Mist Warrior (51 page)

Too quickly, Branan
ended the kiss, his breathing ragged against her neck.
“
My bonnie lass, I have missed ye so.
”

Her
throat tightened and tears threatened. Dear Lord, she had to get her emotions under control. She clung to him, praying he would not become a wraith and vanish from her arms.
“
What...what are you doing here?
”

“
Having a wicked rendezvous with the woman I love.
”
His voice suddenly sounded harsh and primitive.

Catriona’s
heart reeled. Again
, Branan
had voiced the words
,
but they impacted her no less than they had on that first night.

She tightened her embrace.
“
Please
,
Branan, do not vanish into the mist.
”

“
Nay,
”
he replied.
“
I willna be going anywhere
until the morrow
.
”

“
How did you get in?
”

His smile grew rakish.
“
I arrived at evensong, just afore the gates closed.
”

Her jaw went slack and indignation replaced her shock.
“
And you didn't tell me?
”

“
Forgive me
, my bonnie lass. I remained in the barracks to make sure there wouldna be a danger to ye. If Strickland's spies spot me, he would send his men forthwith.
”

“
And my chambers?
”
Catriona
asked suspiciously.

He winked at her.
“
'Tis a talent Duguald taught me in my youth. There is nary a lock or bolt he canna open.
”

“
Does anyone know you're here?
" face="Garamond">”

“
Only Edmund and
Greystoke
. I thought it prudent to inform them
,
lest someone see me sneaking into your chamber. I ha' no desire to be run through by my own men.
”

Catriona
settled her head against his chest, her indignation melting. Branan was here, that was all that mattered. She closed her eyes listening to his heart beat a slow and strong rhythm.

“
But,
”
he said, tilting her chin up again.
“
The night ages and I plan on savoring every moment.
”
His mouth claimed hers and
Catriona
did not hesitate.
Suddenly reminded of the eve in her shelter, when Branan held her in his lap, but they had not truly pursued their desires, Catriona now planned to correct that immediately. She acceded to Branan’s
lips and he swept his tongue across hers, threatening to devour her. She relaxed against him, inviting him to touch her.

He eased her back in his left arm, his free hand moving to deftly untie the lace at the throat of her nightrail His fingers followed the fabric as he pulled it away, lightly caressing her skin and sending tiny shivers through her. Her breasts felt hard and heavy. Warmth bloomed within her, settling low in her belly.

Branan pulled the gown from her shoulder and exposed her breast. He lifted his head and gazed at it for a long moment. Again a thick
anticipation rose within her. Branan
licked his lips, the action coming close to driving her insane, then he lowered his head and drew her into his mouth.

Fire shot through her and a primal groan escaped her lips. She felt so wonderfully helpless in his arms. His mouth provoked a tempest within her. Once again the storm raged out of control. She wove her fingers through his thick hair, tiny sounds she could not control encouraging him.

Slowly,
Branan’s
velvet lips slid upward to her throat, where he gently nibbled her terribly sensitive skin. His hands stroke
d
her nightrail off her shoulders, pushing it down to her waist and then returned to softly fondle her breasts.

Catriona felt the heat of his body radiating through his clothing. She struggled to free him of it, especially the heavy belt he wore

,
which jabbed her in the side.

Branan stopped, removing his belt and then his inar. Catriona scrambled of
f
of him so he could divest himself of the rest of
his clothing, her nightrail puddl
ed on the floor at her feet. Branan quickly freed himself from his clothes
,
but instead of leading her to the bed as she expected, he again sat in the chair, took her hand and pulled her toward him.

His lips lifted in the roguish smile she loved so much
. I
n the firelight, his green eyes gleamed with a feral spark.

Catriona
returned his smile, gazing at his swollen shaft jutting upward against his flat belly. Oh, this might indeed be fun. Again Branan tugged her closer. She sat on his lap facing him so that her legs once again went around his waist. Fortunately, the chair did not have any arms and it was a sturdy piece of furniture.

He kissed her, his mouth toying with hers, she felt his shaft slide over the damp folds of her femininity. A soft gasp escaped her
,
but her position was awkward and she couldn't move like she wanted to.
“
Surely there is an easier way,
”
she muttered.

Branan
chuckled, a guttural sound in his chest.
“
Aye, lassie, but ye will find this most satisfying. Trust me.
”

She did trust him. She loved him, savored the feel of his mouth against hers, of his hands caressing his body. He gripped her sides and gently lifted her.
“
Guide me inside ye, lass.
”

Catriona
did so and moaned as he filled her. For an instant
,
she couldn't move, waves of pleasure wracked through her. Branan filled her utterly
.
Glorious sensations radiated deep within her being, spreading outward to the tips of her fingers, toes and aching breasts. Gently
,
he shifted his
hips. They were fit so tightly together
,
Branan
had no need to move much. She cried out as the agonizing glory cut through her even more intensely. She arched upward and threw her head back.

“
Aye, my sweet love,
”
he whispered.
“
Wrap yer arms around my neck, lean back just a bit more.
”

She obeyed as he moved again inside her. His mouth closed over her breast and his thumb suddenly found the most sensitive spot between her legs.

She moaned his name in total abandon as Branan expertly tortured her with exquisite pleasure. She found herself rocking her hips back and forth, driving his shaft deeper within her. She whimpered as his thumb persecuted the throbbing nub between her legs and his teeth nipped and teased her nipple.

“
Sweet glory,
”
he growled under his breath.

A dim part of Catriona's mind acknowledged that she was being selfish, working only to fulfill her own pleasure. But Branan offered this to her freely and she found
she couldn't deny him
.

The coil of energy forming deep within her expanded and her movement became harsher, more desperate. She panted and moaned his name, begging him to free her from this torture. His thumb moved forcefully over her aching nub and his mouth drew hard on her breast, his hips shoved forward and the world exploded in ecstasy.

****

Cat
riona screamed his name as his
hot seed filled her gloriously tight womb. Branan felt her body convulse around him adding exquisite torture to perfect pain. He shoved himself into her again and again, sweat rolling from his brow, his thumb continued to work, wringing every last convulsion of pleasure he could from her. He savored the taste of her, the scent of her mingling with his own.

She relaxed suddenly against him, her face buried against his neck. Branan fought to catch his breath. The aftershocks continued to move through her and he changed the tempo with which he touched her, from demanding to a soothing caress over her sensitive femininity.

Branan backed away and gathered her in his arms, although his strength had abandoned him. He carried her to the bed where they collapsed and he covered them with the blankets.

Catriona
snuggled close.
“
I love you, Branan,
”
she purred into hi {urrspas ear.

He squeezed his eyes closed and
wrapped her in a tight embrace
, his heart rioting.
“
And I love ye, Catriona. More than ye will ever know.
”

Once again, Branan could only lightly doze, a part of him aware of Catriona curled so wonderfully against him as she slept. But there was also a part of him aware that he had to leave before dawn, the moment the gates opened and allowed traders to come and go as they pleased.

God, he didn't want to. He desperately wanted to stop time and remain wit
h her without worry. But when Branan
heard the sounds of life stirring within the castle, he slowly tore himself away from her. At first
,
he toyed with the idea of waking her by making love to her again
,
but ultimately decided against it. It was hard enough to leave her
,
if he awakened
her, he might never find the
door
,
and if he made love to her yet again
,
he might not be able to walk at all.

Branan silently dressed
,
but again wrapped his brat around her. Taking the old one he had left before, he shoved it into the small pack he carried. He paused, lightly caressing
Catriona’s
hair and then kissed her cheek. As silently as he
arrived
,
Branan
slipped from the room. Outside, he vanished into the pre-dawn mist.

****

Catriona awoke to cold loneliness and her heart crashed. As wonderful as last night had been, it made the morning that much harder.

Branan was gone.

She suddenly felt as if she didn't have the strength to face another day, another problem, another plot. It had been so much easier when she had been with Branan at Thist
lewood. But now Branan was gone
–vanished into the mist.