Highland Tigress (Tiger Series) (8 page)

James met the black eyes of Ramsey McKenzie. “Nay, I do not seek such foul sport,” he stated bluntly. “We should leave here now.” He stared this monster in the eye knowing the price of his displeasure.

“I do agree. Her scent alone is driving the men mad. I wonder how many of my own men I will have to kill to claim her. Inform the others that we will be leaving in one hour. As I said I must satisfy my needs.”

Cara sat in the fading light of the sun. She was nervous. Would Liam be pleased with her? She walked to the edge of the small loch and peered at her reflection. Her hair was a mess around her, a tangled nest of red. Her legs were long and slim. Her waist was very thin. Her breasts were high and, even though they were not overly large they were adequate and well formed. Her face was the same as always. She supposed it was pleasing enough. She was however, filthy. She took a deep breath. She would not let Liam love her in this disreputable state. She slipped into the water and began to scrub away the grime. It took her only a few minutes and then she simply relaxed into the water. She’d almost forgotten why she was there to begin with when she heard Liam’s deep voice.

“Cara. May I join ye in the pool Lass?”

Cara looked up to find a gloriously naked Liam standing beside the water. She ran her eyes over his heavily muscled form and found her body growing warm. His wide shoulders glistened with beads of sweat and his chest heaved with the effort to take in enough air. His eyes were heavy lidded and dark with desire. Cara’s eyes roamed lower and her breath caught at the sight of his desire for her. She nodded slowly meeting his eyes again.

He slowly made his way into the water and toward her.

Cara shivered from the intensity she saw in his amber gaze. She suddenly felt hunted and began to back away.

“Don’t fear me, Cara. I’ll not hurt ye. How could a mon hurt his very soul? That is what you are Cara, my soul and my life. Ye do not have to fear me.”

His softly spoken words calmed Cara as if she were a frightened animal. She stopped her retreat and stood shivering in the water.

“Cara,” Liam spoke close to her ear. “Look at me, Love.”

Cara raised her chin and again her breath caught in her throat and threatened to choke her. Liam saw the panic filling her eyes and he dropped his head to her shoulder. He slowly ran his roughened tongue along her pulse and she felt herself calm. She was startled by the suddenness of her reaction and turned her face to him, but instead of asking him what had happened her lips brushed his and she was lost. Lost in a sea of passion that she had never dreamed of. She felt herself sink beneath the waves of sensation and welcomed it.

Liam devoured Cara. He wanted to take the taste of her into his body so he would never again be without it. He pulled her slick body tight against his and felt her belly quiver with desire. He rubbed his hardness against her soft welcoming heat and shuttered with the need to take her here and now. It took all of his strength to pull away.

“Cara, my beloved,” he said between deep, hungry kisses. “We cannot do this in the water. Come with me now.” He took her by the hand and gently pulled her to the soft grass that grew along the water’s edge.

Cara was disoriented. She couldn’t think clearly. Her mind was lost in a haze of feelings she did not understand. Her body was on fire and she was surprised that there was no steam rising from her skin.

“Liam, what is happening to me?”

“Your body just wants to be loved, Cara. All is right and good. Do not worry.”

She nodded slowly and let him lay her down on the soft grass. He lay beside her and began kissing her again. Now however he was not content to kiss only her lips. She felt his warm mouth on her neck and then the upper swell of her breast.

Cara almost screamed when he suckled one pebbled tip. She buried both hands in his wild dark hair and held him to her. She felt his chuckle, but she didn’t care. She needed more. She had to have more. She moaned his name and pleaded with him, but he only continued to explore her.

When she felt his long, broad fingers tangle in her fiery nest she moved her hips urging him on. She was rewarded by feeling those nimble fingers circling the button he’d touched earlier. She stared sightlessly at the sky and thought little of the frantic cries she heard. She realized that it was her who made the lusty sounds and she couldn’t make herself care enough to stop. When she felt Liam’s fingers slide inside her dampness she lost all thought. She lost every sense except the feeling of his clever fingers. Then he was pulling away.

“No! Please, no!”

Liam chuckled. She was a beauty lying there in the grass pleading for him. The smell of her need was making him crazy and he had to have her now. He rose to his knees and moved between her wide spread thighs. He leaned down and whispered in her ear as he positioned himself at her opening.

“Cara, my beloved Cara, I will never leave you wanting.”

As he said it he pushed into her and at the same time bit down hard on her neck.

Cara felt pain. Nothing but pain existed in that moment. She screamed and tried to push Liam away, but he kept her held fast. Tears ran like rivers down her face and she pleaded with him to let her go. He growled and the vibration sent another sharp pain rushing through her body. Then he began to move.

With each stroke of his body the pain receded and the pleasure grew once more until she was again senseless and moaning. Even the teeth which still held her neck stopped hurting and began to throb with the rest of her body. Pleasure overwhelmed her until she no longer felt a part of the world. Her hips moved with the timeless rhythm of nature and she felt herself reaching, reaching for an unknown, but much desired destiny. When at last she found it she shattered. Ecstasy engulfed her as a wave on the sand. She was swept away by her feelings. When at last she settled once again into her body. She looked up to find Liam above her, his head thrown back, his glorious hair flying in the breeze, the muscles in his neck bulged and he roared. The warmth of his seed rushed inside her and made her belly tingle, almost to the point of pain. Then he collapsed on her and she wrapped herself around him.

Liam chuckled. “Well, Lass I’ll take that as a yes then.” He started to move and she tightened her grip. “I should move before I crush ye Lass.”

“Nay, Liam. Stay. I’ve found I like the feel of ye.”

Liam raised his head and looked down at her. She was blushing bright red, but she met his gaze steadily. “Aye Lass, I like the feel of ye too.” As he spoke he began to move again and she gasped and tightened her thighs on him.

“Nay Lass,” He said solemnly. “Ye’ll be needin’ yer rest now. There’ll be time for this later on. Yer body will be a bit sore for a while. Ye’ll need to rest and let yerself heal. There is also the change. Yer body will need time to sort it all out.”

Cara started to protest, but Liam stopped her with a shake of his head. “Rest Cara.” He said and kissed her eyes closed. He was still deep inside her and he stayed there until he felt her relax in sleep. He then pulled himself from her body and placed his hand on her belly. He massaged firmly and spoke the ancient prayer of his people. He prayed for the health of his mate. He prayed for the health of the child that was only beginning to take root in her womb. He felt the warmth course through her body and center in her belly. He knew, but he could not yet tell Cara. She would be too fearful to fight as she might still need to do. He smiled to himself. He had finally found a reason to live, two.

Liam kissed Cara’s tear stained cheek and gathered her limp body in his arms. He lay beside her and drifted into a deep, contented sleep for the first time in eighteen years.

8

Balor paced. He felt his cat fighting to get out. He could smell Cara’s need and he wanted to fulfill it. He paced as if her were caged. He knew the others watched him and he didn’t blame them, but it still hurt that they no longer trusted him. He was strong enough to control his cat. He would not fail again. He heard Cara scream and he felt his frustrations snap.

“You are a bastard, you know that?” He shouted at Darren.

Darren raised his dark head and stared at Balor steadily. “Aye, it has come to my attention only recently.”

“That is not what I mean! You tricked them, I know it. There is no way those dogs are that close to us. Why did you have to force it on her? She was not ready!”

“Aye, Balor she was. She needed this and you know it. It is only yer hunger speaking. She would have been sick and weak by morning. We could never have outrun them with her riding with Liam. Would you rather her end up with the wolves?”

Before anyone could speak again the sound of Liam’s roar split the air and they all sagged in relief. No longer did the need for her claw at them. The breeze blew away the scent of her lust that had tormented them for days. Now there was only the crisp fresh scent of Liam’s mate. They all drew in the scent of her. It was unique, but was very much Liam. Liam’s scent had changed subtly too. He gave off a more protective aroma although it was less aggressive. Anyone who was near him, man or changeling, would feel his overwhelming strength and avoid conflict with him. Cara would be safe now, as would her future bairns.

For some reason Deaglan felt almost relaxed. He felt joy well up inside him like he couldn’t remember ever feeling. He shook his head not understanding why this mating should affect him so deeply.

Darren was struggling with feelings of his own. Now that Cara was fully mated to Liam, could he ever make the choice between her and Eva? Would he have to betray everyone he valued to save his mate?”

Liam awoke to darkness. The night was still young, he knew, but they needed to move on. He gently shook Cara to wake her, but she didn’t stir.

“Nay Liam.” He heard in his mind. “Let her rest.”

“My Lady, we must move on. Our lives depend on it.”

The voice came again. It was very faint and he heard it as if from a distance, but it was clear. “Let the child take root, Liam. It is important to one who is very dear to you. Let Cara rest so she will be able to sustain the child. I will wake you when all is safe. Wait Liam. Wait or all will be lost.”

Liam felt Cara relax and he knew that Lady Charlotte had influenced her. He then felt himself drifting and he allowed sleep to claim him again.

Liam chuckled and rolled her to her back. “Nay, ye’re not.” He trailed kisses down her neck and felt her shiver. “Ye’re verra much awake.” As he spoke he pulled the dusky tip of one breast between his teeth.

Cara arched her back and moaned. “Love me awake Liam.”

Liam groaned. What he wouldn’t give to do just that. “I will do it every day for the rest of our lives, Cara, but now we must be gone from here. Ye must change. “

“Nay, I do not wish it right now. Love me first Liam.” She said drowsily and snuggled deeper into his embrace.

Liam felt his body grow hungry for her again and decided a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.

Cara opened her eyes to the brilliance of the bright starry sky. The warmth of Liam’s arms surrounded her and she felt safe. She knew that she would have to face the terror of the world again, but for now she wanted to linger. She wanted to forever remember this night and she did not want it to end.

“Cara, we must be away now. This was not wise,” he said lifting his head from her shoulder, “but I am glad to have been unwise this once.” He kissed her lips and pulled himself from her embrace. He gazed down at her pale body and felt love flood him. She no longer hid herself from his sight and he greedily stored these glimpses of her.

“Come Cara. Let me clean away the evidence of my lovin’”

Cara nodded and let him lead her to the water. It took them only a few moments to wash themselves and then he led her to shore again.