Highlander's Guardian (9 page)

Wicked tingles raced through her body, but needing to touch him too, she tip-toed her fingers down his chest and toward the trail of hair disappearing below his waistband. “Can I do to you as you’re doing to me?”

“Later. I want to touch and taste all of you first.” He lifted and carried her to the bed, his need burning in his gaze. Carefully, he slid her onto the soft brown fur, eased her breasts together and dipped his head. The raspy stroke of his tongue across the sensitive tips sent a bolt of pleasure to her core.

“You’re over dressed, Colin.” She fumbled with the ties of his trews. “Take these off.”

He eased onto his elbows, gripped the loosened waistband and shoved the leather down his thickly muscled legs and off. His cock bobbed free and brushed his belly, one very large cock with a plump head darkening to a delectable plum color. Sweet heaven, ’twas just as well he wasn’t intending to consummate their vows after all. Surely he must fit inside her, except she wasn’t exactly certain how.

“What are you thinking, feeling?” He knelt between her legs and his balls drew tighter and higher into the thatch of dark brown curls covering the apex of his groin.

“I’m no’ nervous, but there’s something else.” She squirmed back to make more room for him.

“Nay, stay.” He caught one ankle, dragged her back down and feasted his gaze on her below. “If it’s fear you have, then when the time comes, I’ll fit inside you, right where I belong.”

“I may fear but I also want, desperately.” She squeezed her eyes shut as a myriad of emotions tumbled through her. This was the moment she’d been waiting a lifetime for and she didn’t want to miss a moment of it.

“Look at me, Annie.”

She opened her eyes.

“Touch me if you wish. I need to feel your hands on me.”

Aye, that’s what she needed to. She ran her thumb across his warm lips. His body was all hard angles and heat, and she adored it all, but his soft mouth drew her. Dizzy, and a little breathless, she murmured, “I love you.”

“As I love you. I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you exactly how much.” He lifted her right foot, massaged her calf then trailed upward, kneading with delicious strokes to her knee before he set her foot down and did the same with the other. “I want you to relax. Elbows down and rest back.”

She laid her head on the pillow, her trust in him absolute.

He raised her legs and hooked them over his shoulders until her bottom lifted off the bed and she lay fully exposed to him. “You’re beautiful, so pink and lush.”

“I’m also yours.”

“Aye, mine.” Grinning, he swept his hands up her inner thighs, parted her folds and plunged one finger deep inside her. She bucked as pleasure ricocheted outward from her core and hardened her nipples further. “I see you like that.”

“I have a feeling I’ll like everything you do.”

He stroked her harder, faster, rubbing his thumb across her nub until she arched into his touch. “Are you ready for more?”

“Aye,” she panted, “but more of what?”

“’Tis best I show you.” He added a second finger then dipped his head. Surely he wasn’t going to—

He licked her flesh in the most intimate way then thrust both fingers in. Such exquisite torture, and such a deep and delicious rhythm. Every flick of his tongue and stroke of his fingers had her striving for something beyond her reach. Whatever it was, the sensations kept building, higher and higher.

“Colin.” Before she lost her mind, she searched and skimmed the hard length of his cock. She caressed his hot flesh and instinct took over. She pumped him in time with how he stroked her until he moaned, long and low. Although she needed more, to have his mouth on hers, to have the glorious length of his body pressing down on every inch of her. “Please, kiss me.”

He lifted up, took her mouth in a hot kiss even as he continued to stroke his fingers into her so perfectly below.

She wanted to let go, take whatever beckoned so close and claim it, but not without him. Stroking him harder, she teetered on the verge of a precipice she wanted to fly from.

“I cannae hold on, Annie.” He flicked her clit and she tumbled over the edge and soared. Her core rippled with wave after wave of pure bliss and a bright rainbow of colors burst behind her closed eyelids in the most stunning display.

Colin roared, his seed spurting across the bed sheet, his own release coming hard on the heels of hers.

* * * *

Sensations had stormed through Colin as Annie had come around his fingers. She’d taken his cock in hand and given him unexplainable pleasure, just as she’d done with her responsive body. And when she’d come, his own release had pounded through him. He’d shuddered in her hand and followed her over into the poignant abyss of no return.

He slumped on top of her, completely spent.

“Nay, dinnae sleep.” She caught his face between her hands and pulled his mouth back to hers. Her kiss, so sweetly seductive, stirred his shaft back to life. “I’ve never felt the like afore. ’Twas magical, as if you took me to another realm.”

“I was no’ sleeping, just resting.”

“Rest is for later.” She kissed him again and he kissed her back. She was so alluring with her beautiful creamy skin and luscious pouty lips. It had been almost impossible not to lose all control and bury himself deep inside her.

“You are going to be the end of me.”

“I hope so.” She pushed him onto his back and crawled on top of him. Every inch of her glorious body was on stunning display as she sat across his hips and stretched her arms high above her head. As she wriggled against his groin, rubbing her slit over the base of his cock wedged between them, her breasts swayed, heavy and full and demanding his attention. “Oh, this feels so nice.”

“Aye, and you’re giving me wicked thoughts.” Slowly, he grazed a finger from between her breasts to her belly, and as her breathing quickened, he trailed lower.

She glanced at his hand and smiled. “I tingle below.”

“You may be too sensitive for my touch. Tell me if you are.” He swirled through the pale blond curls covering her entrance and rubbed her nub.

Gasping, she squirmed back. “Aye, too sensitive. Mayhap, I might have a turn to love you the way you just loved me.” On her belly between his legs, her breasts falling softly either side of his balls, she slid her hand around his cock.

Oh hell. If she took him in his mouth, he’d lose it.

Peeking through her long lashes, she raised a brow. “I take it I can do this since you put your mouth on me?”

“Aye, but it isnae a good idea.”

“Why?” She dipped her head, and in one long teasing stroke, licked him from root to tip.

He groaned. “I’m sensitive too.”

“Too bad. I need to touch you.” She cupped his balls and caressed them, then with a grin, settled her lips over his head and took him deep.

“Annie.” He lifted his hips, his cock hardening impossibly further as her sweet mouth seared him. Such torture, yet he couldn’t for the life of him stop her. He cradled her head in his hands and held on as she bobbed up and down. “You learn too fast.”

“I have a good teacher, and you are delicious too. I had no idea.” She sucked harder and he pushed deeper inside her mouth. He got lost as a sexual haze consumed him. Nay, he needed to remain in control and he certainly couldn’t come before he’d seen to her pleasure again first. She needed to experience all he could give her, no matter the short amount of time they had left.

Hands on her waist, he lifted her up onto her knees, scooted down on his back on the mattress and planted his head between her thighs. Underneath her, he tapped her bottom. “Open wider for me.”

She gasped but widened her legs. “I wasnae done.”

“Too bad.” Hmm, where did he start? Her inner flesh, lit by the glow of the flickering flames, sent a golden wash over the pink. And that tiny nub lay temptingly plump and awaiting his touch. “I need to get my fill of you. Brace yourself, scamp.”

Blood pounding, he took her clit between his lips and sucked. He lavished attention on her until she moaned and rocked her hips then ground down on him.

“I feel too hot.”

“Just how I want you.” He reached up and tweaked her nipples, the tips so incredibly hard and pointy. He needed a taste of those too. He flipped her onto her back, rose overtop and adored every lush inch of her breasts.

“Colin, too much, too much,” she murmured, her back arching as she pressed those sweet morsels even deeper into his mouth.

“Or no’ enough.” He teased his teeth over each sensitive tip then swirled with his tongue until fire raced through his blood.

“I cannae hold on.”

Neither could he. His cock was hammering at him for release as it jabbed the inside of her thigh. So close. An inch to the right and he’d graze her hot flesh. Nay, he had to think about the days ahead and his promise to her.

He moved away, pressed his cock hard into the soft hollow near her hip and stroked a finger through her heat. She bucked against him and his balls tightened, his cock twitching. She was so wet and he wanted.

“Colin.” She cried out his name as she thrashed underneath him, then she came, her inner muscles clamping down and dragging his fingers in.

“You’re mine, always mine,” he growled as he came in a hot rush.

“Aye, as you’re mine,” she murmured, her eyelids drifting down.

Curled on her side, her bottom snug in the curve of Colin’s groin, Annie woke more content and rested than she ever had before. She wriggled around and squinted as the late afternoon sunshine streamed through the wooden shutters over her narrow window.

With a hand shielding the glare, she smiled at her new husband who still slept so soundly. A beam of sunlight played over the wispy blond ends of his brown shoulder-length hair and across his high cheeks. His chin, sharply defined with a deep cleft in the center, held such rugged appeal. She kissed the delectable indent then nibbled along his bottom lip. His breathing changed, and even though he showed no other outward sign of having awoken, he clearly had.

“Do you intend to sleep the day away?” she teased him.

“I’m enjoying your touch too much.” He opened his eyes and his molten gold gaze melted her.

“You are a temptation beyond aught I’ve ever known.” She hooked one leg over his and pressed her breasts against his chest. The fine dark hairs tickled her nipples and made them stiffen. “Take me with you when you leave with Lachlan. You know I can ride fast.”

“Nay, if you got hurt, it would kill me.” He wrapped his arms tightly around her. “Naught has ever felt so right holding you, loving you, but the day is disappearing and I must ensure I have all that is needed in place for this eve. Arthur will be wondering where I am.”

“Then you must go.” She hated the thought of letting him leave, but she couldn’t hold him back from his preparations, not when his life could very well depend on it. She rolled away, rested her back against the headboard and pulled the bed sheet up. “Will I see you at the masquerade?”

“Of course you will.” He shuffled out, dressed and strapped on his weapons.

“What will you be wearing?” She’d had a gown specifically made for the ball, one a little too risqué, but nevertheless perfect for the masque.

“I procured a monk’s habit afore I arrived.” He slid his hand underneath the sheet and caressed her leg. “I want you to enjoy yourself this eve, and no’ to worry about me.”

“I will worry, but I also have faith you’ll succeed in your mission.”

“Aye, I have you to come back to and that knowledge will spur me on.” His fingers skated higher then he groaned and stepped back.

“Could you find me a clean sark so I too can dress?” She lifted her arms and the sheet slithered to her lap.

He glanced away, raked a hand through his hair and strode to her trunk. With her undergarment shielding his gaze, he returned and slid it over her head. “You’re a vixen.”

“Aye, but your vixen.”

He perched next to her on the bed and pulled his boots on.

“Promise me you willnae take any unnecessary risks.” She crawled in behind him and massaged his shoulders.

“I give you my word.” He pressed back against her. “Lachlan will be freed, then Arthur and I and the two men who’ll be joining us will ride hard and fast for the Isle of Mull. Once all is calm, I’ll come for you.” He caught her hands, brought them around his neck and kissed her palms.

“Once you’re gone, I’ll have to tell Rory of our handfast,” she whispered in his ear. “I’ll have no choice.”

“’Tis my responsibility to tell him.” He caught her around the hips, swept her onto his lap and took her mouth in a slow and tender kiss. “I wish I’d claimed you three years ago.”

“I wish you had too.”

“I love you, Annie. Never doubt that.” He stood, set her on her feet and slung his satchel over his shoulder. “Bar the door.” He slipped outside and took a piece of her heart with him as he did.

“I love you too,” she breathed into the still chamber, her heart an aching mess as she slid the bolt home. “And I want a lifetime with you.”

* * * *

Colin’s gut gnawed in the most vicious way as he strode down the passageway toward his chamber. ’Twas pure torture leaving Annie, as was the thought he might have missed his chance with her. Unbelievably, he had James MacDonald to thank for spurring him to action.

“Captain.” Arthur caught him up as he walked into his room. “I’ve just returned from the city.” He closed the door, dropped his traveling bag on the end of Colin’s bed, flipped the top leather flap and pulled out a black hooded robe and plain white mask with eye cutouts. “I realize you intended to dress as a monk, but I spoke to a merchant and discovered many of the men attending this eve would be wearing garb such as this. I procured three identical costumes, one for you, myself, and Lachlan. The dark fabric will shield our identities when we take the tower, as well as when we ride out.”

“Good thinking. Leave a robe and mask for me. I’ve no problem wearing that instead.”

“I also visited a healer and purchased a vial of sleeping potion. She insisted ’twas very potent. One drop in a man’s ale will send him to sleep for an hour.” Arthur removed it from his pocket and passed the vial across. “I’ll spike the ale and have it delivered to them.”

“Aye, there are few men who’d turn down a celebratory drink.” He handed it back. “Ian and Murdock will meet us at midnight at the rear of the stables. I’ll collect them while you see to the ale.”

A knock sounded and he opened the door.

Annie’s maid stood with a tray in her hands. “Mistress MacLeod requested I bring a meal to you.”

“Then give her my thanks.” He motioned for the lass to set the steaming bowl of stew and the trencher of meat on the side table. “I have a request in return. I need a single white rose delivered to your mistress. Tell her ’tis a gift from me.” Every time he’d sailed from Duart to Dunvegan, he’d always taken her a rose from one of the wild copses she and her mother had planted along the forest trail near their home. She adored white roses.

“There are some bushes with late blooms in the garden. I shall fetch one and take it to her immediately.” She bobbed her head and closed the door behind her as she left.

Arthur chuckled. “’Tis grand to see you so smitten.”

“I only wish I could court Annie proper. Instead I’m leaving her when ’tis the last thing I wish to do.” He stripped off his tunic in favor for a good luck charm. He donned his darkest shirt of coal black with exquisite embroidery around the cuffs and neckline. Annie had made it and stitched it herself, a gift for his last birthday. He touched the fine sapphire-colored thread she’d sewn in a swirling Celtic design around a tiny symbol of a castle tower and the words
Virtue Mine Honor
, his clan’s motto. “Annie and I spoke handfast vows this morn.”

Arthur grinned. “Well, about damn time. Good to see you came to your senses.”

“Once we’ve returned to Duart with Lachlan and all has settled, I’ll sail for Dunvegan and collect her.”

Arthur clapped him on the back. “Lachlan will be well pleased by the match you’ve made. Strengthening the bonds between the MacLeans and MacLeods holds great importance to him.”

“I didnae marry her for that reason.”

“Aye, I’m well aware.” His grin widened.

“I only hope Rory will come to see so as well.” It should be his task to inform Rory of their vows, except he couldn’t take the risk of speaking to him this day when he needed to be away within mere hours.

He sat at the side table and picked up his spoon. The mouth-watering scent of seafood stew wafted around him. Annie adored seafood, particularly fresh fish.

From his wrist sheath, he removed his dagger, speared a sliver of beef from his trencher and bit into it. “I’ll need to ensure Rory is warned about the MacDonalds. At the inn, I overheard a conversation between Hugh and one of his warriors. They were the ones following her.”

“I suspected a MacDonald would have been behind her stalking.” Arthur rolled his shirtsleeves up. “You might be interested to hear James has yet to return.”

“He should have by now.”

“Aye, I shall see if I can uncover his whereabouts. The fact he’s still missing does no’ sit well.”

“Check if his warriors have returned.”

“Will do.”

Arthur left and Colin fetched additional weapons from his trunk and afterward, left in search of Rory. After hunting down his captain, he discovered Rory remained behind closed doors with the king. He paced the antechamber near the great hall as Rory’s man closed the door. “I’ve learnt of a threat to Annie by the MacDonalds. I want one of your men watching over her at all times.”

“Of course. I’ve no’ long returned from assigning a guard to her for this eve’s ball.” Rory’s captain palmed the hilt of his sword. “The MacDonalds are always scheming. We’ll remain vigilant.”

“Make sure you do.” Still on edge, regardless her safety was assured, he left the man and returned to his chamber to dress. He donned the black robe, slipped the white mask in place and opened his door to find Arthur waiting in the same attire, his green gaze watchful behind his mask’s eye cutouts. “Is there any sign of James?” he asked Arthur.

“I overheard one of his warrior’s speak of a chest illness. He remains at The King’s Tavern to recover.”

“The longer James stays away, the better.” Colin slid his hood over his head. “Now I need to find my wife.”

They joined an excited and raucous crowd of extravagantly costumed guests heading along the passageway. In the great hall, hundreds and hundreds of people swarmed the area, double or triple the usual number. Hell, finding Annie in this gathering wouldn’t be easy. So many women wore wigs, and half those here now sported his wife’s distinctive long white-blond hair.

“This is interesting.” Arthur muffled as he gripped the lower edge of his mask. “Where is your lady? What does she wear?”

“I’ve no idea, and I should have asked. Let’s separate, and if you find her first, signal me.”

“Aye, I shall.” Arthur walked off into the crowd.

Colin eased around the throng toward the trestle tables pressed against the wall. The tables overflowed with large platters of food, from sweet meats to pastries presented on fine silver and glass tiered stands. Sugared fruits preserved from the summer, many of Annie’s favorites, had him searching for her first amongst the guests partaking of those delicacies. Annie would be driven to see all on offer, to taste and enjoy, but she wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Moving along, he sidestepped past three blond-haired women wearing scandalously little. Their exposed bellies were adorned with gold chains and glittering precious gems. Low on their hips, their vibrant skirts of reds and pinks flared to the floor in sheer folds. The same wispy fabric covered their breasts and tied off at their backs with long ribbons and dangling beads which chimed as they swayed to the piper’s music floating through from the adjoining room. They were dressed as belly dancers from the orient. He’d heard of the people who lived in the east on a land of shifting sands, the weather so scorching they wore very little clothing. The translucent fabric of their costume also covered their lower faces and hid their identities, although none of the women had Annie’s beautiful midnight-blue eyes.

More guests swarmed into the hall and as he searched for her, he tugged the tight neckline of his robe. If only he could jump onto one of the burgundy padded chairs at the side of the hall and shout Annie’s name, except calling attention to himself was the last thing he needed. Aye, he’d search for Rory or Elizabeth instead. Surely they would lead him to Annie.

* * * *

Annie eased back against the bright yellow plastered wall decorated with stunning tapestries of landscape and hunting scenes. A man attired in domino wearing a black hooded robe and full white mask circled the great hall clenching and unclenching his fists. Colin had said he’d be dressed as a monk, but each of the monks she’d stopped and spoken to thus far hadn’t been him. Maybe he was still preparing all he needed to for this eve, except why did the man in the black robe intrigue her so? Turning her gaze from him, she searched the crowd again for any sign of Rory or Elizabeth. She hadn’t a clue what either of them would be wearing, and so far, she’d not seen them as well.

Restless, she pushed off the wall, intent on halting the robed man and curbing her curiosity.

“Annie?” Another black-robed guest in domino stepped in front of her, his deep brogue giving his identity away.

“Arthur.” She hugged him, and likely far too exuberantly before she stepped back and straightened her hand-painted mask. The full facial adornment was elaborately detailed and gave her the fine features of Cleopatra, Egypt’s legendary queen with her catlike eyes and ruby red lips. Her wig of dark brown locks was coiled high on her head and encircled by a headdress of gold plumes, while the wispy skirts of her white chiffon gown brushed the floorboards. “Thank goodness you found me.”

“What are you wearing?” Arthur’s vivid green eyes widened behind his white eye cutouts.

“I’m Cleopatra.” She fluttered her hand over the seductively plunging bodice with its matching deep V cut into the back, a gown that was impossible to wear with any undergarments. Her brisk movement sent the thin shoulder straps with their wing-like layer of chiffon swishing softly across her skin, as well as the gold bangles at her wrist jangling. Never had she felt so nervous and wickedly decadent at the same time. The thin fabric hugged her body with a silky touch and allowed the heat of the room to pass right over her. “I’m looking for my Caesar.”