by Leigh, Lori
“I brought our lady a present.” Daniel smiled and instantly got her attention.
“You brought me a present?” Melissa was delighted. “It isn’t even my birthday. Come and sit down. I was just going to pour some lemonade for Robert and his crew.”
Gideon walked over to the painting, and his mouth dropped open. She had captured warmth and camaraderie between Robert and the carpenters as they repaired the old cottage.
Robert had his shirt off and was sawing a log to repair the thatched roof. His long dark straight hair was unbound and gave him a mystical look. There was a carpenter on the top of the wall and another standing on the ground and passed the log up to him. The men wore their kilts and laughed while they worked. Daniel had the same response.
“I took the painting she did of Alex and had it framed.” Daniel said quietly beside his brother. “It’s already hanging at the Manor House.”
“She has a gift,” Gideon said. “Now, if we can get a blood sample without her ever seeing the hypodermic needle, then we are magicians!”
Daniel nodded, certain it would take a magic trick to get this feat accomplished.
Melissa walked back and handed them a tin cup of lemonade that was kept cool in a wine skin and lowered into the cold water in the well. It was weak, at best, she noted since lemons were almost impossible to find, and most of the fruit they ate were dried berries that had been picked during the early spring and then dried on large woven frames in the hot sun.
“I thought ye liked tae paint flowers,” Gideon said, stunned. “This is verra good.”
“Everything about this place inspires me.”
Gideon was reminded of his reason for tracking her down. “I’m a little concerned about how pale you look, Melissa. I wouldn’t want ye tae get sick.”
He held the slim blade in his hand and grinned.
Melissa backed away. “Oh, no. You’re not stabbing me with any dirks.” She remembered the section in the museum where they used to bleed people who were ill.
Gideon smiled, nodded to Daniel, and they put their cups down. He loved a challenge.
“Oh, yes, I am.”
Melissa screamed and turned to run. Daniel signaled to Robert, and he caught her around the waist before she had made it ten feet away. They found out she could scream like a Banshee.
Robert had her over his shoulder but soon found out how hard it is to hold on to a squirming, screaming woman. She got away twice before Robert got her airborne on top of his shoulders. She screamed as they managed to immobilize her, and Daniel held her arm.
Gideon had a sash on her arm while Daniel distracted her. She tried to punch Daniel.
“Aye, ye got it lass. That is a good fist for a fight.”
Daniel and Robert worked hard at keeping her still while they laughed. It took the help of the other two carpenters to hold on to her feet.
“I’m going to hit you, Robert.” She laughed again and then groaned when she felt the stab of the dirk. “Listen, Dracula.” She yelled at Gideon. “If you want some fresh blood hang around William. Men bleed around him all the time.”
Gideon leaned down and released the sash with his teeth. “Dracula?” he said garbled in mock outrage. “Ye must be talking about Alex.”
“I’m going to get you for this, Daniel,” she cried out, laughing hysterically.
“Yeah,” Daniel laughed heartily. “What army would challenge me?”
“That one,” she pointed over his shoulder and Daniel looked back. William, Evan, and Iain had heard her screams and followed the shouting with fifty warriors ready for battle.
The three brothers, William, Evan, and Iain shook their heads. All that noise for one little cut on her arm? They thought she was being beaten and raped.
“You’re going tae need some help, Daniel,” Alex stated and joined the melee. He too had heard her screams and nearly lost his mind thinking she was hurt. “You get the twenty on the left; I get the twenty on the right.” He grinned at Melissa and pulled on her ponytail.
Gideon got the second vile of blood and removed the needle from her arm. He applied pressure with a cloth bandage and then made a tiny cut with the tip of his dirk just to make it look good, and carefully put the precious samples away in his bag.
“Traitor!” she yelled at Alex. Robert had held her firmly on his shoulder until Daniel finally released her arm. She stood on wobbly legs, and Alex put his arm around her to steady her.
“It won’t be a fair fight.” Daniel shook his head.
“Aye,” Alex said with certainty. “When they beg for mercy, we’ll let them go, ye ken?”
Melissa was told later what a unique opportunity the warriors had in fighting with Alex and Daniel. She witnessed the warrior’s enthusiasm and stood back, watching Alex and Daniel best each warrior in turn. She screamed once, and Alex got punched because he looked over at her. Their cousins would later boast of that accomplishment.
Daniel and Alex were matched for skill and cunning when it came to hand-to-hand combat and it wasn’t until the warriors tried an all out assault that Alex and Daniel finally went down.
There was a lot of back slapping when they finally got free from the tangle of men, and she learned first hand the actions behind their comments of “It was a good fight.” There were a dozen bloody noses and numerous cuts and black eyes.
The men all seemed delighted.
“Now, aren’t you all a sight. Alex, you beat up the wrong man!” She pointed at Gideon, and he grinned.
Alex walked over to look at the painting. “Did ye paint this today?” He was clearly impressed and hugged her to his side.
“It looks like my ugly brother.” Daniel spit out blood and frowned.
Melissa looked at Daniel, concerned. She thought Robert was rather handsome.
Robert was strutting around now that he was ‘immortalized’ in a painting. He shook his head and walked away before anyone could notice that he got a little misty eyed at her thoughtful gift.
Alex took her hand in his. “Since you started this fight….”
“What?” Melissa scoffed.
“I will expect you tae be very appreciative of your champion, and you may console me for my injuries.”
“What injuries?” Daniel asked while Gideon bandaged his arm. “There isn’t a scratch on ye, ye bastard. However, I have a severe cut on my arm.”
“It’s a scratch,” Gideon corrected, laughing.
“You had it coming to you for helping Gideon stick me with a dirk.”
Melissa walked over to Daniel and gave him a kiss on the lips. “There, do you feel better?”
Daniel’s eyes got very big for a moment, and Gideon broke out laughing.
“Your present is on the table in the cottage.” Daniel winked.
Melissa whispered in his ear. Daniel shook his head.
Alex growled. “If you’re going tae kiss someone, ye can start with me.”
Alex had a cut on his lip that she had to kiss several times before he felt better.
“Perhaps a back rub would help sooth your severe injuries.” She teased Alex as they returned to the cottage.
Gideon was curious. “What did she say tae ye?”
Daniel flexed his arm and winced. “She told me it was far too extravagant tae spend money needed for food and medical supplies on presents for her.”
Gideon collected his medical bag and supplies. He held up a hypodermic needle filled with a crimson blood sample. “She never saw it coming. Damn, I’m good.”
Chapter Fourteen
Prince, darling, London is so lonely without you. Do hurry back! The Laird and the Prince are even for points. It’s still anyone’s game.
On the Streets, with Rosabel
Amber stopped at the grocery store for supplies for a party she was having that evening. She looked at the tabloid stand and let out a scream that nearly brought the Boulder Police Department out to investigate. Amber held the tabloid in one hand and speed dialed Sarah again.
&
nbsp; “Sarah! Go get this paper. You won’t believe it. Melissa is topless! That barbarian has her swimming half-naked in public.” Amber paid for the paper and walked out into the Colorado sunshine, still talking to Sarah.
She put in a conference call to the Embassy and ranted at the man for nearly an hour, stating it was their duty to rescue their sister from those wild barbarians. Poor, innocent little Melissa was probably being held against her will. Amber demanded an answer from the Constable, who had apparently forgotten to find Melissa and speak to her. They were leaving in a few days, and it was apparent this trip was necessary. It was all Amber could do to hold her temper back and speak nicely to the man who was obviously a blithering idiot!
***
Gideon made Melissa what he called his special tea that was laced with vitamins. He also ordered her to bed for rest. The dark shadows under her eyes were from worry, and Iain was beside himself with anxiety to get her to eat something. After three days of bed rest, Melissa was getting cottage fever and begged Alex to take her out for a ride.
Alex had his horse brought up to the cottage. He left instructions where he would be if he was needed, but otherwise they were gone for the day. He reached down and caught Melissa around the waist, lifting her up into his lap. They walked the horse out of the camp, and then Alex turned Yorath loose in a valley. They ran with the wind.
With Alex behind her, she could lean back and relax. Alex laughed and hugged her tightly to his body. The horse gobbled up the earth as long strides turned into distance.
It was a sight of Scotland she hadn’t seen until now. The area around the cottage was very rocky with hills in every direction. The rhythm of the horse was magic as emerald green vales and hills blurred past her fingertips. Melissa forgot she was on a horse and not just floating on air. Her eyes closed for a few moments to mentally earmark this moment in time as one of the most exciting things she had ever done.
Her long golden hair wrapped around his arms, and Alex felt free and alive. He slowed Yorath to a gentle pace. Her face glowed in the late afternoon sun, and her deep blue eyes took on a new sparkle.
“You have such complete power over my body. You only have to look at me in that sexy way, and I want you. When you touch me I go crazy with desire.”
“Ye have the same affect on me.” He was happy he could bring the smile back to her voice.
“What are you thinking, Alex?” She stroked his muscled chest, curling the wavy dark hair around her finger, and peered up at him.
“I was thinking I should take ye riding every day.” He kissed her fingers. “I don’t think I ever knew what happiness was until ye dropped into my life.” He held her hand up and placed his palm against hers. He noted her delicate fingers and brought them to his lips again.
“But it almost seems unreal, Alex. There is a world out there, and while we are here, it all seems so different, almost as if that world doesn’t exist.” She sighed and looked up at the blue sky. “I am so happy it almost hurts to think about that world. I don’t ever want this magical one to come to an end.”
She couldn’t tell him she didn’t want to return to the future. He would think she was crazy, and her stomach was in knots thinking she would ever leave him. It was as if the past, present, and future all melded into one agonizing thought. Would she be able to stay, or would he ever ask her to leave?
“My sweetheart,” he said against her ear. The ride back was much slower so he could kiss her again and they could have some time alone. He lovingly caressed her body, amazed at the perfection at his fingertips. She always responded to his touch and with such abandon it made him smile. When they were together the rest of the world went away. Her gaze was magical and held his heart with wonder. Her touch could make his mind go completely daft, he thought, before bending down to kiss her again. The warmth of her mouth beckoned him, and he explored, ravaged, and claimed her for his own.
Three riders approached, and Alex didn’t raise his head from her tender lips until they were beside him.
Melissa was startled to find out they weren’t alone. Her cheeks flushed hot, and she nudged Alex’s hand from her breast. Her face was buried against his shoulder; she was too embarrassed to look at the riders.
“Nice day for a ride, Alex,” The man on horseback said in greeting.
“Aye, John it is.” Alex acknowledged with a smile.
The riders moved past them, and Alex hadn’t taken his eyes off her beautiful face. They heard the men laugh as they rode away.
“Who was that, Alex?” Melissa asked.
“John Stewart, Laird of the Stewarts.”
“Do you think we should stop and talk to him?”
“No.” Alex bent his head again, and she forgot the question. He growled in the back of his throat and tormented her lips with hot kisses. She never noticed the Stewart Laird was dressed in modern day clothing.
She groaned defeat and slumped back against him panting. “Alex, I want you again.”
He started to laugh, thinking about taking her right there. “We’d probably fall off Yorath. But I’d be happy tae accommodate your insatiable desire,” he said softly against her ear.
“I tried to warn you. When you smile at me like that, I go completely crazy.” His arms wrapped around her tightly, and he slipped down from the horse.
Melissa finally noticed they were back at the cottage and were surrounded by a hundred warriors. The riders who were guarding the Laird also entered the camp, and discretely disappeared from view. It suddenly dawned on her they had been followed.
They walked back to the cottage and Alex stopped to speak to the warriors with instructions not to be disturbed for the rest of the afternoon unless the camp was on fire.
The cottage was cool and quiet. Alex stripped his clothes off and sat on the edge of the bed. He pulled her toward him and took his time taking her clothes off, kissing her soft body as each piece of clothing fell into a pile on the floor until she stood before him flushed. Her eyes had a glow that he knew very well. Alex reached out and ran the back of his fingers against the swell of her breast, and she gasped but stood still with a glow of love in her eyes.
Her arms wound around his neck, and she pressed up against him. Alex wrapped her in his arms and pressed her down in to the bed. They held each other tightly, afraid to let go even for a moment. Their lips touched, and their gazes warmed, touching each other’s soul. She was as lost in him as he was in her.
The impact dazzled Alex, and he was afraid he was crushing her, he held her so close. She was his safe haven, and he wanted everything she had to give. She gave him so much more. His eyes closed in complete surrender. He let her take him to ecstasy. She matched his rhythm and demanded more. His body became hers. Alex had never felt anything so powerful in his life. He had set aside his busy schedule with board rooms, and running the vast business holdings that consumed his time, for a summer of personal enrichment. He had found so much more than he had ever hoped, that his modern day business world seemed as if it were centuries away. If only he could get Starbucks to deliver, his life would be complete, right where he was.
Physical pleasure was very different from where she took him. She opened her heart and wrapped him in love. He had faith in her, and she pleased him in ways he never knew possible. The intense love she gave him soothed him and made him whole again.
He could feel the tremble deep inside the hot center of her and she called out to him. Alex fell endlessly and trembled in his own release, spent and exhausted from the experience. He collapsed, and her arms held him tightly to her. She spoke softly against his ear and caressed his back, telling him over and over again that she loved him and he was safe.
He rolled to his side and took her with him. His lips still touched hers as he whispered her name and then fell sound asleep.
Her eyes closed, and she, too, drifted off to sleep, too exhausted to think or feel anything else. She dreamed about the flower beds that surrounded her small home in Minnesota, and about her pos
ition as a graphic artist. It was as if she was looking at someone else’s life.
***
Gideon entered the cottage shortly before dawn to wake Alex. He put a hand on Alex’s shoulder and said his name. Alex opened his eyes. Melissa was curled into his side sleeping peacefully.
“We need you outside,” Gideon said very quietly, trying not to wake Melissa.
Alex moved quietly away from her warm little body and stood up. He tucked the blanket around her to keep her sleeping peacefully. He wrapped his plaid around his hips and found a clean shirt to wear. Splashing cold water on his face, he reveled in the lingering joy he’d found in her arms. He looked different, he knew, because he felt very different.
Alex covered her shoulder before he walked out of the cottage. “What’s wrong?”
“Daniel found one of the photographers, and the warrior has been sent home on a personal emergency.”
“What was the emergency?”
“Daniel.”
Alex nodded in understanding.
“It seems there is a second photographer yet to be found.”
“Then let’s give him something to photograph to draw him out.”
Chapter Fifteen
Iain brought Melissa toast, coffee, and fresh wild strawberries for breakfast. She didn’t wake when he entered the cottage. Iain suspected she was exhausted and served her breakfast in bed. He left then and she was alone in the tiny cottage.
Alex was already up and gone. The aroma of the toast and coffee filled the room. Her stomach wrenched, and she ran for the facilities, glad Iain had left and she was alone. She stepped into the bath and hoped Robert had fixed the heating stones, and there would be hot water again. Steam drifted up, she smiled, and silently thanked Robert. A hot bath was exactly what she needed to feel like herself again.
She scrubbed her hair clean, the rose scented soap feeling like velvet against her skin. She noticed her body was a little tender today, no doubt from the wild afternoon they spent together. She wrapped her hair in a towel and put Alex’s soft woolen wrapper before she went to eat her breakfast. The wild strawberries were delicious and she finished the coffee and toast. Her stomach settled down and she felt better.