Passion of a Scottish Warrior (The MacLomain Series: Later Years Book 4)

by Sky Purington

  “Oh, Jackie? Darach?” called an all-too-familiar, irritating singsong voice. “Where are you?”

  “Nay,” he murmured against her lips. “Dinnae respond.”

  “I won’t if you won’t,” she managed before their kiss deepened again.

  “I know you guys are here somewhere,” Nicole chimed, drawing closer. “We all saw your mini-show. Before it becomes a grand finale, you need to come downstairs. Adlin’s request not mine.”

  Jackie tore her lips from his and pressed her forehead against his chest, muttering, “Of all people why did they send Nicole to look for us?”

  Darach groaned and rested his chin on her head. “’Twould be my guess that she volunteered.” He inhaled the scent of her hair and did his best to will away his arousal. “Though she seems to be mellowing with pregnancy, am I wrong in saying Nicole likes to be at the center of most dramatic situations?”

  “Not wrong in the least.” There was a smile in her voice. “So I suppose this is a dramatic situation?”

  “Aye,” he breathed. “At the verra least.” He pulled away and tilted her chin until their eyes met in the dim light. “We’ll be finishing this as soon as we have the chance, lass.”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “It seems like Fate keeps getting in the way.”

  “Not this time.” He kissed her again. Softly. Gently. Not with just his lips but something deeper. His heart.

  “Ah, there you are!” Nicole declared.

  Jackie allowed the kiss to go on for another moment before she pulled back, and met his eyes.

  “Yup, here we are.”

  “Big night.” Nicole grinned as they finally turned in her direction. They must have looked equally displeased because she shrugged and gave them an apologetic look. “Listen, I think the whole yelling, screaming I-don’t-want-you-but-really-do sex display was great but big things are happening.” She looked at Darach and pointed over her shoulder. “Things having to do with this castle that I know you’re not gonna wanna miss.”

  Honestly, lying with Jackie sounded better than anything else, but he knew Nicole was right. What was happening below stairs was important.

  “We’re coming.” Jackie stepped away from him and tried to adjust herself. “Just give us a minute.”

  Jackie knew how important this was. She understood. How could she not? They were so inside one another’s minds now he was shocked her ring didn’t shine brightly with the color of his eyes. But no. Right now it was dull and lifeless. He pushed aside any thoughts of it twirling with both black and blue. Because he’d be damned if Eoghan would ever have her…or be her bloody true love.

  “Okay. You sure?” Nicole eyed them up and down. “Because you both seriously need to pull yourselves together.”

  Jackie touched her disarrayed hair and peered down at her damp dress with dismay.

  “We’ll be down shortly.” He pulled Jackie after him and winked at Nicole. “Thanks, lass. See you there.”

  Before Jackie could grumble more about her appearance, he pulled her into his chamber, shut the door and put a finger to her lips when she started to talk.

  “Dinnae say a word.” He touched her dress, murmured a chant and dried the fabric in an instant. “And before you thank me, remember that you asked for this.”

  “I had no intention of thanking you.” She fluffed her skirts and scowled. “And I’m pretty sure I never asked for it.”

  “Oh aye, you asked for it.” He whipped off his plaid and grabbed another. “You just didnae expect me to act on your dirty talk so quickly.”

  When Jackie went silent and thoughts of desire bombarded him, his eyes shot to hers. Her lips were parted. And based on the angle in which he stood, it was hard to tell if her gaze was locked on his arse or his cock. Mayhap a bit of both.

  “You’re,” she started and held up a finger, “it’s,” she shook her head, “good.” Then she clenched her hands behind her back as her eyes sort of drifted over him. Finally able to say a solid stream of words, she mumbled, “You’re naked, Darach.”

  “I am,” he agreed, realizing it was the first time she had seen him like this. When they laid together, it had been so quick and passionate there was little time to appreciate one another’s body. He grinned. “Would you like me to remain this way?”

  “Yes,” she breathed then shook her head. “No.” She looked away and started fiddling with her hair. “We should go.”

  He’d much rather throw her on the bed and forget about finishing MacLomain Castle. He wanted to rip that dress in half and see her naked. But she was right. They should go. This night was too important.

  So he wrapped his plaid correctly, pleased to see a MacLomain brooch. He pulled on tall black boots, and a sleeveless tunic. Though he knew she was determined to avert her eyes, Jackie watched him every step of the way.

  By the time he stood in front of her, ready to go, she had a far away, lost look on her face. So he cocked his head and tried to meet her eyes. “Are you ready, lass?”

  She sighed, her eyes floating to his. “I doubt it.” She frowned and touched her hair. “It was so well arranged. Not so sure it is anymore.”

  “Do you really care?” He touched a strand. “You’re bloody bonnie, lass.”

  “I do.” Her eyes met his. “I should.” She licked her lips. “Tonight’s important…for your clan that is.”

  “Aye,” he whispered, realizing she wasn’t referring to his clan at all but something else altogether. Something so unexpected, his heart twisted into his throat. She was talking about him. Her.

  Them.

  She wanted this.

  Lust, yes, but mayhap more.

  Mayhap risk.

  Almost as if she’d been cast beneath a spell, he sensed the guilt she suddenly felt about her desire. About putting him in danger. So when she started to shake her head, he cupped her cheek and stopped her. “You’re allowed to want this, lass.”

  “No,” she whispered, eyes moist. “I’m not.”

  He could try to convince her but knew it would make this small window of opportunity grow smaller. So he ran his fingers through her soft hair.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered as her eyes drifted shut.

  “Fixing it,” he murmured, so tempted to close his lips over hers that it took immense strength to remain focused. “Hair like this should always be down.”

  “Most people like it better up,” she said softly, her eyes on his lips. “They say it looks more professional.”

  “Professional? Mayhap. But better?” He pulled the pins out. “Nay.”

  “I should look a certain way if I’m going to represent,” she started, but he interrupted her.

  “Represent what?”

  When she frowned, he tilted up her chin and made her look at him. “Represent what, Jackie?”

  “This,” she said. “Us.” Her brows shot together. “I should look put together. Your dad and Adlin should know I’m up for any challenge.”

  Darach pulled back as though he’d been slapped. “What do you mean?”

  Jackie raked her hands through her hair, notched her chin and headed out the door. “If Heidrek has a plan to use me as bait to save everyone, I intend to do it.”

  He should have known she was still contemplating that.

  “Ye’ll do no such thing,” he declared as he followed her.

  “I will.” She headed downstairs. “I’ve made up my mind.”

  “Bloody foolish mind,” he growled, right behind her. Nobody was in the great hall. Everyone had gone outside. “You’re not thinking straight.”

  “I’m thinking straighter than ever.”

  “Nay.”

  “I am.”

  “You’re not.”

  “Just leave me be, Darach,” she said before muttering under her breath, “Forgive, forgive.”

  “Jackie,” he said.

  “Just come on.”

  “You’re only saying this because you think you’re dying.”

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nbsp; “No, I know I am.” Jackie spun on the last stair, glared at him and pressed her temple. “I have a tumor in my frontal lobe. It’s growing fast. In my case, it seems to be affecting my sense of sensation and scent first. Especially when I get upset.” She pulled her shoulders back. “It’s inoperable. I’m dying. That’s not going to change.” Her eyes narrowed even further. “And don’t you dare pity me.”

  She spun and strode away, saying as an afterthought. “Even if you do, I forgive you. Forgiveness is the key.”

  “Always the key,” she kept muttering before she exited.

  Though it felt like a mace hit his knees and an axe caught him in the chest, he tried to follow but had to stop to let what she said sink in. No battle wound had ever felt so crippling.

  He knew she was sick before, but now it somehow felt worse. Hell, even despite a Celtic goddess saying this was her plight life after life, nothing had quite gotten through until now.

  There would be no saving her.

  Jackie was going to die.

  Chapter Fourteen

  JACKIE WAS SO busy trying to escape Darach, that she didn’t realize what was happening until she was halfway across the courtyard.

  “Look at this.” Erin grabbed her arm and pointed up. “I’ve seen amazing things since traveling back in time, but this takes the cake.”

  Jackie was only vaguely aware of her surroundings, she was so upset. Adlin, Grant, Rònan, Niall, and Heidrek were lined up and clearly doing something with magic. She glanced up at the castle and saw bright lights surrounding the top.

  “Pretty amazing, huh?” Erin said. “I get the feeling all they’re waiting for is Darach because…”

  “Ye thought to say something like that and walk away, lass?” There was no time to vanish further into the crowd before Darach scooped her up and stormed back toward the castle. “’Twas poor of ye.”

  The crowd fell back as the magic intensified.

  “Put me down.” She struggled. “Don’t you see what’s happening? You should be helping them with the castle.”

  “I see what’s happening,” he growled, walking through the maelstrom of magic and back up the stairs. “Yer a bloody coward.”

  “You’re being an ass, Darach.” She kept struggling, but he was too strong. “Your family needs you.”

  “They’ll have to wait.” He broke through the curtain of magic and entered the great hall. “Because we need to talk.”

  “No, we don’t.” She arched hard and he, at last, let her down. “Everything’s been said that needs to be said.”

  “Nay.” He blocked the stairs before she could go up. “Talk to me, Jackie. ‘Tis obvious you’re in pain.”

  “Actually no,” she quipped as she headed for the fireplace. “Pain is typically the last sensation I feel.”

  “Aye, and now I know why.” He followed her. “Why didn’t you just tell me from the start?”

  “Tell you what?”

  “That you were so sick,” he said. “What you were sick with.”

  “Because it didn’t matter.”

  “But it does.”

  I tried but the words always died on my lips. “It really doesn’t matter.” She stopped in front of the fire. “Incurable is incurable.”

  “Aye, but sharing so others can help you through it would have been good.”

  “I shared with Erin,” she said. “That was enough.”

  “Nay.” He shook his head. “It wasnae enough. You should have leaned more on your friends…on me.”

  “You?” She cocked her head. “The guy who avoided me without telling me why? You’re the last person I felt I could lean on. Not to mention I barely knew you.” Jackie ground her jaw. “Besides, I didn’t want this.” She gestured between them. “How you’re treating me now.”

  Darach shook his head, the pain in his eyes almost more than she could handle.

  “I’m sorry…I didnae mean to…”

  Shit, this was hard. Too hard.

  “I know,” she murmured and looked at the fire. Anything to avoid the pity in his eyes.

  “’Tis not pity,” he said, his voice low and firm as he sensed her thoughts. “’Tis anything but.”

  “Oh, really?” Angered by what had to be a lie, she met his eyes. “Then what is it?”

  “Sadness,” he answered honestly, both aloud and within her mind.

  “Because of my tumor?”

  “Of course,” he said. “But more than that.” He took her hand. “Mostly because you were so afraid to share what was happening with you. Not only with me but everyone else. I felt what happened to you when you got overly upset about the wolf. The numbness you experience. ‘Tis not easy, lass. You’re verra brave.”

  Brave? That’s about the last thing she felt. It was strange knowing he had experienced how numb she went. It was an unexpected connection she hadn’t anticipated. Still, she wished they weren’t having this conversation. That she was anywhere but here.

  “No.” She yanked her hand away. “I don’t want any part of this.”

  “Of what?”

  “You!” Jackie trained her eyes on the fire. “And this shit you’re pulling.”

  “I’ve never heard you curse.”

  Her eyes shot to his. “Excuse me?”

  “Curse.” He took her hand again. “You typically dinnae do it.”

  “Actually, I do when I’m provoked.”

  “And I’m provoking you?”

  “You know you are.”

  “Nay.” He reeled her a little closer. “If anything, you’re provoking yourself.”

  “No.” She frowned. This time, when she tried to pull away, he didn’t let go. Regardless, she was on a roll. “You knew I was sick, Darach. Now you know why. Let’s just leave it at that. There’s nothing more to say.”

  “But there is.” He pulled her closer. “You need to know that what you shared doesnae change how I feel.” The way he looked at her made every nerve ending come alive. “I want you.” His gaze seemed to intensify. “I love you, Jackie.”

  “You need to get over it,” she whispered. “You just think you do because of our other life.”

  “More than just one,” he murmured. “Remember, we’ve lived other lives. All with the same outcome. You die young. But that doesnae stop me from loving you.”

  “Right.” She knew full well what had happened after she died in Ireland. “At least this time you have a choice, Darach. You know I’m sick. Why get so invested?”

  “I have no choice. Not since the moment I laid eyes on you…since I started dreaming of you.” He pulled her against him and cupped his hand behind her neck. “Your illness makes no difference. I’d love you even if we only had a day left together.”

  As their eyes held, it finally sunk in. He truly meant every word. And he was stubborn. So there was no turning from this. No pushing him away. He loved her, and that wasn’t going to change.

  Yet the question remained, did she love him?

  That was something she had religiously navigated around because she didn’t want to put his life at risk. Maybe, just maybe, the rules changed as to him dying if his love wasn’t returned. And maybe her saying as much would push him in the opposite direction.

  “I don’t love you,” she murmured, surprised by how difficult it was to say.

  “You dinnae have to, lass,” he whispered, kissing her cheek, then earlobe, then the tender area beneath her ear. “Even though I suspect you do.”

  “No,” she denied. But as usual, he managed to weaken her resolve with either the right words or the way he looked at her…or touched her. Though she meant to push him away, she ended up clutching his tunic when he pressed her back against the side of the mantle, braced a hand above her head and closed his lips over hers.

  A long, low rumble caused by what was happening outside echoed through the castle and the fire flared on the hearth.

  “’Tis powerful magic,” he murmured into her mind as the kiss grew more passionate. “Good magic.”<
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  Though she knew he referred to everyone else’s magic at work, he was implementing his too as he touched the mantel. Because she was somehow entangled within it, she felt his power seep into the wood. It swirled through them and the castle itself as his other hand rode her thigh. She groaned when desire rushed through her. Sensations intensified as their tongues twisted. It almost seemed like she felt not only what he did to her but what she did to him.

  There was no way to know how long they stood there touching, stroking…needing far more. All she knew was that he had taken the fight right out of her and replaced it was something else entirely. Blatant need. Desperation. Impatience.

  She needed relief.

  They needed relief.

  “I cannae wait any longer, lass,” he groaned. “I want ye too bloody much.”

  There was no denying it. She was too far gone. So when he swept her into his arms and headed upstairs, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against his neck. Yet again, she had failed miserably at keeping him away. Perhaps if they slept together and finished this time, his interest would wane. Perhaps hers would.

  Or it would grow stronger.

  They were so desperate by the time he laid her down on his bed that they didn’t bother to take off their clothes. Their lips connected as he yanked up her skirt and his plaid and settled between her thighs. When he filled her with one, long deep thrust, she arched, gasped and exploded.

  Three thrusts later, he joined her.

  He locked up against her, pressed his forehead to the pillow and released a strangled groan and shudder. She tried to hold onto him but couldn’t as heat blasted through her and spasms rippled outward until her toes curled.

  “Bloody hell, I’m sorry, lass. ‘Twas fast,” he finally whispered. “Ye just felt so damn good. And we didnae finish properly before.”

  “Really good,” she whispered, unable to say much else. It was good all right. Amazingly so.

  Their eyes met as thoughts he likely didn’t want her to hear brushed her mind. He hadn’t slept with anyone since she and her friends had shown up in New Hampshire. Since he laid eyes on her. And for a man like Darach, that had to have been difficult.