The Highlander's Vow (Loch Moigh #4) (17 page)

He ached for the very same thing. His cock twitched and strained in response. He was as hard as granite as he searched the blanket for a condom. He found one and tore it open. Sky sat up and watched as he sheathed himself. “Your first time is going to be . . . uncomfortable, love.”

“I ken as much. My mother was always open and honest in sharing information with us. She told me what to expect.”

Her glorious hair cascaded around her shoulders, and spots of sunlight peeking through the leaves brought out the deep brownish-red highlights. Her lazy, satisfied smile pleased him to no end. He’d put that expression on her face. Struan drew her close and brought them both down to the blanket. He kissed and fondled her until once again she moved mindlessly against him, caught in the throes of renewed passion. Moving on top of her, he nudged her thighs apart with his knees. She opened herself to him, and his heart nearly burst. Taking himself in hand, he rubbed the head against her opening until she moaned. Slowly, in small increments, he entered her until he met with resistance.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, helpless to keep himself from thrusting slightly.

“The pain will only last a few seconds.” She ran her hands down his back to his buttocks. “Come to me, Struan.”

He raised himself, watching her for any sign of distress, and gave a single strong thrust, seating himself fully inside her. She winced, but then her eyes met his, and her expression filled with wonder. He intended to give her a few seconds to recover, but she moved beneath him. “Starting the party without me, lass?”

With a slight smile, she nodded and rocked against him again. Her eyes closed and her mouth opened slightly. He’d never seen anything so erotic in his life. He leaned close to capture her moan in his mouth, and let nature take over. They fit perfectly, and the way she responded drove him mad. He tried to keep it slow and gentle, but she didn’t see things his way and demanded more.

Capitulating to his lady’s wishes, he surrendered, thrusting into her again and again until they both lost control and toppled over the edge. One more strong thrust, and he came. She cried out and gripped him to her as she followed him into that place of pure sensation and communion.

He collapsed, careful to support the bulk of his weight with his forearms. Raining kisses all over her beloved face, he knew he was forever altered. His heart was now bound to hers, and it always would be. Somehow, he had to find a way to keep her by his side and safe. Everything in him cried out that she was his.

He swallowed the lump rising in his throat as it occurred to him that he’d never shared with her the truth about his origins. In the here and now, being illegitimate made no difference, but being raised as she’d been, in an era where one’s nobility meant the difference between being served or serving, would revealing the truth about his bastardy tear them apart?

“That was amazing, Struan,” she said on a sigh. “I’m most content.”

“As am I, lass.” He rolled onto his back beside her and stared at the sky. The way he saw it, his best bet was to pray the portal through time wouldn’t open. If his luck held, he’d bring her home to stay. That way, he’d never have to tell her anything about his past, because they’d be focused on creating their future. Struan slid his arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his side. “Want to go skinny-dipping?”

She snuggled close, throwing her arm around his waist. “Mayhap in a while. Right now all I want is this, lying here beside you with your arms around me.” She turned toward him, rested her head on his shoulder and draped her knee over his thigh.

He had to swallow yet another lump as he tightened his hold on the woman who held his future in her wee soft hands. She had no idea the power she wielded over him. Sky Elizabeth, the earl of Fife’s eldest daughter, would either destroy him or make him the happiest bastard ever born.
Och, well.
He grinned. At the moment, completely sated and with Sky snuggled against his side, he was a very happy bastard indeed.

Monday evening, Struan strolled up the Gordons’ driveway toward Gene. He, Andrew and Michael had arrived home a couple of hours ago, and knowing his foster father’s habits, Struan knew he’d find him puttering with the camper, making sure everything was in order. Sure enough, Gene was circling the RV, kicking the tires and checking latches and valves as he went.

Struan watched the man who’d taken him in, given him a home and a family. He had to swallow a few times before he could speak. “Da,” Struan called, the word slipping from his mouth. “Do you have a few minutes?”

“
Da
am I now?” Gene straightened. “Must be serious. Hold on a sec.” He disappeared into the camper, emerging seconds later with a couple bottles of beer. He handed one to Struan. “Let’s go sit out back and watch the moon rise.”

Following along behind him, Struan went over in his mind what he wanted to say. How would he explain to the man who’d given him the family he’d never had that he was about to break his promise? Gene took a seat at the glass-topped patio table, and Struan followed suit.

“What’s put that crease in your forehead? Woman troubles?”

Struan shrugged. “That’s one way to put it.” He took a swallow of beer and looked out over the valley. “I went through Connor’s research, and I’ve come to a conclusion.”

“Oh? And what’s that?” Gene’s grip tightened around his beer bottle.

“I’m convinced they’re going to be disappointed. I believe their trip to Scotland is going to be a waste of time. Portals through time don’t open on demand. The incidents I read about are sporadic and decades apart, and there’s no way of telling when or where a corridor will open.”

Gene raised his eyes to meet Struan’s. “Why do I hear a ‘but’ in there?”

“Hmm, because . . .” He swallowed hard a few times.

“It’s pretty clear to us you’ve fallen hard for the girl, son. Your mom and I figured things were heading in a particular direction where Sky is concerned. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t be able to let the woman I love go off on her own, either. I’d want to stick by her side.”

“I promised you I wouldn’t leave, and I’m breaking that promise.”

“I don’t see it like that. Things change. When you said you didn’t intend to go anywhere, Sky had just arrived. The two of you hardly knew each other. In fact, you two seemed at loggerheads with each other. Now your heart’s involved. Am I right? Do you love her?”

He nodded mutely, affection for Gene, Marjorie and his siblings stealing his voice. It took a few seconds for him to find it again. “I’m counting on the fact that we won’t be able to leave this century, but just in case I’m also going prepared.”

“We’ve been damn lucky to . . .” Gene’s voice broke. “To have you in our lives for as long as we have. Whatever happens, your mom and I want you to know how much we love you.”

“I love all of you, too. I’ll be back, Da. If I’m right, we won’t go anywhere. If Connor is right, I’ll be able to find a way back, and I hope to bring Sky with me. There’s no mention of her in the history books about the feud between her clan and Erskines. I’m convinced it’s because she’s meant to be here with us.”

“I hope you’re right, son.” Gene gripped Struan’s forearm for a second. “I surely hope you’re right. We’ll look after your place and the livestock, and I’m certain Andrew will take care of the forge while you’re away.”

“Thank you,” he said. “Not just for looking after the livestock and my house for me, but for everything. If it hadn’t been for you and Marjorie, who knows what would have become of me. I owe you my life.”

“Naw, you don’t owe us a thing. This is your home, son. You’ve always pulled your weight and made us proud.” Gene took a long pull on his beer. His expression turned inward, pensive. “I . . . know it. In my old bones, I feel you’ll be back.”

“I hope you’re right.” The two of them continued to sit on the patio, sipping their beers in companionable silence, watching the moon climb the surrounding mountains to light the sky. Things would be OK. Gene often knew things, had feelings about the future. If his da said he’d be back, he’d be back.

Struan’s heart took a sudden drop as realization dawned—Gene hadn’t included Sky in his forecast for the future.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

S
ky began the task of folding the laundry she’d washed and dried earlier. Soon, stacks of sorted clothing surrounded her in neat piles on the coffee table and couch of the Gordons’ family room. ’Twas a way to earn her keep in some small way, and with Gene and Michael home from the past weekend’s fair, there had been quite a bit of laundry to do this Tuesday morning.

What would her fifteenth-century clan think of washing machines and dryers? She imagined the head laundress’s delight with such laborsaving devices. Still, Moigh Hall employed several servants who did laundry and naught else. ’Twas for the best that they didn’t have washing machines, for she wouldn’t want to see those servants out of jobs.

“Sky,” Struan called from the front door. “Are you here?”

Her insides fluttered at the sound of his voice. “Aye, in the family room,” she called back. It had been but a handful of days since she’d lain with him, and even thinking about that afternoon by the loch sent desire curling through her. She and Struan hadn’t had much time alone together since, and oh how she longed to spend time with him again. Struan walked into the family room carrying a large box.

“What have you there?” she asked, jutting her chin toward the package.

“A present.”

His lopsided smile weakened her knees. “For whom?”

“For you, of course.”

“For me?” She flashed him a questioning look. “Whatever for? ’Tis no’ my birthday or Christmas.”

Just then, Lindsay entered the family room, her car keys dangling from her hand. “What’s up?” She looked from Sky to the package Struan held in his arms. “What’s that?”

He set the box down and took the garment out of Sky’s hands. “Something I ordered for Sky weeks ago. UPS just dropped it off. Open it, princess. I’ve already cut the tape.”

His expression filled with tenderness as he stared into her eyes, and the pure anticipation she sensed from him came through so strongly, she could almost feel the emotion against her skin.

“All right.” She drew back the flaps of the box and lifted the wadded-up paper stuffed inside, dropping it on the floor. “Why, ’tis a tapestry loom!” She reached out and touched the polished wooden frame. “A very fine loom at that.” Her eyes stung. ’Twas a generous and thoughtful gift, but one that spoke of a future, whilst she and Struan had none.

“Wow,” Lindsay exclaimed, moving closer to take a look. “That’s really nice. You know how to use this thing?” she asked.

“Och, aye. I’ve spent many hours at my tapestry loom at Moigh Hall, especially during the winter months. ’Twas too cold to leave the keep for any length of time. My mother, sisters, granddam and I spent most of our day in the ladies’ solar, mending garments or working on a variety of projects.”

“I also ordered skeins of woolen yarn.” Struan’s smile lit up the room. “That package should arrive any day.”

Heedless of the fact that his sister stood but a short distance away, Sky threw herself at him. He caught her, holding her close as she trusted he would. Sky lifted her gaze to his. “’Tis a very fine gift indeed. I shall cherish this moment forever. Thank you.”

She couldn’t help but pick up on the pride and happiness coming from him, and a wave of longing swept through her. Lately, she’d been tempted to try to convince Struan to travel with her to the fifteenth century, but doing so wouldn’t be right. He had a life and a family here, and the Gordons had been very kind to her. ’Twould be unfair to return their kindness by stealing away their son.

Besides, how could she take Struan from all that he loved in Gordon Hollow? Nay, she could not ask him to give up everything he’d built for himself here, nor could she agree to stay. A lump rose to clog her throat, and her eyes stung. She saw no way for the two of them to remain together, though she’d given him her heart. Damnation, but fate had dealt her a cruel hand.

“I’ve got to get back to work.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll help you put this thing together later this evening.”

“Until then,” she said, reluctant to leave the safety and comfort of his arms. My, how she loved the way he smelled—clean, masculine with a hint of the metallic scent of his forge clinging to the cotton of his T-shirt. She let him go, unable to tear her gaze from him as he turned and walked away.

“So . . . what’s going on between you and my brother?” Lindsay crossed her arms and fixed Sky with a
tell me or else
stare. “It’s obvious the two of you are hot for each other. I practically need a cake knife to cut through the pheromones in here.”

“Pheromones? I dinna ken the word.” Sky focused upon the basket of clean clothes left to be sorted. “I’m very fond of Struan, as I’m quite fond of all of you.”

“Fond, eh?” Lindsay snorted. “I couldn’t help noticing there are fewer condoms in the box since you discovered them under the sink.”

Sky averted her gaze and grabbed a sheet from the basket to fold. “I . . .” What could she say?
When it comes to your brother, I lose all sense of propriety?

“You’re going to break his heart, you know,” Lindsay muttered, her voice gruff with emotion. “I didn’t figure you for a love ’em and leave ’em sort of girl, and I know it’s none of my business, but—”

“Och, I dinna wish to break anyone’s heart,” Sky said, meeting Lindsay’s gaze. “For what ’tis worth, Struan already owns mine and always will. If I had my way, I’d ne’er part with him.” She shook her head. “You must see I’ve no choice but to try to save my family. I could no’ live with myself if I did no’ try to intervene.”

She blinked back the tears filling her eyes. “Think you this is easy for me? Struan is the only man to ever make me feel as I do, and for me there will never be another. I did no’ mean to . . . to—”

“Fall in love? Oh, Sky, you must feel so torn,” Lindsay said, her arms dropping to her sides. “I had no idea, and if my family were at risk, I’d want to do whatever I could to help, too. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m sorry. Who knows? Maybe things will work out for you and my brother.”

Sky nodded, though she didn’t see how. “Mayhap.” She swiped at her eyes. “About those missing condoms, I—”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry I even brought it up. You can have as many condoms as you need. It’s not like I’m using them, anyway,” Lindsay muttered, backing away. “I . . . I have to go. I’m meeting a friend for lunch.”

“A friend?” Sky picked up on the half-truth and took a guess. “You’re having lunch with Brian, aren’t you?”

“Who told?” Lindsay’s eyes narrowed. “Did he tell you that?”

“Nay.” She studied her friend. “I guessed.”

“Ah, the superpower thing,” she said, a small smile lighting her face. “Brian finally got up the gumption to ask me out, and I said yes.”

“That’s good, aye?”

“Too early to say.” She shrugged. “I’ll catch you later.”

Lindsay turned and walked away, leaving Sky with her thoughts. Sighing, she went back to her task, her gaze drifting again and again to Struan’s gift. She’d have to make it clear she didn’t want him to return to the fifteenth century with her. Though he hadn’t offered, he was an honorable man, and chivalrous. Oh, he’d argue, try to convince her to stay, but in the end, he’d capitulate and insist upon going with her. She’d have to be strong, firm in her resolve to refuse his help. Assurance that he remained safe in this time would be her only solace in the otherwise bleak landscape of her future.

Sipping what Marjorie referred to as sweet tea, Sky watched the sun’s arc toward the western horizon. She’d spent all afternoon at her loom, as she had every afternoon for the past fortnight. The woolen yarn had arrived the day after Struan had given her the loom, and she hoped to give him a completed tapestry before she left. ’Twould be small, but he would have something to remember her by.

Had it only been a little over two months since she’d come to Gordon Hollow? Sometimes it seemed an age since she’d fallen into the Gordons’ midst. She glanced at young Michael where he sat at the table with his nose buried in his schoolbooks. Homework, he’d called the mess spread out around him.

He lifted his gaze, a frown creasing his forehead. “What is it?”

“I was just thinking about how much I’ll miss all of you when I go.” She surveyed the valley. The hours of daylight were growing shorter as the season began to change from summer’s glory to autumn’s full ripeness. Ethan had been out in the fields every day, harvesting hay to feed his kine over the winter months to come. The air held less humidity, and though it was still September, the leaves on some of the trees had already changed from dark green to pale gold.

“We’ll miss you, too.” Michael frowned. “You will always be welcome here, Sky. You know, just in case.”

“Thank you, lad. Mayhap someday we’ll meet again.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He nodded. “You never know.”

“Struan called,” Connor said through the patio door. “He says we’re to go to his house in half an hour. He’s in Warm Springs picking up pizza for our supper.”

“Me too?” Michael asked, his expression hopeful.

“He didn’t say, laddie, but I can’t imagine he’d turn you away.”

“Great.” Michael unfolded his lanky frame and stood up. He pulled out his phone and began texting. “I’ll tell Struan to order one more pizza. So much better than the PB&J I was planning to make,” he mumbled, his thumbs flying over the keyboard of his phone.

“I’ve a feeling we’ll be making travel plans tonight, Sky,” Connor said, rubbing his hands together. “Katherine is looking for inns near Kildrummy Castle as we speak.”

Sky nodded. Connor and Michael left, and her gaze strayed once again to the valley spreading out before her. For a blessed moment, her mind emptied, and she stared out into the gathering twilight.

She shivered, and the edges of her line of sight narrowed and darkened. A deep foreboding crept down her spine. Rather than fight the sensation, she reached for the darkness, hoping for a vision, yearning for some hint of what was to come. She waited, her mind open, but the premonition refused to yield its secrets.

The feeling receded, leaving dread behind to plague her. Grabbing the glass of iced tea, she rose and took it to the sink in the Gordons’ kitchen. She poured the remains down the drain, and a weight settled around her heart. She only hoped she could warn her family in time to avert the loss of innocent lives.

Michael’s heavy footfalls thudded upon the front stairs, and she hastened to meet him. “Are you ready to head to Struan’s house, lad?”

“Sure,” he said, glancing back up the stairs as Connor and Katherine appeared.

“I just peeked into your room to see how much progress you’ve made on your tapestry, Sky,” Katherine told her. “It’s truly a work of art.”

Warmth filled her at the words of praise. “Thank you. I had hoped to finish it before we left for Scotland, but now I’m not certain I’ll have the time.”

“We don’t have to leave tomorrow. If you’d like, we can make our reservations for a week from now.” Connor opened the front door, indicating she should precede him outside.

“I’d like that. I mean the tapestry to be a gift, and I would very much like to complete the piece.”

The four of them walked down the lane, and with every step, her dread grew heavier, while the McGladreys’ excitement became more vibrant. Twisting her hands together, Sky shored up her defenses for the argument to come. She had yet to discuss with Struan her wish that he remain in Gordon Hollow when she departed. With so little time left to them, why stir discord into the heady mix of their passion?

Speaking of Struan, there he was, standing by his parked truck with three pizza boxes in hand, waiting for them. Her breath caught at the sight of him, as it always did.

“Hey, Struan,” Michael called out. “Need help with those?”

“It’s
pizza
, not a piano. I think I can handle three boxes.” Struan shot his younger brother a wry look. “You could open the door for me, though. Come on in, everybody.” His eyes met and held hers for a heated moment before Connor drew his attention.

“Did Sky’s passport arrive, laddie?” Connor placed his hands on Katherine’s shoulders. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”

“It did.” Struan led them into his house. “Let’s eat while we talk.”