Maggie’s frown deepened. “You truly don’t recall saving my life?”
As he toyed with the delicate, soft skin, Braden searched his memory, but for his life, he couldn’t remember ever saving her from anything except one of her brothers, and none of them would ever have truly hurt her. “Nay.”
“I was but seven when you came to my rescue.”
“I would have been ten.”
“Aye. My father had gone to the castle to deliver wool. Ian and I were supposed to stay in the wagon, but I snuck his toy horse from his side and when he realized what I had done, he started after me.”
Braden smiled as he finally recalled the event. The two of them had been quite a sight. “You were running through the great hall, screaming for help.”
“Aye, and I thought he was going to kill me for sure.”
“You ran straight into me and sent us careening into my mother’s best tapestry.”
They both cringed at that part of the memory.
Maggie bit her lip. “She wasn’t overly angry, was she?”
His mother’s wrath had been immeasurable, and she had given him quite a thrashing over it. Why, even to this day, she brought it up every time he displeased her.
Braden started to make a quip about it, but then caught the look of concern and guilt in Maggie’s eyes. And for some reason he couldn’t fathom, he wanted to soothe her. “Nay, she wasn’t overly angry.”
Relief settled across her face. “I’m still sorry I kicked you while I was trying to get up. But you know what I remember most?”
This time, he couldn’t resist teasing her. “The knee to my groin you gave me when you sat up?”
She flushed and bent her head down.
Braden ran his hand through her hair, caressing the shiny locks.
“Nay,” she said. “It was after my father had scolded us and returned us to the wagon. I felt so terrible, and then all of a sudden there you were with your painted horse.”
“Connor,” Braden added, remembering the toys his uncle had carved for him. He’d loved those horses. But the dark brown stallion he had given her had been his favorite. To this day, he didn’t know what had possessed him to give it up to her.
It had been another impulsive act his mother had taken him to task over.
Still, he recalled the happiness he’d seen on her tear-streaked face as she had cradled the tiny horse to her chest. “You looked as if I had just given you a king’s treasure.”
“You had,” she said softly. And in that instant Braden felt in his chest a very strange tenderness toward her. One he couldn’t define.
Never had he felt anything like it.
And when the edges of her lips turned up ever so slightly, it was as if lightning struck him.
“I still have it.”
Her confession amazed him. He would have thought she’d have tossed it out years ago. “Do you?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
She shrugged sheepishly. “It was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me,” she said. “I couldn’t believe you gave me such a valuable gift.”
It touched him that even at so young an age, she had known the true value of the horse. Then again, Maggie had always been wiser, more insightful than most girls her age.
“Well, I felt badly for the way your father shouted at you. It wasn’t your fault.”
“Nay,” she said, her eyes dancing as she wrinkled her nose. “’Twas Ian’s for wanting to kill me.”
Laughing, Braden stared in wonder of her as foreign emotions swept through him. She was so different from most women he’d known. So giving and kind, yet fierce and independent.
“We’ve known each other a long time, haven’t we?” Braden asked.
“Aye, we have.”
“It’s strange where life takes us,” he said, thinking aloud. “I remember the first time I ever saw you. You had just started walking. Your head was as bald as it could be and you had the biggest eyes I’d ever seen.”
“Far from a flattering image.”
“True,” he said as he traced the outline of her cheek with his forefinger. “But for a baby, you were passable enough.”
Too easily, he could recall the day he’d first seen her pulling herself up to stand by his side. She’d looked up at him with a big, sweet grin that had warmed his heart. She had cooed at him, then laid her head down on his knee. At first he had ahhed the gesture until she had laughed, then bitten a piece from his thigh.
He had yelped, and she had cried, and his leg had worn that bruise for days. After the experience, he had approached wee bairns with much more caution.
“Is that all you remember?” she asked him.
“Nay,” he said, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “I remember the way you laughed at me. You had such a happy laugh and most every time I went to your cottage you had a smile on your face. Until your mother died.”
Maggie nodded, her eyes turning sad at the memory. “My da expected me to care for the boys.”
He hated to see her sad. For some reason, it made his own heart ache and so he decided to lighten the conversation. “Aye, and from that day on, you were always so serious. Especially on the days when you were trying to kill me.”
Maggie dropped her jaw at his words, offended that he would think such a thing. “I never tried to kill you.”
“What about the night you set my bed on fire?”
“I never…” Maggie’s voice trailed off as she recalled the event. It had been the night she had snuck into Anghus’s room to see Braden sleeping.
What she had never expected to see was him lying spread out on the bed with no shirt. The covers had been pushed all the way down to his waist, where they gathered just below the tiny hairs that ran below his navel. He’d held on to the covers with one clenched fist, while his other arm had been curved above his head.
To this day, she remembered the sight of his tawny, flawless chest gleaming in the candlelight, rising and falling with his deep even breaths.
So intent on him, she had forgotten the candle in her hand. One minute she had been admiring him, and in the next the candle had slipped from her hand and set fire to his mattress.
She had tried to stamp it out, but it had spread quickly. Braden had jerked awake an instant before she grabbed the pail of wash water from the floor and doused the fire, and him with it.
He had come up sputtering, his brow puzzled as he glared at her.
To this day, she was mortified by the event.
“It was an accident,” she told him.
“’Tis glad I am to know you weren’t really trying to kill me.”
Maggie diverted her gaze to her feet. Oh, the things she had done to him over the years. All in all, it was amazing he still spoke to her.
“You know, Maggie, I never noticed before just how beautiful you are.”
She looked up at him doubtfully. “You’re only saying that because I’m the only woman you’ve been around for the last two days.”
“I’m saying it because I know it.”
How she wished she could believe that. But she knew the rogue too well. His heart only belonged to his lady of the moment.
So, then, be his lady of the moment, her heart whispered. ’Tis better than never having him at all.
If only it were that easy. As much as it hurt for her to see him pursue other women now, she couldn’t imagine how much worse it would be to give herself to him and then watch him leave her behind.
Her heart couldn’t take such a thing.
Maggie reached up and touched his face. “I wish I could believe it, but you’ve said it yourself many times. You were put on this earth to love women. Notice that is plural and not singular.”
“Is that what it would take to win you?”
“Aye. I want a man who will never stray from my side.”
“You ask a lot.”
“Too much, I’ve been told by my brothers.”
“And so you’re content to grow old
alone?”
Maggie watched the way the light danced in his eyes, entranced by it. “I’ll hardly be alone. My brothers have enough children to keep me occupied.”
He frowned at her. “Do you not want your own?”
“More than anything. But I don’t need a husband for that, now, do I?”
The shocked look on his face made her laugh. “I dinna hear what I think I did.”
“You misunderstood me,” she added quickly. “There are children aplenty with no one to love them. Your brother was one. When I am ready, I am quite certain I’ll be able to find a child who needs a mother’s love.”
Braden shook his head. “Do you depend on anyone for anything?”
“Do you?”
“That is different. I am a man. It would be remiss of me if I depended on others.”
“And it would be remiss of me to burden another for my welfare. I have always stood on my own, and I will continue to do so.”
Braden stared aghast at her. “You’re a strange lass, Maggie ingen Blar.”
“You forget headstrong and unreasonable.”
“That had to come from Anghus.”
“Actually, it comes from your brother Lochlan most recently. But also from anyone who has ever had to deal with me.”
He laughed.
Before he could speak, Sin stepped out of the woods in front of them. “There’s a small clearing a bit farther ahead, if you’re interested. I’m going after dinner now.”
“You need any help?” Braden asked.
Sin shook his head. “You’d best stay with Maggie in case one of our friends returns.”
“Good idea.”
Braden picked up their packs from the damp peat and handed Maggie hers before he started off in the direction Sin had indicated. “Let’s go find our camp.”
Maggie stared at his back as they walked, longing for the impossible. Too easily, she could imagine having such a kind and wonderful man to call hers. If only he could be trusted with her heart.
But she knew better. And she had cried enough tears over him. She would content herself with his friendship and try to protect her heart as best she could.
When they found the place where Sin had left his pack, Braden made a small fire.
Maggie sat down and took her pack off her arm. She groaned a bit at the ache in her shoulder from the weight of it.
“Here,” Braden said, kneeling behind her. “Let me help.”
Before she could protest, he placed his warm hands on her shoulders and gently massaged her aching muscles.
Och now, that felt good. Really, really good.
Closing her eyes, Maggie enjoyed the sensation of his hands sliding along her collarbone and upper arm, where his hands clenched and unclenched in a soothing, seductive rhythm. His touch was both light yet firm, hot and masterful. And when he pressed his thumbs beneath her shoulder blade and wiggled them about, she gave an involuntary moan.
Oh, his firm, hot touch was heaven, pure and complete heaven.
He leaned so close to her that she could smell the raw, earthy scent of him. Could smell the elderberries in his hair.
“Better?” he asked, his voice thick and deep.
“Aye,” she breathed, her body melting.
Braden reached his right hand around her and gently cupped her face in his hand, angling her chin until she looked up at him. Maggie stared in awe of his handsomeness. At those beautiful greenish brown eyes darkening as he watched her expectantly.
And then he kissed her.
Maggie moaned at the contact of his lips on hers as molten heat tore through her, pooling itself at the center of her body, where it throbbed and ached in a primal need she barely understood. Braden’s touch was both gentle and demanding. Fierce yet tender.
Maggie wanted him closer. Needed him closer.
She wrapped her arms about him and Braden willingly obliged her unspoken request, moving his body until nothing but clothing separated them.
He left her lips to trail slow, scorching kisses over her cheek to her neck, where he teased her flesh with his tongue. Maggie hissed at the sensation as chills spread all through her. She reeled from the feelings inside her that coalesced into something indescribable. And it was Braden, her Braden, who was making her feel this way.
Her breasts swelled and ached as the deep, painful throb became even more demanding than before.
In that instant, she wanted him. Wanted him as she always had.
How many nights had she lain awake, clutching her pillow to her, pretending it was Braden she held?
Not even her best dream could compare to this reality. She was really here and Braden was finally holding her in a true lover’s embrace.
He loosened the laces of her shirt, then buried his lips against the column of her throat as he worked on the piece of linen she had binding her breasts down tightly to her chest.
Her body on fire, Maggie swallowed as she ran her hands through the black silken strands of his hair.
Braden pushed the linen down and she shook as the cool air caressed her hot skin.
“So very sweet,” he breathed, moving his right hand lower, and lower until he seized her taut breast.
She cried out in pleasure as he teased the tip, then parted her tunic so that he could replace his hand with his hot, sleek mouth.
Maggie knew she should push him away, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not after all the years she had dreamed of having him, of holding him just like this.
In fact, she could say nothing at all, only feel. Feel his breath scorching her, feel his hand and lips teasing her flesh as his delectable weight pressed her down.
Braden inhaled the sweet floral scent of her as he teased her taut nipple with his tongue. His head dizzy, he could think of nothing save her. She filled him with need and wonder, with a strange peaceful feeling that defied his ability to name.
And he wanted to taste more of her.
Pushing back the saffron shirt, he licked his way toward her other breast and thought of other places he intended to taste before he was through with her.
Aye, she would be branded on all his senses before the day was through, and he would claim her as no man had ever claimed her before.
And take her in more ways than she could imagine. He wouldn’t stop until she was weak from his touch, drained and spent in his arms.
Only then would he have mercy on her. And on himself.
Maggie sighed in pleasure as he ran his hand down between their bodies. It was so incredible, she thought, amazed by the sensations flooding her.
She felt consumed by fire. His hand skimmed over the curve of her hip to touch the flesh of her thigh. Instinctively, she arched her body toward his hand, as she delighted in the feel of his skin against hers.
She wanted more. Needed more.
He returned to claim her lips with his own.
Maggie buried her hands in his hair while his hand moved to her inner thigh, skimming up higher and higher until he touched the delicious ache between her legs.
She jerked in surprise as he touched her where no one had ever touched her before.
Was he supposed to do that?
And yet it felt so deliciously wonderful.
His tongue toyed with her mouth, matching the rhythm of his fingers as they slid around the center of her body, teasing her, stroking her until she was ready to scream.
And then suddenly she felt him deftly slide a finger inside her body. She moaned deep in her throat as she instinctively lifted her hips to draw his hand in deeper.
Never in her life had she felt the like. Clenching her teeth, she bucked her hips against his hand, wanting more. Craving more.
Braden wanted to roar in triumph. He had her right where he wanted her and she was his for the asking.
Deepening his kiss, he continued to toy mercilessly with the tiny nub of her, taking delight in her pleasurable moans.
She was so hot and slick and tight, just waiting for him to fill her to
capacity. And he would.
Aye, he would fill her deep and hard, and have her screaming out in release, begging him for more until they were both covered with sweat and thoroughly spent.
Kissing her, he circled her once with his thumb, then plunged it deep inside her.
“Please, Braden,” she moaned.
And in that miserable, awful instant, reality came crashing down upon him as he felt her maidenhead with his finger.
She was a virgin. And until he had come along, she had been completely untouched.
Against his will, he saw himself for the first time through her eyes. A wandering rogue with no thought of anyone save himself.
He had seduced her to this. And come the morning, she would feel used by him.
She would hate him.
Or worse, she would hate herself.
His painfully aroused body begged for hers, but he couldn’t take her. Not like this. Not out in the woods like some hoary beast with no regard for her or her feelings. She was a maiden and she deserved a better first time than this.
She deserved…
She deserved to be taken by a man who loved her.
Damn it to hell! he roared at himself.
And damn her for giving him a conscience.
Infuriated at both of them, Braden forced himself to pull away.
She looked up at him with a frown.
“I’m sorry, Maggie,” he breathed. “I forgot myself.”
And then he saw the shame in her gaze.
Worse, tears filled her eyes as she pushed herself to her feet. Without a word, she took off running through the woods.
Braden went after her, catching her before she ran too far ahead.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I canna believe I let you do that,” she said. “I’m not a whore, to—”
He silenced her words with one finger over her lips. “Nay, you are not a whore. If you were, I wouldn’t have stopped.”
Her frown deepened.
“There is nothing wrong with what we did,” he said quietly. “You are a woman full grown and it was wrong of me to take advantage of you. If you want to hate someone for what just happened, then hate me. But never hate yourself.”
Confusion and pain mixed on her face as she studied him. “Why did you do it?”
“Because I want you,” he said, his voice breaking with need and emotion. “Even now my body craves yours in a way that is most painful.”
Claiming the Highlander Page 14
