His body readied itself for her, hardening, lengthening, swelling. He pressed her closer and she rubbed her breasts against his chest.
"Oh, Alex, I need you. Love me, Alex, make me feel safe again."
He stepped away from her and took the plaid off her shoulders. Spreading it on the ground in front of them, he reached for her hand. She gave it to him, and Alex pressed it on his belt buckle. She smiled and tugged on the belt. It loosened, and the plaid fell to his feet, exposing his desire to her.
Before she could move, he grabbed the edge of her shift and pulled it over her head. They stood, inches apart, and he enjoyed the anticipation of her touch. He didn't have to wait long for it. Maggie reached for his hardness and slid her hand along the satiny smooth surface. Up and down she stroked, teasing the sac below his erection with her fingers. He held his breath when she knelt before him and moved her mouth closer.
He was going to die.
He knew it as he felt her breath on his manhood. He could not allow her to do this—he would explode. The first contact of her tongue sent a jolt through him; his knees buckled, and he couldn't stand any longer. As they slid to the plaid, he gathered her back into his arms.
He would never let her go.
* * *
Maggie moaned at the feeling of Alex's hardness entering her body. It had been so long since they joined this way. He filled her emptiness, the one at her woman's core and the one in her soul. As he moved deeper within her, she wrapped her legs around his.
She would never let him go.
She felt the passion building inside her, thrumming throughout her body with every touch of his hands, his mouth, his sex. He throbbed inside her passage, swelling even more than before, harder, longer with each stroke he made. He surged into her and groaned out her name. She felt his release and exploded with her own, pulsing and quivering from inside out. Her breath stopped as wave after wave of pleasure passed through her. Alex collapsed on her, and she cradled his body between her legs.
Seconds, minutes passed them by. Neither one moved. She didn't want to lose the touch of his skin against here. Alex turned, taking her with him, and wrapped the plaid around them as they rolled.
"Now, snug as two bugs in a rug. Are ye all right, Maggie? Was I too rough?"
She smiled and shook her head at him.
"Nay? I lost control when ye used yer mouth. 'Tis been too long."
"Can you stay, Alex?"
"Brodie said the moon will rise at midnight. I have some time afore I must leave." He laid on his side and she used his arm as a pillow. She could keep touching him while they talked.
"Are you all right, Alex? How are things going in the castle?" As much as she didn't want to admit it, she wanted to hear about Anice. And Struan. And especially about Rachelle and Brodie.
"Am I all right? My God, Maggie, the last time I saw ye, ye were unconscious and bleeding in my bed. Have ye truly recovered or was Struan lying to me?"
"I am okay, Alex. Moira took care of me for the first few days until Struan ordered me to move in with Torra."
"And yer back?" He started to roll her over. She knew he wanted to check her back for himself. She stopped him.
"My back is healed. It's fine, really."
"Did Moira's medicines work then?" She heard the worry in his voice. It made her feel loved.
"They started the healing but..."
"But what?"
"I used some of the antibiotics and the pain medications I had in my backpack. They worked quickly. A couple of days, and the wounds were better."
"Thank God. Did Moira know?"
"She saw me taking the tablets but didn't want to know anything about them."
"Ye are lucky ye had them wi' ye. Ye may have gotten verra ill without them." He held her tighter. "Who is Torra? The woman ye are living wi' here?"
"She is a nice person, Alex. She is Pol's aunt. Moira arranged it, I think. I help her watch her grandchildren during the day. And she's been teaching me Gaelic."
"So, yer safe here."
"For now, I am. But, Alex..."
"Aye, Maggie, I will touch ye there." He slipped his hands under her bottom and caressed her there. She felt rather than heard his chuckling.
"You really need to come up with a new line, Alex MacKendimen."
"Really, lass?" His finger spread her thighs from behind and she felt him coming nearer to the place where she ached.
Again.
Already.
Still.
She held her breath, waiting to see what he would do. She was not disappointed.
"That line seem to work fine wi' ye."
His hands worked their magic again, playing her body like a musician plays his instrument. She gave up her control to his and responded to his every touch. Their pace was slower, and she made him as crazy as he made her. Maggie used her body, her hands, her mouth against him, on him. Their climaxes were long in coming this time, and definitely worth the wait.
* * *
He stood and wrapped the plaid around his waist, securing it with his belt. She watched his every move from her place on the ground.
"If ye keep looking at me that way, I will just take it off again."
"That would be fine with me, Alex. I don't want to let you go."
"And I don't want to let ye go. But, I must. The moon is starting to rise and the darkness will no longer cover my travel."
"Will I see you again?" She feared his answer.
"I canna promise, but I will try. Struan haes threatened to return ye to England if I try to see ye afore the wedding."
"Oh, my God, Alex," she gasped. "Why did you do this?"
"I had to, Maggie. I had to see for myself that ye were weel. And I had to see ye for myself, too!"
She laughed at his words. He reached down, took her hand, and helped her to her feet. She picked up her shift and pulled it over her head.
"So, now you know I'm well. You need to follow Struan's orders, Alex. He is in control of this for now. I'll try to get a message to you when I can."
She couldn't believe he was leaving so soon. She wanted to clutch him and beg him not to leave, but his staying would be dangerous for both of them.
"I will go now, Maggie, but I am not happy about leaving ye here on yer own. I have a bad feeling about the coming weeks."
"Are you a psychic, now, like Moira?" She tried to make light of his fears.
"No, ye know I am not. But heed my warning—I had this feeling afore, and it ended wi' Anice's beating of ye. Be careful." He took her in his arms and kissed her. It was over almost as soon as it started. Then he took a step back and dropped his hands from her shoulders. "Have a care."
Her throat tightened, and she couldn't get any words out. She just nodded at him and watched as he turned and ran down the path, away from the village, away from her.
Tears pooled in her eyes, making it difficult to see his progress. She swiped her hand across her eyes and reached down to pick up the plaid on the ground. Shaking out the dirt and grass, she folded it in half and wrapped it around her shoulders. Looking toward the village, the moon's rays began to shine over the rooftops and the houses. He'd left just in time.
Maggie walked quietly back to Torra's cottage and climbed through the low window in the back. Torra still slept, lying in the same place and position as when they left. Torra turned over and shifted a bit as Maggie lay down on her side of the pallet and closed her eyes.
Torra's hand patted Maggie's shoulder and she murmured some words in Gaelic. Maggie recognized them immediately; they were the same words Alex had taught her. The words for what she and Alex had just done in the forest! Torra knew, but would she say anything about this to Struan?
Maggie fell asleep much later, still praying that Torra was on their side.
* * *
"Weel, did ye see the lass?" The voice came out of the darkness along the side of the path. Brodie stepped into the rays of the moonlight.
"Aye, my friend, I did."
"See her and more, from the look of ye. Is she wearing the same smile as ye?" Brodie's eyes lit as he continued his teasing.
"'Twas what we both needed. Thank ye again for yer help in this." Brodie had shown him the postern gate and how to get out of the keep without being seen by the guards.
"Do not thank me 'til we are sleeping in our beds safely. We still have to get back inside."
"Weel, lead the way. The moon is rising fast, and we must get back as soon as we can." Alex held out his hand, gesturing for Brodie to lead the way. Brodie stepped onto the path. They took off at a trot and left the trail as they neared the castle wall.
"How do ye know about this way in and out of the keep?" Alex asked.
"I told ye—I used this to visit Rachelle when she still lived in her faither's cottage. I have not used it in a long time and wasna sure it was still clear."
Alex was very pleased the way was still open. He had reached the end of his patience with Struan's refusal to allow him to see Maggie. But, for Maggie's sake, he knew he couldn't afford to antagonize Struan by openly going against his orders. He would appear to acquiesce to Struan's demands about Anice. Well, not about bedding her. He drew the line at seducing a child, whether she wanted to be taken to his bed or not.
He worried though, just as before, because the feeling of unease grew within him. The real Alex must be on his way back by now. How long would it take to reach Dunnedin from London? They had only days left to them, mayhap a sennight. Something would happen soon—before the wedding.
A shiver of warning vibrated through him. Something— or someone—was coming.
Chapter 39
Maggie peered into the darkness. It was the designated time for her arrival but no one stirred inside Moira's cottage. A fire burned in the hearth, flames flaring high. Moira couldn't be far. Turning back, she walked to the back of the house and looked in the area that surrounded the small dwelling. Moira wasn't there, either. This was strange, very strange.
Moira had invited her to share supper this night since Pol would be gone from the village. He had traveled to a nearby clan to exchange some tools and would not return for two days. They could talk freely of their mutual concern and didn't have to watch their words. Moira admitted not feeling good about keeping the truth from Pol, but she knew the blacksmith would be overwhelmed by the knowledge of who Maggie and Alex really were.
Maggie called out, and was surprised to hear Moira answer her in a low voice. She walked into the house and followed the voice to the small side room. Moira knelt next to the pallet, tending to someone ill. Maggie gasped in surprise when Moira leaned back and she saw who the healer tended.
"Rachelle? My God, she looks terrible." Maggie knelt at the sick woman's side and took her hand. She burned with fever and thrashed around, mumbling something in her delirium. "Moira, what is wrong with her? How long has she been this sick?"
"She came to me yesterday, no' feeling weel. The fever grew stronger through the day and now I canna wake her."
Maggie rubbed her friend's hand. "What have you done so far?"
"I gave her some of the tea I make that lowers fever. I bathe her and keep her drinking, but the fever is too strong. And," Moira paused, "she haes the white throat. I'm afraid, lass, that I canna treat that."
"What do you mean 'white throat'?" Maggie searched her mind for a definition. Some kind of throat infection, strep, maybe.
"She haes pustules in her throat. They cover the back of her mouth, too. Soon she will quiet and then..."
"Wait a minute. You can't mean she'll die from this?"
"Many do, lass. I canna treat all ailments."
"She can't die. You can't let her die." Maggie glared at Moira through gathering tears. "She was the only one in the clan who accepted me. She's my friend. And what will Brodie do without her?"
"Dying is as much a part of life as birthing, Maggie. Ye must accept that things here are no' as they are in yer time. If the fates mean for her to live, she will. If it is her time to pass over, she will do that."
"We can't let her die. We have to do something." She heard her voice get louder. Rachelle must have heard her because she turned to her and spoke without opening her eyes.
"Maggie," she whispered hoarsely, "Alex pines for ye while ye live here in the village. He needs ye."
"Rachelle," Maggie leaned over closer to her friend, "rest now. We'll take care of you."
"Aye, Maggie. Tell Brodie..." Rachelle drifted off before she could finish her words. Maggie held her breath as Moira checked Rachelle.
"Nay, she isna gone. She is just deeper asleep than afore."
Maggie stood and stumbled from the room. She couldn't just stand by and let this happen. There had to be some way of helping Rachelle fight this infection.
Infection?
She knew what she had to do.
"Moira, I will be right back. I have an idea."
Maggie ran as fast as she could through the village to Torra's dwelling. Torra was at her son's and would not return for hours. Maggie skidded into the corner, pulled open the chest, and grabbed her sack. Fumbling through it, she found the bottle of antibiotic tablets and stuffed them in the pocket of her skirt. Throwing her belongings back in the chest, she slammed the lid and ran out. She was out of breath when she entered Moira's house and found her by the main hearth. She held out the bottle to Moira and met her questioning gaze.
"Nay, lass, I do not think we should do that." Moira shook her head, refusing the gift from the future.
"I can't stand here and watch her die when these may help."
"Maggie, mayhap 'tis her time to die. Ye would be interfering wi' fate e'en more than Alex haes."
"If it's her time to die than she will, in spite of these, Moira. But, maybe the fates have sent me here to save her life with this medicine."
Moira walked to the fireplace and knelt in front of it. Maggie watched as the woman's body stiffened and her eyes gazed at the flames. The fire flared in colors and spat smoke into the room, forcing Maggie to the doorway for fresh air. Moira still didn't move—the smokiness in the room had no effect on her as she continued to stare at the greenish flames.
She's having a vision!
It lasted for a few minutes longer. Then Moira's whole body shuddered and she sat back on her heels. The smoke now flowed up into the chimney, and the room cleared. Moira blinked quickly and then took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. It took a few moments before Moira looked around the room and noticed Maggie standing nearby.
"I sought the wisdom for an answer, Maggie."
"Did you have a vision? Did you see something in the flames?" The fire looked normal again, no more green or blue colors or strange smoke.
"Aye, lass, I saw."
Maggie edged close to the seer. "Can you tell me what you saw? Are you allowed to share it with me?"
"I share what I want to about what I see, Maggie. After all, that is the purpose of the gift." Moira stood and faced Maggie. "I saw Rachelle holding a red-haired bairn in her arms. And I saw Brodie wi' her."
"Yes!" Maggie shouted. "Then we can help her with these." Maggie held out the bottle again.
"Aye, Maggie, 'twould seem so. But, we have not much time. Tell me how to use these."
After much discussion about the way antibiotics work and the appropriate amount to give, Maggie gave Rachelle a large initial dose. It took many minutes and many tries to get the tablets into the unconscious patient. Waiting for a change in her condition took longer, much longer. Even after getting several doses into her, the sun was as high as it could reach in the afternoon sky over Dunnedin on the next day before the fever broke.
"Maggie?" Rachelle's voice was hoarse and scratchy but a welcome thing to hear. Maggie's tears flowed as her friend opened her eyes for the first time in over a day.
"Yes, Rachelle, I am here." Maggie held Rachelle's hand tightly and touched her cheek. "How do you feel?"
"Like a herd of cattle walked o'er me. How long have ye been w
i' me?"
"I came yesterday. You scared me, Rachelle. I thought I might lose you." Her tears escaped down her cheeks.
"My throat hurts. May I have some water?"
"I'll get you some." Maggie stood to go for a cup of fresh water when Brodie brought one into the room.
"Nay, Brodie, ye canna see me like this," Rachelle rasped. She struggled to turn away from him but couldn't do it alone.
Maggie smiled and stepped out of Brodie's way. He had been there for hours, waiting, worrying, praying. He needed to be with Rachelle.
"Lass, ye look beautiful to me. Here now, let me help ye to sit up." The big man slid his arm behind Rachelle's shoulders and lifted her off the pallet. "I will hold this for ye. Slowly, now, Moira said to have but a wee sip."
"Brodie, I am going outside for some fresh air. I'll be back shortly."
She didn't receive a reply—Brodie was so wrapped up in Rachelle he wouldn't know if she was there or not. Maggie picked up the wooden bucket by the door as she left the house and walked to the well.
She filled the bucket with cold water, leaned over, and poured the water over her head. There was at least one advantage to short hair, she thought, as the coolness washed away the sweat and heat from her head.
"Does that feel as good as it looks?"
Maggie peeked with one eye and saw Moira now standing next to her. She twisted her curls, wringing out most of the water. Straightening up, she fluffed her hair by running her fingers through it.
"Yes, Moira, it does feel good. Why don't you try it?"
"Nay, Maggie. I wasna the one inside with the fire roaring, taking care of Rachelle. I am fine."
"Brodie is in with her now."
"Yer medicine helped her. And now she and Brodie will have that bairn I saw. Did I tell ye about the red hair?"
Maggie joined Moira in her laughter, hugging the other woman in her relief. It felt good to laugh after so much worry and fear.
"Maggie, come wi' me now. I want to show ye something." Moira waited for her agreement and then headed into the woods. They hiked a short distance into the thickening forest and stopped in front of a rock formation. Maggie watched, surprised, when Moira lifted a section of branches and twigs and opened an entryway into a cave. "Come inside."
A Love Through Time Page 25