Highlander's Touch: Medieval Romance

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “There is a reason why, and ’tis called the mated bond.” She glanced down between their bodies at his hand underneath her skirts. “Which means if you even try to stop touching me right now, I’m going to get very angry.”

  “Then this kind of touch pleases you, my fiery empath?” He slanted his mouth over hers, plunged one finger deep inside her hot channel and kissed her with all the heated desire that drove him. This woman had always held a piece of his heart and although he was certain no soul bond existed as she’d said, she’d always been the one bright star in his life. Always and forever. Caressing her, he stroked ever deeper inside her then pulled out and smoothed over her nub before sliding deep into her core once again.

  “Oooh, that feels—oh goodness, it feels—” She pumped him harder. “I willnae come without you.”

  “I cannae hold on much longer.” He added a second finger into her tight channel and stretched her wider. “Tell me if I bring you any pain.”

  “There is only pleasure. I promise you, only pleasure.” She spread her fingers over him like a claiming and a heavy pressure buzzed at the base of his spine, the tingle heating to a fierce burn that roared around to the front and pulsed through his cock.

  Kissing her, he moaned into her mouth and she raised her hips and shuddered in his arms, her inner core dragging his fingers ever deeper inside her and he exploded, his essence spurting from him across the grass. Over and over, he came, and naught had ever felt so very right. Holding her, touching her, consumed his very soul.

  “So magical,” she murmured against his lips. “Now let’s do that again, but this time you come inside me. I want your cock buried deep within. That is the only way to fully cement our bond.”

  Chapter 4

  Unadulterated pleasure had raced through Fiona as Coll’s cock had throbbed in her hand. He’d touched her, so intimately and her inner channel had pulsed around his fingers. More than anything she’d wanted him to claim her fully, for him to join them in the way of those within the bond.

  “We’re not doing this again.” Gruff words as he continued to gently caress her within. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m wonderful, but could of course be better. Come inside me, please.”

  “What I need to do is put some distance between us.” Chest heaving and his breath still coming fast, he pitched to his side and flopped onto his back next to her. One long minute passed before he moved, then when he did it wasn’t to pull her into his arms as she’d hoped. Instead, he righted his pants, fixed her skirts and bodice with a brisk touch then crawled even farther away to the other side of the fire. Once there, he moved into a crouch as if unsure whether he wished to bolt or not.

  “Stay.” She pushed herself upright into a seated position and searched his gaze. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “I never intended for what just happened, to happen. You make me lose all rational thought.” He glanced into the darkened tree line. “I certainly didnae ride out after you this day so I might ravish you again once I’d found you.”

  “I wanted to be ravished, still want to be ravished.”

  “So I noticed.” He gritted his teeth, in that way he always did when he got completely obstinate. “’Tis been a long day and we both need some time apart. Wait here while I find Duncan and Ella.” He heaved to his feet and stormed into the trees.

  “Coll, wait!” But he didn’t. He disappeared so fast.

  Damn it. How frustrating. This bond could be so annoying and completely aggravating, and why on earth had she been given such a stubborn mate? First, her chosen one had been honor-bound to wed Kyla, and now he remained honor-bound to wed the Chief of MacRae’s daughter.

  ’Tis time for Coll and you to both accept your destiny. No more will I permit him to ignore your mated bond. He allowed you to wed another, even now intends on speaking vows with a lass he does no’ care for, and that I cannae permit. Setting you aside a second time is unacceptable, and since you’ve begun the hunt, you must now ensure he sees it fully through.

  Cherub’s words echoed through her mind.

  Aye, she’d continue the hunt, and force Coll to see this chase through.

  She shoved to her feet, snatched her satchel, slung it over one shoulder then with the sides of her black fur cloak pulled tighter around her, stormed off into the dark. She marched toward Loch Carron and back toward Coll’s land. Aye, no more would she travel toward her father, not when he’d soon see her wed to another man and that she couldn’t have.

  She followed the river as it weaved deep through the woods, Cherub’s words continuing to thrum strongly through her mind and giving her the determination she needed to force each foot before the other, even though the last thing she wished to do was leave Coll behind.

  Riled, she stomped along the mossy edge of the river bank and the mushy ground sucked at her booted feet.

  Through the dense and darkened woods, she pushed on with only the barest trace of moonlight now breaking through the thick canopy overhead.

  Finally, an hour or two later, the river widened and the crashing tumble of a waterfall traveled toward her.

  She hastened her pace and stumbled to a stop as she emerged at the rocky cliff face where the river cascaded over slick black boulders, streamed over the edge of the falls and crashed into a ravine a hundred feet below. White water surged and frothed within the pool and flowed onward downstream.

  Hands on her hips, she teetered on the very edge of the craggy rise overlooking the moonlit valley far below. The glorious sight of the inner channel of Loch Carron winding its way inland with the odd wattle-and-daub longhouse nestled along its length, calmed her. This land belonged to Coll and Duncan. They’d made their claim here, and one day Coll would be the Chief of Clan MacKenzie in this beautiful place, and she wished to be right here with him when that day arrived.

  Crouching, she pressed one hand to the slick black rock. To her left, a steep trail led down toward the lower land and within the basin of the valley, a stone tavern she’d yet to visit peeked out from within a stand of towering elm trees, smoke puffing from its high chimney. She’d seek shelter there for the night, await Coll’s arrival while she—

  “Fiona!” Coll’s shout pierced through the crashing of the waterfall.

  “Fiona!” Duncan and Ella’s shouts ricocheted toward her too.

  Well, well. He’d arrived already. This chase was moving along nicely. Hands curved around her mouth, she called back, “I’m here.”

  Coll crashed out of the trees with his horse’s reins in hand, his beast clomping behind him. With his dark hair all mussed and those stunning sparks of gold rimming his brown eyes glowing an almost feral color, he advanced on her. “You. Left. Me. Again.”

  “You gave me no choice.” She took a step back and wobbled as stones sheared away from the cliff edge and rapped down the rock face.

  “I’ve got you.” He swung her in beside him, his hands a little shaky. “You need to take more care where you step. If you’d fallen”—he kissed her hard—“I’d never have forgiven myself.”

  “About time we found you.” Duncan led his horse out of the trees, the wicker basket Cherub had gifted her swinging from one hand.

  “Aye, any longer and Coll would have torn these woods apart.” Ella walked out with her mount beside her, her relief evident in her soulful fae eyes. “Are you making your way back to Ardan or Carron?”

  “Carron, and I just spied an inn below, thought it would make a fine place to seek shelter for the night.”

  “Wonderful.” Ella stepped forward in her leather boots laced snugly all the way to her knees over her blue breeches. She hugged her. “’Tis late and I would love naught more than a soft bed to rest in for the night.”

  “As would I.” Duncan snuck Ella’s reins from her and tipped his head toward the steep downward trail. “You move ahead first. Watch your step. I’ll follow.”

  “I agree to going first, but keep your gaze off my backside and on the trail. No mis
sing a step yourself.” Ella tweaked Duncan’s chin and with a giggle, disappeared down the steep trail lined with thick scrub on one side and the rocky cliff face on the other.

  “I’ll look wherever I please, my love.” Duncan followed her, his chuckle floating back to her and Coll.

  “Fiona.” Coll slanted his head at her, the fiery look in his eyes one she’d seen a time or two, one which meant a showdown was about to occur, and clearly currently between them. She could handle such though, was fully prepared for it. “In the morn, I’m taking you back to Ardan House, not Carron,” he muttered. “You’ll be safe with Duncan and Ella, because I’m certainly done with chasing you across these hills.”

  “Why no’ your home?”

  “Because my betrothed is due to arrive any day. We’ll be married by the end of the week.”

  “If I return to Ardan with Duncan and Ella, then it willnae be for long.” Never could she remain so close to Carron if he did in fact speak vows with Elizabeth MacRae, although she wasn’t giving up the battle yet.

  “And where will you go?” He snarled under his breath, the fierce sound rumbling within the darkened pull of the night.

  “I certainly dinnae intend to marry a second time.” She shuddered at the thought of that. Aye, she’d considered her options often over the course of the past few months while at Carron as she’d awaited his return. Following Kyla’s marriage, she’d intended on speaking to Coll and telling him how deeply she loved him, had always loved him, and if he decided to spurn that love, then she’d thought it best for her to retire to the nunnery on the Isle of Iona. “I wish to use my empath ability to aid others, in whatever way that might be needed. My cousin has taken her vows at the abbey on Iona and she and I have always been close. I will have kin nearby if I join her there, and that is important to me. Does that arrangement suit you?” Let him see if he’d allow that.

  The tic was back to pulsing in his jaw. “A nunnery is no place for you.”

  “’Tis said no men are permitted within the abbey’s walls.” She would fight for him, push him however she could to get him to see reason.

  “Aye, you’d forever remain beyond my reach.”

  “Then are we agreed on the abbey?” She extended her hand, held it out for him to shake.

  “I’d no longer be able to even speak with you.” He glared at her hand.

  “Surely that sounds like a blessing, hmmm?” She raised a brow, pushed her hand out further. “Since you insist we arena soul bound and all.”

  “I will never agree to you entering Iona Abbey.” Snapping his teeth together, he swept her up in his arms and tossed her over his shoulder.

  Her belly thumped into his rock hard shoulder and her breath whooshed from her. “Coll MacKenzie, put me down.”

  “You’ve been beyond my reach for the past sixteen months and now that you’re right here with me, you speak of entering a damn nunnery.” He clamped one hand over the backs of her legs as he stormed down the steep incline, his horse clomping behind him with naught but a short whistle issued. “You’ll stay at Ardan with Duncan and Ella, and go nowhere else. Am I understood?”

  “Please, be careful. I dinnae wish for you to topple over the side of this cliff and take me with you when you do. I value my life.” She thumped his backside since it swayed within easy reach, her red hair dangling down to his knees. Oh, and what a fine looking backside he had too. So deliciously firm and when she smoothed one hand over each of his tight cheeks, she struggled to draw in a decent breath.

  “Fiona.” One low growl.

  “Aye, my mate.”

  “There is a grave difference between knowing I cannae see you, and knowing I’ll never see you.” He stomped onward.

  “I harbor the same fear when it comes to you. You intend on speaking vows with another woman and if you do, I’ll never forgive you.” Such a heavy ache throbbed in her heart. “You walked away from me sixteen months ago, left me without once looking back, and I’d honestly harbored the hope back then that you’d ride in and halt my marriage to Matthew from occurring.”

  “I agreed to wed Elizabeth afore I ever knew of your widowed state.” Pain laced each of his words, his grip on her legs tightening. “And I couldnae return to you and halt your marriage to Matthew when my marriage to Kyla was all but inevitable. I couldnae forsake her.”

  “Yet you’ll forsake me now, your own soul bound mate.”

  “You arenae my mate.” He bounded from the trail onto the flat land, drew his horse around then slung her from his shoulder straight into his destrier’s saddle. She landed with a creak of the leather and her hair all a-tumble about her face.

  Shoving it back, she glared at him. “We are mated,” she huffed. “You’ve been chasing me all day and there is only one reason for you to do so.”

  “Aye, and it’s called halting your madness so you willnae get hurt.” He bounded in behind her in one swift jump, wrapped his arms about her waist and gripping the reins, nodded at Duncan and Ella now mounted on their own steeds. “Let’s ride.”

  “Oh, you are so beyond infuriating.” And right now she was too damn tired to keep arguing with him, so instead she leaned back against his chest and sank into the undeniable warmth of his hold as he thrust his knees into his destrier’s flanks and rode toward the inn after Duncan and Ella.

  So much for Cherub’s decree that they were soul bound. Even though ’twas true, it had made little difference to Coll when she’d said it. Damn his unbending honor and inability to accept a bond had formed between them.

  “You’ve gone suddenly quiet. Is all well?” He nipped her ear from behind, his voice a husky murmur. “You’re one of my dearest friends, Fiona. I hate to see you so upset.”

  “You believe we’re just friends?” Shuffling around, she glared at him some more.

  “Aye.” A firm nod.

  “You’re fighting our bond, telling yourself it does no’ exist, and I want to be more than one of your dearest friends. I want to be your mate, your wife, your lover and the keeper of your very heart and soul.”

  “Then you strive for too much.” He looked ahead and urged his horse to a faster pace. Duncan and Ella galloped several horse lengths ahead. They rounded the bend in the trail and disappeared through the gates into the tavern’s inner courtyard.

  Stubborn, stubborn man. Goodness. In the past, whenever he’d decided to dig in his heels in such a way, it had always been near impossible to make him change his mind. Which was right now the case as well. “I detest that you willnae see reason.”

  “As I detest that you willnae either.” He slowed his horse and trotted through the tavern’s gates and past an herb garden. The fragrant mint and wild garlic swirled within the night air then wafted away as they clomped across the gravelly yard to where Duncan and Ella had already dismounted next to stables.

  A stable hand ducked out from within the darkened interior and took Duncan and Ella’s horses then steered their mounts inside.

  Duncan swept one arm around Ella’s waist and guided her across the front yard and through the inn’s door with its low hung eaves and stony facade.

  Behind her, Coll brought their mount to a halt near the corral, tossed one leg over and landed on the ground with a thump. Hands on her waist, he lifted her free and set her down between him and his horse. Keeping her firmly close, he tossed a coin to the lad and muttered, “See that these three horses are well cared for. Ensure they have an extra hand of oats as well. They’ve been ridden hard this day.”

  “Right away, my laird.” With splotchy red cheeks and grass-strained elbows, the boy wearing brown breeches and a tunic with the sleeves rolled up, guided their horse into the stables.

  “Inside with you now.” Coll picked up her wicker basket where Duncan had set it down near the round corral post and with their bags strung over his shoulder, he gestured her toward the tavern.

  She grasped her red skirts and walked around a lanky brown-haired dog in the center of the yard and ducked inside under
the eaves. Inside the main room, a fire blazed within the hearth, a most welcoming heat which she embraced after the chill of the night outside.

  Behind her, Coll stepped in and ran one hand gently down her back. “Have you been here afore?”

  “Nay, but ’tis so quaint and lovely.” Wooden screens separated the central tables where patrons partook of the hearty stew and tankards of ale. Soft chatter filled the roomy space with its latticed windows overlooking the rolling moors and the meandering length of Loch Carron beyond. In the moonlight, the darkened waters glistened a golden hue.

  “I’ve stayed here once afore, on one of my trips to the markets,” Ella said as she tucked a lock of her glossy brown hair behind one ear. Duncan dipped his nose into her locks and kissed her lobe. She giggled and curled one hand around the back of his head, murmured. “I take it you’d like a room for the night right now, my mate?”

  “I’d sleep with you anywhere, in a bed or outside under the stars, although only once I’ve fed you.” Duncan nipped her lips. “Your belly is rumbling and you must be hungry.”

  “That,” Coll bit out in her ear, “is the mated bond, one which we dinnae have.”

  “So you say, and so I disagree.” She gave him her own biting words back, wished she could nip his ear too.

  Coll stalked across to the bar where the innkeeper, a stocky man with loose breeches and a plaid tossed over one shoulder, dried tankards with his cloth. “Gordon.” Coll acknowledged the man with a firm nod and hand extended. “’Tis good to see you again.”

  “My laird.” The bald-headed man shook Coll’s hand with hearty enthusiasm. “’Tis good to see you’ve returned safely from your travels to the north. The wife has seafood stew cooking, as well as more loaves of fresh bread warm from the oven. Do ye require rooms for the night?”

  “Seafood stew and fresh bread would be greatly appreciated. Rooms as well. We’re in need of three if you have them.”

  “I’ve two rooms which I’ll have the maids ready for ye immediately, both side by side above-stairs, and the third willnae be far away.” Find yourselves somewhere to sit and I’ll see to your meals first.” The innkeeper bustled through the kitchen door and the hearty aroma of the stew wafted through.