"Laurent can this not wait?"
Jamie heard the soft voice of a woman, probably his betrothed, and wondered what would she look like now, as the vision of the precocious child he had known rose in his mind.
"Laird Jamie MacQueen of the Clan MacQueen, my Lord," he vaguely heard Henri announce him and stepped forward.
Jamie stood framed in the doorway. He wore the formal dress of a Highland Chief. A kilt in the MacQueen plaid, of red, black and gold, with a cropped black velvet jacket, and a silk shirt with lace at the collar and cuffs.
Brilliant light streamed past him, making it difficult to see into the much darker room. Suddenly, he became nervous and shifted his weight from one foot to the next. Had Laurent become a stranger after so many years? He prayed that they were both the same men they had been in America.
Jamie wondered about his betrothed. A woman sat at the table but he could not see her clearly. Would she be the dragon lady that Alec suggested?
Squinting, he glanced around, until his eyes grew accustomed to the dim room. He walked forward to take Laurent’s outstretched hand and soon found himself in a bear hug. Suddenly his fears disappeared as Laurent’s laughter rang out loudly.
"It has been far too long!"
Jamie pulled away and slapped his friend on the back, "I cannot believe it! You have not changed."
"What a liar you are, Jamie! It is above seven years," Laurent smiled.
"Story teller or no, it is good to see you!" Jamie laughed. Curiosity became nearly unbearable as he glanced over Laurent’s shoulder. He stood completely still and the smile left his face.
"Red-gold hair?" he thought. The woman had her back toward them. She remained seated, politely waiting until they finished their reunion for her introduction. He smiled. Your imagination is running wild, Jamie boy.
He moved around Laurent, "So this must be Nicolette." She stood, then turned toward him. Stunned, his breath caught in his throat.
"I thought your friend an American, but..." Her eyes suddenly widened in surprise.
Jamie felt heat ripple through him as a wild rush of emotions surged. First, anger, then incredibly a spiraling hunger and a tightening low in his groin as desire rekindled.
His gaze moved from her perfect rose bud lips, then lower to note the rise and fall of her breasts, slowly returning to her mouth where he found her full lower lip caught between small, perfect teeth.
Sparkling emerald eyes greeted him when he glanced back. Hair, an entrancing fiery color, now fell in long, stylish ringlets down her back. Her beauty was astonishing.
"Goddess!" he whispered.
She gasped and Jamie smiled at her surprise. His gaze slowly, deliberately, moved over her, then returned to the sparkling fire of her eyes.
She wore a dark green, linen day gown with a high square neckline, trimmed in the finest lace. The frock only enhanced the delicious curves he knew to be there.
He found his memory of their morning meeting far too vivid and he smiled. Her beauty tempted him now, just as it had at the lake. A familiar flicker of desire touched him, taking him by surprise, and as he straightened his body instinctively hardened. He watched her eyes then pointedly rubbed the knot at the back of his head. Retribution was all he could think of as he rode here. He wanted to shake her, to punish her, to...
His mind drifted as his gaze lowered again to her lips. God’s teeth, it was not vengeance he craved! He wanted to caress her softness and hold her in his arms once more. Jamie shook his head and forced himself back to reality.
"Surprised to see me, my dear?" his voice betrayed nothing. He found some satisfaction as he watched one hand nervously twist a napkin, then move to clutch at her throat. Her face turned ashen, and she looked as though she might faint as she held onto the back of a chair.
Jamie laughed at the dramatic effect, "Apparently she’s quite overwhelmed."
Laurent’s worried voice broke the spell, "Chere, are you ill?"
"Nicolette does seem distressed," Jamie watched her fiery emerald gaze turn to ice. She stood rigidly, refusing to turn and flee as another woman might have done. Impressed with her bravado, he gave an almost imperceptible nod of respect. "Tell us my dear, is anything wrong, has something...upset you?"
Her voice wobbled, "No, It is nothing. I am fine, simply a little surprised." She took a deep breath, "I thought your friend would be an American, instead he’s a Scot. He is not what I expected. Perhaps I should go to my room and leave you two alone."
Laurent shook his head, "No!" His curious gaze shifted to Jamie.
"Nicolette, your reaction is quite astonishing. You appear stunned. I thought you would remember him, you have met before."
Delighted with the turn of events Jamie chuckled, "I believe Nicolette has just gotten the surprise of her life."
He noted that Laurent glanced from him, to Nicolette, then back again. Obviously, his friend’s curiosity grew with each passing moment.
Jamie smiled lazily, savoring the satisfaction of this one small measure of punishment for her earlier defiance. He willed her not to speak of their morning meeting since it would ruin his amusing game. He winked at Laurent, took a few steps forward then wrapped his hand around Nicolette’s upper arm.
Unexpectedly, lightning shot through him as the touch of her soft skin jolted him with desire. Involuntarily his hold tightened. He took a deep ragged breath, fought to regain control, and forced himself to relax. He glanced at Laurent and noted his confusion, then attempted to divert his friend’s attention.
"Perhaps a formal introduction would be best. It has been some time since we’ve seen each other, perhaps Nicolette no longer remembers me," he nearly laughed as he heard her small gasp.
"Splendid. Chere, this is my closest friend, Laird Jamie MacQueen, and Jamie this is Nicolette."
Laurent laughed nervously, "Do you not recall his visit?"
He watched as Nicolette looked into her brother’s eyes, her head shook back and forth, with eyes wide and curls bouncing. Then Jamie laughed, the rich vibrant sound ringing clearly across the room. Perhaps retribution would be sweet!
He bowed over her hand and kissed her fingertips. As he rose, he turned his head so that Laurent would not hear and whispered, "So, I find you sweet siren, even without your name." He noted her wildly racing pulse at the base of her ivory throat.
"No!" she murmured.
"No? Do you deny our meeting, Goddess?" he whispered.
Her gaze moved to Laurent and her eyes grew large when she realized his curiosity. She glanced back and Jamie noted the very moment that her shock became fury. Her sparkling eyes turned to emerald fire and her cheeks turned bright peach. She dared him to mention their morning meeting and for a moment he was tempted. Instead, he smiled. The spitfire looked ready for battle once more.
He lowered his gaze to her lips and whispered, "this time, my lady, I will be the victor."
Nicolette took a step forward grinding her heel into Jamie’s foot. The action concealed by her full skirts. "Indeed? As you were this morning?" she whispered, then looked up and smiled sweetly.
She turned away, "You must forgive me, it is difficult to remember such an insignificant event as our meeting."
Jamie chuckled, pulling her back to him, "Laurent, we cannot expect her to recall my visit. It is not as if we met only this morning." He looked into the emerald fire then whispered again, "What a short memory you have, Goddess."
She tossed her head defiantly, then tried to pull away, but Jamie kept a firm hold. He ran his thumb along the inside of her arm in a daring caress, and she immediately stopped moving.
He looked down into the glittering emerald depths and smiled again. For a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of something more, perhaps a memory of their morning passion.
Jamie’s grip tightened involuntarily and Nicolette winced. "Please, forgive me," he whispered, as he remembered their first kiss and knew a moment of regret. Strangely, he did not wish to cause her pain again.
&
nbsp; "Don’t let me interrupt your luncheon. One needs a healthy meal after a vigorous morning." He seated her, and whispered, "Is that passion I see in your eyes, siren?"
Laurent smiled, "Nicolette loves to ride but she can be far too vigorous in her efforts."
"Indeed, she does look flushed, perhaps this morning was more exciting than she expected."
Laurent gave him another puzzled look.
"I do recall that she loved her morning outings. Indeed, I can honestly say that I remember everything about her. Vividly," he laughed.
Nicolette flushed from the tip of her hair to the top of her bodice.
"You do not expect me to believe that, do you? It’s been so long." Laurent grinned. "Please Jamie, join us." With a flourish, he indicated that Jamie be seated across from Nicolette.
Jamie enjoyed a very pleasant conversation with his friend, but his gaze rarely left hers. He had an urge to drag her back to the lake and finish their morning encounter to his satisfaction.
Indeed, he found himself so distracted that he had difficulty following the conversation. Inevitably, Nicolette would catch his attention, and his gaze would drift back to her. He found his siren. She was equally as intriguing and desirable, as she had been when she rose from the lake in the early morning dawn.
"My betrothed," he whispered and smiled at the wonder he felt at the words. What would their future bring? Would it be a life filled with battles, followed by nights of searing, passionate surrender? Flames nearly consumed him as he imagined the methods he might use to persuade her to forgive him.
Jamie glanced up to find her gaze had not left him. The mesmerizing emerald orbs seemed to probe the very depths of his soul, almost as if she were reading his every thought.
All to soon Laurent stood, breaking into his reverie. "Nicolette, please remain available today. I will send word for you to join Jamie and myself in the library later. I have something quite important to discuss."
Jamie stood and followed. He glanced back then smiled at the look of concern he saw on Nicolette’s face.
"Laurent, I’ll join you in a moment," he returned to the room, stood behind her chair, bowing until his lips were near her ear. A ringlet shifted from her shoulder and his fingers slipped beneath it to caress the creamy white velvet of her skin.
He kissed her ear lobe with the merest butterfly touch. In a very deep, quiet voice, Jamie spoke, "Do you fear me, Mademoiselle Goddess? You should for I do exact payment for wrongs given."
"You think I am afraid of you?" Nicolette threw the napkin to the table as he walked toward the door. "How dare you follow me into my home and threaten me. It is I who have been wronged."
Jamie only laughed.
"Voyeur!"
He turned, then crossed his arms, and braced his legs wide. Though he attempted a solemn demeanor, a smile tugged at his lips, "I give no quarter, beg if you will. Yet, it will make no difference for you shall pay for this mornings folly."
A delicate china teacup came flying toward him and Jamie gracefully stepped aside. The evidence of her fury smashed against the doorjamb.
"Vixen," he laughed.
Nicolette jumped to her feet, then threw a plate and a goblet. He avoided them just as deftly as he had the cup.
"Zut!" She stomped her foot then reached for a dish filled with cream, but stopped suddenly when she heard glass crunching underfoot.
"Leave the room," Jamie roared. The command was harsh and unmistakable as he looked at the servants.
When she looked up, they were alone. She noted the blue fire in his eyes and gasped.
When he spoke his voice was a menacing whisper, "Have I not warned you? Do not awaken my sleeping demons."
Her eyes widened and instinctively she took a step backward. Her gaze locked with his. She felt herself transported to the moment at the lake when she had felt the same mesmerizing touch of the blazing, hypnotic blue orbs.
A feeling of danger swept through her as he slowly approached. Step by threatening step, the predator stalked his prey. He moved with the grace of a cat. Slowly, stealthy, each step measured, until he was nearly upon her.
She refused to move until his thighs brushed her skirt. When he once more stepped forward, she was forced to retreat, until she was pressed into the corner between the fireplace and the wall. His hands moved to either side of her shoulders and he leaned forward until she was held firmly in place.
Heat rushed through her and she stammered, "Monsieur, this is not acceptable. What do you think we are doing? Laurent will not like this! This is not the lake, I am not alone here."
"Nay Lass, but it matters not."
His hand moved to the top her shoulders, gently caressing her.
"Do not touch me!" Nicolette began to tremble and pushed against him.
It had little effect. He moved even closer, his thighs on either side, pushing her to the corner until she could barely move. She looked up and found his gaze on her mouth.
One hand moved to her cheek and traced her lips with his thumb. His other hand moved slowly to circle her waist. He roughly pulled her up against him until her feet no longer touched the floor.
The blue depths of his eyes seemed to flame with passion as his gaze searched hers. He glanced at her lips again, and she felt the butterflies deep within, just as in the early dawn and the desire to have just one more kiss overwhelmed her.
"I must taste you." His deep husky voice sent a shiver racing down her spine as his lips descended to hers. His strong, firm body forced her against the wall, his thighs brushing against hers intimately, and Nicolette felt something she could not explain pour through her veins with a power and intensity that she could not control.
Forbidden pleasure began to descend, chills raced across her arms. As he moved against her, Nicolette realized the danger yet reveled in the joy of his touch. His lips felt so firm yet so soft. She returned his kiss, as a lifetime of longing urged her forth. His tongue slipped into her mouth, and she opened for him, the different textures driving her wild with excitement.
His hands moved to her hips pulling her hard against him, moving until the pleasure seemed to burst within her. One hand moved from her hip, moving slowly up her arm, then his thumb moved to caress her breast, and a tremor of pleasure rippled through her.
Jamie abruptly pulled away, moving slowly back when he felt her shiver. He noted the desire he found in her eyes, watching it change to confusion.
He took a deep breath and once more placed his hands against the wall. He took another ragged breath. He had to stop now or there was no going back. He had never experienced such raw, untamed desire. He nearly lost control. He shook his head. What was it that drove him to near madness when he touched her? He had not intended this, but it had happened, almost as if he were enchanted. The siren called him and he came.
He could not take his gaze from her full, moist lips, but he forced himself to move. God, how he wanted her, but he backed away leaving her shaking against the fireplace.
He smiled, immensely pleased with her reaction. Her eyes were the color of the sea in the summer, almost a blue-green. Beautiful eyes, blue-green eyes! Was this the color of passion for the fiery Goddess of the Dawn?
He turned and casually walked to the doorway, stepping carefully over the broken glass.
"What a little barbarian you can be, my beauty," he laughed then rubbed his goose egg at the back of his head once more. "And such a passionate one at that! I have found you Goddess and by all that’s righteous, I will have my just due."
He turned away and heard two more plates hit the doorway. Delighted, his laughter echoed in the hall.
~ * ~
Welcoming warmth emanated from a low burning fire in the gray marble fireplace in the library. Thick cream and burgundy Aubussan carpets softened his steps on the marble floor. Gold damask, overstuffed chairs filled the space.
Wandering around the outer walls, he reverently pulled one volume from the bookshelf. "You have so many titles! My mother loved bo
oks. She would have thought this heaven."
"Jamie, you have never spoken of her. Why?"
For a moment he considered not answering. The lingering thought of her desertion could still sting, "I suppose it is time to let those memories go." His voice was little more than a whisper as he paced, "She disappeared. One day she left us without word. I was not yet sixteen, and it was only a few months before I left for the Colonies."
There was complete silence, "They said she ran away with an Englishman, but I never believed them. To this day I do not understand what could have happened," Jamie’s shrugged. "But that is the past. I came here not to dredge up old memories but to create new ones. Today, we celebrate our reunion."
"Of course," Laurent smiled. "Friendship is the true treasure of life, next to a willing woman of course."
Jamie walked over and put his hand on Laurent’s shoulder. Nine years had passed, but time seemed to disappear. Suddenly Jamie felt young again and he smiled. Then grew serious, "There is a problem. I felt it when I read your letter, and now I see the worry in your eyes."
"Thank God you are here! There is no one on earth that I trust as implicitly," Laurent walked to the fireplace. "I need your help. Do you remember your promise?"
Jamie grinned, "Indeed. I offer everything that is within my power to give. I do so not because you saved my life, but because you are truly my brother," he noted the relief on his friend’s face.
"I trust you with my life, but I ask you for something far more important. Take care of Nicolette, protect her, and someday I hope, love her. Honor me with this marriage to my sister."
Jamie felt as if the breath had left his body. He had thought himself completely resigned to this commitment, yet concern lingered, "You knew I would honor my oath, but why would you wish such a thing? Nicolette is a young girl."
Laurent shook his head, "You have seen her. Do you truly believe her too young? No, my friend, she is a beautiful young woman. There is much more to this request, but for now you must trust me." He walked to the long window overlooking the estate, "Do you recall your first meeting with my Chere?"
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