The Highlander's Bargain (22 page)

“Your baby blues had the same effect on me.”

“Truly? I had no idea.” His fingers skimmed her bare shoulders as he undressed her, eliciting a swift intake of her breath. An echoing ripple of excitement sluiced through him.

“What could I have said?” she asked. “I knew nothing about you, and the way I reacted frightened me. People are not supposed to get turned on by strangers who pop out of thin air to land on top of them. Are they?”

He chuckled. “I dinna ken. Mayhap, if fate has more in store for those who find themselves in such straits, ’tis only natural to react as we both did.” Divested of her gown and chemise, she stood gloriously naked and within his reach. How could he refuse such an enticement? He drew her close and kissed her deeply. “You smell of the outdoors and wood smoke,” he murmured against her throat.

“I need a bath.” She backed out of his arms and stepped into the tub. “Ah, the water is still hot.” Lowering herself into the large copper tub, she sighed. “This feels good after days on the road.”

“And the view is also quite grand.” Rob grabbed the shampoo and soap. “I’d like to bathe all of you, Erin. May I?”

“Oh yeah.” She tipped her head back and sent him an enticing look before ducking her head under the water to wet her hair.

Rob tore off his clothing and studied the tub. “Do you think we’d both fit?”

“We can give it a try, but maybe take some of the water out first.” Erin pointed to a bucket that had been left behind.

He snatched it up and scooped its fill from the tub. “Lean forward.” He filled his palms with shampoo and stepped into the water, settling behind her. She rested her arms on his knees and leaned back against his chest.

“This is wonderful,” she whispered as he massaged the shampoo into her scalp and worked it down to the ends of her tresses.

“After your emerald eyes, ’twas your tawny golden hair that caught my attention.”

“Oh?” She wiggled closer. “I drooled over your broad shoulders and muscled everything.”

He laughed. “Muscled everything?”

“That’s right. You’re way too sexy for your own good, Robley. You have no idea.”

He reached for the wooden bowl provided with the tub and rinsed her hair. “Aye, and I find your curves enticingly soft and sexy as well.” He took up the bar of soap. “Up, babe.”

She straightened, and he soaped her back, coming around to run his sudsy palms over her breasts, his groin tightening at her gasp. “Mine,” he rasped, moving his hands lower. “You are mine, and I love you, Erin. Dinna ever forget that you mean more to me than life itself.”

She moaned as he parted the folds of her feminine flesh to find the nub of pleasure there. Opening for him, she rested her head on his shoulder. Her lids half closed, and her mouth opened slightly. Throbbing to the point of pain with his need to be inside her, he plied her the way he kent would send her into the throes of ecstasy, watching intently as she came closer and closer to release. His breathing grew heavy, and his hips lifted and thrust against her bottom. With one hand he continued to pleasure her, with the other he turned her head to kiss her deeply, plunging his tongue into her mouth to mate with hers. Her taste, the feel of her wet, soapy skin against him brought him as close to heaven as he ever hoped to be.

She shuddered and writhed in his arms, taken by her climax. Lifting her by the hips, he positioned her above him. “Support yourself on your knees and place your hands against the foot of the tub.” Gently he helped her into the position he desired. “Lean forward,” he commanded, sliding down slightly into the water. Using one hand to guide him, he brought her down, entering her slick heat. “Och, lass, ye do me in.” He moved against her, and water splashed out over the sides. “Damnation, we’ll soak the floorboards.”

She laughed and lowered herself to meet his next thrust. “It’s just water. We’ll clean it up later. Don’t stop.”

He grasped her by the waist and moved in a circular fashion inside her. “Ah, lass. Stay still.” She held herself firmly against him. “Aye. Right there. Dinna move.” The water lapped gently around them as he continued to find his pleasure within her, coming nearer to losing control. He reached around to fondle her luscious breasts, tweaking her erect nipples until she moaned and arched into his touch. She tightened around his shaft, spasms wracking through her, drawing him up in their wake. His climax sent spirals of sensation pulsing through him. One more thrust, and he lost his seed inside her. Settling back against the copper back, he drew her in, sighing with contentment. They rested together, replete.

Erin stirred, twisting around to kiss him briefly. “Water’s getting cold. Let’s finish washing and do that again, only in the bed this time.”

“Have I mentioned how much I truly appreciate the way you think,
mo céile
?” He did as he was told, and helped her dry off as well, lingering over his favorite dips and swells. He followed the linen towel with kisses. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed, loving her all over again until she cried out his name. Wrapping himself around her, he pulled her close. A small sigh, a slight adjustment to her position, and she fell asleep.

Sleep did not come so easily for him. He held the center of his world in his arms. She nestled against him, her warmth seeping into his heart and soul. Worry for the coming dawn plagued him, kept him wakeful and restless with apprehension. So much to lose. Never before had the stakes been so high. Tightening his arms around her, he placed a kiss on her bare shoulder, stroked her side where her waist flared to her hip. His eyes stung, and his throat tightened. Everything in him screamed to turn around and head home for the safety of Moigh Hall, with Erin thrown over his shoulder if need be. Folly. ’Twas folly to consort with the fae, and he’d stepped willingly into the trap. The price of his bargain was far too high. All he wanted was a way out that dinna cost him his wife—or his life.

Rob clasped Erin’s hand in his. The path to Giselle’s cottage lay covered in snow. Their footprints the only thing marring the sparkling white purity, they made their way toward whatever fate held in store. A strangling band of tension squeezed his chest, and he gripped the hilt of the dagger at his waist.

Erin puffed out a steamy breath. “Slow down. I can’t keep up with your strides.”

“Och, I’m sorry.” He slowed his pace. “I was no’ aware.”

“Phew.” She grinned. “That’s better. It’s really pretty through here. I always love the first snowfall, but by February I’d be happy never to see another white flake again as long as I live.”

How could she be so carefree? He frowned at her. “Humph.” Searching the tree limbs, he noted the absence of the menacing crows. No cawing warnings this morn. The sun rested low on the eastern horizon, just beginning its journey through the domed heavens above. He glanced at his wife. The physical exertion and the chill air had put roses on her cheeks. True to her word, she’d brought her satchel containing the wicked pepper spray. He shook his head.

“What?” She met his gaze, her eyes glinting with challenge. “Why’d you shake your head like that?”

“’Tis the notion that somehow your pepper spray will be of any use to us that caused me to shake my head, lass.” He raised an eyebrow. “Did ye no’ learn anything from our last encounter with the fae?”

“Sure, but I also have the diamonds in here.” She patted the leather bag hanging from her shoulder. “I thought we could give them back. They’re worth a lot. Maybe it’ll make a difference.”

He shook his head again. “I doubt it.”

“Look,” she said, throwing her arm out in an expansive gesture at their surroundings. “It’s a gorgeous morning. These woods are so peaceful and pretty,” she said while squeezing his hand. “I just have to believe that everything is going to go in our favor.”

In the absence of the black-winged sentinels, he could almost believe it himself. He stopped, turned Erin toward him, and gripped her shoulders. “I pray it is so, lass.” Drawing her close enough that the steam from their breaths mingled, he kissed her. Passion flared, along with hope. Mayhap having her by his side would make all the difference.

“Come,” he huffed out. “Let us get this over with.” Once again he grasped her hand and led her along the path.

“We’re jogging again, eh?” She trotted along beside him.

“Aye.” They came to the edge of the clearing, and he halted, scanning the area for immediate danger.

Erin hugged his arm. “Nice little place.”

He eyed the cottage, wariness raising the fine hairs on the back of his neck. A curl of smoke rose from the chimney, and the chickens were back. The early morning sun cast a mellow glow over the glittering snow. “Erin . . .”

“I love you, Robley.” She placed her palm on his face and brought his gaze to hers. “It’s going to be all right. I know it is.”

Placing his hand over hers, her turned toward her hand to kiss her palm. He took a fortifying breath and stared at the cottage. The door opened, and Giselle peered out at them. Mayhap she’d spied their approach through one of the windows, but more than likely she’d been expecting them. Robley looped Erin’s arm through his and brought her toward the faerie awaiting them. “Good morn to you, Madame Giselle.”

“And to you.” The old crone’s eyes narrowed. “What brings you to my doorstep, young Robley?” She opened the door wider and bade them enter. “I would have thought you’d be content to spend the winter at Moigh Hall with your new bride.”

They passed through the same threshold he’d forced himself through but a few weeks past. Erin gasped. “Then it’s true. You did send him to me on purpose.”

Giselle’s cackled response sent shivers down Robley’s spine. All of his protective instincts surging, he put his arm around Erin’s shoulders and tucked her against his side. The urge to get his wife away from this place and away from this being nearly unhinged him.

“Of course,” Giselle said, closing the door behind them.

“Then do you also know what has happened since then?” Erin shot her an expectant look.

The interior once again held all the vestiges of long habitation. Rob surveyed the room, surreptitiously searching for the stolen pensieve.

“Much has happened since then.” Giselle went to the cauldron hanging over the glowing coals of her hearth. “To which happening do you refer?” She glanced at them over her shoulder. “Sit. Have some tea, and we’ll talk.” Pointing to a crude wooden bench set against the wall, she said, “Bring that over, lad, so that we might all have a place at my table.”

Giselle poured boiling water into her teapot and set it on the table next to three mugs. She brought over a bowl of fragrant honey and a board holding fresh bread and placed them beside the mugs.

The ordinary fare set him at ease. He placed the bench by the table and pulled out the chairs for the women. Only when they’d been seated did he take his place on the bench. “I assumed you sent me to Erin specifically. She saved True’s life and the lives of her twins. I believe that is one of the happenings my wife speaks of.”

“I knew what was to be, and I took advantage of your desire to visit the future.” Giselle canted her head. “I placed no compulsion on you, though I know full well you believe I did. Your thirst for adventure leant itself well to my purposes, and I acted accordingly.” She raised her brow. “Are you displeased with the end result? You are newly wedded, as was your truest desire, though I doubt you saw it so clearly. And my wish to provide help to Hunter’s guardian has been fulfilled.” She busied herself with pouring their tea. “All in all, I believe our bargain was fair. Do you not agree?”

“Then you don’t know about the faerie warrior who followed Robley to my apartment?” Erin’s eyes widened. “The faerie accused him of stealing a pensieve from your high king, the same silver platter you had Robley retrieve for you. He gave my husband thirty days to get it back. If Robley doesn’t return the pensieve to him, the faerie said he’s going to kill him.” She raised her chin. “That’s why we’re here. We need your help.”

Giselle laughed. “Your man and I struck a bargain, and I held up my end. I owe him nothing.”

“Here,” Erin said, riffling through the purse hanging from her shoulder. “I brought the diamonds back that you gave him. Surely they’re worth something to you. We can trade them for the silver platter.”

“You brought the crystals here?” Giselle shot up from her place. “Foolish mortal!”

“Why? They don’t work anymore.” Erin frowned. “We tried them both when the faerie warrior sent us back to this century.”

The temperature took a sudden drop, and the scent of impending rain filled Rob’s senses. “Shite.” He grabbed Erin’s hand and dragged her toward the door. “Make haste. We need to be away from here.” A blasting force slammed against them, pinning them both against the wall beside the door, their hands still clasped.

“I can’t move.” Erin’s panicked tone matched his own.

“Nor can I, lass. Be quiet.”

“Áine!” A voice boomed, causing the shutters covering the windows to shake. Two beings appeared, crowding the small room with their magic and the sheer force of their presence.

Robley tried to free himself from whatever held him. His arms and legs were frozen in place, and fear gripped him by the throat. One of the beings was the warrior he’d hoped against hope never to see again. The other could only be the high king himself. He radiated such power and majesty there could be no doubt.