Highland Protector (MacCoinnich Time Travels Book Five)

by Bybee, Catherine

  “We’re quite safe from anything like that. I’m sure the maids will report the status of our sheets—”

  “They’ll what?” Status of the sheets?

  “Aye. Proof of my purity, and confirmation we consummated our union. When I say that out loud I realize how barbaric it sounds.”

  “Incredibly.” Though there was no question in his mind Amber wasn’t pure. When he’d breached her thin barrier, he thought for sure he’d hurt her, but when she moved closer and encouraged him to take her, he knew he hadn’t. Sex had always been a pleasurable release, but with Amber, it was so much more.

  She tucked closer and yawned. “I’m sure my father will be pleased in any account. Not that we will be here to feel his pride.”

  He closed his eyes and felt the weight of the day’s events suck his limbs deeper into the bed. “We won’t be here?”

  “Nay. My mother said we’ll be gone by morning.”

  “We will?”

  “So she told me. But I can’t see leaving this bed until the sun is high tomorrow.”

  Lora’s premonition must have been interpreted wrong. Sleep beckoned both of them. When Amber’s breathing evened out and her limbs went lax over him, Kincaid pulled her closer and let his mind rest.

  ****

  Static in the air tickled Kincaid’s nose as he slept. He rolled into the soft sleeping woman in his bed and heard a snap. A blue light filled the room and he shot up in bed.

  Amber was awake in an instant.

  Kincaid felt the air change, grabbed his weapon, and threw Amber her gown. “Quickly.”

  The dark shadow of a man shifted in time and entered their room with hardly a puff of air.

  Friend or foe?

  Beside him, Amber slid the gown over her head, and he moved to shield her from their late-night visitor. Kincaid leveled his weapon before the man turned around.

  “Rory?”

  His green-eyed friend offered a full wattage smile. “It worked.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  You know him? Amber asked.

  “Yes, he’s a branded warrior.” And he was in their bedchambers in a part of time none of them had ever been told to travel. Which meant only one thing…something was about to go down.

  “Time for you to get the hell out of here,” Rory said without as much as a hello. His friend’s eyes traveled to Amber. Kincaid shifted closer and covered her with one of the blankets.

  “Did you come alone?”

  “Had to. Now get dressed.”

  Amber grasped Kincaid’s arm. “What’s happening?”

  “I don’t know, love. But if Rory is here, it must mean we’re meant to leave.” Kincaid shot his eyes to his friend. “Turn around, mate.”

  Rory wiggled his eyebrows and presented them his back. Kincaid wrapped the kilt he’d had on the night before around his waist while Amber pulled a cape over her shoulders to hide her near-naked state.

  “Hurry.”

  Kincaid found his weapons in the trunk by the bed, and began strapping them on. He handed Amber the clothes he wore when he first arrived.

  Noise from the hall was brief and then the door to the room swung open.

  “Cian?”

  Her brother stood in the doorway, a sword in his hand.

  “What are you doing here?” Kincaid didn’t like the look on the man’s face, nor the stance in his frame.

  Cian looked beyond the men and straight at Amber.

  Hate boiled from the Highlander. There was no possible way Amber didn’t feel his emotion. “Let it go, Cian,” Kincaid told him.

  Cain shifted his stare to the bed and cursed under his breath. “I’m too late.”

  “What are you talking about?” Amber pushed between him and Rory. “Too late for what?”

  Stand back, Amber.

  But instead of listening, she stepped forward, forcing Kincaid to move closer to her angry brother.

  “It isn’t what you think…the prophecy can’t be about us. Please, Cian, you’re my brother. I’ve loved you since the day I was born.”

  Kincaid felt her heart breaking when her brother’s face didn’t soften.

  She hesitated and stepped back. “You came in here to take me away.”

  Cian narrowed his eyes. “And how can you know that, Amber? Your gift only allows you to feel my hate, not my intentions.”

  “We need to go,” Rory said behind them.

  “I feel your hate and your sorrow. What happened to the love in your heart, Cian? You don’t need to worry about me, but yourself.”

  Cian took a step forward and lowered his sword. “All of us now need to worry about you. I will see this undone.”

  “Back off, Cian!”

  Kincaid thickened the layer of protection over them and extended his gift to Rory. He pulled Amber close and glared at her brother who was causing her so much pain.

  The air sparked and Kincaid shifted time.

  The moment they landed in Dawson’s Manor, Amber curled into his shoulder and released a sob.

  “Shh. It’s okay.”

  “He hates me.”

  “He’s angry and confused. Don’t cry.”

  Rory moved away from the two of them and circled the room. “Are we where I think we are?”

  “Mrs. Dawson’s home in the twenty-first century.”

  “It’s changed.”

  Amber pulled out of his arms and lifted her chin. “Thank you for warning us.”

  “Ah, you’re welcome, Miss…”

  “It’s Mrs…” Kincaid corrected his friend. “Mrs. Kincaid.”

  Rory’s jaw dropped. “Really?”

  “Amber Kincaid, formerly Amber MacCoinnich.”

  Rory went ghost-white. “Holy hell. Colleen told me to be prepared for anything. To grab you and leave. I don’t…she didn’t say…Holy hell.”

  Kincaid knew how his friend felt. Good thing Rory only met up with Cian. Although the impression of the family by that one man wasn’t a good one.

  “Does Colleen need you to return right away?”

  Rory shrugged. “I thought we’d both return there.”

  Kincaid looked at his wife. “No. Not yet anyway.”

  His friend offered a small smile. “Well then, I guess I’m going back alone.” They shook hands and Rory pulled him into a man-hug. “Be well.”

  Rory took Amber’s hand and kissed the back of it. “M’lady. I never thought I’d have the pleasure.”

  “Thank you.”

  Rory winked and said, “Good luck with that one.”

  She smiled though Kincaid knew her thoughts were still on her brother’s reaction.

  “Until we meet again.”

  They both stood back while Rory chanted and shifted forward in time.

  ****

  The house had yet to stir. Their presence went undetected. Gavin drew a warm bath and joined her in the scented soap.

  “Is this going to be our life?” she asked him as he ran a hand down her arm and chased the bubbles in his path.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Moving in and out of time, following the path set by the warriors in your time?”

  He released a long-suffering sigh. “I don’t know, Amber. I can’t help but believe we are exactly where we need to be for now. Look how quickly we left your home. I think we both doubted your mother’s words.”

  “My mother has never been wrong.”

  “Then I doubted her enough for both of us.”

  Amber laughed and the sound warmed him. “You simply didn’t want to get out of bed.”

  She felt his lips on the side of her neck and she moaned.

  “Why would I want to leave my bed with you in it?”

  Her head rolled back onto his shoulder and she offered him her lips. He kissed her thoroughly and ran his hand down her body.

  She broke away. “I have a feeling we’ll be spending a lot of extra time in our bed.”

  “There are more places to make love than a bed.”
To emphasize his words his hand slid up her legs and in-between the heated folds of her sex.

  “Aye. You’ve already shown me that.”

  His hand fell away, and he grasped her hips and lifted her to the edge of the tub. “I have many, many things to teach you.”

  The chill of the outside air didn’t compare to the excitement of seeing Gavin kneel before her and lean in to kiss her breast. She squeezed his shoulders as he worked his way to her other side. This would never get old. She understood now why her sisters were always so animated when they talked about sex.

  Gavin slid down farther.

  I’m going to taste you now.

  She didn’t understand, not completely. Yet when she opened her eyes, she saw him hovering over her most intimate parts as if he were about to embark on a feast.

  Gavin, no. Embarrassment flooded her mind.

  One taste, and if you want me to stop, I will.

  His feather light touch on her thighs reassured and coaxed her to open for him. One.

  She couldn’t watch him, not while he was so close.

  That’s it, love, close your eyes and just feel.

  Then he tasted her, his tongue sought her tight bundle of nerves and she cried out, God’s teeth.

  More?

  Yes. A million times, yes.

  He did…a million times more, until she saw stars and climaxed harder than she ever had before.

  The world didn’t still before Gavin pulled her from the tub and carried her to their bed. He was on her, in her, in seconds. The sensation was different from the first time. He didn’t push thoughts of his pleasure into her head, and she experienced more of hers. Where his thickness scared her before, it excited her now.

  He touched the very back of her core, finding another spot that made her need of him even stronger.

  Gavin’s hungry kisses continued as he rolled her on top of him. The change of angle brought on a small burst of his seed.

  “I want all of it,” she told him as she met his pace and felt her body grow tight again.

  “Together,” he said and hissed out with each thrust of his hips.

  The wave was nearly on her. The desire to feel him release inside her, against her deepest spot, drove her harder. Now, Gavin. Finish me now.

  Their surrender shattered them both.

  Her breath came in short pants, and the walls around them grew silent. “Please tell me no one else heard that.”

  Gavin laughed beneath her. “Only me.”

  She laughed a big hearty laugh until Gavin joined her.

  “The next time I say no, please remind me of our bathtub.”

  “I’ll do that.” Gavin ran his hands down her body that had collapsed against his. “And then I’ll taste you again.”

  “That really was magnificent. Does it feel the same for you?”

  “You mean your lips on me?”

  “Aye.”

  “I’ve always thought men had the better end of that bargain, but after feeling your pleasure, I’m not so sure.”

  “You felt my pleasure?”

  “Every drop.”

  She couldn’t be embarrassed. Not with him.

  “Well, we will just have to see if you feel the same.”

  Gavin threw his arms to the side. “I’ve created a monster.”

  “I think you like the monster.”

  He rolled her under him in the space of one breath. “I think I love the monster.”

  Amber’s laugh caught in her throat. You think you love me?

  He placed a palm to her face. “I don’t know what else to call the emotion inside of me, Amber. I only know I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you.”

  “What if it’s just our bond ruling your heart?”

  Gavin shook his head. “Then sign me up to say the vows again. I would never have chosen to leave my home for anyone, but I can’t think of going anywhere without you. It’s as if I found my place in this crazy world, and that place is with you.”

  “You’ve taken the words out of my mouth. I thought the knowledge I wasn’t to live in my parents’ time would bother me, but all I thought of was you. Of us. If this is love I don’t want the feeling to ever end.”

  Gavin leaned down and kissed her softly.

  “We’ll figure it out together.”

  “Aye, together.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Amber chose a pair of black pants and a pull over knit shirt that hugged her body to wear for the day. It reminded her of her husband, of his dress and demeanor. The fabric was flexible and, to add to her mobility, she pulled her hair back into a band so only one long strand fell down her back. She should probably remove some of the length. It simply wasn’t practical in this time. Maybe Helen could help her with that later in the day.

  She stood by the window and watched the hues of the sun stretch over the horizon.

  Those in the house were just starting to stir. She thought of her gift and opened herself up to the emotions of others. Slowly the pulse of Helen and Simon seeped into her. Their anxiety rolled from their images in Amber’s head. Giles, if she had to guess, slept with disturbing dreams.

  Selma was close as well. Only when Amber thought of her friend, all her emotions were overruled by someone. Jake. Aye, she was with Jake and they were…Amber felt the room warm and turned off her inner voyeur.

  Mrs. Dawson slept soundly. Her dreams didn’t penetrate Amber’s head.

  There was two other souls close by. Children. And their sorrow was so deep Amber clenched her shirt over her heart. “Poor babies.” They’d lost something and grieved.

  Amber tucked away the children’s grief and focused on taking a deep breath. Gavin’s shield built up around her, one thin layer at a time, until it moved everyone’s emotions to the opposite side. I’m getting better at that.

  Gavin walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist. “You’re getting much better at that.”

  “’Tis because of you. Your gift.”

  “It’s because of your strength.”

  They walked hand in hand down the stairs and into the kitchen. Amber moved about to put water on to boil for tea while Gavin brewed coffee.

  Giles found them first.

  “Somehow I knew you’d both just pop back up.”

  Gavin shook his friend’s hand. “Just a short trip to meet the in-laws.”

  Giles nearly dropped the cup he’d just picked up. “You’re kidding!”

  “Most intense few days of my life.”

  The librarian blinked, his jaw slacked open.

  Amber laughed.

  “Ian? Lora?”

  “All of them.” Gavin removed the cup from Amber’s hand and kissed her temple.

  “I thought I heard your voice,” Helen said as she walked into the kitchen. She headed straight to Amber and hugged her. “You have to stop scaring us. It’s giving me grey hair.”

  Amber chuckled. “No more running off.”

  Helen looked deep. “You sure?”

  “Aye. I’m sure. No matter what happens, Gavin and I will see it through together.”

  When Simon strode into the room, he lifted Amber off the ground in a hug. “How is everyone at home?”

  “How did you know that’s where we were?”

  “A guess.”

  “As time would have it, I arrived shortly after they left us here. Hardly an hour had passed. They were surprised, of course. But in the end my father gave us his blessing.”

  Simon looked at Gavin. “He knows of your ancestors?”

  “We told him everything we know. There’s yet to be any real evidence of that prophecy being about us.”

  Helen shoved her husband’s arm. “That’s what I said. There isn’t any proof of anything.”

  “There is no confirmation I’m not of her blood either. However, neither one of us have noticed anything awful happening inside of us.”

  “I suppose we’ll simply have to let time decide.”

  Amb
er sat at the table and reached a hand toward Gavin. He clasped it and kissed her fingers. We have time.

  We do.

  Amber glanced up to see Simon watching her. She smiled. “They send their love and congratulations on your child.”

  After pouring a cup of coffee, Simon sat opposite of Gavin. “Everyone is well then?”

  Amber nearly nodded, then thought of Cian. “Cian didn’t approve of our union.”

  Simon seemed to soak that information in before he said, “I’m not surprised. He’s become harder these past years.”

  We need to tell them, Gavin told her.

  The last thing she wanted was to soil her brother’s name, but if he were to appear there now, everyone would need to know what he’d tried to do.

  “I can’t.”

  Gavin squeezed her hand.

  “You can’t what?” Helen asked.

  “The night of our handfasting, we were awakened by Rory,” Gavin made eye contact with Giles. “A warrior of my time. He told us we needed to leave immediately.”

  “Why?”

  “We don’t always know why we’re sent in time. If we’d left immediately as Rory wanted, we wouldn’t have known why.”

  “What happened?”

  “Cian arrived uninvited.”

  Simon’s body tightened. “Arrived?”

  Amber needed to tell the rest of the story. “He wanted to take me away from Gavin. His anger was thick, Simon. Hateful.”

  “Did he want to harm you?”

  God’s teeth she didn’t want to believe her own brother would. “I-I don’t know. We didn’t stay to interrogate him. He vowed to undo what was done.”

  “Undo?” Helen asked. “Undo what?”

  Amber shrugged. “Our union, our bonding? I don’t know. Our shield was thick and I couldn’t read all his emotions.” Yet she knew that wasn’t entirely true. Her brother was willing to do anything needed to undo her bond with Gavin. Anything.

  “He’s changed over the years,” Simon said.

  “Do you think he’s dangerous?” Gavin asked.

  “He’s a fierce warrior. Our enemies had no mercy at the end of his sword.”

  Gavin looked to Giles. “I suppose we need to study his history. See if there’s anything we need to watch.”

  Amber wasn’t sure what bothered her more, the fact Cian would have kidnapped her to get her away from her husband, or the fact Simon wasn’t surprised by her brother’s actions.