Celtic Knot

by Shannon MacLeod

  Ian took her hands and raised her up. “You take my breath away,” he murmured. “You are so very beautiful, like a spring morning.”

  Flustered by his close scrutiny, Lily asked, “Would you like a glass of wine before we leave?” Without waiting for an answer, she poured two goblets and handed him one. “Happy birthday,” she said, raising her glass in toast.

  *****

  He was unable to conceal his desire. “It is now that I’ve seen you, my beauty,” he said. When the wine was finished, Ian offered his hand then pulled her close. Unmoving, he stood there, reveling in her intoxicating scent. “I love you,” he whispered into her hair.

  “How do you say I love you in Irish?” she asked.

  Ian’s face split into a wide grin at her question. “Tá ghrá agam duit.”

  When she repeated it back to him with a sweet smile, he caught himself thinking of taking her back to her bed and ravishing her right then and there. Maybe they wouldn’t even make it to the bed. This carpet is nice…no, it’s got to be just right, he told himself, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. He grinned–just thinking about his mother’s words to him as a child had exactly the cooling effect he needed to get his unruly thoughts back in line so there would, in fact, be an evening out…

  “…sweetheart?”

  “Mmm…what? I’m ready,” Ian said quickly. He winked at Bella, perched in the window. Don’t wait up, he thought. The cat lifted a front paw as if to wave goodbye, then lazily scratched her ear.

  * * * *

  Castle Wilde filled to capacity early with lords and ladies, faeries, gypsies and the occasional pirate rogue drinking and dancing in the streets to the wandering minstrels. Holding fast to Lily’s hand, Ian made his way with her through the merriment, laughing with Lily and looking for Dan and Meg. At the lists field, his sister and brother-in-law held court while a human chess match performed for the appreciative crowd.

  “Ian,” Meg called out, waving them over. Ian bowed and Lily curtsied before the royal couple after climbing the few steps up to the dais where they sat. “Lily, don’t you look lovely tonight,” Meg said. “Come sit by me, dear.”

  Ian took the seat next to Dan. “We’ve had a record turnout tonight,” Dan said, chortling with delight. “It’s a good thing the new section is open. We’d never fit ’em all in otherwise.”

  Ian only grunted in agreement, his gaze never leaving Lily.

  “I’m glad Meg had the foresight to hire on the extra vendors. The last report I got said that there were lines at nearly every one of the booths.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “And we’ve got entertainment booked solid all evening. Why, for the grand finale at midnight I’m going to run naked through the list field,” Dan commented.

  What was Dan saying? Something about entertainment... Caught up in the way the moonlight glowed in Lily’s hair, Ian couldn’t answer. It didn’t matter anyway. Only Lily did. She was so–

  Dan snapped his fingers in front of Ian’s eyes. “Are you even listening to me? You’ve got it bad, my brother.”

  Startled, Ian stared back at him. “Wh…what?”

  “Have you told her how you feel about her?” Dan asked quietly.

  “Mm-hmm?

  Dan grunted in exasperation and gave him a poke. “And she said?” he prompted.

  “She feels the same,” Ian said, suddenly shy.

  “So now what?”

  “So now we wait and see what happens, I suppose,” Ian said, lifting both shoulders in a shrug.

  “Don’t wait too long,” Dan warned. “Have you told your mum?”

  Ian gestured toward Lily. “Jaysus, Dan, I just now got round to telling her,” he said. Unable to stand it another minute, he rose to his feet. “Begging your leave, your majesties.” He bowed to each then offered Lily his arm. “Fancy having your cards read, Miss Evans?” he asked.

  Placing a slender hand on his forearm, Lily giggled. “I’d be delighted, Mr. Kelly. Lead on.”

  When Beth’s table became free, Ian and Lily took a seat. “You’re looking lovely this evening, Beth,” Ian said. Even as he rendered the compliment he looked at Lily, tentatively placing his hand on her thigh. She rested her hand atop his, brushing a thumb absently across his knuckles.

  Beth looked from one to the other as she shuffled. “Let’s see what is in the cards for you two tonight,” she said, laying out three, face down. She took a deep breath and turned over the first card. “The eight of Wands. Hmm…love must be in the air this evening. Card number two is…the nine of Cups. Make a wish, both of you.”

  Lily obediently closed her eyes and smiled a moment later when she reopened them. “Done,” she announced.

  ****

  “My wish already came true,” Ian said, giving her thigh an affectionate squeeze.

  A winsome smile curved her lips. “Surely you have another wish, my lord?”

  Ian’s sharp intake of breath told Lily her question had found its mark. Beth reached for the third card, but Ian’s hand shot out and covered it, preventing her from turning it over. “No. Not this one.” Taking Lily’s hand he stood. “Happy Halloween, Beth,” he said.

  Waving, they left the tent but instead of walking back to the market, Ian guided her toward the parking lot. When they reached his car, he took Lily’s face in his hands. “What was your wish?” he asked.

  “My wish was to…to see the last room,” she whispered.

  * * * *

  Back at the tent, Beth hesitated for only a moment then turned over the last card. “The Moon,” she mused. “Wonder who’s got the secrets?”

  12

  Lily’s personal level of security hit DEFCON One by the time they walked through Ian’s front door. Okay, now what? Breathing. Breathing would be good, she decided, chewing her lower lip.

  “You seem a little tense,” he commented as he stepped forward and encircled her in his arms.

  His full hard length pressing against her did nothing to quell her nervousness. Her excitement either, for that matter. “I’m not tense,” Lily replied, tilting her chin up in false bravado. “It’s just…you just…uh….I’m not…”

  Laughter rumbled low in his chest. He brushed her cheek with his lips and released her. “It’s fine, darlin’. You have no idea of the amount of self control it took for me to make it this long. I’ve never wanted anything as badly as I want you right now and I’m of a mind to celebrate now that you’re finally here,” he said with a smile. “Champagne?”

  She nodded, desperate for anything to help her relax. Taking a seat on the couch, she eased off her slippers and wiggled her bare toes in the luxurious carpet.

  Ian disappeared through the double doors only to return moments later. He retrieved a bottle from the ice bucket and two crystal flutes from behind the bar. Expertly he popped the cork, filled both with the sparkling wine, handed her one and raised his in toast. “To you,” he said simply.

  “And to you,” Lily said. She drank deeply and Ian refilled it, his eyes growing dark with desire. When she’d finished her second glass, he took it from her and set it on the table. He reached for her hand and turned it over, pressing a warm kiss in the center of her palm. She held her breath as he kissed the sensitive underside of her wrist and gasped when the tip of his tongue grazed the soft skin.

  “You taste of fresh cut lavender,” Ian said, pulling her across him as he reclined back on the couch. He slid his hand under her hair and moved it aside, pressing his lips against the racing pulse in her neck. “Beautiful woman, you enchant me,” he murmured.

  She uttered a soft sigh as he slid his hand up the back of the velvet gown, massaging and soothing the tense muscles beneath. One arm encircled her waist, and he caressed her face with the other hand, brushing his thumb against the corner of her mouth and encouraging her to open to him. She melted against him, parting her lips for his plundering tongue.

  Hot, hot…it’s so hot in here! Was it her? Damn, she wished she had read
more of Beth’s romances… and her mind whirled again when he bent his head and kissed the skin exposed at the neckline of her gown. He gently cupped her breast, and her nipple hardened eagerly against the soft fabric.

  She threaded her fingers through his hair and smiled when he turned his intense gaze up to her. “I have been dreaming of this,” he murmured. “You have the softest skin. I want to touch all of you. I want to feel your skin on mine.” He dropped his hand to her ankle and worked his way under the voluminous skirt, wandered slowly up her thigh. Her entire body shook when a long finger brushed against the curls under her panties.

  His fingers crept beneath the lace and she squirmed against him. He sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re already wet for me, sweetheart,” he whispered hoarsely, “and I can’t wait another moment to taste every last inch of you. Come, my beauty.”

  He stood, hands outstretched to help her up. They had only taken two steps when he stopped short, pulling her into a crushing embrace. Startled, she gasped and he took full and fiery possession of it, caressing her tongue with his and exploring the velvety softness of her wine drenched lips.

  “I need to see you,” he said, unzipping her gown and sliding it from her shoulders to pool forgotten at her feet. His lips parted in a wide kid-in-a-candy-store smile at her, before him now only in lace bra and panties. “You are exquisite, mo chuisle.”

  He unfastened the front clasp on her bra and sighed when her full breasts sprang free of their lacy confinement. She shivered, self conscious, when he took them in hand, running his thumbs over her taut peaks, and she moaned at this new contact. With a wicked smile, he dipped his head lower and seared a path with his lips from her neck to her breasts. Dropping to his knees before her, he kissed each several times, finally taking one pink nipple in his mouth and teasing it with his tongue. Lily trembled and stroked his hair, holding her to him while he suckled lazily at one breast then giving the other one the same loving attention. With nimble fingers he tugged on the sides of her panties and they too were vanquished without a fight. His strong hands slipped around her back to cup her bottom, pulling her forward. His kisses wandered lower, and when she felt his hot breath on the small nest of pale blond curls, she could no longer trust herself to stand upright.

  She tilted his face up to hers. “Please…” she begged.

  Ian stood at once. “As my lady commands,” he murmured, scooped her up in his strong arms and walked toward the open double doors. She closed her eyes and when she reopened them, she thought she must be dreaming. They had been magically transported to a deep forest. All the walls were painted with thick, leafy trees and foliage, and the massive dark oak bed in the center of the room was replete with a dark green comforter and sheets. The bed had been turned down in invitation and candles lit, giving a surreal glow to the primeval room.

  “Were you expecting me to come tonight?” she asked, looking up at him.

  Ian flashed a dark, testosterone-laden smile that made her shiver. “Actually, that’s exactly what I’m expecting. Several times, if I’m lucky.” He laid her down gently in the middle of the bed and stepped back to disrobe. Lily watched in fascination as he removed his collar, doublet and shirt. Chest bared, he tugged off his boots and worked at the laces on his pants until they slid from his narrow hips and fell to the floor.

  Too curious to look away, she was shocked down to her toes to see he wore nothing under those pants. Apprehension came flooding back. He was now completely undressed, thereby making them both naked. Of course she knew what a naked man looked like, but Ian was the first she had ever seen in person, and definitely the most beautiful man she had ever seen, clothed or not. From the corner of her eye she could tell he was very hard, erect, and very– oh my god that is never going to fit. Her heart skipped a beat when she glanced at it again, and then skipped two more for good measure.

  Gathering up her nerve, she looked directly at him and almost swooned from the raw animal sexuality of the man standing before her. Her breath caught in her throat when he reached out and took her hand, guiding it to his rocklike erection. “Touch me, sweetheart,” he encouraged, “feel how very much I want you.”

  Her breath coming in soft pants, she wrapped her hand around him. Her fingertips barely brushed as she gingerly stroked the velvety skin. He gave a low rumbled purr of appreciation at her touch, climbed into the wide bed and slid toward her. Lily allowed her body to guide her, arching her back, begging to be touched.

  “Ah, Lily” he whispered, “mo ghra alainn…my beautiful love.” He slid his hand across her breast, down her flat belly, coming to rest on the small moist tangle of blond curls. Then he parted her tender folds and stroked her with questing fingers, teasing the little bud with his thumb. She moaned and shuddered, the pressure within her began to build, and when he pressed her throbbing woman’s center, wave after wave of pleasure rocked her to her core, blinding her to everything except the delicious sensation of liquid warmth spreading throughout her body. He held her close until the tremors subsided, and just when she could once again think coherently and breathe, he began another whirlwind onslaught of seduction.

  “Intoxicating beauty,” he murmured against her throat as he pressed kisses into it. His mouth trailed down to her breasts and he whispered to each, “Exquisite…perfection.” He kissed the sensitive valley in between and languidly ran his tongue in a circle around her naval. “So…sweet…”

  His hot, hungry kisses moved lower, and she knew she could not wait one moment longer for their inevitable joining. She grabbed two fistfuls of his auburn curls and raised his head so he’d look at her. “I want you inside me,” she said breathlessly, “right this minute.”

  Ian rose and moved over her, the hunger evident in his eyes. The ravenous look he gave her before burying his face in her hair catapulted her heartbeat into warp drive. He trembled and she sensed he was struggling, keeping his passion in check to be gentle with her. When he began to ease into her, she bit back a whimper, anticipating what she knew was next.

  * * * *

  Ian’s thoughts raced in time with his heartbeat. This wasn’t his first time, and he needed to quit acting like it was or this would be over before it even started. Yet this was his first time. Love changed everything. Love had made it different.

  He struggled to keep from burying himself inside her right then. He wanted to savor every sensation, every moment, so he closed his eyes and forced himself to slowly dance at her small opening. It was an exquisite torture, sliding into her little by little. God, she’s so tight… and then he could go no further. Confused, he pulled back and eased forward again only to meet the same resistance. What that meant hit him like a ton of bricks and he froze.

  Virgin… No…

  His eyes flew open to catch Lily watching him intently. “I love you,” she whispered. No sooner than those words were spoken, she wrapped her long legs around his back and in one quick movement pulled him down as she thrust her hips up, sheathing him to the hilt. She cried out, and his mind reeled at what she had just done.

  She lay still as a stone, her eyes closed. He rose up on his elbows to search her face for any signs of pain or discomfort but to his relief and utter delight, she gave him a tremulous smile and began wiggling her hips in an unmistakable sign of invitation. He moved with her, allowing her to set the pace, and when he felt her need accelerate, he matched her, making every nerve in his body scream out for release. They moved in unison, driving each other to a fever pitch. The pleasure became unendurable, and he took her cries into him as they climaxed together in a white hot blaze which threatened to consume them with its ferocity.

  They lay joined and panting and when their breathing slowed, Ian gently withdrew, murmuring love words into her neck as he slid down beside her and gathered her close against his heart. They lay without speaking for a long time, each sighing in utter completion, punctuated with soft kisses and tender caresses. Ian’s mouth rested on the pulse point on her neck, and she started slightly when he said
, “You…you should have told me, my love,” he whispered.

  “What difference would it have made? I love you,” she said.

  “And I love you.” He met her eyes. “I am sorry I hurt you.” She opened her mouth to speak, but he put a finger on her lips, gently silencing her. “You honor me, my lady.”

  With a contented sigh, Lily snuggled closer to his warm body. Ian stroked her hair in a comforting rhythm and they lay intertwined until sleep finally claimed her.

  * * * *

  Lily was dreaming, she knew. She stood upon the bow of a great wooden ship, heading out to sea. The oars creaked, stroking together to propel them forward. The dragon bobbed up and down as large waves battered the ship, but she was not afraid. She was happy, wrapped from head to toe in furs and warm in spite of the frigid temperature. Her long unbound hair whipped around her face, her tresses a rich crimson.

  Sensing the presence behind her, she smiled when two strong arms encircled her. “You’ll freeze to your death up here.” The words spoken weren’t English, but she understood them all the same.

  “I love the sea, I love its wildness,” she said.

  “As I love you,” he murmured in her ear in his deep voice.

  She turned in his arms to look up at him, this massive fur clad man, her man, dark and fierce with his long hair in thick braids. The handsome face was unfamiliar, but his eyes were Ian’s eyes…

  * * * *

  “I know you,” she whispered, and fell back into darkness.

  Ian lay awake watching her sleep and after a long time closed his eyes and slept, dreaming of the open sea and long red curls held aloft by the swirling North Sea winds.

  …I know you…