by Donna Grant
“I know what you think of me,” she said as she tossed the pieces of broken wood out of the doorway.
Hayden raised a brow. “Didn’t we already go through this? You cannot read my mind.”
“Maybe not,” she said. She bent and began picking up more broken wood. “But I know the anger and revulsion Broc so freely showed me was in you as well.”
“I willna deny it. I feel for any man or woman being brought to Cairn Toul. Knowing it was just a small lad, it sickens me.”
She had her back to him, but he saw the droop her in shoulders just the same. “You cannot think worse of me than I think of myself.”
Hayden wanted to hate her, wanted to feel anything other than the attraction and lust that consumed him. But each time he was with her, every time she spoke, he learned more about her that cracked the mold he had fitted her with.
She, like them, was fighting Deirdre, only Isla was doing it in another way. Whereas Hayden and the other Warriors were freely battling her, Isla was trying to correct the deeds Deirdre forced on her.
Hayden sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, Deirdre did force Isla. If he had been in her place, he was sure he would have made many of the same choices she had.
“What will you do when Broc does find Phelan?” Hayden asked.
Isla wiped the sweat from her forehead before she retrieved more wood and tossed it outside. “I want to see that he finds a place he can call home. I’m hoping that will be MacLeod Castle.”
“You think he will forgive you?”
She snorted and tried to lift a heavy piece of wood. Hayden took it from her and easily threw it in the pile outside the cottage.
Isla dusted her hands and shook her head. “I’m not a fool. Phelan has promised to kill me, and for what I did to him, he has every right.”
Hayden didn’t like the urge that welled up inside him to protect her. He didn’t say anything as she moved onto the next cottage.
He stepped out of the cottage and found her working next to Larena. Hayden would get nothing more out of Isla for the moment. He could work while he digested the information she had given him.
Hayden had previously decided which cottage he wanted for his own. It had sustained the most damage, but it was set apart from the others. Isolated, just as he was. And for good reason.
Trees were already being cut and readied for when they began to rebuild for the second time. It would only be a few days before the first cottage went up.
Hayden worked tirelessly as he moved from cottage to cottage. There was nothing any of them could do until an attack came. Until then, they would ready the village.
Hours later with the sun high above them, Hayden realized Isla was no longer in the village. He lifted the water skin to his lips and let the fresh liquid flow down his throat.
The breeze from the sea helped to cool him, but nothing like a dip in the water would.
“We’re done with the cleaning,” Duncan said as he exited one of the cottages. “Three sustained minimal damage, five cottages needs structural work, and the rest need to be rebuilt.”
Hayden nodded. “Good. Check with Lucan to see if we have what we need to either rebuild or work on the ones with structural damage. I know Fallon wants as many of these readied as we can get.”
“Does he expect more Warriors?” Ian asked, and came to stand beside his twin.
Hayden was always amazed that they could look exactly alike. If their hair was cut alike, he’d never tell them apart. “Fallon likes to be prepared. If Galen and Logan find these Druids and convince them to return, they will sleep in the castle while we take the cottages.”
Camdyn held out his hand and Hayden tossed him the water skin. “I’ll sleep anywhere.”
“We have slept anywhere,” Ian said with a chuckle. “This rocky ground will be softer than the Pit.”
Hayden had never seen the Pit in Deirdre’s mountain, but he’d heard enough about it to know most never came out it alive. “Ian, find Lucan and report what we’ve done here.”
“And where are you going?” Camdyn asked.
“I’ve got something else to tend to.”
Duncan crossed his arms over his chest, a half smile on his lips. “Does that something have cold blue eyes?”
Hayden snorted disdainfully. “I’m going for a swim, Duncan, if you must know. The sea is big enough for both of us, but use another beach if you were thinking of doing the same thing. I doona want to be disturbed.”
He turned and walked away before anyone could comment. Laughter and Ian teasing Duncan followed as Hayden strode away. He walked around the side of the castle to the path beyond Cara’s garden.
Hayden knew he should be looking for Isla, but if he followed her everywhere she went, she would know what he was doing. He would give her a little time to herself, then he would seek her out.
Until then, he was going to enjoy a nice long swim.
*
Isla was glad she was allowed to find her own way around. No one followed her, no one asked where she was going. Did the MacLeods truly trust her?
She had a notion they might. A little. But if they were as intelligent as she thought they were, they would nevertheless be cautious regarding her. It was the practical thing to do, especially when pertaining to evil like Deirdre.
Isla found the path that lead to the beach beside Cara’s garden. It was steep, and a couple of times she nearly lost her footing, but the view was breathtaking.
The smell of the sea was invigorating, the feel of the spray as the waves crashed into the cliffs was stimulating, and the razorbill’s calls that filled the air only added to the splendor.
She could stand where she was looking down at the churning blue sea and the white foam waves and be content for hours. Days even. The constant push and pull of the waves soothed her and eased the ache that made her muscles in her shoulders bunch with apprehension.
Isla made her way to the bottom, careful to watch her footing so she didn’t break something on a loose rock. She’d heal, but it would still smart when it happened.
Once she was on the beach, she kicked off her shoes and tugged down her thick woolen hose. She stood just at the edge of the sea so that the waves rolled over her feet and wet the hem of her gown.
The water felt so delicious, so freeing that she lifted her gown to her knees and moved farther into the sea. It was cooler than she’d imagined, but the feel of the water tugging and pressing against her fed her magic in ways she never expected.
The sea was just as conductive as the earth to a Druid’s magic. For the first time in centuries, Isla opened herself up to the pure magic, testing herself and the evil inside her.
Her chest expanded as joy and magic filled her, surrounding her until she was lost in it. Immersed. Entranced. Delighted.
Nothing had ever felt so right, so satisfying to her magic before. She swayed with the waves, became one with the wind. Her magic swelled within her like a bright light ready to burst from her chest.
In that moment, the evil inside her disappeared, hiding, but not gone forever.
Isla was so absorbed in the magic that it took a moment for her brain to register that something was in the water with her. She opened her eyes in time to see a man rise from amid the foaming waves like an avenging deity. He turned to face her, and Isla’s breath caught in her throat.
She couldn’t tear her eyes from Hayden, his blond hair slick against his head and falling past his shoulders. He was a striking silhouette against the bright sunlight and dark waters. Nothing but hard, lean muscle. And man.
Water ran in rivulets down his face, over his shoulders, and wound its way across his chest and abdomen to disappear back into the sea. He stood with his arms held away from his body, aggressive and commanding, as if he were ready for battle.
With the sun shining upon him, he looked like a god rising from the water, waiting to take his vengeance on anyone who dared to disturb his tranquility.
Isla tried to look away,
but his body held her transfixed. She could see every muscle in his stomach, they were so defined. She wanted to run her fingers over them, to feel the power of his arms surround her.
He moved toward her, the sea lowering with each step, teasing her with more of his skin until he was bared, beautifully and stunningly naked. Her gaze traveled lower to his rod, thick and enlarged, as it jutted upward. She’d seen men before, but she’d never seen one like Hayden.
Her response was visceral. She forgot to breathe, forgot to think as her heart pounded erratically in her chest. Her reaction to Hayden was shocking and … wonderful. He finally halted so close to her she could lean forward and kiss his chest.
She remembered what it felt like to touch that hard muscular body, to have him close, his heat surrounding her. And God help her, but she wanted it again. She was desperate to caress him, to feel like the woman she had always wanted to be.
“If you stay, I’m going to take the kiss denied me last eve.”
Isla shivered, not from the cool water or the breeze, but from the absolute and thrilling truth of Hayden’s words. Nothing could make her move now.
She would have her kiss, consequences be damned.
SIXTEEN
Hayden knew he was a fool. He should never have gotten near Isla, near her scent and her enchanting lips. But once he had, there was no turning back. He hadn’t lied to her. If she didn’t leave, he would kiss her.
And damn the consequences.
As soon as the magic, the seductive, lulling magic, had surrounded him in the sea, he’d known it was her. Isla’s magic had a different feel to it than other Druids, stronger, steadier, more powerful.
With his powers he could have stayed under the water and swam away. She’d never have known he was there, but Hayden had risen out of the waves without a second thought.
For her.
He had to see her, had to touch her. And saints help him, he had to feel her.
Her gaze, hot and curious, had raked him from head to foot. Lust had taken hold of him with the first brush of her magic, but upon seeing her, watching the desire darken her eyes, his hunger had consumed him.
Swarmed him. Urged him. Impaled him.
Now, as she looked at him with a need that matched his own, Hayden knew he was lost, adrift in ice-blue eyes that haunted him. He couldn’t turn away from her now if he tried, though it would be for the best.
Just one kiss, one small kiss. It would be sufficient to satisfy the yearning, the hunger enough to fill the void inside him. One kiss wouldn’t harm anything.
With his decision made, Hayden didn’t hesitate. He speared his fingers through her sleek midnight locks and dragged her against him. A small gasp tore from her lips and her hands came up against his chest, to push him away or hold herself up, he didn’t know.
And didn’t care.
A breath rushed past her lips as she stared up at him, waiting. Already he had lingered too long. This longing, this craving that rode him was bottomless and uncontrollable. So much so that he didn’t think to even try and deny it once he had hold of Isla.
He bent his head and placed his lips over hers. The instant they touched, Hayden felt her magic again, this time blended with passion and desire.
It struck him full in the chest. Sunk deep into his skin, to the soul he thought had long ago forsaken him.
He pulled back, startled. He shouldn’t have felt even that with only a quick kiss. What would he feel if he licked her lips or delved his tongue into her mouth to truly taste her?
He searched her gaze, saw the amazement and pleasure in her depths and wanted more. Needed more.
If Hayden thought he had yearned before, it was nothing to what flooded through him now. Raw. Primal. Undeniable. It was desire unlike anything he’d ever felt before, rushing through his veins, blinding him to anything but Isla.
He pulled her against his chest, crushing her breasts against him so he could feel every inch of her. He sucked in a breath when her small hands gently, shockingly rousing, caressed his abdomen. Her eyes were wide and luminous as she stared up at him with a mixture of wonder and longing. A heady blend for any man.
She glanced at her hands, as if she had just noticed she caressed him. She swallowed, the pulse beating rapidly at her throat, and skimmed her hands up to his shoulders. Her touch reverent, exciting. And he wanted more.
Hayden tried to give her time to touch him, but need rode him hard. He tilted her face to him and wrapped both arms around her as he kissed her once more. This time he lingered, learning her texture, her taste.
He ran his tongue over her lips, and when she parted them, he swept inside her mouth to lay claim. To conquer and capture.
Hayden groaned at the exquisite taste of her, drowned in desire that swirled around them. She was like mead, sweet and flavorful. And he had to have more.
Hayden angled his mouth over Isla’s, his tongue dancing with hers as he cinched her tighter against him, his arms locking her in place so he could feel her lush, feminine curves. Her hands slid around his neck while her nails gently grazed his scalp and sank into his wet hair.
He felt her give into the kiss, felt her passion surge and manifest. When she kissed him back as flagrantly as he’d kissed her, it left him reeling and needing more. Always more.
Molten desire ensnared him and lured him deeper into the kiss, into Isla’s sweet mouth and sumptuous body. Turning away wasn’t an option now, even though he knew he should.
He teased, he coaxed. He burned. The kiss turned heated and frantic as his passion grew with every touch of her tongue against his.
Unable to keep his hands from her, Hayden learned the feel of her sweet body from her small waist he was sure his hands could span to her ripe breasts.
He cupped a breast, marveling at the weight of it, how it swelled in his hand. His cock jumped when her nipple tightened, the small bud straining into his palm hard and wanting.
Just as he was.
Hayden moaned into her mouth, a mixture of ravenous desire and satisfied male as her back bowed, her body pushing her breast into his hand.
Her fingers spasmed in his hair as he kneaded her breast. Her soft cry was like molten desire as it shot through him straight to his groin. He let his fingers circle her nipple, felt her body tremble.
He let the anticipation build as he got closer and closer to the hard bud. When he finally let his fingers close over her nipple, to expertly tease and pleasure, she moaned softly. He lingered, rolling the tip between his fingers before squeezing lightly.
When she rubbed her body against his, Hayden gloried in the feel of her, in the soft femininity that held him enthralled. He shook with desire. Never had he wanted a woman so. Never had he dreamed he could feel such yearning, such an ache for anyone.
Hayden was stunned by the ardor that blazed within Isla. She, the Druid who always kept her emotions in check, seemed to break out of her shell with his kiss, with his touch.
And Hayden enjoyed it. Maybe too much.
His hands smoothed down her back to cup her bottom and bring her closer to him, to his cock that ached to feel more of her. Her sweet, soft groan when he brought her up against his erection made his knees weak and his longing swell until he was drowning in it. He hungered for her like he’d never hungered for a woman before.
When he began to contemplate laying her on the sand and rocks and cutting away her gown with his claws so he could sink into her wet heat, he knew it was time to end it. For now.
He would have her. It was inevitable now, now that he had tasted her, now that he knew the feel of her body.
Hayden reluctantly ended the kiss and looked down into Isla’s dazed face. Her lips were damp and swollen from his kiss, making his balls tighten.
With her eyes half closed and desire smoldering in her ice-blue depths, Hayden knew he could have her right then and there. It wasn’t the time or the place, though.
He slid his fingers into her long black locks and wound the length around his ha
nd, holding her to him, locking her in place. She was too tempting by far.
She was on her tiptoes and still he had to bend to kiss her, to take her lips once more. He was powerless against his desire for her. As long as she was near, he had to touch her, to have her.
His body shook as he fought against his need to bury himself inside her slick, hot center. His control was slipping away like the sand with the tide.
“You should return to the castle.” His voice sounded gruff even to his own ears.
Isla took a step away from him, her hands skimming his shoulders with her fingertips before falling to her sides. Grudgingly, half fearing he might never hold her again, Hayden released his hold on her hair and her body.
When she didn’t speak, Hayden searched her face for clues as to what she was feeling. There was still desire there, still need, but she was quickly, and all too clearly, regaining her composure.
The man in him roared to remind her how he could make her forget again, how he could call forth her passion with just a kiss.
“We will finish this,” he promised.
SEVENTEEN
Isla stood on the beach long after Hayden had strode away. She could still taste him, still feel him on her mouth and body. She licked her lips and shivered from the passion still inside her. For a moment, she contemplated following Hayden and kissing him again.
She looked down to find the hem of her gown soaked as the water swirled around her. The magic the sea had called forth had been unlike anything Isla had ever experienced. It was raw and pure, much like her need for Hayden.
Desire. Isla fisted her hands and turned her back to the sea. She ignored the jab of the smaller rocks as they bit into her feet. The large boulders called to her to sit and view the beauty of the coast, but she couldn’t.
She had been careful to keep herself from befriending anyone lest Deirdre use them against her as she had with Grania and Lavena. Now, Isla found herself in a situation where she could see herself coming to like Hayden very much. Too much, in fact.