by Sable Grey
“That’s it. Don’t let fear make you weak, Cait,” he murmured against her mouth and she shoved again. Then hit at him as tears slid down her cheeks. She sobbed but she continued to hit until he stepped back and then pulled her into his embrace. She tried to push away from him, to jerk free but he just held her to his chest.
“I’m sorry.” He spoke quietly next to her ear. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m sorry.”
Finally she found her voice. “You did mean to. It’s all you’ve done since you forced your way into my home. You’ve frightened everyone here into doing what you want. You force and intimidate and…and…”
“Not this time. I did not mean to make you fear me.” He held her away from him, then released her and turned. He lit a candle next to the bed and Cait’s breath caught in her throat. He was naked. She had known it but without the light it had been easy not to think of it. Skin stretched over hard muscle and no softness anywhere. When he faced her, she looked away.
“Look at me. I am man.” He walked closer but she didn’t look. “I can be injured and harmed just as any other. Can’t you see that?”
Finally her gaze drew back to him and then down to the scar on his side. “But you…your eyes….”
“I am a man of the wolf. It is not as uncommon as you might think. I shouldn’t have used it to frighten you.” He planted his hand on the wall next to her head and leaned his weight on that arm. “You just stir me so that I want…your viciousness is alluring.”
“And yours is disgusting.” She was too exhausted to add more sharpness to her words.
“There are men coming here. Men like me, our enemies. They would have torn this place to shreds if we’d not come here and taken it. With access to the loch we can keep them from coming farther north this way. We killed none of your people. Our intention is not to kill the innocent.”
“But you…you beat upon my cousin and forced my father…”
“Your father had dealings with our enemies and had given them permission to come this way. It is why we had to take the castle and set up here.”
Cait shook her head. “My father didn’t know what you were…”
“He knows.”
She shook her head again. No. Her father wouldn’t have left her had he known. They wouldn’t have been able to drag him away. He wouldn’t have left her to marry a beast.
“Your father knows and foolishly thought that if allowed them to use Blaidden they would hold up their end of the bargain. They would not. They would have destroyed this place and every person here.” He blew out a heavy breath. “Now that Blaidden is mine, those that would come here will either do so and be defeated or will keep their distance.”
“Why didn’t you explain that yesterday? Why didn’t you tell us the danger…”
“Because your father already knew. And there was no time to explain anything. I was too busy trying to keep you from mauling me or riding directly into their horde. It is true that we take what we want but we do not wish for the others to destroy everything around us. They would have destroyed this entire island.”
“All of it?” She shook her head.
“All of it. The numbers of our packs are many. It was easy to overtake your castle. It would be just as easy to go from town to town and do the same. That’s exactly what they would have done. From here we can stop them, save your people and keep our enemies from sailing on to our people, our families.”
Cait’s head hurt. It was too much to believe.
“You could have done all of that without a marriage.”
“I could have but I wanted Blaidden,” he said simply. “And when you hit me, I wanted you too.” His lips lifted slightly in the corners. He started to lean forward but Cait lifted her hands to his chest and pushed him back.
“But I do not want you. You forced me into this marriage and…”
“I gave you a choice. And I do believe it was you who struck the deal. I took the castle. You gave yourself to me by choice,” he corrected.
“To save my family.”
“It was still a choice. And I notice your family did not fight for you as you did them. The woman all but threw you at us.” He lifted his free hand and touched her hair. It was odd looking at the ends of her hair between his fingers.
“She was saving Fiona. She isn’t as strong as I am…”
Again he interrupted to correct her. “What have I done to you that required you to be strong? Last night? Despite the harsh words you hurled at me, I was as gentle as I could be.”
Cait frowned. He was right. He could have been rough. He could have left bruises as she’d suspected he would. But he hadn’t.
“You don’t understand. Fiona is more tender than I.”
“I wouldn’t have harmed the girl. Just as I’ve not harmed you. It matters not. I did not want for her. She wept like the other. You looked right at me.” Again he smiled. “I shall give you time to digest everything I’ve told you. You can return to bed now.”
Cait stood there as he stepped aside. He was right. It was much to think about at once. She walked back to the bed and climbed beneath the blankets. He settled beside her and then blew out the candle.
“Why did you explain all that to me?”
“Perhaps to make up for my frightening you so badly,” he answered after a moment.
“I wouldn’t have remained afraid. By morning I would have tried to kill you anyway.” She rolled to her side, back to him. “I was just shocked and didn’t know how to react.” After a moment his turned towards her and draped his arm over her.
***
“It’s been four days and she hasn’t tried to escape at all.” Loegaire almost sounded disappointed.
“I don’t think she will attempt to run again.” Biel settled the stone in place and waited for his brother to spread mortar atop it. He lifted another of the large stones that others were carrying and dropping in a pile outside the wall they were erecting. On the other side Uif added to its strength by attaching timbers held in place by thick wooden slats. Some of the townspeople who’d not fled remained and were finally starting to join the construction of the fortress.
“She has accepted she is your wife?” Loegaire asked as Biel settled the next stone.
“I don’t know. I just know she will not try to run again.” Biel lifted his gaze to find her leading her cousin from the castle. Ewan stood there looking at the wall that almost circled the castle. He surveyed their work for several minutes before looking Biel’s way and then walking forward.
“It isn’t high enough if you mean it to be a defensive wall.” Ewan spoke before he got to them.
“It will be.” Biel answered and lifted another stone.
When he offered no more, Loegaire spoke. “We will build it in two sections. This is the lower and it shall be finished tonight. Then atop it a second will be built. Then we will help those working on the outer wall.” He pointed and Ewan looked at the second wall being constructed several yards out.
“My cousin tells me there is a chance we will be attacked.” Ewan turned his gaze back to Biel. “That is why you took this place. You needn’t have run my uncle from here.”
“Your uncle is not to be trusted.”
“My uncle is a brave man and would not risk his family.”
“Sometimes foolishness makes a person untrustworthy.” Biel accepted the water that one of his men brought to him. He drank deeply and passed it to Loegaire. “It is that foolishness that brought us to this place to begin with.”
“He goes to my father’s home. I should send a message to my father of what has happened and why you and your men are here.” Ewan stepped closer. “I offer this for my cousin’s safety. I would not want her to come to harm when my father and his men come back for me.”
Biel leaned against the wall. “Cait is my wife now. I would not allow her to be harmed. Unlike others, I protect those that are mine. I do not give them up or use them to barter with.” Behind Ewan, Cait remained silent but her
gaze darted to his. “Would you Loegaire?”
“I would not.”
“You will allow me to send the message?” Ewan’s irritation was evident.
“You may send whatever message you would like to your father, hopefully warning him not to attack us lest he wishes to meet a swift death. He should only bring his men if he means to defend Blaidden from our enemies.”
“Why should he defend you at all?” Ewan snapped.
“Because I am his niece’s husband. Because this is her home.” Biel crossed his arms.
“That you forcefully took!” Ewan looked ready to leap at him.
“And paid for when your uncle left this place. He carried with him a large enough amount to purchase land and home elsewhere.” He saw Cait’s widened gaze and she stepped forward.
“Why would you do that?” she asked.
Biel didn’t answer and went back to work.
“He did it for you, bonny Cait.” Loegaire said. “You are his wife and he would see that his wife’s family is taken care of.”
Biel said nothing until Ewan and Cait walked back to the castle. “I don’t remember requesting that you explain my behavior.”
“It was for peace of mind.” Loegaire defended himself.
“I did not request that of you either.”
“It might make her think a bit of her situation if she knew that the husband she despises offered her more honor than the family she fought so much for.” Loegaire snapped. “Forgive me for telling her what she should have already been told.”
Biel said nothing else and they finished the wall by nightfall. He ate with his men and then went upstairs to retire. Unlike the nights before, he did not step into a darkened chamber. This night, Cait waited up for him and to his surprise had drawn him a bath.
“Do not think this means anything,” she warned. “I do not wish to suffocate from your stink tonight.”
He grunted as he began removing his clothes. Once naked, he settled in the large basin of water. As he was settled, she moved and reached to collect his things but he reached out and caught her wrist before she could pick up his weapons.
“Afraid I will turn them on you?” Her eyes glittered. “If I meant to do such a thing I’ve had ample opportunity.”
For a moment, Biel did not release her, and then slowly loosened his fingers. She pressed her lips, rolling her eyes, and picked up the weapons, setting them on the table next to the bed.
“Come here, wife.” He watched her look back at him.
“Why?”
“Do not question me. Come here.” He waited. Finally, most likely out of curiosity, she walked to him and stood beside the basin.
“I wish you to wash me.” Again he waited. Would she appease?
“Can you not wash yourself?”
“I’m weary.” He smiled when she made a sound of impatience but lowered to her knees.
“A day’s work and men turn into invalids,” she grumbled reaching for the soap and cloth. “Lean forward lest you wish me to reconsider and cut off your head with your own sword.” He chuckled as he leaned forward. She washed his back, then his hair. When he leaned back, she bent forward running her soapy cloth over his chest, arms, and legs. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, enjoying the feel of her movements. After rinsing away the soap, her hands grew still but she didn’t move away. A moment later, the cloth dipped beneath the surface and touched his cock.
He hadn’t thought she would. But she bathed all of him. And his body responded. He heard her gasp when he hardened. She started to stand but he reached out and caught her arm as he opened his eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and he could see that her breathing was different.
“You will leave me in this condition? You are a vicious woman, Cait Vard.” He saw her eyes widen as he said her full name. Perhaps she’d not realized his name was hers now.
“I’ve done what you wanted.” She didn’t try to pull away.
“Touch me.” He met her gaze, moments before it darted to his cock. “Touch me, Cait and relieve me.”
Her lips curled and she knelt beside him again but he didn’t release her when she started to bend forward. “Touch me…gently.”
She failed miserably when she tried not to smile. “Perhaps I mean to remove it from your body completely.”
Biel released her arm and tilted his head back again, closing his eyes. “That would be very unfortunate for you since I had not intended on harming you.”
A moment later her fingers slid against him. They wrapped around him and pulled up his length. He groaned in response.
“I do this now for you because of what you did for my family. You gave them money. I appreciate that you did that.” Her palm slid down him again. “It changes nothing between us.”
She was wrong. It changed everything. The pull of her fingers caused his stomach to tighten as arousal coiled inside him. The beast inside of him would not be satisfied. He reached down and closed his hand over hers, tightening her fingers and setting the rhythm.
“Like that.” He released her and allowed her to continue. It wouldn’t take him long and his breathing deepened as his balls tightened. Tension tightened and then suddenly her hand left him. He opened his eyes just as someone rapped on the door.
She rose to her feet but he stood and stepped out of the water. Without covering himself he went to the door and opened it. Loegaire stood there.
“What is it?”
Loegaire grinned at him. “Taking a bath are ye?”
“What is it that you want, brother, or I swear I will crack open your head.” He heard Cait’s chuckle from behind him.
“Well, I can’t find Ewan anywhere and one of the horses is gone.”
“He’s most likely headed to his father’s home and has abandoned her like the rest of her family did. Go and find him and bring him back.” Biel glanced back at Cait. It was obvious she’d heard him but did not respond.
“Will you be coming with us?”
“No, I will not be coming with you.” He closed the door on his brother’s grin.
“You don’t need him. If you gave my father money, the castle belongs to you.” Cait spoke when he faced her.
“I want to keep him here until after I’m certain there will be no attack from our enemies. The last thing I need is him leading an army on us while we’re in the middle of our own fight. Now come here.” When she didn’t move, he stalked forward and she matched every step with one of retreat.
“I heard him walking up the corridor. It’s why I stopped.” Her back bumped against the wall. “I can continue.”
“It’s too late for that now.” He placed both hands on either side of her against the wall.
“It doesn’t look too late.” Her gaze darted down to his hard cock.
“I want in you.” He leaned forward. “Deep in you.”
Cait couldn’t explain the heat that flushed her body in response to his words. Suddenly her clothes felt too tight and the room seemed warmer. She’d touched him as she he wanted, half out of curiosity, half out of gratitude for what he’d done for her family. But when he’d groaned, she couldn’t deny that she liked the way he sounded. Now with his arms on either side of her, he seemed to take up the entire room leaving no air for her to breathe.
“It’s dishonorable for you to even ask this of me.” She tried to fight away her body’s ache. She shouldn’t desire this man. He’d taken her home less than a week before. He’d made her marry him to save her family. He’d admitted he was a wolf. She’d seen his eyes herself. She should hate him.
“I didn’t ask.” He leaned closer.
“You are dripping all over the floor.” She refused to look at him.
“Cait.” He said her name and her gaze lifted to his. Her breath caught. His eyes were full of desire. The planes of his face were flushed and his nose flared. His intensity made her tremble.
“Remove your clothes or I will rip them from your body.”
Her heartbeat accelerated. �
��What if I tell you it’s not my wish for you to…”
He leaned closer so that he was a breath away from her. “I know it would be a lie. I can see it in your eyes. I can smell it in the air. Take off your clothes.”
Her hands shook as she did as he commanded. When she was nude, he didn’t move away, lowering his gaze over her body. What had she expected when she’d prepared the bath? She’d known this would happen. It was why she’d done it.
“Beautiful,” he whispered and his jaw grazed her cheek as he breathed her in. It was a primitive thing to do. This close and she felt the heat from his body. It made her shiver.
“Spread your legs.”
She obeyed and then gasped when he shifted his weight to one arm and lowered a hand to touch the most intimate part of her. His fingers slipped between her folds and then dipped inside of her.
“You are ready for me.” He leaned back slightly so he could look at her face. “You want me. Say it.”
She shook her head and then sucked in her breath when his palm cupped and pressed against her. When he rocked his finger into her, his hand stimulated her sex. He moved his hand against her. Her body responded to the sensations, nipples hardening. He leaned forward and took one peak between his lips, rolled his tongue around its tip, before sucking fiercely. He applied the same attention to the other.
Cait’s entire body shook with tension. “I want you.” The words tumbled from her lips before she could stop them. Instantly he straightened and grasped her hand. Turning he strode to the bed, pulling her with him. He laid her on her back and then crawled atop her, settling between her thighs.
One quick thrust and Cait arched into him. The intrusion felt good. She reached forward to grasp his shoulders as he pulled and then thrust again. With every rock of his hips, he made a sound in his throat that was half groan, half growl. It sent hot shivers over her body.
He leaned forward and kissed her as his cock plunged into her, one hand sliding between them to pluck at her nipples. Passion swept over her and she pulled at his shoulders for more, nails biting into his skin. He sucked air through his teeth as he broke their kiss and hovered above her.