The Highlander's Kiss (Highland Legacy Book 2)

by D. K. Combs

  He looked down at her, chest rising as fiercely as his heart pounded between them.

  “Blayne—“

  “Take me with you,” she said, putting a finger to his lips. She stared into his eyes, the only way she knew how to convey how utterly serious she was. “Take me home.”

  “What in all that is holy is she doing here?” Thomas squawked when the pair walked through the gates. He was the first to greet them, and that was mostly due to him being the only one to know where Alec had gone.

  He glanced down at Blayne. The glow that had been missing when he had first spotted her by the river was back, the smile on her face a thousand times brighter than the fake one she had given “Leith.”

  Despite how much he didn’t want to hear of another man being around his wife, his resolve to question her about the strange man had crumbled. On the way back to his keep, they’d talked about her involvement with him after she had mentioned the window of escape they had. Leith had apparently agreed not to tell her parents that she was alone with Alec in the forest, but that would surely change once he noticed she hadn’t come back.

  Leith had, by her terms, been just a childhood friend, the son of Brodrick. Before she had left the last time and subsequently been kidnapped, the two had agreed to deflect all mentions of the two of them being married, something her mother desperately wanted for her.

  He didn’t understand her family. One second, they wanted her married. The next…they didn’t. At least, they didn’t want her married to him.

  The thought was painful, but he reminded himself that Blayne was a grown adult. Her opinions would not always reflect that of her parents, and that was that. Not only that, but he knew once her mother and father found out of their impending grandchild, Kane would be forced to accept this. And, from Blayne’s belief, her mother would encourage a union.

  Aye, they would come riding up to his door with their swords raised and teeth bared, but Alec would prepare for that.

  “I’ve brought her home,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She really did look home. Her happiness glowed from the inside, out.

  “With the approval of her parents?” Thomas asked, eyebrows raising hopefully.

  At that, Alec shrugged and guided her past him.

  “My lord—my lord, do not walk away from me!” Thomas chased after him. Beside him, Blayne chuckled, covering her mouth. “My lord, you’re going to get us all killed!”

  “Relax,” Alec said, waving a hand behind him. “And leave us alone. I need to get my woman settled. She had a long ride here.”

  And she had. The bairn growing inside of her had made the ride uncomfortable. He knew she had tried to hide it, but the squirming and bouts of tension had given her away. He had tried to make the ride as gentle as possible, but his horse had not been bread for show. It was a battle monster that rode hard and furious, even when at a trot.

  He guided her into the keep, keeping a hand at her waist. Several of the maids smiled at the sight of her, but carried on with their duties when he ushered her past.

  “Alec, you don’t have to rush me into a bedroom, you know,” she said, chuckling.

  “Not just a bedroom, my lady,” he said darkly, hand sliding down to palm her ass. “Our bedroom.”

  She stopped mid-stride. “Wait, did you just—did you really just squeeze my arse? You can’t even wait until I’ve been here a few moments before getting me in bed?”

  He frowned. “You need to rest, my love. I ken the ride hurt ye’ a bit and I donna want to risk the bairn—“

  “Pardon me, but I canna help but notice that ye’ just said the word ‘bairn’,” a familiar voice from behind him said. “Ah, hello, my lady Blayne. ‘Tis a wonder to see ye’ here again.”

  His eyes closed.

  “Father.”

  “Explain yerself, lad,” Alexander McGregor demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. “’Cause I ken ye’ didn’t tell me I’d be a grandfather and if there’s one way to piss me off, that’s it.”

  Blayne snorted from beside her. When he shot her a quelling glare, she glanced away from him innocently, rocking back on her heels.

  “It’s just something I’ve recently learned as well, old man. Can I please get her into a bed so she can rest? The ride here was not pleasant.”

  Alexander nodded, but not before grabbing Alec’s arm as he passed. “Does her father ken she’s here?”

  Alec shook his head. “Not yet, anyway. I suspect he will be here by morning.”

  “And yer prepared for shite to hit the fan?”

  “Blayne is confident that it won’t,” Alec assured him. The clan might no longer answer to Alexander, but that didn’t mean the man couldn’t care about its welfare. He had reigned as laird for nearly twenty years and still took over when Alec left the keep for battle.

  That wouldn’t be happening anymore, though. Not with the news that he was going to be a father. Not with the fact that Blayne agreed to be his wife.

  “And ye’ trust that?” Alexander asked, raising a skeptical brow.

  Alec glanced at his woman, then back at his father. “I do.”

  He expected a look of doubt, or at the very least an eye roll—but there was none. There was only a small smile and then a pat on his shoulder. “Yer mother would be proud of ye’, lad. Now get her off to bed, its late and I donna want my granddaughter or grandson suffering from it. Oh, and bring some food up to the poor lass, as well. She might like some roasted chicken—its easy on her stomach.”

  With those parting words, Alexander wandered off, a low, deep hum echoing through the stone hall.

  Hours later, after being away from her for some time, Alec came into the spare room he’d readied for her. She sat up at his entrance, a smile spreading across her face. This was the same room that he had once sequestered her to when she had first arrived. In the corner, there was still some evidence of the make-shift pond she had created.

  “You know,” she said with a raised brow. It was dark as sin outside, and the only source of light was a small candle by her bedside. Though tiny, it still managed to cast a shadow over his face when he leaned toward her. “I might be with child, but that does not mean I don’t know how to walk, or that I can’t do things besides lay in bed.”

  “Och, my lady, I ken that,” he said, reaching for her hand. He pulled her out of bed, taking the blanket she’d been using and slipping it around her shoulders. “I just had to prepare something for ye’.”

  “Oh? And what would that be?”

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come with me and ye’ll see.”

  Blayne followed after him, feeling like she was in some sort of fairytale. Everything was going…perfect. The two of them were happy. She was content. For whatever reason, she wasn’t worried about her father invading the keep, and just thinking about their confrontation…left her at peace.

  They needed to have it. She needed to establish what she wanted, what would make her happy. Being stuck at her parents’ home, with child and under the strict, watchful thumb of her father? That hadn’t made her happy.

  She was so grateful she had seen Alec retreating back at the stream. At first, she hadn’t believed her eyes. The sight of him disappearing into the forest had been so quick, it could have been an apparition—but something had told her to go, to see if it had been real.

  She would never be able to accurately describe the emotion that had taken over her at the sight of him. Words would never describe the fear of rejection, the need to hear his voice, or the overwhelming love that had attacked her at the sight of him.

  Everything that was happening right now? It felt natural. Like this was how it should have been. How it was meant to be. The hand at her back, the cool stone that her feet whispered over... This was right.

  And she never wanted it to end.

  He brought her to a door—his door. Six moons away might have felt like an eternity, but she would never forget this door—or the things that had happened behin
d it.

  Nervously, she glanced at him. What would he think about the swell of her stomach? The swell of her breasts? Lord, but if he tried to touch them, she might combust. Not because she was dying for his touch that badly, but because they were so sensitive. The whole way to his land, the dress she’d worn had shifted with each trot of the horse… It had been like hell on earth.

  “Donna look so nervous, lass. I willna touch you—but I will be sleeping with ye’ in my arms tonight. We were apart too long.”

  “Aye, my lord,” she murmured, unable to stop the shy smile spreading across her face.

  He reached in front of her, and the door swung open a second later—to reveal a room bathed in the soft glow of a hundred candles. In the center of them? A giant washing basin.

  As she stepped into the room, wonder filled her.

  “This…is beautiful,” she said, starting to feel her throat close with emotion. Her hands crept to her belly, an automatic reaction. “But aren’t you worried about a fire? There are so many candles…”

  “And a bath that would take care of it in an instant. Donna worry, lass. Do ye’ need help getting undressed?”

  Her cheeks went red, and she nodded.

  Lord, but their dynamic had definitely changed. Instead of so ready to defend herself, she was willing to accept his help. Instead of being so domineering, he was being chivalrous. The thought made her heart warm.

  Contrary to her first belief, she knew he would make a great husband—and father.

  He gently pulled the shawl from her shoulders, and then started on the laces of her dress. Nimble fingers danced along her back, and then the top was loose. With a few other ties undone, the dress slid down the length of her body to pool at her feet. She had forgone the corset purely because of her babe, leaving her in nothing but a filmy shift. Soon, that came off as well, and he was standing behind her.

  She might not see him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t sense him. He was quiet, solemn. Though he didn’t touch her physically, the heat of his gaze burned her.

  “My body is…different, Alec. It’s not the same as you last saw it.” She hated how insecure she sounded.

  “And ye’ll only grow more beautiful, lass. Ye’ donna have anything to worry about.” His arms came around her until his hands came to meet at her stomach. With a slow inhale, she covered his hands with her own. “Let’s get married on the marrow.”

  She laughed through the tears, moving out of his embrace. “First, I’d much like to take a bath, if you donna mind, my lord.”

  The tub was large and wooden, filled with water and topped with rose petals. He probably hadn’t had the forethought to do all of that on his own, but she was thankful, regardless. When she dipped her hand into the water, though, she found it wasn’t hot…but mildly warm.

  She raised a brow at him. “How long was this water sitting here?”

  It took him a moment to answer. She turned to fully face him, so he had the perfect view of her body. Swollen breasts and belly and all. She would have been self-conscious, if it hadn’t been for the pure need that darkened his eyes.

  “Uh—no’ too long. One of the maids warned about water being too hot for a bath. Said something about cooking the bairn.”

  Blayne nodded, holding out a hand. “That makes sense,” she murmured. “Will…you help me into the basin?”

  He helped her in without another word, until she was fully submerged except her neck. She sank into the warm water, and as she did, he stepped away from her to move to the hearth. Quietly, curiously, she watched him start the fire.

  “What are ye’ thinking about, lass?” he asked, breaking the silence.

  “Just…you. And what will happen tomorrow.”

  “Ah… Yer father. I’m sorry for acting so rash.” He turned back to her, joining her at the edge of the tub. One hand dipped into the water, and he swirled it. They watched together as a petal was caught in the flow until it spun out.

  “It was not all on you, my lord,” she whispered, reaching through the water to hold his hand. “I came with you willingly. Anything that happens tomorrow will be on my shoulders, as well. We will get through this.”

  “Together.” Though his tone was dark, it was also musing, as if the word was foreign to him.

  “Yes, my lord. Together.” She let go of his hand to touch his jaw, turning in the tub until she was facing him, their faces inches apart. In the low, yellow light, shadows darkened his features--but not enough that she couldn’t see the emotions flash through his eyes.

  Love, wonder, desire. All were present, and all were bared proudly. He did not hide himself from her, didn’t show her anything less than his adoration.

  After spending weeks in her own solitude for fear of someone finding out her secret, she craved the company like a fish needed water to survive.

  Blayne bit her lip, adjusting herself so that she was closer to him, their lips so close that she could feel his breath on her delicate flesh.

  “Alec,” she whispered, looking at him through her lashes. “I…would much like to make love to you.”

  One of his brows rose. “So forward, my lady,” he said admonishingly. Still, he rose from his spot beside her and shed his plaid, claymore, and boots. The rest of the clothing came off in due time, and then he stepping into the tub with her.

  Though it was large, it wasn’t large enough for the two of them to sit—but he took care of that easily enough. With a quick movement, he took her by the hips and dragged her on top of him, his back and ass against the basin walls.

  His legs bent just enough that she could sit cradled in his lap.

  “My lord! To do it in a tub? It would be scandalous.”

  “Aye, but it would feel so good,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist. He pulled her flush against him, in just a way that her breasts brushed against his chest, and she shuddered.

  “Alec, my breasts…they are sensitive. Almost too sensitive.”

  That brought a chuckle from him. “I don’t know if I quite believe that.”

  “Honest!” she swore, putting her hands on his shoulders. God, but even having his breath fan across her nipples had her trembling.

  “I believe we should have a small experiment, my lady Blayne,” he whispered, leaning forward to gently nuzzle the pink tip with his nose. She shook her head, but couldn’t bring herself to pull back completely.

  She was sensitive, yes, but that…that had been so gentle that the pleasure was immediate.

  “What type of experiment?” Was that her voice? That sound of a croaking frog?

  At the rumble in his chest, she knew it must have been.

  “Och, nothing too dangerous, my lady. We are simply going to test the truth of your words…”

  “But how—oh! Oh, Alec—I’m not sure…I’m not sure this is such a good idea—oh.”

  He had bent his head to lave her nipple with his tongue. While he softly stroked the hypersensitive skin, his other hand came up. He didn’t touch her nipple, no. Instead, he played around it. He played around it in such a way that the teasing nearly drove her mad, and coupled with the sensation of his tongue flicking, licking, and softly sucking?

  In just two seconds flat, she was a shaking mess.

  “My lord, please—I donna think I can… I donna think I can take this—“ But alas, he didn’t stop. No, he continued at a steady pace, wringing moan after moan. She didn’t think it possible, but soon after the pleasure began, she felt something she had only ever felt once before—and only with him.

  “Something is…is happening,” she gasped, digging her nails into his shoulders. Unable to stop herself, she ground herself against him, the pleasure intensifying when she felt his hard cock between them. It slid between her nether lips, but didn’t enter. Nay, the pleasure was centered right on her clit.

  “Ride it out,” he commanded around her nipple. The wave of pleasure rose inside of her, until she was shaking from head to toe, until she was moaning his name an
d holding his head to her breast.

  Sooner than she would have thought possible, the orgasm rose inside of her. And when he tugged her nipple between his teeth, and the other with his fingers?

  It slammed her. It took her over so hard and fast that she couldn’t see, couldn’t hear. She knew she was crying his name out, but between that and the pleasure, that’s all she knew. She didn’t notice the water sloshing between them and out of the tub. Hell, if someone had entered their room, she was sure she wouldn’t have noticed that, either.

  Finally, after what seemed like eternity, the pleasure died off—but not entirely. Nay, the pleasure flowed through her in a steady, trickling stream, just enough to have her eyes closing and her mind wandering. Belatedly, she realized he hadn’t even entered her, nor had he had a chance to come himself…but she simply didn’t have the strength to move.

  “Blayne,” he said at her ear. She softly kissed his jaw, only then realizing that her head had fallen to his shoulder. “Blayne, I love you.”

  “I love you as well, Alec,” she murmured, nuzzling his jaw. “And I’m so sorry.”

  “For?

  “For…for not letting you find your release, too.” She really did feel bad, but the sleepiness that came over her was too strong to fight.

  He laughed, wrapping her tightly in his arms. “We will have the rest of our lives for that, lass. Sleep now. I’ll take care of ye’.”

  Blayne woke to an empty bed—and the sound of men clamoring past her door. She rolled out of bed quickly, heart racing. Was it her father? Was he here, demanding Alec’s head? Had he come to drag her back to Shaw land?

  Moving as fast as she could, she dressed herself, pulled her hair back into a braid, and then headed out of the room. She didn’t remember Alec putting her to bed, or waking up at any part of the night, but she knew he had slept close to her as he’d promised—and even though she knew a lot of shouting, arguing, and fighting was about to happen? She was determined to sleep beside him tonight, as well.