The Highlander's Bride (7 page)

He deepened the kiss and played with her lower lip, encouraging her mouth to open to him. When she finally did, he dove in, absorbing her into himself while his hands slid slowly up her spine. She tasted so good. Just like her scent, her kisses were fresh, new, and innocent.

Laurel didn’t know that men and women ever kissed like this. When his tongue first danced with hers, she wanted to retract, but he wouldn’t let her. The erotic feel of his mouth grew until she was responding in kind, kissing him over and over again. Both her hands were wrapped in his hair, keeping his head down, encouraging the embrace to continue.

Conor had no intention of leaving the sweet vulnerable warmth behind her lips. The way Laurel was responding, he knew that her desire for more was also surfacing. Slowly his hand went down her shoulder and then down her back and rested under her breasts gently on the binding he had just tied.

When she increased the intensity of the kiss, his thumbs started rubbing her nipples back and forth until they were hard underneath his caress.

Laurel was surprised at being touched so intimately and was about to pull away when he broke from her mouth and started exploring her neck. At the same time, his hands were massaging and coaxing her taut breasts, causing her to unconsciously arch her back so he would have better access.

Her response was so genuine, so unrehearsed and pure, it fueled his need. Never had he wanted a woman like he wanted Laurel. How could someone so new to the ways of love and her own passions could be so incredibly desirable?

Slowly he slipped the sleeves of her chemise down so that her breasts were freed from the linen constriction. He looked down at her, and he saw that her passion-filled eyes were an intense blue-green. Never had he seen anything more lovely nor had he ever had the desire to make love with a woman more than he did right then.

Bending down, he took one nipple into his mouth. His tongue began to dance around the firm mound and his teeth nibbled the taut nubs. She moaned in response. Never in her life had she experienced or dreamed of anything like this. The world disappeared around her as his tongue swirled again and again, teasing each hardened nipple.

The warmth between her legs had steadily been growing and was now a blazing fire. The world around her had disappeared, and all she was aware of or cared about was Conor and what he was doing to her. She didn’t know what was happening, but she wanted more, needed more.

Conor was exploding with need. Her response and her repeated moans of pleasure were causing him to forget where they were.

Suddenly, he became aware of a young male voice invading his pursuit of heaven. “Conor! Hey, Conor! Cole and Finn sent me to get you. Where are you?”

Damn. It was Craig. What did he want? Conor quickly stopped and held an unsteady Laurel in his arms. The last few moments had left them both trembling with passion. He stroked her back and tried to calm his own desires.

“Conor! I am assuming you know where Laurel is. You may want to get her and bring her back. There is some movement on the perimeter from the other side of the camp, and it doesn’t look too friendly.”

Conor called out to Craig before he reached them. “Fine. Return to camp and let Finn know that I will be getting Laurel and returning immediately. Do
not
do anything until I get there.”

He heard Craig mumble and his retreating steps. “Laurel, love, we have to go back.”

She still had a death grip on his shirt, burying her face into his chest. He could feel her nod in agreement.

She took several deep breaths and raised her head. Still reeling from unfulfilled sexual need, she had so many questions for herself as well as him. But she realized that neither of them had any answers. Not saying a word, they prepared to leave the river and return to camp.

Once they were back, Conor left with Finn and his guard to investigate the movement on the ridge. They were on the edge of highland country and close to several clan boundaries. However, tonight’s disturbance was just a pack of wolves looking for their next meal. By the time Conor had returned, Laurel was asleep on his plaid.

Tonight, he wasn’t going to wait until her nightmares came. He crouched down and gathered her into his arms. She instinctively turned and placed her head on his shoulder and nestled close.

The joy and peace he felt holding her in his arms was unbelievable. Earlier that evening, this captivating woman had him feeling so hard and on fire. Now, while he still wanted her with a fierce possessiveness, he didn’t want to do anything to disturb this absolute feeling of contentment.

He bent his head and kissed her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. How this Englishwoman had woven a spell around him so quickly he did not know. But he knew that he was decisively caught in her enchanting web. He also knew that he was never going to let her go. His last thought before he drifted to sleep was that Laurel belonged to him.

They had been traveling most of the morning when Finn pulled back to ride next to Laurel for a while. The terrain had changed, and they were now steadily climbing into higher country. Laurel was glad their horses were bred with the stamina and strength needed to continue up the mountains.

“Milady.”

“Finn,” she returned with a smile that would light even the darkest of nights.

Oh, this lady was going to set the clan in a whirl, he thought. “How do you fare this morn? Your breathing does not seem as labored.”

She smiled in agreement. “Fine. My ribs are mending, and my breathing has much improved.”

He fell behind her momentarily as the path narrowed. “I’m glad. We should be home in a day or two, depending upon the weather.”

She moved Borrail closer to his mount. “Finn. Please do not let the group travel slower for my sake. I can keep up.”

He saw the earnest pleading in her hazy, bluish-green eyes and decided that he could neither lie nor tell her the truth. “Aye, milady, but we can only travel at the pace of the slowest animal.”

Laurel thought to ask whose animal was the slowest and then decided that she didn’t want to know if it was hers. Instead, she changed the subject.

“You mentioned that we would soon reach McTiernay land.”

Aware of the tension in his laird’s posture, Finn focused on the path ahead and avoided unnecessary eye contact with the bewitching woman at his side. “Aye, milady.”

“Can you tell me a little more about the McTiernays?”

“Well, milady, the McTiernays are a proud, strong clan, and Conor is a wise and strong leader.” Finn paused trying to determine how to talk about the respect and admiration he had for his clansmen and laird.

“The laird is following in his father’s ways, leading his clan with a calm but firm hand. His skill with the sword and ability to train men have enabled him to build strong allegiances with many important clans. Recently, the McTiernays have absorbed a couple of smaller clans, so our numbers are formidable. Conor now has the job of bringing their fighting skills up to the level of their numbers.”

Laurel considered what Finn had told her. “Why would Conor agree to absorb men who could not contribute to the clan as well as his other soldiers?”

“Well, milady, the laird has a reputation of leading men who are highly skilled and ruthless in battle. This gives him a position of influence and power. Some of the smaller highland bands have had no choice but to join a larger clan for support. Then there are the highly skilled warriors who have no clan to return to after fighting for William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.”

Laurel nodded, knowing that Edward I had been plaguing Scotland with wars for years and was only recently driven from these lands with the exception of the three or four Scottish castles still under his control.

“Other clans,” Finn continued, “are predominantly farmers or have lost most of their trained soldiers to battles. The younger men remaining have yet to be trained and are looking for leaders who can instruct and guide as well as protect. Our laird,” Finn said devotedly, “is one of the few who excels at all three. This is why, milady, you are so fortunate.”

As she was about to contest his last statement, he added, “But I don’t think my laird realizes that it is he who may be the lucky one.”

Puzzled, she responded, “Finn, I think you and the rest of this party misunderstand Conor’s intentions. He finds me a mystery, something to figure out. But he does not desire me.”

Finn did not react to her comment and continued looking forward, giving his laird no reason to be concerned. “Milady, that is simply not true.”

“Fine, I will not insult your intelligence and say that there is not some strange attraction between us. But, Finn, it has not, nor will it ever be acted upon.” The intensity of her last statement caused Finn to turn and look at her disbelievingly.

Laurel’s eyes were large and round with sincerity. “I mean it. Ask your laird directly if you must. But he has told me in a most honest and candid manner that he has no intention of marrying. I do not think that his views on matrimony have changed.”

Finn knew that Conor had strong views, especially on marriage, but he was sure that Laurel had shifted them. Could it be that Conor had not thought ahead to what would happen upon their return? Once news traveled that Laurel was unwed and available, many would seek her hand in marriage. Conor was deceiving himself if he thought he would allow that to happen. But maybe Conor’s short-sightedness was a good thing, Finn reflected.

Finn had seen the two interacting and knew they would be happy together. Conor had never seemed so alive. He laughed and argued and was genuinely open and expressive when she was around. In her, it seemed that Conor had found what he had been searching for—someone to whom he could open his heart and soul. He may not know Laurel as well as his laird, but Finn guessed that she, too, acted more naturally around him than she ever had in the proper world in which she had been raised. If he didn’t know better, he would swear she had Scottish blood coursing through her veins. It was just when she spoke with that awful English accent that the idea sounded ridiculous.

“Umm, returning to our original discussion,” Laurel encouraged, “what about the McTiernay brothers? They seem to be a rather close lot. I have one brother, but he and I never were sociable.”

Finn’s grip on his reins tightened. “Will your brother be looking for you now that you have disappeared?”

Her somber dismissal calmed his fears for his laird. “No, Finn, I think my brother will be more relieved than anything else at my disappearance,” she said sorrowfully and prodded her horse onward.

Saddened by her change in mood, Finn tried to refocus her thoughts and began describing the McTiernay brothers. “Now, each of the younger McTiernays has a reputation of being fierce warriors on the battleground. While only the three eldest have actually seen battle, the younger McTiernays are all in training and will be excellent soldiers. All of them—even Clyde—have shown a keen gift for strategy, a McTiernay trait. Unfortunately, that is the one skill most difficult to teach.”

Laurel looked puzzled. “Oh, why is that?”

“Milady, one can teach any man how to swing a sword accurately and quickly with practice. But it is difficult to improve how a man thinks or the speed in which he formulates plans during battle. Concepts can be conveyed, tricks and tips can be passed on, but the ability itself has to be there.”

Laurel ducked to avoid a low hanging branch. “My grandfather often said the same. He would talk of his best friend and often boast of his ability to outmaneuver any group of English soldiers—no matter what their skill—by just outthinking them.”

Finn didn’t say anything in response, but sat wondering at her words. Outmaneuver
English
soldiers, she had said. Now why would her grandfather be wanting to outsmart his own kinsmen? Unless her grandfather was not English. He knew that Conor was waiting until they were closer to home before asking her about what happened, but Finn knew that he would want to know this revelation before the questioning.

Concentrating on the terrain, Laurel was unaware of Finn’s thoughts. “How are the brothers off the battlefield? Are they always so close?”

“Aye, milady. The McTiernays are fiercely loyal and devoted.”

“So they all live together in the castle?”

“Aye, with several others.”

“The keep must be of considerable size then.”

Finn cocked his head and nodded. “Aye, the castle is very large and well fortified,” Finn replied as Conor dropped back so that he was positioned between Laurel and his commander.

Finn had been riding next to Laurel for the past hour, and Conor could no longer stop himself from learning what their discussion was about.

“What about the keep?”

When Conor fell back to join them, Laurel’s heart began thumping so loud she was sure all could hear. “I was just asking who stays there. It must be very big to house your brothers, yourself and others.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Large enough.”

Later she would blame nerves for her aimless prattle. “I guess you need a keep of great size with your importance and considerable clan.”

“Seems Finn has been speaking much.” Conor glanced at his commander with a carefully neutral look.

“If you would excuse us, Laurel, I need Finn to rejoin the guards in their duties.”

Laurel nudged Borrail, bringing her to Conor’s side. “Oh no you don’t, Conor McTiernay.”

“Excuse me?” Conor asked in shock.

Laurel waited until Finn was out of earshot. “Do not think to come back and accuse Finn of not doing his duties. I saw you ask him to keep me company.”

He slowed his mount down, feeling his temper starting to slip. “I asked him to ensure that you were fine and able to ride. Not to have a lengthy discussion about the size of the McTiernay clan and its keep!”

Laurel’s chin came up boldly. “There you go again, trying to twist things around. But not with me, you won’t. I am not some shallow female only attracted in what you have. I was sincerely interested in where we were going and what it would be like.”

He was completely bewildered as to how this simple conversation had flared to life. He wished he could cut this argument off with some smooth, simple explanation, but he knew that it was impossible.

Laurel was unsure why she had created such outburst over such a minor incident. But his yelling at her in front of others was inexcusable. “
You
were not willing to discuss such matters with me and sent Finn to do your dirty work. Therefore, if you want to get mad at someone, I suggest you get mad at yourself. For it was you, not I, who prevented Finn from focusing on his duties.”

Conor dragged his eyes off of the maddening English firebrand to tell Finn to ride ahead when he discovered that his commander already had. Laurel and he were quite alone as the group had passed them while she criticized his behavior.

Part of him was glad at her courage; however, this desire of hers to argue with him in front others must cease immediately. It would not do to be criticized by a mere woman—especially one who sounded so
English
.

Conor closed his eyes briefly in an attempt to regain control over his temper and the situation. “I tell you this just once. Do not argue with me in front of my men.” His voice was controlled, but his eyes spoke volumes.

She thought on his words and the simplicity of them. He was right. Disagreeing with him in such a way could hurt his credibility and his position as leader of the clan. No, she would not do anything to jeopardize or even diminish his standing among his people. Not when he had given her so much.

“You are right, and I will not do so again. You have my word.” Laurel exhaled and focused on smoothing Borrail’s mane, giving her hands something to do. She knew that no matter how hard she tried, she would not be able to keep her opinions always to herself. “Conor, may I argue with you in private?”

Conor was surprised at the question when the answer seemed so obvious. “Of course.”

She sighed in relief. So, it wasn’t the concept of a debate with a woman, it was just its appearance. This she could understand and accept. The thought of arguing with him in private was oddly arousing. To argue and make up as she had seen her parents do when they had not known she was near was incredibly stirring. Laurel blinked several times. These fantasies were getting stronger and more pervasive.

She was starting to fall in love with the man and did not know how to stop this mad tumble of her heart. She knew his position on marriage, and she knew hers. Right now, neither could or would commit to matrimony.

Conor watched her face and eyes as her thoughts flickered from one emotion to another. He knew the idea of being able to argue with him in private both shocked and appealed to her. But he swore for a brief moment there, she was feeling the same passion burn for him as he had been feeling for her all day. But then as quick as it appeared, it vanished into sadness and resignation.

The compelling need to kiss her, to rekindle the passion that had fleetingly invaded her eyes, was so strong that he gave in. She gave a muffled gasp of surprise as he leaned over, braced her head with one hand, and covered her mouth with his. Immediately, the kiss intensified, and she opened her lips welcoming his tongue with her own. She moaned as he ravished her with an intimate aggression that seared her senses. He gave a low, frustrated groan and attempted to pull her into his arms.

At that moment, her horse decided to shift, abruptly ending their brief but torrid kiss. Though physically separated, they gazed at each other, filled with secret wants that neither would voice aloud.

Laurel brought her fingers to her slightly swollen lips. Though the kiss had lasted just a few moments, it caused both of them to breathe irregularly. Laurel knew she could not continue to do this. She was not
falling
in love with this man, she already
was
in love with him—and somehow it happened in just a few days. But it was a love with no future.

“Conor,” she said, trying unsuccessfully to steady her voice, “we cannot continue to do this. While I don’t deny my attraction to you, I don’t comprehend it, and I need to fight it.”

Desire flooded his intense gaze. “You can fight it, love. But you won’t win, trust me, for I have tried to fight my desire for you from the first moment we met.”

“Well, I must fight it, and I will. You don’t want marriage. I understand that. But I don’t feel that way. I believe in love and in marriage. I want them both. I saw it work once a long time ago. My father and mother loved each other very much and were very happy. When my mother died and my father remarried, there was no love, no respect between him and my stepmother.” She took a deep breath for strength. “So, I will not trick nor force you into a marriage you do not want, Conor. But in return, you need to stay away from me. For I cannot resist you and me both.”

Conor did not respond at first. His insides clenched and a cold invaded him that spread throughout his whole body. For several moments, he stared at her, his eyes glittering with raw hurt and unmade promises. Then, he spurred his horse forward as he told her to prepare for a long afternoon ride. He wanted to get to McTiernay land by the following evening.