by Patty Taylor
Beth giggled. A woman’s laughter had been a stranger on this ship. Kalista whistled, flapped her wings, and landed in bed. Like a contented puppy, she wiggled her way to the bottom of the bunk, directly below their feet, and plopped herself down. With a contented sigh, the dragon rested her head on her feet, closed her eyes, and purred.
Quinn stared at the ceiling, his free arm folded behind his head. Her flesh sweltering next to his, the roaring heat from Beth’s body made his senses reel. He inhaled and held his breath. Her touch sent shivers racing through his body. A spurt of hunger and desire rushed through his veins. His member grew hard and stiff. Her nearness was becoming unbearable. It had been years since he’d shared a bed with a woman.
Her hand grasped his arm as he turned on his side to get dressed. “Wait. Where are you going? You need your rest.”
“I think ’tis best if I sleep on deck. The fresh air will do me good.” Quinn reached for his plaid and spotted a hint of sunlight trickle through the porthole.
“Damn it. By the Goddess, forgive me.” Beth cupped his chin in her hand and turned his face toward her. She raised the dampened nightshirt over her head and tossed it to the floor. Her body glistened with sweat. Raven curls spiraled over her arms and breasts, lingering over her curved hips as she sat naked with her legs tucked beneath her. She buried her face in his neck. Her moist lips against his skin sent trails of fire racing across his limbs as her budding nipples pressed against his bare chest.
His defenses weakening, he gently pushed her back by her shoulders. “It must be the fever in ye, lass, makin’ ye confused and feelin’ this way. I think we’d best stop now while we still can. I willna go back on me word. I promised I wouldna take advantage of ye.”
“You don’t understand. But I’m starting to now. Quinn McCord, you’re the man that’s been haunting my dreams for the past seven years.” Her fingers brushed gingerly over his lips before her mouth crushed against his. Kissing him with a hungry passion, she pushed his chest to the mattress and lowered her hips over his midsection. Her alluring blue eyes locked with his.
“I’m not delirious, and I’m fully aware of what I’m doing. I can’t explain it, but we both have something the other needs. We share a connection now. You can’t deny it—you feel it as much as I do.” She brushed the hair from his forehead and ran her fingers down the side of his cheekbone.
“Aye, I willna deny I felt it, too, but I think . . .”
“No, wait. Just hear me out. And if you still want to stop, I’ll understand.”
Her gaze searched his face, waiting for his response.
He grasped a few locks of her hair and nodded.
“I’d like to experience how it feels to have a man make love to me while I’m still a woman with all my senses.” She lowered her head. Tears fell from her eyes and fell on his chest. “Before I turn into a beast.”
He wiped the tears from her cheek. “Ye’re a beautiful woman. Any man would be a bloody fool not for wantin’ to make love to you. But ye dinna know anything about me, lass. I’m afraid ye might regret asking a scoundrel such as meself to be yer first.”
“Besides you turning into a wolf, I already know you’re a good man.” She placed her palm across his heart and smiled. “I could tell from the first time I laid eyes on you in Keara’s sketch. Any man willing to sacrifice his own life to save another is a hero in my book. But there’s one more thing I should tell you—I come from a long line of witches.”
“I know.” His hands caressed the length of her back. He leaned up and gently eased her back on the bed.
“But how . . . ?”
Kalista raised her head and blinked. She whimpered from being disturbed and spread her wings before flying across the cabin and settling down on an extra blanket sprawled across Quinn’s desk. The miniature dragon wandered around in a circle before plopping herself down and wrapping her tail around her body. She closed her eyes and fell back asleep.
Quinn chuckled right before reclaiming Beth’s sweet lips with his mouth. His body moved, partially covering hers. She moaned as he traced his fingertip across her budding nipples. Her fingers dug into his back muscles and gradually worked their way down to his buttocks.
His hands eagerly explored her body, arousing her passion. She groaned in pleasure and arched her back, raising her hips toward him. He sensed her thrill of excitement, making his own desires grew stronger.
His staff grew long and hard, and he moved on top of her. She wrapped her legs around him, her womanhood touching his groin. His hand caressed her thigh. His fingers gently probed inside her, and she gasped. Her hand eagerly fondled the head of his hard muscled rod between her fingers.
“I promise, lass. It will only hurt for a moment.” Her blue eyes locked with his as he gradually lowered himself inside her warmth and pushed his hardness deeper inside of her. A moan escaped her lips. Her body, covered in sweat, trembled beneath him. She welcomed him into her inviting womb. Fired by nature’s needs, her responses eager and encouraging. Her body rose in harmony and matched his thrusts. Like a hot rushing tide, the passion raged through both of them, hurtling them to heights of incredible desire. With one final thrust, she quivered beneath his shuddering body.
Quinn rolled on his back and cradled Beth to his side. With a sigh of exhaustion, she laid her head on his chest and whispered, “Thank you.”
Surprised by her eagerness to resume their lovemaking without taking a break, a fresh spurt of energy and excitement surged through his veins. She kissed his neck, easing her lathered body on top of his. Sensing her enthusiasm to take her turn and do some exploring of her own, he smiled, as he pushed the long curls behind her neck and gazed into her alluring blue pools. With no trace of the she-wolf’s fiery amber blaze, he realized her human desires were in total control. Quinn groaned, as she teasingly awakened his stirring passions. “You learn quickly, Bri’din.”
“That sounds lovely. What does it mean?”
“It’s Scottish for little one.”
Her eyes twinkling, she smiled down at him. “I have an excellent teacher. Please, teach me more. I’m eager to learn, before it’s too late.”
Chapter 8
Beth woke. Her body jerked, startled, and she sat up in bed. Her hand rubbed the empty sheet next to her. She glanced at the floor and noticed no signs of the Highlander’s clothes. She brushed her hair back and wondered if Quinn really spent the night with her or if it was only a dream. The quivering sensation between her loins answered her question. The heat raced from between her legs and spread through her body, aching for his touch. Under the circumstances, she refused to be ashamed of what happened. She was a woman with serious needs, and Quinn McCord was the only man that could finally quench her thriving thirst.
Her imagination had been running wild these past few days. Her original home in twenty-first-century Maryland was no comparison to the life she’d been leading the past seven years. No one would have ever believed any of this. They would have locked her away in a psych ward for sure.
She glanced at her arm. The mark was still there. This wasn’t a dream, and she had to deal with the fact she’d soon turn into a hideous beast. Beth trembled at the mere thought. Not to mention the problem with her best friend Darby vanishing right before her eyes. He’d never leave her on purpose. He must be in trouble. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms and jumped out of bed. Darby would know how to get her of this mess. Squeezing the gemmed necklace in her fingers, she whispered, “By the Goddess, Darby, I pray you’re ok.”
Her belly growled. The hours of lovemaking had made her ravenous. McGregor’s tray still sat on the table with a bit of honey left. Still naked, she hurried and stuck her finger, covered with the sticky substance, in her mouth and spotted her clothes. Damn, I can’t go up on deck and walk around wearing that. They’re in shreds.
The c
abin door sprung open, and in flew Kalista carrying a woven willow basket in her mouth. Like a hummingbird, she fluttered and darted in front of Beth and dropped the basket in her hands.
Beth grabbed a sheet and wrapped it around herself before lifting the linen napkin cover. She peeked inside, removed three warm biscuits, and set them on the table. Her belly growling, she hurried and spread honey on top and offered the first one to Kalista. The miniature dragon gulped it down in one swallow and glided back out the door. Beth licked her fingers and smiled, feeling better already. She noticed an old dented, round tin inside the basket and removed the lid. The container held some needles and threads.
“Good afternoon, lass. I trust ye slept well.” McGregor grinned as he hobbled inside and poured a bucket of water in the matching flower washbowl and pitcher.
Beth gripped the cover tighter around the top of her breast. She noticed McGregor’s eyebrows raise as his eyes wandered from the strewn sheets on the bed to the crumpled nightshirt she’d tossed on the floor. Her neck grew warm.
“It’s time to take a look at yer arm, but I’ll leave ye alone so ye can clean up a wee bit. I’ll bring more hot tea since ye’re awake.” McGregor smiled and lowered his eyes, his feet shuffled.
Kalista fluttered her wings and broke the awkward silence. McGregor cleared his throat and headed to the door. “I’ll be back soon, lass.”
Beth hurried and dipped one of the soft linens in the cold water and laid it across her chest. She closed her eyes and sighed, remembering Quinn’s expert hands roaming over her body. She groaned and bit her lip. The wet cloth felt refreshing against her skin. She hurried and finished bathing before wrapping her hair into a braid behind her neck.
Beth stooped in front of her clothes and lifted the tattered skirt from the floor. It’s going to take a major miracle—and more than a needle and thread—to fix this.
She straightened herself and headed for the desk to remove the dirk from the top drawer. After spreading the material across the table, she studied the remains and cut a few narrow strips from the bottom hem. Well, here goes nothing.
Between a few interruptions from McGregor dropping by with tea and Kalista flying back and forth with more buttons and fancy notions, it took most of the morning before she finished. Beth was quite happy with the results.
Anxious for a breath of fresh air and the warmth of the sun hitting her face, she hurried to try on her handiwork. After one last look in the mirror, she straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, and, with Kalista fluttering in front of her, headed up the wooden steps to meet the crew. Her heart hammering, she wondered if she’d ever see her beloved Isle of Skye again.
“What in the devil is goin’ on now?”
Quinn spotted his crew bunched in a huddle on the starboard side of the Sea Wolf like a cluster of birds gathered around morsels of breadcrumbs.
He sprinted, eager to discover the cause of the commotion and pushed his way through the silenced men, stopping short when he spotted his lovely guest as the main attraction of their avid attention.
Centered right in the middle of a pool of water, scattered across the deck from a shattered barrel, was Beth. She was kneeling in front of one of his men, named Gunther.
Beth’s long, bare legs caught his attention first, as she knelt in front of his mate, inspecting his hand. Her thick hair was braided in a long plait behind her head and woven with strips of red tartan ribbon. Wearing one of Quinn’s shirts, knotted in front of her waist, and her skirt hiked above her knees, she leaned over, consoling her wounded patient.
“It’s wedged in there quite deep and needs to come out. I need something sharp and bigger than a needle.” Beth smiled and squeezed Gunther’s humongous hand. “Kalista, I’ll need your help. Please get me Quinn’s knife.”
A giant of a man, towering over seven feet tall when he stood, Gunther kept to himself for the most part. Gunther wouldn’t speak. Quinn didn’t know if Gunther was born that way or just didn’t like talking to people. Quinn communicated with the man by reading his thoughts.
Quinn rubbed his chin and stood over them, spotting the splintered wood shard from the barrel sticking out of the middle of Gunther’s hand. Beth gazed up at him and smiled. “It’s a nasty one, but I’m sure I can get it out.”
Gunther’s attention was concentrated on Beth’s lovely face and her soft-spoken voice. His neck tilted to one side.
Kalista glided through the air, gripping the dagger in her mouth, and lowered her head, waiting patiently for Beth to take it.
“This might hurt a wee bit.” Beth peered into Gunther’s eyes and smiled. Gunther nodded. The gentle giant’s face towered way above her own. “Try to concentrate on something pleasant. I promise not to hurt you anymore than I have to.”
Like a trusting child, Gunther lifted his chin, bit his lower lip, and closed one eye while watching her closely. Beth expertly removed the embedded splinter of wood from Gunther’s hand in no time. With a ladle of fresh water from a nearby bucket, she rinsed his hand with clear liquid and wrapped clean linen strips around the wound.
“Those barrels dinna usually break like that. I’m just glad Gunther didna get hurt any worse than he did,” Quinn remarked, surveying the broken wood panels sprawled across the deck as he offered Beth his hand to help her to her feet.
The gentle giant’s cheeks flushed bright red, and his gaze hastily slipped to the floor.
“Mo creach. No wonder Gunther dropped the bloody barrel. Woman! Have ye gone totally daft and lost yer senses?” Quinn scooped Beth off her feet, and like a light sack of potatoes, shifted her body over his shoulder. “Ye canna come on board wearing the likes of something like that around me men. ’Tis not decent. I willna allow it.”
“Not decent?” Resisting, Beth squirmed in his arms. “Quinn McCord, you put me down this instant.”
“Not until ye put some clothes on. No woman of mine is gonna flaunt herself, half-naked. Ye must still be burnin’ with fever. I’ll get ye straight to bed and have McGregor come doctor ye.” She didna’ appear fevered, but no woman in her right mind would parade around a group of men wearing short bloomers. His crew would understand, once he explained. “Go on, all of ye, and mind yer business. The lass is still ill and doesna know what she’s doin’.”
Her eyes narrowed and her feet kicked by his side as she swung her arms and smacked his shoulders. “I’m not your woman. And these are shorts, considered decent from where I come from. I’m warning you. You put me down right now, or else I’ll do something to help persuade you.”
Quinn couldn’t help himself—he laughed. “I doubt a wee lass like ye can do verra much harm.”
“You want to bet?” Beth stopped her struggling, crossed her arms in front of her chest, and smiled. She leaned forward, her face barely touching his, and she whispered in his ear, “I’ll tell your crew that you’re holding me against my will and you hid of all my clothes to keep me from coming out of your cabin. Then I can tell them how I found these strange garments tucked beneath your mattress.”
Quinn shook his head. “Nice try, lass. My men will nev’r believe ye. Ye’d give them a hearty laugh for the day.”
Her eyes sparkled mischievously. She was up to something. “I could always tell the men about that ticklish spot I found right behind your . . .”
“Ye wouldna dare.” Quinn frowned, staring at her.
“Try me.” Beth leaned back and fluttered her long eyelashes at him. She glanced at the crew and smiled before she refocused her attention back on him. “This is one time, Captain, that you have to trust me. I promise, I’ll behave and act like a proper lady once you put me down.”
The giant, Gunther, strolled over and grabbed Quinn’s arm. His eyes widened as he stared down at Beth and he nodded his head. Quinn sighed and frowned in defeat, lowering Beth until her feet stood on the deck.
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Steadying herself with her legs spread apart and her right hip jutted to one side, she wiped a whisk of hair from her forehead and planted both hands on her hips.
“Thank you, Captain.” Beth’s face beamed, and she winked at Gunther, towering above her. “And thank you, Gunther. Kalista and I will come by later and take another look at your hand.”
Gunther leaned down and Beth kissed his cheek.
“I’m afraid he’s smitten by you, lass. He’ll act like your protective big brother now.” Quinn stood, shaking his head, watching the gentle giant stroll away. “Wait. How did ye know his name? He canna talk.”
“Oh, but he can in his own way. You just have to know how to listen.” Beth smiled and grabbed Quinn’s hand. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “After last night, I think we both have a lot of explaining to do.”
Quinn grinned. “If ye show me anythin’ more like these breeches ye call shorts, aye, lass, I’m lookin’ forward to it. I have a feelin’ there is much to learn.”
McGregor’s crutch thudded across the deck. Quinn spied a pair of men’s breeks carried under his other arm. “Beggin’ yer pardon, Captin’. I believe these might help to put everyone more at ease. Here, lass. Ye might feel a wee bit more comfortable wearin’ these.”
Quinn nodded.
Beth accepted the trousers. Her cheeks turned a rosy shade of red as she held out her hand to accept them. “Thank you, McGregor.”
Her hands trembled, her body swayed side to side, and she dropped the breeches to the floor. Quinn grabbed her arm to keep her from falling and swept her in his arms. “What’s wrong, lass?”
“I can’t wear them. They reek of evil.” Her eyes widened, and her voice quivered. “Can’t you smell it?”