Неизвестный

by Kinley MacGregor

  He stared into her ever-curious amber eyes and lost himself there. What would it be like to spend the rest of his life staring into those eyes?

  To hold her like this when they were old?

  At this moment, he could see her ripe with his child. See her warm and welcoming in his bed forever.

  The thought both terrified and thrilled him.

  How could he even think of such a thing as keeping her when he had his oath to Kieran?

  The day of his return whispered through his memory, and he saw himself again on the shore of the loch where Kieran had drowned himself.

  The winds had been fierce and cold, the water dark and choppy. He'd looked out across the waves, his heart sickened by the news that his brother was gone, his soul burdened by grief and self-hatred.

  I will never again take any pleasure in my life. I swear it to you, Kieran. I shall make my home here by the loch so that I can look out every day at where you rest and remember what I did to you. I will spend the rest of eternity paying penance for my stupidity.

  Nora reached up and cupped his face with her hands. Her touch brought him back to the present. Back to the only pleasure he had known since the day he had released Isobail into the arms of her lover.

  "Have I lost you this night?" she asked quietly. "You look as if you're far away in your mind. Will you come back to me, or should I go?"

  "Stay with me, Nora."

  Stay with me forever…

  How he wished for the courage to say that last bit aloud.

  But he couldn't.

  He didn't dare.

  She opened her legs to him and wrapped them around his hips, then leaned up to kiss him blind with bliss.

  Ewan let her taste roll over his senses. He inhaled the precious scent of her hair and breath as he lay flat against her.

  Her touch reached deep inside him, setting him free of his past. Free of his guilt.

  Nora ran her hands through Ewan's hair and down his whiskered cheeks. How she loved the manly feel of him lying atop her. She ran her feet down his legs, feeling the crisp hairs that dusted them, and reveled in the differences between their bodies.

  And it was then she realized just how much she did love this man. How much she treasured his rare smiles.

  Her unrefined bear was so much more than what she wanted. He was what she needed.

  This man whose kisses set her afire. Whose strong touch made her weak.

  He was her heart.

  This man who could bellow louder than any she knew, who could melt steel with his grimaces. The same man who could climb a tree to retrieve her brat. Who could show her how to play her lute and who could make love to her with the tenderest of care.

  How could she not love such a man?

  Och now, and what use was her love of him?

  She couldn't stay with him. Even if Ewan would accept her, her father would not. He was set on her marrying Ryan.

  And then there was the matter of Ryan himself. Greedy little beggar that he was, he wouldn't graciously step aside. He would demand she marry him.

  The beast!

  It was hopeless, this love.

  Nora wrapped her arms around Ewan's neck and held him tight as the pain wracked her body.

  "Nora," he rasped. "You're strangling me."

  She loosened her grip, then buried her face in his neck so that she could inhale the warm, manly scent of him. His hair fell across her face, and she took comfort in the rough whiskers that scraped her cheek. She didn't want to let him go.

  You'll have to.

  Nay, it wasn't fair. Not when all she wanted was to love him. Be with him.

  Why couldn't it be?

  Because you are promised to Ryan…

  A man she despised. A man who could barely be in her presence without starting to criticize her.

  You make enough noise for ten women. Had I been your father I would have broken you of that habit right quick.

  She shivered at the thought.

  Ewan moved to nibble her lips.

  Pushing away all thoughts of Ryan, she sighed contentedly and forced herself to forget all that.

  For now, she was where she wanted to be and with the man she wanted to be with.

  She closed her eyes as he trailed kisses over her body, down to her breasts, where he teased and played. Arching her back, Nora melted under the onslaught of his tender care.

  Ewan moaned aloud at the taste of her salty skin. If he lived forever, he would remember this night. Remember her dance and her taste. The way she felt beneath him.

  The way her hands played in his hair.

  It was heaven.

  Growling deep in his throat, he left one breast and made his way over to the other so that he could draw that taut peak into his mouth and let his tongue sample it.

  He slid his hand down her body, through the moist tangle of curls until he could touch the part of her he craved. She gasped and moaned, then opened her legs even wider for his exploration.

  "Tell me what you want me to do to you, Nora."

  "I want you to kiss me."

  "Where?"

  She touched his lips with her fingers. "On my lips."

  He obliged her until he could scarcely breathe for the fire inside him. "Where else would you have me kiss you?"

  "Here," she said, turning her head so that she bared her neck to him.

  Again he licked and teased her neck. He felt the chills spread over her body, felt her nipples harden even more against his chest.

  She made little noises in the back of her throat as he nipped her skin with his teeth.

  "Is there anyplace else you would have me?"

  Her face pinkened, and she looked away sheepishly.

  "Here now," he said, capturing her chin in his hand and turning her face until she looked up at him. " 'Tis not like my Nora to be timid. You've never shirked from talking before."

  Her eyes softened.

  Ewan turned serious as he leaned on his arms and met her gaze. "Never be afraid or embarrassed over telling me what you want, Nora. So I ask again. Where would you have me, my love?"

  She bit her lip and slowly trailed her hand down her body. Ewan watched the path of it, his breath rattling in his chest. It was the most sensuous thing he'd ever seen.

  She braced one leg up, spreading herself open to his hungry gaze, and touched herself between her legs.

  Nora shivered at the hot look Ewan gave her. She still couldn't believe what she was doing, but there was no shame in her heart.

  Only love for the man who was with her.

  Ewan kissed his way down her body, slowly, languidly. The touch of his lips on her skin made her burn with fiery need. Who could have imagined a man's touch could be so pleasurable?

  When he took her into his mouth, she cried out.

  His hot tongue licked and teased, around and around, stroking and delving. The room spun out of control while she lay there, weak and panting from the ribbons of pleasure that shredded her.

  She reached down and took his large, masculine hand into hers.

  Ewan laced his fingers with hers and gave a light squeeze. Nora smiled as her love washed over her. There was truly nothing more sublime than having him like this. Feeling him with her body, holding on to his strong hand.

  She looked down to see their entwined hands. Her skin was so pale compared to his. Scars marred his knuckles and stood out against the darkness of his skin.

  She sighed as his thumb stroked her palm in time to his tongue stroking her body.

  "Oh Ewan," she breathed. She lifted his hand up to her lips so that she could kiss his scars.

  But she didn't stop there. She opened her mouth and suckled his fingers one by one, tasting them. Nibbling them.

  Ewan looked up, startled by her actions. No woman had ever kissed his hand, let alone given it so much consideration.

  No woman had ever given his fingers such lush and warm attention.

  But he had to admit that her tongue felt heavenly slidin
g over his skin, between his fingers.

  He crawled up her body and then stared down at her, warm and open, beneath him.

  The sight tore through him.

  How he craved her. Needed her.

  Her hands released his. Then she trailed them over his chest, his hips, ran them down until she could sheathe his hot, rigid shaft.

  His body jerked in response.

  Ewan moaned at the sensation of her hands sliding down his shaft, of her reaching down lower so that she could cup his sac.

  "Tell me what you want, Ewan," she breathed.

  You.

  The word hung in his throat. He was unlike her; words were strangers to his tongue.

  "I would rather show," he breathed.

  Dipping his head down, he claimed her lips, then slid himself deep inside her body.

  He growled at her warm, sweet wetness that surrounded him. At the feeling of her body welcoming his intrusion. He made love to her slowly, delighting in the sensation of her holding him. Knowing it couldn't last. Knowing that he'd have to let her go.

  But letting her go would be the hardest thing he'd ever done.

  Ewan kissed her lips as he thrust against her. They had only a few more days together. Then fate and circumstance would separate them.

  Fight for her.

  Did he dare?

  Do you dare not?

  He tried to imagine going back to his cave without her. Tried to imagine making it through one day without her smile.

  He couldn't.

  The pain of the thought was too much. Nay, he would keep her with him no matter the consequences.

  She was the only thing that was good in his life. The only thing that made him happy, and no one would take that away from him.

  Not without a fight.

  Nora saw the determined set of Ewan's jaw as he quickened his strokes.

  "Are you all right?" she asked, wondering what caused the sudden change in him.

  "Aye, love," he said, punctuating his words with his thrusts. "When I'm with you, I'm always all right."

  She melted at that. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she held him close and reveled in his hot, naked skin sliding against hers.

  She teased his jaw with her lips and tongue and trailed her hands over the smooth plane of his back to his hips. She splayed her hands over his delectable rear and closed her eyes as she urged him on.

  Her body quivered and tightened until she could stand no more.

  Moaning deep, she let her orgasm take her and held him close until the last tremor had shuddered through her.

  He cupped her face with his hand and kissed her deep.

  Then she felt it. He growled into her mouth as his own release took him.

  He buried himself deep and froze.

  "Oh lass," he breathed in her ear. "There is truly nothing better than the feel of you in my bed."

  "There is nothing better than the feel of you in my body." Heat exploded across her face as she realized what she'd said.

  But her embarrassment faded the instant she saw the warm, satisfied look on his face.

  He gave her a light kiss, then withdrew. He rolled over onto his back and gathered her into his arms.

  Nora draped herself over his chest and listened to his heart pounding under her cheek. The deep thud was so incredibly soothing. How she wished she could lie like this forever.

  She traced circles around his chest and toyed idly with his nipples.

  "You keep doing that, Nora," he said huskily, "and neither of us will sleep tonight."

  It was a threat he proved well before the dawn came.

  It was close to daybreak when Ewan finally faded off to sleep while dreaming of something he hadn't thought of in a long, long time.

  He saw himself at home with Nora. Saw her with his children, and for the first time since Isobail had ridden off with her lover, he dared to hope for a dream that had left him.

  Even in his sleep, he could feel Nora beside him, feel her warm breath on his skin. He took comfort in her and in the knowledge that he was going to make her his.

  No one would ever come between them.

  Nora woke up first to the late morning light streaming across the room. She yawned and looked to see Ewan still fast asleep.

  He was completely bare.

  Her face flamed, but she couldn't take her eyes off his long, lean limbs bulging with hard muscles. His dark, tawny skin looked luscious against the white linens, and it made her mouth water for a sample.

  Not that she should crave him after the night they had. For that matter, she shouldn't be able to move.

  Ewan had shown her ways for a man to take a woman that she wouldn't have thought possible. But never once had he hurt her.

  Nay, her bear was ever tender.

  And as she stared at his naked body, she remembered all too well licking those hard pectorals. Feeling his raw strength surrounding her as she held him in her arms.

  Glorious, that was the only way to describe him.

  She slid out of bed and quickly dressed in the gown she'd borrowed from Catarina, trying her best not to wake him. No doubt he would be exhausted for the whole of the day.

  Smiling, she bit her lip impishly at the thought.

  Once she was dressed, she headed toward the room she was supposed to share with Catarina. She would need her own clothes before she went below to break her fast.

  As she left Ewan's room, she met the inn's owner in the hallway. He glared at her as she excused herself and headed back to where Catarina had slept.

  Catarina was already awake, and by the smile on her face, Nora knew she didn't have to tell her where she'd been.

  "My lady… did you have a good evening?"

  "Shh," Nora breathed. "I will have to spend the rest of my life doing penance for this."

  "Then make an honest man of him."

  Nora laughed at her words. "If it were only that simple." She sighed wistfully as she gathered her things.

  What would it be like to spend the rest of her life with Ewan as they had been these last few days?

  Would they ever have laughter and happiness? Or would he return to his sullen ways?

  She had to admit, the thought of having him as husband was a glorious one indeed, and she fully intended to make an honest man of him as Cat had suggested.

  Catarina excused herself to give her privacy.

  Nora washed herself and dressed, then gathered their things and went below.

  Viktor took her satchel from her hands and went to take it to the wagon. Nora thanked him, then headed over to where Catarina sat with a loaf of bread.

  When Catarina pushed the bread toward her, the pub owner's voice cut across the room like thunder. "We don't serve no whores here with decent people. If she wants to eat, she can eat outside with the dogs."

  Nora had never been so horrified or insulted in the whole of life.

  Several patrons turned to stare at her curiously.

  Her throat tightened in embarrassed agony that was only aggravated by the stares directed at her.

  The thin, balding owner grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the door. He'd barely taken a step when a tall shadow fell over them.

  Nora looked up to see Ewan's eyes blazing at the man.

  He twisted the owner's hand away from her and shoved the man back. "You touch her again, and so help me I'll rip your arm off and beat you with it."

  The owner gulped in fear, but his wife took up his tirade. "We're allowed to serve who we choose. And we'll not—"

  "You insult my wife again, woman, and I'll see you flogged for it."

  Nora didn't know who was more stunned by Ewan's words. Herself, the pub owners or the gypsies.

  "I… I beg pardon, my lord," the owner quickly apologized. "I saw her head to the room with the other lady and assumed you to be unwed. So when I saw her leave your room this morning I thought she…"

  "We were fighting when we arrived."

  "My lady, forgive me, please
." The man turned to his wife. "Aida, quick, fetch the lady and lord steak and eggs."

  His wife hastened to do his bidding as the owner led them back to the table where Catarina was still waiting.

  Catarina quickly excused herself and forced Bavel, Pagan and Lysander to get up and leave with her.

  "But they're bringing steak," Lysander groused.

  Catarina glared at him. "You won't be able to eat it if I bash you in the head until you pass out. Now move."

  He got up reluctantly.

  Once they were alone, Nora took Ewan's hand and held it tight. "Thank you."

  Ewan inclined his head to her. "I'm sorry I couldn't think of a better lie, and I'm truly sorry they treated you that way because of me."

  He saw the shame that she tried to hide.

  "Nora, I…" Ewan stopped himself before he made an even bigger ass of himself. He had almost proposed to her.

  That was the last thing he could do. He didn't even know what clan she belonged to.

  There were protocols that needed to be followed if he was to have her.

  He would have to get her to trust him with that information and then he would have to ask her father.

  If the man said nay…

  Well, they'd be heading to England after all.

  "Aye?" she asked.

  "Nothing."

  They ate in silence. After they were finished, Ewan paid for the food and lodging, then led her outside to where the gypsies waited.

  In no time, they were on their way again.

  Nora spent the rest of the day trying to get Ewan to open up, but he had closed himself off from her again.

  No matter what she tried, he ignored her.

  Finally she gave up and rode silently on her horse as they made their way to the rendezvous point where the man was supposed to meet the gypsies and pay them.

  They reached the village of Drixel late in the afternoon. The tiny town was bustling with activity as people rushed in and about the small cottages and shops.

  Viktor directed them over to the stable that was set up on the edge of the village. A large blacksmith was at work outside at his forge underneath an awning. The stout man paused at his work to watch them.

  "Can I help you, good people?" he asked.

  "We're meeting someone here," Viktor said.