by Jo Barrett
She punched his arm.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“For being my brother,” she said, and stomped into the center of the field.
Michael shoved a chuckling Adam toward her. “Show us what you’re made of, mon!”
Adam turned his warm gaze to her. “If you don’t want to do this, I won’t hold it against you.”
She planted her hands on her hips and scowled at him. “You’d have me forfeit? I willna’ look the fool to one and all. I am no’ afraid of you,” she said, tasting the lie on her tongue.
Perhaps her mother was right. There was something between them, something she didn’t understand, nor did she wish to.
He shrugged. “Have it your way. And just to set the matter straight, I’ve never thought you to be anything but brave. Even when we were kids.”
Her shoulders sagged and her irritation fell away, melted by the sheer pleasure of his words. He thought her brave? No man had ever said anything of the like to her before.
Her moment of thought was soundly interrupted by the lunge of his body. She barely had time to react. The battle was on.
She dodged his thrust and used his momentum against him, sending him sailing past and onto his knees. The garrison was full of laughter, all save the women. They were cheering him on, urging him to fight their mistress. It was a bit daunting to have her own sex against her, but she fought on.
They went at one another for several more minutes, when a particularly bawdy comment from one of the men seemed to spur Adam on. With his renewed energy, combined with an unusual tactic, she found herself pinned beneath him, their noses—their lips but a scant space apart.
“Looks like I win.” His voice was low and soft between panted breaths that brushed her lips.
She licked the edges to catch a taste of him, and his gaze followed the stroke of her tongue. This was worse than the night before. With the feel of him atop her she couldn’t gather her wits.
He leisurely raised his gaze to hers. “I wouldn’t be opposed to making a trade for the pies.”
She swallowed hard before forcing sound to travel up her throat. “What do you want in their stead?”
“A kiss.” He grinned. “Or two, one for each pie.”
Deidra’s heart, already racing, pounded mercilessly against her breast.
“You are daft,” she whispered, hating it was all she could think to say. She’d sworn not to like him, knew that anything between them would come to naught. ’Twas madness to even consider his proposal.
“Perhaps. Perhaps not,” he said, his voice rich and sweet.
“Aye! You damn fool,” her brother said, as he and Michael snatched Adam up by the arms. “You could’ve had two of her best pies. Now, why would you wish to give up such a treat for a blasted bit of smourichet? And with Deidra of all women!”
His last comment jolted her to her feet. “I’ve no’ agreed to the trade, and it’s none of your bloody business if I do!”
In a fine temper, she stormed off the field, reminding herself that Adam Sutherland was a rogue through and through.
“Kisses for pies, indeed,” she muttered. The man saw her now and always as a target for his games. His odd offer of a trade was just to rattle her wits, to tease her as he’d done so many times when they were children. So much for his plea for forgiveness.
Well he could wait until Hell froze over before she’d bake him a pie. And he’d not be claiming any kisses either!
****
Adam watched her, unable to take his eyes off her lithe form. The woman was built to perfection, had the damndest glow in her hazel eyes, and a pair of lips that would send a man straight to heaven.
Michael smacked the back of his head. “Put yer eyes back in their sockets, mon. She’s no’ a lass ta be toyed with, ye ken?”
“Right,” he said, rubbing the back his head. “Got that—a little too well.” But inside he was thanking Michael for knocking some sense into him. She was out of reach, off-limits, absolutely the do-not-touch variety.
Erin bumped his shoulder as they walked toward the hall. “Aye, she isna one to toy with. With the things you’ve done to her when we were babes, I’d wager she’d use that knife of hers she keeps strapped to her leg if you so much as suggest anything of the sort.”
Adam came to an abrupt stop. “Knife? But I didn’t see—”
“Aye, and ye willna until it be too late,” Michael said with a hearty laugh, as he strolled off across the courtyard to where his wife stood with a sweet smile on her face.
Erin slapped Adam on the back. “’Tis true. Mum taught her how to wear it, and ’tis always by her side. But mayhap she would only wound you a bit, no’ castrate you,” he said with a laugh.
Adam attempted to laugh with him, but he had the feeling Erin wasn’t kidding. He had been pretty rough on her when they were kids, and he had a million other reasons to keep his hands to himself.
So why the hell was he finding it impossible to wipe the sensation of her beneath him and more from his mind?
Chapter Six
Adam did all he could to avoid Deidra for nearly two weeks, which wasn’t all that difficult since she seemed to be avoiding him as well. But as day after day passed and a pie never materialized, he couldn’t contain his grin. A grin that Deidra did everything she could to avoid noticing from across the table.
Her gaze roamed the room, skimming over him as if he weren’t there, her cheeks a delicious pink, and he knew she wanted his kiss. His instincts, honed to perfection where women were concerned, tingled with the knowledge that she was attracted to him, but he really should ignore that little tidbit. They were childhood friends, practically family, and she was, as Michael had said, not a lass to be toyed with.
But what was the harm in a few kisses? As long as that was all they shared, he’d be satisfied that he’d not crossed the line or broken any of his own rules. She knew he wasn’t the kind for long term relationships, she had a keen eye. No way would she think he was the marrying type. She pretty much said so that first night. He wouldn’t—couldn’t give her what she needed.
Erin grumbled under his breath beside him about the continued lack of pie and how his old friend was addlebrained, but didn’t make their altered agreement public, which was a relief. Adam rather Colin didn’t know about the trade for kisses, not sure how the old Highlander or his aunt would take it.
As the days trudged onward, the work on the gatehouse slowly progressed while he silently made plans on when and where he’d claim his prize. Privacy was a must, he thought with a soft chuckle, just in case she decided to deck him for it. He’d never hear the end of it if anyone was witness to that.
While Colin talked of the new gate’s progress, Adam silently observed Deidra across the room. He wanted the kiss to be perfect—more than perfect, because he had a funny feeling that as desirable as she was, she’d never been kissed before. No man would have the nerve to test Colin MacLean’s temper by taking advantage of his daughter. And there was that knife of hers Erin had mentioned.
Then there were the off-hand remarks he overheard from some of the men. They’d labeled her as cold as a witch’s teat and as shrewish as any old maid. He’d been tempted a few too many times to take them to task for the comments, but something held him back. Probably Deidra’s edict that she didn’t want his help, but that hadn’t stopped him from landing a few well-placed blows in the lists on occasion.
His uncle pulled him back to the present, and he responded to his questions about the gatehouse. But the moment Deidra lifted her head, he was caught in her gaze for several seconds before she turned her attention elsewhere. Oh yeah, she wanted to be kissed, and she wanted it as badly as he did, no matter what she’d said.
Michael appeared in the doorway with a stranger. “Malcolm Macconach ta see ye, m’laird.”
The man strolled inside, his gait sure, his gaze taking in everyone in the room, especially Deidra. For some reason, that rankled.
“State your
business, lad,” Colin said, not yet dismissing Michael, who hovered near the door.
Adam supposed it was for protection. In the real seventeenth century, you had to assume that all unknown visitors were not a friendly sort.
“Laird MacKenzie asks that ye meet him at Tobor Morar three days hence, m’laird,” the man said.
“And does he say why?”
“Nay, sir, only that ’tis of great import. Other clan leaders are ta meet with ye once ye cross the loch.”
Colin glanced at Tuck who nodded solemnly.
“Tell him, I will be there.”
“We will be there,” Tuck said, her voice firm.
Macconach’s gaze darted to Tuck, then with a nod looked back at Colin. “I am ta go with ye. Another is ta send back word.”
“Verra well,” Colin said. “What is your position in MacKenzie’s clan, lad?”
“My father is Aileen MacKenzie’s cousin.”
“Ah, family then.” Colin looked to Deidra then back to the visitor, an odd look in his eye. One Adam didn’t care for at all.
Erin had told him earlier that his uncle had been trying to find a proper husband for Deidra for some time, but she’d turned them all down. Then again, he couldn’t blame her if the sort of suitors she had were anything like that idiot Bran. But it looked as if this Malcolm character was a possibility.
Why that bugged the hell out of him, he didn’t care to examine. He only knew that this new guy wasn’t everything he seemed to be. The way he carried himself, how he kept looking at Deidra, and the fact his words seemed rehearsed, set off warning bells in his head.
“Deidra, see ta making our visitor comfortable, lass, and have some food prepared for him,” Colin said. “’Tis a long ride from the MacKenzie keep.”
She rose and crossed the room, her fluent grace holding Adam’s attention, and he knew it held the newcomer’s as well.
“Come with me,” she said, her voice soft, vastly different than how she usually spoke, especially to him.
Okay, so the guy wasn’t exactly the ugliest Highlander he’d ever seen, but she couldn’t possibly be attracted to him. Could she?
“I doona like him,” Erin said, lowly, so only Adam could hear.
They exchanged looks, which supported his first assessment of the stranger. Something wasn’t right about the man.
As Deidra disappeared into the hall with their guest beside her, Colin motioned for Michael to follow.
“What think you, mauvereen?” Colin asked Tuck, his gaze somber as he stared at the doorway where they’d disappeared.
“Those in power, the state of things—everything is progressing as it should.” She crossed to stand at his side and placed her hand on his shoulder. “But I think meeting with the others, hearing what they have to say is a good idea. The future can still turn out differently. Jenny was certain of that.”
“Aye. ’Tis always best ta know all we can.” He took her hand and pressed a quick kiss to the back.
She glanced at the door then looked down at him with a grin. “I also think that you’re barking up the wrong tree with that one.”
“You canna blame a father for trying.”
Her grin widened as she looked down at him, reminding Adam of his own parents and how they were always gazing at one another like that.
“I doona trust him. The stench of lies flows in his wake,” Erin said.
“He does have a serious poker face,” Adam agreed. “Makes me wonder what he’s hiding.”
Sure, his dislike was partly because of Deidra, of how the guy looked at her. He wasn’t stupid enough to deny that, but there was something off about the man.
“I’ll no’ have you scaring him away if Deidra accepts him as a suitor,” Colin said, his scowl back in place.
“And I think maybe you two should go to bed,” Tuck said with a wink.
That was all the encouragement they needed. Both Erin and Adam stood and stretched, making a big show of retiring for the night, when in reality they were going to check out their visitor.
In a matter of moments, they were near the guest quarters and found Michael walking toward them, shaking his head.
“You get bad vibes off the guy too?” Adam asked.
“I doona know what yer on aboot.”
“He wants to know why you be shaking your head,” Erin said.
“Ah. I’ve no liking for the mon, nor the way Deidra is behavin’ around him. ’Tis no’ her way.”
Adam gripped Michael’s arm. “What do you mean, behaving?”
“Now lad, ye canna be so blind that ye didna’ see how she smiled at the mon. She likes this one I think, but I canna understand why. He isna any different than the others,” he said, rubbing his jaw as he glanced back to the guest quarters. “I suppose he is one of the better lookin’ lads. And he took her hand and kissed it, like she be a queen. And most suitors of late have no’ treated her with the proper respect, much less showed any manners such as these. She has a bit of reputation fer no’ acceptin’ any who call.” He shook his head with an odd frown. “But this one is different, I’m thinkin’.”
Adam glanced at Erin. “He’s after something and plans to use her to get it.”
Erin nodded, while Michael shook his head at them both with a heavy sigh. “I wouldna’ wish ta be ye, if he’s the one the lass wants,” he said, and strolled down the hall.
Deidra appeared from around the corner with a servant girl carrying a tray and knocked lightly on the door.
“’Tis a pleasure ta see ye again so soon, mistress,” Macconach said, as he opened the door then took her hand and kissed it.
Adam felt his muscles bunch and started toward them, only to be yanked back by Erin.
“Now is no’ the time. We must catch him at his scheme,” he said, pulling them back into the shadows. But their presence went unnoticed by Macconach, his gaze firmly on Deidra, as she and the serving girl disappeared into the room.
A strange knot developed in Adam’s stomach. What if she really did like this character? What if this guy managed to get her first kiss?
And why the hell was he asking himself such stupid questions? She wasn’t his, never would be. So what if Macconach kissed her, it wasn’t his problem.
But the knot continued to twist and curl in his gut.
“We’ll take turns keeping an eye on him,” Erin said.
“Fine, I’ll take first watch,” Adam bit out.
Erin mumbled something about his addled brain again before disappearing down the hall, but Adam paid little attention. What he wanted, what he had his eye on was the latch on the door. At least she wasn’t alone in there, but he’d feel a lot better if she’d hurry up and get the hell out.
Several minutes later she emerged and sent the serving girl away, then turned in his direction. The moment she was within arm’s reach, he pulled her into the shadows at the end of the hall.
Pushing her into the tight nook, he imprisoned her between his arms against the cool stone wall, while her sputtered curses made him chuckle.
“Oh! I should have known you’d be hanging aboot,” she said, her voice hot with anger, her hands pressing against his chest. “And where is your playmate? Are you no’ playing at being spies together?”
“I’m on first watch,” he said, pressing closer.
“’Tis no’ by my father’s command.”
“No, but your mother seemed to think it was needed,” he said. Well, Tuck did grin and wink, so he figured it was close enough to the truth.
She planted her hands on her hips. “Did she now? Well, I’m sure she didna’ mean for you to watch me.” She resumed her attempts to shove him away, but he could tell her heart wasn’t really in it.
“Um, not in so many words, but since you’re here, I thought I might as well claim my prize,” he said.
She stilled, her hands resting lightly against his chest. “I ne’er agreed to the change of the wager,” she said, her voice firm, but he detected a faint wavering at the en
d.
He lowered his head toward hers. “You didn’t disagree with it, either. And there has been no pie at dinner for weeks.”
“I—I didna’ have time,” she said, her sweet warm breath touching his lips.
“But we have time for this,” he whispered against her mouth, then with the softest of caresses, brushed his lips across hers, unable to stop himself, although knowing he should.
Her mouth parted in a silent “oh,” and he took full advantage of the moment. Slipping his tongue inside, he felt her anxiety and her excitement, and savored the heady flavor of Deidra MacLean.
Strong, slender fingers fisted in his shirt as her soft sighs echoed in his brain. As kisses went, he had to say this was one of the best he’d ever had in his life. And if it really was her first, he couldn’t help but think that with a little practice she would be able to bring him to his knees—literally.
He jerked back with that thought and put some needed distance between them before he went too far. With her face flushed, her eyes filled with desire, their quickened breaths mingling in the still night air, he realized his mistake. This was no simple kiss.
Damn! She was not the just-for-fun type. She was his friend’s sister, they were practically family! He couldn’t risk hurting her, and it was inevitable, if they kept on like this.
No matter what he did or tried to do, he always let everyone down. First, his father by not being good enough at anything, then his grandfather by not sticking it out in research, then his mother by not being able to be in his father’s presence for more than a few minutes without arguing, and then there was Trudy.
Her memory settled over him like a shroud. She may have wanted the money more than him, but he’d loved her, and it had nearly broken him when she left, when he lost the only person he thought who would stand by him, care for him, love him, failings and all.
That was the last time he let anyone close, and he vowed never to get in that position ever again. He was a visitor in Deidra’s world, nothing more.
“That was a mistake,” he said, backing away. “I’m sorry.” He turned and walked away, cursing himself for thinking that a few kisses wouldn’t hurt anyone. Because they were killing him.