Enticed by the Highlander: The Moriag Series

by Hildie McQueen

  Although a small table blocked the door, he easily shoved it out of the way. Sword held high, he burst into the room.

  “No!” In the cot along the wall, Breena sat up, her hair streaming past her shoulders and rounded eyes searching his face. “Don’t kill me.”

  Aiden lowered his sword and neared the bed. “What are you doing here?”

  She looked past him to the doorway. “Did Robertson send you to fetch me?”

  “Nay. The village was attacked again, we are searching for the men responsible.”

  Her shoulders lowered and she pushed her tresses back, the motion jutting her breasts out. Through the sheer fabric of her shift, he couldn’t help but notice tantalizing nipples. “So you escaped? Why are you so intent on leaving? It is too dangerous right now for you to be alone.”

  “I won’t go back. I’ll kill myself first.” She stood and rushed to him, her hands clenching the front of his tunic with both hands. “Help me, please.”

  As if by instinct, he wrapped his arms around her and held her. It surprised him when she relaxed into his chest and laid her head upon it.

  Her voice shook. “I do not understand why, but I feel you will protect me. I feel safe with you. Please, stay with me.”

  Not exactly sure why she called to him, other than beautiful, a part of him sensed she was his to protect. She didn’t know how true her words were. He wanted nothing more than to ensure she was never harmed. “Come, let’s get some rest. In the morning, I’ll take you to my keep. I will protect you, but we need to talk. I need to understand the circumstances.”

  It would stretch his willpower to keep from making love to the beauty. Lying with her was a mistake, he soon realized, when she continued to cling to him once they settled onto the narrow cot.

  Aiden gritted his teeth when her full, soft breasts flattened against his side. “I can’t sleep.” He made to get out of the cot when her hand reached for his face.

  “Make love to me. I want to feel alive again.”

  His body screamed for release at her words and Aiden tried to fight the urge to climb over her and take what he needed from her body, but he hesitated. “You are frightened and don’t know what you say.”

  “I know what I need.” Her lips pressed against the bottom of his jawline while her hand slid down from his chest past his stomach. He stopped her hand with his before she felt how hard he was for her. “You.”

  “Are you sure of what you speak?”

  “Aye. More than sure. I admired you at the inn, wondered what it would be like…with you.”

  He didn’t need more encouragement and took her mouth with a hunger he wasn’t aware he possessed. She’d called to him from the instant he’d seen her. Like her, upon first catching a glimpse, he’d immediately imagined her unclothed, her body on full display for him to feast upon.

  Circumstances were not as accommodating as he wished. He wanted this woman in his chamber, in his bed, in his arms.

  She let out a soft moan and raked her fingers through his hair, pulling him to plunder her mouth.

  The plush curves were heavenly as he slid his hands down her back, over the swell of her bottom to cup her with his palms and pull her against his hardness. She let out a sigh and lifted her right leg and slid it down the side of his.

  He’d never felt so hard, so hot for a woman and Aiden wondered if it had to do with who she was. A woman so gentile and, yet, demanding his body. That had to be it.

  Not able to stand not touching her bare skin, he slid a hand under her shift. Breena’s skin was soft and supple. He took great care to caress each inch that his fingers brushed over.

  Finally, a plump breast overfilled his hand and he slid his thumb over the tip, urged on by her soft moans of enjoyment. He pushed the prize out from the confines of the shift and took the tip into his mouth, suckling while he ground between her legs.

  Breena grabbed at his britches, pulling at them. “I need you, Aiden.”

  “Not yet, beauty. I will ensure you come undone with my mouth first.”

  She pushed up into his mouth and he took her breast again, while sliding his hand between her legs. His finger parted her folds until reaching his goal. With the pad of his finger, he flicked over the small bud until she began to shudder. He pulled away and she groaned. “No. Don’t stop, not now.”

  He stood and removed his clothing. Once nude, he added another log to the fire and returned to the small bed. “Remove your clothing, Breena. I want to see all of you.”

  She sat up and pulled the shift over her head allowing him to take in all of her. Her breasts fell heavy on her chest. Her stomach was softly rounded and her legs were long and shapely. “Lay back and spread your legs.”

  For a moment he thought she wouldn’t do it but, after hesitating, she did so. Her chest lifted and fell in rapid succession. She remained aroused. “You’re beautiful like that. On display only for me.”

  He kneeled between her legs and pushed them farther apart. She placed a hand on her thigh and he pushed it away. “No, allow me to love you this way. Relax.”

  “How can I? I am not sure what you’re about to do.”

  He chuckled and leaned forward. With the tip of his tongue, he flicked at her nub.

  “Oh!” Breena’s legs trembled.

  He laved at her sex a couple more times and then sucked the tiny rosebud into his mouth while Breena mewled and grasped at the bedding and his hair, her legs shaking. Finally she came with such force, the taste of her overwhelmed him. She was delicious.

  He climbed over her while she still shook and took his cock in hand. Nudging at her entrance just enough, he released it and drove into her moist heat. She was tight, hot, and very wet. Aiden almost came then and there.

  With both hands, he lifted her hips and pulled out just enough before thrusting back into her. Once again, he did so, his breathing already more in gasps.

  “You are a perfect fit for me.” He pushed in again and again, not getting enough, while, at the same time, overcome with the need to continue and never stop. He feared his hard lovemaking would hurt her and he wanted to be gentle, but it was impossible. He couldn’t stop plundering her body, taking all he could. She cried out in release again but he could not finish, not yet.

  Breena clutched his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as she urged him to his finish. She bit at his chest, lost in the oblivion of lovemaking and he could not picture a more beautiful moment.

  His balls tightened and he lost his rhythm. He drove into her and fell into darkness as he lost all control, sending all his release into her, his hips continuing to pound while at the same time he felt as if he floated above the bed.

  Finally, he fell over her, completely spent. It was hard to catch his breath and gather enough strength to roll away, but somehow he managed to lie on his side and pull her against him. “Are you well? Did I hurt you?” He brushed kisses along her temple.

  She snuggled into his chest. “No. I have never felt anything like this. What you did. It was…wonderful.”

  Aiden relaxed and closed his eyes. To spend every night like this would be heaven. He’d not allowed himself to think of a permanent relationship. His past attempt at marriage had not gone well. But with this woman, he could not stand the idea of her being with any other man.

  She was hand fasted to Robertson. She was tied to another.

  “What are you thinking?” She looked up at him.

  “That I will do my best to protect you always.”

  He pushed to sit. “Go to sleep. Use the coverings and wait for me. I must douse the fire. Do not light another. Someone may come to investigate.”

  She made a beautiful sight, the coverings held against her chest, kiss-swollen lips and long, tangled hair down her shoulders as she watched him dress. “Must you go?”

  “I have to return or my men will come looking for me.” Aiden stood over the cot and cupped her face. “Breena, promise me. You will wait for my return.”

  She studied
him for a long moment, her brows lowered. This was not a woman who trusted men. “Aye, very well.”

  The entire way back to the camp, he wondered if he should have remained with her. If anyone found Breena, he shuddered to think what they’d do to her. If it happened to be Robertson’s men, he had no doubt the man would punish her severely.

  He made a bird call to let his men know he neared so they’d not pierce him with an arrow. Once the call was returned, he joined them.

  His first guardsman, Calum, neared and looked him over. “You were gone a long time.”

  “Aye. I found a wench at Ian’s cottage.”

  “Is that so?” The man’s lips curved. “Comely?”

  “Very much so.”

  “Can I go see her?”

  “Nay. She is one of Ian’s, but she allowed me in her bed with a warning to not tell anyone,” Aiden lied.

  Calum frowned. “It’s best we don’t say anything. The archer is not one I wish to cross.”

  “Smart man.” Aiden chuckled. “But I did promise to ensure she was safe in case the attackers come this way. I warned her not to use the hearth until I return.” Calum was a good warrior. If anything happened, he could trust the man to go see about Breena. But for now, he would not tell him who she really was.

  “The man should care for his woman,” Calum grumbled.

  “Aye. I will see to it that he knows she needs his protection,” Aiden replied. “I will escort her back in the morning.”

  “’Tis a good idea. It’s not safe for her to be alone out here.”

  Chapter Five

  Breena woke to the sounds of horses. She’d slept better than in many nights, trusting that Aiden would return for her, take her to his home where she could keep from marrying Robertson.

  Although she’d expected him to come alone, she hurried to dress just as two men crashed into the cottage.

  Robertson’s men.

  “We’ve been looking for ye.” A gruff man stepped forward, his narrowed gaze sliding over her body. “Laird Robertson is not pleased with ye.”

  The understatement almost made her burst into hysterical laughter. Instead, she finished pulling on her dress. “I do not wish to return.”

  “That is not a choice for you to make, Lady McGalen.” The second man entered the room and gave it a look. “Has anyone else been here? Who helped you escape?”

  She considered if Aiden had gone to Robertson. It would not surprise her. “No one. If you are not going to allow me to remain, then let us be on our way.”

  When she went toward the door, one of the men grabbed her upper arm. “Or we could wait a bit.” He looked to the other man. “Who’s to say we didn’t find her after being ravished by the attackers?”

  A cruel lift of the other man’s lips twisted her stomach. “Aye, ’tis true.”

  “If you dare touch me, I will tell him what you did,” Breena told them, her body stiff in a desperate show of bravado. “You would not get away with it.”

  “Why would he believe you? After all, you ran away right after the attack.” His grubby hand covered her breast. At the same time, the other man came behind her and took her by the shoulders. “Have ye ever had two men at once?”

  Bile rose in her throat and Breena screamed. The man in front of her covered her mouth with his, not a kiss but a punishment.

  The sounds of horse hooves hitting the ground sent the two men to action. Swords drawn, one grabbed her arm and held her back while the other rushed to the door. Upon stepping through the threshold, they came face to face with a very menacing Aiden.

  The man pulled her back to the doorway while the other went to speak to Aiden. Words were exchanged and Aiden finally nodded and seemed to accept whatever was said. He looked to her, his face devoid of expression. “If you are going directly to the McNeil’s keep then I will follow.”

  “There is no need, Laird,” one of her captors said. “We can be trusted to deliver the lady without harm.”

  “I am heading that way.” He turned his horse away, not waiting for a response.

  Had he turned her in? He didn’t seem at all surprised to find the men there. Breena’s stomach sunk. She didn’t fear whatever punishment awaited her. What struck terror, was the thought of being kept captive for a lifetime. No doubt, part of the consequence of her escape would be to marry Robertson immediately. This time there was no way to get out of it. He’d not give her any opportunity to refuse or time to find another way to leave.

  No matter, she would never give up. As of this time, she would also not trust a living soul. What a fool she’d been to trust Aiden Stuart.

  She’d not told him about Robertson being behind the attacks. Perhaps if she’d disclosed what she suspected, he’d not have turned her in. But then she would have never known his true nature. A man who made empty promises.

  The fact she’d offered her body to him barely bothered her at this point. What was the difference? Lying with one man or another, for a few hours, she’d forgotten her dire situation, the harshness of reality. In Aiden’s arms, she remembered how beautiful things between a man and a woman could be.

  They arrived at the McNeil’s keep too soon. She was escorted to a chamber below the main house and locked in. The room was sparse, with only a small bed and a side table with a lantern. Would anyone come to see her beside Robertson? She peered through the tiny window out to the courtyard. Aiden arrived and dismounted. His gaze traveled across the courtyard. One of the McNeil’s guardsmen came to him and, together, they walked inside.

  Two hours passed and, finally, Ita came for her. The maid was sullen as she was allowed inside Breena’s small chamber and the door slammed behind her. “Ye shouldna have run, milady. The laird is quite furious. I dunna know what he will do to ye.”

  “I don’t care.” Breena sat on her cot. “I must speak to the McNeil. Or to Laird Gordon. Is that possible?”

  “Nay,” the maid replied. “I doubt it.”

  Breena stalked to the door. “I will begin screaming until someone comes. Please go to Lady Grisella and tell her I wish a word with her. I only wish to apologize for my actions.”

  The maid nodded. “Very well. I will go and find her.”

  It was a long time before Lady Grisella appeared. The woman sank onto the small bed next to Breena. “Dear, I know you are not looking forward to a marriage to Laird Robertson. But you must accept it. It is your lot.”

  Breena’s eyes burned with angry tears. “I hate the man. It is not fair that women do not get choices.”

  “I know.” Lady Grisella patted her hand. “But it is the way of our world.”

  After checking to make sure no one stood within earshot, Breena moved closer to Lady Grisella. “Robertson is behind the attacks. I swear it.”

  The woman thought on her words. When her eyes met Breena’s, it was obvious she didn’t believe the words. “Are you sure you just don’t say it to avoid the marriage?”

  Breena shook her head. “I am not that foolish. I saw warriors traveling toward the town speaking of it. Two were guards that came with us. They said Laird Robertson ordered them to attack and to not leave any injured behind. If the man could not mount, they were to deliver a mortal blow.”

  Lady Grisella gasped. “My God.”

  “Can you please speak to Laird McNeil and impart this information?”

  “I can’t,” Lady Grisella glanced to the doorway. “They’ve all gone to set up camp near the village, to keep any new attacks at bay and show the townspeople they are protected. They’ve left very few men behind. Most are Robertson’s.”

  Something was about to go terribly wrong. Breena grasped Lady Grisella’s hands. “Where is he? Robertson?”

  “He remained here. Claimed not to be fit to battle, but sent half his escort with my husband.”

  “What should we do?” Breena wondered if Robertson’s men would turn on their hosts once the rest of their attackers arrived.

  “I will send one of my personal guardsmen with a
message. My husband’s men that remained here will also be warned.” Lady Grisella looked into Breena’s eyes. “If what you say is true, God help us.”

  “You must maintain an illusion not to be aware,” Breena told the woman who quickly nodded in agreement.

  Ita walked in, her eyes lowered. “Lady Breena, Laird Robertson wishes to see you now.”

  Her stomach tumbled at thinking what the man would do as punishment. A paled Lady Grisella stood. “I will see about the evening meal. It shouldn’t be too long before I send a maid to come and fetch you.” A bit of relief came at knowing the lady would do what she could to ensure Robertson wouldn’t be with her alone for long.

  Breena followed a subdued Ita toward the stairwell and then reached for the maid’s arm. “Tell me how have you managed all these years with him.”

  The maid swallowed and looked over her shoulder. “We all do what we must, milady. I suggest you don’t anger him in the future. Not all punishment will go to you, but to others that surround him as well.” The maid pulled her arm away and walked.

  So Robertson had punished the poor girl and now Ita disliked her. Breena let out a deep breath. Nothing to be done about that right now. She had to figure out how to keep from Robertson’s fists or worse.

  They stopped outside a chamber and Ita opened the door for her, not looking at Breena, gaze directed over her shoulder. “The laird will be here shortly.”

  It was a waiting chamber of sorts. There was a table with several chairs. Breena stood in the center of the room. Too soon, the door opened and Robertson stepped in. The scowl on his face made the man seem larger as he neared her. Breena remained still, head high, but her gaze downcast.

  “Where have you been?” he spat, circling her. “Did you meet someone?”

  How much had Aiden told? Breena would not admit to anything. “I was in a cottage south of here. Alone.”

  “You fled from me. Did you think to get away with it?” He spoke with a pleasant tone.