The laird spoke to someone over his shoulder before turning back to them. “I’ll allow ye in. The cats can stay outside. Ye understand my security concerns, I’m sure.”
Mungo turned to Joe and Saber. Both nodded.
“That is acceptable,” Mungo said.
The main gate opened with a well-oiled creak, and they waited for Laird Grantlach to appear, Joe and his brother flanking her.
Mungo wasnae certain what to expect. Anger. Fury. Scorn. Dismissal. Death by a pointy sword.
But the Grantlach strode toward them with a broad smile. “Come. Come. Let us speak in comfort inside.”
He ushered them through double wooden doors into the hall beyond. Like the outside of the castle, the hall sparkled with clean surfaces and everything in its place. Thick tapestries covered the walls while the tops of three long tables gleamed with years of hard polishing. Vases of purple flowers sat at intervals on the tabletops and perfumed the air.
“Come to the parlor,” the laird said. “More private. I’ll call on the housekeeper while ye get comfy.” He tromped out, his leather kilt swinging around his bare legs, his carriage upright and his shoulders broad. He returned, still smiling. “Sit. Sit.”
“Laird, are ye not angry at me?” Mungo asked, confused at his reaction.
“Nay. Hew Grantlach.” He stretched out his hand to Joe. “Ye are wedded to Mungo?”
“Yes.” Joe never hesitated.
Joe distracted her with his ready agreement, his utter confidence and the icy cold space in her chest melted a fraction more. This man kept showing her by deed that there were good men who treated women well, that she could trust him. Mungo smiled at the man who’d accepted her tale of marriage to him without a blink, her heart lighter.
The laird shook Saber’s hand too before turning to Mungo. “Aye, lass. I would’ve recognized ye anywhere. Ye are the image of yer mother. Ye have nothing to apologize for since I can see for myself how happy this shapeshifter man makes ye.”
The housekeeper bustled in then, carrying a silver tray bearing glasses, a carafe of uisge beatha and a platter of butter wafers.
“Thank ye, Elsa,” the laird said as she set the tray on a round wooden table. “Ye’ll try a glass of the water of life?”
“Thank you. Whisky,” Saber said to Joe.
The laird poured four glasses and handed them around. “I’m glad ye’ve come to visit. I’d heard rumors, and yer father wouldnae give me straight answers.”
Mungo puckered her brow. “I dinnae understand.”
“Reilynn sent me a message around half a rotation ago.” The Grantlach sat beside Saber and sipped his drink. He issued a contented sigh. “The way yer father and brothers treated ye concerned Reilynn. She feared they’d injure or kill ye one cycle. She requested I get ye to come to live with my clan. For yer safety.”
“Reilynn?” Joe exchanged a surprised glance with her.
“Aye,” the laird said. “The only way I could think to get yer father’s permission for ye to leave the clan was to offer marriage.”
“Ye did nay want to marry me?”
“Nay, Mungo. What need does an old goat like me have of a wife? I thought to offer ye the safety of my name. That is all.”
Mungo frowned. “Why would ye do that?”
“Ye ken I loved yer mother. I wished to wed her, but she fell in love with yer father and I married someone else. I never forgot yer mother. Her goodness and beauty. Yer father adored her too, and I hear tell he changed after her death.”
“What about the money you gave Mungo’s father?” Joe asked.
“I gave Aengus Caimbeulach half of the sum we agreed on.” He shrugged. “If it meant saving ye, it was worth it.”
“So ye’re not angry that Joe and I pre-empted ye?”
“Nay! All I want is yer happiness. That is what Reilynn wants too, although she told me in her last message she intended to pretend otherwise.”
“Reilynn loves me?” Mungo whispered.
“Aye. She loves ye as a daughter, and it’s obvious yer young man loves ye too,” the laird said. “He hasnae taken his attention off ye and he acts protective.”
Mungo peeked at Joe and witnessed his support, his sympathy. “I promise to repay the money ye gave my father.”
The laird waved away the offer. “Nay, it was a small matter.”
“Perhaps we could enter a mutual agreement to benefit my people and your clan,” Saber said entering the conversation. “Something to thank you for the favor you have done Mungo and my brother Joe.”
The laird sipped his drink. “It’s unnecessary.”
“We run a resort on Ione Island and are searching for male employees,” Saber said.
“As it happens, we have a surplus of young men with high spirits. This is an isolated area. Beautiful but lonely without a young lass to warm the heart. I’ve been pondering the future of my clan. My cousin’s oldest boy will take over as laird after me, but a new challenge might be the thing for the other lads.”
“I have one of yer steeds,” Mungo burst out.
“Do ye now? Thieves stole one of my mares around a quarter of a rotation ago.” He cocked his head. “How does the steed fare with the shapeshifter men?”
“She loves them,” Mungo said, understanding what the laird was asking. “She behaves with perfect manners and lets them handle and ride her without objection. Would ye want her back?”
“Nay, consider her a wedding gift.” The laird nodded and lifted his glass in a toast. “To the newlyweds and to our future alliance. Och, lass. Ye resemble yer ma. She was beautiful too.”
“Thank ye,” Mungo said. “I wish I’d kenned her.”
“She liked the outdoors,” the laird said. “And she had a way with animals, which I understand ye too possess.”
Joe reached for her hand and smiled at her. “Mungo does like her coos.”
“Tell me more about this resort of yers.”
“If you wanted,” Saber said, “you could return to our home with us. You’re welcome to bring two or three of your men with you and see what we do there.”
The laird tapped his chin and grinned. “My nephew could do with some added responsibility, and I believe I’d enjoy checking on my steed in her new home. Do ye have room in yer spaceship for four?”
Saber chatted with the laird while she and Joe walked over to the window. The Grantlach’s lands spread out before them, lush with pink-tinged grass. Coos dotted one paddock, grazing with contentment while paddocks to the left contained several of the laird’s prize steeds.
“Mungo,” Joe said, seizing her attention with his urgent tone. “I want you to understand something. This marriage. I want to be clear with you now.”
Mungo’s chest tightened and dismay spread through her. It made Mungo realize how much she cared for Joe. “Ye dinnae wish a marriage between us.”
“Mungo, I’ve exercised patience because of your circumstances. From the first moment I saw you and thought you were a grubby boy, I wanted you as my mate. Shapeshifters recognize their mates when they find them. You are mine.” Joe stepped closer and cupped her face with his big hands. “I respect and admire you, but most of all, I love you. If you left the resort, it would break me.”
Relief. Such relief filled her that her knees buckled. Joe caught her against him, clasping her to his bigger body. Keeping her safe. As he always would, she realized.
“Ye make my heart ache,” she confessed. “I love Reilynn and Janeet, but when I think of ye, the ache is so much worse. I dinnae think I could walk away from ye.”
Joe nuzzled her nose, and when he lifted his head, his eyes were brighter than normal. “Listen, there is more about shapeshifters and mating. You’ll notice that each of my brothers’ mates has a small scar at the base of their neck. This is the mating mark. It brings a couple closer together and offers a non-shapeshifter mate greater resistance to humanoid diseases. Once a mate wears a mark, they live longer. Some mates gain telepathic abilities while
others understand what their mate wants or needs without speaking. The process works differently with each couple.”
“Ye wish to bite me?”
“More than anything,” Joe confessed. “The feline part of me is desperate to mark you.”
“Ye could’ve bitten me without permission.”
“I could, but you have suffered with your family taking away your choices. Your happiness is important to me, so I’ve tried not to push. When I think of you, I see a strong marriage between mates. I see children in our future. I see coos.” His lips twitched before he continued. “I see happiness and laughter and love. Such love.”
“What if we cannae have children?”
“Whatever happens, I see us standing strong together. Children or not. It doesn’t matter.”
“Will our children take after ye?”
“Most offspring can shift to a leopard. Does that worry you?”
“Nay, I’d want them to favor their father.”
“I’d be happy if they have your beautiful red hair,” Joe whispered. “But first we’re practicing how to make children in our big, comfortable bed, and I will show you that loving me isn’t something to fear.”
“I’m not afraid of ye.”
“No,” Joe said. “You lift that stubborn chin of yours and fire scorn with your beautiful gaze. I’m a patient man, sweetheart. You’ll grow used to life at the resort and with me.”
“And then?”
“Then we’ll hold a celebration for our real marriage in front of our friends and family. You can invite Reilynn and Janeet.”
Mungo smiled so wide it hurt. Her chest ached, but she recognized the symptoms now. She was in love with Joe. Somehow, she thought the marriage celebration would come verra soon.
19 – The Mating
Life at the resort held hard work and much joy. Mungo, along with the lads from the Grantlach clan were constantly open-mouthed at the antics of the guests and their propensity for nudity. Yet the Scothage newcomers agreed amongst themselves this place was fun, and they embraced the opportunity.
“You deal with this guest,” Scarlett whispered to Mungo.
Mungo smiled at the next woman in the line before glancing at the compuscreen. “Welcome to Middlemarch Resort. Do ye have yer check-in disk?” The newly arrived guest came from the planet of Tigrus. She bore pretty golden stripes on her skin while her smile contained jagged white teeth.
All part of Mungo’s cycle. She worked with Joe and Sly and the herd of coos in the morning. In the cooler part of the day before they began resort duties, they tended their grapes and other crops. The rest of the cycle, she spent with Scarlett on reception and researching the incoming guests.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Joe approached her during a quiet moment on reception. “You look pretty. Your trews and flowing tunic make me want to take a bite.”
“Joe! Ye cannae say that in front of yer sister.”
“Too late,” Scarlett said. “He already did.”
“Are you off now?” Joe asked.
“Go.” Scarlett made shooing motions with her hands. “Go before the pair of you scandalize the guests.”
Mungo wrinkled her nose. “Not possible.”
Scarlett chortled along with Joe. “You’re learning that a proportion of our female guests are shameless.”
“Aye,” Mungo agreed. “I dinnae enjoy the way they ogle Joe’s backside.”
Joe laughed and, taking her hand, led her from reception and outside into the colorful resort gardens.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Away from resort guests. I filled in at the swimming pool and delivered drinks and food for three hours. The current guests include a group of green ladies. The ones that pinch in appreciation. My backside is bruised.”
Mungo giggled, kenning that Joe had no interest in any of the women at the resort, apart from her. “I love ye, Joe.”
He stilled, his eyes doing a partial shift, which Mungo understood meant his emotions were running high. “Hell of a time to tell me.”
“We’re returning to our bungalow, aren’t we?”
“Yes,” he said and increased his pace.
Mungo ran to keep up, pleased with her easy-to-wear trews and her comfortable flat shoes that fit her feet perfectly.
They arrived back at their bungalow quicker than usual, Mungo laughing and joyful as Joe towed her inside and slammed the door behind them. She squeaked as he lifted her off her feet and strode to the bedroom.
She tweaked his ear. “What is the hurry?”
“You told me you loved me.”
Seconds later, she bounced on the comfortable mattress, but only once since Joe dived on top of her.
“Ye tell me ye love me.”
“And it’s the truth,” Joe said. “But this is the first time you’ve told me. No! You can’t take it back.”
“I dinnae want to,” Mungo said. “I mean the words with my heart.”
Joe peeled away from her and disrobed, keeping his gaze on her face. “Clothes off,” he ordered.
A shiver sped through Mungo. One of happiness and delight.
“Will ye bite me? Harder than normal?”
“Yes,” he said in a tight voice. “My feline… I can’t wait any longer.”
“Will everyone ken?”
“My family and friends will since our scents will mingle. I think everyone wonders why we’ve waited.”
“Because ye’re a sterling man, Joe Mitchell. Ye think of others and put their needs in front of yer own.”
“You’re making me blush.”
Mungo stood and removed her footwear and clothes. Her shoes clomped to the floor while she folded her trews, tunic and underthings and placed them aside with neat precision. As soon as she was naked, Joe seized her and tumbled them to the bed. Their lips came together with urgency and passion. Arms curled around each other. Happiness bubbled inside her along with the blissful enjoyment of Joe’s talented hands and mouth. He kissed her neck, teeth grazing what she now kenned was the marking spot for feline shapeshifters. She steeled herself for the pain of a bite, but he continued with his touching and teasing until her entire body sizzled with yearning.
She’d become close with Eva, Casey, Betrys, and Cinnabar. They’d told her the bite hurt but the sex afterward was amazing. Frankly, she dinnae understand how the pleasure could improve since Joe made her toes curl.
“Part your legs for me.”
Joe took possession of the space between her thighs and lifted her to his mouth. His raspy tongue hit the perfect spot, and she sighed, coasting on the path to climax.
“You taste sweet. Perfect,” Joe murmured.
“And ye’re perfect for me, Joe Mitchell. I love ye.”
Joy blasted across his face. His eyes did the weird narrowing that allowed her to glimpse his feline.
“Mungo. Don’t push me. I’m trying to pace myself.”
“Go faster. I trust ye with my life. I ken ye’d never hurt me on purpose.”
Joe surged up her body, and slid into her, joining with her. “I love you, Mungo.”
She grinned up at him then pulled his head down for another kiss. This was a gentle kiss. Tender and sweet, and it meant everything to her. Part of her now understood her father’s love for her mother and his distraught behavior toward his daughter.
While life experience might tell her otherwise, she preferred to trust in Joe’s love, his inner goodness and his family. “Marry me in truth,” she whispered. “Give me a ring as a symbol of yer love.”
“A proposal.” Joe pulled back and drove into her, using the perfect angle to bring her pleasure. “I spoke my vows to you a month ago.”
“Ye did.”
Joe nibbled at her throat and a delectable tension slid down her body. “I could speak the same before my family, but the truth is the instant I bestow the mating bite on you, that is when my family will consider us mates. Wedded.”
“Aye. Scarlett explained this.”
&
nbsp; “You’re not fleeing from me. A feline enjoys a chase.” Satisfaction slashed his sensual mouth.
“I’ll run another cycle,” she promised. “Right now I’m exactly where I want to be.”
“Me too.” Joe’s husky voice promised everything. He retreated and invaded her body again in a smooth stroke.
Hunger grew in her, pleasure unfurling like a fresh bloom opening to the sun. Joe changed the angle of his thrusts, increasing the friction. Her hips strained upward while fire and chills warred within her body. A groan slipped free, and then she was flying, writhing in her lover’s embrace.
Joe increased the speed of his strokes, his big body trembling. He nuzzled her neck, and when she expected yet another nibble, he bit down harder. Pain roared through her, swiftly followed by such pleasure she wondered if her body might explode. Then, he released her and used his tongue to lick the wound.
To Mungo’s surprise his lick speared excitement and enjoyment through her, and another mini climax tore from the point at which they joined, flinging exquisite pleasure through her. She groaned, and he laughed.
“One thing I didn’t tell you is that your mark will heal fast. The enzymes from my saliva aid with that, but that spot will always be ultra-sensitive to my touch.”
“I feel different,” Mungo murmured. “It’s hard to explain. Connected. Whole. It’s almost as if I’m experiencing yer love.”
“My feline is purring right now. All I can think about is making love to you again. It’ll be a long afternoon until we have privacy again.” Joe caressed the spot with his lips before he sank into a kiss. They were both breathing heavily when their mouths parted. “Want to have a shower before you head back to reception?”
“Aye. I’d better. Some visitors have strange habits. One sniffed me this morning. Gidget was on greeting duties and shrieked when the same woman sniffed her. Luckily, Saber was there and took the lady and her friends for a tour and drinks.” Mungo grinned at the memory of Gidget dancing around in her favorite red scarf and red shoes.
“You’re happy.”
“Aye,” Mungo said. “I have a home, lots of friends who dinnae treat me as if I’m peculiar and I’m learning new things. And I have my coos.”
Journey with Joe (Middlemarch Capture Book 5) Page 19