The Parchment Scroll

by C. A. Szarek

  Her mouth went dry when she focused on his proudly jutting erection. It wouldn’t be long and he would be inside her, they would find completion in each other’s arms.

  For a little while longer, he’s mine.

  Pushing away dark thoughts, Jules opened her arms, inviting the man she loved. She didn’t want to be apart from him for even a moment longer.

  When he settled over her body, it wasn’t with his usual roughness. Nor did Hugh part her thighs with impatience—though neither tendency had ever bothered Jules. She’d never been a fan of too much foreplay. From the start she’d taken him how she could get him, but her heart very much liked this new tender lover side. Jules wanted to burrow into him.

  His gaze was intense as he propped himself above her, and she squirmed.

  “What’s with the sudden patience?” Jules went for a tease, but her voice shook and her stomach fluttered.

  The smile he flashed stilled her heart. He was beautiful. “Enjoyin’ the view, s’all.”

  She’d never been a blusher, but heat seared the back of her neck, creeping up to her ears. “Make love to me, Hugh.”

  He didn’t answer, but he was quiet—too quiet. Emotions were in his eyes, but Jules couldn’t risk believing what she thought she saw, even if it was the second time.

  Hugh dragged two fingers across her mouth, down her cheek, then her neck. He traced her collarbone and circled a breast, stopping to tease her nipple before doing the same to the other.

  Jules’ stomach muscles jumped under his feather-light touches as he continued on, and her heart slipped into overdrive. Like his kisses, Hugh had never touched her like this. Lazy exploration that set her blood well on its way to a rolling boil. Driving her crazy, but she would beg him not to stop if he even dared. She cried out, arching her back when he teased her already swollen clit.

  “So wet.”

  “You’re a tease, what’d you expect?”

  His chuckle made her moan.

  “You’re enjoying this too much.” The words were strained. Jules had to force out one after the other.

  “Yer no’, my sweet Juliette?” Affection in that deep voice made her pause, and any response she might’ve mustered got caught up in her throat.

  Silence fell and they stared at each other.

  Jules bit back a whimper—or maybe it was a sob.

  Hugh caressed her cheek, the smile curving his mouth soft, tender. One she’d never seen before.

  “I just want to be with you,” she whispered.

  He nodded and those dark eyes scorched her from the inside out.

  Without another word, Hugh trailed hot kisses down her belly, parting her thighs with his big hands so he could settle between them.

  Jules gasped. He’d never—

  She called his name with the first swipe of his tongue. A whine was next as he teased her with his fingers, too. She buried her hands in his thick hair, trying not to tug too much, but he was sucking her into his mouth now, taking her higher and higher.

  Hugh thrust two fingers inside her as he thumbed her clit and nibbled at the same time.

  Jules screamed and threw her head back. Her hips lifted from the plaid of their own accord, but her lover held her still—and down. He was relentless, licking, sucking, even biting, until none of the words falling from her mouth made any sense.

  She moved her head back and forth because Hugh was still holding her tightly as he pleasured her.

  “Juliette,” he hummed against her skin, and Jules lost control.

  She teetered on the edge for only a moment. Her whole body jerked beneath his. Orgasm hit so hard it scrambled her vision and her head swam. Jules hollered his name and had to remind herself to breathe. Her muscles spasmed. Pleasure made her whole form tingle as the intensity slid back and forth.

  Hugh pulled back and ran his hands over her breasts, down her stomach, dragging his fingers over her thighs and knees, even her calves. It soothed, but revved her up all over again.

  The look on his face was hazy self-satisfaction, as if he’d gotten off on making her come. “Ye screamed my name.”

  “I have before,” Jules panted. She reached for his hand and entwined their fingers, because she couldn’t not touch him.

  “It doesna get old.” He winked.

  Jules laughed and tugged on his hand. “Come to me, Hugh. Be with me.” Make love to me. She couldn’t say that out loud again.

  “Will ye scream my name again?” He hovered over her, pushing her legs wider with a knee.

  “Aye.”

  He gave her no answer—and no recovery time. Hugh dipped his head down to take her mouth. At the same time, and true to his nature, he positioned his erection at her center. He filled her to the hilt with one hard stroke that made them both gasp.

  She rubbed her tongue against his when Hugh started to thrust, and wrapped her achy legs around his waist. Tomorrow she was going to hurt in places she didn’t know could hurt, but right now, Jules didn’t give a damn.

  Hugh slammed into her over and over, until she struggled to keep up with him, and they both had no rhythm. He held onto her, and Jules clung to him as they moved together.

  They needed no words, but emotion was as heady in the air as the pleasure shooting all over her body. Any place with a nerve ending was on fire, and she moaned with every brush of his hands and mouth.

  Hugh always made sure she was as into the sex as he was, but this, too, was different. His caresses had meaning, as did every look he gave her.

  She bit back I love you when their gazes locked.

  Jules tilted her face and met his kiss instead, crushing her eyes shut. She met his next surge forward, and the one after that.

  Heat bloomed in her lower belly and her core quivered. She moaned as her inner muscles started to contract and relax. Climax hit, but this time it was balanced. There was no urgency, only the pleasure washing over her.

  Hugh slowed his thrusts, drawing out her ecstasy and grunting into their fused mouths. She waited for him to exit her body like normal. He didn’t. He stiffened, stilling above her. His release shot deep inside her, spreading the warmth already dominating her.

  He didn’t pull out.

  Another first that made her heart rebound against her ribs. She swallowed a new wave of emotion as well as the three words playing on the tip of her tongue.

  When he collapsed on top of her, Jules held him tight and pressed her mouth to his. He took it from there, kissing her deeply, but tenderly. She sighed and snuggled into him.

  “Lass, let me go, or I’ll crush ye.” Hugh’s words were muffled against her neck, but Jules heard amusement, too.

  She managed a sheepish smile and complied—but only a little. Jules didn’t want to be parted from him just yet.

  Or ever.

  Her breath caught when her eyes raked his face. Hugh’s high cheekbones were flushed with color and his mouth red, swollen from hers. Every inch of his gorgeous, muscled frame carried a sheen of sweat, but she didn’t care.

  I did that to him.

  The man she loved was the hottest guy she’d ever seen.

  “Wha’ is it?” he whispered, brushing her hair from her face.

  “Nothing.” Jules couldn’t tell him she’d miss him. Or face that this was it for them. She’d see her sister, kiss the baby, say goodbye and have the Faery Stones opened so she could go home. She had to leave now, before she lost her nerve.

  She dragged her fingers down his damp chest, playing in Hugh’s curls until his nipples hardened from the attention.

  He smirked, grabbed her hand and pressed small kisses to her knuckles. “C’mon, lass. I’ll take ye to Dunvegan.” When he leaned down to kiss her forehead, Jules sucked back a sob.

  “Wh-wh-what?” She fought the urge to throw her arms around his neck, rub her cheek against his rough stubble, cling to him.

  Tell him I love him.

  Jules averted her eyes. She couldn’t tell him how she felt. It wouldn’t go over well, and despi
te their lovemaking just now, her love was definitely one-sided.

  I’m not ready to go yet.

  “’Tis where ye wan’ ta be, isna’?”

  His voice jolted her. Their gazes collided against her will. She couldn’t read his expression, but that was nothing new with Hugh MacDonald.

  No. I want to be with you. “Claire’s there,” she whispered instead. “I need to say goodbye before I go.”

  Coward.

  The man she loved nodded and pulled Jules gently to her feet without another word.

  Pain seared her heart and she looked away from him, searching the sand for her clothes. In her peripheral vision, she saw Hugh doing the same.

  Getting dressed was a mechanized thing that left her more chilled than the frigid sea air ever could have. Tremors chased each other down her spine and she fought tears.

  Jules still couldn’t look at him, so she folded up his plaid, hugging it to her chest before she could muster the courage to hand it over.

  She was grateful for the wind whipping her hair around. Made no efforts to brush it from her face. Never had Jules thought he’d actually let her go.

  He was willing to take her to Dunvegan.

  It was what she wanted. So why the hell did it hurt so badly?

  Chapter Twenty

  The ride to his enemy’s gate had Hugh’s gut so tight it was hard to breathe. He chided himself to relax. The MacLeods meant no harm to his lass. He knew it logically. There was no reason to worry about her once she was inside the safety of Dunvegan.

  He grudgingly had to give Duncan and Alex MacLeod their due. They were fierce protectors of what they held dear. Juliette was family to them. They would do their duty to keep her safe in his absence.

  Hugh would watch her until he couldn’t see her anymore, damn whatever the MacLeod guards had to say about it. After he’d grabbed her from the bailey, they’d never let him inside again. Had the same happened in his courtyard, he’d have acted equally.

  If it was allowed, he’d escort her inside, but he had too much pride to beg.

  He’d never show weakness in front of any member of his rival clan.

  Juliette’s back was stiff against his chest, which didn’t help his breathing problem. Her hands clamped onto his wrists, too, but he wasn’t about to tell her to release him.

  Hell, he’d prefer she never released him.

  Hugh stilled on Dubh’s back. Feelings he’d been avoiding for over a week surfaced and his mouth went dry.

  He wasn’t nervous about leaving Juliette with Clan MacLeod. Hadn’t he talked himself into letting her go from the moment he’d left Armadale to look for her?

  I don’t want to lose her.

  I lo—

  Hugh shook his head.

  Nay. “Tha’s no’ it.”

  “What?” Juliette glanced over her shoulder.

  “Nothin’.” Hugh cleared his throat and sat straighter.

  She tried to turn in his arms to look at him.

  His stomach flipped and he forced a frown. “Sit still a ’fore ye knock us both from Dubh’s back.”

  Juliette narrowed her pretty green eyes. “You’re a better horseman than that.”

  He said nothing. She knew him well—too well. “Turn ‘round.”

  “Why? Hugh? What’s wrong?” The concern in her voice made his heart speed up.

  “Nothin’ tha’s yer concern.” And it was true. How he…felt for her mattered not.

  She harrumphed, but she did as he’d bid, turning to look ahead. The golden waves of her loose hair tickled his cheek. Her scent washed over his senses and Hugh closed his eyes, savoring the woman he’d fallen in love with.

  While he still could.

  He’d have to remember their lovemaking on the beach. Hold it dear, because once Juliette slipped from Dubh’s back, he’d never hold her again.

  She was going home.

  To the far future.

  Hugh’s throat started to close and he coughed.

  “Are you okay?” Juliette whispered.

  “I am well.”

  “I’m not.” Her voice was so low he almost missed it.

  Emotion jolted him and he had to chide himself to sit still. Unable to gather words, Hugh slipped an arm around her waist and squeezed her against his chest. He kissed her temple and dipped his head down to whisper in her ear. “Everythin’ will be all right, lass.”

  She nodded and swallowed, and he wanted to kiss her throat, but didn’t.

  He studied her strong profile. Wanted to turn her head and take her mouth, but restrained himself.

  Silence fell, because God knew Hugh couldn’t muster words for his lass.

  Coward.

  Wretch.

  He called out when they approached the outer gate, but two MacLeods still approached with claymores drawn and matching glares on their faces.

  Hugh gritted his teeth and bowed from his horse’s back. “I’ve brought the lady to see her sister.”

  The guard on the right, a huge blond man, approached.

  At least he has the decency to sheath his sword.

  “Good ta see ye again, my lady.” He inclined his head to Juliette.

  “You too, Cormac.”

  Jealousy flared up from his gut and Hugh tightened his grip on his lass.

  “Hugh, you’re hurting me.”

  “I’m sorry,” he muttered, forcing his arm to loosen, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to kiss her, show Cormac Juliette McGowan was his.

  The guard put his hand out to assist her dismount.

  The moment she set her palm in his, an unfamiliar sense of panic washed over Hugh. He wanted to clutch her to him, whip Dubh around and hie home to Armadale, where Juliette belonged.

  In his arms.

  In his bed.

  For the rest of their lives.

  I love her.

  Three words became a chant in his head. With each repetition, his chest constricted more. He clenched his jaw until his teeth hurt when Cormac MacLeod helped her down. A sense of loss, emptiness, stabbed his chest and he wanted to flee. Or kill something.

  He was cold without her body heat. Frigid without her against his chest, in his arms. Hugh’s wrists burned where she’d gripped him. As if they already missed her touch. His own skin was turning on him.

  She stood in front of the MacLeod clansman, looking up at Hugh.

  He fought the urge to close his eyes and met her beautiful emerald gaze straight-on. He couldn’t kiss her from Dubh’s back, and he didn’t have the bollocks to dismount and pull her into his arms.

  If he did, he wouldn’t let her go.

  “Lass.” He cursed the word as it cracked. Hugh cleared his throat.

  Juliette came to him immediately, caressing Dubh’s dark neck. She wouldn’t meet Hugh’s eyes.

  He leaned down and brushed her hair from her face. “Juliette.”

  Finally she looked up. Those green eyes were misty. Her nose was red, as if she was fighting tears, and her lush lips parted.

  His heart plummeted to his stomach. A declaration of love played on his tongue, but he shoved it away. “Be well, Juliette.” Hugh’s voice shook. It took all he was made of to look down at her like she didn’t matter. Like he didn’t love her. Didn’t ache to keep her.

  She bit her swollen bottom lip and nodded. Her breasts heaved as if she’d taken a breath, and she swallowed. “You, too, Hugh. Umm, thanks for…kidnapping me.”

  He smiled as unwanted sentiment clogged his throat. He dragged two fingers down her cheek. “I’ve no regrets.” But he did, because he was letting her go.

  Juliette flashed a watery smile that stilled his heart. “Neither do I.”

  Words caught in his throat.

  This is what she wants. To go home.

  She stepped back, averting her gaze.

  Hugh watched Cormac MacLeod slip his arm around her shoulders to guide her into the bailey, and he wanted to lop it off. Shout at the man to unhand his lass.

  She’s
not mine anymore.

  Not that she ever was.

  He’d taken her to Armadale against her will—twice.

  The other MacLeod guard inclined his dark head when Hugh’s eyes rested on him, but he didn’t return the gesture.

  Without another word, he turned Dubh away from the MacLeod stronghold. His heart thundered as if he’d run down the beach from Dunvegan to Armadale, and every forced breath was a dagger to his lungs.

  He closed his eyes and buried his hand in his stallion’s thick mane.

  Hugh MacDonald had finally met his match—and now he was riding away from her.

  His bitter laugh filled his ears, but he shook his head and kicked his horse. He’d never looked back before, and today was not the day to change his ways.

  * * * *

  “Did ye find her?”

  Hugh dragged his hand down his face, ignoring the scratch of stubble against his palm. He swallowed a sigh and didn’t turn toward the meddling old woman he called aunt. “Aye.”

  Silence.

  Which was never good.

  Aunt Mab invaded his ledger room, her cane tap-tapping on the floor as she hobbled forward.

  He still didn’t look at the woman who’d raised him. He couldn’t.

  “Weeel?”

  “Well, wha’?” He tried not to bark. He had no patience for a scolding.

  “Where is yer lass?”

  “Dunvegan, I s’pose.”

  “Dunvegan? Why ever fer?” Aunt Mab’s voice shot up an octave and Hugh winced.

  “Auntie—”

  Thwack.

  Pain shot into his shoulders, reverberating down his spine. “Jesu!” Hugh shot to his feet and whirled on his tiny aunt, who had her cane poised for another strike. “Ye hit me!”

  “Aye, and shall do so again, if ye doona’ watch yer mouth, lad.” She glared up at him, her dark eyes flashing.

  “Mab,” Hugh growled.

  “Sit down a ’fore ye hurt yerself,” she returned, her expression even darker.

  “Myself? I’ll hurt ye,” Hugh muttered, but he didn’t have the bollocks to say it louder. He obeyed, taking the seat he’d been wallowing in at the large table in his ledger room.