by Kara Griffin
Dallis used her hip to carry the basket of launder. The wrapping Annag insisted she wear was cumbersome and made doing any chore difficult. Using her left hand and arm was becoming easier. She dropped the basket when she reached the bank of the stream. As she knelt to take the first piece of clothing, Brodin took her hand. She hadn’t even heard his approach. But then she’d been rather amiss lately.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
She gazed up from her kneeling position and would’ve laughed at his expression, but he was incensed given the glare he gave her. “I’m doing launder. What does it look like? The bairn needs nappies and gram only has two frocks.”
“Leave it.”
“I will finish and then must see to Gran. She’s watching the bairn.”
Brodin groused under his breath and she couldn’t catch his words. He waved a hand to Kerrigan. She approached and smiled in greeting.
“Kerrigan, please tell Dallis that you and the other women will help with the launder whilst she’s recovering.”
Kerrigan grinned and nodded. “Of course we shall. You should be resting that shoulder. Why did you not ask for help?”
She hunched her good shoulder. “There’s too much to do and I don’t want to burden anyone with more chores. I can handle it.” Dallis retrieved the frock she intended on cleaning and Kerrigan hastily took it from her.
“It is a fine day for a walk, don’t you think, Brodin?” Kerrigan said and shoved her toward him. She shook out the frock and knelt next to the stream.
“Aye, it is. Come along, Dallis. Thank you, Kerrigan.” Before she might object, he took her hand and tugged her forward. She almost lost her footing. “Let us enjoy a bit of quiet.”
“But—”
He shifted her arm and held her firmly against him. “Let the women help. You won’t heal if you keep moving your arm.”
“Very well, but only because you won’t cease complaining. It is a fine day for a walk and the weather perfect.” She ambled along unsure what to say. Brodin made the silence more awkward with the frown he wore. She hoped to lighten his mood and tried to broach an easy topic. “Have you sent word to my clan? Surely you would rid of me at the soonest.”
Brodin stopped dead in his tracks and caused her arm to dislodge from his hold. “I don’t find your remark comical, lass, and nay I haven’t.”
“I didn’t intend my remark to be amusing. So you haven’t sent word? Why ever not? What of James? He was supposed to search for my brothers. Has he said if he has?”
He shrugged his shoulder in answer. Dallis scowled and waited and after a good minute, he grinned.
“I forgot.”
“You forgot? I need to get Gran home before winter comes. She cannot stay here.”
Brodin scowled and raked his finger through his dark wavy strands. When he said nothing, she stepped forward.
“When you’re near, I cannot think of anything but …”
Dallis hid her grin, knowing what caused his distraction. Truth be told, she had the same malady. When he was near, she couldn’t focus on naught but him.
“Do you want to kiss me?”
He answered by yanking her against him and settling his mouth against hers. Dallis responded to his ardent passion and wrapped her good arm around his waist. His body pressed hers and she delighted in the feel of him against her.
Brodin continued to kiss her, assailing her lips with the pressure of his. He was patient, much more than she. She wanted more. Dallis perused his chest with the tips of her fingers. The splay of her hand over his tunic dejected her for she wanted, needed to touch his skin. She dislodged the wrapping over her injured shoulder and let it fall to the ground. After a few seconds of untying the closure at his neck, she set her palm over the throng of his heart.
Never had she expected to react to the touch of a man’s chest, but this was Brodin and his heart pounded against her hand. His fingers spread open against her back and kept her from pulling away. She forced her hand on his jaw and got him to relent.
“You make me forget myself.” He continued to hold her close.
“You make me joyful.” She leaned her forehead on his chest and breathed deeply, taking in the essence of him.
He raised her chin with his warm fingers. “Joyful? I’ve never heard it put like that.”
She suspected he’d made fun of her but she didn’t scold him for it. “I don’t know what to call it, but your kisses bring me joy.”
Brodin rubbed his thumb on her cheek and grinned. “It’s called passion or some call it desire. Aye, pure desire, lovely.” He set his lips on hers again.
Dallis reveled at being in his embrace. But she wanted more than kisses. She wanted to experience more of the passion he’d spoken about. She broke free of the kiss and leaned against him. Setting heated breathy kisses on his neck; his skin soft yet firm beneath her lips.
She whispered, “I want to touch you.”
“Are you certain, lass?”
“I’m sure. This passion, ah, desire, you speak of pleases me.” She pushed the fabric of his tunic from his shoulders and caressed his hard skin. “You’re strong.”
“Aye, and you’re soft.” He shifted the fabric from her shoulder and placed a kiss on her bared skin. “I want to kiss you everywhere.”
Dallis groaned, for warmth shot through her as though she was set afire. She wanted him to and the thought of his lips on her body sent shivers mingling with a warmth down her spine. “Show me this passion. I want to understand.”
He pulled her hand and sauntered to a large tree. Its branches dropped a good amount of leaves which blanketed the ground. The early autumn scent of the fallen leaves filled the air. Brodin pulled the length of his tartan from his body and fanned it out. “There’s much to this passion. It may take a wee bit of time to show you. You’ll find it more than joyous.” He grinned and settled her back with a gentle push.
Dallis lay back and held her breath. The anticipation of his touch sent a strange aura through her body. Each touch of his fingers, each inch of skin bared, each agonizing moment tensed her heart.
Brodin took painstaking time to remove her gown. The afternoon breeze played over her skin and sent an enmeshing of goose bumps in its wake. She helped him remove his tunic and stared at the musculature of his chest. The ripples of his abdomen drew her fingers. She marveled at how firm and taut his skin was. She gasped when Brodin took her breast in hand and kissed her flushed skin. His hot mouth drew in her nipple. Words wouldn’t form on her tongue and her mouth went dry as she watched amazed by what he was doing. She muttered a please, but couldn’t voice any further thought.
Brodin lay on his side and leaned on his elbow. “I’ve dreamed of this moment.”
Dallis shook. “You have?”
“Aye since that day when you stood in Rohan’s tub naked as the day ye were born. I swore you were an angel. You impressed me when you took off the English garb. Why did you do that?”
“To impress you. I didn’t want you to think I feared you.”
He chuckled. “Did I frighten you?” Brodin grinned as if he intended to.
“Aye, terrified more like. Why didn’t you look away when I removed the garment? I’d deem with your sensibilities, you’d do the honorable thing.” It was a question she’d pondered since that day and now hopefully she’d get an answer. Dallis elbowed him.
He bellowed a laugh. “No one has ever accused me of having sensibilities, lass. Ah, but I should’ve looked away. I couldn’t though. Are you still frightened of me?”
She shook her head. “Nay, not anymore.”
“Your shoulder … are you still hurting?”
“It’s a wee bit tender but doesn’t pain me. Show me your passion. I am unfamiliar with—”
As if she’d given him free rein, he swarmed her with kisses and caresses. His hard body flanked hers and she marveled at his strength. Dallis’ head swam with the desirous actions of his movements. She returned his caresses and kisses whol
eheartedly. Brodin touched her in places she’d never dreamed a person would be touched, but it fell too pleasurable to protest.
He set her hand on his hard length and she gently squeezed him. Brodin groaned and she thought she’d hurt him until he moaned and repossessed her mouth for a searing kiss.
“Ah that feels incredible, lovely, keep touching me. Squeeze harder.” He thrust against her hand and his lips parted as if he enjoyed the forceful touch.
As she did as he asked, he kissed her beneath her chin, sending his lips in a torrent of heat along the trail of her throat. Brodin withdrew her hand and settled his body over her.
“You make me hot. I want to make you the same. Are you burning for me, lovely?”
“I am. Please … Stop the ache.”
“Is the ache here?” He cupped between her legs and she nodded.
Dallis scrunched her eyes closed when he pressed himself into her. The unfamiliar invasion almost forced her to draw away, but a fluttering tingled betwixt her legs and she decided to see what he intended.
Brodin moved and forced the breath from her. She panted at the stinging sensation, but then it subsided, and as if he was supposed to be there, she delighted in each swift thrust. Happily, she met his body and an intense sensation swarmed her. She lost control of her emotions and cried out. It was the most euphoric feeling she’d ever experienced. It took a good long moment for her to recover.
Brodin grunted and stiffened. He shouted and continuously lunged his body against hers. She soothed him with nonsensical words and caressed his shoulders. At once he ceased moving and fell atop her. Dallis hugged him close and didn’t want to release him, but he forced her to when he rolled to his side.
“Lovely, you’ve done me in.” He groaned and rolled onto his back. “I should tell you now, I’m not good at relationships.”
“Nay, I didn’t suspect you were. What are you good at, Brodin?” Why did she ask him that? She knew right well what he was good at and they’d shared it a moment ago.
“Killing.”
“Killing? Do you jest?” She scowled at his answer.
“Aye, I’m good at killing. It’s all I need.”
“Are you trying to frighten me?”
“Nay, but if you’re expecting me to allow you to trounce me because we shared a moment of passion … Och, I’ve spent the last score of years learning to kill. It’s all I know.”
Dallis didn’t know what to do or say, so she kept quiet. She hurried to dress and sat silently while she waited for him to recover. After a few minutes, he picked up his garments and hastily donned them.
“Shall we return?”
Emotion clogged her throat. His cold manner forced her to nod for she couldn’t speak of his lack of manners. Shouldn’t he profess some sort of care or adoration? Mayhap Brodin didn’t adore anyone or have a care for what they’d just done. She’d obviously displeased him and he must not have experienced the same passion she had.
Chapter Twelve
Passion made him a fool. Brodin wouldn’t acknowledge his actions of the erroneous event the day before. He knew right well he was doomed. Never had he experienced such an encounter with any other woman as he’d had with Dallis. Guilt nagged him though. He was angry with himself for losing control but more than that, he thoroughly enjoyed being with her. He was supposed to detest the woman not obsess about joining with her.
Yet he’d taken her and delighted in every second of their joining. Brodin sauntered about the clearing, contemplating his actions in a daze. Forget his vow of ruthlessness toward her. Was he maddened to the point that all his sensibilities fled? Sensibilities. He shook his head at the thought of that word for she’d said he had sensibilities. With a scoff, he realized she’d been right.
He wanted to keep himself detached, observe her from afar, and yet he couldn’t stay away. Brodin realized he’d been caught in a trap. The noose was getting ever tighter. He needed to escape and put as much distance as he could betwixt him and Dallis.
With any luck, James located the Buchanans and mayhap they were on their way to retrieve the lass. He set his mind to thinking of a way to avoid Dallis and a worthy idea came. Brodin reached the path that led to the caves and almost bumped into Dallis’ grandmother. She meandered along and didn’t see him until they almost knocked each other down.
“You.” She waggled a finger at him.
He raised a brow. Why did he get the feeling she was chagrined with him? The tone of her voice assured him of her affront, not to mention the gesture he’d done something. Well, he had hadn’t he? Did the old woman know? “Aye, pardon m’lady.” He tried to veer around her when she took hold of his forearm. Her grip forced his frown.
“Breaker of hearts. She weeps. You cause my Dallis grief.”
“Do I?” He pulled his arm free of her hold. The woman wasn’t wont to let him pass and blocked him from leaving. Brodin set his fists on his hips and let her have her say. That was if he understood her. Lady Buchannan was difficult to comprehend and he’d have to be patient. He waited and tried not to be irritated while she lectured him on his improper behavior.
“How could you? Have ye no care for her gentle heart? My lass … she cares. You war with yourself. Aye, your mind wars with your own heart.”
Brodin kept still and didn’t acknowledge her declaration. He was about to turn away when she took his forearm again.
“The heart usually wins.”
He nodded for he was certain the woman wouldn’t hear his rebuke. She released him and he finally continued on the path. It had been a long time since he’d been reprimanded by a matronly figure. Annag never spoke harshly with him. His own mother handed him over to his father for rearing when he reached the age of five summers. From that tender age, he spent most of his time with the soldiers or other clansmen. Now given his lack of experience in dealing with women, he wasn’t sure that had been beneficial to his rearing.
Near the ossuary, he found his comrades readying their horses. He wondered where they were going and approached Graeme to ask.
“Och, there you are. I saw you talking with Lady Buchanan. What were you discussing?” Heath asked, appearing amused by his discomfort.
“Nonsense.”
“You looked as though you swallowed a bee,” Liam said.
Brodin ignored his comrades’ banter and peered at Graeme. “What goes, are we leaving?”
“Get ready. We ride out. James is at the abbey and sent word for us to come. We’ll find out what news he has. I hope he’s been able to speak with Robert.” Graeme dismissed him and turned back to his horse.
Brodin quickly readied his horse and joined his brethren outside the cave. He was about to mount his horse when Dallis strolled toward him. There was no avoiding the lass. With a wave, he motioned to his comrades to go. He waited for her to reach him and recognized the look of despair. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and her mouth turned slightly. The reason for her unhappiness sagged his shoulders for he knew he was the cause.
“You’re leaving.”
“Aye.”
“You weren’t going to say goodbye?” She tried to hide her dejection and forced a smile to reach her lips. But he knew she was displeased for her arms stiffened at her sides and her hands fisted the fabric of her frock. He noticed she no longer wore the shoulder wrap.
“Nay, why would I? I shan’t return for some time. I will find your clan and have them come and retrieve you.” Brodin averted his eyes and stared ahead, waiting for her dismissal.
“Did what we shared mean nothing to you?”
He flinched slightly at the woebegone sound of her voice and shifted his stance. “Of course it meant something.” But what he wouldn’t admit. “I told you I wasn’t good at relationships. Best ken that now, lass, I will not be turned into a clot pole for any woman.”
“The last thing I’d want is for you to be turned into a clot pole. Go then and safe travels. I shall be gladdened to see the last of you.” She stepped back.
“Farewell.” Brodin quickly mounted and rode off to his awaiting friends. He daren’t look back at her for he was certain he’d find her weeping. A woman’s tears always swayed him and right now he wasn’t wont to be persuaded to reject his plan. He wanted his freedom. He wanted to be as far from Dallis Buchanan as he could get.
On the way to Sweetheart Abbey, he remained silent. Lest he said something to give suspicion of what he’d intended. The abbey bustled with activity. Since the English vacated the area, life returned to normal for the friar and monks who lived there. Travelers, clergy, and villagers visited and those who wanted to purchase the fine wine the monks made.
As soon as they dismounted their horses, the friar appeared as if from nowhere. How he always knew they arrived baffled Brodin and his comrades. Friar Hemm was a noble sort and a man he trusted above others.
They greeted the holy man and were guided to his office. Inside the small chamber, Brodin leaned against the wall. His comrades took up the chairs around the desk.
“’Tis good to see you. You’re all in fair health, I see. James left for the village this morn. I sent a lad after him when I got word you were on your way.”
Graeme poured them each a cup of wine from the cask that sat upon the friar’s desk. “Tell us the news?”
Friar Hemm took a deep breath and released it. His normally unkempt hair was combed back this day and his beard trimmed. Now that Brodin noticed, he even wore a fairly clean robe. Hemm spent a fair amount of time kneeling in the dirt by his vines.
“Not much to speak of, I’m afraid. Our king retreats and attends to planning efforts. He’s attending a betrothal feast for one of the noble’s daughters. It is good he takes time for amusements for he has had little mirth in his life of late. I’m certain he’ll get back to securing Scotland’s borders soon.”
“Amusements, Friar? We’re hanging on to our lives here and the king entertains?” Brodin scoffed and threw his hand in the air. He wanted to say more but the friar looked nonplussed by his hostility.