Hadn’t Robin told him that Tess became more agreeable when he started talking to her? Aye, he’d give it a try, but his body had other ideas. He shook his head, nay, he wouldn’t touch her.
“Would you care for a drink?”
“Aye, Katie.” A distraction was just what he needed.
She poured water from a pitcher into a goblet and handed it to him. Brendan looked down, saw the medallion on the table, and picked it up. His hand covered the round width of the object, and he studied the emblem, which appeared to be a spider. The craftsmanship was noteworthy; remarkably the fine hairs of the spider’s legs could be seen. He looked up to find her regarding him.
“What’s this?”
“I don’t know what it is. My father sent it to me.”
“Is it a memento?”
“Aye, it reminds me of him.”
He picked up the parchment and read: beware the friend with the black heart. “What does this mean?” He nodded at the note.
“I have no idea. I haven’t figured it out yet.” She tried to take it from him, but he held onto it and turned in his seat.
“Yet?” He didn’t like the way she emphasized that word.
“What are you doing here?”
Brendan decided to let it go for now. He gave a puzzled look to the floor. What was she up to? He intended to ask what the rope and candles were for, probably for her conjuration. He couldn’t help smiling at that.
“I came to see if you wanted to go riding.” When she didn’t answer immediately, he asked again. “Would ye?”
She took the medallion and note from him, and placed them back on the table. As she answered him, she collected the items from the floor. “I’m sure you have more important things to do than ride with me, Ben.”
Had he seen the sparkle in her eyes? She dared to toy with him by calling him another name. “Nay, lass, there’s nothing more important than you.”
She brightened at his blatant remark. Brendan noticed her blush, his jaw clenching at her innocent reaction. She affected him, too. He leaned back in the chair and waited for her answer. Still, she hadn’t given one.
“I’ll sit here all day, if you don’t go riding with me.” Brendan rose and pulled her face close to his. His irritation at her calling him another name really irked him. He gripped her neck, but was careful not to hurt her. But damn it all, if she wouldn’t call him by his name, he’d start yelling.
“Katie, I want to hear you say my name.”
“B-Brendan.”
“Aye, don’t call me by anything else or you’ll be getting a whack on your bonny bottom.” He warned her in a playful tone.
She pulled from his grip. “You have no right to treat me so, I don’t answer to ye.”
“Aye, you do. You’re my wife.”
“I most certainly am not your wife. King Henry betrothed me to another, and if you think you can nullify it by telling him you betrothed yourself to me, you are mistaken. You have no right to order me around.”
As if he hadn’t heard her, Brendan pulled her through the doorway. Henry would probably be irritated at Brendan’s interference of his plans, but the king owed him a favor and besides, it was undisputable now since he’d married her. Hearing her say that angered him though. Damn it all, he should just tell her he married her.
“Come, I want to ride.”
Brendan led her to the stables by taking her hand. Kate continued to berate him on the way. He wasn’t about to tell her anything, what with the mood she was in.
“If you think to take advantage of me because of your speech the other night, I am not going to fall for it, Brendan. I must tell you that—”
He stopped, jerking her body to his. “It’s too fine a day to get upset, Katie. Let us enjoy the ride …” She opened her mouth and was about to say something when he kissed her. “… in silence.” He continued on to the stables, and noticed it had stopped raining and the ground all but dried.
“Seeing the horses reminds me of Ralph. I hope he fares well and is not alone in the forest. Do you deem someone found him?”
Brendan nodded, not having the heart to tell her what he really thought. He went about prepare his horse and a smaller mare for her. Tugging the horses’ reins, he led them outside. Once they mounted, he led the way to the glen where he often sat and contemplated his issues. The trees surrounding them provided shade from the sun high above. He noticed her look toward the cliff, and she gazed at the sunshine sparkling between the leaves overhead.
Kate didn’t speak to him during the ride, and he was left to his thoughts. When they reached the cliff, he dismounted, letting his horse’s reins loose. She stood beside her horse and wouldn’t go near the edge of the cliff, but she watched him walk to the very rim.
“Come here, Katie.”
“Nay, I’ll stay put, the view is lovely from here.”
Brendan walked to her, took her hand, and pulled her to the edge of the cliff. She dug her heals into the ground.
“There is no way you can make me go near the rim. Please, release me.”
Her fear was evident in her tone, but he didn’t pay it any mind. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the threshold. Her eyes squeezed shut.
“Are you going to throw me over the edge?”
Brendan laughed, shaking his head. “Now why would I do that, Katie?”
She stiffened, as unbending as a plank, and he sighed loudly. He sat and arranged her on his lap, setting his arms around her waist.
“Please, I’m quite alarmed, Brendan, let me move back. I promise, I shan’t call you by another name again, only let me return to the horse.” She hid her face in the crook of his neck.
“Katie, I have you.”
“We’re going to fall. I don’t like being so high. Please, let me up.” Her arms tightened around him. She wasn’t pleased with her undisciplined reaction.
“You’re afraid of heights? I’ll have to remember that. It could come in handy, later.” He laughed when she tensed. He rubbed his hand in a circular motion over her back, calming her. “I won’t let you fall, I promise. Look at the sight.” He pointed outward.
Kate gripped his shoulders and opened her eyes, hesitantly looking around her. Her eyes widened and her breath caught at the sight. Brendan loved the view of his beloved Highlands. Several mountain peaks towered into the sky. Clouds of mist settled in the valley between the crests, and the sun reflected a rainbow in a high arc, from one mountain to another. The land was spellbinding. Her breath hitched when she noticed the sheer drop and she gripped his arm.
“This is my favorite place, where I come to relax and think, and to be alone. There’s many people in our clan and it can sometimes be hard to find time to be by yourself. That view is why we call this fairy land.”
“I can see why. I’ve never seen such land before. Are you sure it’s real?”
He chuckled low in her ear. “Aye, it’s real. How are you finding your stay?”
“It’s been fine, everyone is so kind. Your land is beautiful, and I enjoy being with Bonnie. I will miss her so when I leave. I haven’t seen you lately.”
“I’ve been busy, that’s not exactly true, but I kept my distance to give you time to get over your anger. It’s been difficult. Aye, Katie, each night I would find myself outside your cottage. I’d wait around all night with your warm kisses on my mind.”
“You shouldn’t speak so.” She tensed when he moved. “Don’t move, I’m afraid we’re going to fall over the edge.” Her arms surrounded him, which made him grin.
“Don’t worry, I have you.” Why did that statement make him smile?
He liked the way she held him. Brendan gripped her waist, feeling her softness. Being close to her did things to him, things that he didn’t want to control. She was the complete opposite of him: she, light and fair, soft and sweet—he, hard and dark, stern and obstinate. Everything about her reeked of femininity, her scent, the attire she wore, her mannerisms, and soft spoken words. He wanted her
to touch him, to kiss him, and to desire him as much as he desired her. Guilt chased away his selfish longings.
“I want to know everything about you, tell me about your childhood.”
She lifted her face and looked into his eyes, trying to read his sincerity. “There’s very little to tell, Brendan.”
He smiled then squeezed her arm. “Don’t leave anything out.”
She relaxed against him. “My father raised me. We have a small fief in Cheshire. It is not as large as some of the other lords’ properties, but my father was more of a soldier and trained men for the king’s service. We were happy until my mother died. Her name was Jocelyn and I’ve her looks. My father loved her very much. After her death, he gave me much attention and devotion. I miss him.”
“Where is he?”
“He went to the excursion in Egypt, and died there.”
“How did he die, in battle?”
“I don’t really know, our overlord said his tent was burned to the ground and that they couldn’t find him. My father’s squire said he’d been hurt in an earlier battle and was being tended to when their regiment was attacked. Before my father sent his squire away, he gave him the medallion to give to me.”
“Why did he send it to ye?”
“I’ve yet to figure it out, ‘tis a mystery. Lord Ri … ah, my guardian wants it, and I don’t mean to let him know I have it.”
“What do you mean he wants it? Did he try to take it from you?” Brendan listened carefully, hoping she would reveal the man’s name. She’d almost let it slip.
“He asked if I had received anything from my father, but I didn’t let on that I had. When I met Bonnie and discovered her plight, I knew I had to return her to her family. It was also a way for me to leave my guardian. He’s not of good character.”
“Nay, he’s not. I’ll make him pay, Katie. You have my word.” Brendan’s jaw clenched with that vow and he felt her stiffen.
“I must tell King Henry about the medallion and what Lord … um my guardian did to Bonnie. Mayhap he’ll enact justice for my father death and for abducting a child. It’s the only way I can secure my future.”
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Your future is secure.”
“Brendan, I cannot involve you in this. My guardian might come after me for the medallion and it could very well become dangerous. I’ll not involve the MacKinnons—”
“We’re already involved. He involved us when he abducted my niece. Do you deem we’ll let that go so easily?”
She sighed, shaking her head. “I wish he had never abducted Bonnie then I would never have come here. I think you should let the king direct his judgment.”
“That’s not the way of the Highlanders. When I find out who he is, he’ll pay for hurting you and Bonnie. I’ve made that vow. Aye, it will be sweet revenge. Tell me his name, and I will enact justice for your father, too.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Look at the scene before us. How can there be such evil in the land when the land looks like this? It’s so romantic.”
Brendan nudged her chin toward him. She didn’t know what he was up to until his lips touched hers in a gentle kiss. She sighed when he ran his tongue over her bottom lip. Aye, he had her, right where he wanted her.
“I’m so captivated by you,” he whispered against her mouth, and then he deepened his kiss, taking full possession of her lips. He gently moved her back onto the ground, and lay on his side, kissing the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, his own wife, at his favorite place in the whole Highlands.
The sky seemed to surround them as if they were as far up in the heavens as they could get. Romantic, aye, it was romantic. Brendan couldn’t get past that thought. Their passion took hold, both their bodies swarmed with feelings of desire. Brendan couldn’t hold back any longer, and wanted to make hard, hot, passionate love to her. He didn’t want to scare her off again, and he realized at that moment, that she was just as absorbed by their kissing.
He began removing her gown, and when it was below her breast, he pulled back to see the loveliness of them. He cupped his hand under her soft mound and leaned to take the exquisite bud in his mouth. Kate grasped his hair, holding him in place. Passion flowed between them. Brendan continued to kiss her breasts, and she moaned at the pleasure of it. He chuckled, knowing that she enjoyed it. He moved to her other breast, repeating the gesture.
“Katie, you’re perfect.” He continued to fondle her beasts, teasing her with his tongue. Never had he felt such torture, as wanting to be inside her. He grinned at Kate’s abandonment, when she threw her head back in passion. The intensity built inside her, just as it was building within him. He revealed the rest of his prize, and set the garment away from them.
“Ah, Katie, just look at ye, you’re ready for my loving.”
Kate couldn’t speak; emotions must have made it impossible. How could he utter a word? His eyes retreated to the vee between her sweet, soft legs. There nestled was his greatest want. He reached down to feel its velvety folds, and groaned at the moistness he felt. She wanted him. He shook with desire. Brendan thought he die right then, his mind instantly blanked, and his body felt heavy under her gentle caresses. Kate sucked in a breath when he pressed the tip of his finger inside her. She mumbled something about him doing it again, and he smiled widely. He hastily removed his tunic and tartan. She watched him with wide eyes, gawking at his steeled body. For some reason, she didn’t seem to be afraid. When she reached out to touch him, he groaned at the sheer pleasure.
Brendan brought her body against his. She heaved at the feeling of his hardness pressed against every part of her. Her naked breasts pressed against his chest. He wanted to act nonchalant, but her sweet cries and reaction made him as unstudied as if it was his first time.
They lay on their sides, facing each other on the soft grassy spot before the rocky edge of the cliff. Brendan’s hand cuddled her bottom, and he pulled her against his hardness, his mouth invading hers again. He felt strangely aware of his body and its increasing pulse. She moaned when his rugged hand moved over her skin. Her lusty cries propelled him onward, and he rolled her onto her back. The sun shone on her hair, making it appear golden. He lost control. If he didn’t take her this second, he would lose his seed before he ever entered her. With that thought in mind, he knelt between her legs, leaned over her body, and whispered into her ear.
“I want you. Do you want me to continue?” The soft burr of his voice made his plea sound raspy. His breath became so intense.
“Aye, Brendan. I need—”
“Me, you need me, Katie.” He touched her face, looking emphatically into her eyes.
“Don’t let go of me.”
“Never, I’ll never let go.” To reassure her, he clasped her tighter in his arms. Brendan resumed kissing her, and sent her to the brink of ecstasy. He pressed his erection against her, and she whimpered, fueling his need even more. He throbbed with such intensity that his legs trembled.
Kate’s body reacted, and he could feel her shaking too. It made him happy to know that she was as affected as he. He would hurt her, and the thought made him grimace. He decided to plunge forward to get it over with. “Hold me, sweetheart.”
“Aye,” she whispered.
Forcefully, he pressed onward and broke the barrier as gently and quickly as he could. Kate screamed. Brendan froze. He kissed her rosy lips, praying to God that he hadn’t hurt her too badly.
“Katie, don’t move, let the pain pass.” He groaned at her slight movement. “I’m only a man, Katie, and I cannot take …”
He felt Kate’s warm breath tickling his neck, and he kissed her shoulder. She wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her hand down his spine. Brendan was stunned by her bold movements, and he enveloped her in his arms. His muscles tightened, but he held back, trying to resist the urge to ram himself inside her. He felt her every touch.
“Brendan,” her whisper sounded breathless. “I want to … to move.”
“Katie, this feels so …” He lost his thought when she moved her hands over his chest. His dampened skin tensed with each movement. Excitement began building when she stroked his chest and pinched the hardness. “You’re going to make me explode.” He continued availing his body of hers, reeling in lust.
Katie’s moans became louder. He watched her eyes glaze over with the shocking sensations that even now entwined between her legs. He became awed by the sensitivity of the feelings. Her climax consumed her, and she threw her head side to side, moaning in delight. He knelt back, supporting her legs, and watched her reaction with affection. He never witnessed such sweet abandon before. Amazingly, he kept control, and waited for her to finish. How he maintained such discipline, he had no idea. He needed release, and knew he had reached his own limit.
“Say my name, Katie,” he demanded, wanting to hear his name from her lips. His body stiffened, and he was about to experience the same wondrous sensations she had.
“Brendan.” Her sexy voice distracted him for a moment, until she wrapped her legs around his back. He drove into her slowly, feeling his rod encased by her tightness. He threw his head back, and yelled to the heavens. His shout echoed through the summit, and his breath was so deep that he felt his lungs pound his ribs. He looked down at the lady who just ripped his heart from his chest. Brendan rolled onto his back and looked up to the sky.
She watched him. “What are you angry about now?”
“Katie, I know you want to marry, I wanted to tell you that …” He glanced at her face, she was smiling. He couldn’t help but admire her beautiful eyes. He thought how best to say it.
Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) Page 15