Yet it puzzled her that the waterfall wasn’t as large as she had imagined. The water rushed over a narrow path that was forged by a series of large dolerite boulders. And as it reached the edge of the cliff, it made its rapid descent, pooling at the bottom, and combining with the crimson and golden leaves that swirled there.
From her vantage point, she saw the morning light finally rising above the trees, and beaming into the loch, and making it appear as if it was on fire. As the minutes passed, the mist completely dispersed, and Adrina had a fine view of the stately trees that surrounded her newfound sanctuary. To the right of her grew an old rowan tree which leaned precariously over the waterway, its burnished leaves reflecting off the crystal loch below.
Adrina felt a sudden urge to be at the water’s edge, and to wade into the clear pool. Placing one foot on a rock and then another, she made her slow, and careful descent toward the body of water.
When she finally reached the bank, she looked about her in wonder. A slight breeze blew across the watercourse, ruffling it and the long grass that grew along the edge. She didn’t know how it was possible, but up close, the sight was even more beautiful to behold.
Remembering that she needed to cleanse herself, she eagerly removed her boots. Then hiking up her skirt, she waded into the shallows. The shocking chill that met her made her want to turn back, but she stayed where she was, and quickly finished her chore.
A moment later when her task was done, she started to return to the bank. Setting a foot on a submerged rock, she glanced up, and found Duncan standing at the water’s edge, waiting for her.
“Ye scared me,” she said, pressing her hand over her heart, and willing it to slow down its pace. He seemed comfortable traversing in this terrain, and moved with surprising stealth.
“My apologies,” he said, offering his hand to assist her out of the loch. “I noticed that ye had awoken, and I was curious tae see where ye were going.”
“I needed fresh air,” she said, grabbing her boots. She looked behind him, and saw a honey-colored rock to sit on.
“We should probably eat some oatcakes before we head back tae your castle,” he said.
“Aye,” she agreed, but she made no attempt to get up from her seat. Letting out a loud sigh she said, “I dinnae want tae leave this place, Duncan. It reminds me of a fae hideaway. Can we nae stay a while longer?” Her gaze slid past his shoulder as she drank in the lovely scenery.
“Perhaps we can stay a wee bit longer.”
She gave him a bright smile. “When I was young, I used tae stare out of my window, and wonder where the fae folk lived. Unfortunately my mother frowned at imaginative lassies traipsing through the woods.” She tilted her head, and her smile turned mischievous. “However I still found a way tae get out of the castle grounds and hunt for them.”
“I wonder what ye would have done if ye encountered a bean nighe.” He turned his head, and lazily studied the waterfall as if he was allowing himself to be lulled by the rhythmic sounds. He bent down, picked up a pebble and tossed it into the water. When he turned back to her, he appeared relaxed and almost friendly. “Perhaps you would have run at meeting the washer woman at the ford.”
“Och?”
“Aye,” he said, the corners of his lips quivering. “Apparently she’s in possession of one nostril, and a large protruding tooth. Her feet are webbed, and her breasts hang low to her waist.”
“How do ye ken sae much about this fae creature?” she stared at him, uncertain what to make of him. He was a logical, calculating man, yet he seemed versed in the lore of the forest.
“My sister Kila is knowledgeable about these things,” he said, shrugging. “She also makes certain that I’m as informed as she.”
Then the expression on his features changed, becoming more serious. “’Tis curious though,” he said. He went to stand between her legs, nudging her legs apart. With his large hand, he brushed her hair to the side and hooked the loose tendril behind her ear.
“What’s curious?” she asked, the heat of his hand burning her where he touched.
“Why I dinnae want tae leave this place either.” His hand moved up and traced the outline of her jaw. “What makes me want tae forget all my troubles, and stay here with ye forever?”
“Ye must be imagining things,” she said.
He let out a low chuckle. Then with his other hand, he dragged her closer until she was flushed against him. Her eyes widened with shock. Even through the thick plaid, she could feel the unmistakable hardness nestled between her thighs.
With his gaze locked onto hers, he bent her backward until she lay flat on the rock. His hand slid to the back of her head, gently cradling it. “Tell me why I cannae resist ye?” His deep brogue rolled over her. “And why are ye sae fascinating tae me?” he continued, his breath brushing over her lips.
Her eyes fluttered closed. Later was the time for rational thought. Next day Duncan would return her home, and they would go their separate ways. Today she would just revel in her lover’s embrace.
But then she was stuck with the startling realization that she had encountered this scenario once before. Adrina opened one eye, and sure enough there was a shadow circling high in the sky. Turning her regard downward, the light from the clear water deflected into her pupils, making her abruptly close her eyelids.
When she opened her eyes again, she found Duncan gazing down at her with primal hunger in his emerald depths.
Through their own accord, her arms encircled his neck. And before she lost her courage, she pressed her lips to his. He tensed for a split second as if he was taken by surprise, but then he leaned his weight into her.
At first his lips bruised hers, but he gentled the kiss, tracing the seam of her upper lip with his skilled tongue. The soft gesture caused a small sigh to escape from her lips. It was as if he waited for this moment, and he seized the opportunity. Using his hot velvety tongue, he boldly plunged into her mouth. His passion inflamed, and finally unleashed, he moved with a crazed, desperate need. The scorching touch caused every coherent thought to fly from her mind, and all she could do was center her entire being on this magnificent male.
A searing intensity blazed a path all the way down to her toes, and then traveled quickly back up to her chest. Suddenly her heart was filled with joy, and at any moment now, it was ready to burst. Just when she marveled over the sensation, the feelings that were trapped inside her body exploded.
His warm hands glided across her legs as he pushed aside her gown. Then with the obstruction gone, his callused fingers inched higher and higher toward her sex. When he reached her woman’s mound, he cupped her lightly with his hand. And before she realized what was happening, he dipped a thick, questing finger inside of her.
A groan tore through his chest as he found her slick and ready for him. But his ardent rumble affected her as well. The sound thrummed throughout her body, settling inside her core. When she thought that she couldn’t possibly experience any more pleasure, he deepened his kiss, darting his tongue in and out, moving at the same speed and rhythm as his seeking finger.
“I need ye, lass,” he rasped.
As if to convince her of his words, he took her hand, and slipped it underneath his kilt. His iron-hot flesh shocked her. With one hand covering hers, he guided her movements, slowly massaging the velvety hardness of his shaft. A moment later, he released her hand, allowing her to explore him on her own accord. At her tentative caresses, his engorged arousal jumped repeatedly until finally he let out a long hiss.
“All right, ye have had your fun,” he said, his voice sounding anguished. Brushing aside her hand, he grabbed the hem of her gown. And before she could blink, she felt a small breeze sweeping across her heated skin, and the material of her kirtle was bunched to her waist.
Duncan started to pull away, but she blindly reached to draw him back to her. However he had plans of his own. At first he started kissing the tender spot at the back of her knee. Then extending his tongue, he scrap
ed it along her inner thigh, moving higher, his target evident.
“What are ye —?” she gasped as she pushed herself up on her elbows to see what he was doing. But the last of her words became swallowed up as he lifted her hips, and drove his searing tongue into her moistened folds.
Her eyes shut abruptly, and she threw her head back as euphoria rippled through her entire frame. Using slow, lush strokes, he circled her clitoris with his tongue until she was panting and whimpering uncontrollably. Unable to take any more of the exquisite torture, Adrina squirmed backward.
But he held her fast.
Then with skilful precision, he pointed his tongue, running it firmly, deeply along her sensitive clit. By now she was no longer aware of his actions. She collapsed onto her back, surrendering to the rapturous onslaught.
However whatever calm she felt lifted. Like a storm brewing, and growing stronger by the second, her breathing hitched. A familiar pressure emerged and began to build until the intensity was almost intolerable. Just when she thought that her body would tear apart, her world erupted. A cry flew from her lips as wave after cresting wave crashed over her.
She felt Duncan sliding up her body. As she opened her eyes, she found him staring down at her, his pupils dark and dilated. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grinned. “Now I ken that ye taste as sweet as wild nectar,” he said.
Adrina shook her head, the words unable to form. She brought her hand to caress the side of his whiskered jaw.
“’Twas amazing,” she whispered. “But ye —?”
“We’re nae done,” he said, answering her unspoken question. He stared into her depths while his rigid cock poised at her entrance. “In fact, we’re far from finished.”
Adrina gazed back at him just as he slipped his flanged crown inside of her. Then without breaking their contact, he rolled his hips forward. His rigid length gently probed further into her, while her woman’s sheath opened to accommodate his size.
Inch by inch, he slid into her until he was encased to the hilt. A deep groan rumbled in his chest, while a low, drawn out moan echoed in her own throat. One steely arm braced against the rock while his other arm wrapped around her buttocks. All the while, his rod continued to plunge and retreat into her at a deep and steady pace. The rapturous movements made her cling to him, and her breath escaped in sharp, rapid pants. Her heart continued to pound, and soon the intolerable pressure started once again. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders, urging him to be as fervent, as desperate as she had become.
But he resisted.
Lowering his head, he traced his lips along the side of her jaw. A shiver of excitement coursed through her, and in her eagerness, she tried once again to pull him to her. But he shook his head, seemingly intent on setting the speed. It was as if he wanted to prolong their love-making, as if he was also aware that things would change once they departed from this place.
But then his jaw set and sweat beaded on his forehead.
“I cannae hold on any longer,” he said through gritted teeth, admonishing himself even as his passion tried to break free. A flush of heat rushed to his face, and his breathing became more labored. Tightening his hand on her backside, he seemed to fight with himself. But then the dam broke. His thrusts became much stronger, more desperate with each stroke. And she met each of his movements with the strength of her own. More pressure built inside her core, increasing with each passing second. Then finally, it reached its frantic peak. And she shattered. A split moment later, Duncan let out a harsh grunt. His body tensed, and he poured his seed inside of her.
Letting out a sigh, he rested his forehead against hers. “Despite what ye might think, my intent wasnae tae come out here, and couple with ye a second time.” He stood up, allowing his kilt to fall into place. Offering his hand, he helped her off the rock. “Let’s go. We still have a day’s travel ahead of us.”
Adrina was about to answer him when she staggered back, the blood draining from her countenance. A new vision came upon her as quick as lightning. At first the image was fuzzy, but she soon recognized the two men that were shown to her. The Dunnvie guards were bent over, inspecting the dead fire at their previous campsite. Adrina knew without a doubt that they searched for her. But how did they know where to find her?
“What’s wrong, lass?” Duncan asked.
Adrina shook her head, a sense of foreboding churning in her stomach. “We cannae linger here.” She started to scramble up the incline. “We must leave now.”
The morning sun was directly overhead, and Duncan was surprised that the time had passed so quickly. He trailed after Adrina as her tone of alarm echoed in his head. The lass was strange yet compelling. At the moment she was quiet, although she didn’t appear to go into a trance like the other times he observed. Perhaps she didn’t have a full account of her faculties.
The incline was not steep, and he overtook her. With Adrina following closely behind, he made it to the summit. Just as he was about to walk toward the shrubs, he heard someone cough in the distance. Out of pure instinct, he dropped to the ground, pulling Adrina with him. Other than the two of them, no one else should have been in the vicinity. Tension mounted to his shoulders, and he pulled out the dirk that hung at his belt.
“I told ye, we cannae stay here,” she hissed.
He placed a finger to his lips, and with his other hand, he pointed to the direction of the noise. From their vantage point, he could see their old campsite. The yellowhammers had ceased their happy chatter, and the entire thicket seemed unusually quiet.
As soon as the two highlanders came into view, Duncan tightened his grip around the blade. The warriors’ presence in this forest wasn’t as surprising as the fact that they sported the same tartan as Adrina. They tied the horses to a tree. One of the men walked to inspect the small campfire while his companion scanned the woods, searching for something or someone.
Many questions ran through Duncan’s head. Why were Adrina’s clansmen traversing in this wooded area? Was it a coincidence? Somehow he didn’t think so. For some reason, these rough-looking guards didn’t appear as if they were on a friendly commission.
He narrowed his gaze at Adrina. Although she showed no surprise at seeing her kin, her lovely face was ashen. Why would she be afraid of her own people? What game was she playing? But the bigger question was, why did he care? Rory had given him the assignment of sending her home, and interviewing her father. It was paramount to understand why Tevon MacGill had refused the invitations to the clan meetings. Then if MacGill had legitimate excuses not to attend the war councils, Duncan needed to persuade him to send his men, and help thwart the hated English. In actuality, he should have already completed his mission and returned to Rory. However he allowed himself to be seduced by the tranquility of the waterfall, and by the alluring lass who was in his care.
After several long minutes, it was evident that the guards’ search had become futile. The storm from last night had washed away all traces of their existence. Still, it was as if the men sensed that they were nearby. One of the guards drew his claymore, and scanned the section where they were hidden. Duncan was confident that the shrubbery hid them and their shelter, but if the guards came any closer, they would be discovered.
Fortunately it didn’t come to that, and the warriors soon moved away from view.
Adrina let out a breath of relief. “We should gather our things,” she said, making a move to get up, but he pulled her back down. There was a possibility that the men would return, and if at all possible, he wanted to avoid bloodshed.
They stayed crouched in the underbrush for what felt like an eternity, his ears attuned to every sound. Finally he got up. “They’re gone.”
Adrina stood up, and was about to brush past him when he caught her arm.
“Tell me what ye are hiding,” he said.
“I dinnae understand what ye mean,” she said, avoiding his eyes. The blood had drained from her visage, and the radiance that enveloped her earlier
had all but disappeared.
“Dinnae play me for a fool, lass.” She pulled at her arm, but he tightened his grip. “I think ye ken exactly what I mean. Has your father allied with the enemy?”
“Nay!” she said, looking startled, but then her face flushed with anger. “I already told ye that my father is a loyal subject tae the queen, and is a staunch ally tae Clan MacGregon. None of that has changed.”
He scanned her countenance, although he couldn’t detect any deception there. Perhaps she didn’t know that her father had ignored the last two summons that Rory had sent. His grip relaxed on her arm.
“If your father instructed ye tae seek help at Tancraig Castle, why would his men be hunting ye down?”
Adrina bit her lip as if she debated whether to reveal the truth. Just when he thought she would remain silent, she released a small puff of air. “My father didnae send me.”
“’Tis plain enough.” He crossed his massive arms over his chest. “But ye knew that these men were nearby. How?”
CHAPTER 13
Adrina paused, struggling to decide how much she should reveal. If she were honest with herself, she couldn’t keep the truth from Duncan any longer. His perceptions were too acute, and judging by his expression, he had already figured out that she knew more than she let on. After sharing such intimacy, and seeing a softer side of him, she was loathed to disrupt the fragile truce that they shared. But she owed him an explanation, the voice inside her insisted. Whether he knew it or not, his continued presence at her side proved hazardous to him. If he was aware of the kind of peril that he was up against, he could at least be forewarned and alert. However if she remained silent, and the guards captured them, Duncan would no doubt be wounded or terminated. And if that dreaded outcome was to occur, would she be able to live with herself?
The Highland Curse (Scottish Strife Series Book 2) Page 11
