Midnight's Warrior

by Donna Grant

  He slowly maneuvered them until they were at the bed. With a movement so quick, so smooth, Tara found herself atop the bed and Ramsey next to her. Limbs tangling, hands searching, they rolled skin to skin.

  “No rushing this time,” he warned her.

  She started to shake her head in answer, but his finger circling her nipple scattered her thoughts. Tara moaned and arched into his hand, silently begging for more.

  Her breasts swelled, her nipples tightened. Tara fisted her hands in the covers while Ramsey’s fingers played with one turgid peak and his mouth claimed the other.

  Liquid heat rushed through Tara’s body. She gasped at the intense desire, but that gasp turned into a cry of pleasure when he pinched her nipple.

  The pleasure-pain only intensified the need pulsing through her and centering at her sex. Her hips lifted, seeking Ramsey. And suddenly he was between her legs, his rock-hard body atop hers.

  Tara was on fire. Each flick of his fingers, each tug of his lips upon her breasts, only fanned the flames.

  And then his hands were on her thighs. He held them apart and stared at her sex before he licked her.

  Tara sucked in a breath that quickly locked in her lungs when he parted the soft folds of her sex and put his mouth to her curls.

  Ramsey licked and laved, he probed and explored. His assault upon her senses and her body was devastating.

  She was helpless to do anything but ride the waves of pleasure as he took her higher, wound her body tighter with each stroke of his tongue.

  Tara could feel her body constricting, knew she was close to peaking. Just when she was about to go over the edge, Ramsey drew back.

  She reached for him as fiery need filled her. Her hands stroked the muscled expanse of his chest.

  Silver eyes met hers, his lips softened into a crooked smile as he rubbed the head of his engorged arousal against her sensitive sex.

  Tara looked between them to his cock. No one had touched her as he had, both body and soul. This was different. Not just the way they were making love or the magic between them.

  It was more. Something she couldn’t put into words.

  Something she didn’t dare put into words.

  She reached between them for his rod. It was hot and hard and so flagrantly male. Her other hand joined the first, and together they stroked and lightly squeezed.

  He stilled, his entire body going taut. His chest expanded with a breath that he held within him as her hands continued their exploration.

  With a nudge he wasn’t expecting, Tara had him on his back and turned the tables on him.

  “Tara,” he whispered, his hands fisting in her hair.

  She waited for him to stop her, to pull her away. When he didn’t, she wrapped her lips around his smooth flesh and took him deep in her mouth.

  She sucked, she licked, she laved.

  The sound of his ragged breathing, the way his hands clutched at her only drove her to push him closer and closer to the edge. She sensed the tension in him tighten.

  His hips bucked beneath her in time to her mouth moving up and down his thick length.

  In a fluid motion, he had her on her back as he knelt between her legs. His gaze never left hers as he gripped her hips and lifted them.

  Tara drew in a shaky breath filled with need and urgency as she looked at his cock poised at her entrance. The broad head of his member pressed in.

  Seeing him fill her, watching the way her body stretched to accommodate him only sent her need, her desire, spiraling higher.

  He steadily pressed deeper to fill her. Her spine arched, her body tingling with sensations.

  Ramsey looked down at her, at her blue-green eyes filled with blatant desire, her luscious curves beneath him, her long legs wrapped around him.

  And his cock buried deep within her.

  His fingers tightened on her arse as he drew out of her only to plunge deep and hard. She moaned, her lids closing over her incredible eyes.

  But Ramsey wasn’t close to being done with her. He had tasted her, touched her, learned her. Yet it wasn’t enough. The hunger for her inside him was only growing, consuming him.

  With her ankles locked around him, he released her hips and cupped her breasts. He rolled her nipples until they were tiny hard buds, throbbing and straining.

  She gasped and squirmed, shifting along his arousal with simple movements that caused sweat to break out over his skin.

  His mouth replaced his hands as he paid homage to first one breast then the other. Until she was a wordless pleading mass, until her body was damp and dewy.

  Ramsey rose and gripped her hips once more. When he glanced up, he found her eyes glossed over with desire, her skin flushed with burning need.

  Just as he wanted her.

  He rotated his hips and heard her low moan. Keeping her hips still, he began to thrust slowly at first, then gradually set up a driving, gripping rhythm.

  With his jaw clenched he watched as she cried out from the pleasure, her head thrashing from side to side, her hands fisted in the covers.

  He lifted her higher, sliding deeper. And pounded into her.

  Tara cried out Ramsey’s name, her back arching as the climax claimed her by surprise. It took her, swept her. Racked her.

  The pleasure touched every part of her, but more than that, there was something special, something singularly different that filled her as well.

  She grasped ahold of Ramsey as he released her hips and fell atop her, his breathing harsh and ragged. Yet still he pumped his hips faster, harder.

  Tara wrapped her arms and legs around him, rocking her body to meet each of his thrusts until she felt his release take him—and her—on a glorious tide of bliss that left them reeling.

  Together. As one.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Ramsey stared at the moon through the window as he held Tara cradled against him. Her breath had evened into sleep, with her head resting on his shoulder.

  In all his life, he’d never been more content than he was at that moment. If everything stayed the way it was, he could be happy. He could be … satisfied.

  If there was one thing he’d learned from Deirdre, it was that nothing ever stayed the same. Declan was out there, and he wouldn’t stop until he had Tara.

  Why Tara was so important to Declan, Ramsey didn’t know. But Ramsey wouldn’t stop until he discovered what it was. He wouldn’t stop searching for Declan until the bastard was as dead and gone as Deirdre.

  Yet, for the first time in a long time, Ramsey didn’t want to see battle. He wanted nights with Tara in bed beside him, to face the morning sun and see her bright smile. To share meals with her.

  To share the future with her.

  Ramsey glanced down at the top of Tara’s head and ran his fingers through the thick, cool strands of her golden-brown hair, marveling at the golden locks within.

  He wasn’t sure how he felt about wanting Tara with him always. It seemed right, yet … he’d never had that feeling with any other woman before. Was it just that he was lonely? Was it just that his fight with Deirdre was over and he wanted someone to protect?

  Or was it something much more?

  His thoughts ground to a halt then. He wasn’t prepared to go further. Not yet, at least.

  The sound of Tara’s stomach rumbled into the silence, causing him to smile. They had missed supper, and he was more than hungry himself.

  Ramsey gently rolled Tara onto her other side and quietly left the bed. He pulled on his jeans without buttoning them and left the tower barefoot to wander down to the kitchen.

  The castle was quiet in the dead of the night, but Ramsey knew that there were Warriors on guard. Until Declan was gone, they would remain guarding the castle and the Druids within.

  Ramsey walked into the kitchen and flipped on the light to find Galen leaning against the counter eating a sandwich.

  “Hungry?” Galen asked around his mouthful of food.

  Ramsey grabbed a plate from the cu
pboard and set it next to the refrigerator. “Aye.”

  “You and Tara missed a fine supper.”

  Ramsey glanced at his friend before he opened the fridge door and began to pile the plate with cold meats and cheese. “That we did.”

  “Is it serious?”

  Ramsey paused while reaching for a bottle of water and turned his head to look at Galen. “I’m no’ sure.”

  “There’s time,” Galen said. He wiped his mouth with a napkin before he wadded it up and tossed it in the bin.

  Time. Ramsey certainly had an abundance of it. But Tara didn’t. She was mortal, just like all the other Druids in the castle.

  “Do you think about what will happen if the spell to bind our gods is never found?” Ramsey asked.

  Galen’s blue eyes darkened. “I prefer no’ to, however, Reaghan is a realist. She likes to think ahead. She says she’s all right with the way things are.”

  “But you are no’.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Nay.”

  Ramsey grabbed the water and closed the fridge door. “As long as the Druids stay at the castle they’ll no’ age. Isla’s magic is strong. The spell survived four centuries. It can survive as long as it takes to find the spell to bind our gods.”

  “I know. We all know. But we’ve all had our lives on hold for so long. I know Larena and Fallon desperately wish to have a family.”

  “And you and Reaghan?”

  Galen ran a hand down his face. “Reaghan longs for a child. I too want children, but only if we can raise them without the threat of evil that is Declan.”

  “I’m sorry. Had I killed Declan at Dunnoth Tower, that is one more evil that would be gone.”

  Galen grinned and slapped Ramsey on the shoulder. “You always try to do too much by yourself, my friend. For whatever reason, fate has decreed you and Declan will have another face-off. And frankly, I’m looking forward to such a battle. I want to give the son of a bitch a few swipes of my claws.”

  Before Ramsey could respond, Galen walked from the kitchen. With a shake of his head, Ramsey gathered up the plate and water and made his way back to the tower.

  When he shouldered open the door he found a small light on beside the bed and Tara sitting up in bed.

  “I wondered where you’d gone,” she said.

  He shut the door and grinned. “Your stomach was growling alongside mine, so I thought food was in order.”

  “You thought right,” she said, and grabbed for the plate as he reached the bed.

  Ramsey chuckled and settled beside her on the bed, both of them leaning against the headboard. With the plate and water between them, they each began to eat.

  “I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I saw the food,” Tara said with a grin.

  Ramsey popped a bit of cheese into her mouth. “I figured the least I could do for you was feed you.”

  “The least,” she repeated with a laugh.

  He watched her eat for a moment before he asked, “Are you happy here?”

  “Yes,” she said without hesitation. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering if you’ll take off soon or no’.”

  Tara ran her fingers through the condensation on the outside of the bottle. “It’s odd here, I’ll admit. I’m not used to being so included in everything. Usually I have to hide my magic and everything about myself. Here I feel…”

  “Free,” Ramsey supplied for her.

  Her eyes widened and she nodded. “Yes. ‘Free’ is the perfect word. Maybe it’s this castle, or the people. All I know is that I like it here.”

  “Good.”

  “Why?”

  Ramsey broke a piece of cheese in half and stared at the plate. “I’d worry about you out in the world.”

  “Because of Declan?”

  “Nay.” He turned his head to her. “I’d just worry.”

  “No one has ever worried about me before.”

  Ramsey put the cheese in his mouth before he said more about his feelings. Already he’d told her much more than he’d wanted to. Not that he was trying to keep anything from her, but he wasn’t ready to share what he hadn’t thought through enough yet.

  He needed more time to think about what was developing between them, to consider how it would affect both of them.

  Thankfully, she didn’t ask any more questions either. As famished as they both were, the food was devoured quickly. Ramsey wanted Tara to stay, and he was prepared to ask her. But as he took the plate, she slid down the pillow and smiled at him.

  Ramsey set the plate and empty water bottle on the floor and rose to remove his jeans. He climbed back under the covers and shut off the light, only to find Tara waiting to cuddle next to him.

  He closed his eyes, a smile on his face. And the next thing he knew he opened his eyes to find the sky lightening to gray.

  Tara had her back to him, though she was still pressed along his side. Ramsey leaned over to look at her. He couldn’t ever remembering watching anyone sleep before, and he found it fascinating.

  Or maybe it was just that he found Tara fascinating.

  Her thick, dark lashes lay against her pale cheek, and her lips were parted slightly. Her bare arm was outside the covers, and her feet tangled with his.

  It was so intimate, yet so effortless.

  Suddenly, Tara’s lips pulled up at the corners. “Tell me I don’t have drool sliding down my face.”

  Ramsey chuckled and kissed her cheek. “No’ that I see.”

  “Oh, that doesn’t help,” she said as her eyes opened and she swiped at her mouth. “I don’t. Thank God.”

  “Why would it matter if you did?”

  Her blue-green eyes widened as she turned onto her back. “Ramsey, I realize you’ve come forward in time, but I don’t think it matters what century a woman is in, she always wants to look her best.”

  “Then you’ve nothing to worry about.”

  “How do you always know what to say?” she asked as her eyes briefly lowered.

  Ramsey shrugged. “I say what feels right.”

  “I have a confession.”

  He looked down at her hand that rested on his chest. “And what would that be?”

  “I’ve never spent the entire night with a man before you. This makes the second time.”

  “You’re the first woman I’ve wanted to keep in my bed the entire night.”

  “Really?”

  “Aye,” he answered, and pressed his lips to hers. “I wouldna lie about that.”

  She wound her arms around his neck and sighed as he kissed across her jaw. “I want nothing more than to stay in this bed with you.”

  “But?” Ramsey asked, and lifted his head to look at her.

  “I’m supposed to make breakfast with Sonya and Cara this morning.”

  He groaned and rolled onto his back, his arms out to his sides. “I know how hungry we Warriors get, so I suppose I must let you go.”

  Tara leaned over him, her curtain of wavy brown locks falling on either side of his face. “Breakfast doesn’t last very long.”

  “Are you suggesting we return to the tower afterward?” he asked with a grin.

  “Definitely.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  He reached for her, but she scooted from the bed and raced to get her clothes. “No. If I let you touch me again, I’ll never leave.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?”

  “That’s just it.” She glanced up after fastening her bra and reaching for her panties. “I don’t want to leave.”

  Her words reverberated in his head long after she departed for her own chamber. Ramsey remained in the bed a little longer.

  He ran his hands over her side of the bed, the sheets still warm from her body. When he inhaled, he could smell her sweet scent not just on himself, but on his bed as well.

  To his surprise, his thoughts turned to wondering what she was doing to get ready. And he wanted to find out. The next thing he knew, he was wondering how she’d f
eel if he broached the subject of her moving into the tower with him.

  That way, she wouldn’t have to rush away from him. She could be getting ready just steps away, and he could watch her, learn more about her.

  Ramsey sat up and raked both hands through his hair, his mind in a whirlwind. It wasn’t that he’d never wanted a woman by his side, it’s that he’d never found the right one.

  But all that had changed with Tara.

  Was it the magic between them, that even now sizzled in his veins? It couldn’t be seen anymore, but Ramsey felt it just the same.

  Was it because she needed protecting from Declan? Though she’d done a fine job of keeping ahead of him for a decade.

  Ramsey didn’t know what the reason was, only that she now occupied his thoughts constantly. The more he made love to her, the deeper she went in his psyche.

  The more he touched her, the deeper she touched his soul.

  The more he was around her, the more she was etched into his mind.

  Ramsey took a deep breath and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He didn’t know what the next step with Tara should be, or if there would even be one.

  She said she was happy at MacLeod Castle, but how long would that last for a woman who was used to following the call of the wind when it took her?

  He rose and walked to the bathroom. He rubbed his hand over his jaw, heavy with whiskers, and turned on the shower.

  It was impulsive of him to want to ask Tara to move her things into the tower with him. And Ramsey wasn’t impulsive. He needed time to think things over, time to consider all sides of what was developing with Tara.

  He stepped into the hot water of the shower. For several minutes he simply stood there, letting the water wash over him as memories of the night before replayed in his mind.

  Tara’s sweet body. Her soft sounds of pleasure, and her screams of release. Her hot mouth on his cock as she sucked and licked him until he nearly came.

  Ramsey smiled. Tara was much more than he’d ever thought. And he wanted to continue to peel back the layers and discover the rest of her.

  After a quick wash and shave, Ramsey turned off the water and reached for the towel. He stepped out of the shower and began to dry off.