First Frost
Page 5
“Julia.” Ivor waved her over.
On her feet, she walked across the beach. “Did you find the leak?”
“Aye, it was a crack, as I suspected.” He removed some tools and a sealed pot then worked blackened goo between two planks.
“That’s going to stop the leak?”
“It surely will after it’s had a few hours to set.” He searched the coastline. “I’d prefer to have more miles between MacLeod and I before nightfall, but I doubt he’ll come this far when he’ll wish to scour the area nearest the cliffs first. I don’t believe I was seen.” He tidied his tools away, tossed a blanket over his arm and removed a snare from a chest under the bench seat.
“We’re staying to eat?”
“You’re not hungry?”
“Very.” Perfect. Cooking would take time, and more was exactly what she needed. She’d drag this meal out.
“Your expression is completely readable.” Ivor grasped her hand and led her into the woods. “If you see any twigs, collect what you can while I set the trap.”
“Is there anything else I can do to help?” She foraged at the base of a tree and loaded her arms with twigs.
“That’ll do. We’ll build a fire closer to the shore. I need to keep an eye on the waterways.” He dug a hole then over stringy dried bark, struck a piece of flint with his dirk. Breathing on the sparks, he coaxed them to life. The fire crackled and blazed as he added her twigs and a log from nearby.
She spread out the blanket he’d brought and tucked herself close to the fire.
“I’ll return in a moment.”
“Watch out for the wolves.”
He strode off toward his snare.
The sun sank over the ocean’s horizon, yellow melding into dusky pink then inky-blue. So beautiful. Never had she experienced nature at its most glorious like this.
Snuggling her knees to her chest, she relaxed as the fire’s brilliant orange and red flames warmed her. She shouldn’t be enjoying herself this much, but this day had been shocking, thrilling and full of new surprises.
Of course she had to return home. Rory would search for her until found, and she couldn’t leave Margaret in a state of panic, which she’d undoubtedly be in. And Father. Rory would send word to him and he’d be made aware. Oh, he’d blame himself for leaving her behind if he thought that had led to her capture.
Ivor would be in a world of trouble, yet despite all that had happened she’d still not change this day. Ivor was an adventure alone, and one she didn’t care to set aside. He intrigued her, far more than any man ever had. There was something about him—
“You appear deep in thought.” Rabbit in hand, Ivor dropped down beside her.
She jumped. “I was thinking about my family, as well as you and what I’ve seen today. I’m beyond curious. Tell me about your family. Do you have any brothers and sisters?”
“I’m the eldest of three.” He skinned the creature then set it to cook over the fire.
“And…” He couldn’t leave it at that. “Please, I’d like to know more about the man who—” Dare she say it? Aye, they’d bonded, and she’d use it to her advantage. “—kisses like a dream.”
“Ahh, lass. You’re tempting fate with such words.” Lazing on his side next to her, he smiled. “I have two sisters, quite young. Rascals the both of them, and quite often under my feet.”
“I’d love to have siblings. What’s it like?”
“They were born to Father’s second wife after Mother passed. They’re a delight, that’s when they’re not climbing trees and shocking their parents. I’m forever being called upon to get them down. Come here. Your hair is tangled from the wind and will be knotted something fierce if I don’t fix it.” He tugged her in front of him, positioned her back to his chest then trapped her in place with his legs. Gently he smoothed out one lock after another. “You have the most beautiful hair. It catches even the firelight and glows like spun gold.”
“It does?” Did he feel this bond as strongly as she did? Please, let it be so. The flames danced before her, and she took a calming breath. He held her, so close, and she wished for more. “What else do your sisters do?”
“I’d rather talk about you. You said you have no siblings, and I’ve only heard you mention your father.”
“Aye, it’s only Father and me. My mother died not long after my birth, and Father never remarried. He loved her so deeply.”
“Are you two close?”
“Exceedingly.” She twisted around and looked at him. “There’s no telling what he’ll do once he hears what’s happened to me.”
“Naught will happen. Your safety is guaranteed.”
“That doesn’t change the fact you abducted me.”
“I’m well aware of what I did.” With a low growl, he slid her hair over her shoulder. “I’m also aware of how much I like touching you.”
Such conflict raged deep within his eyes. “Do you feel it?”
“As I never have before.” He nuzzled her neck. “I want more.”
“So do I, and I’m fast becoming fascinated with you.” She couldn’t deny the stirrings in her heart. “Kiss me.”
He took her mouth with his and it sent heat bursting through her veins. “You taste so sweet, Julia.” He kissed her harder, and then groaned as if in pain.
“What’s wrong?”
His groin grazed her hip.
Oh, he was hard, very hard, and no more than clothes separated them. “Does that hurt?”
“To the point of pain since you’ve fed my need for you.” He kissed her again, long and slowly.
Pain sizzled through her too, making her itch to get closer, to seek the ultimate contact with his body.
“Hell, you’re so sweet, so responsive.”
“Kissing surely can’t hurt.” She wound her fingers in his dark hair and sank into him. All she wanted was more. “I’m hungry, Ivor.”
Chapter 4
Hungry didn’t begin to describe the need racing through Ivor. He had to slow things down, but Julia’s soft moans drove him on. The warm honey taste of her mouth had his cock as hard as a damn spike. “Hold still, lass.”
“I can’t.” She rocked against him, the rubbing of her hips along his inner thighs stirring him beyond sense.
“’Tis too much. I have to touch you.” He palmed her breast through her velvet gown until she arched fully into him.
“That feels so good.” Her eyes hazed with desire, begging him for more.
And more he’d give. Devouring her, he sank deeper into their kiss then chest to chest, rolled her underneath him. He wanted to run his hands over her smooth skin and trace every inch.
The dress. It had to go.
He fumbled with the white laces and freed her perfect breasts. Cupping their fullness, he gorged himself on the sight. “I need to taste you. Say aye.”
“Please, aye.”
He thumbed her peaking nipples then licked one. Divine. Like the sweetest nectar, and naught could halt him from pulling her deeper into his mouth, feasting on her to his heart’s content.
He laved her other breast with equal attention. Lapping at her, he drove himself mad with want. His cock, full and heavy, pushed toward her as if trying to spear through his leather trews.
“Oh my.” Her breath whooshed out. “That feels amazing.”
He flicked the remaining lacings clear then tugged her gown over her hips and down her legs until she lay bared to his gaze. He should slow down. He should stop. But he couldn’t, didn’t have a chance of doing so.
Every contour of creamy skin beckoned him, and there, between her thighs, shimmery golden curls shone. “You’re so beautiful, Julia. I want to make you come.”
A flush rose to her cheeks, but she didn’t turn her gaze away. “I don’t know what this is between us, but I can’t stop it. I trust you.”
“I’ll not hurt you.” Her faith shook him. “I’ll never hurt you.”
“I know you won’t. You haven’t yet.”
* * * *
Julia couldn’t halt her hips from pushing against his. He’d awakened her body and she wouldn’t be denied. She clutched his broad shoulders then caressed the thick muscles of his arms.
So big and strong, he moved from her mouth to her neck then down the valley of her breasts. Hot and hard, he surrounded her, intensifying her heat with one long stroke of his tongue after another, soothing the hunger deep within and inflaming an equal need for more.
“I need to touch more of you.” He skimmed down her belly and along the inside of her thigh.
Aye, that’s what she needed too. Desire gripped her and wouldn’t let go.
With one knee nudged between hers, he swept his hand over her entrance. “I’ll be gentle and keep you intact.”
“Thank you.” Even now he thought of protecting her. He dipped his finger along the part of her driving her craving for more. Moaning, she squeezed her eyes shut. “Please, yes.”
“Look at me, Julia. I don’t want to miss what you feel. This is our time.”
“I feel so much.” She stared into the glorious depths of his passion-flared gaze. Then he pushed deep inside and stroked, harder and faster, until a powerful whirlpool of need, too tight to contain, built. “I can’t breathe.”
“Then let go,” he whispered. “I want you to reach for the stars and burst among them.”
“I want to, but not without you. Our time. Both of us.”
* * * *
“I won’t take your innocence.” Ivor wanted Julia, but his passion could be sated with his own hand. He’d never go so far as to steal more than he already had.
“Can’t I do for you as you’re doing for me?” She trailed down his sides and brushed his erection.
Hell, if she wished that then his hand would be a poor substitute. “You can. Naught would please me more. Touch me as I’m touching you.”
With the softest caress, she explored his leather-clad length. Such friction, but his clothes had to go.
“More?” Her whisper set his heartbeat hammering out of time.
“Aye. Undress and touch me.”
She fumbled with his belt, dragged open his trews and encircled him.
He fought his need to move, to explode in her hand. “Slow, Julia. Otherwise this will all be over before it’s begun.”
“Slow,” she murmured, her voice soft with awe. “Like this?” Ever so gently she stroked his shaft.
“That’s perfect.” And about all he could handle.
“Or like this?” She fondled the head with her thumb.
’Twas the last straw. He slid his finger back inside until her heat pulsed around him then rubbed her nub. He would drive her mad, as she was doing with him.
Covering her mouth, he kissed her, slaking her mouth as he wished to slake her lower passage. “Do you like?”
“I love.” Her breath came hard, fast, and her moans encouraged him further. “There’s something’s beyond my reach.”
“Let go and fly.”
“Not without you.” She pumped him as if she understood the need raging inside him somehow matched the need storming within her.
Damn. He increased his pressure and she thrashed against him, screaming as she tightened around his finger. His release exploded violently with hers, his seed spilling in a stream across the tartan.
“My captive,” he whispered as he slumped on top of her, completely spent. “I want to keep you.”
* * * *
Cool air swept Julia’s damp skin as Ivor slowly lifted himself from her. Her limbs had gone to mush and her heartbeat still sped, but she pushed open her eyes and stared at the twinkling stars overhead.
Fly, she had, and burst far outside her body.
Never had she yearned so greatly for a man’s touch, and to touch him in return. Something powerful and magical had passed between them. Even now he lay so close, yet it wasn’t close enough.
“Are you all right?” He wrapped an arm around her waist and rolled her into his side. The contact with his skin sent tingles racing through her body to her fingertips and toes.
“I fear I’m having the most outrageous thoughts.” Oh, the things they’d just done. She rested her hot cheek on his chest. “Yet I would still like more of…our time.”
“As would I.” He cradled her close, pressed his mouth to her temple. “Julia, we need to talk.”
“About…”
“I can’t take you from your home. After this, I see that more clearly.”
“You’re going to return me?” She edged onto her elbows and searched his gaze. This was what she’d longed for. “Are you certain?”
“If I’m going to keep you, I’ll have to let you go first. How quickly can you clothe yourself? I don’t care to back down from this decision, and with you naked in my arms, I may.”
“Fast.” She nabbed her gown, eased it over her head and laced the stays. He was taking her home. Even elated, her chest ached. Their time had only just begun. He wished to keep her. Please, let our time not be over.
“Are you ready?”
“Aye.”
Now dressed, he caught her around the waist and held her close. His gaze locked on hers, and the force of his need sent a rush of heat spiraling through her. “Then let’s get you home.”
“We didn’t eat.” She stroked the swath of plaid he’d donned over his chest fastened with a silver pin, itching to slip her fingers inside his white linen shirt and begin again what they’d just finished.
“We’ll eat while we sail.” He retrieved their meal, extinguished the fire and grabbed the blanket.
“Of course.” That would be for the best.
“Let’s go.” He slid his hand down her back and guided her toward the skiff.
Onboard, she settled across from him as he gripped the oars. The wind had eased as the night had fallen and he rowed for some time before the breeze picked up. Once he’d raised the sail and secured the ropes, he dropped in beside her and removed the rabbit from the soft green leaves he’d wrapped it in. “Are you hungry?”
“Very.” Although, it seemed, only for him.
“I’m sorry for the rush.” He tore off a chunk of meat, slipped the morsel between her lips then took a chunk for himself.
“I understand, and your repair is holding.”
“That wasn’t the rush I was speaking of.” Eyes sparkling in the moonlight, he tucked a flyaway strand of hair behind her ear.
“Oh, that kind of rush.”
“I can’t stand that I’m sailing toward Dunvegan.”
“Mayhap you need a distraction then. I know I do.”
“I’m already far beyond distracted.” He cupped her bottom and lifted her onto his lap.
Heat pooled between her legs as she melted into him, desire reignited. This new storm of sensation he’d unleashed had her wanting to rip his clothes off and explore his body all over again. She longed to be back by that fire, completely unclothed and—oh, how could a man have brought these feelings out in her so quickly? “Is this a dream, Ivor?”
“Nay.” He brushed his lips over hers and drenched her in his heat. “You’ve spun me straight into an exquisite realm of enchantment.”
“Thank you for coming for me.”
He chuckled. “Which time, lass?”
“It seems both.” She kissed him again, her warrior savior, the man who’d plucked her from the sea before diving right into her heart. The stars were just the beginning.
* * * *
The urge to lay Julia across the bench and make her his infused every inch of Ivor’s body. He kissed her, and her soft moans incited his need to strip her and ravish her senseless.
He should have his hand on the rudder and staying their course, not sliding his fingers along the silky flesh of her calves in an attempt to lift her skirts. She deserved more. A bed for starters, and followin
g that, a night of endless pleasure.
“We should stop.” At least he hadn’t beached his boat in the dark.
“Not yet.” She clutched his head and brought his mouth to hers. Her hungry kiss shot craving to his groin and further hardened his impossibly hard cock.
“Any more and I’ll never stop.” He lowered his mouth to her neck and sucked on her skin. Hell, her breasts heaved within the tight confines of her bodice. Bad move. He needed to divert his gaze.
“Touch me,” she whispered.
His hand, of its own accord, rose and molded the lush fullness of her breast. He rubbed the taut peak of her nipple and she wriggled in his lap. He couldn’t get enough of her.
“We’ve got so little time left.” She glanced toward land and her expression fell. “The village is just through there.”
“Aye. Dunvegan lies five miles ahead.”
“You can’t take me all the way home. If Rory saw you—” She shuddered. “The village will—”
A horn sounded with one long and eerie blast. Damn. Several men on horseback rode along the rugged coastline. Moonlight bathed them in its bright glow. He’d never expected a scouting party to ride at night, nor be this close so soon. On his feet, he hauled the sail down.
Julia gasped. “They’ve already seen it.”
“Get down.”
“It’s too late.” She pointed to a birlinn moving stealthily along the coast. At the helm, a watchman motioned toward them then a loud roar went up from the captain. The birlinn’s sail unfurled and caught the wind. “It’s Rory.”
Hell, this was his fault. Had he not been so focused on Julia, he’d have been doing as he should have and kept an eye out.
“You have to outrun him.” Eyes wild, she clutched his shirtfront. “Turn us around and hoist that sail back up.”
His skiff was small and light; the winds were not favorable enough to escape a birlinn manned by a score of warriors intent on retrieving their kin. Julia had been seen and the alarm raised. “I promised to bring you home and I don’t break my promises once given.”