Born to Bite Bundle

by Hannah Howell

  His low, husky voice warmed her. He did not speak of love or marriage, but, at that precise moment, she did not care. Lachann had just confessed that he desired her. The way he had ended the only kiss they had shared had made her begin to think that he did not feel the same fierce wanting that plagued her. Adeline’s heart pounded out the message that need and desire could easily grow into love. She ignored the more sensible part of her that warned her to tread slowly, that her heart could be blind and foolish.

  “I think we do,” she answered quietly, ignoring the heat of the blush stinging her cheeks.

  Lachann stroked her long, bright hair. “I ken we do. That kiss we shared told me so.”

  “But ye thought it was a mistake and ye havenae tried for another.”

  “Cowardice and unkind thoughts. Unfair judgments just because ye are an Outsider. I wanted ye to trust me but I wasnae willing to trust ye. Despite what ye have done for Osgar, a bairn who showed ye the beast within him from the verra first time ye held him in your arms, I allowed the sins of others to taint ye. That was wrong of me but it took a while for me to see that.”

  Adeline nodded and smiled faintly. “Aye, it was, but I can understand the why of it. That doesnae explain why ye should call yourself a coward, however. That just isnae true. No mon who faces four armed men for a child and a woman he doesnae ken is a coward.”

  “Facing four armed men is naught but a nuisance compared to facing what I felt when I kissed you. I was fiercely stirred by an Outsider female and that set me back on my heels.” That and the fact that he had ached to mark her as his own, but he knew it was too soon to tell her that.

  “So, ye didnae kiss me again because ye didnae trust me, because I am nay a MacNachton.”

  He winced to hear how his prejudice sounded when spoken so bluntly. “Aye, but I finally shook off that foolishness.”

  Anticipation raced through Adeline’s veins when Lachann slipped his arms around her shoulders and tugged her closer to him. His beautiful eyes held a warmth that quickly seeped into her blood. Her mouth watered, eager for the taste of him again.

  “I should leave ye be,” he whispered as he followed the delicate lines of her face with soft, teasing kisses. “Ye were badly injured today.”

  “I feel as if naught happened to me, though I ken that my injury was far more serious than I had thought it to be.” She shivered with delight as he kissed her ear and then gently nipped the lobe, astonished that such a simple thing could make her so breathless.

  “It was.” He moved back just enough to study her face. “E’en the bruising has faded to little more than a faint color.”

  “ ’Tis wondrous.” She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, a little afraid that he was thinking of leaving her again. “’Tis a shame that ye must keep it a secret, that people would prey upon ye for it instead of allowing ye to help them of your own free will.”

  “Right now, lass, I dinnae think I want to discuss the wondrous healing power of my blood.”

  “Nay? What do ye want to do?”

  “First I wish to kiss you.”

  “Oh, aye. Please.”

  Lachann covered her mouth with his. He planned to seduce her slowly, gently, but the moment his lips touched hers all the hunger he felt for her broke free of the chains he had put on it. The way she softened in his arms, her lithe body fitting against his in eager welcome, only added to the sharp, demanding need he suffered. He had almost lost her and he ached to assure himself of how alive she was in the most primal of ways. Lachann wanted to revel in the sweet heat of her desire, to learn all the secrets of her body, and to mark her as his own.

  “Adeline,” he groaned against her throat, “I think we had best cease. The tether on my desire isnae a verra strong one. I am but a heartbeat away from spreading your fine little body out beneath me.”

  His rough words had Adeline nearly panting from the strength of her need. She wanted to strip him of his clothes so that she could touch his skin. She wanted to look at his strong body without having to hide her delight in it. Although she had never even kissed a man before now, she knew all that could be shared between a man and a woman. A healer saw and heard a lot. Despite a tiny pinch of virginal fear, Adeline wanted to share that with Lachann.

  “Nay, kiss me again,” she demanded. “And again and again until I cannae breathe or think.”

  “If I kiss ye again, I willnae stop until ye are fully mine.”

  “Oh.” She trembled, passion tearing through her at the mere thought of what they were about to do. “I ken it. Kiss me again.”

  Lachann growled softly and kissed her, making no attempt to govern his need. She did not pull away as he had feared she might but pressed even closer. When she tentatively parried the thrust of his tongue with her own, he cast aside all doubt and restraint and pushed her down onto the rough pallet. It took what little willpower he had left not to tear off the thin linen shift she wore, hurl aside his own clothing, and bury himself deep inside her.

  It was not until she heard herself moan as Lachann kissed the skin between her breasts that Adeline realized she wore only her shift and he was rapidly removing that. Uncertainty pushed aside a little of the haze his kisses and caresses had clouded her mind with. She knew a man as handsome as Lachann must have had many women, beautiful women. Suddenly, Adeline was not sure she wanted to be naked, not even if he was also naked.

  The sudden tension in Adeline’s body was enough to remind Lachann that he was dealing with a virgin. Her body had been untouched, and unseen, by any other man. He quickly finished removing her shift, allowing her no time to act upon her sudden attack of maidenly modesty.

  Straddling her with his legs, he sat up and removed his shirt. He ached to remove his breeches as well but did not dare let her loose. The way her gaze settled on his chest, her green eyes darkening with renewed desire, made him inclined to preen, but he resisted the urge. He needed to be skin to skin to her, to feel her full, soft breasts against his chest. Even as he returned to her arms, he stealthily unlaced his breeches so that they would be easily, and quickly, removed when the time came to be free of them.

  “Ye are so verra beautiful, Adeline,” he said and then he kissed her.

  When his warm, smooth skin pressed against hers, Adeline lost all concern about her nudity; she began to revel in it. She wrapped her arms around him again and stroked his broad back with her hands. Adeline savored the feel of his taut skin and strong muscles. She tipped her head back as he kissed his way down her throat. He slid his hands up her rib cage and over her breasts, using his fingers to tease and stroke her nipples until she thought the aching he stirred there was too fierce to endure.

  “Lachann!” she cried out in shock and delight when he took the hard top of her breast into his mouth, licking and suckling until she was half mad with need.

  “Hush, love,” he said even as he continued to torment her. “Ye are a virgin.”

  “And that is why ye must drive me to madness with this play?” she asked, a little confused by his statement.

  He chuckled hoarsely. “Nay. I but prepare ye for your breeching,” he said and stroked his hand over her soft stomach and then between her legs.

  The hot, damp welcome he found there nearly undid him. Lachann gritted his teeth, determined to hold on to enough control to stir her passion to such heights that she would feel no pain when he finally joined their bodies. He wanted to kiss her there, to taste her sweetness, but promised himself that delight later when she became more accustomed to having him as her lover. Such an intimacy done too soon could chill the desire she now felt. He plunged his finger into her heat and worked to prepare her for his entry. To his relief, she was ready for him, so caught up in passion’s snare that he knew it would not take long before he could seek his pleasure.

  Adeline feared she was about to break apart. She had not realized passion could be so fierce, forcing everything within her to its will. Certain she was on the brink of madness, she called Lachann’s
name and, suddenly, he was there, kissing her. She lost herself in his kiss, only faintly aware of how he spread her legs.

  It was not until she felt him start to join their bodies that she was able to grasp some control of herself. A sharp pain made her gasp but then a heady surge of desire washed it away. They were now one. Adeline wrapped her legs around his trim hips and heard him growl his approval. He began to move and she quickly caught his rhythm. Her body grew taut and something curled tighter and tighter low in her belly until it was both a pleasure and a pain. She had the fleeting thought that something must have gone wrong with the joining and she shattered. As she tumbled down into a deep pool of blinding pleasure that had her calling out to Lachann, she felt another sharp pain—in her neck. The bliss that was sweeping over her increased tenfold.

  Lachann groaned as Adeline’s body clenched around his as her release tore through her. Even as his own release shook him, he sank his teeth into her neck. The sweet, hot taste of her blood in his mouth combined with the hot clasp of her flesh around his had him emptying himself deep into her womb. She was still gasping and trembling in his arms when he licked the small wound on her neck, closing it. He knew, however, that this mark would never fade.

  Adeline began to come to her senses as Lachann gently bathed her, wiping away the signs of her lost innocence. She blushed and closed her eyes, embarrassed by such an intimacy. A moment later he was beside her, pulling a blanket over them and then taking her into his arms. She looked up at him and suddenly recalled that second sharp pain she had felt before she had lost all ability to think. Touching the side of her neck, she felt a slight mark beneath her fingertip.

  “Ye bit me,” she muttered. “Why did ye bite me? Do ye hurt?”

  “Nay.” He kissed her and then turned her so that her back was pressed against his front. “The passion between us raged so hot, I couldnae help myself.” He inwardly sighed with relief when she relaxed against him. “Did I hurt ye?” he asked as he kissed her shoulder.

  “Och, nay.” Adeline was glad they were not face-to-face as she admitted, “I was a wee bit crazed at the time and didnae e’en notice much more than a pinch.”

  “Good.” He kissed her ear. “Rest now, love. We still have a lot of miles to go before we reach Cambrun.”

  Love, she mused as she closed her eyes, more than ready to sleep. She wished he meant it.

  Lachann smiled at how quickly Adeline fell asleep. He could not help but feel a touch of pride over how completely he had exhausted her with his lovemaking. Making love to her had been all he could have hoped for and more. He kissed the mark he had left on her neck. She was his mate. All he had to do now was figure out the right way to tell her.

  Chapter Seven

  Passion was a wonderful thing to wake up to, Adeline thought as she heartily returned Lachann’s kiss. Her body already sang with hunger for him, her blood pumping hot with demand. The dream she had been enjoying had obviously not been a dream. The kisses and caresses that had stirred her blood as she roused from sleep had been very real. When Lachann settled himself between her thighs, she wrapped her legs around him, eagerly welcoming him into her body. He smothered her cries with his mouth as they reached the blissful heights of desire as one.

  Lachann grinned as he nuzzled her neck while his body recovered from their lovemaking. Adeline was a very passionate woman. Her desire ran as hot and fierce as his did. The satisfaction she gave him was unmatched by anything he had ever known before. Fate had chosen well when sending him his mate.

  “I would love nothing more than to stay right here and make ye cry out in pleasure again and again, until we are both too weary to lift a finger, lass, but”—he kissed her—“ ’tis time to rouse Osgar, gather our things together, and be on our way.”

  She stretched lazily and watched him as he dressed, fascinated by such a mundane thing and regretting the fact that he was covering that fine, strong body. It was difficult to believe that such a handsome man could desire her, but she could not doubt it any longer. Last night, their second night as lovers, had been as hot and fierce as the first. And now he had shown her that he was well pleased to wake with her in his arms.

  Adeline shook aside such thoughts and hastily pulled on her shift. Now was not the time to indulge in them, to puzzle over all she had and did not have with Lachann MacNachton. There was work to do and Osgar would soon be awake. She did not really want to try and explain to the child why she and Lachann were sleeping together, naked. Just the thought of it made her hurry to get dressed and put away their rough bedding.

  When they finally stepped outside into the gloom of a cloudy late afternoon, Adeline had to blink a few times. The sun was low in the sky, the clouds hiding it, but there was still more sunlight than she had seen since Lachann had joined her and Osgar. She prayed her future would not be one of continued darkness and caves. At least this time they had found shelter in a small stone house instead of a cave.

  Somewhat relieved when Lachann took Osgar up before him on his horse, she mounted her pony and fell into line behind Lachann as he started down the hill. It was going to be nice to ride without having to worry about a child on the saddle in front of her. A part of her could not help but be fascinated by all she was seeing. She had never traveled far from her little cottage, so each sight was new to her. However, she was going to be very glad when they reached Cambrun and her journey was at an end. Hours in the saddle became tiresome very quickly.

  They had been riding for several hours when Lachann abruptly signaled a halt. Adeline could tell by the way he sat so tensely in the saddle, his eyes closed, that he was listening to something she could not hear. She did envy him and Osgar their superior sight and hearing. She could think of many ways she could make use of such gifts in her life.

  She tensed when Lachann dismounted, set Osgar on his feet, and then walked over to help her dismount, for she was certain they were not stopping for a respite. “What is wrong?” she asked.

  “Mayhap nothing but I dinnae wish to ride on until I have had a look about,” he replied.

  “Could we nay just take another path?”

  “Nay, that will solve little. Ye just wait here, lass.” Lachann kissed her, ruffled Osgar’s curls, and strode away.

  Adeline watched him until he was out of sight, admiring his long, strong legs and manly stride. She was annoyed with him despite her admiration of his form, however. Yet again he had left and given her no explanation as to why. He was always leaving her behind, telling her to wait. It made her feel useless, too much like a burden to him.

  Yet, it was difficult to get very angry with him despite her annoyance over his actions. Adeline had to admit that she liked having someone to look out for her, to protect her and Osgar. She had been alone for too long, facing every trial and danger by herself, fear a constant companion especially after she had found Osgar. Her lover had taken most of that fear away and she certainly did not feel all alone now.

  Her lover, she thought, and sighed. While the knowledge that Lachann MacNachton desired her was heady, she tried not to let his passion for her overwhelm her common sense. Passion did not equal love. A man could show desire to the most ragged, plain-faced wench and yet forget her before he finished tugging up his breeches. It had long been the way of men. Being Lachann’s lover for only two days did not give her any claim to his heart.

  “Maman? Are ye going to marry Lachann?” asked Osgar. “Is that why ye sleep with him?”

  Adeline inwardly cursed. Osgar had obviously woken up at least once and seen her and Lachann sleeping together. She heartily thanked God that the boy had not seen them when they were busy indulging their passions, and then turned her mind to the boy’s question. She could not lie to the child because he would undoubtedly share her lie with Lachann, if he did not call her on it first. Osgar had a sharp nose for a lie.

  The problem came in how to tell the little boy the truth without hurting his growing accord with Lachann. Or, worse, making him disappointed in her. O
sgar knew most of the rules society and the church espoused, but to him everything was black and white; there were no buts, no wee sins, and no mayhaps.

  “I dinnae ken,” she finally answered, deciding honesty might not be comfortable for her but it was best, if only because Osgar would not let it go if she lied. “We havenae discussed it.”

  Osgar scowled at her. “But ye were in the same bed. I saw ye and I dinnae think ye had any clothes on.”

  “That doesnae mean we are married or soon will be.”

  “Ye mean ’tis like Anne when she has men share her bed and doesnae marry them? Ye want to do that?”

  “Nay!”

  “If ye are cold, I could share your bed and then ye wouldnae have to let Lachann sleep with ye and then no mon can say any bad things about ye.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  Adeline shook her head and stared at her feet. She needed to think of a simple way to explain the situation, something a child of five could understand. Osgar was a very bright five, quick-witted and well spoken, but he was not old enough to understand the intricacies of passion and love. She frowned as she rethought that opinion. Osgar could understand love, and, if she swore him to secrecy, it might be the easiest way to answer his questions. Adeline knew that if she did not answer the boy’s questions to his satisfaction, he would only keep asking them.

  “I dinnae share my bed with Lachann because I am cold, Osgar.” She took a deep breath and confessed. “I do it because I love the mon but I want ye to swear to me that ye will ne’er tell him so. If I think he needs to ken that, I will tell him myself. Understood?”