Exasperation grew when he raised both brows and gave her an incredulous look. "You seriously expected me to sit back at the inn and wait patiently for whatever your clan planned to do with my sister?" He shook his head, "The only reason it took me this long is because it was almost impossible to get information as to where this keep is located from the people. It was only by accident that we stumbled upon it.”
Screams sounded, along with items crashing, and Jamie went toward the doorway. "Where is my sister?"
Somehow Cailyn hoped to delay a meeting between the men upstairs and Jamie. At the moment, neither of her brothers were of a mind to attend to Jamie. She shuddered to think what would happen if he burst in and demanded to take his sister back to England.
"She's not involved in what is happening," Cailyn held both hands out against his chest. "My brothers are having a disagreement."
Although poised to rush out, he peered down at her with ill-concealed want. "I have thought about you and our time together."
Heat rushed to her face and Cailyn took a breath. "So have I."
He drew her against his muscled chest. "I thought about your kisses." Strong arms surrounded her, and Cailyn held her mouth up for him to take. When his lips fell on hers, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Soft, yet firm, his mouth traveled over hers and her blood began to pump harder. His tongue probed at her lips and she parted them. Both began the lover's dance, tongues twisting, palms sliding over each other's body, while moving in circles in an attempt to sway into the natural rhythm of their heartbeats.
Jamie raised his head and peered down at her, a slight curve to his lips. "I've come for Victoria. I must take my sister back to England, as I am prepared to depart as soon as I return to port."
A louder crash sounded, followed by Victoria's clear voice. "Stop this instant, you are going to kill each other."
"Torrie?" Jamie rounded Cailyn and rushed from the room, with her on his heels.
He sprinted up the stairs and stopped abruptly at the scene inside the sitting room. Furniture laid askew, drapery torn. The room was in shambles, thanks to the two panting men who were now sprawled on the floor side-by-side, each with a woman sitting on their heaving chests.
The large man who'd accompanied Cailyn to the village remained by the window with his arms crossed, his scowl moved from the floor to Jamie. "What are you doing here Captain Westcott?"
Victoria looked up expectantly. "Jamie, I thought you were going to wait at port for me to come to you." She pushed her disheveled hair away from her face and smiled up at him. Her smile disappeared upon realizing the scene he'd walked upon. "The brothers were fighting, I think they've finally tired out," she told him, as if it were an everyday occurrence.
At Jamie's lack of response, Victoria scrambled to her feet, and so did the man on whose chest she'd sat got up with her. She dashed over and hugged her brother.
Over his sister's head, Jamie glanced at Cailyn. The man who remained on the floor cleared his throat and pinned her with a hard stare.
The same man took the woman who sat on him by the waist and hoisted her off. He then came to his feet, wiping blood from his cut lip with the back of his hand. "Captain Westcott, I presume. I am Calum McDougall, the Laird." He met Jamie's questioning stare with indifference. "It seems I am forced to welcome you to Somerset Keep as a member of the family. My brother Conor and Victoria were married last night."
"What?" Jamie looked from the laird to Victoria, who moved back to stand next to whom he assumed was her husband. The large male placed a possessive hand on her back.
"What do you think you're doing? Unhand my sister." He glared at the McDougall, who now stood with an arm possessively around Victoria’s waist.
"I will do as I please, she is my wife."
Jamie flew at the Scot with a loud growl and fists swinging. Punches continued one and then another a shrill whistle startled them to stop.
Winded and barely able to stand Jamie grabbed Conor’s tunic and let out a low growl. The Scot had not fought back as he could have, he’d held back.
Dugan gave the men a bored look. "I believe the laird wishes to speak to you both."
Jamie released his grip of Conor's tunic and lowered his arms.
"Very well," Conor replied, motioning for Jamie to exit before him. Jamie snorted his displeasure and moved ahead.
He needed to speak to Victoria alone. Although a spitfire like their mother, she'd never been impulsive or rash about important decisions.
The women remained in the tattered room, none of them knowing what to do about the situation.
"This is all my fault." Victoria paced the now-destroyed sitting room while the others picked up broken items only to put them back down again. "Jamie was so angry."
Victoria blew out a breath. "What a mess."
Cailyn nodded in agreement. "Calum is as angry, if not more. Nonetheless, there isn't much can be done about it now. You are married to Conor, and both of them will have to accept it."
Victoria went to the doorway and scowled toward the stairway. "It’s been nearly an hour. What can they possibly be discussing for so long?"
"Well, for starters, I have not heard any crashing so that is a good sign. I imagine they talk of your money. Decisions have to be made about your estate in England and such," Cailyn replied. "There is much they have to agree upon, which I assume with those three, it is like enticing a boar out of a thicket and onto a platter."
"You are right." Victoria sat and sighed. "What of you and Jamie? What transpired between you? I noticed he struggles to keep his eyes off you."
"I am sure it is your imagination." Cailyn flushed and stood. "I will go see about the evening meal."
Chapter 15
That night Jamie lay on the large bed and stared up at the ceiling. Things had definitely not gone as he'd planned. Victoria married to a McDougall, of all things. He never expected to find his sister married to the man responsible for her late husband's murder. Although he had to admit she seemed happier than when married to Turner.
He'd stay a couple of days to ensure Victoria's estate was safe from the Scots. He'd sent a messenger, escorted by a McDougall to let his men back at the village know of his delay. His ships and crew awaited, they would not remain too much longer. With the still tenuous peace between the countries, the Scots were not keen on his ships remaining off shore.
The most imperative thing for him to do was to avoid time alone with Cailyn. She was a distraction he couldn't afford.
"Ah but what a tempting diversion she was”, Jamie thought.
The plan had been to collect his sister and return to port immediately. Instead, now he'd agreed to spend two additional days at Somerset so they could come to an agreement over Victoria's assets in England.
Conor McDougall her new husband, seemed to be a man of honor; as he'd requested Jamie remain the sole administrator of Victoria's fortune. The Scot vowed his sister would not want for anything. The couple planned to relocate to his nearby keep soon.
That day at seeing Cailyn again, he immediately lost all his resolve. When the beauty rushed to him, he...Captain Westcott, the infamous Red Pirate, felt a fluttering in his gut. She was definitely dangerous and had to be kept at a distance.
All throughout the evening meal he'd been able to maintain a conversation with the laird, Victoria and Conor. Barely any words were exchanged between him and Cailyn. Although he had to admit, his gaze did constantly go to her.
Breathtaking in a deep blue gown, her matching cobalt eyes, that met his several times, she'd remained mostly quiet. The exposure of her neck brought by her dark hair pinned up and the low cut of her gown, made him painfully hard. The entire evening, his cock had throbbed uncomfortably against the fabric of his breeches.
Now as he lay alone in the dark, he considered attempting to find her. If only he could have her one last time.
At the thought of her stunning body, his cock throbbed and Jamie slid his palm down past his
stomach to press against his hardened length. It was already proving to be a test of endurance for him.
His door cracked open and Jamie reached for the dirk beneath his pillow and pretended to sleep, watching under his lashes to see who entered.
"Jamie?" Cailyn whispered and took a tentative step inside. "Are you awake?"
If they weren't in her brother's home, he'd have slammed her against the doorway and taken her then and there. Instead, he turned to his side and lifted up to his elbow. "I must ask you again if your intent is to have me killed."
The door closed without sound and she moved closer. When she stepped into a ray of moonlight, Jamie lost his breath. Her sheer gown left very little to his imagination. Soft curves were outlined down to her long, lithe legs. "I …I am not sure why I came, I couldn't sleep knowing you are here."
Jamie could only stare, transfixed.
After a beat of silence, Cailyn shrugged. "Well, I suppose it is best that I return to my chambers. I apologize for having disturbed you."
He bounded from the bed and took her around the waist, his mouth instantly over hers. Even if the price of having her was death, he was powerless to allow her to leave. The temptress returned his kisses, her arms around him pulling at him. Slow and precise, he pressed kisses along her jaw line, down to her throat.
Cailyn moaned and her head fell back, while her hands slid up his back. She drew her fingers through his hair in encouragement. He yanked her nightgown over her shoulders, tossing it to the floor and cupped her breasts with both hands. His lips' descent continued, and he did not stop until he pulled her tight nipple into his mouth eliciting his name from her. "Oh Jamie."
From one to the other, he continued to taste her breasts with eyes closed. He'd memorize each moment for the long, lonely months at sea. Every touch, stroke and kiss would be committed to memory to keep him company in the solitude to come.
"Jamie," she hissed, when he cupped her tight, round ass and ground his stone-hardened cock against her. "I want you."
He continued to kiss her until she clung to his shoulders shaking, and then stepped away to undress.
Seeing her stare at his jetting cock made him harder. "As you can clearly see, I'm very much in need of you as well." Jamie moved to her and picked her up.
As soon as they fell into the bed, he took her mouth again. Cailyn's hips lifted up to grind against him and he fought not to take her. When her nails trailed down his back to grab at his derrière and he bucked forward with the tip of his cock at her entrance.
"Open wider for me," he instructed. Cailyn was too tight for him to chance hurting her. He slipped a finger inside her wet sheath, sliding it in and out while she mewled against his neck.
"Ahhh, you feel so good." Jamie moved down her body, needing to ensure she was fully prepared for him.
Cailyn wanted to scream when Jamie's lips traveled down her body. He lifted her legs to bend them at the knees and pushed them apart leaving her fully exposed to him. More than anything, she wanted him inside her.
Delicious frustration mounted when his tongue traced circular patterns on her inner thighs. Finally, he licked at her core, his tongue fiery against her sensitive flesh. "Oh!" she exclaimed, concentrating on keeping her voice down, which became increasingly difficult when his hot mouth covered her entirely and his tongue began to flick at her throbbing nub. She pushed up into his mouth and began to float.
Again and again, his wicked mouth caressed between her folds until Cailyn lost control and fell into the abyss of stars and darkness, with only enough consciousness to bring some bedding against her mouth to muffle her cries.
From her flat stomach back up to her chest, Jamie pressed kisses and nipped gently at her skin. Cailyn floated back down as he positioned himself between her legs. "I dreamed of having you again, just like this." The sound of his voice fell like a warm blanket over her exposed skin. Her embers fanned at watching his muscles bunch while he pressed himself closer, sliding his cock against the already weeping core. "I need to be inside you Cailyn."
Cailyn reached between them and took him in her hand. His shaft was moistened by her juices, which allowed her hand to slide down the thickness to its base, then back up to the head with ease. "I want you so much, Jamie."
Positioned at her entrance, he pushed in with excruciating slowness. Both of them let out a hearty sigh when he was fully sheathed inside her.
"Take me," Cailyn brought his face down to her and took his mouth, suckling at his full lips. "Hurry, love, I need you so much."
His hips began to move, slowly at first. Then with her urgings, he picked up the pace, sliding in and out faster.
Jamie lifted her hips with both hands and pulled her to the edge of the bed. He stood and positioned her legs up over his shoulders and then drove into her harder. The tempo of his drives became more hurried; his breathing became more of a pant.
Cailyn fought to not lose all control at his delicious assault, wanting to wait and plunge with him.
He released her legs and continued driving so hard the sounds of their bodies colliding rivaled their moans. Cailyn finally surrendered and came with so much force she wept. Jamie thrust into her only twice before he too came, groaning quietly into her throat. With a final jerk, he drew out of her and spilled his seed onto the bedding.
"Lay with me for a bit." He told her climbing onto the bed to lie beside her. They settled, snuggling together under the thick furs.
Cailyn gazed at Jamie's face and he kissed her with soft lips, his eyes already drooping with sleep.
When his breathing became even and a soft snore escaped, Cailyn slid from under the coverings. She tugged her nightgown on and stood by the bed to steal one last look at him, before slipping from his chamber.
Chapter 16
Two days later, dressed for the road, Jamie put down his cup when Victoria came into the drawing room where he'd been waiting. Admittedly, his sister glowed, her face split with a wide smile at spotting him. Victoria's eyes, which he knew matched his, shined bright with unshed tears when she came closer and hugged him.
"Oh, Jamie, must you leave so soon?" She frowned up at him. "Stay for the season. It will be winter soon. You should not be out sailing in such weather. I'll be sad without you here." Her pout made him waiver. His weakness for women, especially his sister, made it hard to keep his resolve.
"I must," he replied, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Besides, it seems your new husband keeps you plenty company."
Victoria laughed and nodded. "Yes, he does. Oh, Jamie, I am in love. For the first time in my life, I am deliriously happy." She beamed up at him, her face flushed. "Conor is an honorable man who treats me well."
"I can see that." Jamie glanced toward the doorway. He needed to leave.
Cowardice or self-perseverance, he wasn't sure which, propelled his departure. He didn't want to run into Cailyn. He'd actually managed to avoid time alone with her since their time together.
"She's not here," Victoria told him with a cocked eyebrow. "I don't know why you don't admit it. You are smitten with Cailyn, and she with you. It's silly, for you to go. Why not stay and court her?"
Jamie moved away from his sister. "I have business to complete. I am not a man of leisure. Someone who spends life at sea cannot expect his wife to remain alone for months at a time."
"Bah!" She waved his comment off. "You have enough money to allow yourself to no longer sail about the ocean hither and yon." Victoria crossed her arms and glared at him. "Personally I think you are afraid, dear brother. Love terrifies you."
He ignored her comments and bent to kiss her brow. "I take my leave, Victoria. I've already given my appreciation and farewell to the laird and your husband."
After a last hug, he left the keep and Cailyn, with no plans to return in the near future.
On the road, his men kept sliding questioning gazes at him, and Jamie ignored them. Sure he'd barked at them several times, but it shouldn't cause them to act so uneasy. Admitted
ly, in all the years as captain of his ship, he'd ruled with a soft-spoken, but firm manner. After all, most of his sailors were men who'd proven themselves before joining him. Men who preferred to remain neutral during the Scottish-English war, each with good reason to not take sides.
"Captain Westcott," his first mate and close friend, Geoffrey, finally spoke. "Will we go directly to the ship?"
"Aye." Jamie frowned at him. "Why do you ask?"
"I thought perhaps you'd like to stop at a brothel and see about your dour disposition." The man had the gall to grin.
"There is no need for it," Jamie snapped.
"Perhaps you require something else then. Whatever it is, there is no need for you to take it out on the men." Geoffrey rode alongside him, his steed prancing.
"What else could I possibly need?"
"I cannot say Captain. However, there is something I must share with you. We all have a purpose in life and sometimes it's easier to accept that we don't always control our own destiny." Geoffrey's eyes bore into his. "I for one know what mine is. I will return home once we set upon English land, I’ve been too long away from me wife and family. I will no longer sail with ye, Captain."
"I did not know you were married." Jamie studied the stout, ruddy man, imagining him with children.
Geoffrey chuckled. "Made time for it, Cap'n. Have four children actually." The man gazed toward the distance. "My oldest boy is about to marry, start a family of 'is own."
"Well good on you mate," Jamie told him meaning it.
"I will miss the seas, but I miss me family more." With a grin, Geoffrey urged his mount forward, and one of the other men brought the first mate into conversation.
Jamie pondered his friend’s words. What was his destiny? Was he fighting it? Cailyn's face appeared instantly in his mind. Was he a coward to not accept he more than cared for her?
"Geoffrey!" He called reining his horse to a stop. "Take the ships to England. I will stay in Scotland for the winter season."
Highlander's Kiss: The McDougalls, Books 1-3 Page 9
