“Well, Lord Maxwell, are you going to join me or not?” she asked as her eyes moved to his trousers, she raised her eyebrow in a question of their removal.
He growled, as he stripped them from his body. He crawled on the bed towards her, grabbing her ankles and pulled her towards him. When he had her where he wanted her, he ran his hand up her legs, lingering on her thighs. His fingers trailed higher, sliding into her curls. Curls as dark as her hair, his fingers stilled near her wetness. She squirmed under his touch, wanting him to caress her, her eyes begging for his touch. Still he waited; making her ache.
“Touch me,” she begged.
He waited, waited for her to say his name.
“Now Maxwell,” she demanded.
His thumb lightly brushed her wetness, just enough to tease her of what she could experience. However, her wetness was a tease to his own self-control. While he was holding out from giving her what she desired, he only ended up punishing himself.
She raised her hips, wanting him to touch her. She knew what he wanted, but this game was building their desire to a level which would soon be out of both of their control. Control she didn't want him to have with her. Skye didn’t want him to hold back from her. She was no china doll or innocent debutante. She was a woman who needed him and what he could give her.
“Please, Lord Maxwell, one little touch.”
“Like this?” he asked as his finger slid inside her. Deep inside, her wetness coating him. Slowly he pulled out, bringing his fingers back to her thighs.
She moaned at his touch. She desired more. Skye didn't want him to stop.
“Or like this?” he questioned as he slid two fingers inside her, spreading her tightness to accommodate himself. His fingers slid in and out this time, building a rhythm. A rhythm building her higher, making her want him more.
Her thighs spread apart wider for him as she sunk into the mattress. Then as quickly as he built up the flames, he pulled his fingers away, digging into her thighs and waited. Waited for her to give him what he wanted. Her body needing the release only he could give her, gave in to him.
“Zane,” she moaned.
He growled and lowered his head, replacing his fingers with his mouth. His mouth began a new flame to the fire. Zane’s mouth drove the flames as high as they could burn. His tongue slid into her wetness, tasting the sweetness that was only Skye. He noticed her body growing taut in his arms as his mouth explored her. Zane found what made her moan, what made her sigh, what made her beg for more. When she said his name over and over, he devoured her, making her beg for more. Each time she begged she said his name, which made him hungry for more.
When she exploded underneath him, he caught her. Zane slid up her body keeping up the worship, kissing a trail of kisses to her breasts. He gently sucked on her nipples, making them into tight buds between his lips. While he worshiped them, he slid his hand below and kept her fire burning with his fingers. He slid them in and out as he built her passion for him again. As he made his way to her lips, he devoured them.
He undid her, still making her ache for more. More of him, more of his desire. His lips had trailed a blaze of longing against her body. But it wasn’t enough, she needed more. His hardness pressed across her stomach. Lowering her hand, she circled his cock. He was hard as a rod. A hard steel rod that pulsed in her hand. She stroked her hand up the steel, he pulled back from their kiss and gasped at her touch. He lowered his head to hers, breathing deeply as she stroked him faster.
“You need to slow down MacKinnon.”
“Skye.”
He didn’t answer her, his breathing becoming erratic as her strokes became faster. Her warm palm slid up and down on his hard cock. When she wrapped her hand around him and gently squeezed, he grew harder at her touch. Her thumb rubbed across the tip softly stroking him into a flame.
“Mac,” he moaned.
“Skye,” she whispered.
He gripped her thighs wider apart, pulling his cock out of her hand. Zane grabbed her hips and slid himself inside her quickly. His mind left his body at her touch, he only reacted from his senses. The need to fill her with himself. When he entered her and pushed past her barrier, he halted. His rush to be inside her prevented him from taking her tenderly. She was pure heaven to his pure hell. He paused waiting for her to stop him.
She gasped as he invaded her wetness. It stung as he settled himself inside her deeper. He stilled as he waited for her body to accept him. As he filled her, her body responded by wrapping herself tighter around him. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she raised her hips to him. Skye wanted him inside her deeper, so she pressed herself against him.
He answered with a growl and pressed in deeper. When that still wasn’t enough for her, she sunk her fingers into the curve of his buttocks and pulled him closer. His hardness slid deeper into her wetness filling her ache with a driving need for more.
“Skye,” he moaned.
Skye smiled her satisfaction from hearing her name moaned from his lips. She slid her lips along his neck, taking soft love bites along the way; tasting the essence of Zane. She understood his need to protect her from himself and he was fighting a battle on causing her pain. But she only experienced the pleasure of him now. Pleasure she wanted more of. So, she pressed her hips against his, begging for more.
She was driving him mad, he tried to hold back, but his need for her was too strong. Slowly sliding out of her he hovered at her entrance, he heard her moan of displeasure. He slid inside her fast and hard, sinking into her wetness. It felt so damn good. His body only wanted more.
She tightened around him in response. His body hungry for everything she would give. He couldn’t hold on, she pulled him in deeper. His body had a mind of its own, he slaved his hunger for her with long hard strokes. And her body answered, receiving him with an openness which was only Skye.
He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply as their bodies flew over the edge. Each of them lost in the feelings their kisses consumed each other, each hungry for more. Zane pulled Skye closer to him as his lips continued to devour her after their bodies sunk into the bed together.
He still hungered for her. His body ached as if he had never made love to her. He knew he had to pull back, but damn if she wasn’t so delicious tasting. Zane pulled back, rolling on his back, and brought her across his chest. Her hair fanned out everywhere, he slid his fingers through the long strands, spreading the tresses across their bodies.
He could feel her racing heart slowing down against his. Her soft breath blowing across his chest. They didn’t speak in fear of breaking the fragile spell wrapping around them. He felt content, there wasn't any place he would rather be. They didn’t need empty words, so they welcomed the silence. How he needed to proceed was beyond him. How did one leave a bedroom of a miss? She was unlike his usual conquests, and this was definitely not his usual scene. How did one escape a maiden’s room while one was held prisoner by said maiden? Did he even want to leave?
Her fingers curled upon his chest as her body relaxed in sleep. He brushed the hair from her face and gazed as she slept against him. Her face relaxing as if she held no troubles. She held too many problems upon her small shoulders. When she awoke, they would discuss why he came to her room. As he shut his eyes, he wrapped his hand around her small fist and threaded his fingers with hers, drifting off to sleep.
Chapter Six
AS HE STRODE AROUND her bedchamber, he located his clothing and dressed in a rush. The day was breaking, and he awoke in her empty bed. The last place he needed to be discovered was in her bedchamber. While he was sliding on his trousers and buttoning his shirt, he overheard her in the courtyard. He went to the open window and observed her arguing with her second in command Gregor. She shook her head at the man, jumped on her horse and took off for the unknown. Gregor called after her, then rushed into the stables. Within a few minutes, he watched as the guard followed in her wake.
She was running from him again, but this time he woul
d catch her. They would have their discussion this morning. Zane decided to give her space, then follow along shortly. He strolled to the door and opened it a crack. When he noticed the hallway empty, he swiftly left the room and returned to his bedchamber.
He splashed cold water on his face at the wash bin in the corner. When he glanced over at the bed, he noticed it was in disarray. Somebody entered his room, to make it appear as if he spent the night here. She worked to great lengths to deny the previous evening. He rolled his eyes as he changed his clothes. Isobel was kind by lending him her husband Logan’s clothing. After he changed he wanted to eat breakfast. He worked up an appetite and perceived he would need all the strength he could get if he was to deal with Skye MacKinnon today.
The hall was empty this early in the morning; he wandered into the kitchens to sweet talk the cook into putting together a light snack for a ride. Then he continued to the stables to saddle a horse. He then set off towards Skye. He saw the hoof prints in the dew which led him to her. Gregor waited in the distance, when he saw him approach, he nodded his head and returned to the castle. While Maxwell may have been their prisoner, he garnered the respect of her clan the last few days.
Skye was unaware he rode into the clearing. She sat near the stream of a creek on the bank. She threw pebbles out into the water; lost in thought. It appeared she left as quick as she could this morning. She threw on her usual attire, trousers and a cotton shirt that must have hung past her knees for she had tied the material off to her side. What he wouldn’t do to see her in a ball gown. Decked out in jewels with her hair swept on top of her head, with curls hanging loose. A green ball gown that would hug her curves and float around her legs. Dark green that brought out the spark in her eyes and set her hair aflame. That would be the first thing he buys her when he escorts her to London.
Zane stopped in his tracks. He shook his head to clear out his thoughts. What was he thinking? He wasn't bringing her to London. Was he? He walked himself into a fine mess, this time.
He strolled to her side and sat next to her. Zane continued to watch her; the breeze coming off the stream blew her hair around her face. She reached up to gather her hair back, twisting it around her hand. She turned to stare at him, waiting as if she expected him to speak. When he didn’t she sighed and turned back to throwing in pebbles.
What did she expect him to say? Was he to offer her marriage for taking her maidenhood? Doubtful, from her expression, all he could expect was a refusal. So, sat there they did, each lost in their own thoughts. Thoughts of the same nature. Each one questioning what they allowed to happen the night before. Both wondering where to go from here. This complicated everything.
“I guess this is the part where I need to offer you my hand in marriage,” Zane offered with no enthusiasm.
“Oh, do not sound so sincere with your offer, you make a girl’s heart go all a flutter,” Skye responded in sarcasm.
“Ah hell,” Zane growled as he rose and paced to the stream. He stood on unknown ground with this woman. She didn’t follow the rules the other women in his life followed, but then he never met another lady like her before. They were all simpering fools who stroked his ego to earn a spot in his bed. This woman would never stroke his ego, nor did she care if she had a spot. Oh, they had made love the previous evening, but from where he stood, he didn’t think it affected her the way it affected him. He would have to take a different direction with her.
As he watched her, he only imagined her stretched out on her back amongst the heather and making love to her in the open glen. He sensed if he tried, her men would surround him to run their swords through him. He needed to focus on getting himself freed from the bonds keeping him here in this godforsaken place.
Did he think I expected an offer of marriage, to him of all men? He was a traitor to his friends and country. Why she felt a strong attraction to him, was beyond her. The last gentleman she desired to be tied to, would be him. She learned everything about him from her connections in London. The ultimate ladies’ man who seduced a different woman into his bed each evening. While his taste usually ran to the widows of the ton, there was the occasional bride who wanted to cuckold her husband, but he never touched the innocent debutantes. Their mamas always chased him, but he always ran the opposite way. He avoided the marriage trap like the plague. Why would she want to shackle herself to a man opposed to the marriage union? She never expected to marry; if she did she wanted the same union she witnessed between Logan and Isobel. She wanted their kind of love. And Earl Zane Maxwell was incapable of love. At least with her anyway; because she recognized his love for another woman. Even though that woman passed him over for his friend. Well she wouldn't tie herself to a man who held unrequited love for another.
“Take it easy Maxwell. Last night was nice, but not nice enough to marry over.”
Nice? What they shared was nice? It was earth shattering for him. Did she not experience what he felt? He watched her as she spoke those meaningless words. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. She lied. What she felt was more than nice, and he would prove it to her.
“The offer is on the table, nonetheless.”
“Well you may remove it, it will not be necessary. I have no wish to marry and from where you stand it's not an offer you should make to any lady.”
“And why not?”
“Because you shall be returned to Shears soon. And the only thing he was planning, was your death.”
“I thought we agreed to work together.”
“That was before.”
“Before what?”
“Before I received a message this morning.”
“What message would that be?”
“It is of no concern of yours.”
“If it pertains to me, then it is most definitely my concern.”
“You are not to be trusted, My Lord.”
Skye walked over to the creek’s edge, bending over, and running her fingers through the stream. The water cleaned off the dust from the pebbles. She rose to make her way back to her horse. She was finished here.
Before she realized what happened, Zane pulled her arm, swinging her around to him. He was frustrated with her cryptic comments coming on the eve of the night they spent in each other’s arms. He wanted to prove her wrong on everything. From their lovemaking being just nice to not being able to trust him. He had laid himself bare to her, and this was how he was treated in return. He felt like a jilted lover.
Before he realized what he was doing, he crushed his lips upon hers. The kiss took them both unaware. He slid his fingers between her long red hair that blew between them, bringing her head in closer to him. His lips devoured her. She tried to fight him, but when he slid his tongue in between her lips stroking her, she melted into him. Their passion building as his kiss grew stronger at her response. She kissed him back wrapping her hands behind his neck, bringing him tighter against her. Before the kiss became uncontrollable, he dragged his lips from hers. His body instantly became disappointed. From the moan that passed between her lips, she felt the same.
“Nice, huh?” he whispered before pulling away. He unwrapped her arms from his neck and stepped back.
She growled and stomped over to her horse. But he only pulled her around again and held her prisoner with his hands on her arms, keeping her in one spot.
“No, you aren't running from me again. We will discuss my imprisonment right here, right now.”
She raised her damn eyebrow at him again. Where did he get off, giving her demands? He was her damn prisoner. A demanding one at that. He caught her unaware with his kiss. Oh, why did his kisses have to be so earth shattering? The touch of his lips upon her, made her mind go blank with nothing but longing. Longing for his arms to wrap and hold her close. Longing for his lips to create their magic upon her body. She might as well as admit her desire to him and let it run its course. Because it would surely die out, she realized she couldn’t hold the interest of this man, compared to every available lady of the ton.
“Well maybe a little more than nice. I didn’t know you needed your ego stroked Maxwell. Are you feeling insecure?” she laughed.
“Woman you are the most exasperating lady I have ever known.”
“And from what I understand you have known many.”
“How do you seem to have so much knowledge about me, but I have never heard of you?”
“I must be better at my profession than you.”
“And what profession would that be?”
“Another piece of information not for your knowledge.”
He tightened his hold on her arms, frustrated at her cryptic comments. How did she gather so much intelligence on him? Who did she ultimately work for? The information she held on him was what he had built years as a cover for himself. While who he portrayed himself to be, held false to those who were his friends, it wasn’t who he wanted her to think he was. He needed her to see what those close to him understood him to be. She only gained information on the man he wasn't. He had to convince her of who he was.
She winced as his grip tightened. Skye saw his mind working through his dark eyes as they held hers’ captive. He wondered who she was and how she knew about him. She recognized he was the ultimate scapegoat he was. One, who was now her prisoner. She would hand him over to the Crown when they returned to Edinburgh. He assumed she would return him to Shears, but the plan was already in action; to bring him and Shears to trial. From there she didn’t care because if the plan worked; Logan would return home. Then she could return to her life. A life she knew the path she wished to take; that didn’t hold the danger of espionage, treason, life, and death.
He loosened his grip on her and rubbed his hands up and down her arms, to comfort the pain he might have caused. She made him so frustrated, where his emotions spun out of control. He needed to reason with her.
“Can we start again? I apologize for my rude manners where you are concerned. I have followed you here, so we can discuss what you perceive to be my treason. If you will listen to my side of the story and then make your decision when you have all the information. After we return to the castle I can write my letter to Thornhill and Mallory if you agree.”
Rescued By the Scot Page 6