Colm opened his mouth to respond, but Piper wouldn’t let him, instead barreling on, “Tell me the truth, did you even want me, or is this just for your laird? Is this why you brought me here?” She was under no illusion that Colm wanting to marry her meant anything more than an alliance with her family name. Piper may have barely passed high school, but she was an avid reader, and she wasn’t stupid. She knew that in this time marriage was a business arrangement. What a fool she’d been for thinking he wanted her for her, for who she was inside. What would it take for someone to just want her as is?
He gripped the back of her neck, bringing her closer to him. “Aye, lass, I went for you on my laird’s orders, but doona mistake that I brought you back with me because I want you in my bed,” he growled. “I brought you back with me, so that I could walk amongst my men and they would ken that ‘twould be me between those long legs of yours every night. I brought you back because I damn well canna live without you in my life. I brought you back so I could fuck you every single night for the rest of your life.”
He was breathing hard, his chest heaving with each breath, and Piper was shocked to find that she was breathing hard too. God, he was sexy when he was all growly and possessive. As much as he wanted her, she wanted him right back. She felt she’d known him much longer than the few days it really had been, and she couldn’t help herself, but she needed him to say that he wanted her. Piper had been ready to tell him she’d stay here and give it a go before they’d been interrupted. Nothing had changed that, and Piper knew she was just angry. Hurt pride didn’t change that she still wanted Colm. Whether she stayed or not, she cared for him, and she could see he had feelings for her. The question was, how strong were they?
Her anger didn’t drain out of her when his lips met hers, but instead it fueled the fires that had started back at the Highland Games. His mouth was rough, his tongue demanding, but no more demanding than Piper’s. They battled for supremacy in the kiss, dueling and warring, until Colm pulled back. He looked at her flushed face, her bright eyes, and pressed his lips lightly to the corner of her mouth. When Piper tried to deepen the kiss, he moved to her cheek, to her temple, brushing his lips against the corner of her eye before pressing them to hers once more. Again, Piper opened her mouth beneath his, and Colm drifted to her neck, nibbling and licking her jaw line.
His lips found hers again, and Piper stilled beneath his kiss, allowing him to lead, allowing him to take her with him, but not admitting defeat. She waited until he nudged her lips apart before tangling her tongue with his. Twining her arms behind his neck, she pressed up to her tiptoes and meshed their mouths together. His hips ground against hers, and she sucked his tongue into her mouth. She finally broke Colm’s urge to slow things down, because within seconds, she was on her back in the middle of the big bed. Colm stripped off his shirt and plaid, holding her gaze the whole time, daring her to look away. She did, but only to ogle his body. She’d been right before, this man had the body of a sex god. And Piper planned on worshipping his body in every way she knew how.
Colm stopped, his hands on her laces, a question in his eyes.
“I’m not scared anymore.”
Colm had her out of the gown and frilly things faster than she thought possible. With a sigh, their bodies came together, skin on skin, and Colm pressed his lips to Piper’s once more, very gently.
“I want you Piper, make no mistake, lass. But I’ll no’ have you unsure of me.” His voice was deep, gravelly, the passion between them burning hot and high.
Piper gripped his cock and purred, “Oh, I’m not unsure about your feelings. Not at all.”
Colm’s hand gripped hers to stop its rhythmic motion as he gritted out, “I doona want to marry you for your name or your lands Piper. ‘Tis you. I want you.”
“Oh,” she breathed against his lips, and she melted just a bit at his declaration.
Her hips shifted against his erection as she kissed him, and Colm’s hand found her small strip of hair. His fingers teased her lips, sliding along the slit until she was arching into his touch. Finally he slid a finger inside her, pressing up, then sliding out. He spread her cream along her clit and rubbed in slow circles. She was panting and moaning when his lips descended on her nipple. He rubbed his cheek against her tight nipple, the rasp of his stubble sending conflicting sensations to her body. She couldn’t focus on anything but his smooth, slow circles, until she came.
The second Piper called his name, Colm was inside her, stretching her, pressing the blunt head of his cock up and into her. It had been so long for Piper, and never this good. Her body was still clenching when he pressed fully inside. But he was slow, so achingly slow, and Piper wanted it hard and fast. Her body needed more, and the incredible fullness of Colm was unlike anything she’d ever felt.
Still he took his time, pulling out almost to the tip, and sliding back in. After an eternity of slow strokes, Piper bit his neck and Colm’s control broke. He lifted her hips up and slammed home over and over again until the build-up was too much for Piper and she cried out again, but this time Colm was right behind her, shouting his release to the rafters.
Piper lay sprawled across Colm, idly raking her fingers through the sprinkling of hair across his chest, wondering if she believed him. She wanted him, no doubt, and she knew he wanted her, but did he really understand what he wanted from this marriage? She knew that this would be it for her. No man had ever made her heart beat the way he did. It sped up when he was near, it thumped when he touched her, and even right now it felt as if her heart had picked up his rhythm.
“I think our hearts are beating in the same rhythm. Weird.”
Colm pulled her up to brush a kiss against her temple, “Ahh, Piper love, ‘tis fate.”
Piper leaned up on an elbow so she could look him in the eye. “Do you really believe that? That we’re meant to be?”
“Aye, love, I do. I did the unthinkable and stole my woman from a far off time. I didna think that ‘twas possible, yet I traveled time to find you. If that’s no’ fate, then I doona ken what type of sign you’d be lookin’ for?”
“I guess I don’t feel comfortable thinking that something outside my own power is toying with me. Don’t you feel like believing in fate means believing that someone is moving us about, plotting our lives, as if we were mere pawns on the chess board?”
Colm didn’t answer immediately, but when he did, he was very sure of himself. “Nay, Piper. I feel that if you had stayed in our time, grown up here, someone would have killed you and taken your lands long ago. Or if no’ that, then mayhap you’d have been married off at a young age. Do you see that we’d have never met? I’d nae have seen you smile, I’d nae have seen your eyes flash when you’re angry with me, and I’d nae have held you as you come undone. Piper, you were meant for me, and I for you. Fate just helped that along.”
When Colm spoke, he sounded so certain. It made Piper want to believe, and to stay.
A knocking at the door, followed by Caelen’s voice, “Colm. It’s time.”
“Time for what?” Piper asked, pressing up to her elbow.
“Caelen and I are going to meet with one of Donald Grant’s men. We hope he has information about your family.” Colm sat up, swinging his legs off the bed, gloriously nude.
“I’m coming, too.”
Colm pressed her back into the mattress. “Piper, you canna come.”
She tried to toss her head, and huffed, “Of course I can. Just take me with you.”
“Piper, can you ride a horse?”
She blew out a breath. “No.” Colm started to stand up again. “But can’t you just put me in front of you on the saddle, or something?”
Colm turned around, “Piper, even if you could ride, I may have need of my sword this eve.”
“Oh, you mean you might have to fight?”
Colm shrugged a shoulder.
“But why are you going if you think you’ll have to fight?”
“We need to speak with Donal
d’s man. If it’s a trap, Caelen and I will no’ go alone.”
“Good, if you’re not going alone, you can take me with you.”
“Piper,” Colm started.
Ignoring the warning in his voice, Piper continued, “Colm, I need to see if I have a brother. I need to hear this man tell me I have a brother. I need this.”
Colm narrowed his eyes.
“Besides, you know I’ll just follow along after you leave.”
“No’ if I have you tied to the bed,” he gritted.
“You wouldn’t.”
At his narrowed look, Piper gasped. “Fine, if you do that I’m out of here.” She started to climb off the bed.
Colm had her flat on her back in a heartbeat, his face right in front of hers. “If you think I’ll let you go now, you’d be mistaken. I’m keeping you, love.” He pressed a hard, fast kiss to her parted lips. “You’re mine, love, and you’ll no’ be leavin’ me.”
“Then you’ll have to tie me to the bed, because the second you’re out the door, I’m following after you.” Piper glared at him until another knock came at the door.
“Colm, we leave now. If you can’t be arsed to come, then I’ll grab Red Rob to ride out. He’s always itchin’ for a good fight.”
“Caelen, you’d bloody well better no’ grab Red Rob. He canna swing a sword to save his life, and you ken that.”
“If you leave now, I’ll follow you, I swear I will.” Piper glared at Colm, daring him to tell her no.
Colm deftly wrapped his plaid around himself and if she hadn’t been so mad, maybe Piper would have admired his skill.
Colm ignored her fury and stepped to the door. After a few heated words in Gaelic, he strode back in and tossed her gown to her.
“I can come?”
“Doona make me regret this.”
Chapter Eight
Being a poorer clan, they had none of the expensive war horses that some of the more prosperous clans had. Both Caelen and Colm rode well-trained work horses. The heavier body and thicker more muscular build made the draft horse a more practical choice for men of their size. He stepped into his stirrup and climbed on more gracefully than a man his size should be able to do. Kicking one foot out of the stirrup, he held a hand to Piper and said, “Place your foot in the stirrup, and grip my wrist.”
Colm was pleased Piper was following directions. He was not pleased, however, that she had manipulated him into bringing her. But she needed to meet this man too, if he truly was who he said he was. The way things seemed to be falling into place, the way the witch had manipulated them, Colm had a feeling that this man was indeed her brother.
He hauled her into the saddle, with both her legs on his left side of the horse, and while it wasn’t a side saddle, she fit just right between his thighs. There was plenty of room as long as they sat close together. Really close together. Placing one hand around her waist and holding the reins with the other, he kicked Son of Fearnaught and clicked his tongue. Piper was trembling slightly beneath his palm.
“What is it, Piper?”
“I’ve never sat side saddle and I keep thinking I’m going to slip off. Besides, your ginormous horse is not exactly a smooth ride.” She squirmed until she felt comfortable, but all that shifting about, was making him uncomfortable
Pondering the word ginormous, he reassured her that he’d never let her fall. “Love, you ken I’d nae let you fall off Sonny.”
“You named your horse ‘Sunny?’” This didn’t fit with the large draft horse by any means, or his rider.
Colm laughed at that. “Nay, lass, his name is Son of Fearnaught. I call him ‘Sonny’ for short.”
“Why did you name him Son of Fearnaught? It seems just as ridiculous as Sunny.”
“Because he is the son of Fearnaught, and as that stallion has only sired mares, mine is called Son of Fearnaught. As far as I ken, he is still the only son of Fearnaught.”
“Oh.”
Caelen, along with his men, was mounted and waiting, his horse as impatient as its rider. Clicking his tongue and kicking his heels into Sonny, Colm and Piper joined the group. With no more than a nod, they rode west.
When they came close to the designated meeting place, Caelen wordlessly sent some of his men to double back around the area, just in case it was a trap. When they met up, it would just be two men and a woman, not a party of nearly a dozen warriors.
* * * *
The meeting place was a small home, a hut really, and the moon gave off a silvery glow that transformed the landscape from beautiful to mystical. Piper was nervous, more than just the nerves of being in a strange place, a strange time, and with the chance of a fight breaking out. Whether it was the atmosphere or something else, unease prickled at her, causing a shiver to tremble down her spine. Colm felt it, and squeezed her thigh before placing his hand on his belt once more. Glancing down, she realized it wasn’t his belt he held, but a dagger. The otherworldly feeling in the air, along with the men being prepared for violence, caused her to rethink her bright idea of tagging along.
With her nerves stretched and her skin tingling, she almost gasped aloud when she saw the shape of a man on horseback riding toward them. He slowed his horse to a walk and placed one hand at his waist, Piper assumed he was gripping his own dagger. Behind her, Colm’s body stiffened, his every muscle taut and ready.
“MacRobert.” The rider’s voice cut through the night. It was deep and, while not threatening, not friendly either. He sounded guarded.
“Aye, and who might you be?”
“You ken the answer to that already.”
“We’ve need of proof.”
“Look to the lass.”
Colm’s grip on the reins loosened and he held her waist, the reins digging into her side as his hand tightened to bruising strength.
“Explain,” he growled.
The rider sighed, and climbed off his horse. “Come on, then.”
Colm passed the reins off to her, and slid his hand from her waist up to her neck, turning her face to meet his hard, possessive kiss. “Doona move. Stay here where I can see you and doona come close until I say.”
Nodding, Piper slid her leg over so she was riding astride, using her calves to grip the large horse. She noticed Colm frown as he saw her legs exposed, but he didn’t say anything, and instead walked toward the man. Caelen was already there. Having been on a horse only once, and that had been years ago, she had to work really hard to keep the large animal still. Piper couldn’t hear what the men were saying, but she was concentrating on not falling off the horse, so she had to keep her attention on Sonny. She did notice that throughout the conversation all three men kept one hand on a weapon. Did they distrust so easily?
When they turned in unison to look at her, she thought they might call her over, but they began talking amongst themselves once more. What felt like ages passed before Colm called her name, gesturing for her to join them. Unfortunately, in all her skirts, she couldn’t kick her leg off and balance her weight in just one stirrup. Before she could untangle her foot from her skirt, she felt warm hands span her waist to help her down.
“Thanks,” she said breathlessly looking up into his eyes. He didn’t respond. Instead he took her hand and pulled her along toward the other two men.
“Piper, you’ve family here.”
“My parents? They’re here?” Piper craned her neck to peer inside.
“Nay, love, as I said, your parents are dead.”
The man stepped closer, and Colm continued, “But you’ve a brother.”
“I have a brother?” Piper parroted, her eyes never leaving the man.
“Your hair is fair.” The man reached out and fingered a strand of her sun-bleached hair.
“I spend a lot of time in the sun.” Piper was dumbfounded. Not just at her new brother, but at the inane conversation they were having. Maybe he was just as shocked as she? It was the man from that day by the waterfall, Donald Grant’s captain.
“You look like
Mother.”
“How is this possible?” her voice broke, as she raised watery eyes to Colm. He had been her one steady thing throughout all of this, so it seemed only natural she’d ask him.
The other man answered her, “Our parents were killed by Donald Grant, but I had been sent to foster with the clan MacRae. I didna even ken I had a sister until it was too late. I received a letter from our mother, with the news of your birth, but shortly after that letter arrived, the very same afternoon, a man from our keep appeared, his horse near death, and the messenger barely staying in the saddle. He brought another missive, a bloodstained letter in which our mother wrote that I was to tell no one of your existence. She had made a bargain with Grissall to ensure your safety, but she wanted no mention of you a’tall.”
“Why?”
“I think it was to protect you. If no one kens of another child, no one looks for another child. Donald’s men searched for me for years before the MacRae chief came up with an idea to fool them. Grant thinks me dead, and never imagined I’d come back a full-grown man, invading his keep from the inside out. I’ve been making allies amongst the Grants. They fear him, as he’s a cruel laird, and I’ve a goodly amount of men who will support a new laird.” He paused, before stating, “They would support me.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, the rivulets gathering at her chin and dripping off, she asked him, “What’s your name?”
“Ian Alexander Grant, named for our father. You are called Piper?”
“Yes, I was named by my adoptive parents, but it’s really odd that they had the same last name as,” she choked, “our parents.”
“Our mother had named you Aileas.”
“Alice?” Piper asked softly. “This is so strange. I don’t know if I truly believed I was from this time before now, but there really isn’t another explanation, is there?” She took a deep breath, and wiped her cheeks on her sleeve. “I don’t know if I can go by Alice, but I don’t have a middle name.”
“You’re sayin’ it wrong. ‘Tis Aileas, with aye,” her brother was telling her.
Highland Games Page 6
