His kiss sent a jolt through her, not that it was unexpected. She had seen the way he had stared hungrily at them. The jolt was to her passion, shocking it so suddenly that it rippled repeatedly through her body as if building toward a climax and all he had done was kiss her.
She had grown tired of berating herself for being wicked and wanting him so much. She loved him and making love with him was one way of expressing it and she so much wanted to express herself right now. And she did. Her hand drifted between his legs and she wasn’t surprised to find that he was hard. She stroked him until he grew even harder and then she pushed him to sit on a chair. She straddled him giving herself enough space to fumble with the ties of his leggings.
She wasn’t quite fast enough for him. He throbbed unmercifully and needed to be inside of her as fast as possible and so he pushed her hands away, freed himself and grabbed her around the waist to plant her on top of him in one swift thrust.
He couldn’t hear her gasp, but he saw it in her startled express and her wide open mouth, which he instantly claimed, his tongue delving in deeply. Damn if she didn’t feel good and taste good and he lingered in the pleasure. After a few minutes he reluctantly tore his mouth off hers and brought her up and down on him harder and harder.
She dropped her head back and though her cries of pleasure were silent he felt each and every one of them as her finger tapped his arm harder and harder.
He slowed her pace for a moment and she brought her brow to rest against his and then she pushed his hands off her waist, lifted her head and grabbed the chair posts on either side of Cree’s head and began to bounce up and down on him.
Damn if he wasn’t ready to spill inside her with each forceful bounce. And when she stopped and grinded against him in slow circles he thought he’d burst, and damn if he didn’t when she switched to bouncing again.
He dropped his head back and let out a moan that probably reverberated right through the cottage walls and surrounding area. What made it all the more pleasurable was that dawn climaxed right along with him.
When she collapsed against him, his arms went around her and he held her close. He didn’t want her getting off him anyway. He knew that with a bit of shifting she could very well come again since she always had multiple climaxes. And he smiled when she shifted once, twice, and grabbed his arm as she came again.
Damn, but he loved this woman and the thought that she could be taken away from him filled him with a helpless fear he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He couldn’t lose her; life would be worthless without her.
A knock had Cree cursing, though not nearly as badly as he would have if he had been interrupted a bit earlier.
“You’re needed, my lord,” Elwin called out.
“A moment,” Cree yelled back.
Dawn went to lift herself off him but he stayed her with his hands at her waist. He brushed his lips over hers and whispered, “You are mine.”
The last time that she told Cree that she loved him did not go well and he warned her not to love him, but that was not possible. And she wanted him to know once again how she felt.
She pressed her hand to her heart and then pressed it to his heart and leaving it there she kissed him gently.
He sighed and shook his head. “You shouldn’t love me.”
She pressed her hand to her heart again and then to his.
He swiftly lifted her off him, stood, and went to the door. Before he lifted the latch he turned to her. “You shouldn’t love me, but I’m so glad you do.”
The door closed with a click behind him and Dawn smiled. At least this time he hadn’t gotten angry with her and that gave her hope. She would tell him that she loved him more often and perhaps, just perhaps, one day he would tell her the same.
Chapter Fourteen
“The men have been dispatched with extra supplies and one of the women Elsa has been training as a healer has gone along in case anyone needs tending,” Sloan said joining Cree at the dais the next morning. “It should be two or more days before they return.”
“Good, it gives us time to prepare for them,” Cree said. “I’ve spoken to the men who continue to hunt for the intruder. They have searched the entire keep three times and have found no one.”
Sloan scratched his head. “Why would the person purposely break through the boarded door? He would alert everyone to his presence. It makes no sense.”
“Perhaps that was his intention, to let us know that he is among us and yet undetectable.” The idea did not sit well with Cree. He worried that it might have something to do with those who meant Dawn harm.
Sloan lowered his voice. “Here comes your intended looking penitent, if you can believe it.”
Cree looked to see Lucerne approaching the dais, her head bowed and her hands clasped together and pressed firmly against her stomach. She was a strikingly beautiful woman and the deep red velvet dress she wore paid homage to her creamy skin. It was a shame that her callous nature did not match her fine features.
She stopped close to the table and bowed her head. “My lord, I wish to thank you for releasing me from my punishment so that I may see to the preparations for my parents’ arrival.”
“Don’t make me regret it,” Cree said, “or reinforce it.”
“I realize that you are lord and master and that I must obey you as a dutiful wife should. It is my hope that you will come to recognize my strengths and allow me to ease some of your burdens.”
“Time will tell.” And Cree hoped time would help in finding a way of getting out of this marriage to her. He abhorred the thought of having her as his wife, though perhaps it was more that he hated the thought of marrying anyone other than Dawn.
“Now if you will excuse me, my lord, I will see to having quarters prepared for my parents.”
“Flanna already has the servants working on the task,” Cree said and saw Lucerne bristle. “Tell her what more you need and she will see it done.”
“My father also likes his food prepared a certain way. I would like to discuss his preferences with the cook if you will permit it.”
“Discuss it with Flanna and she will relay your suggestions to Turbett.” Cree could see that she wasn’t pleased, though she had little choice in the matter.
“As you wish, my lord,” she said. “I assume the McCluskys will be gone before my parents arrive?”
“They will be staying on for a while yet.”
Lucerne’s eyes went wide. “Why?”
“That doesn’t concern you.”
She bristled again and her eyes narrowed. “It is imperative that Bree be returned to me right away. I require her assistance in preparing my mother’s quarters.”
“You have enough servants at your disposal, you don’t need Bree, and besides, Bree is part of my clan now and obeys me.”
Red splotches popped out along Lucerne’s neck and up over her cheeks. “Bree belongs to me. You cannot do this.”
“I already have. Now go and see to your duties.”
Cree had dismissed her and Lucerne could do nothing but to take her leave. She turned and walked off not in a flourish but with strong, determined strides.
“That woman is going to be a problem,” Sloan said.
Cree turned to him. “Do you forget how often you have warned me that it is my duty to wed her?”
“That was before I learned what a manipulative, lying, and malicious bitch she is. And the more I learn about her, the more it makes me wonder if she had put something in your food that night you took ill.”
Cree’s brow scrunched in thought.
“Don’t you recall that your meal was different than the rest of ours? I teased you and asked if there was something special about that day since you always ate what we all ate.”
“I hadn’t given it thought.”
“I did, especially after Bree told us about Lucerne wanting something from the healer to prevent pregnancy. She evidently knows about potions and such stuff, though I’ve wondered her reason beh
ind it. What had she hoped to gain by making you ill?”
Cree had a thought he didn’t care for and he voiced his concern. “Perhaps it wasn’t intended for me. Talk with Bree and see if she knows if her mistress is acquainted with poisons. Have you found Bree a suitable daily chore and cottage yet?”
“I’m not sure she wants to be on her own right now. She still worries that she will be returned to Lucerne. And she is taking good care of Old Mary.”
“Let her stay with Old Mary and look after her for now. I’d rather the old woman not be alone.”
“You know there is talk?”
“I expected no less. And no doubt the McCluskys started it, hoping to garner support if it proves true that Dawn is his daughter,” Cree said ready to kick the McCluskys off his land.
“A wise maneuver, though McClusky doesn’t realize how faithful your warriors are and how they would go to battle without question for you.”
“It’s the villagers Kirk is looking to stir, thinking perhaps they would somehow help is cause if necessary.” Cree stood. “Old Mary claims this will be settled soon and it cannot be soon enough for me. Right now, though, we have Roland Gerwan and his people to worry about and I wonder who Lucerne favors, her mother or father.”
“Whichever one it is, I plan on avoiding that one in particular,” Sloan said with a laugh.
“See what Bree has to say and let me know right away.”
Sloan headed out of the keep while Cree walked down the stone passageway that connected with the kitchen. When he entered all talk and action stopped.
“A word, Turbett,” Cree said to the cook and stepped aside away from prying eyes and ears.
“All is well with your meals, my lord?” Turbett asked anxiously. While many feared Turbett’s brusque nature and the size of him, there was one person Turbett feared, and that was Cree. He had witnessed Cree in battle and there was no warrior fiercer, more determined, or more fearless of death than him.
“As always the food satisfies like none I’ve ever tasted.”
That was another thing about Cree, he gave praise when it was due.
“I’m curious about the night I took ill. Do you recall why I was served a different meal from the others?”
Turbett paled. “I would never serve you bad food, my lord.”
“No, you never have, but why the different meal that night?
Turbett tapped his chin as he gave it thought, relieved that he wasn’t being accused of anything. His eyes suddenly brighten. “Yes, I recall. The trencher was meant for Dawn, then I discovered that Flanna had taken her a lighter fare since she hadn’t felt well. I didn’t want to see the food wasted and since it was a favorite meal of yours I had it served to you.”
“Everyone in the kitchen knew the meal was meant for Dawn?”
Turbett nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
“Was anyone in the kitchen that day that usually wasn’t there?” Cree asked knowing that Turbett ruled his kitchen with an iron hand and did not appreciate visitors.
“Yes, the young lass that serves my lady. She came to fetch a brew for her mistress.”
“Make certain that no one handles Dawn’s food but you, and no one is allowed in the kitchen but your workers and Flanna.”
Turbett bobbed his head. “Aye, my lord, I will see to it.”
Cree returned to the Great Hall, grabbed his cloak and walked out of the keep. His mind was overrun with different possibilities. He had no doubt that Lucerne had directed Bree to plant the poison, but now he wondered if Lucerne had also arranged it so that Bree was placed in a situation where the servant could gather information for her. And was Bree more of a willing participant in the plan than she made it seem? And what of the poison? Would the amount have caused Dawn to take ill as it had done to him or would it have killed her? And if it was meant to kill, then could it in anyway be connected with the warriors sent to kill Dawn?
He had a strong feeling that it all had to do with Dawn’s true heritage and the sooner he could resolve that, the sooner he could resolve this whole dilemma.
His men were busy plowing a path, with the help of a couple of horses and two sizeable logs, through the village for when Gerwan and his troop arrived. He hurried along, a fierce look of determination on his face that had villagers scurrying out of his way and a few brave souls bidding him a good morning.
He had briefly considered stopping to see Dawn but he knew that would be a mistake. They had enjoyed each other last night and had fallen asleep exhausted, not just from their lovemaking but from the trying day. He had itched to have her again this morning but she had been deep in slumber and he hadn’t had the heart to wake her.
Now, however, she would be awake, her body warm and the scent of their lovemaking still on her. Damn, he was getting aroused just thinking about it. He pushed the thought away. It would wait until later when he was finished with all the things that needed his attention. Then there would be nothing to interfere with their time together. And he’d leave his scent on her again.
He turned past a large snow pile and stopped when he saw Sloan speaking with Bree. He was smiling at her like a love-struck fool and her cheeks were blushed pink as she smiled sweetly at him.
Damn, Sloan was going to be useless to him were this was concerned. Unless they learned that it was all a ruse, then Sloan would be livid. He hated deception in women, which was why he always made it clear that he was only interested in one thing from them... coupling.
He seemed to be different with Bree and Cree wondered yet again if love had struck his friend. He only hoped that Bree was who she appeared to be or God help her if Sloan found out differently.
He walked over to them and looked to Sloan. “Bring Bree to my solar.”
Sloan went to say something but the look Cree shot him warned him against it and so Sloan nodded his head and took Bree’s arm and started walking toward the keep.
“Have I done something wrong?” Cree heard Bree say nervously and that was exactly what he intended to find out.
~~~
Dawn was disappointed when she woke to find Cree gone this morning. If she were his wife she would be able to go and find him and no one would think anything of it. She warned herself against thinking such foolish thoughts, though she couldn’t help it. Life would be good with Cree as her husband, but then she would need a miracle for that to happen.
Deciding against feeling sorry for herself and her circumstances, new and old, she chose instead to keep herself busy and free of worry if only for a while. She donned her fur-lined cloak and scooped the black leather gloves off the table to slip on. She sniffed the leather before sliding them on and her senses prickled with images of Cree. He had insisted on leaving his gloves for her to use. He had made it clear that he could not abide having her hands wrapped with strips of cloth to keep them warm.
The gloves were soft and supple the complete opposite of Cree and she smiled hugging them to her chest. She opened the door and greeted Elwin with a smile.
He returned it in kind and asked, “Where to today?”
She gestured how she wanted to collect some pine branches so that she could place a few along the mantel and allow the pine scent to permeate her cottage.
Elwin nodded. “Dorrie did the same to mine. You know I’ve been meaning to thank you for rescuing Dorrie from the stockades that night. If you hadn’t I would have never been assigned to guard her, and we would have never gotten to know each other.” He laughed. “A pretty thing like her wouldn’t have looked twice at me. And I had to see for myself that Dorrie is a good soul; she was just misguided until you paid her that act of kindness. That changed everything for her.”
Dawn was happy that the two had found each other, in a way it gave her hope that miracles did happen.
The pines were the best behind her old cottage. Branches always fell off in a snowstorm and she would collect a few to enjoy their rich scent. She stopped to see how Old Mary was doing first.
Dawn was glad to see he
r sitting by the hearth, sipping a steaming brew. She gestured that she was happy to see her looking well.
“Feeling my old self,” Old Mary laughed. “How about collecting a few extra pine branches to share with me?”
Dawn smiled and nodded, though her smile faded as Old Mary’s did and the old woman urged her closer with a crook of her finger. “Remember what I told you, trust no one, secrets abound.”
A shiver ran through Dawn and she nodded again, then Old Mary shooed her out the door.
Dawn didn’t want to think about secrets and what they could mean just now. She simply wanted a few hours without strife or worry.
Elwin stayed close, his eyes alert to their surroundings as soon as they passed beyond the edge of the woods. It was quiet and the snow a bit difficult to maneuver. Dawn didn’t care; she loved the woods after a snowstorm. It was a world of pristine white with icicles glistening here and there. It was also quiet, no sound was heard, the animals were safely nestled in their lairs, and the birds tucked in their nests. The forest was at peace and it was lovely to be part of it.
Elwin stood guard as Dawn enjoyed foraging for pine branches. He helped her once or twice to break a couple of large branches into smaller pieces all the while keeping an eye on everything around them. Dawn didn’t worry. With the snow it would be difficult for anyone to approach without hearing them.
They finished much too fast to Dawn’s liking, though she was pleased that she would spend some time with Old Mary before returning home. She wasn’t however prepared to see that Old Mary had another visitor when she entered.
Torr sat by the hearth sipping a hot brew.
Dawn had no intentions of staying, though Old Mary put a stop to that.
“I have a hot brew all ready for you,” the old woman said and nodded to Torr who picked up the tankard being kept hot by the hearth.
Dawn wanted to decline the offer, not wanting to hear any more of what Torr had to say about her being his half-sister. But it would be rude of her and so she decided to stay at least for a few minutes, and then take her leave. She did however bid Elwin to join them, insisting it was too cold for him to wait outside and though the man usually refused, when he saw that Torr was there he accepted the offer.
Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2) Page 12
