by Tara Nina
Slowly she slid down the length of him, enjoying the feel of his abdominal muscles against her side. She stood between him and the bed. He looked strikingly handsome in his off-white dress shirt, kilt of the MacKinnon red-and-green plaid, and black boots. One by one, she unbuttoned his shirt, planting tender kisses to his flesh as it appeared.
“I have to say,” she stated breathily as she sank to her knees, untucking his shirt as she went. “You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever met.”
He laughed huskily. “Milady, me thinks ye have misspoken. Men be not beautiful. Not like a woman with her lovely curves, wondrous smile and eyes of the deepest green.” He paused as his hands slid into her updo, working it free of its pins. “And hair as soft as the finest silk.”
Jenny’s insides fluttered. She loved it when he spoke poetically. No one she’d dated of this time ever said such things to her. It seemed so natural coming from his lips, not forced as if he were trying to impress her to get her into bed. His thick Scottish brogue made each word twice as sensual. They’d spent the last six weeks getting to know one another and she’d treasured every second of their precious time, every sexual escapade and adventure he’d taken her on to the point she couldn’t imagine life without him. She didn’t want to think of anything else but being with him, even if it meant sleeping during the day to be awake with him at night.
“No,” she replied, holding his gaze. She watched it darken as she lifted his kilt. “What I spoke was truth.” Doing her best to mimic his brogue, she added, “Milord, ye doth have the most beautiful cock.”
Ducking under his kilt, she licked his length from tip to base and back. She held his shaft in her hand while massaging his balls with the other as her tongue lavished the slender opening of its head, tasting the salt of his pre-cum. His was a flavor she hungered to devour. Dour was her man and she intended to show him how much she loved him. Jenny sucked the head, twirling her tongue around it in a gentle tease.
His moan was muffled by the kilt, which didn’t last but a few moments before it disappeared from around her. He unwrapped it from his waist and tossed it to the floor. Jenny met his heated gaze as his hands plowed into her hair.
Desperation tinged his tone. “I had to see ye as ye tasted mi shaft. It be a glorious sight, your lips to mi flesh. One I no wished to miss.”
That was all she needed to hear to spur her on with the task of pleasuring him. His hands cradled her head, not pushing her, not forcing her to take him in farther than her mouth allowed. She liked the fact he let her set the pace. Slowly she slid him in deeper until she could take no more. Over and over she pumped as he massaged her scalp. His breathing increased and his balls tightened and she knew he was close. Suddenly he pulled her from his cock and dragged her to her feet. His mouth found hers in a passionate kiss.
He grappled with her dress as they fell upon the bed, tangled together. “I need to be inside ye, Jenny.”
Her dress bunched around her waist. She arched, lifting her hips, giving him room to tug the sexy panties down. In his rush, Dour ripped them off her seconds before he entered her. “Dour,” she gasped as she wrapped her legs around his waist and twisted her fingers into the long strands of his red hair.
Setting a sensually slow rhythm, he stroked her with his cock. He held his weight on his forearms, his hands on either side of her face. “Now this be heaven,” he whispered as he captured her mouth.
He wanted nothing more than to stay in this position forever. Jenny’s legs hugged him tight, keeping him snugly encased in her sheath. Her mouth fit his perfectly for kissing. He liked the way her tongue toyed with his. The way she’d pleasured his cock had him on edge to the point he had to fuck her or be spent in her mouth. Though it was a wonderful way to reach his release, he would much rather share the sensation with his woman.
The thought hit him mid-stroke and he stalled for a second before she dug her heels into his backside, urging him to keep the rhythm. Dour broke from the kiss. He locked his gaze on hers. Heavy lids held at half-mast nearly hid those sexy greens from view. Her sighs were the only music he longed to hear. It made him increase his speed, pumping into her a notch faster. It was all he could do not to fuck her hard and fast. But he wanted it to last, to draw this moment out.
Jenny was his woman. He liked the sound of that as it rolled through his brain. She was his and he intended to show her how much he desired her, wanted her in his bed now and forever. Forever. How could he ask a woman to be with him when it meant living a half-life? Man by night and stone by day.
Her nails dragged down his spine underneath his shirt. The spark of pain added to his pleasure, causing him to spike into her harder.
“Yes,” she gasped. “Fuck me harder, Dour. Fuck me, baby.”
The feel of her sheath contracting around his cock nearly undid him but he refused to come. Not until Jenny reached the same point in their combined pleasure. Never before had he been so concerned over the woman reaching release along with him. But every time he and Jenny coupled, it mattered. It wasn’t about him and his bawls being drained. It was about her. He wanted her to be satisfied.
Dour’s heart thumped, ready to burst with love he finally admitted he felt for the vixen beneath him. He slowed the action and her eyes opened wide, letting him know he had her full attention. Cupping her face in his hands, he stared directly into her gaze. He didn’t want her to miss one word he had to say.
“Jenny, mi milis subh-làir—sweet strawberry, I should nay be saying this with naught more to offer ye than mi presence in your life at night.” He paused, gathered his courage, then continued before he thought better of it. “I love ye.”
Her eyes widened and she stilled beneath him. For a split second he wished he hadn’t said it because it didn’t seem to bode well with her. Then instantly her face changed. The biggest smile he’d ever seen lifted her lips as her arms snaked around his neck.
“I love you too, Dour.” Jenny kissed him. Her legs slid from around his waist and hovered bent at his sides. He felt her feet plant into the bed as she did a slow rock along his cock. Her hand fisted his hair and a devilish gleam filled her eyes. “I do believe I told you to fuck me.”
He grinned, knowing he’d made no mistake in speaking the truth of his heart to this one. She was meant to be his and he hers. “As ye wish, mi milis subh-làir.”
Dour drove into her, relishing the grasp of her sheath to his cock. Slick heat coated his flesh, coaxing him to increase his pace. Her moans lifted to his ears, letting him know she enjoyed this as much as he. When he nuzzled her breasts, it impressed him how quickly she undid the clasp of her halter-style dress, loosening the material for him without skipping a beat in their fucking. Using his teeth he uncovered a nipple ripe for him to suck.
He nibbled the taut bud and she squealed in delight. Her hands held his head in place, urging him to continue. He sucked and nipped the tender flesh of her breast as he fucked her faster. She met him pump for pump. He loved her reaction each time he captured her nipple between his teeth and tugged. Moisture coated his cock and she practically growled. Her fingers twisted tighter in his hair.
She had him teetering on the edge and he was ready to take the free fall into pure pleasure with his woman. Dour broke from the grip she had in his hair to take command of her lips. He speared into her hard and fast. He left her lips and sucked her neck, leaving hot kisses all over her flesh. Gasping for air, he met her gaze.
“Come with me, m’gaol—my love. Make me whole.”
Once again her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, causing him to sink even deeper into her. The tightening of her sheath grasping his cock was his undoing. Liquid heat spurted from him, mixing with her essence as their pleasure overtook them. After several long moments lying entangled, he opened his eyes and looked into hers.
“Aye, this surely be heaven.”
He kissed her as they snuggled on top of the covers, lingering in the warmth of the afterglow. This was his woman. She’d accepted
him as he was—cursed. They lay for hours kissing and making love, knowing the sun would soon separate them.
Dour stood and held his hand to her. “Come, Jenny. Let me turn down the covers and make you comfortable before the curse takes me.”
She did as he requested. Their clothes were long forgotten in a pile on the floor. She was beautifully naked before him. Dour hugged her close, then turned and straightened the unkempt bed. Hours of making love upon it had made it slightly disheveled. He guided her under the covers. With the sun’s ominous rays threatening to peek into their room, he started to move, distancing himself from her.
But she refused to let him. Jenny clasped on to his arm. Her sleepy-eyed request broke his heart. “Don’t go. Stay here with me.”
“Ye know that I cannot,” he replied sadly.
She lifted onto her knees facing him as he stood beside the bed. Her arms wrapped around his waist, she held him tightly to her. “Then kiss me like you’ll miss me.”
Dour plowed his hand into her hair, cupped the back of her head and planted a kiss neither of them would soon forget. Her arms locked around him. He knew he should separate, not take a chance she’d turn to stone with him should they be touching when the curse took him. He pulled from her lips mere seconds before the sun glistened through the curtains. It danced across his skin as he tried to pry her hands from him, panicking that she’d be cursed as well.
Fire brewed within his chest. His heart felt as if it were caught in a deadly grip. Pain ripped through him as he stumbled out of Jenny’s reach. He couldn’t breathe. Sweat rolled off him. Dour fell to his knees, clutching his chest and fighting for air. The second her arms were around him, he screamed and tried to push her away.
“No. No. Jenny. The curse.”
But she fought his efforts. Her words touched his ears and warmed his soul.
“It appears as if the curse is broken. Open your eyes, Dour. Look at me.” He did as she asked. The most wonderful sight sat on her knees before him.
Jenny naked in the morning light.
Chapter Sixteen
Cait woke the next morning, stretched and rolled over to stare at the empty spot in the bed beside her. She sighed disappointedly. Every time she fell asleep in Donnell’s arms, he made sure to slip out of bed before the curse took him. Neither of them knew if him touching her when it happened would cause her to turn to stone for the day as well. Donnell took every precaution to not test the theory.
In his words, it would torment his soul to know his touch brought her agony in the form of suffering the curse along with him.
Looking at him standing beside the bed hurt her heart. She got out of bed and stood naked in front of him. Gently she stroked his cheek, hoping he somehow knew she was there.
“Donnell, what are we going to do about this damn curse?” Shaking her head, she leaned against him, hugging him, desperately wanting to feel his arms wrapped around her.
On tiptoe, she kissed his lips, then halfheartedly walked to the bathroom to shower and dress. When she arrived at the door from the kitchen to the veranda, she froze. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Dour stood in the sunlight, preparing a plate of food from the sideboard. When he turned to hand it to Jenny, he leaned and gave her a kiss. Cait stumbled through the screen door.
“How?” she gasped as she rushed toward them. She touched his arm and pleaded, “How did you do this? How did you break the curse?”
“Milady Cait, I know not the answer.” The smile washed from his face and his tone turned somber as his gaze lifted to the doorway. “I see ye but no Donnell. I thought surely since I be free he would be as well.”
“He’s still a gargoyle,” she snapped angrily. She spun and grabbed Jenny by both arms, causing her to drop the plate. It shattered, sending food all over the ground. “How did you free him? What do I have to do to save Donnell?”
Jenny’s eyes filled with tears as she replied, “I’m not sure. I have no clue how to set Dour free. It just happened.”
She tightened her grip on Jenny’s arms and shook her. “You’re lying. It’s not fair. Tell me what you did.”
Dour grabbed Cait, jerking her away from Jenny. “Ye are out of line, Cait. Ye need to calm yourself. Ye will not be hurting Jenny because of this. If ye need to hit someone then ye can hit me.”
The second he let go of her arms Cait slapped him with every ounce of anger she could muster. Tears flowed as she exited the gate and ran across the field. Frustration drove her up the high hill. She didn’t care how far she went or where this path led. She just wanted to be as far away from Jenny as possible right now.
When she couldn’t catch her breath, she sank to the ground, rolled onto her side and cried. Deep, soul-wrenching sobs poured freely from her. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t fair. Why Dour and not Donnell? And what made it worse, Jenny wouldn’t share the secret of freeing the man she loved.
She didn’t know how long she cried. But when the tears finally subsided, she knew she wasn’t alone. The sense someone watched her made her gut knot with fear. After last night’s adventure with Crosby, there was no telling who might be lingering near, waiting for their chance to attack a MacKinnon or anyone in their company, and she was out of firecrackers.
“Feel no fear in mi presence, Cait.”
A cool sensation floated down her arm. Cait turned her head to see Akira hovered near, stroking her hand along Cait’s skin. She smiled at Cait. As Cait moved into a seated position, Akira spoke.
“I come here often when I need to seek mi inner peace. He was mi rock, the foundation of mi strength.” Cait followed the spirit’s hand as it guided across the huge standing headstone. Though years weathered the marble, the names and dates were still legible.
Malcolm MacDonnell
1717-1768
Akira MacDonnell
1718-1788
Cait scrambled backward. “I meant no disrespect. I didn’t know this was your grave.” She looked around and realized in her state of distress she’d stumbled into the MacKinnon family graveyard.
“None taken,” Akira replied. She settled on the ground beside Cait. “Seems ye have had a bit of a rough start to your day.”
Cait shrugged. “You could say that.”
Those piercing green eyes of hers stared directly at Cait. “Jenny did not lie to ye. She truly does not understand as yet how she set Dour free.”
“But you do,” Cait asked. “Don’t you?”
“Aye,” Akira replied. “But if’n I share it with ye, it will not work. When the time be right, ye will set Donnell free. Search your heart. The answer ye seek lies within.”
Before she could ask anything else, Akira disappeared. “Grr,” Cait groaned in frustration as she fell back onto the grass, staring up at the sky. “Why can’t anybody just give a straight answer?”
She lay there thinking for several hours. Noon came and went and still she had no clear answer. The one thing she knew for sure was she needed to apologize to Jenny. It wasn’t Jenny’s fault she was too thickheaded to decipher the clues that had to be right in front of her face. But somehow Jenny succeeded. It was late afternoon by the time she found the courage to face her stupidity.
Her feet were heavy as lead as she took the slow walk back to the castle. She’d made a fool of herself and hurt her best friend in the process. In a few hours it would be dusk and Donnell would be awake to learn the truth of his twin’s release into freedom from the curse. How would he react when he discovered she failed where Jenny succeeded for Dour?
Cait shook her head. She refused to think on that at the moment. Rescuing her friendship with Jenny was her first concern. When she reached the castle, she entered quietly through the kitchen. Margaret informed her where Jenny could be found. The family had gathered in the great room to celebrate Dour’s release.
She stood in the doorway, silently watching the couples. None noticed her as she hovered, simply soaking in the view and putting two and two together. Ericka freed Gavin and now they
were married and had a beautiful baby boy. Izzy freed Ian and it was obvious by the way they couldn’t keep their hands off each other how they felt. Caledonia and Struan were snuggled close and he kept whispering in her ear, which made her smile, lean back and kiss him. Lynn and Padon were the quieter of the couples but there was no missing the connection between them.
May and Jameson sat smiling and happily cuddling. Being newlyweds looked good on them. They’d vowed to find the last brother before taking a honeymoon. That was the only present they wanted, to complete the MacKinnon clan.
When her gaze landed on Jenny, she looked over to the doorway as if she knew Cait stood in the shadows. Dour had his arm around her and the look on his face told Cait all she needed to know. Jenny stood and walked over to Cait.
“I’m so sorry, Jenny,” Cait said, taking Jenny’s hands in hers. Staring into Jenny’s eyes she saw the truth and knew she was right in what she was now thinking. “Please forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Jenny said. “Come join us. We’re celebrating.”
“I can’t.” Cait shook her head. “There’s something I’ve got to do.”
Jenny pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear, “Follow your heart. The truth will set him free.”
Cait stepped from the hug and smiled. “I know.”
She turned on her heels and darted down the hall to the stairs. There was something she had to do and she wanted to make sure everything was perfect when she did it.
*
Dusk couldn’t come fast enough. She spent the hours making everything ready for his awakening. A table loaded with a variety of food was in the sitting room of their bedchamber. The wine he liked sat opened on the nightstand beside two waiting glasses. She sat on the bed’s edge, shower fresh and in a sheer, light-blue negligee that tied closed with a silk lace bow at her breasts. Foregoing the matching panties, she hoped he appreciated the easy access and peek-a-boo appeal of the lacy fringe of the negligee, which barely covered her bottom and pussy.
