My Notorious Highlander (Highland Adventure 5) (13 page)

With a gentle but persistent thrust of his hips, he pushed deeper. A stitch of pain caught her and she gasped.

He halted. "Did I hurt you?"

"Nay, 'tis only… it has been a long while since…"

He nodded, his look darkening. "Just relax and trust me. I'll make you forget about him."

Torrin was right; a moment later, he was the focus of her existence. His scorching kisses mimicked the erotic moves of his body. He surged into her and away at an ever intensifying pace. Naught but pleasure and need ricocheted throughout her entire body. She no longer remembered who she was, only that she never wanted him to stop what he was doing.

Cold water from
Torrin's
wet hair dripped onto the sun-warmed skin of her face and neck as he pounded into her. Hot shivers spiraled through her, along with pleasure that darted and whizzed along her limbs.

He growled in her ear and slowed.

"Nay, keep going," she begged.

"Saints, lass," he hissed and moved his hand between their bodies. When he stroked her, she thought she would explode. She cried out, holding her breath with the increasing sensations. Nay, she could not breathe while he did that… whatever he was doing with his thumb, circling some especially sensitive spot. It felt like magic.

He slid deep, then away. Something inside her caught like throwing whisky on a fire, and she burst into flames. Her body bowed and shoved against his, beyond her control. What was happening? What sorcery had he worked on her? She knew she was screaming but couldn't stop. His mouth closed over hers, muffling her cries and his body ground against hers, deep into hers, over and over, the most perfect feeling in the world. She held onto him, grasping him to her, never wanting him to let go.

He roared in her ear, his body shuddering forcefully against hers.

A moment later, he breathed a curse and collapsed on the sand beside her, rolling her to face him, pulling her tight against him. "Saints! That was heaven on earth," he whispered between harsh breaths.

"Aye."
'Twas
true. She didn't understand what she'd felt—that moment of pure bliss that had taken her breath and her mind—but she was too embarrassed to ask him about it.

Observing her a long moment while they caught their breaths, he grinned. "You have a beautiful smile."

She hadn't even realized she was smiling, but indeed she was incredibly happy for the first time in a very long time. Of course, her family made her happy, too. But even with them, she sometimes felt lonely or incomplete.

But Torrin had given her joy such as she'd rarely experienced. And why shouldn't she take her happiness where she could find it? She was no longer a young lass, needing to keep her virtue intact for some future husband. If she was barren, a tumble on the sand wouldn't matter. And if she wasn't… if Torrin got her with child… she didn't know. Did she wish to marry him? Before today, she hadn't thought so, but after what they'd just shared, she was certainly tempted. The emotion and passion in his eyes had held her spellbound. But would he lose interest and desert her as the other men had? Just the thought of it sent an ache through her stomach. If she fell for Torrin and he rejected her, she would never recover. There were too many unanswered questions and unfortunately she couldn't see into the future.

"Come, let's go for a swim." He stood and helped her up.

Her face heated for she still couldn't get used to his naked body, despite what they'd just shared.

"But you must get rid of this first." He bent and raised the hem of her smock, but her arms prevented him from lifting it over her head.

"Nay! What if someone should come along?" She glanced up at the cliffs and the high bank surrounding them.

"Do you see anyone? We're over a mile from the village and further than that from the castle."

She bit her lip. His suggestion was tempting. How glorious it would feel to swim in the sea naked. She hadn't done so since last year.

"We'll spread the garment over this rock and it will dry in the sun and breeze by the time we're done swimming."

She glanced around, making sure no one was above them looking down. "Oh, very well." She lifted the smock over her head. He took it from her and spread it over the boulder.

His gaze skimmed over her, then lingered on her breasts. "Saints. You are the loveliest of sights."

She suppressed the urge to fold her arms over her breasts. "You're not so bad yourself, MacLeod."

He gave her an amused smirk. "Come. It's been a while since I swam in the sea for any length of time. And today's a rare warm day."

He dove under the water and she didn't see him for several moments, until he emerged thirty feet away. Not to be outdone, she took a deep breath and dove beneath the waves. Seconds later, she grabbed onto him and rose above the surface.

"I don't ken any other lady who could do that," he said.

She savored his compliment, but at the same time, it made her wonder. "Do you ken a lot of ladies?"

"Nay, not that many." He grinned.

Jealousy arose, unbidden. "Liar. I'm certain you have known many in the Biblical sense."

"I remember none of them."

"I don't care for insincere sweet talk."

"Nor do I. I've not so much as looked at another woman, much less touched one, since the night we met."

She searched his gaze, looking for insincerity, but could find none. Either he was telling the truth or he was a very skilled liar.

"I knew then that I wanted you and no one else would suffice."

Why? How?
She had a thousand questions to ask him, but she didn't wish to get into any serious discussions now.

He grasped her around the waist as her toes barely touched the sandy bottom. When he lowered his mouth to hers, she slid her arms around his neck. His salty, sweet kiss was like the best of treats.

He trailed his tongue down her throat and, lifting her into the air, fastened his hot lips onto one of her nipples. She gasped as fiery arousal blasted through her.

Torrin pulled Jessie's long legs around his waist and strode from the water with her. Damnation, he must have her again.
Now.
It had only been a few minutes since his release but he was already fully aroused again. The first time with her had been astounding, earth-shaking, and far beyond his wildest dreams. He could've never imagined such pleasure as that which crashed through him with his release.

Gently, he lay her on the sun-warmed woolen plaid—her
arisaid
—their bare, wet skin sliding together.

"Saints, Jessie. I want you again," he said against her luscious lips.

"Aye. Take me." Between kisses, she whispered those sweet words in a desperate tone that only aroused him more.

After positioning himself, he pushed into her slowly, gradually, savoring each glorious inch. Her delicious, wet heat enveloped him. He looked into her dark blue eyes, seeing more passion than ever before. Though it might be sacrilege, he prayed that she could love him, that she would need him as much as he needed her.

During their first time, his own desire had nearly consumed him. Now, he wanted to give her more of his attention.

When he started moving, she cried out and held on tighter around his neck. "Aye," she breathed against his mouth. He captured her beautiful lips and devoured them. His body near went up in the flames of sexual pleasure.

She lifted her hips, boldly meeting each of his thrusts. Damnation, he was fast becoming addicted to this woman. They'd only indulged a few minutes ago. And he feared twice in one day would never be enough for him.

'Twas
as if the first time had only been an appetizer and this was the main course. She accepted his scorching kisses, taking everything he was giving and eager for more. Thank the saints, she was a passionate woman who loved carnal pleasures. Or maybe 'twas their special connection and
him
that fired her up. He hoped.

"So damned good, Jessie," he growled against her mouth.

"Aye. Amazing," she hissed.

Her obvious enjoyment and her ardor for him sent his arousal blazing toward the sky faster than he would've liked. Nay, he had to pace himself and give her more pleasure than she'd ever thought possible. She wouldn't even remember
MacBain's
name by the time he was through with her this day. Torrin wanted her addicted to the pleasures he could give her. He wanted her to need him and think of him night and day.

Pausing, he moved down and drew her puckered nipple into his mouth while cradling her breasts within his hands. Her breasts were not overly large, nor were they small. Just the right size, to his way of thinking. Beautiful, creamy and perky with rosy pink nipples.

He moaned and switched to her other nipple. As he suckled it, she shoved her hips upward, imbedding him deeper. The sudden decadence of the move gripped him, and he growled. He wished he could bring her to climax several times before he reached his own, but he wasn't sure he could endure it this time.

After licking his thumb, he slid it between their bodies to stroke that highly sensitive pleasure point, that wee rigid bud just above where he slid. While caressing with his thumb, he thrust harder and faster. The expression on her face was beyond blissful. How he loved watching her at the peak of passion.

Her nails dug into his shoulders, tighter and tighter until she screamed, her body flexing hard and bowing upwards. Her nipples grew even harder and he suckled at one while pounding into her at the height of her pleasure. He held back his own release as long as he could. Once hers ebbed, his own crashed in on him, consuming all thought except how much he loved this woman. Aye, she was his, and he was never letting her go.

The pleasure drained away, bit by bit, and he slowly came back to himself, breathing hard. Saints, he felt like he'd climbed a mountain.

"Jessie," he said between hard breaths. "You are amazing."

She giggled, and the playful, happy look in her eyes told him all he needed to know right now.

Lying down beside her on the warm sand, he kissed her and held her close in his arms. The smile would not leave his face and his heart beat with joy and victory. Aye, she was his now, and she would soon realize that of her own free will. He didn't need to use words to convince her of anything. She would feel it when the time was right. He would show her what a joy life could be.

He drew back. "How about another swim? That one was cut short."

She smiled. "Aye, I'm ready to cool off."

He stood, then took her hand and helped her up. Hand in hand, they ran toward the water. He loved how fearless she was, going naked just as he was. She was a good swimmer, too.

For an endless time, they played in the water, splashing each other, swimming and jumping waves. Torrin grabbed her and kissed her every chance he got, and each time aroused him more and more. Soon, he would need her again, and he hoped she would need him as well.

Movement on the beach caught his attention. He blinked the burning salt water from his eyes. Around a dozen men were lined up along the beach. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? "What the hell?"

Jessie turned abruptly. "Who is—? Haldane?"

"That little bastard." Rage twisted through Jessie, and she started from the chest-deep water toward her youngest brother, Haldane, an outlaw who knew better than to show his face here.

"You're naked." Torrin grabbed her arm just as a wave crashed over their shoulders.

She muttered a curse and slid behind him while looking over his shoulder. "Haldane!" she yelled over the crashing waves. "Take your men and go!" She pointed firmly. Though Haldane was an adult and was by no means small, he was four years her junior. She'd always ordered him about, but he'd rarely obeyed her, or anyone.

Even at this distance, she saw his satisfied smile. He shook his head, his bright copper hair and short beard gleaming in the sunlight.

"That gray-haired man beside him is McMurdo," Torrin said.

"Aye." Jessie had seen the infamous highwayman only a few times in her life and knew he had killed at least eighteen people, maybe more, including her cousin. Plus, he had come close to killing Dirk.

"We can wait all day," Haldane called, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What do you want?" Torrin demanded.

"My sister is going to gain us entrance at Dunnakeil."

"You're wrong, Haldane!" she yelled.

"What are you going to do about it? I have your clothes and your weapons. There is no escape from Sango Bay except up this bank, unless you have a galley somewhere. Or maybe you can swim for a couple miles in the sea."

"Oh, that bastard," Jessie growled between clenched teeth. "I could choke him." He was right; there was no exit from this bay except behind Haldane and his men. Sheer cliffs enclosed the two sides. "Leave now, Haldane! Or I'll throttle you."

He laughed. "I doubt that, sister. You and your lover are outnumbered. We're armed and you are not."

Her blood ran cold and the chill sea water wasn't helping any. The sun was descending in the western sky, and the wind was growing cooler. How long had she and Torrin been here? Clearly, they should've left an hour ago.

"Leave our clothes at the edge of the water and turn your backs!" she commanded.

Haldane did as she said, leaving their clothes in a pile just beyond the surf, turned his back, then he said something low to McMurdo. Several more of the men faced the bank, but not McMurdo.

"Turn around, McMurdo!" she demanded.

He shook his head. "Are you thinking I've never seen a naked woman afore? Trust me, I've seen a few." His nasty grin revealed several missing teeth.

"Ugh."

"'
Slud
!" Torrin said. "We need to turn the tables on them."

"Aye. But how? There are a dozen of them and only two of us."

"I'll think of something. Come, let's get dressed. Stay behind me."

How mortifying to have to depend on Torrin to shield her from the view of the outlaws. Gil, a young archer who was formerly a member of the MacKay clan, stood on the hill with his arrow aimed at her and Torrin. With her wet hair hanging over her breasts, at least she was partially covered. Torrin bent and retrieved her smock, then helped her put it on, along with the rest of her clothing, uncaring of his own nudity.

She eyed the outlaws while Torrin dressed. Most of them faced Jessie and Torrin again, vile grins on their unshaven faces. Their unkempt hair and dirty clothing told her what sort of men they were—desperate outlaws just like Haldane. Where had he rounded up such a ragtag group?
'Twas
hard to believe her wee brother had turned out so horribly. Their father would be mightily ashamed of his youngest son.

Haldane held her three knives in his hands. She should've kept one of them strapped to her thigh, but she'd known the salt water would rust it. Truth was it would've done her no good. One knife against twelve was naught. Saints! What could they do?

Wait! She remembered she'd sewn a small knife into the hem of this
arisaid
. She'd never had to use it and had almost forgotten it. But it would be difficult to retrieve. She couldn't simply grab it. She would have to unravel the hem first.

"Good to see you again, Chief." Haldane smirked. "So, you've seduced my whorish sister, have you?"

Torrin launched himself at Haldane, but the two men flanking him stepped forward, their blades poised to slit
Torrin's
throat.

He halted and Jessie grabbed the back of his shirt. "Pay him no heed. He's but trying to provoke you."

"I don't need you, MacLeod," Haldane boasted. "We can put you out of your misery right here. I only need my sister to convince the guards to open the portcullis at Dunnakeil. The only reason you're still alive is that, being a chief, you might be worth a lot of ransom money."

The look in
Torrin's
narrowed eyes turned lethal and Jessie knew he would have his revenge. He'd already decided. Of a certainty, he had always been kind to her, but she'd seen how deadly he was to his enemies. If he'd had a sword in his hands, he would've likely cut them all down.

"Leave him be. We'll both go peacefully," she said to appease her brother.

"Aye, you will. Or I'll kill you both," Haldane said.

She frowned, wondering if Haldane could indeed kill his own sister. If not, he would order McMurdo to do it. And she had no doubt he'd kill Torrin if he caused any trouble. Haldane was just like his mother—soulless and coldblooded.

"Both of you, up the bank," Haldane ordered, motioning with his sword.

Torrin took her hand, leading her up the sandy pathway. Though she truly didn't need his help, she accepted it because she loved touching him. He was her only comfort in this treacherous situation. She prayed that Torrin, being a warrior and chief, would come up with a brilliant plan of escape. Or maybe she could, if she put her mind to it. But two against twelve? The odds were overwhelming.

At the top of the bank, Haldane turned to Torrin with a smirk. "By the way, Dirk killed your brother."

Torrin halted, his gaze dark and deadly. "What?" he growled.

Jessie's stomach sank. Was it true?

"Aye, Dirk MacKay, the chief of the MacKay clan, killed Nolan MacLeod. He is your brother, is he not?" Haldane said in a lighthearted tone. How could he enjoy delivering such horrible news to anyone?

Torrin frowned. "Aye."

Jessie tightened her hold on his hand. "He might be lying just to rile you."

Haldane laughed. "I'm not lying, sister."

"Did you witness it?" Torrin asked.

"Nay. But Nolan was with us and then, after a skirmish we had with the rest of the
MacKays
, he vanished. And good riddance. He was never any help to us."

"He made off with Dirk's woman." McMurdo shook his head, his long gray beard blowing in the wind. "I knew that was a death sentence."

"Lady Isobel?" Jessie asked, her heart leaping into her throat at this news of her best friend. "Nolan attacked Lady Isobel again? Was she hurt?"

"He snatched her from the tent, put her on a horse and rode away with her. Dirk chased after him, and that was the last we saw of Nolan," McMurdo said.

"Was Isobel hurt?" Jessie asked again.

McMurdo shrugged. "We saw her again later with Dirk. She didn't appear hurt, but then Gil shot Dirk in the calf with an arrow." He gave an evil grin.

"I'm hoping he's dead with fever," Haldane said in a hard voice.

"Nay," Jessie said, worry for her older brother clutching at her stomach. He was strong. Surely, he could overcome such an injury. Couldn't he?

"Damn," Torrin muttered. Thinking his younger brother might be dead ripped his heart out. But with the way Nolan had turned corrupt, Torrin had expected him to meet a bad end. For Jessie's brother to have killed his brother… seemed ironic and strange. And he had no doubt Nolan was dead if he'd done what McMurdo said. Dirk would've had no mercy on him for 'twas clear Dirk loved Isobel beyond all reason.

Jessie watched him warily. "You're not going to seek revenge, are you?"

"Nay. If Nolan kidnapped Lady Isobel or hurt her, he deserved what he got. Dirk wouldn't murder someone outright."

"Nay, he wouldn't."

"Did they bury him?" Torrin asked the outlaws.

Haldane shrugged. "Time to go." He strode forward, joining several of his men.

"I'm sure Dirk would've had him buried if he is indeed dead," Jessie said. "We have no proof of it yet."

Torrin nodded. Aye, without doubt. Still, it didn't stop him from remembering Nolan as a wee lad, being slapped and abused by their father. But he couldn't think about that now. He had to focus on how to get himself and Jessie free of Haldane and his men. They were all well-armed and obviously ruthless. Haldane had hired a bunch of outlaws with no loyalties and no qualms about killing anyone for two pence.

"Move along, you two," McMurdo said behind them, his sword raised.

If Jessie wasn't with him, he'd break McMurdo's neck and grab his sword, then he'd run the rest of them through or cut their throats, one by one. At least, as many of them as he could. He was outnumbered, aye, but they were all scrawnier and weaker-looking than him. But he would do naught to put Jessie in danger.

Torrin took her hand and strode forward to catch up to the others. Why the devil hadn't he realized the potential danger of being trapped in that secluded bay? The lure of seducing Jessie had blinded him to everything else. He'd been daft.

When they didn't head toward the castle, Torrin bristled. "Where are you taking us?"

"To a safe place until we get the lay of the land." Haldane gave him a sinister grin.

What did the sneaky bastard have up his sleeve? Mayhap he knew the MacKay guards were likely to shoot him and his cohorts full of arrows before he could make any demands.

Following a roundabout path, over rocky hills and through stands of prickly gorse bushes, Haldane and his men were clearly avoiding the village and the few crofts scattered about the area.

Torrin studied Jessie as he helped her over a huge rock. She appeared concerned and somewhat afraid. Her own little brother was a ruthless outlaw just as his had been. He'd never feared Nolan, but he didn't know everything he'd done either. Haldane was no doubt a murderer, and his partner, McMurdo, certainly was.

An hour later, gloaming was descending upon the land and thick clouds were moving in from the west, further darkening the evening sky. They stopped at a dilapidated byre just off the narrow trail.

"Inside, both of you." Haldane waved Jessie and Torrin toward the doorway.

"
'Tis
dark in there," Jessie said. "There may be vermin."

"Do you think I care? Get inside," he ordered.

"Can you at least give us a lantern? 'Twill be dark soon," Jessie said.

"Nay. Don't be such a coward."

"Bastard," she muttered.

Haldane pushed her, and she slammed into Torrin.

"Keep your hands off her!" Torrin said.

"Shut your gob, MacLeod. Or you'll end up like your brother. Now get inside." Haldane shoved him toward the doorway into the dark stone structure. His first instinct was to shove back, 'haps even grab Haldane's sword, but he knew not what the outcome would be.

Inside, he did a quick survey of the building. It contained no windows and only one doorway. The thatch was old and full of holes, but still mostly intact.