Microsoft Word - LIP3HeartofaWarriorKMNFW

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by Tonya Nagle


  couldn’t he be surrounded by beautiful women who wanted to pleasure him in

  the last moments he had on earth?

  His gaze slid over the goddess, Scáthach with a body that screamed warrior

  with her firm taunt arms and thighs. Her height may intimidate some men, but

  he was tall and liked the idea that she would fit to him perfectly. He had a hunch

  the woman had passion aplenty, but she made it perfectly clear that she wanted

  to train him in the art of warfare—not make love to him. She took his breath

  away with a mere glance and his lower extremity wanted her in the worse way.

  Didn’t it figure? He lay on his deathbed but his body still craved the feel of a

  woman beneath him. He supposed it was true. Men did have two brains and his

  lower one ached something horrible and the cure stood right in front of him in

  the form of a goddess.

  Scáthach arched one perfectly formed eyebrow, giving him the distinct

  feeling she read his mind.

  “Well?” she asked, her lips threatening to smile.

  For a moment he didn’t know what she asked. Then it dawned on him. She

  wanted to train him for battle and wanted his permission to proceed. What the

  hell? Why not? She didn’t look inclined to give into his more basic physical need.

  Perhaps a good workout would take his mind off what he couldn’t have. “Fine. I’ll

  train.”

  She nodded her approval, giving him the feeling he had passed some kind of

  test. He followed her out to the battlefield where other young men of various ages

  practiced their moves, some with a sword others with battleaxes. His fingers

  caressed the cool metal at his side. He once held a sword when he had attended a

  Scottish Festival with his nephew, but he had never wielded one in a battle—

  pretend or real. His thoughts wavered to Joey, wondering how he was doing.

  Was he all right? Was someone looking after him? He hoped he was keeping up

  with his school work and—

  “He will be fine.” Scáthach spoke, breaking through his thoughts.

  “What?”

  “Your nephew is strong. You’ve done well by him. No matter what happens,

  he will be all right.”

  For some reason her words soothed him and he believed her.

  “We’ll start with something simple like hand to hand combat first.”

  “Okay. Who will I fight?”

  Her rich chuckle had him lifting a brow. “You’ll fight me of course.”

  “I couldn’t. I might hurt you.”

  “Really?” Her voice held a note of doubt.

  He rolled his eyes. She may be in shape, but he wasn’t a pushover. Besides,

  he was taught never to hit a woman. “Truly, I don’t want…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Scáthach had swept her leg in back of his

  knees, sending him sprawling to the ground in an embarrassed heap. He looked

  up, shading his eyes to see her standing there with her hands on her hips and

  grinning down at him.

  “As you were saying,” she said haughtily and sauntered away.

  He leapt to his feet. So this was how she wanted to play. A smile slid into

  place. He could play rough when need be.

  He went after her, intent of bringing her down and holding her there until

  she realized he was the stronger of the two.

  She slammed her fist into his sternum with a series of powerful blows before

  sending a kick to the groin and a whack across his back that sent him to his

  knees. “What the hell,” he wheezed.

  She knelt down beside him. “Are you going to stop fooling around now?”

  Fooling around? Was the woman mad? With a swift move he took her down

  hard, using his full weight to hold her, but damn if the woman didn’t have moves

  he had never seen in his life. Before he knew it, he was the one on his back with

  her straddling him. He would have liked the position if she hadn’t insisted in

  beating him to a pulp. Her fist slammed into his nose, sending a fine spray of

  crimson blood in the air.

  “I think you broke my nose,” he wailed.

  “Oh aye. I did.” She jumped off him and bounced on the balls of her feet.

  “Come on. Stand and greet me like a man.”

  He was seeing stars and she waved to him, enticing him to come after her.

  “Now stop playing around and give me your best shot, Trey. Or don’t you

  have it in you?”

  Fine, he hadn’t started this fight, but he was damn well going to finish it. He

  jumped to his feet, wiping away the blood from his nose with the back of his

  hand. He went after her.

  He fought or rather he defended her blows and finally got in a few of his own.

  He was one bloody and bruised up mess by the time she was through with him.

  She still looked like a goddess with her dark silky hair shining bright in the sun’s

  rays. Her blue eyes assessed him with a wicked gleam.

  He lay sprawled on the ground for the hundredth time, trying to catch his

  breath. She stood over him, offering her hand to help him up. “Truce,” she said.

  “You’ve had enough for one day.”

  “Geeze, thanks.” He took hold of her hand and came to his feet. Funny how

  he ached everywhere imaginable and yet he’d never felt more alive. It was as if he

  had somehow made it through a trial of some sort and had come out the victor.

  “Aye, you did well,” she said, again with that mind reading ability of hers.

  He gave her a half-cocked smile, mostly because his lip was swollen. “You

  beat the crap out of me and you’re telling me I did well.”

  “Aye. You did well. You lived and will have another day to fight. There is no

  dishonor in that. Now come with me. There is a spring that will heal your wounds

  and I’ll rub a herb ointment on your body to sooth the tension in your muscles.”

  “Now that sounds like something I’ll enjoy.”

  The gleam in her pale blue eyes raked over him. “You were good on the field.

  You have the heart of a warrior. I wonder how you are when it comes to bed

  play.”

  Did she just ask him how he was in bed?

  “No answer?” She stepped closer, running her hand leisurely up his arm,

  using only her fingertips.

  “I…that is…I have had no complaints,” he sputtered and cursed under his

  breath for his lack of finesse.

  A low chuckle reached his red-tipped ears. “We shall see, won’t we?” Then

  she turned on her heels expecting him to follow.

  Of course he did. How could he not?

  He thought he would be led back to the tent but his quarters were within the

  castle of Dú Scáith, a fine stone structure with all the comforts of home. Fragrant

  rushes covered the wood floor of his room. The sconces were lit and a warm

  roaring fire glowed red and orange within the fireplace, adding more light. He

  smiled when he caught sight of the large spacious bed that stood near the hearth

  with furs spread across it for added warmth. This may be a dream of some sort,

  but Dú Scáith was in the heart of Scotland or Alba as it once was called and the

  nights could be quite chilly.

  Draped in a towel that one of the servants had left for him, he followed the

  steps down to the lower level of the castle where a hot spring waited for him.

  Scáthach told him the waters would sooth his aching muscle
s and heal his

  wounds. He hoped she was right. His muscles felt stretched to the limit and pain

  throbbed in places he didn’t know could ache with such a burning intensity. Even

  his hair hurt, if that was possible. Probably from the few times Scáthach had

  managed to drag his sorry ass back into the fight. He had never met anyone who

  was that determined to make him throw a punch. “You have the heart of a

  warrior” , she told him. Somehow that image fell short when he tried to imagine

  himself wielding a sword. He was a professor at a community college and the

  only physical strain his muscles endured was a trip to the gym four times a week.

  This was all before he became ill three months ago. Only yesterday, lifting his

  head off the pillow had proved to be a challenge. However, in this realm his

  destiny had shifted. He wasn’t lying in a hospital bed. He was being trained for

  warfare by a goddess. “Just go with the flow, Brennan and see where it leads

  you,” he mumbled under his breath.

  The room below the castle was actually a cave. Rock forms of different sizes

  surrounded the spring and steps were carved out of the stones to give easier

  access into the pool. He left the towel on one of the rocks and slid beneath the

  froth that churned on the water’s surface. Warmth immediately seeped into his

  pores like tiny massaging fingertips, working to smooth the kinks out of his tired

  muscles. The rhythmic rise and fall of the water churning and rippling around

  him lulled him until he felt his eyelids closing. He jerked awake, knowing he

  couldn’t fall asleep while he lounged in a pool, unless he fancied a death by

  drowning.

  He waded toward the steps intent on retrieving his towel and heading back

  to his quarters, but his gaze locked onto a vision walking toward him, a sacred

  beauty draped in a transparent garment. “Scáthach.” His voice came out in

  breathless wonderment. He wanted to cross the chasm that separated them and

  take her into his arms, feel the softness of her flesh as his hands caressed her.

  Damn, he would sell his soul for just one kiss.

  The seductive smile she threw at him made his body heat to a boiling point

  and he feared he’d melt into the bubbling froth of the spring.

  “Were you expecting someone else, Trey Brennan?”

  He loved the way his name rolled off her tongue as if she were a siren calling

  him home. “No. I didn’t think you’d…” He cleared his throat. To hell with what

  he thought. She was here and it looked like she planned on joining him. If she

  did, it would be at her own risk. She may be the master on the field, but this was

  his battleground and his skills of seduction would make her surrender to his will.

  He would win her over until a throbbing desire rolled into one slow roll of want.

  She seemed to sense what he wanted and let the thin garment that covered

  her slide off her shoulders and pool at her feet. She sure had a body that pushed

  all his buttons. Her hair cascaded over one shoulder in riotous waves of black

  silk. She was a warrior firm and strong but also feminine with luscious curves

  beckoning him to touch. “You’re heart-stopping gorgeous,” he told her in all

  honesty.

  Her long legged gait was a pleasure to watch as she sauntered over to the

  pool. Her skin was smooth as silk and for a second he questioned his ability to

  seduce her. She was doing a mighty fine job of seducing him, but heck that was

  easy. All she had to do was show up.

  She entered the water and glided toward him. Her hands caressed his chest

  with purpose. “Your heart is beating strong for one that has stopped.”

  “It’s only an expression. You’re so beautiful.” He took her in his arms, feeling

  every curve against his body. God in heaven, he wanted her. She leaned close as if

  to kiss him, but her tongue stroked his lips with a soft sensual lick. If there had

  been any doubt of his need to take her, there was no uncertainty now. His hands

  plunged into her hair, pulling her head closer and with one smooth move covered

  her mouth with his own. Her lips demanded long slow kisses that would cloud

  the mind and he ravished with pleasure. His tongue boldly swept in and took

  more, kissing her over and over again like there was no tomorrow.

  Energy flowed between them and every cell in his body erupted with the

  need to be inside of her. She must have sensed his need or maybe it mirrored her

  own. She wrapped her legs around his waist, giving him access to what his body

  craved. His hand stroked her back, finding the deep curve that gave rise to her

  firm bottom. Tilting her hips, his swollen and rigid flesh filled her completely.

  Her gasp slid along his senses, making his body ache with need for release, but

  not yet. Aware of the strength and warmth of her flesh, he wanted to savor the

  embrace. Gripping a fist full of her hair, he slanted his mouth over hers with a

  hungry kiss. She opened her mouth eagerly, welcoming the feel of his tongue

  stroking hers. A low growl of approval vibrated from her as she gave in to the

  pleasure he offered. He hadn’t moved inside her, but already her hot tunnel

  clutched and gripped him, threatening to make him lose his control.

  Her mouth tore away from his with breathless abandonment and light

  smoldered in the liquid blue of her eyes. “Now, my warrior.”

  There was no mistaking her meaning. His hands held her hips as their bodies

  moved in time with the hypnotic sound of the water lapping against the rocks.

  She clung to him desperately and his eyes closed relishing the way her flesh felt

  warm and soft against him. His heart thudded erratically against his chest,

  wanting more of her. He sunk into her body over and over again until the heady

  rush of pleasure ignited as she spiraled up and over, taking him with her.

  His mouth found hers again and his fingers slid into her hair, bringing her

  closer as he plundered her lips with a kiss that was sure to reach her soul.

  His eyes opened and he looked at her with a satisfied smile. “You are a

  goddess.”

  Her mouth pressed against the pulse in his neck. “Aye, I know.” Her

  seductive voice caressed him.

  He could feel himself hardening inside of her again.

  She pulled away to look at him in surprise. “My you’re a generous lover.”

  His shoulders lifted in a shrug. “It might be selfishness on my part. It’s been

  a long time.”

  Her gaze met his with a mischievous gleam. “You were strong and

  determined on the field today, my warrior.” Her hand slid down his back,

  bringing every nerve ending to life. “As a reward, I’m honor bound to serve you

  this night.”

  God, if he had died, then this was indeed heaven.

  Chapter Five

  Centuries had come and gone with her never finding a worthy partner. Trey

  Brennan had proved a surprise. She gave herself freely and he in turn had been a

  generous lover, catering to her needs with pleasure. She was a goddess and men

  worshiped her for many reasons, but Trey had treated her as a woman.

  He slept soundly now, his breath slow and even as it should be in slumber.

  His body needed rest and time to rejuvenate. The hot spring’s magical properties

&
nbsp; had healed and mended his body in this realm, erasing the effects of the rigorous

  training he had endured yesterday. His skin was smooth and unblemished and

  when he awakened his muscles would feel worked but not worn.

  Lying on her back, her gaze turned toward the window where she could see

  the silvery light as it broke through the thick cover of darkness. The new day

  dawned and her warrior would have to battle once more.

  “You’re awake.” His deep voice was rough from sleep.

  She turned toward him with a smile touching her lips. His hair was in

  disarray, standing on end with strands falling over his brow. Exquisite perfection

  with just a touch of wildness is how she liked her men and Trey Brennan was all

  that and more. “Aye. You have a long day ahead of you. Today you must learn the

  art of wielding a sword and …” she trailed off, wondering if she should teach him

  what she had taught Cú Chulainn. He seemed worthy or was her mind clouded

  by their love play? Trey may be a man, but he loved like a god, using her body for

  his pleasure as well as giving it and she had been the one to tire first, not him.

  He moved to his side, sitting up and resting his head on the palm of his hand.

  His gaze held hers. “I must be honest. I have never used a weapon of any kind.”

  She lifted his free arm, gliding her hand down the length of it, from shoulder

  to wrist, caressing the taunt muscles. “Your limbs were made to hold a sword. As

  we speak, one is already being fashioned for you. You will need to master the use

  of the weapon for the final battle.”

  He pulled his hand away. “You keep mentioning this final battle. No matter

  what you think, I’m not a warrior. I’m just a man.”

  It amazed her how Trey had impacted her resolve to save him. She wasn’t

  just doing this for the little boy who had prayed for her help. She was doing this

  for her, too. Trey’s smile, his gentle touch and aye, his fierce fighting instincts

  had seeped into her heart, making her more than determined to see he won the

  fight.

  “Aye, you are a man, but you must become the warrior to win. It’s the only

  way you’ll survive.”

  Confusion darkened the color of his expression and he sat up in bed, leaning

  against the back frame.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “For a moment I forgot that this was only a dream. You talk about me

 

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