Highlander's Kiss: The McDougalls, Books 1-3

by Hildie McQueen

  "Aye, Captain," Geoffrey waved over his shoulder, and the men galloped off without him.

  "I'm not hungry," Cailyn repeated once again. This time her brother, Conor, was the one to ask. "I will eat later."

  The sound of the door closing made her let out a breath. Ever since Jamie left, she'd been in the room where he slept. Pretending to straighten it and fighting not to cry.

  "Augh." She punched at the bedding. She was a McDougall, a strong Scottish woman. She did not need to be sulking over a man who'd left without as much as a farewell. In fact, she should ride after him and throttle him. It would be a good lesson for his lack of chivalry.

  Anger rose and she clenched her hands into fists. Then again.

  Cailyn stalked to the door and continued on to the stables.

  Moments later, rider and horse galloped toward the path Jamie had taken.

  Just an hour into her unintended trip, Victoria slowed and climbed down from her horse. Walking to a clearing, she sank down onto a fallen tree trunk. This was a mistake. Jamie had chosen to leave. She was a fool to go after him.

  The sound of hooves alerted her to a rider approaching and Cailyn jumped to her feet. She reached for her dirk, only to realize she'd left it behind in her haste.

  Dropping her horse's reins, she darted to the tree line and hid behind a tree.

  A rider came into the clearing, and took in her horse before scanning the foliage.

  Cailyn stepped from behind the thicket. "What brings you here?"

  Jamie dismounted and stood beside his steed. "I am returning to Somerset. I must speak with you."

  She took in the proud man who stood rigid, his chiseled, handsome face impassive and sea-green eyes locked with hers. "You were returning to speak to me?" Cailyn looked past him. "Where are your men?"

  He shrugged a wide shoulder. "Going to the ship." He motioned to her horse. "Where are you headed? What brings you to this clearing?"

  "I considered catching up to you and giving you a piece of my mind for leaving without a proper goodbye. Then I realized it wasn't worth the effort for a man without decency."

  "You are correct, I am without honor." He stepped closer to her. "I am a man who is not worthy of a woman like you."

  She took a step toward him and stopped. "True. So why come back then?"

  "I came back because you stay with me here." Jamie pointed to his chest and closed the distance between them. He then cupped her face kissed her. His lips crushed hers and he began to kiss her with so much force she couldn't breathe. Finally when he moved back, both were breathing hard.

  He held his hand out to her. As she took it, the unspoken message of what both needed at the moment passed between them. Pulling a blanket roll from his saddle, Jamie led her toward a patch of grass.

  He spread the blanket and they went to their knees, facing each other. Cailyn threw herself against him and they fell over, onto the blanket. "You left without saying goodbye," she kissed his mouth. "That was not only rude…" she pecked the cleft in his chin. "But also absolutely horrible of you." She pressed another kiss onto the side of his neck.

  "Precisely why I was returning," Jamie rolled her onto her back and lay over her. "There was that and the absolute need to have you again."

  His hand slid up her skirts and he took her mouth again. His tongue probed past her lips into her mouth, and she relished the taste of him.

  Smooth fingertips traced over the skin of her leg, when he reached her inner thigh, heat rushed to her core. "Too many clothes," he mumbled between kisses.

  Cailyn pushed his jacket from his shoulders and slipped her hands under the fabric of his shirt. Without hesitating, she slid her palms up his back, pushing it off too. Jamie lifted off her and helped her take off the garment. He stood to remove his breeches while she watched entranced, never tiring at the sight of his sleek, muscular body. When he smiled at her, the sight of it taking her breath away.

  His eyes slid to her lips and down to her chest. "I want to see all of you, as well, Cailyn."

  She allowed him to pull her up to her knees. His thick cock jutted proudly at eye level. Cailyn leaned forward to press a kiss onto the head, and Jamie's breath hitched. Encouraged, Cailyn swirled her tongue around the tip, while sliding one hand up to his taut ass, and another down the length of him.

  His hips thrust forward and she took the tip of his cock into her mouth. "Cailyn…" he gasped when she began to suckle. Invigorated by his grunts of pleasure, she wrapped her fingers around the length, gliding them up and down, while letting him slide in and out of her mouth.

  "So…so good," Jamie stuttered, and his legs quaked. "I must stop you before you bring me to come undone." He put his hands on her face and pulled out from between her lips.

  He wasted no time now undressing her. Pieces of clothing fell one-by-one to the ground and Cailyn shivered at the cool breeze on her nude skin.

  "Now, Jamie, hurry. My brothers will notice my absence and may come searching for me." She fell onto her back and held her arms up to him.

  Jamie positioned himself between her legs and took his cock in hand. "I will try to be gentle." He began to slide in slowly, until fully seated within her.

  The exquisite feel of his smooth skin sliding in, only to move back out, made Cailyn cry out. His slow and precise movements drew her toward the edge of reason. Gliding her hands up his arms, she held on allowing him to set the pace.

  Jamie's tongue traced a pattern at her throat and he nipped at the sensitive area. The tempo of his movements began to increase. He placed his hands under her hips and lifted Cailyn, allowing him deeper access.

  "Harder," Cailyn cried, "I'm so close."

  "You feel too good, I don't think I will be able to last much longer," Jamie grunted. His deep green eyes met hers as he slammed in and out of her, until both screamed out in unison.

  Jamie rolled to his side, taking her with him.

  Moments later, Cailyn closed her eyes and pressed her face into his chest. "Must you go now?"

  "Roll over," Jamie commanded, not exactly answering her question. He guided her onto her side, facing away from him. "I must remain with you here a bit longer; I am already hard for you again." He pressed into her, proving the point.

  His hands caressed her hips and moved to her crux, his deft fingers going to her already reawakened center. The light touch sent a bolt of heat through her and she arched into his hand.

  Jamie strummed the tip of his finger back and forth against her core until she began to mewl with want. He bit into the soft skin of her shoulder the combination of sensations tipping her toward cresting. "Come for me, beauty." He pushed two fingers into her, and at the same time pushed his cock between her rear cheeks. The friction of him sliding between them, along with her movements, brought her closer.

  "Jamie!" Cailyn began to crest, only to explode into fragments when he lifted her leg and thrust into her. His thickness filled her, and she screamed his name as he drove into her, while his fingers continue to flick across her now-engorged center.

  The continued slapping of their bodies as she floated downward told her he'd not come yet. Cailyn reached between them and cupped his sack. He bucked hard at it, and she squeezed him gently.

  "I cannot get enough of you," he grunted against her ear, and continued to pump, his thighs hitting against hers. With a loud groan, Jamie climaxed, his entire body shuddering against hers.

  They remained joined, and he drew her against his chest. Cailyn tried to wiggle away, but he held her firm in place.

  "Don't move away. Not yet." Jamie whispered. "I …" the sound of approaching horses spurred them to action. They pulled apart and rose.

  Cailyn grabbed her discarded clothing and ran to the trees, Jamie behind her, holding his clothes and sword as well.

  Just in time, they finished dressing when the familiar sound of Conor's voice rang over the clearing. "Cailyn?"

  Chapter 17

  "What plans do you have, Captain Westcott?" The laird ask
ed, his eyes boring into Jamie's. "It is obvious my sister cannot live on a ship."

  Jamie cleared his throat and looked from one brother to the other. Both large men, and although he himself was not a small man, the scowling Scots made him ill at ease. "I plan to marry her if she will accept me and take her to live on my estate in England, Laird."

  "You want to take her away from Scotland?" Conor, the younger brother looked to Cailyn, who sat next to him, her hands folded on her lap.

  Concern etched on her brow, Cailyn responded, "I can come back to visit. I suppose I didn't consider having to move." A tear trickled down her cheek, and Jamie fought the urge to wipe it away.

  Distress replaced the scowls on both brothers' faces when they turned their attention back to Jamie.

  The Laird reached for Cailyn's hand and patted it. "My sister should remain in Scotland. It has not been long since the war ended; I do not think it safe for her to live in England."

  Anger rose, and Jamie clenched his jaw. "I can provide more than suitable protection for her. My own mother is Scottish, she fairs well."

  The room became silent until Victoria burst through the door. Hands on her hips, she eyed both the McDougall men and then Jamie. His beautiful sister went to Cailyn and put a hand on her shoulder. "God's foot, why do men have to make things so complicated? Jamie, our family has an estate in the lowlands, why don't you move there? It's not so far away we cannot visit regularly and they…" she motioned to Conor and Calum, "can be assured of Cailyn’s safety.”

  "The property is your estate," Jamie responded, not sure he wanted to take Victoria's land from her.

  His beautiful sister rolled her eyes. "Once the stubborn lot of you agrees on the terms because, you and Cailyn must marry, it will be my wedding gift to you." She smiled at Cailyn, who looked at him with a hopeful expression. "Come now Cailyn, let us have tea. You look exhausted."

  The women walked out without a backwards glance.

  Dinner that evening was a festive occasion. Cailyn finally relaxed when her brothers and Jamie lifted their cups to toast their upcoming nuptials. Not really a surprise, since Conor had immediately surmised what they'd been doing when he'd come upon them.

  Conor looked to his wife and she blushed prettily under his heated scrutiny. He leaned to her ear. "In a few moments you'll lay under me screaming."

  Victoria's eyes widened and she slapped at his shoulder, but her hand slid under the table.

  Calum eyed the group at the table. "Well, there is still a matter I must see completed. Since our clan must stop this needless war with the McNeil’s, we will join with them, as planned."

  "Who's going to marry Lisbeth?" Cailyn asked. Everyone's attention riveted to Calum.

  "Dugan." The laird lifted his cup and motioned at her cousin, who at the moment was too busy flirting with a serving wench to pay much attention.

  "The missive has been delivered, and the McNeil has agreed. Lisbeth McNeil and Dugan McDougall will marry next week."

  "What?" Dugan's ale flew from his mouth and he began to sputter.

  Cailyn laughed and leaned into the wonderful warmth of Jamie's arm.

  "Good on you, Dugan."

  The toasting resumed.

  Cailyn's eyes fixed on Jamie's face as her hand slid up his thigh. "What say you, Captain Westcott, should our wedding be as quick?"

  He took her hand and pressed it over his hardened cock. "It most certainly should, Miss McDougall."

  A chair fell backward with a loud thud as Dugan stormed from the room a wench over his shoulder.

  "Oh goodness," Victoria said watching the man's abrupt departure. "He may not marry."

  "Oh he will," Conor replied, "hopefully the bride will be Lisbeth McNeil."

  Everyone except Calum laughed.

  The End

  Chapter 18

  Highlander’s Conquest - Calum and Meagan

  Meagan McDougall rolled over to find she was alone in bed yet again. Her husband entered from the adjoining bedroom and went directly to the basin. Water splashed as the laird washed his face then grabbed a cloth and dried it. Completely nude, he dipped the cloth in the water and ran it over his body.

  Calum McDougall was magnificent. At over six feet tall, broad shoulders, midnight black hair, and cobalt blue eyes, the laird stood out amongst most of his clansmen. His biceps bulged when he continued washing with quick motions oblivious to the fact she watched his every move.

  When he began to wrap the clan tartan about his large body, Meagan lifted up and ran her fingers through her tangled tresses. He looked over at her, his face expressionless. "The games are at hand, it will be a busy day. Horsemen approach from the north. Soon the keep will be overrun with people. You will have plenty of company with all the women who come with their men.”

  "Aye, and my hands full too. There is much to be done." She stretched, not in a hurry to leave the warmth of the bed coverings.

  Calum grunted and once again became engrossed in dressing, bending to put on his boots while her gaze feasted on his form, never tiring of the sight of him. Her husband straightened and left the bedroom without another word to her.

  So it was every day, treated as if she were not more than a fixture in their chambers. Meagan fell back onto the bed with a deep breath. Today she would not start the day by crying or feeling despair at the lack of love in her marriage. She refused to do it.

  Yet another night had gone by without Calum's touch. She'd been hopeful when he'd come early to their bed the night before. But with barely a grunt in a way of wishing her a good night, he'd gone to his adjoining bedchamber alone.

  After a curt knock, Cailyn McDougall, her sister-in-law, strolled into the bedroom. With her pretty flushed face and sparkling blue eyes, her sister-in-law was ravishing. She'd recently married a half English captain and from the looks of it, was enjoying his attentions with frequency. At the pang of jealousy, tears sprung and she brushed them off with the back of her hand, pretending to wipe sleep away.

  Cailyn peered at her. "Good morning, Meagan. Our cousins are arriving and so have the musicians." Her sister-in-law rushed to the window and peered down at the courtyard. "I can't wait to see who wins the saber toss this year. Calum and Dugan are always the best," she said referring to her brother and cousin Dugan.

  "Yes, I suppose I should get dressed, there is much to do," Meagan replied not moving.

  Cailyn placed her hands on her hips and studied her with narrowed eyes. "I must ask you something."

  Meagan raised an eyebrow. "Yes, of course, what is it?"

  "Why are you so unhappy? You rarely smile and act as if every day is a chore. You have a place of honor here as the laird's wife. I am hopeful you will make more of an effort to seem content. Especially now with the visiting clansmen, for Calum's sake."

  "I am not sure what you speak of." She slumped and heaved a heavy sigh. Of course she knew. But could she bring herself to share with Cailyn? An errant tear rolled down her cheek and she gave up the pretense. "I cannot smile and be as cheerful as you, Cailyn. I do not have what you do."

  "What do I have that you do not? I fail to understand you." Cailyn neared the bed, her brows drawn together.

  "A happy marriage. I can finally share with you since you're now married and know what transpires between a man and woman in the marriage bed." Meagan swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat. "Your brother abhors being married to me. He barely notices me and it is rare that he seeks me to join with. Most nights Calum sleeps in there." She pointed at the doorway to the adjoining bedchamber. "I only saw him bare this morning because he came to wash up. I suppose his man must have slept in. Or is busy with preparations."

  With the admission she began to cry, not able to stop the flood of salty tears. "I know I should be softer, act happier, but as of late, I find it exhausting to be seated next to him at meals every day and be overlooked. A constant reminder that my husband does not desire me."

  Arms wrapped around her, and Meagan sobbed at Caily
n comforting her when she'd expected a rebuff. "There, there," Cailyn soothed her. "I thought Calum and you had been together prior to marrying and that both of you went into the betrothal with cheer because you already cared for each other."

  She grabbed the edge of her nightgown and wiped her face. "We kissed, he sought me several times for walks, when he and your parents visited. Always seemed eager to find time alone with me." She smiled at the memory. "I was so overcome with adoration for Calum that I begged my father to ask for the betrothal."

  Cailyn took her hand. "Then what happened?"

  With a shrug, Meagan continued. "Well, as you know, our parents made the agreement, we were betrothed quite young. Then the war began and I didn't see Calum for several years. Not too much later, we learned your mother died, and soon after your father. Calum became laird and I waited for him to come for me. He didn't for almost four more years."

  "Yes, I remember your father came to inquire about the agreement a few months before you married."

  "I was humiliated. Calum had been laird for almost four years before finally marrying me. I'd waited for so long that I decided to end the betrothal, but father refused. I believe my father forced him to keep his word and because of that Calum resents me."

  Cailyn frowned. "Meagan, I'm sure you are wrong."

  Meagan shook her head. "No, I am not wrong. Calum has made it clear he doesn't want to be tied to me, such a plain woman." Meagan sniffed and slid from the bed. "But it's done and I have to accept my lot in life. I will strive to be gay and happy for the duration of the games."

  When Cailyn stomped her foot and growled Meagan jumped. Moving with shocking speed, her sister-in-law snatched her arm and dragged Meagan to the looking glass. "You are anything but plain, look at yourself. You are the most beautiful woman in the region." Meagan looked at her reflection. Her large hazel eyes were shiny from crying, her mouth seemed full for her oval face. She raked her fingers through her tangled auburn locks. She'd grown pale and too thin.