and fisted a second massive hammer.

“Mairi,” he called, striding toward her as she sprinted into the smith’s yard. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

She was so terrified she could barely speak as she threw herself into his arms. But he heard the words
c
aptain
and
men
and looked up at the crowded street, spotting the men instantly. Why were they still here, and why were they terrorizing his wife? His vision hazed red, and his grip tightened on his hammers.

“Get inside,” he growled.

HHH

Mairi watched the change that came over Connell. Oh, dear God in heaven, the warrior had returned. She had come to dread seeing the warrior rouse but was now grateful because she knew without a doubt she would not lose Connell to him. Connell seemed to grow bigger before her eyes. Muscles stood out in sharp relief under his smooth skin; veins became more pronounced. As he looked to the street, his gaze flattened and his blue eyes grew steely.

Ian and his wife ran into the yard, alerted by her cries.

“Bless,” Fiona said. “Mairi, what is it?”

“’Tis the captain and his men who gave her such a fright,” Connell snarled. “Get inside.” He fisted his hammers and strode from the yard.

“Connell, nay!” Mairi cried, trying to go after him, but Fiona stopped her.

“Dinna worry, lassie,” Ian said also gripping two hammers. “I’ll watch his back.”

“But there be too many men, and they be armed.”

“So are we,” Ian said and strode after Connell.

Mairi watched Connell stalk toward the Captain and his men, but the moment Ian caught up with him, she saw others moving. Angus the carpenter approached. The hammer he bore appeared more like one a knight would wield aboard a horse rather than one used to ply his trade. He stood near Connell, but he didn’t make himself evident to any who weren’t watching him directly. Ross was also armed. He stepped behind one of the captain’s men. Then she saw Dugal with a biodag on his belt. Other merchants gathered, taking tactile positions around the captain and his men. All of them she and Connell knew, and all were armed to the teeth.

Mairi looked at Fiona in confusion.

She offered a gentle smile. “Ye and Connell have made friends, child. With the war, there is little love for the English, but Edinburgh exists for trade, so they are tolerated. But let one step out of line . . .” She paused and shook her head. “I ken they frightened ye terribly, but ye were ne’er in any danger. None of these people would ever allow anything tae happen tae Connell’s wife. And now he stands before them in defense of ye, just as a young husband should. They willna allow anything tae happen tae him either.”

Mairi turned her gaze back to Connell, holding Adam tightly. Fiona’s words did little to sooth the terror raging within her. Now Connell faced the captain bearing nothing but smithing hammers. He didn’t even have his sword.

HHH

The red haze didn’t clear from Connell’s vision, but it didn’t stop him from spotting those around him, armed, ready to support him if needed. He couldn’t be more grateful for them.

“I’d have words with ye, Captain,” Connell snarled, coming to a stop before the man, noting he held one of Adam’s toys. If he had threatened Mairi, Connell would bash his head like a melon.

“I only meant to return this to your
son
.”

He placed a bit too much emphasis on
son
, and Connell gritted his teeth. “I appreciate the gesture. But I’ve noticed ye have an eye for my lassie.”

The captain curled his lip. “Scottish dog, mind yer place.”

Connell growled, his grip tightening on his hammers. He stepped forward, towering over the captain. “I am minding my place as a husband and a father.” Connell also noted that the conviction of his words carried strong and true. As he stepped closer, so did those around him. Angry mutterings grew in power.

“Hey now,” the serjant in charge of the guard said, approaching with his men. “Connell, what goes?”

“This sorry cur will no’ leave my lassie alone.”

“Damnation, le Perche, ’tis the third report I’ve had of ye harassing the women. I told ye twice to leave.”

The captain glanced around. His jaw tightened, and Connell knew he recognized the fact that he and his men were in a very bad position.

“Yer business be finished here.”

The man opened his mouth as if to argue.

“Yer business be finished,” Connell snapped.

The captain looked up at him and seemed to realize Connell’s expression meant death if he argued. He swallowed hard. “Gather your mounts,” he barked. His men stepped away. With a glare at Connell, the captain followed them.

Connell watched them mount their horses and gallop off. He released his breath explosively, allowing the fight to drain from him.

Marcus suddenly emerged from the crowd. The captain had dropped Adam’s toy, and Marcus scooped it from the ground and held it out, looking up at Connell, his eyes wide. “Would ye really have clobbered him with yer hammers?”

“Aye,” Connell growled. The lad continued to stare up at him in awe, and he felt distinctly uncomfortable. He took the toy. “Thank ye.”

“Connell,” Hamish said, hefting a basket. “Yer lassie dropped this. I vow I’ve ne’er seen anyone so terrified.”

“Thank ye, Hamish,” he said, taking the basket.

“Ye ken we watch out for each other here, but especially ye and yer young family,” Dugal said as he too approached. “Yer laddie was holding on tae the same toy the entire time. He didna drop that one like the Captain said.”

Connell looked at the toy in shock. “’Tis Adam’s. How did he get it?”

“I dinna ken,” Dugal replied. “But realizing this—I dinna fault yer lassie for running. Not in the least.”

Hamish hefted a large chicken carcass, clean and ready for the pot. “Yer lassie was headed for my booth tae purchase a chicken for yer supper tonight.” He wrapped it and placed it in the basket.

“I shall come by this eve and settle the tally.”

“Dinna worry over it. ’Tis my gift.”

“Thank ye. Be sure tae see me when yer horse needs shoeing.”

“I will, Connell.”

Connell hefted the basket and turned back for the shop, Ian falling in stride beside him. “Ye cowed the captain quickly.”

“Only because he realized everyone, including the guard, stood at my back.”

“Even an experienced swordsman would think twice about tangling with a smith armed with his hammers,” Ian said with a laugh.

Connell finally allowed a smile to tug at his lips. “Aye.” He looked again at the toy he had placed in the basket. “But this is worrisome.”

“Aye. As I said, when anyone crosses the line, take yer hammers tae him because I’ll be standing next tae ye with mine. He crossed the line.”

“And here ye are,” Connell replied. “Thank ye.”

“Ye did right, calling him out as ye did. Hopefully, he and his men have left for good.”

“I hope so.”

He returned to the yard and saw Mairi standing with Fiona. He strode to her and pulled her into his arms. “’Tis all right now. They willna bother ye again.”

She looked up at him, still shaking. “Did they ken?” she whispered.

“I dinna think so. Ye just caught the captain’s eye.” He felt the first drops of icy rain strike his head and looked up at the darkening clouds.

“Och, ye men,” Fiona muttered. “Mairi, come inside with me. I fear it be dreadfully boring when these two be working. Ye and Adam can keep me company.”

Mairi looked up at him, and he gave her a nod. She took the basket from him and followed Fiona into the shop.

Then his gaze traveled to the house, and he wondered yet again how the captain had managed to get one of Adam’s toys. “Ian, would ye come with me a moment? I’d like tae check something.”

“Of course,” Ian said.

Connell strode to the fence and vaulted over it.

“I never did get around tae putting a gate in,” Ian muttered as he too vaulted over. “This was our first home when Fiona and I settled here and I opened the shop.”

“I was going tae ask ye if I could put one in.”

“Certainly.”

They strode to the front door of the house, and Connell studied the lock as he approached. Everything appeared normal. He reached for the door, but just as he touched it, it swung open of its own accord.