The Highlander Who Loved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 4)

by Allie Palomino

  When she pulled back, she whispered, “I love ye.”

  He nuzzled her cheek and looked at her again. “I love ye, mo stòr.”

  As James withdrew, Katie sighed and smiled. “Ye’ve made me quite tired, husband.”

  Once he had fully withdrawn from Katie, he nuzzled her neck. “Aye, wife, we are in need of a long rest.”

  James moved onto his back and brought her close to his side.

  “Did I satisfy ye?”

  Katie felt more emboldened now that they were not staring at one another. The truth was that she was a bit scared of hearing the answer to her question.

  James looked down at her and tilted her head towards him.

  “I have never known greater pleasure than what I just shared with ye, mo stòr.”

  “Truly?”

  He nodded and kissed the top of her head. “Most certainly.”

  Katie fell asleep as her husband caressed her hip, in the warm circle of his embrace.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  They spent the better part of the following day lazily making love in their grotto. When Katie’s stomach growled, James laughed.

  “I believe it is time to leave in search of food.”

  Katie stretched sleepily, warm in his embrace. “Who needs food when I have my warm and loving husband next to me?”

  When her stomach growled again, James barked in laughter.

  “Mo stòr, yer stomach is about to eat itself. And so is mine.”

  She sighed, not wanting to leave the magic of their cavern. “I suppose we can leave, then, but we will come back?”

  Her eyes held a note of fear. James perked up.

  “What is it, lass?”

  She sighed. “I fear that we will lose our magical bond- that other things may interfere and we will nay have or share what we’ve had here.”

  He took her hand and nodded. “I understand, mo stòr. What we have, however, is special beyond measure, trust me in that.” He kissed her hand. “Nothing will tear us apart. I would never allow it.” He moved within inches of her face, and his other hand glided into her loose hair.

  “Ye are mine. I am yers. Nothing will ever change that.” His eyes studied her, the intensity of it making her breath catch.

  “I’ve been able to control my memories here.”

  He kissed her nose. “That ability was not gained simply by location, my love. That was gained by mental fortitude and a fighting spirit.” He kissed her lips. “‘Tis why I said ye are the strongest person I know.”

  “What if they doona only haunt my dreams? They doona only exist there. They are more than imaginary fiends, and are actual bodily demons.”

  She looked away, tears gathering in her eyes. “If they find me? If they make attempts on me, to rape me again or kill me? They’re looming monsters in my mind, in my dreams, and in my life. They always will be.”

  Her voice ended in a whisper. She was afraid to voice her fears. She did not want to validate them lest they come more frequently to her mind.

  And what if the men returned for her?

  “Ye’ve nothing to fear ever again from them.”

  She pulled back, her eyes narrowing on his. “What are ye saying?”

  Watchful of her, he said, “My father and I ensured that they would never hurt another woman. They are nothing more than distasteful memories.”

  She gasped. “Ye killed them? Why?”

  He snorted in disgust. “For all the ill they have caused to ye and my sister, I would have tortured them more were they heartier.”

  “James!”

  His eyes softened. “I apologize, for crass language doesna belong in a lady’s ear.”

  She shook her head. “Nay, James, ‘tis just that I worry about the aftermath.”

  “There is none. The two remaining brothers fell at my hand. No one would want to avenge them.”

  “Wynton?”

  “Is, oddly, no where to be found. If God is just, he would’ve encountered his demise and suffered a great deal as he’d forced Maddie to endure.”

  “When did this occur? ‘Twas after I revealed the truth about it being all three, wasna it?”

  “Aye. My father and I went shortly before we were married. We told Connor our intent when we appeared at yer holding seeking Maddie out. Ye never need to worry about them again.”

  Katie sighed and rested her forehead against his chest.

  “Inappropriate as it is to say this, but thank ye, James.”

  He pulled back and thumbed her chin towards him. “Ye doona have to thank me, lass.”

  “Ye potentially tarnished yer soul for me.”

  He stayed quiet for a moment as his eyes bored into hers.

  “I believe my sister has influenced ye.” Katie laughed as James grew serious. “My soul was tarnished before ye, lass. But doona ye know?”

  “Know what?”

  “I would damn my soul to hell a thousand times to spare ye a tear.”

  She gasped and reached up to him.

  “James…”

  Their lips collided as she settled back down on the ground.

  They made love before finally leaving their magical cocoon.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “How are the fish today?”

  Lost in thought, James looked up at Katie standing a few paces away from him.

  “Did I achieve the impossible? Did I come to be near ye with ye unaware?”

  James laughed and looked down into the lake seeing if the fish were active.

  “Mayhap ye did, lass.”

  She grew pensive. “That is a feat. Are ye nay feeling well? Are ye troubled by thoughts?”

  “Nay. Thoughts were just astray.” He smiled at her in an effort to reassure her, not wanting her to know that he was worried about what was transpiring with their families.

  Why had his father not sent for them? Was the battle raging stronger?

  “I doona believe ye, husband.”

  Preferring to sever his fingers than to worry his wife, he grinned at her. “Need convincing of it, mo stòr?”

  She laughed. “Doona ye try and sway my concern. Truly, are ye well?”

  “Aye. Doona fash yerself, mo stòr. All is well.”

  The smile on her face made him think she believed him.

  “Is that so?”

  He grinned. “Aye, lass.”

  “Ye are certain?”

  She asked that as if she knew more than he did. His grin faltered as he grew suspicious.

  “Aye.”

  The smile that transformed her face from one of worry to one of cunning, had a note of mischief. Katie leaned down, placing both hands on his shoulders, and moved toward him to kiss him.

  “Ahh, ye want a kiss, lass.”

  Her smile broadened, she whispered a mere breath away from his lips, “Oh, I want so much more.”

  His grin added a sparkle to his eyes. “Is that so, lass.”

  Locking her gaze with his, she nodded. Her hands gripped his shoulders firmly, and she pushed him over the edge. She heard him curse before he splashed.

  James surfaced from the loch with eyes narrowed on hers. His lips pursed as he saw her leaning over in laughter.

  “Lass, why would ye do that?”

  After a few more giggles, she straightened and grinned.

  “That was for the day ye moved me under the cold waterfall without first telling me.”

  “Is that it, then?”

  She laughed. “Oh yes, that’s it.”

  With three strokes, he reached the edge and hefted himself up. Seeing determined eyes fixed on her, Katie’s laughter changed to a scream, and she began running.

  “Nay, James!! Nay!! ‘Tis cold!”

  Laughing, he grabbed her by the middle and dove into the lake with her.

  ***

  “Why do ye kiss every part of me so…”

  “Reverently?” he supplied as he kissed her fingers.

  They were relaxing on the green plush grass drying off
in the warm sunlight after their swim. They’d made love under the warm rays. It was all still new to Katie. Her bad memories continuously tried to invade her thoughts, but it had been becoming easier to push them away. James’ touch made her feel safe, calm. For the first time since her rape, Katie felt hopeful and optimistic that she would have a happy future free of the shadow those men had erected over her.

  It was all because of her husband.

  Katie only wore her chemise, and James wore his kilt. They’d settled into a little routine for the month and a half they’d been there. They’d rise and break their fast. James insisted that they practice more protection skills, and Katie was fast becoming a good adversary. Afterwards, they’d swim or walk, but their days and nights always included making love.

  She laughed. “Aye. Reverently. As if I was a goddess.”

  “Because ye are worthy. Because ye are my goddess, mo stòr.”

  Katie continued to watch him.

  “Ye love every part of my body with kisses and touches.”

  He lifted himself on his forearms and searched her eyes. “I want the sun to bathe your skin in its warm rays as I lave your skin with my tongue.”

  Her sharp intake of breath made him lean down to kiss her lips.

  “How could I not love, kiss, and lick every part of ye? This belly will care for our bairn, feed him, protect him, and keep him warm when he is too little to survive without ye. This body will be his home.”

  He lifted one of her hands and kissed each finger.

  “These delicate but strong fingers that run through my hair so gently, are attached to hands that will comfort and hold him.”

  He kissed her lips.

  “These lips will tenderly kiss my bairn’s head with love and soothe his cries.”

  Katie sighed as he trailed his lips down to her breasts.

  “These breasts will nurture him and feed him, allowing him to grow and thrive.”

  He kissed a path down to the top of her thighs and trailed down to her legs.

  “These legs will walk and rock him to sleep.”

  He rose and tugged an earlobe into his mouth, whispering, “These ears will hear his cries so that he may be comforted and fed.”

  He nuzzled upwards and kissed her watery eyes shut.

  “These eyes will watch him grow and become all that he is meant to be.”

  Tears silently fell down her cheeks and he kissed them away. Katie opened them and stared intently at him.

  “And if it is a ‘her?’”

  He nuzzled her neck and moved back to look at her. “All the more reason to love this body, for my wife will nurture the incredible baby girl to become a strong and intelligent woman like her mother.”

  Her hand caressed his face, searching his eyes.

  “I want this to be the home of my children.” He kissed her stomach again.

  “How many?”

  “Ten would still nay be enough. To have ten bairns with yer beautiful hair, honest honeyed eyes, and pure soul would be the greatest blessing bestowed upon me only second to ye agreeing to be my wife.”

  She gasped, her hands flying up to his head.

  “I love ye.”

  He nuzzled her cheek and whispered into her ear, “Nay as much as I love ye, mo stòr.”

  He took a deep breath in, savoring her flowery smell, before he glanced up at the sun and then at her.

  “Seems as if rain will fall soon.” He stood effortlessly, as if he didn’t weigh as much as a great pine tree. He reached his hand down.

  “Come.”

  She slowly rose and he grabbed her hand, his strength heaving her to stand as if she weighed no more than his sword. He lowered his head to hers and kissed her passionately.

  James had ceased asking her for permission for every affection he wanted to give her. She’d told him he didn’t need to any longer. When she was with him, she felt free from her earlier prison of memories.

  She was grateful for it.

  He led her to a tree where he took his dagger and slashed a notch next to the ones already there.

  “What’s this?”

  She counted nearly fifty.

  “Marks how long we’ve been here. Ye, mo stòr, distract me from maintaining count in my head.” He looked down at her, grinning.

  “Do I, now?”

  He faced her fully then. “Aye. And in the most pleasurable of ways.”

  Katie laughed and turned quickly, running back to their site. James’ laugh was deep as the strides of his long legs easily caught up to her smaller ones. He slid an arm around her waist and swung her into his arms.

  “Where were ye running off to?”

  Her laughter was infectious and carefree.

  Later that evening, they were settling down to eat the roasted fish.

  “Delicious, mo stòr.” He looked over at Katie. “Ye’ve barely eaten a bite. Is there something amiss?”

  She looked up at him and twisted her lips. “Is this the fish from earlier?”

  He nodded, chewing what was in his mouth before responding. “Aye. Why, love?”

  She shook her head and set it aside. “Tastes odd to me. Ye think the fish is bad? Mayhap ‘twas a bad one?”

  “Nay, tastes fine to me.”

  “Have mine.”

  “Ye need to eat, mo stòr. I could catch another for ye.”

  Katie shook her head. “Nay, but thank ye. I’ll finish the berries. I’ve lost my appetite.”

  He looked at her closely. “Are ye feeling well, lass?”

  She smiled at him. “Just tired.”

  He shook his head. “I apologize. My inability to stop myself from touching ye and making love to ye, has made ye much fatigued.”

  Katie laughed. “James, I’ve nay complained about yer affections. I’m a willing participant. I love ye, and I love sharing my body with ye.”

  James grew serious. His look made her feel like a woman, and she would not look away. His eyes studied hers with the familiarity of lovers.

  And she treasured that, nay only because she adored her husband and enjoyed making love with him, but because a year ago, she never believed that she would ever be married or trust another to touch her as she trusted James.

  “Mo stòr, yer words disarm me.”

  James rose quickly to the lake, washed his hands and his mouth, and returned to her.

  “Ye are my life, Katie. I knew it the moment I first saw ye.”

  They sat facing each other, his hand on her cheek.

  “How?”

  His lips picked up on the side. “Ye called out to halt us, and yer voice made my heart beat faster. Then my eyes feasted on yer beauty, and ‘twas like the sun parted storm clouds. When I saw that ye’d selflessly gathered food for our journey, my soul moved inside and peered through my eyes at its mate.”

  He laced their fingers together.

  “I knew I’d have ye, or no one else. Ever.”

  He leaned towards her and their noses touched.

  “I saw ye, and for the first time since the…violation, I felt drawn to a man. And I saw ye with Maddie, and the happiness that was evident on yer face at meeting yer sister. I saw the goodness in ye.”

  “How so?”

  She kissed his lips. “What evil man would be happy to meet a sister? I saw pure joy on her face, and yers.”

  He kissed her and slowly laid her down. His lips glided over her cheeks and neck.

  “I love ye, husband.”

  He bit below her ear, making her groan.

  “As I love ye, wife.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Is this the catch from this morn?”

  They were eating their midday meal, James having caught another rabbit earlier.

  His gaze wandered from the tree where he’d notched their days, counting over seventy now.

  He knew it would take time for his father to accomplish what he needed to, but James still wondered what was transpiring while he and Katie were here.

  �
��Aye, love.”

  “Tastes odd.”

  He sighed, worried, and focused his gaze on her.

  “Love, everything has tasted odd to ye. I stopped hunting for fowl because ye said it tasted like dirt. I only fish for the silver fish because the orange tasted like dung. Although it remains a mystery to me how ye know what dung tastes of.”

  She laughed. “Would ye nay like to know.”

  He snickered, continuing. “Now the rabbit tastes like…?”

  “Burnt leaves.”

  He looked at her with wide, surprised eyes as she sneezed.

  “Ye want it?”

  She offered her meat as he shook his head. “I’ve nearly eaten it all, Love. Ye’ve barely eaten.”

  “Nonsense,” she replied as she popped a berry into her mouth. “I eat plenty of berries.”

  They settled into their own thoughts but she kept noticing James looking at her. When she turned her head, he’d veer his gaze. When it happened again, she rose and walked over to him. He was so large even sitting, that his head reached her stomach.

  “What is it?”

  She sneezed.

  “Are ye nay feeling well?”

  Her eyebrows furled. “Just fine. Why?”

  “Ye look like ye’ve lost a bit of weight. Ye doona eat much anymore. Is something amiss?”

  “All is well, James. I am well. ‘Tis the truth the food tastes different to my tongue, and I canna explain why.”

  He kissed her and rose. Helping her up, they walked over to the tree where the notches were.

  “Are ye worried?”

  James snorted. “My father is harder to kill than a bird in the sky with a rock, lass.”

  “Ye said only he knew where we are. If something happened, no one would know where to seek us out.”

  James shook his head. “He warned me it would take some time. Before he fought Kerr, he wanted to first discover who was aiding the bastard. He knew ‘twould nay be easy.”

  “But this long?” Katie let her fingers glide over the notches and began counting. James grew curious as he saw her fingers slow, and her face grow pensive.

  “Seventy-five days?”

  She counted again as he said, “Aye.”

  Her face mirrored her confusion as James looked inquisitively at her. “What is it, lass?”