To Steal a Highlander's Heart (14 page)

She
licked her lips, swallowing at the promise in his gaze as his hand reached down
to the hem of her chemise, currently tangled around her thighs. He glanced down
as he inched the fabric higher. Her breaths grew erratic as anticipation built.
Morgann shifted to press it up to her waist, hunger clear in his eyes.

And
then he swept the chemise clean over her head and parts of his body moulded to
hers. Not enough of him touched her really and she longed to draw him down and feel
his full weight but she somehow managed to keep her hands to herself, curling
them into the sheets.

Morgann’s
gaze roved over her. Every part of her scalded. Her stomach knotted and her
skin grew sensitised. She pressed her thighs together. A hand reached down to
draw up her ankle, making her bend her leg. Rough fingers explored the arch of
her foot, then the back of her knee and the responsive skin on her inner thigh.
She quivered and quaked with each touch, small sounds that she had no control over
escaping her.

“Alana.”
His voice cracked at the end of her name. “Sweet Lord, I had no idea… yer too
good for me. A more beautiful lassie I’ve never seen.”

Alana
beamed at his words, tears of delight tingling in her eyes. She meant to
respond but his fingers continued their journey over her body and she forgot
how to speak. Squeezing briefly at her hips, he teased a finger over her
stomach, dipped into her belly button before he skimmed her ribs and settled over
one breast.

Her
back left the bed at the exquisite feel of rugged male flesh on her own soft
skin. She gazed at him as he teased her nipple. Lowering his head, he took it
into his mouth.

“Oh!”

By
God, if he made her feel like that with just his mouth… Sharp heat around her
breast made her head swim as he flicked her nipple with his tongue and sucked
leisurely at it. He nipped briefly with his teeth, a sweet contrast to his
soothing licks.

“
Mo
chridhe,
” he murmured as his lips tickled over her skin, tracing her
collarbone before seeking her mouth.

The
endearment destroyed any remaining restraint and her hands flew around his
shoulders, pinning him. A faint growl emanated from Morgann as he took her
mouth. He pressed a hand under her back, moulding her to him as he kissed her
with such intensity that her head spun. Gone was his teasing touch and careful restraint.
The warrior remained, the one that her body sought with a need so ancient it
made her shake.

She
tried to match his kisses as their teeth clashed and they fought to get closer.
Her legs fell apart and he pumped his hips against her, mimicking the act she
craved most. She scrabbled her nails across his smooth back, feeling each
ripple of movement as he winnowed his fingers through her hair. Her skin grew
hot and damp as they rocked furiously, frissons of pleasure sparking between
her legs. She arched and arched into him, steely flesh pressing across her
folds until all breath left her and she let out a cry, one that Morgann muffled
with a penetrating kiss. Gratification spiralled out through her limbs and she
quaked as the feelings simmered into a warm satisfaction.

Sweet
Mary, who knew? But then she must have done or else she would not have craved
his touch so much.

Morgann
kept on kissing her, hot open-mouthed kisses to her chin, jaw, neck and lips as
the need for him grew again. Instead of dissipating, the longing increased,
powered by the knowledge of what pleasure he could bring. She needed to join
with him.

"Now,"
she whispered. "Morgann. Now." She pressed her juncture into him.

"Aye,
m'eudail
, aye." He wrapped her legs around his hips and grasped her
bottom in one hand, the other stoking her cheek as he supported his weight on
his elbow. "I'm going to take ye now, Alana. Make ye mine. I'll try to be
gentle, but I dinnae... I dinnae know if I can," he told her roughly.

Alana
shook her head gently, eyes locked onto his. "Do what ye will with me,
Morgann. Make me yers. I'm no' scared."

She
wasn't. Nothing could prevent her from wanting this. If her voice shook and her
heart hammered, it was only with desperation. As he had claimed of her, she
needed him more than her next breath.

He
inched forward, hot flesh spreading her apart and her eyes widened as he took
her. Carefully, slowly, tenderly. And then he was buried to the hilt and Alana
gasped at the unknown sensation budding inside her. He waited. And she fidgeted,
the need to move overriding any discomfort.

"God's
blood, Alana," he said through gritted teeth, "so tight."

She
wriggled again and watched as any final restraint slipped away. A dark, feral
light grew in his eyes as he shifted against her. She felt the hammer of his
heart against her chest as he withdrew and plunged deeply, as if testing her.
Alana released a moan of appreciation and the sound seemed to trigger
something.

Fingers
digging into her bottom, Morgann drove into her with deep, hard strokes. Alana
could do nothing but hold on as he made her his. Each thrust had her calling
his name, begging for an end yet wanting it to last forever. As the rapture
built, Morgann drew back, dark gaze latched onto hers. His image grew hazy but Alana
saw the desire—and the love?—in his expression and she dug her nails into his
skin as she bucked upwards.

With
a hoarse groan, he plunged several more times, carrying her over the edge. Her
body pulsed and quivered and he followed her over, kissing her shakily as he
released inside her. She soothed him through it, rubbing her hands over his
sleek skin and spreading kisses over his jawline, tasting the saltiness of his
skin.

He
flopped down beside her, still joined, a hand coming up to clasp possessively
over her breast. Morgann nuzzled into her neck and nipped at her ear. “Ah,
mo
chridhe
, what shall I do with ye?” he asked softly.

Alana
grinned, still massaging lazily at his back. “I could think of a few things.”

He
came up onto his elbow and his boyish expression grew serious. “I didnae hurt
ye, did I?”

“Nay.”
She reached up and swept his hair from his face. “‘Twas wonderful.”

His
gave her a tilted smile. “I should have been more careful but ye do something
to me, Alana. I cannae control myself around ye.”

“Ye
dinnae need to control yerself around me, Morgann. Ye can let go sometimes, ye
know?”

With
a shake of his head, he eased himself away from her and settled her into the
crook of his thighs, an arm wrapped around her waist. Strong legs brushed hers
as he cocooned her with his body. Alana allowed herself a satisfied smile. She
didn’t know what the future held for them but everything had changed now. For
the better.

“How
come ye understand me so well, lass?”

She
shrugged. “Yer my best friend. Eight summers cannae change that.”

“I’m
yer lover too now.”

“Aye,
that ye are.”

He
swept aside her hair and brushed a kiss across the back of her neck, sending a
shiver down her spine. “Will ye let me love ye some more?”

“Aye.”
She let slip a moan as a hand slid between her legs. “Aye, love me some more,
Morgann MacRae.”

Wincing
as the floorboards creaked, Morgann stepped carefully across the floor to throw
open the shutters. Daylight streamed in. The day proved to be clear but cold, a
thick blanket of clouds covering the sky. But the day could not seem more beautiful
to Morgann. Ach, he still had the grin of a fool on his face.

He
glanced at Alana and tiptoed to the bed. One sweet breast peeked out of the
sheets and he settled beside her. Even as the bed dipped under his weight, she
slept on. Male pride filled him. He’d well and truly worn her out, insatiable
woman that she was.

Hooking
a finger under the sheet, he slid it down, waiting for her to awaken. When she
showed no signs of stirring, he grew bolder and slipped the sheets from her
body. He admired her creamy skin, slender thighs, the indent of her waist. Red
marks graced her where his stubble had scratched her. He regretted marring her
delicate skin but a part of him liked the thought of marking her as his. He
ached to touch but feared waking her. She looked so perfect, so peaceful, he couldn’t
bring himself to disturb that. Was there any better look than that of a
satisfied woman?

Ach,
but he’d met his match in Alana. Mayhap he shouldn’t have given in but he
didn’t regret it. Somehow he would make everything right. Somehow he would
persuade Laird Dougall to let him marry Alana. He’d taken her now. Dougall could
hardly deny him his right to her.

And
nothing on Earth could make him let her go now. He only hoped giving into his
desire hadn’t put her in danger. He still needed to remain focused until Margot
had been caught and there had still been no word from Finn. Or Alana’s father.
It was as if the man didn’t even care his daughter was missing.

Unable
to resist any longer, he touched one rosy nipple, his scowl quickly turning
into a smile as she released a small moan. Did she dream of him? Lord knows, he
dreamed of her often enough. But the reality proved far better than he ever
imagined.

Her
eyelids fluttered open, an inviting smile on her face. “Good morrow,” she said softly,
voice still husky from sleep.

“Good
morrow.”

Need,
deep and powerful rolled through him as she stretched with no concern for her
naked state. Her eyes widened as her gaze fixed onto his face. She parted her
legs in silent invitation. Blood roared in his ears as she offered herself up
to him.

Thoughts
of slow and careful vanished and he settled swiftly between her thighs, pushing
them further apart. He resisted the urge to kiss her, wanting to see her face
in the daylight as he took her. He filled her in one movement, delighting in
her strangled gasp and large green eyes.

Driven
by pure primitive instinct, he left her no time to adjust as he merged with
her. Alana gripped at his rear, urging him closer as her fiery heat consumed
him.

“Aye,
take me, Morgann. Make me yers.”

He
shuddered as her words echoed his thoughts and he moved relentlessly inside
her. He wouldn’t last long but neither would she. Already she quivered around
him, on the cusp of a climax. Something elemental held them both captive and
her eyes clouded with tears.

“Dinnae
cry,” he soothed, even as he kept up his brutal pace. “I love ye, Alana.”

“I.
Love. Ye. Too,” she ground out as her passion crested.

Her
words and her spasms took him by surprise, a searing explosion that had him
rasping her name. The gratification ebbed, leaving behind a warm satisfaction
and a grin on his face.

Alana’s
lips quirked as he stared down at her, aware he probably looked a fool.

"Yer
a scoundrel, Morgann MacRae."

"Aye,
but I'm yer scoundrel."

She
traced a finger across his jawline. "Aye, I suppose ye are."

"Ye
suppose?" He pressed up onto his hands and tried to look offended.
"Ye dinnae need to make it sound like a hardship. There's no 'suppose' about
it. Yer mine now, Alana. Just as I'm yers."

"As
ye will." She released a light laugh.

"I'll
be marry—" He paused and turned as someone pounded at the door. "Ach,
who could that be?" He clambered off Alana with a scowl as he searched for
his shirt. He tugged it on, eyeing Alana as she slipped from the bed, a sheet
wrapped around her and held in one hand. "Dinnae go anywhere," he
ordered. "Stay here and shut the door."

"But—"

"Dinnae
argue with me, lass. Stay here and stay naked."

She
slapped playfully at his arm as he fastened his plaid and slipped into his
boots. As she slumped onto the bed, sheet still wrapped loosely around her, he
shook his head. A more tempting sight he'd never seen. Tousled hair, bare
shoulders, slender legs peeking out from the cotton sheet. Hell, he wanted her
again. He only hoped this was Finn with some good news. If they'd finally
caught Margot he could hand her to Dougall for punishment and request Alana's
hand. There was no way the man would forgive Margot for nearly killing his only
daughter and any talk of an alliance between Margot and Dougall would be
finished. The MacRae lands would be out of danger and Morgann would have Alana
as his own.

Hopefully.

The
hammering continued as he carefully closed the chamber door behind him,
stealing one last peek at Alana as she pouted in mock annoyance.

"Aye,
aye, I'm coming." He stomped across the hall floor and threw open the door.
A young brown-haired lad, no more than eighteen summers stood in the doorway.

"My
laird?"

"Aye,
what is it ye want?" Morgann didn't manage to keep the annoyance from his
voice. Damnation. He'd really hoped it was Finn. All this waiting was going to
drive him mad.

The
lad shrank back. "Forgive me, my laird. I've been sent to tell ye that the
witch has been spotted."

Hope
pressed a smile across his face. "Where, lad?"

"To
the east. Past the red hill. There's an old cottage."

Morgann
nodded. He knew of the ancient dwelling. He'd ridden past it several times.
"I thank ye, lad. What's yer name? I've no' seen ye before."

"I'm
from the village. I'm Big Tom."

Turning,
Morgann snatched his sword and leather pouch. He fished out a coin and pressed
it into Tom's palm. "My thanks. Be off with ye now."

Tom
nodded and hurried away. Morgann grinned. Finally he'd bring his stepmother to
justice. Finn must have spread the word that he was looking for Margot. He
glanced over his shoulder to see Alana stood in the chamber doorway, still
wrapped in a sheet.

"Ach,
I told ye—”

"Yer
going after her then." She bit her lip.

"Aye."

"Be
careful, Morgann. I dinnae trust her."

"Nor
do I. Which is why I've got to make sure she's caught."

"I
fear for ye."

Heart
warmed by her concern, Morgann closed the gap between them and rubbed his hands
up and down her bare arms. "There's no need for ye to worry, lass. She's
no match for me. I'll be back in yer bed before long."

"Ye
promise?"

"Aye,
I promise. And soon enough I'll have ye for my wife too."

Her
beautiful eyes lit with delight. "In truth?"

"Aye,
of course. Ye didnae think I'd be letting ye escape me this time, did ye?"

She
came up onto her tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lip. "Just be sure
to come back to me, Morgann."

"I
will. I swear it. I'll no' be parted from ye again."

Sweeping
her into his arms, he kissed her passionately, sending wave of longing through
him again. Would he ever get enough of her? As he pulled away and observed the
glazed look of lust in her eyes he decided he probably wouldn't. He released
her, ran both hands through his hair and slid his sword through his belt.

"Stay
here until I come for ye. No getting into trouble, ye hear?"

Alana
nodded as she wrapped her arms around her waist. So vulnerable, so beautiful.
He could hardly wait to be back and holding her in his arms once more.

"I
love ye," she murmured.

"I
love ye too."

He
strode outside and mounted his steed, the thrill of the hunt beginning to
course through him. With one last nod to Alana, he set his gaze on the horizon
and dug his heels into the mount’s side. He grinned. Today was proving to be a
fine day indeed.

***

Alana
pressed a finger to her lips and released a small smile. A faint niggle of
concern played at the back of her mind but the gentle ache of her body quickly
dampened it. She gave a giggle and strolled back into the chamber, dropped the
sheets and studied the marks Morgann had left on her.

Marking
her as his.

Ach,
what a lovesick fool she was. But she couldn’t regret a thing. She just had to
persuade her father to say ‘aye’ to their marriage. He wouldn’t deny her
surely? For all his faults, he still loved her and always wanted the best for
her. And he wasn’t that angry, power hungry man anymore. He’d just be happy for
her to be looked after.

She
hoped.

She
slipped into her chemise and tied the ribbon at the neck while remembering how
Morgann had pushed it off her. The scent of him still lingered on her skin. She
should wash but she liked the thought of smelling of him.

As
she picked up her comb, a knock sounded. Lip tucked between her teeth, she
placed the comb down. Should she answer it? What if it was something to do with
Margot? A warning perhaps. Unease twisted her stomach. If trouble was brewing
then she’d have to go after Morgann and warn him.

Snatching
her plaid, she threw it over her shoulders and stalked to the door. As she
inched it open, something pushed it swiftly back, the heavy wood knocking her
to the floor. Dazed, Alana tried to push herself up but a small, leather shoe
pressed onto her chest.

“Oh
dear,” a familiar voice said as Alana followed the leg up.

Light
streamed in around the intruder blocking out her features but she knew who it
was. She felt the blood leave her face, palms growing sticky. Before she could
put up a fight, something swung down at her. Alana raised an arm but was too
late. Pain registered, sharp and agonising. She sank gratefully into the
darkness crowding her mind.

***

She
woke still on the floor, prickly rushes digging into her cheek, her tongue dry
and head pounding. Ach, she'd be lucky to have any sense left the amount of
times she'd hit her head recently. Except
she
hadn't hit her head. Margot
had. Alana threw a look around the hall and spied her in one corner, brushing
the rushes into a pile by the door. Alana frowned and winced as she fought to
move. Her hands were bound behind her back, ropes chafing her skin, her feet tied
together. She pushed out the fabric tied tightly around her mouth with her
tongue, finally loosening it enough so that it slipped down her chin.

Margot
lifted her head at the sound of rustling and stepped over, tilting her head to
study Alana. "Yer awake then." She grinned. "Honestly, I cannae
believe Morgann fell for that. I thought him a smart man, but obviously
not."

"What
do ye want, Margot?" Alana swallowed, tried to erase the dryness in her
throat.

"Well,
is that no’ obvious? I want ye dead. Ye and Morgann."

The
delight in the woman's voice, the look in her cold grey eyes made Alana shudder.
This was what Morgann had always seen and what Alana always sensed. To see the
evil in Margot so close to the surface was truly terrifying.

Alana
twisted her wrists in the hopes of loosening the knots. "Why? Why are ye
doing this? Just let me go and we'll forget this happened. I'll persuade
Morgann to forgive ye."

Margot
crouched, letting loose a light laugh. "Morgann will never forgive me. He
knows I tried to poison ye. He's always known about me. How ye survived, I
dinnae know, but I dinnae intend to let it happen again."

Licking
her lips, Alana wriggled again, mind racing. She couldn’t be sure why she was
still alive but the malicious glint in Margot’s eyes told her enough. She
had
to get free. Had to find Morgann and warn him.

She
stiffened as Margot trailed a fingernail over her cheek, a twisted smile on her
lips. “I still cannae figure out why he fell for ye and not me. Yer pretty
enough but… well, Morgann’s the first man I’ve no’ been able to seduce. Even
yer father was easy. But ‘tis no matter. Morgann will regret not falling into
bed with me soon enough.”

Teeth
gritted, Alana sucked in air through her nostrils. “He’ll regret naught, only
that he didnae catch ye sooner. Ye’ll not harm Morgann.”

Margot’s
smile expanded. “We’ll see.”

The
promise behind the words made sent an icy chill through Alana’s veins. Whatever
Margot had planned, she suspected she’d be used as some kind of trap. It was
the only reason for her to be still alive. Mayhap Margot noted the ashen colour
of her skin as the woman's smile took on a malicious hint. "Poor Alana.
None of this is yer fault, angel. Ye just happened to get caught up in a fight
for power and I cannae have ye in the way. I've devoted too much time to this,
waited too long."