“Weel, I would no count on being invited for holiday celebrations with yer uncle this year.” Robert shook his head.
He and Connor were both laughing as they all turned to leave the wall when they caught sight of Cate.
Connor stopped, placing both hands on his hips, a small scowl on his face, his eyebrow arched as usual. “And what are you doing up here?”
The others continued past her, exchanging winks and smiles as they hurried down the stairs.
Cate tipped her head and looked at him thoughtfully before answering, the seeds of a plan forming in her mind. “Being impressed.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Aye? Impressed were you? Did you no think yer husband could handle the likes of them?”
Her husband. The words momentarily rattled her but she quickly recovered. “Oh, I figured you could handle them. I just didn’t know you could look so good doing it.” She smiled, strolling over to him.
“Good, eh? If you liked that, you should hae seen me with the Saracens, or even the Norsemen. I could hae truly impressed you with the likes of them. Now those were worthy opponents, not like this bunch.” He smiled at her and, putting his arm around her shoulders, walked her down the stairs. As they reached the bottom, she slid her arms around his waist and gave him a little hug.
Again he looked surprised. “What did I do to earn that?”
“Nothing in particular. It’s just for being you.” There was no point in her adding that it gave her the opportunity to run her hands over the glistening muscles that appealed to her so much.
She started across the courtyard, pleased at the look of confusion on his face.
“Caty?” He caught up with her and twirled her around to face him. “In the future, you’ll no be on the tower walk when riders come. I’ll no hae you being a target for their archers. You’ll just hae to find somewhere else to be impressed with me.” He twirled her back around and smacked her on her bottom. “Now off with you, lass. I’ve work to do.” He turned and walked away, laughing.
She stared after him, the seeds of her plan sprouting full bloom. Oh yeah, she’d been going about this all wrong.
CHAPTER 25
Cate sat among the herbs for the better part of the afternoon, contemplating her dilemma, finalizing her plan. She was living with a man she loved with all her heart, and yet she was pretty much as unhappy as she could possibly be since he didn’t love her in return. She knew that for a fact because, if he did, she wouldn’t be here. Sighing deeply, she rolled her eyes at the absurdity of her situation.
It occurred to her while watching Connor on the wall today that maybe she was approaching this whole thing incorrectly. She was dealing with a warrior. She needed to think of this not as a game, but as a battle.
Being a woman who liked to take into account all her alternatives before acting, she considered what options were available to her.
Her first option was to continue as she had been, waiting and hoping that maybe someday Connor would fall madly in love with her, and the whole time she waited, she’d continue to be miserable. Considering how long Rosalyn had waited in vain for her true love, Connor might never make that leap. And even if he did, she’d be gone and still miserable.
Her second option was to look at this battle thing in a whole new light. Watching those men up there today, laughing and joking in the face of danger, she’d been struck with how they seemed to enjoy themselves. Perhaps that was what she’d never quite grasped in life—the ability to find and take what joy she could.
She had already faced the fact that sooner or later she was going to give herself to this man, so why not do it on her own terms? She might be going to lose this battle, but at least she could go down in a blaze of glory that would leave Connor wondering just who had won the war.
And maybe, just maybe, her brother was wrong and it was the Faeries who had the right of it. Perhaps you really could urge true love along, if you only worked at it.
All things considered, she’d spent way too much of her life just reacting to whatever came along. The time had come to stop letting life happen and start making life happen. She was finally ready to take charge and follow a brand-new battle plan.
* * *
Cate stepped back and admired her handiwork. It looked pretty good, even if she did say so herself. She’d moved the chairs off to the side of the room and placed a large fur in front of the fireplace. The fire was burning low. She’d scrounged extra candles and had placed them around the room. They added a warm glow to the area. Sitting next to the fur was a bottle of Connor’s favorite whisky, a pot of her tea and two large cups. The book he was currently reading was waiting there on the fur as well, an important part of her plan.
Finally she’d changed into her silk pajamas. Connor seemed to have something of a fascination with the little top.
She smiled at the thought. If physical attraction was the best weapon in her arsenal at the moment, she’d just have to make use of it.
Battle lines were drawn, awaiting only the firing of the opening shot. She smiled broadly as she heard his step outside the door.
“If I’m going to lose anyway, I might as well enjoy doing it,” she murmured.
“Who were you speaking . . . what hae you done in here?” Connor stopped just inside the door, looking around.
“Just a little rearranging. I thought, if you didn’t mind, perhaps you’d be willing to help me learn to decipher the writing in your books.” She nodded toward the book on the floor. “I’m an educated woman in my world. It’s very frustrating not being able to even read here simply because of the style of the writing.” She smiled at him, hoping for an innocent look.
“Aye, weel, if that’s what you’d like, of course I’ll try to help you.” He rubbed his hands down his plaid, and slowly moved toward the fire. “You’ve moved the chairs?”
“I did. I thought it would be easier if we sat on the floor. That way I can follow along while you’re holding the book rather than having to lean across the chair arms to see.”
He stood by the fire, rubbing his hands together. “You’ve added some candles.”
“Well, the writing is already difficult for me to read. No point having it dark as well.”
He looked down at the whisky and then back to her with the familiar arched eyebrow. “And this?”
Cate sighed deeply for effect.
“Well, Connor, you’re not the most patient man in the world. So, if I go more slowly than you expect, perhaps a small drink will help to calm you.” She smiled brightly again.
He smiled back now, narrowing his eyes. “And what yer wearing?”
“Well, if I’m going to be sitting on the floor, pants are the most discreet thing I could possibly wear. And these are the only pants I have.”
The man had the truly suspicious nature of a successful warrior. Time to up the offensive with her next weapon.
“Are you going to question absolutely everything I’ve arranged? If you don’t want to help me, just tell me and I’ll forget the whole thing.” She crossed her arms under her breasts and backed away from him. A small pout was her crowning touch.
He swiftly came across the room, bringing his hand to rest on her shoulder. “No, no. I dinna mean to upset you. I’d be pleased to work with you on the book. I was just . . . surprised by yer request.” He shrugged his shoulders and led her over to the fur. “Hae a seat and we’ll get started.”
Sitting down next to him, she poured whisky into his cup and tea into hers while he opened the book to the spot where he’d left off the night before.
“What exactly do you want me to do?” He favored her with his now familiar arched eyebrow.
She started at his question, blushing at the first thought that raced through her mind, a thought that didn’t involve the book he held at all. It had much more to do with his lips. And hands. And . . .
“Um, well, for a start, why don’t you go over the individual letters so I can begin to recognize them. The writing i
s quite different from what I’m used to.”
She moved to her knees and scooted slightly behind him so that, kneeling, she could look over his shoulder. She could also lightly touch her body to his back in the process. Her heart pounded so hard at the contact, she wondered if he noticed it.
“Are you sure you can see from there?” When he turned to look at her, their faces almost touched, and he quickly leaned away, into the book. “Perhaps I’d best start over from the beginning,” he mumbled, flipping to the first page.
“The beginning would be good,” she acknowledged.
They spent the next ten minutes with him pointing out the individual letters in each word on the pages before them, Connor appearing to concentrate diligently on each one.
Time to advance the lines a bit.
Cate leaned into him, raising her arms to take down her braid.
“Perhaps we’ve done enough for tonight and you should get yer rest.” He closed the book and stood.
No, that wasn’t at all what she wanted.
“Connor?” She placed her hand on his thigh to stop him.
He froze.
“Could I ask for a small favor?”
“Aye.” His voice sounded a bit strained. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Would you rub my shoulders? My muscles are all knotted. I don’t think I’d ever be able to get to sleep like this.”
She let her hand slide slowly down his leg before lifting it to gather her hair on top of her head. She waited.
“Aye. I can do that if it will help you.”
He waited for a moment before rejoining her on the fur. Then he reached over and, picking up his cup, drained it. He rubbed his hands together nervously before placing them on her shoulders.
“It is somewhat warm in here,” he muttered.
“It certainly is. Oh, just a second.” She dropped her hair and turned to flash him a quick smile. “This will make it so much better.” She pulled her jacket off over her head and tossed it away, following up with a deep, satisfied sigh.
“There now.” She piled her hair up again, turned her back to him and waited.
His breathing sounded a little fast as he lightly placed his hands back on her shoulders and very gently pressed. “Is this what you wanted?” His voice was as unsteady as his hands.
She dropped her head forward, letting go of her hair so it fell over his fingers. Then she moaned.
“Harder, Connor. Much harder.” She intentionally used the breathiest voice she could manage, hoping she wasn’t going too far.
With a strangled sound he abruptly stood. “I canna do this.”
Her moment of truth had come; time for her to pull out all the stops and aggressively pursue what she wanted. She’d already determined to do whatever it took.
She turned and rose to her knees in front of him, angling her shoulder so that one of her camisole straps slid down onto her arm. “I don’t understand. What’s wrong?”
Breathing hard, he looked down at her with tortured eyes. “Dinna you ken what yer doing to me? I’m only a man. You’ve made it clear to me, I’m no to touch you. What is it you want from me?”
Locking her eyes on his, she placed her hands on his knees and slowly began to slide them up, under his plaid, allowing herself to savor the feel of his muscles tensing under her fingers.
“Everything,” she whispered. “All of you.”
He sank to his knees and, grasping her upper arms, he pulled her to him. “Are you sure you ken what yer doing?” His voice was husky with need.
Cate smiled slowly, leaning into him. “No. I have no idea what I’m doing. The only thing I’m sure of is that I want you.”
He let go of her arms, his breathing ragged. “If I dinna leave now, I’ll no be able to . . . I dinna think . . . ”
She stopped him with a finger to his lips. “Exactly. Don’t think anymore. Just do.” She slid her arms around his neck, her hands twining in his hair as she brought her mouth up to his.
His arms wrapped around her, carrying her to her back on the fur beneath him. She slid one hand down to drag the plaid from his shoulder and tugged at the laces on his shirt with the other. Pulling back from her to his knees, he drew the shirt off over his head.
At Cate’s sharp intake of breath he smiled brashly, his teeth gleaming in the firelight. “Do you like that then?”
Running her hands across the muscles of his chest, she answered breathlessly. “Oh yes. Very much.” She grinned up at him. “I think you may have found that new way to impress me.”
Eyes narrowing, his smile turned blatantly seductive. “I’ve no even begun to impress you yet, lass. But I will. My turn now.” Sliding his hands up her sides, he slipped her camisole off over her head, growling as he gazed at her. “I canna tell you how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
“What else do you want to do?” She could only whisper, every nerve ending in her body screaming for his hands to be on her.
“This.” He covered her body with his, kissing her mouth, making his way down to her throat, kissing, lightly nipping as he relentlessly moved lower.
The sensations of his bare chest moving against her breasts whet her appetite for more. Soon his hand replaced his chest, his fingers kneading, circling, inflaming her. And when she thought it could get no better, his mouth replaced his hand, his tongue teasing her nipple into a hard little mound.
She moaned, low and needy.
And he pulled back from her.
She didn’t think she could live through it if he quit now. She could barely think, barely speak, but she had to.
“No. Don’t stop.” She opened her eyes to find that brash, confident smile she loved.
“I’m no stopping. I dinna believe I could stop now even if you asked it of me.” He gave her a heart-melting grin. “I plan to impress you as no other man ever has.”
“You’re well on your way to it.” She wasn’t lying. The last time they’d done this, she’d been completely inexperienced and it had been accomplished in near darkness. Now in the glow of the fireplace, the light cast by the candles reflected off the hard muscled planes of his body. She found the sight of him almost as arousing as his touch.
Almost.
She kicked off her pajama bottoms and he grinned.
Leaning over her, he lifted her arms above her head and, holding them there, kissed her again, long and slow, his tongue dancing in and out of her mouth. She met him thrust for thrust.
He ran his fingers down her arms, along her sides to her stomach, just under the elastic of her panties.
“Does this scrap of lace you wear serve some purpose?”
She could only nod.
His fingers continued to run back and forth just under the cloth, slowly, erotically. She could think of nothing but his hand, what he was doing, the sensations pooling just below where his fingers lingered.
He laughed, sliding the lace down her legs and tossing them away. Then he stood and she watched in the flickering light of the fire as he unwound his plaid, dropping it to the floor.
So now she’d seen for herself what was under those plaids. And if he was at all representative, it was probably a good thing they kept everyone in suspense. Otherwise they’d be beating back hoards of women at the airports all over Scotland. She grinned up at him.
“Are you still impressed then?” A confident smile this time.
“Very much so.”
“Weel, if you liked that, just wait till you see what comes next.”
He breathed harshly as he moved over her, that slow, seductive smile sending arousal tingling through her whole body.
“As I recall, it only gets better.”
“Oh, aye, wee Caty, I promise you. Much, much better.”
* * *
Her skin was so soft it gave him pleasure just to stroke it. And her smell, like a field of flowers. He buried his nose in the curve of her neck and breathed her in, relishing the moment.
Whatever had caused her to change her mind, h
e prayed it never ended. He’d do whatever he could to see to that.
He kissed his way down her neck and lower, stopping to worship at each of her breasts, enjoying the feel of her soft little hands stroking his back, fluttering at his shoulders before gliding up to comb through his hair. He’d never guessed having fingernails trailing lightly against his scalp could be so stimulating.
He slid his hands down to her waist, marveling at how delicate she felt in his grip. With his thumbs, he brushed lower, onto her stomach, pleased when he felt her muscles quiver at his touch. He kissed her breastbone and lower, allowing his tongue to linger against her sweet, fragrant skin, reveling in her soft intake of breath when he reached her navel, once again dipping and swirling, nibbling his way around the edge.
Down over the smooth, firm skin of her bottom he slid his hands, extending his fingers, reaching her thighs, spreading them, running his palms up, around, and into the curls that drew his attention.
His thumb circled, searching. When she gasped, hips undulating in unison with his movement, he felt as masterful as he ever had in battle, knowing he’d found his mark.
He held her close when her body shuddered and she called out his name, inflaming his own arousal.
“Now, Connor, now,” she pleaded breathlessly, a request he was more than ready to fulfill.
Again he spread her thighs, this time to center himself against her, moving slowly into the familiar warm haven he had visited only once before. His hands grasped her hips, whether to pull her close or to anchor himself he wasn’t sure, didn’t care any longer.
Her tight heat surrounded him, inch by inch, as he fought to slow his response, to prolong the intense pleasure of this experience.
“Now, Connor, now,” she cried, locking her legs behind him, tilting her hips into him.
“Now,” he echoed, surging into her, again and again, over and over, carried on a wave of overpowering passion.
Thirty Nights With a Highland Husband Page 24