Highlands at Dawn

by Aliyah Burke

  “Mal” he rasped.

  “Yes,” she replied.

  He withdrew and pulled her jeans down. Removing one boot, he then stripped a leg of jeans and underwear. Moments later, she was groaning in pleasure as he filled her with his cock. He inched into her slowly, allowing her to get used to his size.

  “Move,” she begged.

  So he did. Back and forth. In and out. He thrust his hips, grinding into her. Alternating speed and depth until she writhed on the cool ground, begging for more. Billy rose above her, staring into her eyes. Behind him, the ribbons pulsed and grew darker, richer in their hue.

  “Mal,” he said.

  “What?” She could hardly form a coherent thought. Tightening her pussy around him, she smiled at his expression of gratification.

  He didn’t speak, just angled her hips and began driving forward with unrelenting strokes. She wrapped her bare leg around his waist and worked with him. They ebbed and flowed together.

  She bit her lip as she approached the precipice once more, not wanting to cry out. Billy reached between them and stimulated her clit again and she lost it. Her cry was ripped from her chest and filled the air as he came, deep inside her.

  He lay on her and she could feel his heart pounding, even through their clothing. As her breathing evened out, she began to realize what it was she’d just done.

  I just screwed a virtual stranger in the middle of a forest along a path. Not only that, but I didn’t use any protection. What the bloody hell was I thinking?

  He withdrew from her pussy and put himself away before assisting her back into her clothes. She didn’t want to accept his help but really, it wasn’t like he hadn’t just shot his cum inside her. What difference did it make now if he helped her slide her leg back into a pair of underwear and pants? He also put her hiking boot back on and re-laced it for her.

  After he’d finished that, he moved up beside her and kissed her again. Just like that, most of her sense vanished and she pulled away. “No, no. We can’t do that again.”

  He canted his head to the side then sat beside her. “Why not?”

  “Besides the fact I really don’t know you? Um…it’s not safe. We didn’t even use protection. I don’t know what you could have and you don’t know what I could have.”

  “I’m betting you’re clean, and so am I.”

  He didn’t sound at all perturbed by this. Why didn’t he? She asked him.

  “We have so much to talk about, Mal.”

  “Now you want to talk? Now? After you just fucked me.”

  The smirk on his face didn’t help her anger.

  “Couldn’t have talked before?”

  “I tried, remember? You kicked me out of your apartment.”

  “Flat. I live in a flat, and that’s neither here nor there. Since that didn’t work, you figured you’d try to fuck me in hopes of putting me in a good mood to talk?”

  “You were just as into it as I was. I didn’t hear you say no.”

  She took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I’m sorry for that. It’s just a bit new for me to go around fucking strangers in the forest.” She glanced up and saw the colors still there, just lighter. “And given all this freaky crap I just went through before the sex, I guess we should talk.”

  Before she could say another word, he leaned in close and kissed her again. As it had previously, her body went haywire. She couldn’t have been more wired had she been hooked up to some livewires.

  It ended just as suddenly as it began and she sat on the ground looking up at Billy, who stood there offering her a hand. She flicked her gaze from his hand to his face. He watched her, composed and looking totally the opposite of what she felt. Aroused. Rumpled. Needy.

  She stood on without his assistance and made a show of shoving her hands into her own pockets. It won’t do me any good to touch him again. That much is certain. “So talk.” She began walking, grateful it didn’t take too long for her wobbly legs to fix themselves and be steady beneath her.

  “The two men—”

  “The two you killed.”

  He sliced his gaze to her and she mashed her lips together.

  “The two men were from The New Order.” Billy grasped her arm and turned her so they were face-to-face. “Let’s get one thing clear, right now, Malmuirie Gordon. I will kill as many as I have to in order of keeping you alive and safe. The more they send, the more they lose.” He released her and set off again.

  The amount of possessiveness in his tone as he’d uttered those words was enough to make her need to clamp her legs together again. I need mental help if I’m thinking of this as a good thing. What woman is happy to hear a man say such things? Apparently her. She got the not-so-hidden message to keep quiet however, and let the man speak.

  “The New Order will continue to send more men after you until they acquire what it is they want.”

  “Right, my belt-necklace.”

  He stared at her again with raised eyebrows. So much for keeping my mouth shut. It’s not my fault. I’ve always had a smart mouth.

  “The other things were demons.”

  She snorted and held her hand over her lips to try to keep it in. He stopped again and faced her, positioning himself directly in front of her.

  “You telling me you didn’t see those things with the wings flying at you? Screeching? Wanting to rip you open from the gut and eat your entrails?”

  She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Stop trying to gross me out. I’m a surgeon, we can talk stuff like that all day and it won’t faze me. Yes, I saw them, didn’t think they were demons though. Sorry, I didn’t know there was proper protocol for hearing about demons for the first time.”

  He didn’t seem at all put out. In fact, he gave her an amused look before spinning around and walking again. She hastened to catch up and fell into step beside him.

  “They won’t stop, Mal.”

  “So why don’t I just give them the necklace, I can always go up and get another one.”

  “No!” His sharp response fell instantly.

  She blinked a few times before narrowing her gaze. “So let me get this straight… Some pyscho dudes are after me because of this thing”—she grabbed the charm hanging down and held it away from her body—“but I can’t give it to them knowing they will kill me if they don’t get it?”

  “They get it…they’ll still kill you.”

  They broke free of the conifers into an open field with tall, waving grass and a beautiful breeze. She crossed her arms and lifted her face to the sky.

  “Why? If that’s what they’re after then why would they need to kill me?”

  “It’s what they do. Plus, you’re marked for one of the Guardians.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Oh, well, in that case…”

  “You’re not listening to me.”

  She ground her jaw and tapped her toe along the path. “Actually, I am. And you’re speaking crazy. I can have you admitted if you like. We have a pretty good psych ward here. You could get some help.”

  Billy squared off with her, his face unreadable. “There will be no admitting me anywhere like that. How do I get you to believe this isn’t a game? These men and these demons will kill you. Yes, even if you give them the necklace…belt. It may buy you some more time but they will be back. They’re driven by something larger, something more powerful than they are.”

  “And that would be?” Unease was beginning to roil in her gut.

  “The New Order wants to recreate the world in a darker, much darker, image. They long for the anarchy and chaos which used to reign.”

  “And this”—she touched it again—“is a threat to that?”

  “Yes,” he said, apparently relieved she was understanding.

  Mal walked a bit further until they reached another loch. She walked toward the edge and sat, legs bent and her chin upon her knees.

  “I fail to see how it can be a threat to changing the world
—or me.”

  “Because that item is an artifact and you are the person who can—or rather did—activate it, so it can become part of the whole which is needed to call forth the hope for the world.”

  In that instant, she was awash with overwhelming dread. Swallowing, she did her best to force it away. “Well, so long as it’s nothing all that big or important.”

  Chapter Three

  Billy lowered himself to the ground beside her. He knew she was besieged by all that had just happened. It wasn’t easy for him either. He wanted nothing more than to gather her close, lay her back and love her properly.

  The heat that had arched between them in the forest had only increased his craving. He watched her as she stared out over the lake—no…loch. Her hair, again under her cap, shone in the sun and her skin had a healthy sheen to it. Full lips, which were amazing to kiss, were shiny, for she continually licked them. Something he wanted to do.

  Now wasn’t the time. He had to get her to understand the seriousness of the situation they were embroiled in.

  “I know this seems like a lot to take in, especially all of a sudden.”

  “Why you?”

  He frowned. “Excuse me?”

  “Why you? Why were you the one who came here to protect me?”

  “I was the one who was available.”

  She made a slight grunt. “Do you believe in the Loch Ness Monster?”

  “Nessie?”

  “Yes. Do you?”

  He tipped his head slightly to the left. “Never really thought about it. Not sure.”

  “I was raised here. I’d heard about Nessie so much but I never saw…anyway, I always believed in Nessie. I’m not sure why I’m having a hard time believing in the demons. I saw them. Perhaps it’s because Nessie isn’t evil. At least, not in my mind.”

  “I wish I could tell you the demons weren’t real, but I won’t lie to you about that. They are real, very much so and they will kill you. Some can even shape-shift to look like a human.”

  “So how do I know you’re not one?”

  “Because I don’t smell like sulfur and because of this.” He touched the wishbone shape hanging around her neck. As before, the ribbons of color poured from it, surrounding them in purples and greens.

  “What is that?” She reached up and submerged her hand into a purple ribbon, a ghost of a smile teasing her lips.

  “That shows that you’ve found your mate.”

  She stiffened. He waited and sure enough, she slowly faced him, lowering her hand. “What did you say?”

  “You heard me, Mal.”

  “Are you saying this thing is telling me that you and I are somehow locked together?”

  “Exactly.”

  “And why didn’t you lead with this when you were in my place?”

  “I didn’t know then.”

  “You didn’t know?” Her skepticism was palpable.

  He shook his head. “I had no clue. All I knew was you had the artifact I needed and the others were after.”

  “You say you needed but the others were after. Isn’t it the same thing? Aren’t you after it as well?”

  “I need it. We need it.”

  “I’m guessing that’s what they’re saying as well.”

  “I’m nothing like those who are after you.” He hated the implication that he was even in the same ballpark.

  “Sure you are. So far, the only difference I see is that you aren’t trying to kill me. But all of you are after me for this.” She shot to her feet and before he could move, she had removed it from her neck. “So here, take it and leave me alone.” Mal dropped it in his lap and walked off.

  The colors continued to flow from it but when he stared at the stone in the center, he noticed streaks of white that hadn’t been there before. He rose and jogged after her, halting her with a hand on her arm.

  “That’s not how this is going to work.”

  “Why not? You got what you came for—even got some sex as well.”

  He shook his head and waited for her to stop talking. “You, Mal. I came for you as well.”

  Another disbelieving snort. “Really? After you just said you came because you were the available one? I should believe you came for me.”

  “You should, because it’s true.”

  “Know what else is true? You’re freaking me out.” She waved a hand through the air. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

  “What does it tell you here?” He settled a hand over her heart. Billy watched her pupils dilate, the light brown color became heated as she held his gaze.

  “I don’t think it matters what it’s saying.”

  “I think it does.” He stepped closer. “Very much so.”

  “Why are you doing this to me?”

  “What am I doing to you, Mal?” He took away his hand and stood as close as he could without touching her. “I’m telling you the truth. I didn’t know I was here for you because, until I saw you with the lights, I didn’t know you were a mate for one of the Guardians. But the second I knew, I was here for you as well. The artifact is important, but so are you.”

  “One of the Guardians. That’s the second time you’ve mentioned them. Who and what are they?”

  “They are me. Or rather, I’m one of them.”

  “Guardian for what?”

  “Everything.” He encouraged her to walk with him again.

  “This is getting way too confusing for me right now.”

  He understood it was a lot to take in. “Let’s get something to eat and I can explain it more.”

  “You said I could probably buy myself some time if they had a fake one of those. Do you really think it would work?”

  He saw where she was going with that. “I do. Want to take a trip?”

  “Yes. I have to get some clothes though, and let work know.”

  Billy wasn’t going to question why she was willing to do this with him but hopefully he could figure out a way to convince her she was his and he was hers. The remainder of the walk back to the start, he steered the conversation to the beauty surrounding them. She relaxed a bit more the further the discussion got from what she’d gone through.

  His rental sat in the parking lot and he helped her in. As they left, in his periphery he watched her flinch.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh nothing, just wondering if you were going to…erm…perhaps get on the proper side of the road? We drive on the left side here.”

  He grinned and moved the car to the proper lane. “That would explain why so many people were honking their horns at me on my way here.”

  She looked at him but didn’t say a word. Instead she stared out of the window. He parked in front of her flat and followed her inside. Mal didn’t refuse him. In fact, she didn’t speak at all.

  He watched her pull a bag from her closet and pack some clothes in it, even as she spoke on the phone, her brogue so thick he was unable to follow what she was saying. She was quick and efficient. She changed into jeans and a different shirt.

  He noticed she liked slinky undergarments. He heartily approved, for he had every intention of seeing them on her. Then removing them from her. He fingered the belt and charm she’d been wearing, which now resided in his pocket. No color at the moment, but he could feel it adding to his energy.

  She zipped her bag closed and hefted it by the handles. “Let’s go.”

  Billy stared at her a minute.

  “What?”

  “I’ve not been around someone who reacted like you are doing.”

  “Sorry, not sure what proper reaction for this is. All I know is if I can buy myself some more time, I’m in. Then maybe I can get my life back.”

  He stood in her way and made her press close to him to edge by. She gave him a knowing look yet didn’t comment. Her curves brushed along him and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself under control. He didn’t bother hiding his smile, however. At the door, he took her bag from her and led the way to his car. His
stuff already sat in the back and he added hers.

  Once on the road—he stuck to the proper side this time—he tried to figure out what to say. She stretched out her legs and plucked at an imaginary piece of something on her jeans.

  “Can I ask some questions?”

  “Please.”

  “How did you get into this role of guardian? Is it something you volunteer for? Were you recruited?”

  How indeed? “I was chosen.”

  “By who?”

  He mulled over that answer for a few moments. “The cosmos.”

  She expelled a sharp breath. “You say I can ask questions then you give me insane answers like that. Really?”

  “It’s the truth. I’m an Astral Guardian.”

  Billy hadn’t ever said that before, not even to his brethren. He’d never much felt like one—until now. He knew. He knew he was where he belonged.

  “Astral Guardian?”

  “Among those chosen to defend the Keeper of the Stars, the one who calms the beasts.”

  “Who are the beasts?”

  He waved at a driver who had gotten over so he could pass. “They are ones whose fight for supremacy will send us into an age of darkness and anarchy.”

  “I’d really like to believe you were joking there, but I have this sinking feeling you’re not.”

  “I wish I was.” That much was the truth.

  “So.” She cleared her throat. “You’re part of this large organization set to save the world?”

  “Nope, there’s no large organization.”

  “How are you going to pull this off then?”

  “We’re not sure.”

  “That’s comforting,” she replied drolly.

  She didn’t know the half of it. “I need you to come with me.”

  “I am, right now we’re heading up to the Highlands to pick up another one of these trinkets to get those freaks off my back.”

  “No, Mal. That’s not what I mean. I need you to come with me to the States.”

  Had he turned to her and said, “You’re pregnant,” she wouldn’t have been any more shocked.

  Perhaps a little bit more shocked.