Everything In Its Time

by Dee Davis

  Katherine licked her lips, feeling the familiar heat begin to build deep inside her. She reveled in the strong, smooth hardness of his naked body and rejoiced over the fact that this man belonged to her. She looked into the green pools of his eyes, seeing her love reflected and returned in their crystal depths. She rubbed against his hand, feeling his heat seep into her very soul, robbing her of breath. With a trembling hand, she stroked the rough hairs on his face, marveling at the texture of the dark beard against her pale fingers. Sliding her hand upward, she entwined her fingers in the silky black strands of his hair, her eyes lost in his. He was her entire world. Slowly, ever so slowly, he bent his head to kiss her.

  Iain tasted the sweet surrender in her kiss and felt himself coming undone. The fire that he had so carefully kept banked sprang into full flame, searing him with its power. Drawing her closer, he gently massaged her breast. She arched against him, a low moan slipping from her lips. He captured it, feeling the movement of her breath as she opened her mouth to him, tongues meeting, exploring, remembering. He deepened the kiss, drawing her into him, until it was hard to tell where one of them began and the other ended.

  Katharine ran her hand along the muscles of his back, feeling his tightly leashed power. Urgency, spurred on by the pain of their separation and the power of their reunion, filled her. She leaned back against the steely strength of his arms, feeling his lips move along the smooth column of her throat. She called his name over and over, unable to get enough of the feel of him, unable to believe that at last they were together. She moaned as his mouth found her breast, the heat of his tongue finding her even through the material of her blouse. He reached to pull her up into his arms, but with a touch of her hand she motioned him to stop.

  "No, I want you here. Now."

  Smiling at her, his teeth a ghostly white in the black of his beard, Iain reached for the blanket he had discarded earlier. She took his hand and drew him down with her. Kneeling they faced each other, their eyes doing what their hands longed to. He touched the cool silk of her blouse, fingers halting in confusion when they reached the strange fastenings holding it closed.

  Laughing, Katharine slowly pulled each button free, allowing the material to fall open and reveal the creamy satin of her breasts. Sucking in a breath, Iain bent to taste her, his lips closing gently around her nipple. Pushing her blouse from her body, he ran his hand along her rib cage, caressing her skin with the warmth of his hard, callused fingers. She threw back her head, offering herself and delighting in the feel of his mouth as it greedily devoured first one breast and then the other.

  With fumbling hands, they worked together to remove the last of her clothing, both anxious to feel the heat of their bodies pressed together. Naked at last, she lay back on the blanket, her glorious hair a glimmer of gold in the moonlight. Iain caught his breath as the full power of his love for this woman crested inside him. Carefully, bracing is weight on his elbows, he lowered himself to her.

  Their lips met and the heat inside him spiraled upward, its curling warmth threatening to blow him apart. His hand slid up her thigh until it rested at the apex of her desire. With one long finger, he parted the satiny folds and pushed deep into the hot pulsing heart of her. She writhed beneath him, her tongue pushing into his mouth, mimicking the rhythm of his finger. With hot wet kisses, he moved from her mouth, trailing down her shoulder. He paused for a taste of her breasts, laving each nipple until it stretched tight, pressing hard against his tongue.

  Katherine felt his lips leave her breasts and move lower, his tongue exploring the depth of her belly button. She cried out when he removed his fingers, leaving her empty and hungry for more. His lips moved farther down, his kisses teasing her, his hands gently pushing her legs apart. She felt the whisper of his beard against the delicate skin of her inner thighs. Then suddenly, she arched against him as his tongue unerringly dipped into her soft center. She was on fire, her body melting with the heat of it. Her hips began to undulate against him as he consumed her. Her hands reached down, tangling in his hair, begging him for more. Her head rocked back and forth, her eyes closed as ecstasy surrounded her, lifting her up to unimaginable heights. With one last flick and thrust, she felt her body come apart.

  Iain felt her spasms begin and heard her cry his name. His tasting of her had built his own desires to a fever pitch, and he pulled himself up until he was poised over her. She opened her eyes and parted her lips in a slow sensuous smile, opening her legs in silent invitation. Eyes locked with hers, he caught her lips with is and entered her with one smooth stroke. The feel of her sheath tightening around him almost sent him over the edge. Trying to hold on to his control, he slowly began moving inside her.

  He felt her begin to rock against him, her body dancing with his, offering him everything. Accepting her gift, he lifted her hips and plunged deeper, losing himself in the heat of her. Locked in a rhythm of building passion, he met her unwavering gaze, willing her to feel how much he loved her. How much he needed her. With a quivering whimper, she arched against him, her eyes closing as she surrendered to her release. The sight of her face, radiating the joy of her climax, was all that he needed. Closing his own eyes, his body moving deeply into hers, he exploded with sensation and, reaching for her hand, allowed the fire to consume him.

  *****

  Gently, as though falling through cotton, Katherine came back to earth. She felt the steady thump of Iain's heart against her skin and nestled closer into the warmth of him, her breathing lifting the long black hair falling onto her shoulders. With a groan, he rolled over, pulling her with him so that she lay cradled on top of him.

  "Welcome home, lass. I swear, one day you'll no doubt be the death of me. I wasna certain you were coming back."

  His voice was light, but Katherine could see the shadow of pain in his eyes. She smiled as she smoothed his hair back from his face. There would be time for explanations later, but not now. Now, she wanted nothing more than to be with him, to let him know how very much she loved him.

  "I could never leave you, not of my own free will. You should have known I'd find my way back to you."

  "But you didna have the earrings."

  "I didn't need them. All I needed was my love for you."

  "Aye. And my love for you."

  Katherine rejoiced both at his words and at the hard evidence of his desire pressed against her. His arms tightened around her and his lips found hers. She opened her mouth to his, breathing in his essence, capturing his soul.

  *****

  The stars were fading when Katherine opened her eyes. The air was crisp, bordering on downright cold. She glanced at Iain. His eyes were closed, his arm thrown over her possessively, even in sleep. She smiled and, shifting slightly, reached to pull the blanket more snugly around them.

  "Ouch." Katherine frowned, shifting uncomfortably as something sharp dug into her hip. Iain sprang to his feet, awake in an instant.

  "What is it? Are you all right?"

  Katherine smiled at her warrior husband. "I'm fine. Something just poked me from under the blanket."

  Iain relaxed immediately. With a mischievous grin, he bowed from the waist. "Allow me to assist you, my love." With exaggerated caution, he lifted the corner of the blanket while motioning Katherine to move away. Trying to control her laughter, she scooted to the opposite edge as he explored the area where she had been sleeping. With a flourish of triumph, he rose, offering Katherine the offending object on the palm of his hand.

  " 'Tis only your jewel, my Lady."

  Still stifling giggles, Katherine peered into his hand, her throat tightening at the sight of the cairngorm earring.

  Handing it to her, he began to search for its mate. "It seems that upon seeing you, I completely forgot about the earrings."

  Katherine turned the stone in her hand, wondering if it truly had played a part in bringing them together.

  "I must have dropped them when I felt other things rising." He located the other one and dropped down beside
her, a lustful grin lighting his handsome face. "Will you wear them?"

  "No." Katherine surprised herself as well as Iain with the strength of her answer. She dipped her head, embarrassed. "What I mean is that I won't wear both of them. I'll feel better if you have one and I have the other." She bit her lip and raised her eyes to Iain's.

  "I understand, mo chridhe." He looped the earring through his ear. The smoky stone swung jauntily from his lobe. " 'Tis a symbol of our love."

  She smiled at him, fastening her own earring, grateful for his understanding. He reached out to touch hers, his finger trailing down her neck, and coming to rest on her shoulder.

  "Perhaps someday we can give them to our daughter," he said quietly.

  Again, Katherine saw a brief shadow of pain flicker across his eyes, and wondered at its cause. Involuntarily her hand went to her abdomen. It was still flat, but somehow, suddenly, she felt sure that what she had suspected in New York was true.

  "Would you like to be a father then?"

  "If you are the mother, I can think of no greater honor."

  Katherine reached out to take his hand, then placed it on her stomach. "Well, I can't be sure, of course, but I think you might be a father before the winter is out." She scanned his face, searching for a sign that the news truly pleased him.

  His large hand almost covered her belly. He stroked it in awe, the smile on his face radiating his joy. She felt her own happiness welling up inside, and her eyes filled with tears. After everything that had happened, she was finally where she belonged.

  Iain gathered her to him, wrapping them both in the blanket. "I predict 'twill be a lass. And I think we should call her Anna."

  "And if it's a boy?"

  Iain rested his chin on the top of her head. "It willna be. I have it on good authority."

  Katherine opened her mouth to question him and then closed it, her mind jumping quickly to her own answer.

  Jeff.

  Iain must have felt the movement, because his arms tightened around her. "And if we have a wee lad, after our Anna, I think we should name him Jeffrey."

  Katherine leaned back against the solid warmth of her husband and together they watched the sun rise, spreading its golden rays across Duncreag.

  Epilogue

  ELAINE MACQUEEN ST. CLAIRE Mackintosh, lady of the manor and wife of the thirtieth Laird of Duncreag, sat back on her heels examining the ancient rosebush she had just transplanted. Patting the soil at its base, she smiled lovingly at it.

  "There, my wee one, that ought to hold you in good stead for another hundred years or so."

  Pushing a wayward curl behind her ear, she rose, brushing the dirt from her jeans. Removing her gloves, she stepped back to admire the view. The newly planted rosebush stretched its gnarled canes up toward Duncreag. The tower stood majestic against the azure of the spring sky. It gleamed white in the sunlight, its full former glory reflected in its painstaking restoration. Elaine felt a swell of pride at the magnificent sight of the place she called home.

  "Mama, Mama, where are you?"

  Elaine held a hand to her eyes, smiling as she watched her two young sons running full tilt into the garden. Behind them came her daughter, her tiny legs pumping with the effort to keep up with her older brothers.

  "There you are. We have something to show you." Andrew grabbed her hand, tugging on it, trying to pull her toward the tower.

  "It's really cool, Mom. You've got to come. We waited to open it until we could do it with you and Dad." Ethan was almost dancing with enthusiasm, which said a lot considering he was almost twelve and currently into acting cool.

  Elaine smiled at her oldest son. "What is it you've found?" Her mother's eye sought out her daughter while listening to her sons. She saw a tiny figure helping Mr. Abernathy plant some beans. Satisfied her smallest was safe for the time being, she returned her undivided attention to her sons.

  "We're not telling. Right, Ethan?" Andy looked at his older brother for confirmation.

  "Right. You'll just have to come see for yourself."

  Laughing, Elaine bent to pick up her trowel. "All right, I'll come. Just let me put away my gardening tools."

  Already halfway out of the garden, the boys turned to yell back at her. "We'll go and get Dad. Meet us in the great hall." Then they dashed away, with her daughter hot in pursuit again. She sighed, marveling at their energy.

  "Well, Jamie, I guess I'm calling it a day." She walked over to Mr. Abernathy, watching as he efficiently planted the beans. She thought, not for the first time, how lucky they were to have him and Agnes to watch over them. She gathered a few more tools and walked toward the small shed against the wall. "Are you coming to see this mysterious unveiling?"

  His eyes twinkling with delight, he leaned on his shovel. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll just finish this row and then I'll be in."

  Elaine nodded at him and set off across the garden. She rounded the comer and started up the steps leading to the front door, then paused at the top of the stairs, absently stroking the silver cat she wore pinned to her shirt and looking out across the lands of Duncreag. It was a wild and beautiful place. She never ceased to be grateful that it was theirs.

  Walking into the great hall, she laid her gloves on an entry table and crossed over to the leather sofa in front of the fireplace. The children were gathered around something on the coffee table. Elaine sank onto the sofa, glad to be off her feet.

  "Can I see it yet?"

  The boys chimed the word "no" almost together. "We have to wait for Dad and the Abernathys."

  As if on cue, Agnes Abernathy appeared, the perfect picture of a Scottish lady in her plaid skirt and sensible shoes. Her merry eyes danced as she came to sit beside Elaine.

  "So it's a mystery we're to be seeing, is it?"

  Elaine gave her an answering smile, then turned as her husband appeared in the doorway of his study. He stretched, his white shirt pulling tight across the broad expanse of his shoulders. She felt her body warm at the sight of him. After three children, he still had the power to make her heart skip a beat.

  "Hello, darling. Did you finish the new plans?"

  Jeff pushed a hand through his already rumpled hair. "Almost. I stopped for the moment to see what my mischievous offspring have unearthed."

  At the sound of his voice, Andy ran to him and pulled him closer to the table. Sitting on the other side of Elaine, he dropped an arm around her shoulder. "So, tell us, what is it you've found?"

  "Not yet, Mr. Abernathy isn't here. We want this to happen with the whole family present."

  "I'm here, lad, I'm here. So let's get on with the unveiling."

  Mr. Abernathy perched on the arm of the sofa nearest his wife.

  With exaggerated movements, the boys raised a cloth-covered object and then, sure that they held everyone's undivided attention, jerked the cloth away.

  "Ta-da! We found it in the wall of the fireplace upstairs."

  Rushing over his brother's words in his excitement, Ethan added, "Yeah, there was a loose stone and we pried it out. Just like you did when you were a kid, Dad."

  Elaine reached for Jeff's hand and leaned forward to better see what the boys held. It was a wooden box banded with gold. She recognized the Mackintosh crest on the top.

  "Here, Mom, you do the honors." Ethan held the box out to her.

  Exchanging a look with Jeff, she took the box, her hands shaking a little. Almost with a will of their own, her fingers turned the box so that she could examine the bottom. It was smooth and unmarked. Frowning, she turned it back so that the crest faced up.

  "Come on, Mom, open it." Andy danced frantically in front of her, anxious to see what was inside.

  "It may be empty, boys, so don't be disappointed," Jeff cautioned. He leaned over Elaine's arm, as excited as the boys to see what was inside.

  "I'm sure there will be a treasure. Why else would it have been hidden behind the stone in the fireplace?" Mrs. Abernathy said, smiling reassuringly at the boys
and then turning her attention back to the box in Elaine's hands.

  Carefully, Elaine opened it. Inside was a small piece of brocade fabric wrapped around something. She lifted it out and slowly drew back the edges. Nestled inside were two small earrings, their smoky stones twinkling in the lamplight.

  "The cairngorms." Elaine barely breathed the words as she lifted the earrings for everyone to see.

  "Treasure," whispered Andrew.

  "Aw, it's just jewelry," said Ethan, his nose wrinkling in boyish disgust.

  "Pretty. Pretty." Jeff's small daughter reached out with a cautious finger to touch the stones dangling from her mother's fingers. "Whose earrings are they, Papa?"

  Jeff's eyes met Elaine's, and they exchanged a smile.

  "Why, Kitty, I believe when you're old enough they should belong to you."

  Mrs. Abernathy leaned back against her husband's arm, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she watched the Mackintosh family.

  "Everything in its time, I always say. Everything in its time."

  About Dee Davis

  Award winning author Dee Davis worked in association management before turning her hand to writing. Her highly acclaimed first novel, Everything In Its Time, was published in July 2000. Since then, among others, she’s won the Booksellers Best, Golden Leaf, Texas Gold and Prism awards, and been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Holt and two RT Reviewers Choice Awards. To date, she is the author of nineteen books and four novellas. When not sitting at the computer, Dee spends time exploring Manhattan with her husband, daughter, and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

  Visit Dee at http://www.deedavis.com or catch up with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/deedavisbooks or follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/deesdavis

  Photo: Jennifer Berry/Studio 16