He leaned in closer, taking the utmost care as he slid a finger beneath her chin and slowly raised her face to his. He had to have a wee taste—no way could he resist this time. He cautiously grazed his mouth across the seam of her barely parted lips, gently nibbling and sampling. So soft. So…promising. Must take care. Alec repeated the silent mantra over and over as he reluctantly pulled away.
Aye, indeed. The MacDaras love hard—when they dare to love.
Chapter 7
Yesterday had been perfect. Sadie smiled back at her reflection as she brushed out her long, dark hair and swept it up into her business-as-usual ponytail. Alec seemed decent and kind and genuinely interested in knowing her better—just like he’d said when he’d named the additional terms to the agreement.
And what about what he’d said about MacDaras when they love? A tingling shiver shot through her. That gentle, cautious kiss. Such a tease. Damn. The man knew how to reel a woman in. He’d set the hook and she was so ready to be landed. The MacDaras might love hard, but she was in imminent risk of loving fast.
She cocked a brow at her reflection, her ponytail sliding slowly through her hand. Love? Really? After just meeting the man? Lust—yes. She was definitely head over heels in lust. There was no doubt about that whatsoever. But love?
She ran the brush through her hair again, rehashing yesterday’s moments. The more she pondered all the conversations, all the looks, all the flashing hot feelings of…dammit, she fanned herself, finally nodding to the mirror. “Who knows? Maybe there is a fast lane for love as well as lust.”
With one last pat to her hair, she exited the lavish bathroom and grinned. Not bathroom. En-suite spa—Miss Lydia’s voice silently corrected her, droning on inside her head. She scooped up her ball cap, pulled her ponytail through the hole in the back, and settled it comfortably in place. Perching on the wide cushioned bench at the foot of the four-poster bed, she laced up her hiking boots. They’d walked the main thoroughfare of the park yesterday, but Alec had said today they’d be on horseback so he could show her the more remote parts of the MacDara land. Hmm…remote. Sounds promising.
Sadie meandered over to the nightstand and slid open the drawer. She hesitated a moment, staring down at the jumbled mess she’d dumped out of her overnight case.
Should she or shouldn’t she? An extra-large box of condoms stuck out of the pile of hairbands, notepads, and hand lotions like the grand prize at the carnival. Delia had shoved the box of “extra ribbing for ultimate pleasure” gems into her hands when Sadie had been packing for her six-week stay at Highland Life and Legends.
“Just in case,” Delia had said with a dismissive smirk.
At first, she’d been insulted by Delia’s gesture. But now…
Would it be over-the-top slutty if she took along a couple of the little jewels just in case? She opened the box and fingered a few of the sealed packets. Slutty or not, after spending yesterday with Alec MacDara, she’d be sorely disappointed if he didn’t make a less chaste move today.
But what if he didn’t? Then I’ll do it. She flipped the packages in one hand, staring down at them as if they’d tell her what the future held. What would Alec think if she took the lead and seduced him into an afternoon of picnic blanket wrestling? Old insecurities reared their ugly heads. Seduce him? What if he runs screaming off a cliff when he sees all these curves coming at him?
Sadie shook away the evil voices, lifting her chin proudly. “He said I was beautiful and didn’t need to change a thing,” she informed the box of condoms. To further strengthen her resolve, she scooped out half of the packets and shoved them into her backpack. “I’ll be ready,” she promised, just as a knock sounded on her door.
“Are ye ready, Sadie?” Alec’s deep voice sounded from the hallway.
“You have no idea,” Sadie said under her breath as she scooped up her backpack and slung it over one shoulder. “Ready!” she called out loud enough for Alec to hear. She pulled open the door and nearly swallowed her tongue.
A linen tunic opened at the throat made Sadie’s fingers twitch with the urge to rake them across Alec’s tanned collarbone. He wore a kilt—not the super-short workout number he’d worn in the practice arena. This one was different, longer but somehow more seductive in the way he had it draped about his body. Wonder if he’s going commando? She’d heard the tales of what a true Scot wore beneath his kilt and truly hoped that today would be her chance to discover the truth of that particular rumor.
The colors of the tartan were subdued. A hunting kilt—how appropriate. The thought sent another surge of heat through Sadie. He doesn’t have to hunt. I’m right here. The corded muscles of Alec’s calves flexed as he resettled his stance and shifted the bulging picnic basket to his other hand.
Shit. I’m staring. “Uhm…you look awesome.” Sadie waved a hand to encompass Alec from his long, dark hair tied back with a leather thong down to the scuffed toes of his boots. “I didn’t realize I’d be spending the day with an authentically dressed Highlander.”
Alec leaned a bit closer, winking as he took the backpack from her shoulder. “Yer no’ a Brit or an Irish, are ye?” he teased. “Neither seem t’care o’erly much for us Scots.”
“Do I look like I have any British or Irish DNA?” Sadie playfully nudged his rock-solid shoulder, then flipped her nearly black ponytail to the front and wagged it at him. “Mediterranean descent—or so I’m told.”
“This way.” Alec turned them into a side hallway that Sadie hadn’t noticed on the day she’d arrived. A dark brow arched in interest, he grinned down at her. “Mediterranean, ye say? What country exactly?”
“This leads outside? I didn’t realize I could go this way.” Sadie pushed through the narrow-framed glass door at the end of the hall. She hurried down the short flight of stone steps and out onto the leaf-strewn lawn, doing her damnedest to change the subject. She’d rather not talk about her past. There just wasn’t that much to tell—or at least not that much worth rehashing. She tensed at Alec’s quizzical look. Just let it go. Let’s not ruin this day talking about what’s behind me. She willed him to hear the words. I always move forward. I never look back.
Almost as though he had heard her, Alec eased her worries with a shrug and a lopsided smile. He led the way across the lawn, pointing to a fenced-in area attached to the rear of a building large enough to pass for North Carolina’s version of the Superdome. “Anytime ye wish t’stroll our private grounds without passing through the main living quarters, ye can come this way. Over there is MacDara Stables, where we’re headed.”
Sadie’s moment of tension melted away like the sun pushing through the clouds. Good. There will be no crappiness of the past ruining this day. She hurried to catch up with Alec, stretching to peer over the high stone wall adjoining the rear of the family’s private quarters. The massive barrier bordered the length of the private grounds to connect with the fenced-in paddock. She pointed to the wall. “Keeps the tourists out?”
“Aye.” Alec tossed a disparaging glance at what could only be called a skirting wall, its imposing height and thickness fit to guard any castle. “If the task had been left t’me, the wall wouldha been a damn sight taller and broader. There are many who’ve no respect for signs declaring private areas that are no’ t’be entered.”
“Mornin’, Mr. MacDara.” A man dressed in faded blue bib overalls waved at them from the confines of the paddock. With a face weathered and tanned from years in the sun and hair white as cotton, the older gentleman reminded Sadie of a tall, lanky gnome. Standing beside him, calmly swishing a well-brushed tail, was one of the biggest horses Sadie had ever seen.
“Sadie Williams…” Alec stepped to one side and slightly bowed. “Allow me to introduce ye to Thomas Blankenship, or Tom as we call him—finest horse handler on the continent and stable master here at Highland Life and Legends.”
Tom’s long-handled mustache, a gleaming white that matched his cottony hair, arched higher at the corners, completely hiding t
he smile that was easily discerned by the friendly sparkle in his pale blue eyes. He barely nodded in Sadie’s direction, one hand still resting on the horse beside him. “Ma’am.”
“Mistress Sadie and I shall be touring the northwest border this mornin’.” Alec handed Sadie’s backpack and the picnic basket over to Tom, who immediately passed them to the stable boy who had somehow appeared out of nowhere.
“Here, boy. Bess and Max are waitin’ in the inside ring. Lash these good and tight behind one of their saddles and be quick about it.” Bushy white brows knotted together, Tom watched the boy half stumble and half trot across the paddock back toward the stable. “Don’t know about that boy, Mr. MacDara. He’s got a good heart, but damned if he ain’t the clumsiest kid I’ve ever seen.”
“Isn’t he the one who wanted to be one of the swordsmen?” Sadie asked, remembering how she’d felt so bad for the undersized kid when his dream had been abruptly burst by his inability to heft a sword.
“Aye.” Alec drew in a deep breath, pulled open the gate to the paddock, and stepped aside to let Sadie pass through first. “He needs a job…and a chance. I’ll see to it that he has both here.”
“Is his mama doin’ any better?” Tom plodded along beside them. “I ain’t got the heart to ask the kid.”
“Mistress Lydia and Máthair see that there’s always food in their house, and I’m sure those two also take the time to be certain no drugs or drink have found their way back within the woman’s reach.” Alec pushed open the wide double doors leading into the cavernous stable.
“Drugs and alcohol?” Sadie repeated. She’d volunteered at a women’s shelter and seen the damage those demons could do to women who’d either been abused or just never found the strength or opportunity to follow a different path.
“Aye, both.” Alec spit out the words. “The boy’s mother couldna bear the loss of her husband nor the silence of their home when he didna return from battle across the sea.” He took Sadie by the arm, gently pulling her closer as they walked. “But the MacDaras will see to the care of her and her son. The town of Brady took us in fifteen years ago, accepted us with the same warmth and hospitality we’d only found before in the Highlands of Scotland. This town is our clan now and we always take care of our own.”
Sadie’s heart swelled and double-thumped hard in an I’m in trouble, this isn’t just lust rhythm. The more she was around Alec and got to know him, the more she felt like she’d finally found the elusive piece of happy her life puzzle had been missing all this time. “So you’ve been here fifteen years. What made your family decide to leave Scotland and move to North Carolina?”
Alec’s sharp look halted Sadie in her tracks and backed her up a step. Holy crap. What did I say? Were the MacDaras part of some international witness protection program? Alec’s sudden wariness pushed her away, filling the air with uneasiness. Sadie knotted her fists against her sides, silently damning herself for finding a way to shove both feet in her mouth with little or no effort. “Look—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve. None of my business. Really.” So much for the missing piece of happy. She’d managed to ruin the day without even trying.
“Nay.” Alec scrubbed a hand across his mouth as though trying to erase his dark, troubled look. “ ’Tis I who must apologize. I’ve a great deal…quite a bit on my mind—what with the filming and all. Your question caught me unawares.” His hand dropped away. A forced smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes, replaced his earlier scowl. “We came here because…” He paused, his smile becoming more pained as he struggled to explain. “Because…I guess ye could say the MacDaras were sent to North Carolina. ’Twas our destiny per se.”
“Yep,” Tom chimed in with a polite nod to Sadie. “God sent’m here all right. Some of the ladies in church dubbed them Brady’s kilt-wearin’ angels. They been helpin’ folks ’round these parts ever since they got here.” The slow-talking stable master pushed open the final gate leading to the dirt ring where two horses patiently waited. “The MacDaras here are some of the finest folks you’ll ever want to meet. Take care of any soul that needs tending.”
Thankfully, Tom’s obliviousness to any tension helped Sadie’s sense of everything being right with the world settle back in place. No more prying questions. At least not to Alec. If she wanted to know anything about the MacDaras, she’d ask Miss Lydia and probably find out a lot more than she bargained for.
A renewed uneasiness that had nothing to do with the conversation settled across Sadie as they drew up beside the pair of horses awaiting their riders. Shit. These aren’t horses. These are freaking giants. Sadie eyed the daunting height from the animals’ huge, hair-covered hooves all the way up to their dark forelocks. Taking a step back, fingers held tight together, she stacked her hands one atop the other, over and over, silently counting until she’d spanned the distance from the base of one hairy hoof to the highest point of the withers on the horse closest to her. “Twenty hands? Are you kidding me?” She’d ridden horses before, but never one so tall. “Are they Clydesdales or what?”
“Nah.” Tom shook his head with a snorting laugh. “Ain’t twenty hands—Max here’s just shy of eighteen and Bess a little less than that.” He affectionately patted the black horse with the white stripe that looked like a spearhead running down his nose. “And they’re Shires—not Clydesdales.”
“Ye did say ye ride, aye?” Alec glanced over at her as he reached to scratch behind the great black horse’s ears when the horse nudged his shoulder. “Aye, Max. Yer a fine lad and I’m glad t’see ye as well.”
“Uhm…yeah. I can ride.” Regular-sized horses, she silently added. Sadie moved around to the horse named Bess standing on the other side of massive Max. A soft whisker-covered nose halted her. Bess snuffled her face, nosing up under the bill of her baseball cap until it flipped back off of Sadie’s head.
“Bessie!” Old Tom gently scolded, pushing the horse’s face away from Sadie. “We’ve talked about that. Stop bein’ rude.” He shook his head at Sadie with an apologetic shrug. “Bess here don’t like hats. Never has. We have no idea why.”
“That’s not a problem.” Sadie skimmed the ball cap off her ponytail, rolled it up, and stuffed it in her back pocket. She wasn’t about to start off this ride by getting on the bad side of her horse.
Bess tossed her dark brown head as though nodding her approval. She stepped forward, nosing her way under Sadie’s arm and maneuvering until Sadie’s hand rested atop her nose.
“Well done,” Alec said. “When she gives ye her nose, that means she considers ye friend.”
Thank goodness. Sadie obligingly rubbed Bess’s velvety muzzle. Turning slightly away from Alec, she leaned in close to the horse and whispered, “It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden. Be patient with me, okay?”
Bess flicked an ear and responded with a grumbling nicker.
“I hope that means ‘yes,’ ” Sadie whispered, eyeing the distance between Bess’s saddle, the stirrup, and the ground. “Have you got a step stool or something?” She fixed Tom with her best you gotta help me out here look. She was looking forward to this ride, but still hadn’t quite bought into the level of elevation involved in actually getting up into the saddle.
A rock-solid wall of muscle suddenly pressed against her back and two strong arms encircled either side of her. Alec’s warm breath tickled the side of her neck as he whispered close to her ear, “Ye’ve no need of a stool wi’ me around, lass. Put yer wee foot in the stirrup and I’ll see to it yer seated proper.”
I just bet you will. Sadie swallowed hard, willing herself to breathe normally instead of gasping for air between the revved-up drumroll of her heart. She reached up as high as she could, latching hold of the saddle as she shoved her foot in the stirrup. Alec’s hands slid down to her waist and he stayed in snug behind her. Heaven help me, she silently prayed, then tossed a nervous laugh back over one shoulder. “Don’t hurt yourself. You’re not hefting a tiny econobox. I’m a full-sized luxury m
odel.”
Sucking in a deep breath, she lunged upward, panic spiking as her hold failed and her fingers slipped off the smooth leather lip of the saddle. “Shit!”
“I’ve got ye, lass.” Alec caught her back against his chest, snugging his cheek tight against hers. He launched a shiver of anticipation through her with a deep, throaty whisper. “And I appreciate luxury, ye ken? Crave it, in fact.”
One hand on her waist and the other branding a deliciously hot handprint just under the right cheek of her ass, Alec easily lifted her up into the saddle. He slowly smoothed a steadying hand down her thigh, running the risk of setting her jeans on fire with the inferno he was sparking with his touch.
“There now. Comfortably settled. Aye?”
Sort of. Sadie cleared her throat and wiggled in the saddle. I’d be a damn sight more comfortable if everything I had from the waist down wasn’t on fire. She smiled down at Alec and settled the reins in her hands. “Just perfect. Thank you.”
Alec effortlessly seated himself atop Max. He motioned toward the open doors at the far end of the stable, then looked back at Sadie. “Are ye ready t’ride then?”
Sadie blinked at him, then silently nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
You have no idea how ready I am to “ride”…
Chapter 8
Thank the gods he’d decided to wear a kilt. His stiff cock would no’ have fared this ride well in a pair of those damnable jeans. Alec shifted in the saddle, stealing a surreptitious glance sideways at Sadie. Lore, I wanted her right there in the stable, Tom and the tourists be damned. He pulled in a deep breath, reliving the delicious scent of her when he’d held her back against his chest. And I shall have her before this day ends.
“All of this is MacDara land?” Sadie motioned toward the right of the riding trail, down toward the hilly expanse of woods interrupted by narrow strands of meadow. The fields of tall grasses shifted like a sea of rippling gold, dancing beneath the touch of the gentle autumn breeze. In the distance, through a thinning line of trees, the deep blue-black waters of the Cape Fear River sparkled beneath the sun. “Your family owns all of this? All the way to the river?”
Sadie's Highlander Page 8