Seduced by Her Highland Warrior

by Michelle Willingham

  Never before had she endured a terror like this one, nearly becoming a prisoner. She knew full well what happened to the captives who were taken by the English. She’d seen Bram’s scarred back, and even Callum had not once spoken a word since his rescue. As a woman, she would have been used and discarded. The thought sent a new wave of fear within her and she tightened her grip around her husband.

  ‘Do you think he was sent by Harkirk?’ she asked him.

  ‘Undoubtedly. If you were his prisoner, he knows I’d stop at nothing to get you back.’ The ruthless tone in his voice made her shiver.

  When they reached Father Nolan’s cavern, the fire had died down to coals. There was no sign of Ramsay. Alex brought her near the meagre heat, resting his hands on her shoulders. ‘I thought you said he would be here.’

  She nodded. ‘He was supposed to come.’ But now that he was absent, she wondered whether something had happened to him or whether he’d broken his promise.

  Her husband added wood to the furnace and a shower of sparks rose up towards the cavern ceiling, tiny pieces of light in the darkness.

  ‘Thank you,’ she whispered to Alex, ‘for saving me.’

  His gaze was stoic, revealing no feelings at all. She didn’t know what he was thinking right now, but she wanted a moment to be in his arms, to take comfort that she was safe, no longer at her captor’s mercy.

  Alex drew her against him and touched his forehead to hers. ‘I’ll kill any man who touches you.’

  She rested her hands upon his heart and felt the rapid pulse beneath her fingertips. He was so warm and right now she wanted to forget about what had happened to her. She felt breathless standing so near to him, but he made no move to touch her.

  ‘You gave me pebbles last night,’ she whispered, ‘to remind me of the beginning.’

  His expression remained neutral, but he gave a nod. She rested her cheek against his strong chest, her own heartbeat echoing his. Right now she needed him to take away the fear, to drive it out of her mind. Though he’d come for her, saving her from captivity, she needed more from him than an embrace.

  She wanted the physical closeness they’d once had, when he’d taken her body beneath his, sending her into the mindless frenzy of lust. But if she dared to offer herself to him, would he turn her away?

  ‘We should return,’ he said quietly. ‘Vanora will wonder what’s happened and I need to know if Ross and Bram found the intruder.’

  A bleakness passed over her, though she knew he was right. This wasn’t the time or the place for a coupling. But she needed him so badly right now, to reassure her that she was safe. Her body ached for him, her sensitive flesh growing moist.

  And he sensed it. ‘What is it, Laren?’

  She didn’t have the words to say it. But there was only one way to find out if he needed her as badly as she craved him.

  His wife let her cloak fall to the ground, her blue eyes staring at him as though she wanted to tell him something, but was afraid to speak.

  And then she reached for him, her lips seeking his. He kissed her, feeling the tension mount higher within him. Nothing could have shaken him more than seeing the intruder try to take his wife. He hadn’t seen the man’s face, but he’d heard Laren scream.

  He’d hardly been aware of his actions, but he’d unsheathed his sword, intending to murder the man who had hurt her. She’d cowered upon the ground, curling up with pain.

  Even now, her cheek was reddened from where the man had struck her. Alex traced his fingertips over the bruise, wishing he could take it away.

  He was fighting the urges that rose up in him, the desire to claim Laren with his body and assert his possession. Her sweet mouth was coaxing him beyond the boundaries of his control, and when her hand moved down to the ties of his trews a thunderous lust rose up.

  Her palm cupped him, her long fingers guiding up his erection.

  Saints, he didn’t know if he could stand this. He’d meant to court her slowly, to somehow rebuild their marriage so that she would trust him again. But his manhood was roaring with need and his own hands were shaking to keep himself under control.

  ‘Take me,’ she pleaded. ‘Make me forget what happened.’ She was lifting her skirt and when she raised her leg over his hip, all rational thought left him.

  It had been so damned long. Too many months had passed since he’d been with her intimately. And on the rare times they’d shared sex, it had been calm and quiet. Nothing at all like the desperate way she was clinging to him now. Her mouth was all over his, her tongue seeking him.

  He led her back to the wall of the cavern, pressing her shoulders against the stone. He tried to gentle his kiss, to slow her down, but the next thing he knew, her hand was guiding him inside her.

  At the feeling of her wet heat surrounding him, he cast aside any attempts to take her gently. She was panting, struggling with their height difference while she tried to make love to him.

  Alex lifted her up, bringing her legs around his waist, still buried deep inside. She leaned down to kiss him and he thrust against her, hearing her moan. It took his willpower apart, and he gave himself up to the moment, penetrating her, letting the rhythm sweep over him. Her panting rose to a fever pitch and he reached for her breast with one hand, teasing the hardened tip as he lifted her, sheathing himself deep within.

  She went liquid against him, her body squeezing his shaft, and he surrendered to the heady sensations pounding through him. When she cried out at the friction, he felt himself growing thicker, trembling close to the edge. He pumped harder, marking her, until at last she slumped against him, spent in her own fulfilment. He felt his own release coming and emptied himself inside her, his body slick with sweat.

  For a time, he kept her propped against the wall, cupping her bare bottom. She shivered and leaned in to kiss him again.

  There were no words between them now. She’d needed him and, though he’d taken her physical offering, he didn’t know what to say.

  In the end, he lowered her down, straightening her gown and his trews.

  And he felt utterly confused by what had just happened.

  When they reached Glen Arrin, Walter stood outside his home and raised his hand, beckoning for them to come near. The older man had taken in Callum and Dougal, as well as a few others, when they’d lost their homes.

  ‘What is it?’ Laren asked.

  Walter’s face shifted with worry. ‘I found the lad outside. Ramsay asked me to tell you he was sorry he couldn’t come.’

  ‘He’s with you now?’ Relief filled her to know that Ramsay wasn’t at home with his father. ‘Is everything all right?’

  ‘His eyes are swollen shut,’ he admitted. ‘His father had beaten him. I found the boy near the loch, putting ice against his eyes. He was talking about some fires and begged me to find you.’ The old man shook his head and sighed. ‘I brought him back here and made him sleep.’

  ‘He’s not going back to his father,’ Laren insisted. ‘Alex, promise me. Ramsay’s been hurt enough.’

  Her husband’s expression was grim; though she knew he was distracted by the attack tonight, her apprentice couldn’t defend himself from a grown man.

  ‘The boy can stay with me,’ Walter offered. ‘He won’t be needing much space.’

  ‘For now,’ Alex agreed. ‘But, Laren, before I speak to Ramsay’s father, we need to find the man who attacked you.’ They took their leave from Walter, and Alex led her forwards until they saw Bram and Ross approaching.

  ‘He’s gone,’ Bram said. ‘We’ll have to continue the search in the morning.’

  ‘He’s like a spirit,’ Ross added. ‘Disappeared without a trace.’

  ‘He’s not a spirit.’ Laren shivered, remembering the man’s strong grip. Alex drew her to his side and, after agreeing to search again in the morning, Ross and Bram returned to their homes.

  Her husband was staring at her and Laren flushed, remembering the way she’d thrown herself at him earlier. She didn’t kno
w what had come over her, but she didn’t regret touching her husband. He’d made her feel alive again and she didn’t regret seducing him.

  But there was trouble brewing in his eyes. ‘I don’t want you returning to the cavern,’ he said. ‘Not after what happened tonight.’

  She frowned, not understanding. ‘Alex, I have to finish the commission. I have to return to the furnaces because I can’t make the glass here.’

  He pulled her into a tight embrace. ‘The commission be damned. You were nearly kidnapped tonight. I almost lost you because you left the fortress.’

  ‘I won’t be alone,’ she argued. ‘Ramsay will be there and—’

  ‘You’re not going back,’ he repeated. ‘We don’t need the silver. Your life is more important than glass.’

  She’d never seen him like this and it startled her to see him so adamant. She started to speak again, but he cut her off. ‘I’m not leaving you alone again. You’ll stay here at Glen Arrin and you and Nairna can organise the women with the rebuilding. There are some tasks that both of you can do and it will keep you protected if you’re here.’

  She grew cold, suddenly realising what he was saying. ‘You’re asking me to give up the glassmaking.’

  ‘No.’ His hand came around the back of her neck, softly, but firm in his grasp. ‘I’m not asking.’

  Gone was the passionate husband and in his place was an iron-willed chief. He was entirely serious in his command.

  ‘I’ll take Callum with me, as a guard,’ she offered. ‘I won’t do my work alone.’

  ‘You won’t do it at all. It’s not safe for you to be by yourself, so far away from Glen Arrin.’ He took her hand in his and started to pull her back inside Ross’s house.

  ‘Alex, no.’ She refused to move another step. ‘I’m not going to fall into Nairna’s shadow. I’ve been given a task that I promised I’d complete.’

  ‘Do you know what would have happened to you, if he’d succeeded in taking you hostage?’ His voice went low and she sensed the danger beneath it.

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered, her voice trembling. ‘I know how they would have used me.’

  ‘And do you think I would ever let a man touch you in that way? I don’t care what the glass means to you. You can let it go.’

  Inside, she was torn apart by his words. She’d thought that, by bringing in so much silver, he would respect her skill. That he would encourage her glassmaking, being proud of the way she’d earned them wealth.

  All her life, she’d been treated like the beggar her father was. Never had she possessed any sense of pride; she’d grown accustomed to everyone looking down upon her. And now that she’d finally proven that there was something more, that she could be a woman worth something, he wanted her to let it go.

  From deep inside, a dormant anger intensified, rising higher until it cracked apart. ‘I can’t give up my glass, any more than you can give up being chief. It’s who I am.’ She was crying now, but he hadn’t softened even once. If anything, his stubborn will had grown more rigid.

  ‘You’ll have to,’ was all he would say. Then he took her hand and guided her inside Vanora’s house. When the matron and Grizel both asked questions, their voices rising and arguing as they exclaimed over what had happened, Laren didn’t speak a word. Instead, she went to lie beside her daughters, sleeping as far away from Alex as she dared to go.

  Laren didn’t speak to him all the next day. Alex had sent more men to find the intruder, but they’d found only traces of blood and the horse’s tracks disappeared near the stream. There was no way of knowing where the man had gone or when he would return. At least he’d managed to wound his enemy.

  Though he tried to continue working on the outer wall, his thoughts were consumed by Laren. She’d avoided him that morning and he sensed the resentment simmering beneath her mood.

  He tried not to care. Aye, she was angry about not being able to work on the glass, but this was about her safety. Though rationally he knew it was impossible to keep her in his sight at every moment, he’d been caught off-guard last night. When he’d seen her fighting her attacker, he’d nearly lost his mind. The visceral need to protect her, to surrender his own blood for hers, had surged inside him.

  And later, when she’d reached for him, needing the physical comfort of his body, he’d thought they were starting to mend their broken marriage. All this morning, he’d remembered her touch, the sounds she’d uttered when she experienced her climax, her legs tightening around his waist.

  Alex grew aroused just remembering it and it only added to his dark mood. He busied himself with hefting stones from the wagon to the outer wall, trying to drown out his needs with the punishing work, but he couldn’t help but be aware of Laren. She’d done as he’d ordered, walking behind Nairna and helping the women to gather thatch and smaller pieces of wood for the new homes they had to build.

  Deliberately, she walked past him once and he noticed the scent of wood about her. She didn’t speak, but the gentle sway of her hips captured his gaze. When she glanced beyond the fortress, he sent her a silent warning.

  Upon her cheek, he saw the reddened mark that was beginning to bruise. It angered him even further, wishing he’d been able to kill the man who’d touched her.

  Laren started to walk towards the gates, and at her open defiance, Alex dropped the stone he was holding and crossed the space. ‘Where are you going?’

  She stood tall and stared back. ‘To fetch water from the loch. Or am I not allowed to do that either?’

  ‘Not alone.’ He gestured for her to walk forwards and she picked up a wooden bucket, while he trailed behind to guard her.

  She stepped on to the outer layer of ice, moving towards the unfrozen portion. He didn’t like her venturing out, not when she could slip or fall into the icy water. Without asking, he seized the bucket and started to get the water for her.

  Laren watched him, her gaze infuriated. ‘And now I’m too helpless to even dip a bucket into the loch?’

  He slammed the bucket down, his fury erupting. ‘What do you want from me, Laren? You were nearly taken last night, and you expect me to grant you freedom to go where it pleases you? He’s going to come back. And I’ll be damned if I’ll let you be his captive.’

  ‘Instead, I’m your captive,’ she said. Her voice was cold, full of her own ire. ‘Do you plan to tie me to your side, so I can’t escape you? Or perhaps you’ll bind me to your bed and use me as it pleases you?’

  ‘You were the one who wanted me last night,’ he shot back. ‘I was going to leave you alone.’

  Her expression was brittle and she was near to tears. ‘I wish you would. At least then I could be of some use, if you’d let me make the glass.’

  He took a step back, feeling as if she’d struck him. He didn’t understand why she was so insistent on returning to the cavern. They didn’t need the silver as badly as she believed they did.

  ‘If the furnaces weren’t so far away, it would be different.’ He tried to appease her and continued, ‘Perhaps in the spring, when it’s safer, you could return to the work if it pleases you.’

  ‘You truly don’t understand, do you? This isn’t like my weaving or sewing. It’s not the same at all.’ She reached down for the bucket, her arm straining with the weight of the water.

  She was right—he didn’t understand. And the angrier she grew, the more he sensed that this was about something else entirely.

  He took the bucket and tossed it aside. Taking her wrist, he guided her forwards, moving towards the cavern. She said nothing, but matched her pace with his, even though it meant she had to run slightly.

  When they reached the entrance, the furnace fires were out, the interior cold. She went to her work table and sat before it, her hands clenched tight.

  ‘What is this really about, Laren?’

  She picked up a piece of glass and rubbed its surface. ‘You’re not being reasonable about this. I understand that you don’t want me to work alone. But you can’t lo
ck me away.’

  ‘And why can’t I?’ He moved to sit across from her. ‘If I want to keep you safe from harm, why does that make me a monster?’

  ‘It doesn’t. But I can’t give up this commission.’ She pressed a clear glass droplet into his hand. The smooth surface grew warm within his hand and she said, ‘Working with the glass gives me a purpose. It’s something I can do that no other woman of this clan can. With it, I can prove to them that I’m worth something. That I’m not a beggar, like my father was.’

  In her eyes, he saw twenty years’ worth of pain. He’d never thought much about her family’s poverty—he’d seen only the woman who had stolen his heart.

  She rose from the bench and went to stand at the entrance. ‘Don’t keep me a prisoner, Alex. Let me do this.’ The desperation in her voice and in her eyes gave him pause. He wanted to keep her within the fortress, where no one could hurt her. Why couldn’t she understand that he needed to protect her?

  ‘You’ll stay at Glen Arrin, until we’re sure that the threat is gone,’ he said.

  ‘And after that?’ she whispered.

  He wanted to refuse. But he sensed that if he took this away from her, she would grow to hate him.

  He didn’t know what the right decision was. She was staring at him with a blend of hope and doubts. Finally, he acceded, ‘Only if Callum agrees to guard you.’

  It was the only compromise he’d make. And even then, he didn’t like it.

  The light in her eyes and the fierce joy took him aback. She threw her arms around his neck, and though he rested his hands upon her waist, he didn’t hug her back. He felt as though he were bargaining to save his marriage and it infuriated him that she would push him to that boundary.

  As he took her back to Glen Arrin, he wondered what he’d just agreed to.

  Finian lay upon the ground, blood staining the frozen grass beneath him. Though it had been nearly a sennight, the wound upon his arm kept reopening. The skin had turned red, and he’d been shaking with fever for two days now. He’d finally accepted that he couldn’t stay here any longer; he had to return home to tend the wound.