His Heart's Desire (11 page)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Cat found herself in her bed alone that night. She was a little surprised when Braden left her at the threshold of the bedchamber and wished her sweet dreams with a kiss that set her on fire. In all fairness, though, it made sense. The reality of his tale was beginning to sink in and left her with a lot to think about. It wasn’t every day someone told you that you were the reincarnated soul of your past self. While the story was heart-wrenching, at the same time it brought clarity and peace to Cat. The dreams had actually been past memories. Her feelings for a man she thought she’d never touched, spoken with or even knew,
were actually real.

Elspeth had left a note on her bed letting her know that the passports for Alec and Braden would arrive the next day, and that she had managed to book them on the same flight as Cat. They had one day in order to pack, prepare the two men for air travel, and make plans for the restoration of the castle.

Cat didn’t know how she felt about returning home. She loved Scotland and wished she’d had more time in this mystical country. Learning she was half-Scottish had surprised her, and she felt the pull to find out all she could about her family’s genealogy.

Her thoughts chased themselves around in her head. She was exhausted but couldn’t seem to make herself relax. She blamed it on the hot kiss Braden had left her with, along with the amazing story he’d shared. She briefly contemplated slipping out of her room in search of him.

She was a reincarnated soul of her ancestor. Or was that wrong? How did that work exactly? She was Catrìona of the old and new. She was herself. The dizzying concept left Cat with a headache, so she decided against trying to work out the details of that situation. Suffice to say, her past had caught up with her.

The idea of their hearts knowing each other over centuries appealed to the romantic in her. Cat would have loved to smack Morgana
. . . no, check that, claw her eyes out for the hurt and rage she’d caused. Imagine all they had missed out on eight hundred years earlier.

Sleep no longer held the appeal it did before she brought Braden and Alec into her world. There was no dark lover waiting to ease the self-imposed loneliness. Then again, she wasn’t alone like before. Still she wished he were there to hold her and keep her warm. Boy, it hadn’t taken her long to get used to his embrace. One night in his arms and she was spoiled. Cat felt a little like Sleeping Beauty. She had been asleep and ignorant of what went on in her world until she received a kiss from her prince. Cat punched the pillow in a futile attempt to get comfortable. She feared it was going to be a very long night.

* * *

Braden paced around the confines of his chamber. “I told Catrìona the truth of our story.”

Alec sat indolently in a chair near the fireplace. He cocked his brow. “And?”

“And nothing. She was very accepting of the story.”

“Duh.”

“What’s that mean? This is not your average tale.”

Alec shook his head and rested it on the back of the chair. “It means you’re thick as a doorknob. You worry too much. Your lass is made of strong stuff; she always was full of spirit.”

“Even the strongest of souls can feel weak at times.”

“Aye, true. But this is not the case.” He sat forward and clapped his hands together. “Did you tell her all of it?”

“No.”

“Why ever not? Wait, let me guess, you’re afraid of what she’ll say when she finds out we may not be here permanently.”

“I don’t want to worry her. Elspeth is looking at family documents and doing the research for me. When she can give me an answer, I’ll tell Catrìona the truth.”

Alec sat in silence for a moment. “I think you’re making a mistake.”

“‘Tis mine to make.”

“Well, that’s not arrogant or anything. No matter, you are what you are. So can we move on to my problem now?”

“Your problem? And pray tell, what has you vexed?”

“For your 411, I have a great many issues.” He sat back and smiled. “I just normally keep them to myself.”

“My 411? What’s that?”

“For your information. Hello? Is this thing on?” Alec pretended to tap on something.

Braden narrowed his eyes. “It’s on and about to be in your face. Must you talk the way you do?”

“Well, yeah. One wants to blend.”

What could he say to that? To his knowledge, Alec was the only one he’d ever heard speak in such a strange manner. “What is your problem?”

“Well, I’m excited about going to Louisiana with you and Cat. But I’m not terribly excited about having to share a place with you.”

“What?”

“Hello? You’d have to be a blind person not to see the attraction between the two of you, and frankly I don’t want to have to watch you two together.” He shivered. “It gives me the willies.”

“Where pray tell do you want to stay?”

Alec shrugged. “I don’t know. Mayhap we could rent me a place of my own.”

“Or you could stay here.”

“Is this a no to my bachelor pad?”

“Oh, for the love of . . .”

“Come on, Braden, look at it from my point of view. I don’t plan on being a monk, and I’m sure Cat wouldn’t want me to bring my women home with me.”

“Women, as in more than one?”

“I want to keep my options open. I have a lot of time to make up for.”

“Fine. We’ll get you a small place.”

“Thank you, cousin. Well, if that’s all for now, I have a little lass waiting for me in my chamber.”

“Of course you do.” Braden made a shooing motion. “Go, but we have a great deal to talk about tomorrow regarding our travel plans and things I’d like to see done to the keep.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Alec left Braden alone with his thoughts. He was excited about going to New Orleans with his lass, but at the same time wished they could
stay in Scotland a bit longer.

He was not being honest with his lass and the betrayal ate at his soul. But he didn’t know how to tell her the last bit of their story. The truth was he could be yanked away from her at a moment’s notice, and he didn’t want to live day to day wondering and worrying whether this was the last day or last minute he would spend in Catrìona’s arms. Curses were pesky things, to be sure. So if he was so worried about this, what the hell was he doing in his chamber when he really wanted to be with Catrìona? The ans
wer was simple, go to the woman.

Braden made his way to the tower room and cracked the door. He peered inside and immediately saw his Catrìona bathed in the moonlight. She was beautiful. Stripping off his clothes, he made his way across the chamber, slipped beneath the sheets and pulled her against him. He hadn’t come to her room with the intent of making love to her, but once her warm feminine body was pressed against his, all thoughts of behaving disappeared. Trailing his finger down her back, he began to place lingering kisses along her cheek.

“Mmm. Braden.” Catrìona moaned as she arched into his touch.

“Did you expect someone else?” He nipped at her lower lip and then soothed it with a kiss.

“No.”

Braden pulled her on top of him and they continued to kiss. She sat up and removed the little shirt she was wearing. Arching, she stretched and his breath caught in his chest. He cupped her full breasts, squeezing gently before he brushed his finger across the hard nipples. Cat responded by grinding down on his erection. Even with a flimsy barrier of material separating them, it was sweet torture feeling her feminine heat against
him.

Braden rolled to his side and quickly divested her of the rest of her sleeping garments. Once this was done, he rolled onto his back with her straddling his aching erection. He pulled her down and took possession of her mouth, teasing and tempting her with his kiss. At the same time, he ran his hands down her back and cupped her buttocks, rubbing her against him, driving them both crazy.

“I want you, mo chridh.”

Cat sat up and raised herself over him. Carefully she guided him inside her. She slid down his length, circling her hips, taking him even deeper. It was heaven and hell. Her silken walls caressed him, leaving Braden wanting more. He groaned at the erotic sight of her body joined with his. Reaching up, he parted the delicate curls and found her clitoris. Rubbing the hard bud, he watched spellbound as Cat stared down at him with an indescribable pleasure on her face. Her breathing was fast and the flush of passion tinted her beautiful skin a rosy hue.

“Oh God, Braden.” She tossed her head back while she moved against him.

“Come for me. Let me feel you.” Braden continued to tease her clit with his fingers while he cupped her neck with his free hand and pulled her down for a kiss. His tongue mimicked the action of his hips. They moved together in perfect harmony, and it only took one more thrust to s
end her crashing over the edge.

Her release gripped his erection in a velvet fist, milking him, causing him to see stars. Without breaking the rhythm, he rolled Catrìona onto her back. Lifting one of her thighs up to his waist, he thrust once, twice, and with the third, reached his own orgasm. Collapsing to his side, he pulled Catrìona against him. He knew the mo
ment she drifted back to sleep.

Sleep did not come so easily to Braden. He was worried. The future was not so clear and neither was his place in this new time. Hopefully his fears would be for naught. But somehow, he knew deep in his gut this upcoming trip would change his life.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Tension in the car was as thick as Highland fog on the trip to Edinburgh. Alec had not grown used to the concept of cars, and Cat silently wondered how he was going to deal with airline travel.

Once they were checked in and baggage dealt with, they moved to the gate they’d been assigned. Not a huge fan of flying herself, Cat did her best to put on a cheerful mien and ignore the fact that she was about to board a plane with two men from the thirteenth century. Alec and Braden both stared out the window at the large aircraft. She couldn’t imagi
ne what this was like for them.

“Where are the feathers?” Alec said as he stood beside her.

“There are no feathers.”

“Then how does this beast stay in the air?” Alec’s normally jovial expression was missing, replaced by what Cat could only describe as abject fear. But she knew this warrior of old would not be willing to admit to that.

“There are powerful engines attached, plus the design and other aerodynamic things make air flight possible.”

Cat knew her explanation was weak and in no way eased their fears. Shoot, she’d never had to explain the concept of flying to someone before.

Braden was unusually quiet, and Cat didn’t know what to say. He’d been distant earlier and nothing had seemed to change. Was he wishing he’d not agreed to come home with her? The very thought had her heart clenching in pain. Instead of approaching him and asking what the problem was, she sat and pulled out a magazine. Alec had found a pretty woman and was doing what he seemed to do best—flirt.

Braden sat silently beside her holding her hand. She gave his hand a squeeze. “Is everything okay?”

“Aye. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know you seem
. . . preoccupied.”

“All is right in the world. I’m with you.”

Cat wanted to relax, but something seemed off. Before she could say anything, their flight was called to board. Alec was still flirting with the perky airline employee taking tickets.

She finally managed to grab him and tow him and Braden down the gangway to the waiting airline. Braden took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Everything will be fine, Braden. Trust me.”

“Aye, lass. I do.”

Cat had been surprised when Elspeth had told her their seating had been upgraded to first class. This was the first time she’d ever flown first class, and she was looking forward to the experience. Alec sat across from them and was all smiles as another pretty attendant helped him get comfortable. After she left, he leaned over. “Now this is a mode of transportation I could get used to.”

“You look nervous, lass. Is aught amiss?” Braden asked.

“No, I’m just worrying about you two. This is a new experience, and frankly it won’t do if he freaks out this isn’t like riding in a car. It’s not like he can throw himself out a door in order to escape.”

Braden chuckled. “I doubt there will be an issue.” He pointed to Alec. Sure enough, he was alread
y surrounded by the attendants.

“How does he do that?”

Braden shrugged. “He was always this way, even as a lad. He drew lasses to him like bees to a flower.”

“My, aren’t you feeling poetic.” Cat teased.

Braden tried to frown, but she was hardly intimidated. Braden cupped her face and pulled her close for a long kiss. Gawd, but she loved how this man could kiss. He pulled her close and perfected the angle he had on her mouth. The kiss was slow and sweet. She was easily lost to the temptation he offered. He gently probed the interior of her mouth and all thoughts and worries about how the two of them would deal with the upcoming flight drifted away like ether.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to flight 1265, non-stop to New York. At this time we ask that you turn off your cell phones, as they are not allowed to be used in the cabin. Our flight time today is approximately seven hours.”

The announcement pulled Cat to the present, and she reluctantly moved away from the temptation Braden offered. She turned to see how Alec was settling and smiled as a member of the cabin crew helped him adjust his buckle.

The closing of the baggage department caused Alec to jump in his seat. His eyes bugged a little. “What was that?”

Cat covered her mouth with her hand in order to hide the smile she couldn’t control. “It’s all right, Alec. That was the baggage area being closed.”

“Are you sure? The sound seemed much more serious.”

“Try to relax, you’re going to hear a lot and feel a lot that is going to seem strange.” Cat knew that was the understatement of the century. The next twelve hours were going to be a trial to say the least. She prayed this flight was free of turbulence.

For the next few moments the cabin crew went through their safety spiel, and Cat noted both men paid rapt attention to the attendant at the front of their section. When everything was done, Braden sat back
and took Cat’s hand in his own.

“‘Tis exciting to being returning to your home.”

His words made her think. “Did you see my home? Smell the scents of the city?”

“Aye, to your first q
uestion, and no to the second.”

The plane began to move away from the gate, and Cat watched Braden intently. She didn’t know what she was looking for, maybe signs of him fr
eaking out, but he seemed calm.

Alec, on the other hand, had a white knuckle grip on the armrests of his seat. She reached across and patted his hand. “You’ll be okay, Alec. This is the fun part.”

“Fun part?”

“Where’s your sense of adventure? Come on, you’re about to fly like a bird.”

“If you say so, lass.”

With all of Alec’s moral support team forced to their own seats for takeoff, Cat suggested, “Lay your head back and close your eyes. We’ll be in the air in a minute.”

Alec gripped her hand in an iron fist. She sat with a Highland warrior on each side of her, squeezing the ever-loving heck out of her fingers.

Her first reaction was to yank her fingers back while she still had the ability to feel them. At the same time she wanted t
o offer what comfort she could.

Thankfully their pilot was a good one, and she could barely feel the plan leaving the ground. The sound of the landing gear being drawn back into the belly of the plane forced a curse from Alec. “Sweet Jesus.”

“It’s all right, we’re in the air now. Just sit back and relax.”

Braden leaned forward. “Now who’s acting like a lass?”

Alec frowned looking almost feral. “I will thank you to remember that this is my first time in air, and I’m certainly not acting like a woman.”

“Excuse, me. What is so wrong with being a woman?” Cat looked back and forth, tired of hearing this complaint.

“Nothing, if you’re female.” Alec groused. His frown quickly turned to a smile when their flight attendant made her way toward him.

Cat turned her attention back to Braden. She wanted to continue their conversation regarding what he’d been able to experience while in his frame. “So, if you couldn’t smell the city, what could you see?”

Braden took their clasped hands and rested them on his thigh. “I could only be where you were as long as the portrait traveled with you. It was my portal or door into your world.”

“So that’s why I was able to dream about you on the train when I came to Scotland.”

“Aye. And then I could only experience the things you were experiencing. If you watched television, we could watch television. You were on the computer; we could see that as well.”

His description really brought to life how secluded their lives had been for centuries. “So how did you and Alec see the world change around you? Did the owner of the portrait have to dream about you, or did you simply have to be hanging on the wall?”

Braden laughed. “You do have a way with words, lass. I personally didn’t hang on any wall. Very few of your ancestors managed to feel a connection to me. Those that did kept the journal and painted my picture. The portrait was a blessing because it gave me a door into your world. As a result, I could experience things and it helped to break the monotony of our existence.”

“I can’t imagine all the things you saw.” Just thinking of how much history and changes he’d experienced once the painting was done was mind bogglin
g. Talk about sensory overload.

“Aye, the world has changed a great deal. Some good, some not so brilliant.”

“I like the television,” Alec said. He was as pale as a ghost.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“No, I have a serious pain in my belly.”

Good lord, she had forgotten to buy Dramamine. “Try to take deep even breaths.” She stood and found his air sick bag, and handed it to him. “If you think you’re going to be ill, use this.”

Alec frowned at the small bag. “Are you sure, lass?”

Before Cat could answer, Alec was sick. She cringed hearing him. Although she’d never suffered from motion sickness, she couldn’t imagine how horrid it must be to feel so sick and not be able to find relief until getting off the ride, so to speak.

Immediately the cabin crew moved to assist Alec.

Hours later he finally slept, and so did Braden. Cat was tired and couldn’t wait to finally sleep in her own bed. This trip was draining, and she still had to get them home to her place in the Quarter. Yeah, that was going to be fun. But at the same time she was eager to see their reaction to her home. New Orleans was unlike any place anywhere in the world. And she had a feeling it would never be the same once Braden and Alec arrived.