HauntedLaird

by Tara Nina

  She did her best to sound calm when she said on a strained whisper, “You can put me down now.”

  Instead he held her closer, turned and walked a few feet away before helping her stand. He made sure she had her balance before he let go. Now if she could only breathe. That man stole the air from her lungs with a single touch. Being in his arms, she felt like a tiny doll. It didn’t even look as if he strained a muscle when he caught her or carried her. Lynn liked that. She smiled up at him.

  He leaned toward her and her mouth dried. Her eyes locked on his sensual lips, that sexy cleft in his chin she wanted to taste with the tip of her tongue. But instead of kissing her, he tugged the flashlight from where it was sticking out from between her breasts. He flicked it on and gave her a drop-dead-sexy smile. She was thankful it was dark enough he couldn’t see her blush. That was twice now she’d hungered for his kiss and not gotten one. Damn, this was going to be a long night.

  Lynn watched his muscles flex as he helped Travis and Fin. With every move he made, she had no doubt Padon somehow had visited her in her dream the first night in the woods and when she slept on the ledge. He moved the same way her dream man did when he saved her from the cliff. Strong and effortless. She wasn’t sure how it happened but she was damn sure it was him. Lynn tried to redirect her thoughts from kissing Padon, but it was difficult.

  Forcing her eyes off Padon’s taut rear-end, she took a few steps and froze as she realized she’d never gotten any straight answers from Jasper. Something she’d wanted had slipped through her fingers and now was gone forever. Lynn didn’t get the chance to dwell on it.

  Padon grabbed her hand and they cut through the woods in the dead of night. He didn’t trip or stumble and it looked as if being without shoes was as natural for him as wearing boots was for her. Lynn had to concentrate to keep up, especially in the dark. Though the moon was high and they had flashlights it was still treacherous to her. The men didn’t seem to be having any problem. But then again, they’d camped in these woods many times and had to know the terrain pretty well.

  Besides, they didn’t have a sexy man holding their hands, dragging them through the forest, causing them inner turmoil. His touch was making her insides go haywire. It didn’t help that when she stumbled, his reflexes were fast and he kept her from falling. Those big hands on her body made her hot to the point that if she wouldn’t look like a bumbling fool she’d keep tripping over stuff just to have him catch her.

  Lynn rolled her eyes at the thought. Now wasn’t the time for her hormones to kick into high gear. But it was hard to control since she’d already experienced a wonderful bout of sex in his arms. Her brain seemed to only focus on that with every brush of his body to hers as they wound their way through the woods. She knew they had to cover as much ground as possible before daybreak, find a place to hide and hope Lonnie and Timothy weren’t bright enough to track them.

  Breathe, Lynn, breathe. Think of nothing but getting out of here. Looking at the way the moonlight skimmed across his naked back made that almost impossible as she followed him closely.

  Padon knew this trail well, but time had hidden it from lack of use. The growth of trees and underbrush caused him to redirect their path. He managed to use the stars to help guide them in the right direction. Many times he and Jasper made the trek to the cave while hunting. The ravine was a menagerie of wild game upon which to feast. They’d taken what they needed for their families and left the rest to grow bigger for next time. He never imagined the cave would become his home for centuries. It hurt his heart to know how Jasper felt and why he’d traded a peaceful rest in the Garden of Angels to watch over and protect him. It was a debt he knew not how to repay.

  Aye. He loved Jasper but not in the same manner. He’d suspected for years Jasper was different. Hell, he knew in his heart how Jasper felt, but simply accepted it without acting on it. Sex with another man did not appeal to him. He chanced a look over his shoulder. Though sex with a certain curly headed, robust woman named Lynn wouldn’t be something he’d turn down if offered again.

  A smile tugged at his lips at the memory of how the soft sensation of her hair twisting in his fingers felt right before he released it to spring back against her face. Och, what a beautiful face she had, round in shape, with bright-blue eyes, a cute little nose and a set of full lips he hungered to taste over and over. Sweet. She tasted sweeter than any berry he’d scavenged in the woods.

  He knew the sweetness of her lips was great. It set his imagination on fire wondering about the flavor and exquisite taste of the nectar from her treasure to the point his mouth watered in anticipation. He did not know why she wore men’s trews but liked the way they fit her pleasantly shaped bottom. A woman with a solid foundation always piqued his sexual interest and Lynn was solidly perfect for him. A big man like himself needed a healthy woman to satisfy his needs. He’d never touched a skin-and-bones lass. That sort never sparked his lust. Nay, what he needed held his hand and hurried along behind him. He knew she could handle him and that knowledge made him hard between his thighs.

  Though he tried to stop the flow of thoughts about sex and Lynn, he couldn’t. The image of her breasts popped into his head, sending the blood straight to his bawls. Her loose top did nothing to hide the sizable breasts he’d enjoy spending hours tending to if she let him hold them in his hands again. When he’d tugged the flashlight from between them, it had been a chore not to slip his hand in and caress those luscious, tender mounds. His mouth hungered with want for her nipples. Ahh, he wanted desperately to suckle what he knew was perfectly proportioned to the rest of her beautiful body and sized just right for him.

  For the first time all night, he tripped. He righted himself before he fell but not quickly enough to keep Lynn from bumping into his backside. Her breasts pressed into his back. One on either side of his sword. Her hand came palm flat to the bare skin at his waist and the warmth of her touch added to his growing desire to sample all her attributes repeatedly. Her breath skittered across his flesh. His shaft reacted instantly, making him glad it was the dead of night and she was behind him and couldn’t see the prominent bulge occurring in his kilt.

  Not being able to control his cock’s reaction to her had to be a side effect of being imprisoned for so long. Many times in his youth he’d woken horny, but never this badly. Uncontrollable lust grew from the pit of his bawls and spread warmth and need to every inch of him. He shivered against the rush of heat thickening his blood and his shaft.

  “You okay?” Her question came on a heavy breath and he knew he’d pushed her too fast in the dark.

  He breathed deep for a second, trying to will his body to calm before he faced her. Cupping her chin, he replied, “Aye. Do ye be in need o’ a break, wee one?”

  “No, I can manage.”

  Her words claimed one thing but her actions spoke another. Padon knew she was tired but wouldn’t admit it. Stubborn. Willing to continue even though her body begged for a rest. Her shoulders sagged. The exhausted sound in her heavy breathing let him know she struggled to maintain the pace he’d set. He liked her willingness to continue even though she seemed worn thin.

  Och, he wished she breathed heavily for another reason that he’d induced. Padon gently brushed his thumb across her lip. It seemed to beckon to be kissed yet he fought the urge. They were not alone. Pulling his gaze from hers and dropping his hand to his side, he stared at the sky, trying to determine the hour and their location in reference to the stars. They’d made decent time in their travels but daylight would be upon them long before they reached Fin’s grandfather’s farm. Making a decision he knew would torment his already hardened condition, Padon maneuvered his sheathed sword to hang across his chest, then turned and squatted in front of Lynn.

  Looking over his shoulder at her, he said, “Lass. Ye are tired and we’ve a long path ta follow. Please let me be a horse ta carry ye whilst ye rest.”

  “I-I—” she stuttered as if searching for the right way to say something. “
I’m too heavy for you to carry. I’ll be fine.”

  He laughed lightly then clasped her behind the knees and pulled her closer. “Milady, ye weight be o’ no factor ta mi. Now, let’s no waste time. Hop on.”

  He tugged at her knees and was happy she did what he wanted. When she had a good hold around his neck, he lifted to his feet with her legs wrapped around his waist. Damn, the heat of her felt good against the small of his back. Padon swallowed and prayed for the strength to ignore the things her body was doing to him. They had to travel faster and this was simply the best way to continue. At least that’s what he tried to convince himself though in the back of his mind, he really liked the brush of the apex between her thighs against him with every step. And with those breasts pressed tight to his flesh, his imagination took off like a hawk in flight after prey.

  Why hadn’t he thought to carry her against his chest instead of on his back? She’d probably fit perfectly and bounce sensually against his cock in tune with his gait. Padon admonished the thought and tried desperately to think of anything but sex. With Lynn on his back, that wasn’t happening. Each step was a task in self-control but did nothing to cool the desire pumping from his bawls to his shaft.

  This was going to be a long, long trek through the woods.

  Lynn snuggled against him. His warmth was a welcomed cloak that cut some of the night air chill. His scent filled her nose. Woodsy. Masculine. Umm. He smelled delicious. His muscles bunched beneath her and brushed her rhythmically as he moved smoothly along the trail that only he could see. If Travis and Fin were not behind them, she knew she would have kissed him when they’d stopped.

  He’d tripped. She was sure of it, but he claimed he was okay. Was he not telling the truth? He didn’t seem like the type to lie. Was he just as tired as she? From the way he moved, sure-footedly and with the grace of a wild animal native to these woods, she got the impression he could go all night. Her eyes widened at the idea of marathon sex with Padon.

  Lynn closed her eyes. Her mound bumped against his back with every stride he took, causing her clit to throb. The constant rub of her nipples against him made them ache for more. The strap of his sword’s sheath added to the friction and for a split second the image of her hands bound above her head with the length of leather shot behind her closed lids.

  Bondage. She’d never even considered it. Was Padon into it? God, what was she thinking? It had to be a mind trick played on her senses from the significant amount of tiredness knotting her limbs. She normally didn’t think like this, like a horn-dog in need of a good lay.

  Padon increased his pace. When they reached an open area, he ran across. His hands moved from her knees to cup her ass, lifting her higher on his back. Her pussy rubbed the buckle of the strap of the sheath. The faster he ran, the harder she bounced. His fingers kneaded her bottom and if they followed the curve inward just a little bit more, he’d realize just how wet he’d gotten her without even trying.

  The moment he reached the cover of the woods, he stopped. Moonlight shone on his face as he looked over his shoulder at her. Their gazes locked on one another. Lynn’s heart pounded as if she’d been the one doing the sprint across the field. Padon stretched and she followed suit. Ever so lightly, their lips touched at an odd angle for a moment but it was enough.

  Travis and Fin burst from the field into the woods at a gallop, startling Lynn, who jerked from the kiss.

  “Man,” Travis gasped as he wheezed in and out, “for an old guy, you’re fast.”

  “Aye, when need be. But I no be fast at everything,” he stated with a sly wink at Lynn, who hid her smile in his hair. On a low whisper meant only for her, he added, “There be things in life that need be savored slowly.”

  He readjusted her on his back, keeping his hands firmly planted beneath her bum with his palms open, giving her the perfect seat. Now if he’d just keep those damn thick thumbs of his still, she could probably think of something other than sex, but she doubted it. Slow, sensual circles near her anus kept her body humming with need. From the look he’d shot her over his shoulder right before their lips touched, she knew he knew exactly what he was doing to her.

  Now the trick was, how were they going to get out of these woods, find a place to hide and somehow steal some alone time before the sun hit the sky? If nothing else, she wanted to taste those sexy lips of his.

  Chapter Eight

  It was just before daybreak when they finally stopped. They were running out of time and it became evident they weren’t going to make it out of the woods by first light. It had taken them longer than anticipated. Fin led them to an old hunting shack located on the farthest outreaches of his grandfather’s land. Fin told them that his father and grandfather built the shack but had not used it in years, because he and Travis tended to follow the game deeper into the woods and camped when they hunted. Even though it leaned to the left and a tree was the only thing keeping it from falling over, it would have to do for shelter for Padon.

  Fin opened the door to the one-room wooden abode. “Travis and I will take turns keeping watch for those two. But I doubt they’ve got the balls ta come after us.”

  Travis clapped Fin on the back. “You rest first once we set up the tents. I’ve got this watch.”

  Now that they were at a point to rest, Lynn was glad they’d taken a few minutes to gather the tents from their campsite when they came upon it. Earlier, she’d been scared the stop would give Lonnie and Timothy a chance to find them if they were even still in the area. Even though there had been no signs of those two, the group wasn’t taking any chances. Travis and Fin had been quick about gathering what they needed and they’d moved on in a rather timely fashion. Fin’s opinion on it was that without the visual signs of the campsite where they’d kidnapped Lynn, those two wouldn’t be able to determine if they were headed back in the right direction or not.

  “The shack be yours.” Fin nodded toward Padon. “It may be good ta keep you out o’ sight. We’ll set up the tents back in the woods a ways from here so if’n those two do stumble upon us, they’ll find that camp first.” He nodded to Travis and they turned to walk back into the woods.

  “Aye,” Padon stated as he released Lynn.

  Her arms ached from circling his neck for hours. His hands may have made a fine seat but she’d still clung to him for security. The imprint of his hands lingered on her butt and she swore she still felt the tiny swirls of his thumbs. She closed her eyes. How did he do that the whole time? Didn’t his fingers get tired? The sensitive area between her ass cheeks was glad they didn’t. She liked the way he kept her on edge, sliding his thumbs close to but not touching her anus. She’d wanted him to slip them farther inward, caressing along her slit until he reached her clit and soothed the rising pressure, bringing her relief. It throbbed to the point just sliding off him nearly made her come.

  Not wanting him to see how much he affected her, Lynn walked on shaky legs into the shack. Two old cots lined opposite walls. A rickety-looking wooden table with two matching chairs sat in the middle of the room. On the far wall hung a rusted cabinet. Both doors were open, showing nothing was in it. A potbelly stove sat in the corner directly across from the corner touching the tree. It was probably the only other thing keeping the shack upright with its solid-looking stovepipe angled through the ceiling.

  Warm hands slid around her waist from behind, startling her at first. He tugged her close and she couldn’t miss the hardness beneath his kilt pressing against her bottom. It pleased her to know he was as horny as she. She liked the feel of him wrapped around her, holding her, but there was something she really wanted and time was running out. Lynn turned in his arms.

  She didn’t have to ask. It seemed he wanted the same. Padon leaned, pulling her up in his arms, bringing her onto her toes. Lips touched lips in a kiss she never wanted to end. Soft and tender quickly became passion-filled need. Each giving and taking, communicating their desire for one another through this kiss. Tongue caressed tongue in a sensual da
nce, increasing her hunger for this man.

  His hands slid down her back to cup her ass, holding her tighter against his hard-on. Damn, he felt great. Even though her hips ached from having her legs wrapped around his waist for most of the night, she desperately wanted to hop back on except this time she wanted to ride his cock and not his back. One hand left her rear and slid between them to caress her through her jeans. Thick fingers rubbed firmly in just the right spot. The pressure in her clit grew even more, but it didn’t take much before it released, bursting like an overstressed dam. Moisture soaked her panties. She broke free of their kiss, gasping and flushed, not believing he’d done that to her without making skin-to-skin contact.

  She dropped her gaze to the floor, unable to look at him. This wasn’t like her to act like such a loose woman, but he seemed to bring out the pure sex-driven side of her nature. His finger eased beneath her chin and gently forced her to lift her head, but she kept her eyes closed. Padon didn’t give her a chance to retreat into herself.

  He brushed a kiss across her lips. “I told ye before, there be no shame in this, Lynn.” He kissed one closed eyelid then the other. “’Tis natural ta want ta be in another’s arms.”

  Padon captured her mouth in a tender kiss she was helpless to resist. His lips demanded she return their favor. His tongue caressed hers into reacting. Lynn was lost in his arms, not wanting him to stop, but he did. When he pulled away, she was breathless as was he, which made her smile. It seemed the overwhelming sexual effect was mutual.