Highland Temptation (Highland Pride) Page 17

  As the group stood to leave, Argyll and Hamish sauntered into the room, but Dougal herded Kirstie away before she could make her way to them to find out where Alan was. Damn, she’d forgotten, Hamish had asked her to marry him and she was supposed to give him an answer tonight. She would tell him no, of course, but her heart ached for him because he seemed to genuinely like her and she hated to hurt his feelings.

  He deserved someone of his own religion. She wouldn’t have been able to make him happy, anyway. He would see that once she pointed it out.

  “Dinnae leave this room,” Dougal ordered Blair and her as he pushed open the door to their bedchamber.

  She wanted to protest but remained silent. Where was she going to go?

  “Bolt the door.”

  It thudded shut behind him.

  Not ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door, and Henry called out, “’Tis me, Blair, open up.”

  The lass looked at her with wide fear-filled eyes.

  “Dinnae go. Tell him I need ye tonight.”

  Blair nodded as relief flooded her pale skin.

  Walking over as her friend stayed immobilized by the window, she lifted the latch. Henry, smelling of redolent ale and smoke, pushed past her and strode in like he owned the room. “Come, Blair. I want ye with me tonight.”

  “I-I-I—” Blair stuttered. She had never heard her friend stutter.

  Breaking in, Kirstie stepped between the two. “Please let her stay with me tonight. I dinnae want to be alone after what happened in the stables. They still havenae found the other man.” She feigned as much fear as she could, which wasn’t hard because her friend’s reaction had her trembling.

  Disgust colored his face. “Dougal and Finlay are both in the hall. Ye will be fine.” He grabbed Blair’s arm and pulled her.

  “Please, Henry. Just for tonight.”

  He continued to drag Blair toward the door, slamming it shut, and was gone without even looking back.

  Kirstie hadn’t missed the resigned steps Blair took, like she was going to muck out the stables. She would have to seek out John in the morning to see if she could find a way to get the lass out of this situation. Maybe she could have Blair run off with Finlay.

  Alone with her thoughts of Alan and the plot against her brothers and Blair with that horrid man, she sulked. She didn’t want to face the night alone.

  Opening the door, she attempted to follow them, but Dougal stepped in front of her and blocked the way. Finlay was outside her mother’s door, and even in the dim light, she could make out the anger etching his taut features as Henry dragged Blair down the stairs.

  She turned from Dougal without a word, shut the door, and dropped the latch into place. It clicked and echoed through the quiet room. Kirstie paced as dread clawed at her heart. Even if she knew what she could do tonight to help, her guard wasn’t going to let her go anywhere.

  Not too long after, she heard voices outside the door. “She is expecting me. We agreed to speak this evening.” Hamish was looking for an answer.

  “I have instructions that Kirstie isnae to leave the room, and ye are no’ permitted in there unless Lachlan himself tells me ye are allowed.”

  “I just need to speak with her a moment.” Hamish’s voice had lowered to a tone she’d never heard. He was angry, and she suspected he didn’t anger easily.

  “Nae, it can wait.”

  “I shall remember this, Dougal Cameron.” The words weren’t harsh, but something in them sent a chill down her spine. They sounded like a threat, but even more troubling was the way he’d said Cameron. Surely she was wrong; Hamish had been so nice to her.

  “Do that Hamish Menzies.” Dougal’s own voice was heated and gave a harsh enunciation on Hamish’s clan name. He made it sound like a curse.

  A moment of silence fell as she envisioned the men staring each other down with fists clenched at sides. She let go of her breath when a clipped tap, tap, tap of Hamish’s boots retreated down the hall.

  Sleep evaded her; she tossed and turned, then got up to look out the window and paced when nothing changed below. At one point, she even peeked out the door, only to be met by Dougal’s disapproving stare. She closed the door and went back to her pacing.

  She was peeking out the window when she heard a key turn in the lock. Alan entered just as she turned to see who it was. “I didnae think ye would come.” Her feet carried her across the room with lightning speed.

  “I had to see ye tonight.”

  She threw her arms around him and held on. His hands spread across her back and drew her in. His shirt was cool from the night’s air. It was refreshing to her heated skin.

  “Did Dougal let ye in?” But she didn’t care how he’d gotten in, didn’t even care that somehow he’d found a key to her room, the sight of his disheveled golden hair and his soulful gray eyes gave her comfort that she hadn’t felt from the moment the doors had closed on that awful meeting.

  “Nae, he doesnae ken I’m here. Finlay must be getting some sleep, and Dougal had to escort some man who’d been drinking downstairs.”

  “What happened tonight?” she asked. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat a steady, soothing rhythm; it was comforting and calming, and her racing heart tried to match the beat.

  “’Tis no’ for ye to worry with.” His lips found her temple and placed a featherlight kiss there. He lingered and nestled into her.

  Her body shook in his arms as the panic of the last few hours manifested. He had to feel it, too. His cool fingers skimmed up her body and into her hair and soothingly massaged her scalp.

  His head left hers, and she turned up to confront him. She had a right to know what was going on, but when she saw his eyes intent on her, her tongue darted out and wet her lips. “Ye have a key?”

  “I took the extra last time I was here.” He let go of her and walked to the chair, sat, and took his boots off. He stood, his plaid quickly followed as he draped it over the chair, and he climbed into the bed. “Read to me.”

  Her head tilted.

  “Please,” he continued and gave her a small, tired smile. He looked exhausted. Her questions could wait for the morning. She picked up her copy of A Chaste Maid in Cheapside and thumbed through the pages until she reached the spot where she had stopped.

  Alan was asleep moments after she started reading. She blew out the candle and crawled under the covers with him. Wrapping her arm around his chest, she sunk into the warmth of him but still could not fall asleep.

  She must have dozed, because she woke when gentle, callused hands skimmed up her leg and across her ribs, then traced back down the way they had come. She sighed and moved into the touch. His fingers felt like magic as they slid up and down her curves.

  Her eyes opened to meet Alan’s intense gaze, and she melted. The early morning light that had filled the room made them darker than storm clouds just before the fury of a squall. He looked like a hungry wolf as desire swirled around in their depths, and she found herself wanting to go into that storm to sate the beast before her.

  “Ye look so bonny in the morning light.”

  Her lips curved up because she was thinking the same thing about him. “Ye are no’ so bad yerself.”

  His hand stopped on her hip and pulled her flush to his exposed skin. A wave of need cascaded over her as she took in his body’s warmth and his heated intentions.

  His lip quirked to the side, and he huffed.

  “Did I do something wrong?” She tried to withdraw, but his hand still held her to him.

  “Aye, something verra wrong.” He shook his head slowly as hooded eyes studied her. She blinked. “Ye got in bed with yer shift still on. Now ’tis in my way.” His pupils dilated as his gaze roamed her body. His hand lifted the edge and grasped the edge of her shift; she shimmied as he raised it up over her head.

  Once the offending material was off, he tossed it to the ground. Gaze returning to her, she shivered under his perusal. A flush washed over her. She d
idn’t think she would ever get used to the way he devoured the sight of her nude.

  Alan’s hand returned to take hold of her breast and grasp it firmly. He licked his lips then dipped his head to the rounded mound. It felt full and engorged, and when his mouth closed around the nipple, her eyes rolled back, and she arched into him. He sucked and a gasp escaped from her as she gave herself over to his caress, no longer embarrassed by the size of her breasts but thrilled that they made him want to do this to her.

  Her hand grasped his side, and when his teeth grazed the sensitive nub at the peak, her fingers dug into him and urged him on. She became bolder and let her hand curve toward his shaft. Her fingers stopped to play in the curls beneath his tight abdomen, and she was rewarded with a moan as he sucked at her breast and angled his body so she could touch him more easily.

  She let her hand explore, and it sunk lower to find the base of his penis. It stood tall and erect and ready to claim her. She circled her hand around the width of it and followed the length to the mushroom-shaped tip. The skin was velvet and smooth but hard as granite.

  “Mmm. I like that, kitten.” The words vibrated and sent need coursing through her. She wasn’t sure if it was from the feeling or a primitive response to knowing she had pleased him.

  Leaning up on an elbow, she peeked down to study that part of him that completed her and made them one. He moved to her other breast to lather it with attention, which gave her a better view. She wanted to commit every part of him to memory and remember his response as she touched each one.

  Her hand slid up and down. He groaned, and his pelvis arched into her touch. A satisfied smile spread across her lips. He tore away from his ministrations to gaze at her. “Ye are going to drive me mad.” She did it again. His breathing became labored.

  He was losing control, and she liked it, so this time as she slid her hand along his length she studied him intently. His eyes darkened with the intense need she felt.

  Suddenly, his hand was on her thigh and spreading her legs apart. He positioned himself above her, and fullness enveloped her as he sank his length deep inside her and stilled. His head tilted back, and he breathed in.

  His hips started to rock back and forth slowly. Her hips rose as his pelvic bone massaged the sensitive nub at the apex of her legs.

  Now she was the one who lost control. Her hands gripped at the covers as she ground her pelvis against him. He hadn’t even fully withdrawn as he thrust back in by wiggling his hips from side to side. She was thrashing madly as she felt the start of a spasm. Her body wanted more, so she continued as he did.

  She tore her gaze from the spot where they were joined to see him watching and waiting for her to fall apart. Another spasm shot through her, and her body tensed as she moved in time with him to find that same pressure point.

  One of his hands grabbed her bottom and clenched her tighter into his hot flesh. She cried out, “Alan.” Then she couldn’t breathe, could only watch him as shots of electric fire rocketed through every fiber of her being.

  Little earthquakes continued to clench her womb as he changed his rhythm. He withdrew then slammed back into her. She gasped and grabbed his rear as he repeated the movement again. He filled her over and over. His eyes fluttered and his breaths came in short bursts; his speed increased, and his mouth opened on a pant. She watched as pleasure overtook him, and he spilled his seed inside her.

  Alan rolled onto his back with her curled in between his chest and arm, her head resting on his shoulder. This was heaven.

  In all the years she had dreamed of being with this man, not once had she truly grasped how content she would be in his arms.

  She raised her head and looked at him. His lazy, sated grin gave her courage to do something she’d never thought she would have the chance to voice. He crooked his head to the side to stare into her eyes.

  “I love ye, Alan.”

  His arm wound around her and tugged her on top of him. His other hand went to her nape and brought her lips to his. That kiss said everything she needed to know. It was warm, and she was able to feel his soul connect with hers. The rhythm of their hearts beat together, and she knew he felt the same.

  He flipped her onto her back beneath him. She’d expected him to return her words, but he didn’t, and that was all right, because his eyes sparkled with happiness and mischief and, most of all, the love she felt inside her. Brushing away the small bit of doubt that crept in with his silence, she determined he must feel the same.

  His fingers traced her lips then pushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. He dipped his head and kissed her again. When he lay back down beside her, she snuggled back in his arms.

  Everything was perfect until a bell rang out, breaking through the quite morning, a shrill reminder of the world out there. Her brothers were out there, and today was the day the Covenanters had planned to kill them.

  She sat up and climbed out from under the covers to retrieve her shift from the floor. Looking over her shoulder at him, she blurted, “We have to get my brothers out of here.”

  He frowned at her as she pulled the material over her head. “They ken what they are doing. All will be well as long as ye, Blair, and yer mothers are seen to a safe location.” He put his hands behind his head and continued to rest on the pillows under the deep green blanket. He looked like a god who had just slain a beast and now rested on his laurels.

  “Is there no way I can help? Tell me the plan.” Her hands fisted on her hips. Was he not taking her seriously?

  “Ye have to stay safe for me. Go with Dougal because I willnae be able to think if I am worried ye are in danger.” His full lips thinned, and his voice deepened.

  “I feel the same way.”

  “We will all come to the meeting spot, but this has to be done.” He sat and threw the covers off. His long, lean legs swung down from the bed, and he twisted to stretch his shoulders from side to side.

  “I can help. Just tell me what to do. Ye learned something last night did ye no’?” She inched over to the wardrobe and snatched down the dress she had planned to wear today. It was red; she’d chosen it on purpose, because out of all the gowns she owned, this was the one that made her feel confident and powerful. She needed that feeling today.

  She purposely kept her gaze glued to his. She wasn’t going to let him get the upper hand on this conversation.

  “Nae, ye willnae,” he insisted. “Ye dinnae understand. I heard men saying the Covenanters have plans for ye, too. If ye dinnae go with Dougal, I will have to stay and I cannae help yer brothers.”

  His declaration sent spikes of dread snaking down her spine.

  He stood and stalked over to her. His shoulders were stiff, and he squared them back; if she’d been a smaller woman, it might have been intimidating. He was tall and imposing and an air of authority clung to his naked body. For a moment, she felt weak in the knees, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the sight of his hard, lean form or the command in his voice.

  “Ye will be leaving for Kentillie this morning.” His finger touched her lips before she could protest further. “Ye willnae be safe here, and if we are worried about ye, yer brothers and I willnae be safe either.” He retrieved his shirt.

  She remained silent as he skirted around behind her and brushed her hair aside to help her fasten the dress. When his nimble fingers were done, he wrapped his arms around her, and she melted into the warmth. They stood there lost in the embrace until a knock sounded at the door.

  “Just a moment,” he called out over his shoulder. “Promise me ye will go with them.”

  She nodded, turned, and burrowed into his shoulder, her eyes stinging as her arms squeezed around him to fight the trembling which started from her chest and weaved its way to fingers she couldn’t still. She held tight, because if she didn’t, she might lose him.

  This whole time she’d been focused on the danger to her brothers. Now she acknowledged a truth assailing her with a thousand stabs to a place inside her which protested and
threatened to steal her breath.

  Alan was going to meet the enemy and face danger from every side.

  Her clan and that of the other Royalist lairds were gathering to discuss the outcome of yesterday’s meeting and how they would proceed going forward and what options they had to keep their free will while Parliament and the Covenanters continued to push for one religion in Scotland. This was where the plot against her family would be set in motion. She had faith that although Alan would be with the enemy, the Camerons knew he was still on their side.

  What if the other Royalists didn’t know he was working with them, and what if the Covenanters discovered his duplicity?

  And she realized in that moment, he had sacrificed everything for her family. She’d thought herself in love with him before, but that had been based on childhood longings and friendship. Now, she knew him to be the most honorable of men, willing to sacrifice himself for his beliefs and her clan.

  She couldn’t bring herself to peel her arms from his waist. What if she never saw him again? A tear streamed down her cheek, and she nestled farther into his embrace, his shirt soaking up the stray moisture.

  The knock was louder this time. She flinched. His hold on her loosened, and she wanted to protest.

  “I have to go, kitten.” The warmth of his body left hers, and large hands clasped onto her arms, angling her to face him. “Now, pack up so ye are ready. I’ll see ye soon.”

  His head dipped and he gave her a kiss on the forehead. It was brief and left her needing more. Alan cut away from her; not looking back, he opened the door and disappeared before she could utter another word.

  Blair entered and shut the door. Alan was gone, and she had this gaping hole in her heart. Did he not feel the same? She’d told him she loved him, but he’d not returned the words. Why was doubt creeping in? She knew he cared; it was just when he left, it was as if he were pushing her away. Ignoring the apprehension, she moved toward her bags to pack for the trip home, all the while praying that her brothers and Alan made it back safely.

  Chapter Twelve

  Leaving Kirstie in her room had been the hardest thing Alan had ever done. Once he’d broken free from their embrace, he’d avoided her gaze, because the crack in her voice had almost done him in, and if ever he needed to keep his wits and strength, it was now. He couldn’t afford to let emotion guide his decisions. Not until they were all safe.