Saved by Time

by Jennae Vale

  Stopping for a moment, Donal refilled the wine glass. He sipped, his eyes never leaving her face as he watched, teasing her and leaving her wanting more.

  “Don’t stop, please.” Her throaty whisper implored him.

  “I’m nae done with ye yet, love.” he replied, a wicked smile crossing his lips.

  He took the wine that was left in his glass and poured it with deliberateness between her breasts, then ran a finger up between them to catch the rivulets before placing it in her mouth. She sucked the fruity liquid from his finger. He withdrew it to trace her lips once again before assailing her with even more passionate kisses. The hardness of his cock rested between her thighs, filling her with anticipation. She opened her legs for him, but he only teased her opening. Tina reached for him and stroked. His sharp intake of breath filled her with satisfaction, egging her onward. A sensual smile appeared on her lips just before she wrapped them around his shaft, wanting to pleasure him as much as he had her. It was his turn to tangle his hands in her hair, pulling slightly. His breathing quickened as she rose above him, placing herself over his manhood and rocking back and forth. His hands reached for her breasts, pinching and pulling her nipples. As her pace quickened, his hands moved to her hips where he guided her movements. The heat of their love making built inside of her, stoking the fire into all consuming flames of desire. Tina rode him harder and faster, all the while wanting to reach her climax and yet wanting the experience to last forever. It seemed she had no choice. Her walls pulsed and spasmed around him as they both reached the destination they sought.

  For the first time ever in his life, Donal was at peace. This moment after they’d made love was somehow even more important to him than the act itself. He cradled Tina’s head on his chest and wondered how this had happened. How had he fallen so quickly and so deeply in love with this woman? And for the first time, he wasn’t thinking about leaving. He didn’t want to walk away and move on to his next conquest. He was exactly where he wished to be now and forever. Tina had fallen asleep, resting atop him and he hadn’t moved. He didn’t want to disturb her, perhaps afraid that if he moved she might disappear and he’d find that this had all been a wonderful dream. So he stayed where he was until she stirred and looked up at him with love filled eyes. That look made him hard again with wanting her.

  “Hi,” Tina said before she moved to kiss him.

  Soft, sweet kisses and the gentle touch of her hand on his face filled him with a happiness he never knew existed before this night.

  “It’s still raining,” she observed.

  The rumble of thunder in the distance and the soft patter of rain on the roof grounded him. This was real. It had happened.

  “Are ye cold?” he asked

  “A little.”

  He drew her close and covered her with his body. “Better?”

  A small, sweet laugh left her lips. “Mmhmmm.”

  He lifted her chin with his finger, gazing at her face, searching her eyes.

  “Yes,” she said to his unasked question.

  It was his turn to laugh, a deep chuckle erupting from his throat. His lips met hers, igniting them both with a pure passion to have one another again.

  Donal raised himself up over her, driving into her. An immediate sense of being exactly where he belonged overcame him and he never wanted to leave. Tina’s hands reached for him, drawing him close so that their bodies touched from head to toe. The friction of their bodies gliding over each other only added to the ecstasy he was feeling. He carefully watched Tina’s face, felt her body tense and relax waiting for release and when she was near, he quickened his pace, calling out her name as he collapsed atop her, both satisfied. Tina smiled up at him. His world was complete. Love seemed to be the key he’d been searching for all these years. It unlocked the man he wanted to be, the man he was with Tina.

  “I don’t want to leave,” Tina said, her lips pouting and her nose wrinkling.

  “Nor I,” Donal answered.

  They had gathered their things and it was all Tina could do to keep from throwing herself on top of him and tearing off the clothes he’d just put on. This was all new to her. She’d never felt this way about anyone. She’d be overjoyed to spend the rest of her life in this bed with him, but they had to get back. Elena was waiting for them. Hopefully she’d be well enough to travel and then they could make their plans to go home. She was so excited to have Donal meet her family. He already knew Elle and he’d have a Highlander reunion with Hamish. Her little happily-ever-after fantasy ran through her head like a movie.

  Donal must have noticed, “Why do ye smile so?”

  “Because I’m happy. Happier than I’ve ever been.”

  He beamed back at her, seeming quite proud of himself.

  “Yes. It’s all your fault. You’re the one that has me grinning like a fool.”

  “Must we go?” he asked, looking back at the bed and then at her wearing a very sexy grin.

  “Yes. Come on before I change my mind.” Tina grabbed his hand and pulled him through the door behind her.

  They got about two steps when she stopped, gazing back at the door he’d just closed. “One more time?” she asked.

  She didn’t have to ask twice, as Donal swept her up into his arms and carried her back inside.

  Chapter 16

  Bursting through the doors of The Thistle & Hive Inn, Donal and Tina were greeted by a sight that brought great joy to their hearts.

  “Da,” Elena said. Maggie sat beside her with a blanket strewn across the floor covered with toys of all kinds.

  “We got a little carried away,” Maggie explained.

  “I guess you did,” Tina replied, going to Elena and picking her up. “You look wonderful. Are you feeling better?”

  “The fever’s gone and so is the rash,” Maggie reported.

  “You’re back,” Edna said, entering the lobby. “I won’t ask how it was. All I need do is look at ye.”

  “Everything was perfect,” Tina said.

  “Your wee lass is well and will be ready for travel soon,” Edna said.

  “That’s wonderful! We’ll just head upstairs and get our things put away.”

  They made their way upstairs, placing their things in Tina’s room.

  “I can’t wait to take you home. You’re going to love California.”

  “Tina, I love ye,” he said. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “I wish to be with ye, but I dinnae ken how to fit into this world.”

  She turned in his arms so she could see his face. “Are you saying you don’t want to stay in this time with me?” Fear filled her heart. She thought everything had been settled, but Donal seemed to be having second thoughts.

  “I’m saying I’m a warrior. ’Tis what I’ve done my whole life. ’Tis who I am. I want to take care of Elena and I want to take care of ye, but I dinnae ken how I’m to do that here.”

  “Don’t worry about that. We’ll find something for you to do. My father always needs extra ranch hands.”

  “What would I do?” he asked, gazing into her eyes.

  “Take care of the cows and horses. Fix things, you know, stuff like that.”

  “I took care of the animals when I was a lad, but I left that behind when I came to Breaghacraig. I no longer wish to be that young lad. I’m a grown man. I’m a warrior. Better than most with a sword and dirk. ’Tis what I wish to do. Is there nae need for warriors in this time?”

  “Well, yes, there is, but that might be hard for you to do.” How could she make him understand? She knew being a warrior was where he got his sense of self worth, but that wasn’t something he’d be able to do in Livermore.

  “Why? I’m one of the finest warriors at Breaghacraig. On a good day I’m even able to beat Cailin and Cormac.” He blew out a breath as he ran his hands through his hair, eyes filled with apprehension and maybe even a little fear. “What does Hamish do?”

  “Hamish plays in my sister’s band. He works with
my father and takes care of the horses.”

  Donal seemed disappointed by this answer, but straightened his shoulders and stood proud before forcefully saying, “I must be useful.”

  “You will be. It might take some time for you to get used to the way things work in this time, but you don’t need to worry about that now. I can take care of everything.”

  “I cannae have my wife taking care of me. I am the man. I am the one who is to protect ye and Elena and to provide for ye. What kind of man allows his woman to take care of him?”

  Tina was getting frustrated. Nothing she said was getting through to him. They’d had such a wonderful time with each other and she thought everything was worked out between them. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand his point of view. He was from the sixteenth-century after all, but Hamish managed to give up the crazy notion that the man had to be the breadwinner in the family, why couldn’t Donal?

  “Let’s not talk about it anymore. Maybe Edna can help us figure this out.” She moved closer, rubbing his arms with her hands.

  Thankfully Donal didn’t argue the matter any further, instead he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. Tina nestled into his chest, breathing in the scent of him as he kissed the top of her head. It would all be okay. It had to be.

  “I’m going to take a shower, maybe you’d like to join me.” She rubbed her hand down the front of his jeans and got an immediate response. “Come on. Let’s just enjoy each other for now. We’ll iron out the details later.”

  She didn’t have to ask him twice. He lifted one brow and a wicked smile crossed his lips.

  They took advantage of the baby sitting services Edna offered and after their shower, slept the afternoon away.

  “We should get dressed and go down for dinner,” Tina said.

  “Will Dylan be cooking again?” he asked.

  “I think he does all the cooking,” Tina responded.

  He quickly put his pants and shirt on and was at the door before she’d even begun to get dressed.

  “I’m hungry,” he said.

  “I’ll bet you are.” Tina teased. “I think we both worked up quite an appetite.”

  That sexy smile she loved appeared on his face as he watched her dressing. She met him at the door with a kiss that almost sent them both back to the bed, but the sound of his stomach rumbling brought them to their senses.

  Entering the dining room, they saw that everyone was seated at the table, including Elena, who sat in a high chair attached to the table.

  “Look who’s having dinner with us.” Tina said, giving Elena a kiss on the cheek.

  Donal examined the seat. “’Tis quite a useful thing,” he commented.

  “You’d be amazed at all the baby stuff available in our time. All to make mom and dad’s life easier. And make baby’s life safer,” Maggie said.

  Tina sat on one side of Elena and Donal the other.

  Dylan brought the food to the table and everyone helped themselves to the delicious fare he prepared for them.

  “So what is yer plan?” Edna asked, passing a bowl of roasted potatoes to Angus.

  “Well, we wanted to talk to you about that,” Tina said. She took a quick peek at Donal, who was busy looking over the food. “Donal is worried that he won’t find his place in our time, because he’s been a warrior for so long.”

  At the sound of his name Donal glanced up from the food, tipping his head in question.

  “Is this true?” Angus asked. “Are ye worried about staying in this time?”

  “I cannae allow my woman to take care of me. I must be the one who provides and cares for my family.” The stubborn set of his chin and the gruff tone of his voice were making it clear to Tina that this wasn’t going to be a battle easily won.

  “I understand yer concern,” Angus said. “I wasnae sure I could live in this time either, but Edna helped me to see that there is more to life than wielding a sword and dirk.”

  “I dinnae ken what that could be.” Donal was dismissing the conversation. Tina couldn’t believe it. It was obvious he had no wish to even listen to what they had to say.

  “So are ye saying ye don’t want to stay in this time?” Maggie asked.

  “I wish to return to Breaghacraig.”

  Tina thought her head might explode. Sure, she knew he was nervous about leaving his world behind, but she thought he loved her and that because he did he’d be willing to take a leap of faith and stay with her. She shook her head and turned to Donal. “And what about me?” she asked.

  “You’ll come with me. The other ladies like it there, and ye liked them. So ye will be happy there,” he said.

  Tina couldn’t believe her ears. Had he just ignored everything she had said about wanting to live near her family? He thought that just because he said so, she was going to go with him. She clenched her fists in her lap, doing her best to control the panic that was beginning to well up inside of her. She had spent most of her time in the past hungry and wishing she could be home. She had been very clear that she wasn’t going back there. “What if I don’t want to?” she asked through gritted teeth.

  There was silence at the table as everyone waited for Donal’s response.

  He glanced around at all of them, settling his gaze on Tina. “Then I will go back without ye.”

  Tina was shocked. She hadn’t seen this coming and from the looks of the others at the table, neither had they.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” Tina got up and ran up the stairs to her room. She couldn’t breathe. She had finally admitted to herself and to Donal that she loved him and now the unthinkable was happening. She didn’t know how to make this right. She wanted to be with him and little Elena, but she wasn’t going to live in another century and desert her entire family. She knew it wasn’t the same, but it felt an awful lot like being tossed aside. Again. This seemed like a hopeless situation. He wasn’t willing to fight for her. She did the only thing she could think to do. She picked up her phone and called her sister.

  “Tina, what’s wrong? Are you crying?” Elle asked.

  Tina managed to pull herself together enough to answer. “Donal doesn’t want to stay in our time. He wants to go back with Elena. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Mom and Dad would be devastated if they never saw you again and so would the rest of us.”

  Tina couldn’t seem to stop crying.

  Elle let her cry for a while then gently said, “Come home to us. It’ll be alright. I promise. Maybe if you tell him you’re leaving he’ll change his mind. But no matter what, just make the reservation and get on the plane.”

  “Alright.” She hung up from Elle and immediately made a reservation on the first flight home the next day. Then she locked her door, got into bed and cried herself to sleep.

  Donal knew he was being unreasonable, but this was a big step for him to take and the fearless warrior was afraid. He was afraid of leaving everything he knew behind and heading into a future full of unknowns. Maybe he wasn’t as brave as he thought he was, but if he couldn’t at the very least take care of a wife and child then he had no business staying. He hadn’t bothered Tina last night. He had a lot to think about and he knew she would be very upset with him. He hoped that when she came down to breakfast this morning she would understand that this was the only way and she would consent to going back with him.

  He sat alone in the dining room unable to eat the huge breakfast Dylan set before him. They’d all tried to convince him things would work out if he’d only stay, but he’d put up a wall to the notion that it was alright to let Tina take care of him.

  He heard Tina speaking with Edna in the lobby and he got up to see what they were talking about. To his surprise, she stood there with a small, strange looking trunk and he heard Edna say, “I see yer packed and ready to go.”

  “Where are ye going?” he asked.

  “I’m going home,” she said. “I won’t go back with you and you won’t stay here with me, so there’s no point in
my being here anymore.”

  He felt as though he’d been stabbed in the heart, but Tina was right. It didn’t seem that they were going to come to any agreement here.

  Edna glanced back and forth between the two of them. “I dinnae know how to fix this. Ye ken ye belong together.”

  They both shook their heads in agreement.

  “Kiss Elena goodbye for me,” she said.

  “I’ll get her, ye can kiss her yerself,” Donal said. Maybe if she saw Elena, there’d be a chance she’d change her mind. He turned to leave them, but Tina halted him before he even took a step.

  “No. It would hurt too much.”

  “Why do ye do this then?” he asked.

  “I told you already. I love you Donal and I’ll never forget you or Elena, but I won’t go back there with you.”

  A horn honked outside. “That’s my ride,” Tina said. “Goodbye, Edna. Thanks for a wonderful adventure.”

  “You’re welcome, dear. I’m so sorry things didn’t work out.”

  They followed her out the door, where a car waited. The man driving got out and took her trunk and then Tina got into the car. She looked out the window at them, tears streaming down her cheeks and she waved as the car sped off.

  “Ye daft idjit!” Edna said to Donal as they stood together on the sidewalk. “What were ye thinking? She is the perfect lass for ye. And more importantly the perfect mother for Elena. I dinnae know what to say.”

  Donal knew she was angry with him. He was angry with himself, but it made no sense that he could see for him to stay and not be able to be the man he wanted to be. He stood there heartbroken, watching the car disappear in the distance.