His Heart's Desire

by Kristi Ahlers

  “Do you ken why she’s laughing, Braden?”

  “Nae.”

  Cat wiped the tears from her eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re funny.”

  “I’m funny?” Alec pointed to himself. “Well, ‘tis glad I am here to amuse you, my lady.”

  “I’m sorry, Alec. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

  “You didn’t, lass.” He smiled and turned to Braden. “I’m gone. I’ll see you in the morn.”

  Alec quit the room with a jaunty whistle on his lips.

  “Did I upset him?” Cat moved closer to Braden.

  “Nae. He is fine. ‘Tis how Alec has always been. He will likely find himself a willing lass among the staff and spend the evening . . . well, he’ll be fine.”

  Cat smiled. “So. Where should I put my bags?”

  Braden picked up her suitcase and moved through the hallway. When they reached the wide staircase, he took her hand in his and led her up the stone stairs to the second level.

  “I thought you’d enjoy staying in the tower room.”

  Cat nodded her agreement and continued to follow him down another dimly lit corridor until they reached a spiraling set of steps. They reached the landing, and Braden pushed the door open. Cat’s breath caught in her throat at the beauty before her. “It’s like something out of a fairytale.” She wandered further into the tower room. Elspeth had taken excellent care of the rooms that were not on the tour and the space was clean and ready to accommodate guests.

  A beautifully carved bed stood on a raised dais, and the four posts were draped with sheer white material. A gorgeous lace cover draped over the bed. She turned to face Braden. “I can’t sleep here.”

  “Why not, lass?”

  She waved her hand at the bed. “That’s an antique.”

  “What? I don’t ken what you’re saying, lass.”

  “That bed is too fine for me to sleep in.”

  Braden put down her suitcase and then divested her of her backpack before turning back to her.

  His heat reached out to her, and she found herself leaning into him. He was her lodestone. Her heart already knew what her mind had yet to accept. She was meant to spend her life with Braden. But how? She had a life back in New Orleans. She couldn’t stay here at Castle Ross and live here with him.

  All thoughts vanished when he cupped her face with his warm hands and bent his head to hers. The kiss was soft. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and she opened her tongue, meeting him halfway; she was eager to taste him once again. Fire coursed through her body, leaving her aching and wanting. It was too soon. She didn’t really know this man. Her toes curled in her shoes and she gripped his rock hard arms. Tongues rubbed against each other in a sweet friction, giving and taking and fanning the flames of desire higher and higher. Cat never realized how erotic a kiss could be until she kissed her Highlander.

  With reluctance she pulled back and put some much needed distance between them. She was pleased to see Braden was just as affected by their kiss. Desire for her shone in his expressive dark eyes, and when her eyes tracked lower, she couldn’t miss the impressive erection pushing against his jeans.

  “There is nothing finer than you, Catrìona. I want to fall asleep knowing you’re here in this bed with these silken sheets touching your delicious skin.”

  His words made her melt. His tone and his accent all combined into a sinfully erotic experience. Briefly she wondered if he could bring her to orgasm simply by talking to her. Lord, that didn’t bear thinking about.

  “Thank you, Braden.” She rubbed her hands down her jeans in what she knew was a self-conscious move.

  “Rest, mo chridh. Know you aren’t far from my thoughts.” He kissed her once more before he left the room.

  Cat took a moment to look around. It really was a beautiful chamber, and the multi-paned window provided her with a breathtaking view of the sea. Tomorrow, she vowed, would be the day of answers.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Cat was not as comfortable as she could have been in her new room. She might be staying in a centuries’ old keep, but the accommodation was far from luxurious. For starters, it was in the original part of the castle and therefore not wired for electricity. She realized this once darkness fell, and she was left scrambling to find matches to light the beeswax candles spaced throughout the room. Even then, it was so damn dark. The candles did little to dispel the shadows in the other parts of the room. How did they live like this back in the day? She was too modern a woman to live in the dark and wondered why no one had updated the place.

  Moving around the room, she poked in trunks and corners looking at the various treasures carelessly left out. Eventually she turned her attention to her suitcase and unzipped the bag, digging around for her sweatpants, t-shirt, and socks. Her tower room was cold, and she never had been keen on the idea of being cold when she didn’t have to be.

  Once changed into her nightclothes, she climbed onto the feather bed, folded her hands on her belly and stared into the darkness. Now what? Her thoughts chased themselves in dizzying circles. So much had happened in so little time.

  Her lips still tingled from Braden’s kiss. The night before, her sleep had been restless, and she feared the reason for this was due to the fact that Braden was no longer a part of her dream world.

  Rolling onto her side, she listened for the sounds of the surf crashing below on the jagged rocks of the cliff. The repetitive sound slowly eased her into sleep.

  Catrìona sat on the bed and gazed around her tower room. ‘Twas just like something out of a fairytale. Her knight had rescued her from her family. How sad that a stranger was a more welcome sight than her own blood. She wasn’t going to miss her cousin’s cruel treatment and her uncle’s indifference. Things had only gotten worse after her dear aunty had passed the winter before.

  With a curious excitement, she stood and went to the window. The window wasn’t terribly large, but any light was a welcome treat. Braden and his cousin, Alec, stood below in the bailey. Her heart trilled in her chest. She was finally going to marry him.

  After years of waiting and longing for her happy ending, it was finally going to be a reality. Catrìona rested her chin in her hand and watched as both men moved skillfully and gracefully in a circle, parrying and thrusting in mock combat. One would never guess that the swords they wielded with such ease were so heavy. The men made it look effortless.

  Several other lasses stood about watching them spar, sighing and cheering for Alec. Catrìona smiled. Oh, he was a bonny one, but he didn’t come close to outshining her Braden. She’d always found him handsome, but now, now she was eight and ten and saw him as a woman sees a man. A woman grown with a woman’s longing. Sweat glistened on Braden’s back and Catrìona wanted to rush down and touch his flesh. She knew his skin would be slick and warm.

  Braden called a halt to their practice and brushed his forearm across his brow. When he tipped his head back, Catrìona sighed at his masculine beauty. His dark hair was tied back, and his face was covered with a half day’s growth of beard. This only accentuated his chiseled features, making him more rugged and appealing.

  He opened his eyes and their gazes met. Catrìona fancied she could feel the touch of his look on her overheated skin. Her nipples pebbled, and her breasts began to ache. Then he winked at her. The rogue was well versed on women, but she knew in her heart he’d never shared a look as they just did with any another woman.

  Her gaze continued to track down his incredible body, past his muscles, to his lean and powerful hips. She’d heard talk when some of the maids didn’t think she was listening. Catrìona never really gave much thought to what they whispered and giggled about with feminine abandon, until now. What would it be like to be held and kissed by such a strong and virile man?

  Braden was sparring with his cousin once again and cheers rang out. She didn’t understand much of what the onlookers said, since they spoke the Gaelic. When she’d first moved to the Highlands to live
with her aunt and uncle, her family had little use for her, their half Sassenach relation. Catrìona’s own cousins had ignored her, when they weren’t busy playing cruel pranks on her.

  Instead, Catrìona spent much of her time in the kitchens. Here she found peace and friendship with Morag, a kindly old woman who took Catrìona under her care, teaching her the ancient language and giving her affection. Catrìona planned on surprising Braden by speaking her vows to him in his native tongue. Whenever he spoke with her, it was always in English. She wanted to make him proud.

  She smiled, knowing that the fates had indeed favored her by giving her such a wonderful and strong man. Even more amazing was the fact that they cared for each other. Braden had told her the night before that he was honored to be matched with her and knew she was going to be the perfect mate for him. They were friends and one day soon they’d be lovers.

  Cat woke with a start and pushed her hair out of her face. Candles still flickered in their holders, doing little to dispel the darkness. She sat up, wondering what had pulled her from her sleep. Getting out of bed, she moved to the window, needing a little fresh air.

  She put her hand to her heart as her dream began to replay itself in her mind. The anticipation and excitement she experienced still lingered; a tangible thing in the dark room. It was a room that had changed little in all this time. This was the chamber she’d dreamed of. These stones and mortar were centuries old and had withstood the test of time and of elements. She ran her hands over the carved headboard. Even in the flickering shadows of the candlelight, the craftsmanship dazzled her.

  How was it possible that she had experienced these emotions? If her friend Meagan were here, she’d no doubt tell Cat it was residual cosmic energy. She had apparently brought to life her own memories centuries later. This shouldn’t freak her out, but it did. Never in a million years would she have thought she’d have any kind of power like this. The realization was awesome but terrifying all at once.

  Meagan ran a haunted carriage tour back in New Orleans and loved all things that had to do with ghosts. She’d been one of the few friends who knew of Catrìona’s feelings for Braden. She thought it was perfectly normal to fall in love with a spirit. Cat knew Meagan would be having a field day if she were here.

  This begged the question: Did Cat believe in past lives and soul mates?

  The answer was, yes. Yes, she did; but where did that leave her? Braden? Did he really love her, or did he just think he did? Or worse yet, was she projecting her own wants and desires onto him? She never wanted to do that. And really, what did she know of him? For all she knew, he could very well be some macho jerk with an Alpha male complex. She so didn’t need that kind of machismo in her life . . . or did she?

  And then there was the whole age thing. He was centuries old. Would his age finally catch up with him and would he awaken an old, wizened man the next day? Or would he be able to age naturally and live a full life in this century? Or worse yet, would he be immortal like Duncan McLeod, of the Clan McLeod? Okay, that was television, but given the situation, it was not outside the realms of possibility. And how did she feel about growing old while he retained his handsome good looks? Granted, she wasn’t vain, but no one wanted to be next to someone so handsome while they slowly but surely went to pot. Her deepest fear was that he would be taken from her or, worse yet, she would awaken to find this was nothing but a dream.

  A noise on the other side of the door jerked her from the dizzying thoughts clouding her head. The door opened slowly and there stood Braden, dressed only in his blue jeans. Shadows played hide and seek with his handsome visage. He left her breathless. Her eyes hungrily took him in, from the top of his head down to his sexy bare feet.

  “I couldn’t sleep for thoughts of you.” Braden moved a step closer.

  Cat knew that the next few moments were going to dictate the future. She’d lived her life wishing he were real, longing to feel his body against hers. In her heart she knew that there was no one else for her but him. She’d been waiting for this moment her whole life. And if, on the off chance, fate decided to take him away from her again, she was going to have this one memory for her own.

  “Come to me.” She held out her hand and waited.

  Braden quietly closed the door and moved to her side. Without a word he swept her up into his arms. Cat buried her head, where his shoulders met his neck. She inhaled deeply, pulling the seductive scent of him into her lungs. Unable to help herself, she licked the column of his throat. His taste, more potent than the finest wines, went straight to her head.

  Cat wound her hand into the long dark strands of his hair, partly as a way to anchor herself and in part as a way to hold him still for her kisses. She nibbled a path from his neck to his ear. A gruff moan escaped Braden and this emboldened her. She wanted to consume him and glut herself on the taste and feel of him against her.

  The cold of the room and the worries that plagued her drifted away as Braden moved to the bed and tenderly lowered her onto the feather mattress. Without breaking eye contact, he put his hands on the waistband of her sweats. “If you want to say nae, do so now, Catrìona.”

  In answer she lifted her hips to help him remove her sweats. She watched his face as he bared her to his gaze.

  “Beautiful. You are so damn beautiful!”

  Cat sat up and quickly divested herself of her t-shirt. Then she placed her hands on Braden’s chest, curling her fingers against his warm flesh. “Touch me, Braden. Please.”

  Braden smiled. “Oh, I plan on touching you all over.” He stood and put his hands on the tab of the zipper of his jeans. “I plan on touching, kissing and worshipping every luscious inch of your body.” His words, combined with the promise in his eyes, made her womb spasm. Delicious heat filled her. Her breasts grew heavy, and her nipples ached in anticipation.

  Cat watched as Braden slowly lowered his zipper, licking her lips as inch by teasing inch was revealed to her hungry stare.

  “These garments are terribly difficult to get out of.” Braden parted the jeans and palmed his erection as it broke free of its denim confines. Without breaking eye contact, he pumped himself in his hands. “I’m burning for you. I’m so hard I hurt.”

  With wanton pleasure she pushed his hands out of the way, marveling at the velvet encased steel of his erection. She traced the veins from root to tip, spreading the clear drop of fluid that leaked from its tip around the engorged head of his erection. Another moan escaped Braden, causing her to look up for a brief moment before she bent her head and took him into her mouth for a sensual kiss.

  “Ah, lass.” He gripped her hair and gently pulled away from her mouth. “Stop, I don’t want to spend in your mouth the first time we’re together.” He cupped the back of her head. “Lay back, lass, let me look at what I’ve waited a lifetime to see.”

  Cat was helpless to deny him anything. She pushed back and rested against the feather pillows, wanting to please him in every way. “Make love to me, Braden. Make me yours.”

  Braden made short work of stepping out of his jeans and tossing them into the shadows.

  He climbed onto the bed and pressed his body against hers. Bending near, he whispered, “I’m going to kiss you all over, starting with your sweet lips.”

  His lips took possession of hers. He ate at her lips, thrusting his tongue deep, teasing and pulling her own against his. The kiss was raw and deeply erotic and reached her soul. Trailing his mouth down her jawline to her neck, he bit and sucked until he made his way to her breasts. Cat arched into his touch, the rough feel of his tongue against her straining nipple forced a whimper of pure lust to escape her.

  She fisted her hands into his hair, holding him to her, wanting more, relishing the heat of his mouth against her tender skin. Braden moved to the other breast, laving the straining peak of her nipple with his tongue. Cat felt the pull all the way down to her clit, and she moaned in appreciation. Never before had she responded to such love play with her other lovers. Then again, t
hey were never Braden.

  With diligent care and attention, Braden kissed his way down her abdomen placing wet, open-mouthed kisses on her navel before moving to the curly thatch that covered her mound. With care, he gently parted the curls, revealing her feminine flesh to his gaze. “Oh, you are so very bonny.” He nuzzled her before he ran his tongue over her heated flesh. His tongue did wonderful and naughty things for the next few moments. Her body sought his sensual touch, grinding herself against his talented mouth, wanting, needing more, but Braden held back.

  The sensations that crashed over Cat’s body were too many to focus on and release was just within her grasp. Her swollen and achy tissue spasmed with each teasing kiss.

  “Braden, oh God!” she moaned helplessly.

  “You like this?” He looked up at her with what she could only call a devilish glint before he placed another searing kiss on her flesh. He explored more intimately, making her burn hotter than she already was, yearning for something only Braden could give her.

  “Come here.” Cat pulled on his hair, trying to get him to return to her mouth.

  He winked at her and blew softly on her aching clit before sucking it gently into his mouth for a final toe-curling touch.

  Braden slowly crawled up her body. As he leaned over her, his hair drifted forward, tickling her cheek. The look in his eyes caused her heart to turn over in her chest. His heart and feelings were bared to her by the expressions on his face. She traced a finger across his lower lip. “You’re so beautiful, Braden.” She leaned up and captured his mouth with her own in a soul-stealing kiss. Tears burned the back of her eyelids.

  Braden’s body pressed down on hers, and she reveled in the hardness and weight of him against her sensitized flesh. She wrapped her arms around his waist and palmed his backside, wanting him closer, needing him to move on her. Slowly he thrust against her belly as they continued to kiss. She was so close to orgasm, and he wasn’t even inside her yet.