Caribbean Scot

by Kimberly Killion

  He stared at her, shocked by her words. The icy skepticism guarding his heart melted with every beat of his heart.

  She leaned in and pressed her soft lips to the beating pulse beneath his ear. “I want to be your butterfly and call ye husband for forever.”

  His heart swelled, his face burned. Emotions attacked his every nerve. He wanted to rush onto the captain’s deck and inform the world that his woman loved him. Instead, he reached inside his surcoat with a trembling hand and withdrew the gold ring tucked inside his pocket. “And I want to call ye wife for forever.” He forced the ring onto her finger and then kissed her palm. “I have loved ye since ye were a lass. I love ye now. And on the morrow, I intend to fall in love with ye all over again.” He held her face between his hands and descended on her smile with a ferocity that matched the hurricane of bliss whirling inside him.

  This was the kiss he’d waited for the whole of his life, and never could he have imagined how sweet it would taste. “I am the victor this day!” he shouted and raised her off the floor.

  She squealed and curled her limbs around him when he twirled her in dizzying circles. The joyous sound of her laughter added to his triumph and made him feel like a king who’d conquered a country. “How should we celebrate?”

  She bathed his face with a foray of kisses. “I’m thinking a small intimate gathering should suffice. Attire is optional.”

  He squeezed her backside and was certain every drop of blood in his body surged straight to his groin. His muscles stiffened, pinning him place.

  The vixen smiled against his neck and bit his earlobe. “It could be a long while before we have the cabin to ourselves again.”

  Without thought, he tossed her atop the berth and made quick work of removing his boots. “Then mayhap we should make love twice.”

  “Aye. ’Tis a good plan.” Robbie removed her kirtle and sark in a single pull, then knelt in front of him—brogues still on—and fought the laces of his breeks.

  Her eagerness ignited his own raw urgency—a desire heightened by her declaration of love. Wracked by blinding need, he pushed her back into the bedding, peeled off his breeks, then dove into the berth atop her.

  She giggled and grabbed fistfuls of his hair when he descended on her breast and nipped the erect nipple. He intended to pleasure her from head to toe, but his lascivious wife wrestled him for the top position.

  She won.

  Waves of red-gold spilled over his chest, tickling him, adding to the sensations vibrating throughout his body. She held his wrists to the mattress and stared at him with shimmering eyes. “Ye make me happy.”

  While her words lacked eloquence, they filled him with a pride that split his lips into a wide grin. “I could make you happier if ye had time for a seduction.”

  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, rose up, and then sank atop his erection. Her eyelids fell shut. Her head tipped back.

  They moaned in unison.

  “Ye can seduce me when we get home.” She leaned forward, covered his mouth with her own, and thrust her hips up and down like a wild animal in heat.

  His need spiraled. He circled her waist with his hands, needing an anchor, but she slammed her full weight atop him. The head of his cock touched the wall of her womb.

  She cried out.

  Her inner walls squeezed his pulsing member. Her entire body quivered when she reached an unexpectedly quick climax. It was only after her attack on his person slid to a steady to and fro glide, did he piece together her words. “What home?”

  “Rukux,” she said simply and continued to ride him, slower now. “I cannae wait to see the look on Grandda’s face when he sees the work-house ye built for him.”

  While his mind tried to comprehend her words, his cock told him to hold his wheesht and seek his release. “What do—”

  She pulled his nipples hard. Sparks flickered beneath his skin. His bollocks burned. The slap-slap of flesh pulsed through his ears and nigh stole his ability to think. Desperate to control their love-making, he grabbed her hips and twisted.

  They rolled off the bed and landed with a thud atop a fur.

  Her husky laugh shifted to a moan beneath him as he continued to pump hard, fast, deep. She wrapped her legs around his waist. “Oh, Reid…Reid!” She pulled his hair. “Reid!”

  He exploded inside her when she reached a second orgasm.

  All went white. Then black veins forked together behind his eyes forming the shape of a butterfly’s wing. ’Twas dreamlike. Surreal. Robbie’s heart beat against his own in sync as if one in harmony.

  “Rukux,” he whispered and drifted away.

  He couldn’t say for certain how long he laid there hypnotized by the perfect rhythm, but when he managed to slip out of the dream world, he awoke with Robbie atop him again. He sat up and braced his back against the berth. She followed, limp and sated, but unwilling to separate herself from his partially depleted cock.

  He pushed her hair from her face and found her smiling. “Robbie, tell me again why we are going south?”

  “We are going back to the Yucatán. To return Wild Tigress and your Mopán brothers to their homelands. I dinnae act in haste. I’ve thought through all the options,” she rushed on.

  “Did ye come to this decision on your own?”

  “Nay. S’truth, ’twas Jax and Moon Hawk who planted the idea in my head while we were in captivity aboard the Dreadnought. Then I found them deliberating over the matter with Grandda and Lyall this morn just before the attack.”

  “And they were in agreement?”

  She nodded, her eyes flashed with the excitement of a child. “Once the MacGregors see the wonder of the Yucatán, they will never want to leave. They are hard working. They can build homes with the timber ye have dried in the barn. We can live as one clan. Together. ’Twas what your da wanted.”

  It seemed she’d actually thought this one through. “Ye should have discussed this with me.” He stroked the curve of her waist.

  “I am discussing it with ye now.” She brushed his nose innocently and drew on his lips, once, twice. “I want to go home. To Rukux.” She rubbed her slick breasts over his chest. “Is it not what ye want as well?”

  “Ye know it is.” He tried to think about the consequences, but she once again stole his ability to think when she rotated her hips.

  He became fully erect inside her.

  “Then there is naught more to say on the subject.” She wiggled and thrust.

  God’s legions! She was going to kill him.

  Thrust.

  Oh, but he would die a verra happy man.

  “Now, say something romantic, and I promise to go slow this time.” Eyes closed, she rocked atop him, sliding her heated mons over his sensitive manhood.

  “Ye are insufferable.” The flat of his hand walloped her arse with a loud smack, but only encouraged her movements. He gave himself over to his wife’s antics, but couldn’t quite escape his worries.

  What if the Jaguar King turned them away?

  29

  ~ SOMEDAY ~

  Trembling with anticipation, Robbie stood in front of Reid and the entire MacGregor clan under the Yucatán’s blazing sun and stared at the Mopán people gathering opposite them on the beach. The wave frothing over her bare feet cooled the hot sand burning her soles, but did naught to untie the nerves knotting in her gut.

  “Dinnae get your hopes up, love.” Reid set the strap of her sleeveless undershift back atop her sun-baked shoulder and kissed her temple. “’Tis much ye ask of the Jaguar King.”

  Reid had warned her repeatedly that all might not go according to plan. They’d discussed alternate options with the MacGregor kinsfolk. They had the gold and could build a life for the clan in Cristóbal Colón’s New World, but it was here where she wanted to spend her days, for it was here where Reid’s heart beat the strongest.

  The longboats that had ferried the MacGregors to the beach banged against one another along the shore, but didn’t drown out the
excited screams gaining strength in the jungle. Stream Dancer burst through the green foliage first, followed by Black Dove and a squealing Yellow Peacock. After Moon Hawk and Jax reunited with their loved ones, Reid stepped to Robbie’s side to await their greeting, but Jax snatched up Yellow Peacock when she tried to run toward him.

  Robbie’s heart clenched. Every worry that had plagued her on their journey surged to the forefront of her mind. What if the Mopán people didn’t accept them? What if the Jaguar King sent them away? She couldn’t bear to watch Reid leave his family behind a second time, nor did she possess the strength to carry the weight lowering his shoulders now. She swallowed hard and squeezed his hand. “Go to them. They are your people.”

  “You and the MacGregors are my people as well, and I will never abandon you or them again.”

  She could have easily given herself over to sobs, but a commotion drew her attention back to the Mopán people. A line of warriors carrying spears separated the natives into two groups. Robbie spotted the Jaguar King’s colorful headdress before he stepped into the aisle. B’alam’s scowl alone would send the bravest of men into the folds of their mams’ skirts.

  Whispers grew in volume behind Robbie. A bout of dizziness made her sway.

  “Hold your wheesht and prepare yourselves!” Grandda’s order ceased their comments immediately.

  Reid set his hand at the base of her back. “Think ye they will remember all that we’ve taught them?”

  She peeked over her shoulder and watched the MacGregors line up for presentation. “Aye,” was all she said, but secretly prayed her kinsfolk showed B’alam the respect he deserved.

  She squared her shoulders as the Jaguar King walked tall through his people, but Wild Tigress stepped before her da and stopped his approach. She bowed first, then launched into a diatribe of heated words in their native tongue.

  “Wild Tigress is telling him all that has happened,” Reid translated, but Robbie guessed there was more to their conversation besides a recitation of events when the woman turned and pointed at Lyall standing to Grandda’s right.

  Reid leaned into Robbie’s ear. “The man is smitten with her ye know.”

  The smile tugging at the corners of her lips was most welcome. S’truth, Lyall had been fawning over the Jaguar King’s daughter the whole of their voyage. “Lyall will make her a good match if given the chance to prove himself.”

  B’alam quieted Wild Tigress with a final grunt then crossed the white sand separating the clans.

  The howler monkeys filled the silence with their high-pitched shrieks and made Robbie twitch with an anxiety than grew tenfold when the Jaguar King positioned himself in front of her instead of Reid.

  “You have returned.” B’alam cocked his head to study the MacGregors aligned at her back. “And you brought your family.”

  Robbie swallowed her pulse and bowed reverently before the man who could crush her dreams with a few simple words. “I speak on behalf of your white son when I beg ye to consider uniting our families as one clan under your rule.”

  The Jaguar King raised Robbie upright when he took her hand and eyed her wedding band. “You accepted White Serpent as your only husband?”

  “I did. He is my twin.”

  The Jaguar King pressed the side of his hand against her breastbone. “The Rukux beats strong inside you.”

  A cool tear fell over her cheek. “But White Serpent’s heart belongs here with ye and your people.”

  The Jaguar King clasped Reid’s hand between their chests. “You and your woman will always have a place here, my son.”

  Reid dipped his head in thanks. “And what of the rest of my people?”

  B’alam blew a heavy breath and raised his gaze over Robbie’s head. “How many?”

  “Eighty-seven,” Reid answered.

  “Are they free of disease?”

  Reid extended his hand toward the MacGregors, inviting the Jaguar King’s inspection, then held tight to Robbie’s wrist when she started to follow. “Patience, love.”

  “Cocijo, bring the basket,” The Jaguar King bellowed his order when the MacGregors held out their meager offerings. The Mopán laddie collected painted rocks, woven sashes, necklaces made of fish bones, and an assortment of weaponry. On his return walk, B’alam checked their mouths and skin for pox, giving a more thorough inspection to the young and old. When he finished with Shane and Brody, he moved on to auld Angus, then waited for the girls hiding behind the elder’s plaide to step out.

  They didn’t.

  “Come,” the Jaguar King demanded and pointed at the sand in front of auld Angus.

  Anice immediately obeyed and opened her mouth as Robbie had instructed her to do. Once appeased, B’alam lifted Anice’s chin and waited for Cait to do the same, but the girl remained attached to auld Angus’s hip.

  “Blast him!” Robbie felt her nostrils flare. “He is scaring them.”

  “He is contemplating a verra big decision.” Reid held tight to her shoulders.

  Long seconds passed before Cait finally stepped out of her hiding place and offered B’alam the ermine she’d mothered all the way from Scotland.

  He accepted her gift and studied the foreign beastie’s furry tail.

  “She is a pet. Not vittles,” Cait explained and wiped her damp eyes.

  “Yellow Peacock!” He shouted, sending Cait back into hiding.

  “Must he be so abrasive?” Frustrated, Robbie twisted a curl so tight around her finger, the tip turned blue.

  Reid rubbed the nape of her neck, gentling her. “Consider it a show of good fortune that B’alam didn’t pop the beastie’s tail off and toss it into the basket.”

  Robbie cringed and was thankful when Yellow Peacock rescued Snowball from such a fate. Cuddling the ermine close to her chest, Jax’s daughter quickly walked back toward her family, but slipped Reid a wink en route.

  “’Tis almost over,” Reid assured Robbie when B’alam neared the beginning of the line again. He stopped in front of Nanna and snatched baby Alana out of her arms.

  “Ma´!” Wild Tigress shrieked and protested her da’s behavior with a heated tongue.

  “Aka´an!” He silenced her then grunted at the cooing babe.

  She giggled innocently, soliciting a smile the Jaguar King seemed desperate to hide. He passed her off to Lyall’s aunt and returned his full attention to Nanna. “Come.”

  Garbed in naught but her stained sark, Nanna stepped forward, opened her mouth, and presented her hands. B’alam was a bit more aggressive with his examination of Nanna. He checked her teeth, her hair, her bones. He made a full circle around her, paying her more heed than he had any of the others. Nanna’s demeanor was oddly misplaced in Robbie’s option. The woman grinned and thrust her sagging chest outright awaiting his inspection with a bit more enthusiasm than Robbie might have expected.

  The Jaguar King lifted one of her breasts in his hand. “You are the milker?”

  Nanna’s grin broadened. “I was.”

  Robbie felt Reid’s lips against the rim of her ear. “I dinnae foresee that match.”

  “I did.” She laughed silently and waited for the Jaguar King to complete his inspection with fewer misgivings than before.

  He once again stood before Reid. “Your men are good hunters?”

  “’Tis only one way to find out.” Reid glanced at Lyall, and Robbie knew in that instant who would be the victor should the Jaguar King call for a hunt.

  The next minutes passed painfully slow while B’alam contemplated in silence.

  Robbie took in two breaths to his every one. She tightened her jaw, forcing her teeth to keep her tongue at bay. And just as she was about to throw herself at his feet, the Jaguar King turned toward the MacGregors and inhaled.

  Her heart slammed against her ribs.

  B’alam raised his hands high and bellowed, “Welcome to Belize.”

  The weight of Robbie’s worries fell from her shoulders with the cheers exploding on both sides of the beach. The h
owler monkeys mimicked the joyous sound, adding to the excitement of the moment. The Mopán women rushed to mingle with the MacGregors and a cacophony of chatter soon followed. Black Dove handled the introductions swiftly before the Jaguar King led them into the jungle.

  Robbie’s cheeks ached from smiling, her vision blurred behind her joyful tears.

  “Ye are happy?” Reid pulled her through the thick foliage.

  “Verra happy.” She pushed a wide leaf aside, but her gaze remained fixed on the man who was the keeper of her dreams. He was her king and this was their paradise.

  She tripped over a vine.

  “Och, woman!” Reid caught her and swept her up in his arms. “Think ye should watch where you’re going?”

  “I think it best ye carry me.” She wrapped her arms and legs around Reid’s middle and made faces at the children over his shoulder.

  They giggled at her antics, but rushed forward when Grandda squawked at them in play. She mindlessly toyed with Reid’s ear and watched Grandda hack down a vine with his walking stick. “The Yucatán suits Grandda well.”

  “The warmer climate is easier on his old bones.”

  An idea surged through the multitude of plans whirling through her head. Bubbling, she leaned back and held Reid’s face. “I want to take him to Xitali’s cavern.”

  A husky chuckle warbled in Reid’s chest. “And I suspect ye will be wanting to do that this day.”

  She smiled, knowing this day marked the beginning of the rest of their lives. ’Twas a day she would always remember. ’Twas a day she would hold forever dear in her heart. She brushed her lips over Reid’s ear. “Do ye know what day it is?”

  “’Tis someday,” he whispered into her neck, echoing her thoughts.

  “Aye. And I never would have caught it without ye.”

  Author’s Note

  ~ A MAN WHO UNITED A COUNTRY ~

  On May 14, 1603, Peter Wallace left England with six ships and King James’ blessing. Wallace, a Scottish buccaneer who once served as Sir Walter Raleigh’s 1st Lieutenant, brought with him men from all parts of the United Kingdom. He established a settlement on the banks of the Belize River and held the position of governor of the Caribbean island of Tortuga. After being driven from office by the Spanish, Captain Wallace settled outside of what is today Belize City at Haulover Creek. This place was a hideout for the so-called Baymen, Scottish and English privateers.