Rescued By the Scot

by Laura A. Barnes

  “Oh, no. This will tear Maxwell apart.”

  “What is Maxwell's connection to the missing heir?”

  “She was his sister. His mother gave birth to the child. She gave the child away on command from the Crown and her husband. Zane has searched for this child for ages.”

  “Zane?”

  Skye blushed as she realized she called Zane by his Christian name.

  “Are you positive the child is dead?”

  “By all accounts from witnesses, the child drowned. The missing jewels were all I found.”

  “Did they discover a body?”

  “None.”

  “So, there stands a chance the child lives?”

  “It is farfetched if so.”

  Skye thought of the loss for Zane’s sake, it would devastate him. How would he react to the news? He searched and double crossed for so long to locate the child, to make a wrong right. Now his path came to another dead end. She wanted to tell him of this news before he found out from anybody else. She couldn’t visit him alone though, another rule to obey in this society. Skye would have to find a way to visit him this afternoon and inform him of this latest information.

  “It is good to see you, Brother. When are you returning home?”

  “On the morrow. I must get back to Isobel before she gives birth again or she will never forgive me. Are you returning with me?”

  Skye shook her head no, “If it is not too much trouble, I will continue my stay with Thorn and Ivy.”

  “I hear we have a ball to attend tonight. Will Maxwell be there?”

  “Yes, he is attending.”

  "I might call on him this afternoon, I would like a few words with the fellow.”

  Skye stood, “No, tonight will be sufficient.” She tried to dissuade her brother from visiting Maxwell this afternoon.

  “Very well, I must attend to some business anyhow. Then I will escort you tonight to the ball.”

  Skye rose and hugged her brother. She was glad he was finally home safe and could resume leadership of the clan. While she loved her clan very much, it was time for her life to take a different path. She only hoped it would be with Maxwell. If she was not mistaken, she thought he might wish the same.

  After her brother left, Skye tried to come up with a plan to visit Maxwell. She only needed a couple of hours to sneak out and return. She didn’t want to involve Ivy, but realized she was her only solution. Ivy would have knowledge of a way for Skye to sneak into Maxwell’s residence. Also, she needed her help because she had no clue where Maxwell lived. Luck was on her side when Ivy floated into the parlor. You couldn’t mistake the smile gracing her lips. She must have been thinking along the same lines and concocted a plan.

  “You wish to visit Maxwell, am I not mistaken?”

  “You are correct. Do you know how I can?”

  “I have just the plan. I figured you needed to tell him the devastating news before he heard it from anybody else. Also, I spoke to Raina, and she told me your ride was interrupted this morning.”

  “It was probably for the best. It was the wrong place and the wrong time. I need to see him before tonight, without my brother finding out.”

  “Yes, we must take you shopping this afternoon to finish your ensemble for tonight. I will have the carriage brought around immediately,” Ivy spoke loudly for anybody to hear. She winked at Skye to follow her lead.

  “That sounds like a marvelous idea. Thank you so much for suggesting this excursion.”

  “My pleasure.”

  The ladies set out for what was perceived as a shopping expedition. Ivy told Skye of her plans. They would stop by Maxwell’s townhome where Ivy would deliver a missive from Thorn. While Ivy distracted the butler, Skye could slip upstairs to Maxwell’s private rooms. When the butler returned with a reply, Ivy would make her excuses of Skye’s whereabouts. Ivy explained how Maxwell carried a skeletal staff, liking his privacy more than being smothered by servants everywhere he turned. Ivy gave Skye the layout of the townhome.

  “How will Maxwell realize I am there?”

  “It will be in this missive I am about to deliver.”

  “Ivy Thornhill, you are a very sneaky lady.”

  “All in the game of love, for my friends.” She winked.

  “I don’t know how to thank you for everything you have done for me. I was jealous of your relationship with Zane in the beginning, but it was all for naught. You truly are an amazing friend.”

  “Oh, posh. You can thank me by loving him.”

  “I do.”

  “Good. Now you only have a couple of hours to spare. I will take myself over to Raina’s to grab her for some shopping. Then I will return for you.”

  As the carriage arrived at Maxwell’s townhome, his footmen helped the ladies to the front door. Maxwell’s butler led them inside to the foyer; Ivy’s plan was working like magic. Skye ascended the stairs quickly, slipping inside the first room she came upon. The room was an artist’s studio, filled with canvases and paints scattered everywhere. Skye wandered around the room, forgetting the reason she was here as she gazed at the drawings spread around her. They were amazing, such detail made vivid by Zane. After seeing his other two pieces, she understood the passion of his work. A huge canvas rested in the corner, covered with a tarp baring traces of paint. Skye slid the cover aside and saw a painting full of vibrant color, wanting to see the whole picture, she dragged off the tarp. A picture of beauty stood before her, she admired the attention to the detail. Every stroke of the brush captured the love of the subject. The colors only made the painting bolder.

  Skye gazed upon herself. Zane captured his love for her in every detail from his heart. He painted her wearing a long green ball gown, covered in diamonds. She was elegant. It was the look in her eyes that drew her attention. They were the look of love and desire, an invitation to her soul. A look only meant for him. He painted her hair unbound, falling around her in waves. Long curls winding themselves down her body, settling near her breasts. There were emeralds and diamonds draped from her neck and hanging from her ears. Skye couldn’t believe it was her in the picture, but he made her believe in him. In them. She saw his initials at the bottom; ZM, elegantly drawn. She bent and traced her fingers across them.

  “This is how I have pictured you in my mind since I met you.”

  Skye turned around slowly. Zane had propped his body against the door jamb. His shoulder leaning in with his feet crossed at his ankles. He looked relaxed as if he watched her for a while.

  “It is exquisite.”

  “You are exquisite.”

  Skye blushed at his words. He made her feel that way. Suddenly, she didn’t want to discuss why she paid him a visit. Not right now anyhow. They were alone. She wanted to continue what he started at the park. She was no longer frightened of the passion they shared. Skye wanted him.

  Skye strolled towards Zane and stopped when she reached him. He came off the door and stood tense before her. She knew he wanted to touch her. She sensed his need coming off him in waves. He stood as still as a statue, not wanting to rush or frighten her. That was when her final shell fell and shattered around her. She laid her palm over his heart and his heartbeat quickened at her touch. Her hand trailed down his stomach and across to his sides where both her hands continued to trail up his arms and over his shoulders. He never moved a muscle. When her hands trailed back to his hands, they intertwined with his fingers. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his chin. Her lips trailing along his cheek towards his ear.

  “Zane,” she whispered.

  Still, he did not move. She trailed her lips back, hovering over his lips, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his. Her tongue tracing his lips to open, so she could taste him. He let her control the kiss; soft, slow, and wanting to drive him beyond desire. He didn’t take over the kiss, but kissed her in return, following her lead.

  She pulled back, still he didn’t reach for her. So, she did what any lady would do and slipped past him. She contin
ued to the room across the hall and opened the door, noticing his bedchamber. When she turned, she noticed he turned to watch her. She slid her bonnet off, taking the pins from her hair and letting her tresses fall around her shoulders in waves. Next, she took off her gloves and tossed them behind her.

  There was still no movement from him, but she saw he wanted to move towards her. His hands gripped the door frame, turning white. He held himself with such restraint. Skye lowered herself on his bed and took off her shoes. She stood back up and rolled down her stockings, lifting her skirts above her knees.

  “Skye,” he growled.

  As she unbuttoned her gown, he rushed into the room, shutting the door behind him. He gently grabbed her arms to stop.

  “You don’t have to do this. I can wait until you are ready.”

  “I am ready.”

  Zane didn’t know how to respond to her. He saw the fear in her eyes earlier this morning and realized he pushed her too fast. What she did now, pushed his level of restraint. He must remove her from his room, fast. She was here because she needed to tell him something which couldn’t wait until this evening. He would inquire to her visit, then send her on her way. It would be the best outcome for them. She was causing him a huge distraction. One which was taking every ounce of his willpower to stop.

  Somehow, she managed to work her arms free of his hold and they untied his cravat. Before he realized it laid on the floor and her fingers were working on the buttons of his waistcoat. She had the buttons flying apart as she opened his shirt. When her hands touched his bare skin, Zane lost the last of his control he was holding onto. He pulled her in for an all-consuming kiss. Their lips met passionately as their hands worked to remove each other’s clothing.

  “Finally,” he heard her mutter.

  He pulled back from the kiss, laughing at her sarcasm. When he ran his fingers through her hair, he looked into her eyes and saw the woman he fell in love with. He wanted to tell her before they went any further. He needed her to understand the depth of his emotions.

  “I love you, Skye MacKinnon.”

  “I know you do,” she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek, “You hold my love in return.”

  He bent to kiss the tear trailing across her cheek. When he heard her moan her need, he swept her into his arms and carried her to his bed. As he slid between the sheets with her, he slowly slid down her body, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake.

  There was not a place on her body he didn’t kiss or touch. His tongue trailed a path to her breasts where he enfolded them in his hands, lifting them to his mouth. Slowly sliding her nipple in his mouth, he sucked gently as the pebble tightened against his tongue. When he kissed a path to her other nipple, he slowly sucked it into his mouth. Her moans grew louder as he caressed her breasts.

  His lips followed the path of his hand as he kissed the trail from her chest to her stomach. He straddled her body as his hands stroked her thighs. She briefly tightened them in reaction to his touch. He pulled back, his fingers lightly stroking across her legs.

  The bruises had long since healed, but she would always carry the invisible scars upon her body. Scars he wished to bare as his own. As he bent his head, he placed feather light kisses along her thighs, hoping to kiss the pain from her soul. She ran her fingers through his hair as she slowly opened her legs to him. His hands were gentle as he spread them wider. His kiss trailed a blaze up her thighs to her womanly core.

  Zane’s tongue stroked her as he gently slid a finger inside her wetness. Her hips raised to his lips as he stroked her passion higher. As the stroke of his tongue tasted her wetness, she tightened her grip on his hair, holding him to her as he made love to her with his mouth. Wanting and needing to take this slow for her, so not to frighten her, was what drove him. Her pleasure. That was all he wanted, he would sacrifice his own for her.

  He sensed her body tightening, ready for release. His tongue stroked faster, teasing her clit as he slid another finger inside her. She tightened around his fingers moaning his name over and over as she exploded under his tongue. Her body became motionless under his hands. Her fingers fluttering through his hair. He pulled away and rested his head on her thighs, running his fingers over and over her invisible scars, lightly kissing them.

  “Zane?” she whispered.

  Still, he wouldn’t meet her eyes. He had failed her when she needed him the most. Never again, would he not protect her.

  As Skye floated from his touch, she sensed his distance. She knew he was holding onto his passion so as not to frighten her. The way he loved her was of the gentlest experiences for a woman to endure, but still he held himself back from her. This wasn't why she gave herself to him. Why she teased him into his bedroom. She wanted him. All of him. She didn’t want him holding back from her. While it touched her heart, the care he gave to her, it wasn’t enough. She was not fragile. She wanted everything he could give her for she would give him the same in return.

  When she rose, she tried to get him to look at her, but he only gripped her thighs tighter, placing kisses after kisses on them. She stroked her fingers through his hair and tried to relax him, but still he wouldn’t loosen his hold. When his tears graced her legs, she raised his head to her.

  “Zane?” she whispered again.

  His eyes gazed at her filled with a haunted look. Her fingers trailed over the tears coursing across his cheeks. It was then Skye realized he blamed himself for the attack.

  “It was not your fault.”

  “Because of my arrogance, I failed you.”

  Skye rose to her knees and reached out to him to do the same. She laid her head against his chest and listened to his heart beat. He pulled her in close and they held each other for endless moments. After he relaxed against her, she ran her fingers over his chest. Her hand dipping and swaying against his ridges. Her lips placing soft kisses across his chest. She sensed his strength in many ways.

  Her kisses traveled lower across his stomach, kissing lightly, softer than a butterfly. The strength of his grip tightened on her. When her lips danced lower, she felt the strength of his body tightening in anticipation. When her tongue slid along the length of his hardness, she felt the strength of his hand tighten in her hair. As her mouth slid down the length of him, she tasted his strength to her soul. His moans vibrated through her body as she slid him in and out of her mouth. Her tongue stroking his strength. Licking his strength. Sucking his strength. It was his strength which made her whole again.

  He pulled her up against him, rolling her underneath him. He crushed her to him and took her mouth in a soul searing kiss. His mouth devoured hers, taking everything she had to give him. Where one kiss started and ended, another began. Their tongues clashing in a powerful dance, each drawing and tasting from the other.

  “Skye, I don’t think I can be…”

  She interrupted him, “I don’t want you to be, I want you to take me with all your strength. Do not hold back from me. I want all of you. I need all of you Zane.”

  Zane couldn’t see reason, his need for her was more powerful than anything he ever experienced. He wanted to take her gentle for her first time after Shears attacking her. As soon as her lips kissed him, he lost control. He had none left. He needed her now.

  When he slid in between her legs, he entered her swiftly. Her breath caught at the sudden intrusion. Zane stopped and held himself still, calling himself all sorts of names at his rush to be inside her. Now he hurt her, but he could no more pull out of her than he could let her go.

  Skye’s breath caught as he entered her. It was heaven. Her need for him was so strong. He held himself still above her, and she saw the indecision in his eyes. She rose her hips and drove him all the way inside her. As she wrapped her legs around his waist, she rotated her hips to give him the encouragement he needed. Still when he didn’t move, she bit at his chest.

  He growled at her as he released himself inside her. She matched him stroke for stroke, their rhythm in sync with each other. Where h
e slid in deeper, she opened herself wider for him. When he pulled out she raised her body, pulling him back inside her. Their touches became stronger, their kisses even more stronger. They themselves became stronger together as one.

  Skye's wetness tightened around his cock. Her body releasing around him over and over, making his strokes harder and harder. She cried out his name as he sunk in to her deeper, for more of her. From her. When she exploded around him, he came deep inside her. He released his strength into her soul. He caught her as she floated back to him and held her. Held her tight to him, afraid to let her go. His heart continued to beat fast; holding her would always make his heart race.

  Skye felt the beating of his heart against her cheek. Her hand slowly rubbed against it, trying to calm it. As they laid there, it seemed to beat faster. She rested her chin on her hand and looked at him, raising her eyebrow in question.

  “You make my heart race,” he responded to her unspoken question.

  She laughed and placed a kiss over his heart.

  “Skye?”

  “Mmm.”

  “I love you.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you forgive me?”

  “Mmm, I am still thinking about it.”

  He growled and flipped her over, “Thinking about it? How can I change your mind? Maybe a little of this?” he asked as he took her nipple between his teeth, his tongue sliding back and forth.

  Skye moaned, “Some of that might work.”

  He threw back his head and laughed, sliding up he placed a kiss upon her lips.

  “I love you too Zane and I forgave you a long time ago.”

  “Mmm,” he answered her in return as he continued kissing and touching her. Softly. Slowly. He enjoyed the sensation of her in his bed.

  “The portrait you painted of me is stunning.”

  “You’re a stunning muse.”

  She blushed at his compliment. The red was a lovely hue on her body. He decided that would be his next painting. One he could paint from memory unless he could persuade her to pose. Which he would leave that discussion for another time.