Naturally, Ethyn drew his sword, determined to protect her. Something Cray had no time or tolerance for right now. Not when he was moments away from tossing her over his shoulder and heading upstairs. Yet he could tell his cousin meant business, so he drew his own sword and drove Ethyn back. His cousin fought well, but he was no match for the sexual frustration fueling Cray’s blade.
Meanwhile, not fazed by the ongoing fiasco, his kin kept eating, chatting away as only MacLeods could while Cray and Ethyn worked things out. Ma urged Madison to join her, but the futuristic lass was having none of it.
“Aren’t you going to stop them?” she exclaimed, looking wide-eyed at his kin. “They’re going to kill each other!”
“Och, only you have the power to stop them, lass.” His grandfather chuckled and shook his head. “Mayhap.”
“Aye,” Cray agreed, going at Ethyn so fast that his cousin didn’t stand a chance. “If she but...” He was about to say if she but got herself up to bed now but decided based on the worry on her face, there might be another way to go about this. One he would prefer to her fighting him until she purred for him. “If she but agrees to our original terms and pays her due to me. First.”
“I will not,” she ground out, muttering something about never owing a darn due in the first place.
Though he mostly hated to do it, sometimes things needed to be done for the greater good. Better yet, the survival of his cock. So he did what he could have from the start. He dislodged Ethyn’s blade and drove him back against the wall.
Rather than hold him at sword point and bargain, he suspected giving Madison no time to think, but act on emotion was a better option. So he thrust as if he meant to slice his cousin open and got just the result he was looking for.
“Fine,” she cried, freezing his sword in its track. “You first you arrogant no-good sex-crazed heathen!”
Ethyn shook his head and scowled at Cray before his gaze went to her. “Och, lass, he was never going to harm me.”
When her incredulous, fuming eyes met Cray’s, he shrugged, grinned, and sheathed his sword. “What I would or wouldnae have done no longer matters. I got what I—”
His words were slammed right out of his mouth when Ethyn landed a punch he didn’t see coming. He stumbled back, surprised by the strength of it, ready to retaliate when his mother finally spoke up.
“Enough, Cray. You had that coming. Now let it go, and stop behaving like a child who hasn’t gotten his way.” She shot him a stern look. “Shake hands with your cousin and be done with it already. He’s your blood.”
Though he scowled fiercely, he knew better than to test his mother, so he held out his hand to Ethyn, offering a truce. Not to say he didn’t narrow his eyes in warning that he not do it again. Ethyn accepted his offer, in turn, giving him a look that said he would if he had to.
“Verra good then.” Grant nodded with approval before his gaze turned Madison’s way. “Now, back to what you were saying.
She frowned. “Which part of what I was saying?”
“The part about the unholy being at your back.”
“That’s just a saying,” she began before she trailed off, thinking about it. “But I’ve never said it before.” She blinked several times, confused. “Why would I say something like that?”
“Just hazarding a guess,” Grant said softly, his eyes daunting as he looked at her, “but I would say ‘twas your inner dragon reminding you that you once did have something verra much unholy at your back.”
Madison went to respond but never got a chance before fire swept around them once more, and their ley-line whipped them away.
Chapter Nine
Scotland
Just north of Berwick-Upon-Tweed
1333
SCARY FIRE OR NOT, when Cray tried to pull her close this time, she wouldn’t allow it but instead let Ethyn protect her. The fire didn’t seem as intimidating this go round and faded faster than the first time. When it fizzled out, they were left standing in a forest like before.
“That is not a good way to begin seeing through your promise to me, lass,” Cray growled, apparently unconcerned about ‘the unholy’ at her back as he glared at Ethyn, who had just let her go. Despite the frustration in Cray's eyes, there was also triumph, and she knew full well why.
She wasn’t aroused by being close to Ethyn.
What was the matter with her? Ethyn was super-hot, incredibly nice, and the perfect gentleman, not to mention lighthearted. She should be all over that. But no, where her mind knew enough not to want Cray, her body continued to feel differently and heck if he didn’t know it.
While she had begun softening toward him, thanks to Marek, that had come to a swift end. Between the women in the cottage and his behavior in general since she came downstairs, they were right back to square one. Only now, thanks to whatever had happened in that room with Erin and Jessie, she had more backbone. Not to say she didn’t before with him, only now, it was stronger. Or so she kept telling herself.
The point of the matter, and probably what frustrated her the most, was her response to him in general. Cray sleeping with other women shouldn’t bother her. Not once she knew she wouldn’t be forced to witness the act telepathically.
Yet it still did.
“Where are we now?” she asked, trying to focus on anything but Cray and the way-too-strong emotions he invoked. The forest didn’t look all that different than the one beyond MacLeod Castle.
Cray narrowed his eyes south and visibly tensed. “Not where we want to be.”
Ethyn grew just as tense and slowly unsheathed his blade, his voice whisper soft. “We are far too close to the English border.”
Unsure what to say or do, suddenly wishing she knew how to use a weapon, she remained silent and waited.
“This way.” This time Cray didn’t take no for an answer but grabbed her hand in passing and pulled her after him. “We need to find somewhere safe, then I will double back and assess the situation.”
Though tempted to pull her hand away, she knew better. Both he and Ethyn looked especially grim, and neither seemed the type to get this rattled. After ten minutes or so of making their way through chilly, damp woodland, they found an alcove nestled between big rocks. A tree had fallen across the top, allowing brush to gather and create a makeshift porous ceiling.
“Stay here and watch over Madison,” Cray said to Ethyn. “I will go see what we are facing.”
“Nay, I will go, you stay,” Ethyn replied, surprising her. “We both know she’s safer with you.” He shot Cray a warning look. “But dinnae do anything she doesnae—”
“Och, if ye’re going to go, go,” Cray shot back, scowling. “I willnae touch the lass.”
“Yet,” he said into her mind, gesturing that Ethyn get moving when he hesitated and looked at Madison in concern.
“It’s fine, Ethyn.” She looked at Cray in warning. “He’ll touch me over my dead body.”
Ethyn hesitated another moment before he nodded and left. In the meantime, Cray took up position at the entrance with his blade in hand, his eyes watchful as he scanned the forest.
“What can I do?” She went to join him, but he shook his head sharply without glancing her way.
“Just stay back.” His gaze never left the woodland. “Best that you remain out of sight lest someone happen along.”
His tone was sharp, but she didn’t miss his concern. They might not get along, but he was genuinely worried about her welfare.
“That shouldnae surprise you,” he muttered into her mind. When he put a finger to his lips and shook his head, she realized he didn’t want her to speak aloud.
“That shouldn’t surprise me?” She rolled her eyes. “Really?”
“Nay,” he said bluntly and left it at that. Or so she thought until he continued a few moments later. “There is always a chance we will get along just fine once we get the inevitable out of the way.”
She should have known.
Though about to bite b
ack that she had no intention of seeing through anything he had in mind, she decided to tackle things from another angle. Because they couldn’t keep on like this. Or should she say she wasn’t sure how long she could keep him at bay. Yet maybe if she put something in the way of that, it might slow him down or even stop him.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever want to get along with you if the inevitable comes before I’m ready.” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against a rock. “So maybe we should go about this differently.”
Though his gaze remained trained on the forest, he narrowed his eyes. “What did you have in mind?”
“Getting to know each other first.” She shrugged. “See if that gets us any closer to where we need to be.”
Which she couldn’t imagine, but that was beside the point.
While she swore she heard him think there was only one way he wanted to get to know her, he said something different. “Mayhap.” Even though he still eyed the forest, she knew she had his undivided attention. “But, I’d have one thing first.”
She shook her head. “You’re always bargaining, aren’t you?”
“When a lass has me this uncomfortable, aye.”
This uncomfortable? Why when he’d just slept with not one but two women? Were dragons that sex-crazed? “I’d think you’d be pacified for now.”
His expression remained unchanged, but she definitely caught his cautious thoughts. He was hiding something. Before she could ask what, he spoke, making the sort of bargain only Cray would think acceptable.
“A kiss,” he stated. “Give me that, and I’ll let you get to know me before you repay your debt.”
She rolled her eyes again and almost laughed out loud. The man had nerve. “No kiss.” She shook her head. “And I’ll allow you to get to know me, not the other way around.” She frowned, unable to help herself. Because not for the first time, things obviously needed clarifying. “Just for the record, I never owed a debt to repay to begin with.”
“Whether you did or not, you have since given me your word,” he reminded. “In front of witnesses at that.”
“Because you were about to kill Ethyn!” she said out loud, back to being angry in a flash. She closed the distance despite his concern, which she should have realized was foolish in more ways than one.
“You should have known I wouldnae have done such to Ethyn.” Rather than order her back, he yanked her against him and put a hand over her mouth, his eyes still trained on the forest. “Because you truly didnae know what I was and wasnae capable of, I ken your desire to get to know one another better.”
Heck if her knees didn’t go frustratingly weak at the feel of him against her. Worse yet, things she didn’t need aching started to ache. Almost the second she felt pleasure blossom between her thighs, he inhaled, and his cocky smirk erupted. Not that he needed to, but he pulled her against him more firmly, letting her know he was just as aroused. How could she miss it?
“Remove your hand from my mouth,” she snapped. “And let me go.”
“I would.” His eyes finally turned her way, and her breath caught. He was too close. Too overwhelming. Too...him. “But I dinnae sense you will keep your mouth shut.”
She would never know why she pushed her limits when Cray was the sort that reveled in it, but she did. Even worse? She did it in a way she knew was completely fueled by the creature inside her swimming to the surface. A side to her that Erin, Jessie, and likely her ring made less daunting but wreaked havoc with her typically cautious nature anyway.
“I don't think you’re worried about whether or not I'll talk,” she taunted, alarmed by her behavior. By the words rolling off her telepathic tongue. By the red that flashed in her vision as she challenged him. “I think you're afraid you’ll end up kissing me if your hand’s not there. Do that, and no more potential kiss hanging over my head.” She narrowed her eyes. “You'll be forced to get to know me better.”
Good God, what was she doing prodding the beast? Daring him like this? Yet she stood her ground and narrowed her eyes, egging him on. Testing him. Seeing if he was all talk. She could hardly believe her own actions, her own thoughts, but she didn't back down.
Even when his dragon eyes erupted in fiery gold, clearly up to the challenge.
In response, her vision hazed even redder, and she knew her ‘demon’ eyes looked right back. That’s when she realized her inner beast wouldn’t let him push her around any more than her human half would.
He had met his equal in her.
His arrogant smirk faded only to be replaced with a lustful, yet dangerous look. She was most definitely pushing it. Tempting a strong response. But she continued standing her ground. He would not tease, toy, or do what he would with her. No doubt in response to her thoughts, he released a low, barrel-chested growl and walked her back against the opposite side of the entrance.
She should be terrified, caged in by his sheer height and bulk, but she wasn’t. Instead, both her defiance and, unfortunately, her arousal only increased. She wanted to shove him away and hike up her skirts for him all at once.
Would he do it? Would he replace his hand with his mouth? If he did, what would she do? Slap him? Or keep wanting her skirts around her waist?
He didn’t do anything at first any more than she did. Rather they remained perfectly still. Her heart slammed into her throat as his eyes stayed with hers. As his dragon seemed to prod and challenge her dragon, seeing if it would back down. If it could handle what was coming for it. What he intended.
His dragon dared her to defy it as he pressed her thighs apart.
Wondered if she would stop it when he settled his arousal against her throbbing center.
When was she going to push him away? Stand her ground? Yet standing on any ground suddenly seemed impossible. Not with what fired to life inside her. Her skin felt ablaze, and the steamy air forming around them impossible to drag in.
He rolled his hips against her igniting an avalanche of sensations that made it clear his dragon had gone from testing hers to taking control. Her body thrummed with anticipation. Her core throbbed. She wanted him with a fierceness that made breathing impossible.
Like a predator sensing her vulnerable state, he slowly lowered his hand, dragging the pad of his thumb over her lips. When his hungry gaze followed his fingers as though mesmerized, she realized how vulnerable he was too. How desperate he really was when it came to her. How pent up with need when his lips came so close to hers she swore he was trying to breathe her in.
Close.
Closer still.
Would he do it?
Would she let him?
He was so close now she could feel his breath mingling with hers. Feel his heat as though it weren’t just against her but within her. Part of her. Consuming her. She felt moments away from bursting into flames.
She was so aware of him and only him that she never noticed he had slowly withdrawn his dagger. In fact, she wasn’t aware of anything else until without taking his eyes off her face, he whipped a blade, and covered her mouth before she could scream.
Good thing because she would have.
After all, he’d just downed a man who fell to his death mere feet away.
Chapter Ten
“STAY PUT,” HE growled into Madison’s mind before he shoved her back into the recesses of their makeshift cave and scanned the woodland. He’d been so enraptured by her that he hadn't sensed the Sassenach sneaking up on them until it was almost too late.
By his count, there were four more behind him closing in fast.
Hoping he heard him, he warned his cousin telepathically that the enemy was here then engaged the first two when they appeared moments later. He should never have let himself get so distracted by Madison, but he’d been unquestionably drawn. Lured. Instantly addicted to the way she felt against him. Mesmerized by her response to him. The blazing heat betwixt her tempting thighs. Her wet, lush lips begged to be kissed, hungry for him in a way he hadn’t anticipated.
Driven by energy that should have had him taking Madison the way she needed to be taken, he clashed swords with one warrior while side-kicking another. Before his opponent gathered himself, Cray sliced his throat open then continued fighting the other, surprised by the concern in Madison’s telepathic voice when she warned him the others had arrived.
Ready for them, he whipped an ax, getting one in the throat before he engaged the other alongside the one he was already fighting. Typically, he’d be in his glory battling because he already knew how each opponent would die, but this time he felt uncharacteristic anxiety.
Not because of who he fought but because of Madison’s proximity.
What would happen to her if, by some stroke of extreme luck, his combatants defeated him? Could she defend herself? Or would she be at their mercy? Suddenly furious at what they might do to her, he didn’t bother executing them like he had planned but arched his Viking sword hard and lopped off both their heads at once.
Not surprisingly, Ethyn returned just in time for a very terrified Madison to flee into his arms. He understood that couldn’t have been easy for her to see, but it had to be done. He scowled at his cousin while he wiped off his blade, but didn’t demand that he let her go. He could feel her inner fear. How terrified she was. So he wanted her soothed whether or not it was by him.
Interestingly, his inner dragon flared in defiance, closer to the surface than it had been since this all began. Jealous and territorial in a way it’d never been before. She, in turn, made a whimpering sound that had nothing to do with what she’d just witnessed but how her inner dragon responded to his. Almost as if it were begging his dragon’s forgiveness for seeking another’s comfort. He could tell by the way she tensed in Ethyn’s arms that she had no idea what to make of that any more than he did.
“More are on the way,” Ethyn said, clearly reluctant to let go of Madison. “We should leave.”
“Aye.” Cray tensed when Ethyn’s wolf trotted by with its hackles raised. “What the bloody hell is Phelan doing here?”
A Scot's Resolve (The MacLomain Series: End of an Era, #3) Page 7
