Mist Warrior (30 page)

“
Come in,
”
Catriona
said and closed the door behind him. Branan spotted a chair near the heart
h
with a cup full of wine on the table.

“
I'm sorry to wake ye.
”

“
I wasn't asleep,
”
she replied, confirming his suspicions. She sank into the chair. Sto >
“
Pull a chair to the hearth and pour yourself some wine, Branan.
”

He obeyed, sitting closer to her than he probably should.
“
What's wrong, lass?
”
Gently, he took her hand in hi
s. Branan’s
plan tangled in
his
concern. Something troubled Catriona and right now she needed a friend, not a beast in rut, nor a foolhardy male ordering her away.

“
Nothing,
”
she whispered.
“
Everything.
”

He swallowed hard and caressed her hair with his free hand. She bowed her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Without realizing what he was doing, he pulled h
er into his lap and held her. Branan
pressed her tightly against him, murmuring soft words into her hair.

He felt tears dampen his skin
and his heart twisted. Was she still grieving her parents
,
or agonizing over her betrothal
,
or both?

Nothing, everything.

Sorrow rose within him. He closed his eyes and rocked her gently as he allowed her to give vent to her anguish.

Catriona
cried for a long time then gradually fell silent. Branan continued to hold her, staring into the hearth as its flames snapped and popped. She grew so still
,
he wondered if she had fallen asleep. Moving cau
tiously, he looked down, bending
his neck until he could see her face. Her eyes remained open, staring at nothing.

“
Do ye wish to speak of it?
”
he asked softly.

“
Nay.
”

Branan
scowled
,
but decided not to push.
“
I should let ye rest.
”

“
Nay,
”
Catriona
said
,
her voice stronger. Her arms tightened around him.
“
Don't leave, please. I don't want to be alone right now.
”

His concern grew into worry.

They remained silent for a long time
,
then Branan became aware of a peculiar sensation. Abruptly
,
he realized her fingers toyed
with the opening of his jacket. His throat worked as he swallowed hard.

As if taking a cue from the mov
ement of his throat muscles, Catriona’s
fingers lightly caressed his skin, then slowly descended to the small hallow
,
and
brushed over his collarbone.

Branan closed his eyes and shivered. His arousal blossomed again
,
but he battled it back
,
still concerned about what troubled her.

Catriona’s
fingers slid up his throat again and Branan suddenly felt weak. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes allowing her free access. His pulse quickened and she continued to lightly caress and explore. Dear God, never had such a simple action felt so intimate.

Her fingers descended again, touching his chest as far as the opening of his jacket would allow. Branan's breath caught. He wanted nothing more than to haul the bloody off and allow her fingers to explore all she wanted.

Gently
, Branan
took her fingers in his and kissed them.
“
Catriona....
”

Her expression fell and Branan wanted to kick himself. Without command
,
his hand released hers and moved to her chin, gently tugging upward. He felt his loins tighten as he gazed at her.
Branan
lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers, intending only a light kiss. But her fingers
suddenly fisted into his jacket. His mouth eased onto hers, fitting so wonderfully. His tongue lightly traced over her bottom lip. So delicate, so soft.

He moved gently and slowly, gradually increasing the strength of his mouth against hers, coaxing her to respond, vowing if she did not encourage him, he would not continue.

But respond she did, timidly returning his kiss at first, the growing more confident and instinctive. He lightly s
l
id his tongue between her lips, hinting at his desire for her to open them. With a soft gasp she did and Branan plunged inside, a rot of sensation exploding within him.

He cupped Catriona’s
face in his hand, his fingers weaving through the silk of her hair. Her sweet taste dizzied him, the velvet softness of her mouth ignited his blood. Again she responded to his gentle ministrations, encouraging the deepening of his kiss. Branan joyously obliged, his body acutely away of hers pressed against him.

His hands traveled over her, pulling her closer.
Catriona
released his jacket, laying a gentle hand on his chest, sending a wave of fire into his skin.

A tiny moan curled up the back of her throat and Branan's arousal was complete, reaching deep within him. The blanket slipped from her shoulders. Branan's hand trailed over her back and under her arm. His fingers lightly caressed the soft swell of her breast. Gently
,
he followed its form, his thumb brushing the hard bud that formed under his touch. He teased it lightly, feeling it tighten even more. Catriona suddenly took the initiative in their kiss, her tongue battling with his.

Abruptly
,
Branan
tore his mouth away, sliding his lips along her jaw and fighting to catch his breath at the same time. He had experienced pleasure before
,
but never had he known such intense, exquisite sensations. Catriona lifted her head and Branan kissed the tender flesh of her throat, he nibbled with his lips, lightly brushing her skin with his teeth. Delicate strands of her hair caressed his face. His hand cupped and fondled her breast while his other hand moved lower, down her back, feeling the soft curve of her buttocks and pulling her even closer.

Catriona’s
leg moved against his shaft sending brilliant glory through his body.
“
God,
”
he growled, his voice sounding primitive and feral even to himself.
“
Catriona...
”
he could barely think to form the words.
“
I need ye...touch me please.
”

Her hand caressed his chest with a greater purpose.
Branan
gently took her hand and guided her to firmly stroke her palm over his shaft, still painfully trapped in his trews.

Catriona
gasped in surprise
,
but her hand slid over him with exquisite pressure. Branan threw his head back, fighting to breathe, his eyes squeezed shut as he savored the perfect torture.

“
Branan,
”
she breathed. She buried her face in his hair, nuzzling his ear.

Branan shivered in absolute delight as her hand never stopped.

“
What are we doing?
”
Catriona
murmured.

His hands move
d
to her breasts, taunting her nipples into a wonderfully hard response.
“
What we both have always wanted,
”
he growled.

She shuddered against him.
“
Branan...please...we can't.
”

A low growl
rose in his chest.
Branan
slid one hand down, his fingers trailing over her ribs, her w
a
ist, her hip, then her thigh, where he caught the hem of her chemise and moved under it. He caressed her soft skin, slowly tracing his fingers upward to her hip.

“
Branan
,
we must stop
.
”
B
ut her hand kept stroking him.

n>
“
God forgive me, I cannot.
”

Suddenly
,
Catriona
lifted her head, her eyes a deep sapphire reflecting her desire.
“
But I must be a...
”
she stammered, fighting to find
t
he words which they both already knew.
“
Richard will...I mean...you will lose everything, Branan.
”

He cupped her face
,
trying to pull her to him for a kiss.
“
I care not. I have all I want right here. I will give up everything for ye.
”
He found himself surprised at the desperation he heard in his own voice.

That was the wrong thing to say,
Branan
belatedly realized. A slight stiffening of her body destroyed the wonderful power between them, replacing it with enraged tension.
Catriona’s
eyes sparked angrily and she hauled herself back.
“
I won't let you,
”
she snarled with the power of a lioness defending her cub.

Branan
battled to sort his thoughts through the tangled haze of lust surging within him..
“
I care not,
”
he repeated stubbornly.
“
I want ye, Catriona, we were meant to be together.
”
He seized her arm and drew her to him for a powerful kiss. He would brook no refusal. She was stiff against him
,
but again he teased her lips with his own.
Branan
heard her tiny pant and
Catriona
relaxed, surrendering to him and returning his kiss. Branan's heart soared, she may be able to refuse his words
,
but she could not refu Soul words
“
I will make ye mine,
”
he growled.