“Now, we’ll do everything possible to make sure ye and our baby is as healthy as can be, now and always.” Liam continued, dropping his head to lick a line up her neck. When she sighed under their gentle loving touches, he nibbled her ear. “Feel better?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “Now I’m so turned on I’ll never be able to face your parents without blushing.”
The men canted their hips forward, pressing stone-hard cocks into her front and back.
“We’ve got two hours. I’m sure we can take care of yer little problem and maybe even get a wee nap in,” Penn said as he began unbuttoning her blouse.
In seconds Suz found she’d been efficiently stripped of her clothes. Seconds after that, her men’s clothing joined hers on the floor. As Penn pulled the thick comforter from the bed, Liam scooped her up in strong arms and gently laid her in the middle of the bed.
Before she could think about moving off the bed, the brothers joined her. They draped their legs over hers, effectively holding her down. Then they began to suck at her breasts and trace random patterns over whatever skin they could reach.
Liam lifted his head and looked down at her. “I love ye, lass. So damn much.” Leaning up, he kissed her, opening his mouth so their lips tangled.
When he finally pulled back, Penn took his place over her. “I love ye, too. More than ye’ll ever comprehend.” Then he kissed her, deep and long.
The lust they’d built in her grew into a mushroom cloud, making it impossible to think. “I love you, too. I want you two. I need you both. Now!”
She rolled to her side, so she faced Liam. Lifting her leg, she moved it so far out of their way that her knee brushed his armpit. “In me. Now.”
Opening her eyes, she met Liam’s worn denim gaze as he shifted lower to place the head of his cock at her entrance. Then he shifted his hips, and the head slid in. At the same moment, she felt the blunt head of Penn’s shaft press for entrance at her pucker.
“Now,” she breathed. “Please. I need you.”
She screamed when both thick, solid lengths slid in to the root, then froze. She began to pant to hold off the orgasm that threatened to take her out of herself and to heaven.
She felt Liam brush kisses over her forehead, her eyelids, and her nose as Penn kissed his way across the top of her shoulder and up her neck. Their heat radiated off their bodies like twin furnaces.
“Suz? You okay?”
Without opening her eyes, she smiled. “I’m better than okay. But I need you to move. Fuck me. Hard.”
It took a moment for them to respond to her words. When they did, it wasn’t with the hard, driving pounding she’d hoped for. Instead, Penn ease out of her back hole until only the head of his shaft remained in her. Then he reversed direction. As he slid home again, Liam pulled from her cunt.
They slowly pistoned in and out of her, one sliding in her and one out, their movements slow and controlled. When she tried to move faster, hoping they would lose control, Penn grabbed her hips while Liam took possession of her upper arm.
“Nay, lass. We’ll not be ruttin’ at ye like wild animals. We dunna wanta hurt ye.”
“When?” Suz panted, fighting their hold.
“When ye’ve healed from birthin’ our baby.” Penn groaned. “Now jes’ relax and let us love ye slow and easy.”
Her orgasm edged closer. When it was so close she could taste Suz reached down and pinched her clit. The sharp pleasure-pain threw her over lust’s edge, and she shook with the ecstasy that barreled through her.
Leaning forward, she latched onto Liam’s nipple and sucked hard. The rippling muscles of her cunt and ass shattered their control. Penn stroked deep three times before he roared his completion. His brother followed him over the abyss on his fourth stroke.
Her release drove away all her fears and worries, leaving Suz lightheaded and drowsy. She watched her men rise to clean up but fell asleep before they returned to the bed.
Chapter 8
Over the next days, parts of Suz’s body that didn’t usually bother her complained of overuse. Her cheeks grew sore from the perpetual grin she wore for the many, many clansmen who came calling. Her right hand and arm complained each time she waved in response to those they received as they drove around the area visiting farmers and shepherds and dealing with the business that had to be tended to. Her ribs bothered her the most as each and every person who met her, whether a close member of the McKenzie clan or not, had to hug her. Enthusiastically. After all, she was their Dream Weaver.
She’d had no clue that the Dream Weaver meant so much to these people. But she came to understand that she was vital to those who lived hand in hand with the Earth and who still embraced so many of the old ways of their pagan ancestors.
* * * *
The morning they were to travel deep into the highlands, Kendrick found them in the kitchen eating breakfast after one last wild romp on the wonderful big bed in their room. He accepted the cup of tea Mattie poured for him before joining them at the table.
“Lassie, I’ve bad news fer ye.”
“You couldn’t find anything?” Suz laid her spoon in the bowl of porridge she’d been eating, her appetite gone.
Kendrick shook his head as he sipped his tea. “We found nothing in the history and none of the elders remember any time where women faced each other in a challenge such as this. I’m afraid ye’ll have ta fight her, but we can keep it from being a duel ta the death and instead make it a test of skill. Problem there is that the bitch loves all sports. She’s a true outdoorswoman.”
Suz began to play with her porridge as the men changed the subject to stories of past challenges that had been passed down through the generations. Her mind whirled, but one question kept nagging at her. It was the same question she’d had since Mary had thrown down the challenge.
“Who decides how the challenge will be met?”
Her question silenced the men who stared at her in amazement. As she met each set of pale blue eyes, she watched as the three men began to smile.
Kendrick cleared his throat. “You do. She issued the challenge, but ye will set the terms. If she refuses to meet yer terms, you win. If she accepts, then ye’ll face off and…”
“And the winner gets Penn. What if she wins, but Penn refuses?” Suz’s eyes narrowed as her smile grew.
“It’s a matter of honor, luv. I canna refuse.”
“So you’re stuck with a crazy bitch you don’t love? That’s just plain wrong.”
“That’s the old ways, lassie, but it gives ye all the more reason to win.” Kendrick patted her hand.
“Do we have to fight? Or can I choose a test of skill?”
“Ye can choose anythin’ ye like, but Mary is a hunter and can run like the wind. She’s only a fair cook and spends most weekends down in Inverness, carryin’ on like a floozy,” Mattie answered as she began to clear the table. “At least that’s the story floatin’ through the highlands.”
Suz nodded but didn’t say anything further. If Mary Fraser was such a tomboy, then Suz knew her challenge had to be that of a skill she had that the other woman might not. “How soon are we leaving for Spring Castle? I need to run to town for a few things.”
“We’ll leave after lunch.” Kendrick responded as Liam said, “I’ll drive ye, lass.”
“Thank you, Liam, but no. I’d like to drive myself.” Suz laid her napkin on the table and stood.
“Are ye sure, luv?” Penn asked, watching her closely.
Suz smiled. “I’m sure. You two would be bored and in the way where I’m headed.”
* * * *
Two hours later, Suz wished she’d brought the twins along as the SUV sputtered and died in the middle of the road, which she wasn’t sure was even the right one. She’d driven into town easy enough, remembering the landmarks and turns, but going home, everything looked different and unfamiliar. She thought she missed a turn but couldn’t be sure and there wasn’t anyone around she could ask directions from.
�
�Come on, baby, please start. I don’t want to be late getting back. I’ve already been gone longer than I’d planned.” She turned the key again, but nothing happened. Glancing at the dashboard, the gas gauge was pointed at full. So why wasn’t the engine working?
She reached into her carryall for her cell, but it wasn’t in the pocket she normally kept it in. Then she remembered Liam had taken it to charge it before they headed into the mountains.
“Damn. Damn, damn, damn.” She slammed fisted hands on the steering wheel in frustration. The violent outburst didn’t do anything but send shafts of pain up her arms. ”Okay, smart girl, what now?”
Hike back into town and beg to use a phone was her only option, but the dead SUV was blocking the road. What if someone came along?
“Too damn bad,” she muttered, pulling a notebook and pen from her bag.
After writing a note to explain that she’d headed back to town, Suz slipped the keys under the driver’s floor mat. She climbed out and slung her carryall over her head so the strap lay diagonally across her chest. Taking a deep breath, she headed back the way she’d come.
She’d only taken a few steps when a shot rang out. Something small and hot slammed into her shoulder, knocking her to the ground. She hit her head on a rock and red-hot pain roared through her, followed by blessed black unconsciousness.
* * * *
Penn opened the front door and stared down at the parking lot for the umpteenth time since Suz had left. With a sigh, he closed it again and returned to pacing the entryway. When Liam appeared a moment later to do the same thing, he snorted. “She’s no’ back yet.”
“Something’s wrong.” Liam frowned at his lookalike. “We never should have let her go alone.”
“Aye, yer right there,” Kendrick said as he strode into the room. He shrugged into a jacket as he juggled a long rifle. “Old Malcolm jes’ called and said he and his flock came across our SUV with a pretty lady layin’ on the ground not too far away. Says she wouldna wake up when he called to her. He didn’t wanta get too close because of the sheep.”
“Oh shit.” The boys raced their father out the door and to the fifteen-passenger van sitting in the drive.
It was normally a half-hour drive to town. The boys held on tight as Kendrick made the drive in half that time. They didn’t pass a gray SUV anywhere along the way. Turning around at the edge of town, Kendrick headed back toward the keep. At the second turn, he saw several sheep coming over the hill straight ahead. Instead of turning, he drove toward the sheep, slowing as he approached the flock. Cresting the hill, he saw Old Malcolm. The old shepherd waved his tall staff in greeting before pointing it toward the bottom of the hill.
From the front passenger’s seat, Penn saw his mother’s SUV. A splash of red and blue lay on the ground beside it. He frowned. Something was wrong with the scene.
Suz had worn an off-white blazer with her blue outfit when she’d left for town. She’d left her red parka at home in America. So why was she wearing red now? Had she gone shopping and changed clothes? Was that why she hadn’t wanted them with her?
Kendrick stopped the van close to the SUV. Liam slid the back door open and was around the front of the van before the engine died. “Oh holy shit,” he muttered.
That’s when Penn realized she hadn’t changed clothes. The red on her clothes was blood.
“Penn, get a blanket and the first aid kit out of the SUV,” he ordered, kneeling beside the woman who held their hearts.
Penn nodded and went to do his brother’s bidding. Liam was the healer. He would take care of their woman.
“Suz? Lass, ye’ve gotta wake up now. Open yer eyes and talk ta me,” Liam said softly, touching her neck and feeling for a pulse.
Penn opened the back of the SUV and gathered the things Liam asked for. Then he joined his brother who had pulled open her blazer and shirt, popping several buttons in his haste.
“Liam?”
* * * *
Liam nodded. “She’s unconscious, but her pulse is strong.”
Penn handed him a bottle of water and watched as he rinsed the blood from her chest. The small hole was high on her right shoulder, right next to her collarbone.
Liam looked to Penn then to their father. “She’s been shot.”
“Can you stop the bleeding?” Kendrick stayed out of the way, his gun at the ready as he scanned the surrounding area, looking for the culprit who had shot the Dream Weaver.
“Aye, but I wanta remove the bullet first.”
When Penn handed him a pair of rubber gloves, he pulled them on in an automatic movement.
“Any forceps in that kit?” Liam pushed down the panic and pulled up every bit of control he could muster. He’d worked on people as a medic in the Army. He’d dealt with injured animals all the time. He had to help his woman.
Penn nodded.
“Hand me an alcohol wipe, then use another ta wipe them off with.”
Liam wiped Suz chest with the wipe, eliciting a moan of discomfort. “Shush, lass, yer safe now.”
“Liam?”
“Aye, lass.”
“Where’s Penn?”
“I’m right here, luv. Now try not to move while Liam takes care of ye.”
“The car died,” she whispered. When Liam reached into the hole in her chest, she screamed before passing out again.
Liam worked quickly, extracting the bullet which Penn cleaned and handed to Kendrick. He then cleaned the wound and bandaged it closed. Once finished, he and Penn stripped the blood soaked clothes off of her, then wrapped her in the blanket and carried her to the van. Liam climbed into the back seat and cradled the unconscious woman against his chest.
Suz didn’t rouse until they were parked at the keep. “Liam?”
“Aye, lass.”
“My shoulder hurts.”
“I ken sweet angel, but I’ve got ye. Yer safe.” He hugged her closer to his chest, careful not to jostle her shoulder as he carried her from the van into the house.
“What happened?”
“Someone shot ye.”
Chapter 9
“Why would someone do that? I thought they liked me.”
Penn stepped in front of them and kissed her hair. “They do like you. They love you.”
Suz frowned at him. “Obviously someone doesn’t like me.”
Penn nodded with a frown. “Only one person in Scotland I know who might be daft enough to do such a thing.”
“Mary Fraser?”
Penn nodded. He stepped out of the way after Liam looked at him then cocked his head. Shut up already.
“Hush, now, lass. Ye dunna need ta worry about anything except getting well. The doctor’s on her way, and she’ll fix ye up right as rain,” Liam said as he headed across the entryway.
The rest of the household followed as he easily carried her up two flights of stairs to their third-floor room. It impressed Suz that he wasn’t even breathing hard when he finally stopped by the bed.
Once he laid her down, Suz pushed herself into a sitting position. When the blanket slipped, exposing one shoulder, she looked at the brothers. “Where the hell are my clothes?”
The twins flushed, and they looked at each other while the others laughed.
Suz lifted one hand to the back of her head. “Oww, that hurts.”
“Out. Everyone out.” A short, round woman with a long, white braid pushed her way through the crowd.
While the others turned and hurried out, Penn and Liam remained where they were, standing on either side of Suz. The woman looked at them and pointed with the arm that wasn’t carrying a rather large, black medical bag. “That means you two, as well. Get out.”
“No.” The two spoke as one. They crossed their arms and looked like they wouldn’t be moved from that spot even if a category five hurricane swept through the room.
The woman looked from one to the other before shifting her gaze to Suz. “I don’t mind if it won’t bother you.”
“They can stay,” Suz sa
id through teeth gritted against the pain.
“I’m Sarah McKenzie Ferguson, the doctor around here and yer the Dream Weaver who’s gone and got herself shot. Lay back, please. Try ta relax.” She helped Suz lay across the foot of the bed with her injured shoulder next to the edge. “You two, get a pan of hot water and some clean bandages. And see if ye canna find some clothes for the gel. Nothing too restricting.” Dr. Ferguson ordered in a sharp tone that had the twins racing to do her bidding.
“Now, lassie, let’s see what we hae here.” The doctor pulled open the blanket then positioned it so as much of Suz was covered while still allowing her access to her shoulder. “Did you take care of this, Liam?”
“Yes, ma’am. Da has the bullet if ye need it for the police,” Liam answered from across the room.
“Good job ye did. Now, lassie, I’m going to give ye a local anesthetic so’s I can clean the wound ta make sure there’s no nasties left inside. Then we’ll stitch ye up and ye should be right as rain in a week or so. Ye said yer head hurt, as well?”
“Yes, ma’am, I think I hit it on something when I fell down.”
“She was unconscious for at least a half hour,” Liam added.
Dr. Ferguson nodded as she gently probed the back of Suz’s skull. “Aye, ye got quite a bump there.”
She shined a light in Suz’s eyes and asked a series of questions, which Suz was able to answer with ease. Finally, the doctor nodded and turned her attention back to the shoulder wound. “Ye have a hard head, lassie. Ye’ll have a headache for a bit, but I don’t think ye’ll have any permanent harm from it. Jes’ keep an eye on her. Any vomiting or dizziness or forgettin’ things she shouldn’t and ye bring her ta me.”
In short order, the doctor had rinsed the cleaned the wound and retrieved the bullet. After closing the wound she fit a sling on Suz’s arm.
Once she was done, she handed Liam a small bottle of pills. “Antibiotics to make sure there’s no infection,” she explained. Turning to Suz, she asked, “Will ye be wantin’ something strong for pain?”
Suz shook her head. “No, they make me loopy. I have a high tolerance for pain anyway.”
“Probably jes’ as well with that conk on the head. Take Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. Won’t upset yer stomach and should work just as well. If the pain doesn’t ease up after a couple hours, layer on the other. Liam knows what ta do.”
Marrying Their Dream Weaver Page 5