I Left My Heart in Scotland

by Samantha Holt

  But her lips tempted him and he could look no longer. Nay, he needed to taste. He lowered his mouth to hers and felt a soft shudder run through her body while her breath skimmed his lips. He daren’t touch her anymore than with the one finger or else he’d do something more than kiss, but he had to find out if she needed to taste him as badly.

  Blane saw her lids flutter closed and lowered his m—

  “Ceana!”

  He jerked upright and Ceana spun in the direction of the door. “Mamaidh!”

  Her mother, clothed only in her shift, hurried into the room and gripped Ceana’s arm. “’Tis Kate. She’s out again.”

  “Oh no. She’ll be going to see Fraser again.”

  Blane raced to the window and peered out. Sure enough, a cloaked figure scurried past the huts in the direction of the other side of the loch where he’d spotted a single, neglected hut. Fraser’s home, he presumed.

  “She shouldnae be out there alone.”

  “Aye,” Ceana agreed, “but she willnae listen to me.”

  He came back to her side and put a reassuring hand on Aileen’s arm. “Go back to bed. I’ll bring her home.”

  “Och, I told ye he’s here to win ye, lass,” Aileen said to her daughter. “Ye bring our Kate back safely now, won’t ye?”

  “Aye, I will.”

  “Thank ye, Blane.” Ceana took her mother’s arm. “I’ll take mamaidh back to bed and meet ye in the hall.”

  “Dinnae thank me yet,” he muttered.

  If Kate was at all like the few young lasses he’d known, she’d not be happy about having her dalliance interrupted. Particularly by him. For some reason, Kate had taken a strong disliking to him.

  Blane took the winding steps down to the hall and headed out into the night. The quiet, empty castle set him on edge. How vulnerable these women were out here alone.

  Enough stars lit the sky for him to sprint past the huts and make his way around the loch with ease. The howl of a wolf sent the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. While he’d been travelling, he rarely slept during the night for fear of a wolf attack...or the English. He took his rest when and where he could in the daytime where no creature could sneak up on him.

  But he didn’t have his weapon and wolves could slip by in the dark easily enough. He imagined returning to Ceana with the news of her sister having been mauled. It made him quicken his pace.

  “Kate!” He caught up with her not far past the village but knew full well she couldn’t outrun him. She must have known the same as she came to a stop, her posture slumping. “Kate, ye shouldnae be out here.”

  The lass spun on him, eyes narrow, lips tight with anger. “’Tis none of yer business what I do.”

  “’Tis yer sister’s business so ‘tis mine.”

  “Aye,” she spat. “Yer very interested in my sister’s business. Dinnae think I dinnae know what yer up to.”

  He folded his arms and stiffened at the sound of the wolf again. “What am I up to?”

  “Yer going to take advantage of her. Ye think because she cannae see, ye can do what ye will with her. I’m no fool.”

  Blane hadn’t realised Ceana had told Kate he’d known of her troubles. They didn’t seem close enough to share these things. With such an age gap between them, Ceana seemed to be more of a mother to her than their real mother. It didn’t surprise him Kate refused to follow Ceana’s commands. No young lass or lad wanted their moves dictated to them. He recalled being the same, even going so far as to sneak into a battle his father hadn’t wanted him to join.

  He’d soon proved himself, though.

  However, this was different. Kate couldn’t fight her way out of trouble.

  “Yer no fool, Kate, I can see that. Yer desire to protect yer sister is admirable, but do ye no’ see she’s trying to protect ye too?”

  “Aye, from the man I love. She cannae stand that I might want happiness.”

  Blane fought the urge to snatch her and throw her over his shoulder. He wanted her behind those stone walls without hesitation. “I cannae claim to know yer sister that well but I think she only ever wants others to be happy. But she wants ye safe too.”

  Kate folded her arms and snorted. “Oh, aye, Ceana’s so unselfish,” she said bitterly. “Everyone says so.”

  He drew in a long breath and shook his head to himself. Had he ever been like this? Skipping from one emotion to the next? Kate wanted to protect her sister, but resented her. She thought herself in love yet was filled with anger. Though he often lamented his lack of a family, he wasn’t so sure it was a bad thing now.

  “Yer sister wants ye safe. And ye want the same for her. If ye dinnae trust me, ye had better come back to the keep. Who knows what I might do?” He held out a hand. “Let us return. There’s a wolf on the prowl.”

  “Och, I can handle a wolf and if ye touch my sister, I’ll handle ye too.”

  Blane couldn’t help smile at her fierce words. He suspected if this lass had been trained with a sword, he’d be in danger. She was more warrior than some men he’d met.

  “I dinnae doubt it.”

  She glared at him for several moments and not for the first time, he wished he had the ability to understand lasses better. His skin pricked when he saw movement behind her.

  “Kate,” he growled a warning. “I want ye inside the castle. Now.”

  “Ye cannae co—”

  His arms coming about her waist cut her off. He flung her over his shoulder with ease and fell into a sprint. She weighed no more than a few grains of sand and was almost as skinny as her sister. Blane glanced back and saw his instincts had been right. A lone wolf, its eyes glinting in the moonlight as it prowled closer.

  He didn’t wait to see if it followed but that it wasn’t part of a pack at least gave him a better chance of fighting it off if needs be. The creature had to be hungry indeed to come so close to the settlement.

  Kate spat words of annoyance at him and wriggled in his hold but such a scrawny lass was no match for him. He sprinted toward the village, the light from the huts tauntingly close. Once they reached the first hut, he released her and pressed her back against the building so he could peer around.

  “Ye cannae—”

  “Shhh. There’s a wolf on the prowl.”

  She clamped her mouth shut.

  Sure enough, the creature had come to a stop not far from the village edge. Blane hoped the candlelight spilling from the windows would be enough to persuade the wolf to turn around but if he was hungry, he might risk coming into the village.

  And that meant they were all in danger if he didn’t warn them.

  “Kate,” he whispered, “can ye get to the castle and sound the warning? I wouldnae want someone coming out of their home and being attacked.”

  “I...” The fierce warrior seemed to have vanished and in her place was a trembling young lass.

  He gripped her shoulders. “If ye can fight me, ye can do this.”

  “Aye.”

  When she lifted her chin, he saw Ceana in her. That same determination to protect their people, to win every battle. He doubted Kate realised how like her sister she was.

  “When I say, run. I’ll distract the wolf and follow ye once yer safe.”

  “But—” He tightened his grip on her. “Aye, as ye will.”

  Blane peered around the corner and spotted the wolf sniffing its way around one of the pigpens. No doubt some of their livestock would be taken tonight but better that than a wee bairn or a woman.

  “Go!”

  Kate ran without hesitation in the direction of the castle. The movement caught the wolf’s eye and he moved after her. Cursing his lack of a sword, Blane jumped in front of the animal. The creature froze and bared his teeth. They seemed to glint in the moonlight and Blane filled his lungs and drew up to his full height.

  For many moments, neither of them moved. The wolf snarled and took a small step to one side, then the other. He suspected the creature was trying to decide if his hunger was
worth this battle. Blane released a low growl and clenched his fists. If he had to wrestle a damn wolf, he’d do it. He certainly wouldn’t see another village attacked while under his guard.

  A horn rang out—the alarm. Good lass. The wolf lifted its snout and seemed to sniff the air. Mayhap he sensed danger or mayhap he’d simply caught another scent. Either way, the animal gave Blane a dismissive look and slunk away.

  The air left his lungs and the faint buzz of bloodlust rushed away, leaving him drained. He waited until the darkness swallowed the wolf and headed back to the keep. The door flew open before he could enter and Ceana knocked into his chest. He steadied her and stepped inside.

  “What are ye doing? Pray tell me ye were no’ planning to come outside?”

  She lifted the blade in her hand—his sword—and gave him a sheepish smile. “Ye were weaponless.”

  He shook his head. “I didnae rescue one sister for the other to get herself killed.”

  Kate appeared behind them. “I told her ye wouldnae like it.”

  Blane ignored the smugness in her tone. He couldn’t decide if the lass still hated him or not but he’d not lose sleep over it. “Ye’d have done no good out there, Ceana. Ye’d have only put yerself in danger.”

  He took the sword from her unresisting fingers while she scowled in his direction.

  “I could hardly leave ye. I’m not so useless.”

  “I didnae say ye were useless.”

  “Nay, but yer thinking it.”

  He glanced at her sister and passed her the sword. “Kate, will ye put this in the armoury?” Her eyes widened and a grin came across her face. “I can trust ye not to do something foolish, can I not?”

  Her grin vanished. “Of course ye can. I’m no’ a bairn.” She stalked off with his blade in hand and Blane resisted rolling his eyes. He turned his attention back to Ceana. When he tried to take her hand to lead her back into the hall, she whipped her hand away.

  “Ye really do think I’m useless,” she declared. “I’ve been protecting this castle for a long time.”

  A groan threatened to break free. He couldn’t win with these women. “If yer so capable, why did ye beg me for help?”

  Her mouth opened and closed. Under the torchlight, colour warmed her cheeks. Those wide eyes seemed to burrow into his soul. He couldn’t leave her. As tempted as he was, he’d have to stay until this cousin arrived.

  “I’ll bid ye goodnight,” he bit out, pressing past her and leaving her in the entrance way. Somehow he’d survive the next three days.

  He hoped.

  Something told him these women were going to be the death of him and while he cared little for himself these days, he cared for them. He needed to stay alive to protect them.

  Blane stomped through the hall and headed to his bedchamber. Och, he had to be addlebrained. And he knew who was to blame for that.

  Ceana.

  Chapter Six

  Ceana put a finger to the wooden door and traced the familiar notches. Though she only heard the drips and creaks of the castle punctuated by the occasional hoot of an owl or scratch of a cat, she imagined she heard Blane’s deep, steady breaths as he rested. She pictured him—dark hair, strong body, wide lips. He was beautiful. Whether her sister had been telling falsehoods about his attractiveness, she knew not. Who knew if they even found the same things attractive in a man? But Ceana knew, deep in her gut, that this man was beautiful. How could he not be? He’d chosen to take care of a group of women to whom he had no duty.

  Her own breaths were stilted and sounded loud to her ears. He wanted her. She needed him. With an ache so unbearable, she’d tossed and turned in her bed for too long. To be in his arms, even if only for a few hours, was more than she could hope for, and yet she did. Blane would leave them and likely never set foot on their land again but it mattered not. It had been so long since a man had touched her and the likelihood was no man ever would again. She wasn’t sure anyone had set her soul alight like he did.

  This was her only chance. She swallowed and found the cold iron handle. Wincing as it screeched when she turned it, she slipped into his room and pressed it shut again. There were no candles lit and no breeze whispered over her skin telling her the shutters were closed. Not the faintest hint of light broke the shadows of her vision.

  “Ceana?” His voice was raspy from sleep. Bed sheets rustled. Her stomach tangled in knots.

  Ceana inched over, feeling as though she were wading through water. Her feet were bare so as to feel her way to the bed. Four paces—nay, five, was it not?—he addled her mind so that she miscounted and her shin struck the bed. Palms splayed, they met a solid wall of warmth underneath linen. Thick fingers curled around her upper arms and held her in place.

  “Blane,” she whispered, the word reverent. “I’m sorry for earlier.”

  He ignored her apology and held her still. Fire licked along her body where he touched her, spreading out from the heat of his fingertips. It pulsed low, gathering deep down inside, making her want to press against him.

  She waited.

  “Ceana,” he said again, the low timbre skating along her skin and making it prick.

  Fingers speared into her hair suddenly, cradling her head. His other hand came to the base of her spine. The air left her body when he drew her close, urging her to come onto her knees on the bed. Then firm lips were upon hers—demanding, forceful.

  She released a gasp and curled her fingers into his shoulders, using him like an anchor in a storm. Whoever this man was, no matter how little she really knew of him, she knew this—he would take care of her tonight. He’d bring her to the peaks of pleasure and make her feel like more than an impaired woman fighting to survive. For those brief moments, she would give herself completely, for what could she lose?

  At present, she could only consider the gain. A hundred memories to keep her warm at night. A chance to feel something more than frustration and fear.

  The world shifted but he didn’t break the kiss as he laid her down. He tasted of mint leaves and something sweeter, though she couldn’t decide what. She traced the line and sinew of his arm to where he held her hip, all the way down to where his shirt sleeves were rolled up so she could feel the veins in the back of his hands and the way they pulsed with life.

  In his arms, she felt so alive. Blackness might dominate her vision but there was colour here. So much colour.

  Blane pressed the kiss deeper, finding the deep recesses of her mouth. His breaths came hard and fast, echoing her own, yet she couldn’t slow the pace.

  More.

  “Aye.”

  Ceana must have said the word aloud. She hardly knew what she was doing. She fumbled with his shirt, tearing and tugging. Blane’s impatience must have equalled her own as he broke the kiss briefly to rip the garment off. Then there was hot skin everywhere.

  She took the time to trace the way the muscles of his back rippled when he moved. His lips met her neck, hot and wet, nipping, kissing. Ceana drew in a sharp, thick breath and pushed her hands through his hair to hold him there. It was too sweet, too beautiful. Surely this was all a dream?

  The hardness pressing against her body and the width of his hips between her thighs couldn’t be a dream, though. Nor could she have imagined how his weight would feel atop her. The thick length of his hair sifted between her fingers and she drew the strands out, picturing how it fell around the nape of his neck and imaging how it would look when he pushed a hand through it in irritation.

  She paused. “Wait.”

  He stilled, his entire body tense and ready. She had a true warrior in her bed and the thought sent a shudder through her. Almost fearful of making him bolt, she moved with caution—nothing new for her, but doing something for pure pleasure’s sake was. If she was to do this, she needed to take the time to appreciate every part of this man.

  Blane lifted away a fraction. “Ceana, have I—”

  “I need to...” She put a hand out to find his face and cupped the rough li
ne of his jaw. He must not have shaved since his arrival. The release of a shuddery breath from him made her skin tingle. Ceana stroked the long length of his nose. Strong, fierce. Then his brow. Fierce there too. Furrows marred his skin and she suspected his expression was forever severe. Could she soften it?

  Though she had felt his lips against hers, she traced the line of them. It was too easy to get lost in the hazy swirl of desire when he kissed her but now she could feel how firm they were and how they were pulled into a grim line. If she could, she would make him smile too.

  “What colour are yer eyes?” she asked, the only thing missing to complete the picture.

  “Green.”

  “Like the hills? Or the loch?”

  “I dinnae know. They’re just green.”

  Ceana laughed. “I’ll ask Kate.”

  “She’ll no’ have anything good to say about my eyes.”

  “Aye, mayhap.” Sweeping her hands back over his shoulders, she gave a sigh at all that muscled strength laid out just for her.

  “I dinnae care what Kate thinks, though. ‘Tis ye that matters.”

  She burrowed her face into the welcoming cocoon of his shoulder and laid several kisses there. “I think ye should take me, Blane. Make me yers, just for tonight.”

  “Aye.” A hand came down to the hem of her shift. “That I can do.”

  He inched up the linen, too slowly for her liking. He made her squirm and want to beg as his fingers brushed her outer thigh, then her hips, then each rib.

  “Ye should eat more. I feel like I could break ye.”

  “Ye wouldnae.”

  “Would I not?”

  Ceana shook her head, not knowing how well he could even see her in the dark. She pressed a hand to his chest and the reassuring, steady thud of his heart echoed there. It was the beat of a strong, good heart. She wasn’t sure what had made him doubt that and she wasn’t fool enough to believe she could conquer it in one night or even another two days, but she’d at least show him what he meant to her. He couldn’t know it, but he’d done more for her in these past two days than anyone in her life. Blane treated her like something other than a blind woman. He treated her as simply a woman.