My Dark Highlander

by Badger, Nancy Lee

  Jaden-Tog walked over to her, and bowed. “I shall leave ye here in this warrior’s care, lass, and return to the gathering. I need another tankard of ale.”

  As Jenny nodded, and Gavin watched, the brownie stomped down the trail in the direction of the ceilidh, leaving them alone. When she turned her attention back to him, the urge to kiss her, intensified. She was vulnerable, and he was starving for a taste of her. With a suddenness that surprised even him, he enveloped her in his arms, and brushed his lips across her mouth. When she did not protest, nor try to escape, he cupped the back of her head, threaded his fingers among her silken curls, and feasted.

  Her mouth was warm, and her plump lips welcomed him, as if he was coming home. With her breasts plastered against his chest, with barely a sliver of silk between them, her nipples hardened. As she rubbed against him, he smiled against her mouth.

  His hand swept down her neck, the exposed skin felt silky-smooth beneath his calloused fingertips. The heady aroma of lavender, he associated only with her, mingled with pine and earth, filling his nostrils. When her lips parted, his tongue delved inside.

  An opportunity not to be wasted. Time is short.

  Gavin’s tongue tangled with hers, in a dance as old as time. She smelled fabulous, and tasted of honey ale and spice cake, yet he hungered for more. The need to breathe her in and never let go, was as painful as the steel-hard cock beneath his plaid. Gasping for air, he released her mouth, worried she needed to breathe, as well.

  “Wow. There’s something erotic about kissing in the dark. I like it.”

  His cock twitched. “I want you naked and beneath me, love.”

  “Oh Gavin, we can’t.”

  His arms loosened, and his erection softened. Her words hurt, but the sadness in her expression made him understand. Had he not told her time and time again that he wanted no woman in his life?

  “I understand, but ye have changed me. With my brother missing, and our sire on the rampage, my life is in turmoil. Ye be the only constant that is keeping me sane. A night of shared pleasure would satisfy me for months.”

  “No. I can’t. You’ll leave, and I’ll be here, alone, at least until some other guy comes along.”

  Her words swept over him, raining down like ice pellets to chill his heart. Releasing her, he turned aside. Awash in shadows, he sighed. “I understand, love. I thought ye cared for me. My mistake.”

  “I care for you, but you aren’t here in my world because you want to be.”

  “Yer wrong. Ye taste so verra’ sweet, and when ye press your softness against me, how can I resist? I want nothing more than to lay ye down and thrust inside ye, filling ye with my essence.”

  She had stepped away. Shadows blanketed the entire forest. If he was smart, he would take the brownie’s advice, and return to the relative safety of the crowd.

  “You’re scaring me.”

  “My apologies. ‘Twas no’ my intent. ‘Tis only the truth, I speak. Every time I smell yer sweet fragrance, my body and heart react.”

  “Your heart?” Her voice trembled, and he quickly answered.

  “My heart is an organ that beats, allowing me to live. It nearly stopped the moment my sire threatened yer life. To see ye in danger, makes me wish to kill whoever is causing ye harm.”

  “Even your own father?”

  He nodded, unsure if she could see him where he had faded into the shadows, then said, “Aye.”

  “I feel the same way about you, Gavin. I really wish things could be different, but you are the one who’s leaving.” Jenny shot past him, and headed back toward the tent.

  With his body under control, Gavin followed close behind.

  The last time I let her out of my sight, I nearly lost her to my own wretched kin.

  CHAPTER 21

  The dance was in full swing, and Jenny’s headache was back. The noise and smells were overpowering. With one eye on Gavin, as he followed in the shadows, Jenny walked along the outer edge of the dance floor. She and Gavin had made a quick pit-stop at Dorcas’ tent so she could change out of her ruined gown. She’d found a dark purple velvet gown with a sweetheart neckline. It accentuated her assets, and she could dance without fear of her boobs falling out.

  She wasn’t going to worry about how out of place Gavin might feel. Dancing couples weren’t oddities. Historically, Highland festivals were centuries old, and included feats of strength, music, great food, lots of drinking, and dancing.

  Her hair was another matter. She’d lost her upswept hairdo, along with the pins to hold it in place. She finger-combed what remained, and let it fall where it may. It was longer than she’d ever let it grow, and the blond highlights had faded. The brown that remained was her natural color, but she envied Denise’s red hair. Gavin seemed to like her hair, unless his compliments were his way of seducing a woman.

  Enough!

  If Gavin intended to keep her safe, he should talk to Denise. Denise knew something was amiss. She would want to help, and could keep an eye peeled. As her best friend and co-worker, Denise already knew about Randy.

  “If I tell her he’s stalking me, she’ll watch my back.”

  “It sure is a lovely back.”

  Whirling around, she fell against Randy Hay’s chest. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Speak of the devil.

  “Come on, now. Let bygones be bygones. Hmm. I could have sworn you were wearing a different color dress. Must be the beer. Dance with me.”

  “Are you kidding me? You and I nearly drowned. You kidnapped me, and I did not appreciate it.”

  “Kidnapped?” Randy slapped a hand across his chest, covered by a faded brown T-shirt that said Albannach, the title of a popular band from Scotland, who performed at the games. He also had swapped his muddy jeans for a black leather, utility-style kilt.

  Jenny liked the band, but not the man wearing their logo. “If Gavin, or Rae, catches you anywhere in my vicinity, you’re dead.”

  He chuckled.

  A trio of bagpipers beside them started to play a Gaelic tune, as he placed his hand around her waist. She stiffened. Randy opened his mouth to yell something, but stopped as if frozen. His sudden pallor and rigid stance were odd, but they allowed her to wiggle free.

  The tip of Rae’s dirk flashed between them. Randy yelped, released her, and disappeared out a nearby tent flap. Exhaling the breath she hadn’t realized she held, Jenny forced a smile in Rae’s direction. He sheathed his weapon, and nodded. Without a word, he grabbed the hand of a pretty woman in peach silk, and danced away.

  “How odd.”

  “Odd that he saved ye, or that he had a new lass in his arms?” Gavin appeared out of the shadows.

  Had he watched her while she argued with Randy? If so, why hadn’t he come to her aid?

  “Listen, you. Unlike most women, I am not a jealous person. Rae is a friend, and he can dance with whomever he wants. You can go find another lass to kiss, fondle, or dance with. I don’t care!” She lifted her chin, then grabbed the hand of a passing stranger. The man, no more than twenty years old, smiled.

  Amid the throng of crushed bodies and loud music, they danced two sets. When she was sure Gavin had retreated into the shadows, she thanked the young man, and headed for the refreshment stand.

  “There better be chocolate on this table.”

  A small hand tugged at her gown, and she found Jaden-Tog at her side. His other hand, palm upward, held three round cookies.

  “Are those chocolate chips?” Her mouth watered, and she reached down.

  “Aye, my lovely. Something I have never tasted in me entire life. Scottish shortbread with tiny bits of chocolate. ‘Tis a sin, made twice as nice.”

  “I’ll drink to that. Amen.” She bit into one of the cookies, then sighed. The simple mix of sugar, butter, and flour vaulted to the top of the list of her favorite foods, the moment a sliver of chocolate melted on her tongue. “This tastes almost as good as…”

  Dear Lord! I almost said Gavin.


  “Yer cheeks are red as flames, dear lady. Are ye well?”

  The brownie’s know-it-all wink wasn’t lost on her. “Why are you here? And why did Sinclair tie you up?”

  “The man was after information, yesterday, but I managed to get away. I dinno’ tell him where ye headed, only where ye had come from.”

  “Well, he found me outside the tent, so he must have followed the sound of the bands, and the crowd. Wait. What do you mean, you told him where I had come from?”

  The brownie’s cheeks reddened, and his gaze slid toward the dancing couples.

  She shook his small shoulder. “Did you tell him where I live?”

  “Aye, but I swear ‘twas an accident. I fear he used a spell upon me, and I did not break from it until just before I might have led him to ye. Forgive me?”

  “A spell? As in a magical spell?” Sinclair had smashed a small, round bottle in order to escape. Gavin had wounded him, in itself shocking her, that he had attacked his own father. The more she thought about it, the more the brownie’s words made sense. “The explosive bright lights surrounding Sinclair’s escape had magic written all over it.”

  “Aye.” The brownie slipped into the crowd.

  “This isn’t good. I need to tell Gavin.”

  “Tell me what?”

  She shrieked. Gavin clasped his hand around her waist, her half-eaten cookie went flying, and they were suddenly dancing.

  “If you keep popping out of the dark, and scaring me, my heart will stop.” When she glanced at his face, she sensed trouble was brewing. The man was dark, dangerous, and pissed. “Houston, we have a problem.”

  “My name is Gavin. Have ye forgotten me already?” His lips quirked into a tiny smile.

  Her legs turned to rubber, and she tripped. He caught her, as always. “Your dad used some kind of magical mind-spell on Jaden-Tog.”

  “Serves him right. That imp is more trouble--”

  “Please allow me to finish.”

  He nodded, and swung her around the dance floor.

  “He told your dad where I live.”

  Although Gavin’s steps never faltered, and he kept dancing, his eyes closed, and his mouth tightened into a thin line. Jaw muscles clenched, and the arm around her waist grew so tight, she yelped.

  “My apologies.”

  “I’m fine, but we need to think.”

  “Ye cannot return home, until my father is dead, or captured.”

  “What? No! All my things are there. I have to go to work tomorrow, so I’ll need my clothes, my car…” She stopped talking. She read his answer in the way his fingers clutched her waist. He would never let her go home. “Okay. Where will we sleep tonight? I am not suitably dressed for work, and unless we take care of dear old dad, my life is going to hell in a hand basket.”

  He must have liked her description of her wacky life, because he grinned. As fast as it appeared, his mood darkened, and his frown returned.

  Darn. He is cute when he smiles.

  “I must confer with Rae. Wait here.”

  “Not on your life.”

  “Lass, do as I say.” With those words, Gavin circled the dancers, and was gone.

  “Where did yer sweetie go?” Jaden-Tog held two plastic beer cups in his tiny hands.

  “In search of Rae. I thought I’d seen the last of you.”

  He chuckled and passed her one of the drinks. “Nay, I shall stay close and protect ye.”

  “Really? Would you please explain why I need protecting? Sinclair’s son doesn’t want me. I should have let him fall from that cliff.”

  “Doono’ tell tall tales, lass. ‘Tis simple. Gavin loves ye, and his feelings have made ye a target. His sire wishes to take back his castle. With ye in his control, he believes Gavin will come to heel.”

  She bristled. Gavin loves me? What a crock of…

  “Sinclair doesn’t want to kill me?”

  “Nay. If he killed ye, Gavin would never forgive him, and he would never kneel, nor swear fealty.”

  “Fealty?”

  “It means swearing to be faithful to his leader.”

  She felt a little better. Sinclair could have killed her at any moment, instead of dragging her away. “Good to know. We can use me as bait.”

  “Aye, but not here, lass. The Sinclair must live out the remainder of his days in his own dungeon. Seems fitting. There is nothing for him here.”

  “I see your point. We have jail cells, but we need to keep all of you from the attention of the police.”

  “Doono’ look now, but the laird has returned.”

  “What?” Jenny spun, and knocked into the dessert table. A couple of dishes toppled to the floor, and her gaze flicked to them, then back up to see if anyone saw how klutzy she acted. Gavin stood ten feet away, and grinned.

  “I thought you were talking about the older Sinclair,” she whispered to the brownie, peeking from beneath the table.

  His little hand swooped out, grabbed the cookies that had fallen, and disappeared. He laughed. “Ye be the one who keeps forgetting. Gavin is laird, now.”

  “What are we going to do?” she said, her attention on Gavin, who walked closer.

  “Follow me.” Gavin clutched her wrist and pulled her toward Rae. “Rae plans to spend the night in Dorcas’ tent. I told Denise ye were no’ feeling well and I was going to take care of ye. She shall cover for ye, tomorrow.”

  Jenny grabbed one more cookie. “Cover for me? Where did you learn that term?”

  Gavin's grin was earth shattering. Hair as deep brown as the chocolate chips in the cookie she never finished, covered half his face, giving him the similar eerie façade as the Phantom of the Opera. As if sensing the object of her gaze, he swept the hair from his face, then led her outside the tent. The moon had passed behind clouds, and darkness swallowed them up.

  “So, where are we going?” She wasn’t about to go off with him just because he said to.

  “I can sense yer hackles rising, lass. Be calm. Denise suggested a small cottage, deep in the forest. It has an overhang where we can settle the horses, and keep dry.”

  His gaze fell to the cookie in her hand, and she quickly stuffed it in her mouth.

  “I hope ye ate yer fill.”

  Her stomach growled, and he laughed.

  “Quiet.” Scratching her head, Jenny tried to remember what she knew of her friend. Had Denise ever told her about a cabin in the woods? If it was a safe place, why wasn't Rae joining them? “I should say good-night to Denise and Rae. It's only polite.”

  “Nay. If my sire is near, we need to make haste.”

  “You don't think he'll come after us tonight again, do you?” She followed him out the tent’s main entrance. When he didn’t answer, fear swept over her, but they reached the horses, unscathed. When Gavin collected their reins, the animals whinnied softly, as if understanding their need to leave quietly.

  When hidden by the dense forest, he helped her mount Balfour, and she pulled the hem of her gown up to her knees in order to sit astride. She hoped the darkness hid her naked legs. Gavin swept a hand along her boot, past her knee, and beneath the gown. Her thigh muscle clenched, and her womb nearly wept.

  “That house better have two bedrooms,” she said, nearly panting with the lie.

  Gavin chuckled. As a beam of moonlight settled over him, he released her, and pulled a pair of black gloves from his saddlebag. Falcon’s saddle squeaked, as he mounted his horse. When he glanced up at her face, finally ignoring her legs, he winked.

  “I’m glad you think this is funny. Your father attacked me, and now we have to hide like cowards.”

  “I never hide. Consider this a momentary repositioning before the next battle.”

  She rolled her eyes, but doubted he could see them, since the light had vanished behind a cloud. The horses trotted past the parking lot, and took a right at the street. Streetlights lit the way, until he turned into a small driveway. Had she ever noticed it? A shiver washed over her. They were within a quarter
mile of her house. If his father watched her house, this trail was too close for comfort.

  The road ended at a snowmobile trail barrier. Gavin led Falcon around the low-hanging foam-padded bar, and trotted farther up the trail. This one crisscrossed the forest trail they had traveled from her house, and headed farther through the woods. The trees opened to a large cornfield, and the trail ran along one side.

  “That’s the Petal Pusher’s corn maze.”

  “A corn…maze?”

  “When the stalks dry and turn gold, like those, they cut a path through it with lots of dead ends. It’s a puzzle. People actually pay to get lost in it.”

  “And what, pray tell, is a petal pusher?”

  “That’s the name of the farm. They also sell flowers.”

  He remained quiet, and shadows enveloped him again, as the trail headed back into trees. Rushing water gurgled to their left, and Faerie Falls sparkled in the moonlight.

  “I’m glad the clouds parted, riding in the dark is scary,” she whispered, and wasn’t sure he could hear her. The falls grew thunderous, and he kept moving, but when the noise lessened, and the darkness swallowed him up, she pulled back on the reins.

  “I can’t see a thing.” When she recalled how the older Sinclair had grabbed her, her breath caught in her throat.

  “This is freaking eerie.”

  Falcon whinnied. Balfour answered.

  “Smart horses.”

  She gave Balfour his head, and the animal lumbered after Falcon. It seemed like ten minutes had passed since they had seen the corn maze, and she was surprised when the trail opened into a wide, grass-filled glade. Moonlight settled on a small building, and she chewed her bottom lip.

  “I don't think that has two bedrooms.”

  Falcon's tail disappeared behind the building. “Gavin must be leading him to a small barn, out back.”

  Gathering her gown in one hand, she lifted her right leg, swung it over the back of her horse, and dropped to the ground. Her boots made a soft thud in the grass, and a sudden urge to remove them, and walk barefoot, rushed through her mind. An image of a naked Gavin, flat on his back in the sweet-smelling grass, with her straddling him, brought a soft sigh to her lips.