by Tara Nina
He lowered to her ear. In his rich baritone, he simply stated something that touched her and sent a thrill straight to her core. “There be some things in life that need be savored slowly. Ye be one o’ those treasures. I failed ta realize that at our first coupling. Be advised.” He grinned wickedly. “Our next shall be a savoring o’ ye attributes, mi wee one, until we both be sated.”
Lynn shivered from his honest admission as desire flowed through her veins. This man had her hot and ready, but they were out of time. Electricity sizzled in the air and her heart skipped a beat. She held her breath, hoping against hope that the curse wouldn’t happen.
He stepped back, placing a wide gap between them as the first rays of sunshine snuck in through the windows, open door and cracks in the walls. Right before the curse took him, he met her gaze with one filled with lust and sexual promise.
“Be safe ’til next we meet at the fall o’ night, mi wee one.”
Lynn watched in awe as the curse engulfed him in a casket of stone. He stood arrow straight, hands held together in front of his kilt, and she noted he’d moved his sword into its proper position on his back. She circled his frozen figure and was simply amazed at the powerful magic that occurred before her eyes. Dragging her fingertips along his body as she walked, she sensed he rested within this unwanted cocoon but knew he wasn’t at peace.
And he wouldn’t be until the curse was broken and the MacGillivray descendant had taken his last breath. Lynn leaned against his chest, pressing her cheek and ear to the area where his heart should be. Did he breathe while entombed? Was he conscious?
She swore she heard his heartbeat, low and faint, deep within the solid wall around him. A single tear slid down her cheek as she straightened, looking into those lifeless eyes that earlier held such heat and desire. She couldn’t imagine how awful it must be to be locked away for so many years only to be partially freed. He’d experienced two nights of freedom only to be turned back into a stone statue with the rise of the sun.
Half a freedom.
The words echoed in her ears. His sister Akira was right. This was half a freedom. No man deserved to live like this, ever. Lynn eased onto one of the chairs and hoped it held her weight. If it took everything she had, she planned to help release Padon completely from this curse.
No matter what it took.
After staring idly at him for several long minutes, Lynn got up and closed the door. She set the rusty latch in place and shoved a chair underneath the knob as an added measure of protection. But from the looks of it, a good brisk wind would undo the door without much of a challenge. She tugged the old curtains closed, hoping to keep unwanted onlookers from peeping in and catching sight of Padon. If Lonnie and Timothy got past Travis and Fin, she didn’t want to make it easy to find Padon. Not going to happen on her watch. She was the second line of defense.
Lynn noted a thick stick lay on the floor beneath each window. She picked one up and placed it securely between the top of the window and the upper edge of the windowsill as an added measure to help the lock hold shut. She repeated the process on the other window and felt a smidgeon more secure in her surroundings.
Beating one of the cots with the broom she found in the corner, she dusted it off and lay down. It wasn’t much for comfort but it would do. She rolled onto her side facing Padon so she could keep an eye on him. The sun beat on the shack, warming the inside to a cozy temperature, making her sleepier. Unable to fight it, her eyes grew heavy and exhaustion seeped through her, commanding that she rest.
* * * * *
Travis and Fin worked together to quickly set up the makeshift camp several yards away from the shack. They wanted to remain within earshot in case Lynn needed them. Thankfully, the trees shielded the shack from direct view. They knew where it was, but for the untrained eye, it didn’t stand out and could go overlooked.
“You know,” Travis said as he tossed his gear into one of the tents. “It just struck me, why did you kidnap Lynn? She didn’t know where ta find the cave. Why not take me, instead?”
“She was easier. At least that’s what we thought. Who knew the lass would put up such a fight?” Fin grinned then shook his head. “It was Lonnie’s idea. He figured she would make fine bait ta get you ta cooperate in finding the cave.”
“Guess he never realized he already had the perfect bait for me while he had you in his midst,” Travis quipped then kissed Fin long and hard. When they separated, Travis leaned, keeping Fin in his arms and arched his eyebrow. “I’m confused. How did he know about the cave in the first place? Did you tell him?”
“Nay. He was in the pub when you told Lynn the tale about your night in the woods.”
“How in the hell did he overhear that?” Travis knew he’d kept his voice down and had made sure no one was close when he told her.
Fin stepped from the hug and returned to setting up camp as he spoke. “You know those stupid gadgets that claim ta increase hearing so you can listen in on someone else’s conversation without them knowing?” When Travis nodded, Fin continued. “Apparently, they work. He had one in his ear as he sat at the bar behind you and focused on your conversation.”
Travis’ jaw dropped. He was at a loss, not believing something he’d seen in the Odd Gadgets and Gizmos magazine actually worked. Worse yet, an idiot like Lonnie had used it and listened in on his conversation with Lynn.
“Why me? How’d he know I knew anything about where a MacKinnon was hidden?”
“He didn’t,” Fin replied. “He got that thing that day in the mail and decided ta try it out. You just happened ta be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’d already been given the assignment ta keep an eye on them and knew they liked ta hang in that particular pub. It just worked out we also led our groups there at the end o’ the tours. They never suspected they were being watched.”
“How’d you end up pairing with them?”
“I noticed he was up ta something when he kept looking at you and tugging on his ear. After you left, I wandered over, acting drunk, and got a bit o’ info out o’ him while Timothy was in the loo. We knew each other from society meetings and I made him think I wasn’t happy with the society anymore, just like he and Timothy weren’t. He was more than happy ta share what he’d learned while using his new toy. He and Timothy planned ta follow you into the mountains and find out what was hidden in that cave. You never told me, why were you going back ta the cave and taking Lynn with you?”
“Jasper sent me on a quest ta find a woman who truly believed in the supernatural and return ta the cave with her. He promised no harm would come ta her and the reward would be substantial.”
“And if you didn’t do as he requested?” Fin’s eyebrow arched as he looked directly at Travis. “You no be one ta chase after some grand reward.”
“Let’s just say while intoxicated I was led ta believe I’d be severely punished if I failed.” Travis smiled weakly, not proud of how he let a ghost put such a fear in him. “Jasper never told me what he protected. How did those two idiots know?”
“They didn’t,” Fin answered. “They were hoping it might be a missing MacKinnon statue.”
“And if it wasn’t?”
Fin shrugged. “They were going to steal whatever Jasper protected and sell it. In their minds, if a ghost stood watch over something then it was probably valuable. Problem with those two, they aren’t true believers and they hooked up with the wrong team. Timothy wasn’t happy when he learned how much Lonnie told me, but I pointed out my worth ta them as a guide. Without me, they’d be lost in these mountains. At least that’s what I convinced them ta believe.” Fin grinned from ear to ear.
Travis laughed as he slapped Fin on the back then tugged him into another loving hug. “You sly ole fox. You should’ve been a spy.”
“Nay.” Fin snorted, leaning back. “They work ta hard. I like what we do, at our own pace and being our own bosses.”
“I have ta agree with you on that one,” Travis said on a heavy sigh. He pause
d for a moment then asked, “You think they have the smarts ta find us?”
“Timothy, no, but that Lonnie’s a mean one. Mean don’t need smarts, just dumb luck and cunning ta guide their darkened hearts.”
“Let’s hope they guide themselves over a cliff and inta the ravine long before they find their way out o’ the woods.” Travis brushed a kiss across Fin’s brow as they reluctantly pulled apart from their hug. But before he let go completely, Travis cupped Fin’s cock and balls through his jeans and gave a gentle squeeze. “If we weren’t in charge o’ the safety o’ those two, I’d make use o’ this quiet place and show you how much I’ve missed you.”
“I know. I’ve missed you too. But duty first, sex later, lover.” Fin teased Travis’ lips with the tip of his tongue, then turned, bent over and unzipped his tent to crawl in. “Here’s hoping your wish for Lonnie and Timothy comes true and they end up at the bottom o’ a ravine somewhere. Wake me in a couple hours for my watch.”
Travis slapped Fin’s bottom playfully. The look Fin shot him was heat-filled and inviting but they both knew now wasn’t the time for lust. “In that position, you strike a mighty inviting offer, but we have an obligation ta fulfill first.”
Before Travis turned to walk away, Fin cupped Travis’ balls, returning the loving caress, stopping him in his tracks. “When we get home, I’ll hold you ta that.”
Travis leaned and met Fin in a passionate kiss. “You can count on it, lover boy.”
* * * * *
Och. This was hard to suffer through. Thinking without the ability to act. It had nearly driven him over the edge yesterday and had caused him to wake disoriented. He couldn’t let that happen again. His mind hummed, buzzing with unstoppable thoughts. Over and over, two hundred years of thoughts rushed through his head, making it ache. If this didn’t halt soon, he’d wish he hadn’t been wakened to suffer this debilitating curse. Man by night. Stone by day.
Insufferable damnation!
Padon tried to slow the whirlwind of ideas flashing through his skull but failed. Faces. Places. Things he’d never see again because of the length of time that had passed. MacGillivray’s hate cost him everything. A life for a life. Once returned to Castle MacKinnon, he planned to find MacGillivray’s descendant and end his plans to continue the devil’s work. Two of his brathairs had been freed and quite possibly a third. That’s what Jasper claimed. It was the only reason Jasper allowed anyone to find him now. It was time the curse was broken. And when it was, hell would not be far enough for MacGillivray’s soul.
The roar rattled around his brain but never escaped his mouth. Nothing escaped. Nothing moved. Not a finger or a toe. He couldn’t even stretch the tension from his back and shoulders. At least he’d thought to place his hands in front of his kilt to help hide the condition of his shaft. It had been hard and heavy for the voluptuous Lynn before he fell to the dastardly magic of the daylight. He felt certain it remained that way as he stood locked in this stone prison.
Aye. She was lovely. Sweet. Innocent in her ways and smart as well. He liked the feel of her legs wrapped around his waist. The touch of her breasts to his back as they’d traveled through the woods kept him aware of the fact she was all woman. Perfectly proportioned for him. Her scent filled his senses, bringing him a peaceful calm within his tomb, and his mind stayed focused on her.
When he’d reached around to readjust her, he couldn’t force his hands to release that finely shaped bottom. It pleased him that she hadn’t seemed to mind, especially when he teased her with his thumbs. Och, how he wished she had been naked and his fingers could have touched her softest feminine spots. Heat from her kept his fingers warm and his thumbs active. Several instances when his movements caused her to bounce, she’d released a whispered moan. One he knew she tried to keep him from hearing, but it had made him smile and if he could, he would be smiling right now, but this damn curse refused to cooperate.
The memory of the taste of her mouth filled his thoughts and he wished he were free to plunder that tender opening once again. He’d noted how her eyes had darkened with desire, yet she’d blushed and pulled away. She kissed like a practiced woman, which was something else he liked about her. He sensed she knew what she wanted in a leannan—lover.
A leannan. Aye that would be nice to be for her. To see those eyes darken a deeper shade of blue while he explored her body would be a treat, a luxury he planned to enjoy time and time again, if she let him. Padon focused on Lynn and what he’d do if he were free to make her moan his name repeatedly in pleasure.
Kissing her lips while he undressed her from her odd clothing would be an exciting feat. The men’s trews would have to go. And that loose shirt would be the next to follow. The clothing of today’s women was strange, yet he found it provocative on Lynn. What type of undergarments did the women of this new world wear? He’d only glimpsed them drying on a rock in the cave, but had not examined them closely. He couldn’t wait to find out how they felt while removing them from Lynn.
He remembered the weight of her breasts in his palms. The size of her nipples intrigued him. They were perfect for him. With the right amount of attention, he planned to caress them with his mouth, tongue, teeth and fingertips until they were pointed peaks. His mouth ached to sample those ample mounds of flesh and tease a moan from her lips.
Not stopping there, his mind’s eye wandered down her body, kissing, licking and tasting every supple ounce of her flesh from her breasts down her soft and pliant tummy to the treasure between her thighs. A pirate he would be as he plundered her sweet nectar until she screamed his name and convulsed in pleasure. He could only imagine how good her sheath would taste. Taking his time to please her until she was ready to receive him had him wishing for sundown.
Padon couldn’t stop the images rolling through his thoughts even if he wanted to. Lynn’s beauty surrounded him, keeping him focused on her and not the abysmal tomb of stone. The only stone he was interested in was the solid-rock-hardness of his cock as he imagined it hovered at the entrance to her heat.
He knew if he could feel right now, his cock and bawls would be stiff and tight even without being encased in stone.
Padon appeared in her dreams, gorgeously naked, hard and ready to please her. His kiss lit a fire in her belly. His fingertips twisted and tugged her nipples in a series of rough and soft combinations, which zinged need straight to her pussy. She really liked the fact he seemed to know her breasts were a hub of nerves, when played with right, could cause her to have miniature orgasms.
His lips, mouth and teeth were everywhere at once, guiding her to the edge of ecstasy and keeping her teetering, aching to plunge into the abyss of pleasure his touch promised. The lower he traveled the higher she climbed. Tickling her navel with the tip of his tongue got her even wetter and she couldn’t help but spread her legs, hoping he’d comply and fuck her.
Instead he kissed the insides of her thighs and slowly worked his way into her heat. A long, gentle lick of her slit had her whining for more. She locked her hands in his hair, keeping it out of his face as he indulged. She wanted nothing to distract this talented man. Lick after lick, he made her hotter. When his tongue speared her repeatedly at a rapid pace, her orgasm hit like a tidal wave.
He lifted to kiss her and she suckled her flavor from his lips. Their kiss deepened as he slowly pushed the head of his cock inside her. More. She wanted more. Lifting her hips she took him in farther. She set the pace. Slow then fast. Over and over, she met his pushes and ground against him, taking every inch he had to offer. Full and tight was how he made her pussy feel and she loved it.
Padon’s lips trailed to a nipple and tugged it hard between his teeth. She arched her back and screamed his name as another orgasm ripped her to the core.
“Padon!”
Lynn’s eyes opened at the sound of her voice. She sat upright, breathing heavily. Wide-eyed, she stared at Padon’s statue and wondered if he heard her scream his name. Did Travis and Fin hear her scream? Oh lordy she hope
d not.
She swung her legs over the side of the cot and took several deep breaths to calm herself. She’d had some rather sensual dreams in her life but nothing ever this hot and completely sexual.
On shaky legs, she stood and walked over to Padon’s statue. Man, she surely hoped he hadn’t heard it. How would she explain calling him when she knew he couldn’t come? Come? Had he come with her in her dream? She’d woken before she knew the answer. Lynn burst out laughing. This was just plain crazy. Sex with Padon, just the thought of it, had her wet and ready.
He’d called you his wee one. He said you were a treasure to be savored slowly, the little voice inside her head pointed out. Lynn shivered from head to toe. No one had ever called her a wee one, not built the way she was, plump and round in a full-figured, womanly way. She shook off the idea that Padon found her attractive. Self-doubt reared its ugly head and weakened her soul, trying to convince her it had to be a side effect of being cursed for so long.
Typical man, he simply woke up horny.
The nasty snide voice of insecurity took over. Yes, they’d kissed, touched and tasted one another. The sex in the waterfall was something she’d never forget, just thinking about it made her insides tremble. Lynn hugged herself, trying to soothe the sexual anxiety churning in her gut. Yes, he turned her on beyond belief but once they got him home, that’s where it would probably end. She had her life back in Texas. And he… He had a whole new life to learn here and she doubted it would include her once he was back on familiar ground at Castle MacKinnon with his family surrounding him.
Chapter Nine
The instant the sun disappeared Lynn sensed an electric current in the air right before the stone cracked and Padon was freed. He shook remnants of the dust and pebbles from himself before stepping forward, closing the distance between them. Without a word, he took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly.
“Ye were mi salvation,” he whispered but didn’t explain because someone pounded on the door.
