Highland Pull (Highland Destiny: 2)

by LAURA HARNER

  Standing at the foot of the bed, Gabhran undressed, and stood naked before her. Miranda eyes widened at the sight of him. “So big,” she said rather breathlessly, another shiver passing over her.

  Gabhran laughed. “Doona worry, lass, we are made for each other, I will help you.”

  He slid her farther back onto the bed and began to kiss her legs. One leg at a time, he ran his tongue along the insides of her thighs, taking little nips along the way. Miranda began to moan as he got closer to the center of her. He knew what she wanted, and he was ready to give it to her.

  Gabhran laid his cheek against her mons, feeling the silky hair. He slipped his hand between her thighs and found her sleek and wet, nearly ready for him. He was large, he knew that, and he knew some pain was inevitable. He also knew the more relaxed she was the easier it would be for her, and he would make sure she enjoyed it.

  He buried his face between her legs, his tongue separating her womanly folds, tasting her sweetness. Miranda arched her back, pushing her hips against his mouth. His tongue found her nub, and he flicked it lightly, and was rewarded when he heard Miranda’s sharp intake of breath.

  He covered her clitoris with his mouth, his tongue rubbing over, flicking, sucking. He slipped a finger inside her hot, wet opening. Christ, she was tight. He captured her wetness and spread it, preparing her. As her muscles relaxed around his finger, he slipped in another to pump in and out, as his tongue continued to rub against her clit. He felt her muscles tense, her breathing quickened, and her hips began to move against his mouth. She groaned when he stilled, not yet letting her reach her climax. He needed to be inside her first, so he could feel her clamp down around his cock.

  “No…so close, don’t stop.”

  “Nay, lass, not yet. I want to feel you come, but I want to feel this first one with my cock deep inside you. You will be satisfied many times this night, my love.”

  He climbed up between her legs, pressing her thighs apart, covering her with his big body. He lowered his face to hers, letting her breathe in the smell of her own desire, just before he pressed his lips to hers, sharing the taste, as well. His cock was nestled between her thighs, and he rubbed against her, pressing his cock against her folds. She moaned into his mouth, and he knew it was time.

  He rubbed the tip of his cock between her folds, spreading her wetness, then opening her with his fingers, he slipped in the tip. He entered her one slow inch at a time, watching her face, kissing her, biting her neck. God, he wanted to push himself in, to bury himself to the hilt, to fuck her. Not yet. If he caused her even a brief moment of pain then he would spend the rest of the night making it up to her.

  Her breath became harsh, and her body tensed, trying to fight the invasion. She nearly sobbed with frustration.

  “Miranda, slow down, love, relax. There is plenty of time for loving. I promise you I will fit, just relax and let me make love to you.”

  Taking a pillow and pushing it under her hips changed the angle he was entering her. He pulled nearly all the way out before slowly reclaiming the headway he’d already made. He licked his thumb and began to gently rub her clit and Miranda’s hips began to move against him, as he pressed in farther.

  When he reached her barrier, he stopped and kissed her thoroughly. When Miranda pulled his tongue into her mouth, he gave a swift thrust of his hips and felt that thin membrane tear, the small bit of tissue disposed of in an instant. He covered her body and stayed still, letting the pain fade. When Miranda began to move her hips, he knew it was his invitation to keep going.

  “Are you all right, Miranda? I’m not half in yet.”

  “Oh. Yes. More.”

  He heard the joy in his own laughter at her response and his heart felt light.

  ****

  “Oh,” Randi managed to gasp out as Gav continued his gentle journey, gaining an inch, pulling back, then going deeper. Her muscles contracted, felt violated, then relaxed, and he was infinitely patient. With a final push, he filled her completely, and they both lay there, breathing hard.

  “Wrap your legs around my waist, lass,” Gabhran whispered into her ear, as he slowly withdrew.

  Randi wrapped her legs around him and pushed him back in, so he again filled her deeply. As he began his rhythmic thrusts, she rocked her hips, and used her legs to drive him faster. She heard small grunts each time he thrust, and was shocked to realize the sounds were coming from both of them. She tried to be quieter.

  “Oh no, doona hold back from me.” Gabhran thrust harder, wrenching another moan of pleasure from her. “I will hear your pleasure, and you can be sure you will hear mine. You wouldna want me to stop because I think you doona like how something feels,” he said, laughing.

  “No. So good, don’t stop.”

  He rolled and pinched a nipple hard, drawing another moan from her. Looking into his face, she could see how aroused he was. His hot mouth closed on her other nipple, and he sucked, sending signals deep to her muscles that surrounded his cock.

  She felt as though all of the blood in her body was going to one place, muscles deep within her she didn’t know she had began to tense, and she clamped her legs even tighter around his waist. Her hands gripped the back of his powerful arms, and her head arched back.

  “Put your feet down, Miranda,” Gabhran ordered, stopping mid-stroke.

  She lowered her legs, ready to complain until she looked up into his passion-filled face. He lowered his head and kissed her deeply, and she was flooded with emotions. The strength of it astounded her. It was his emotion she was feeling, and it had a name. Love. It washed over her, filling her every pore, touching her soul, healing her heart.

  She tangled her fingers into his silky black hair as it fell about her face and kissed him back. She’d had moments of reading him before; she had sensed his darkness and it seemed everyone could sense his joy when he laughed. This was different, she didn’t pretend to understand the why or the how of it. She knew, without a doubt he was feeling love for her, he was filled with it, and he was sharing his feelings with her. She wondered if it was their love-making or the special magick of the night. This was New Orleans, after all.

  She let all thoughts drop from her mind then, and concentrated on kissing him and on loving him back. He had touched her soul, and she would never be the same. Her heart swelled with the sure knowledge that she loved him too, and she let her feelings flow freely.

  “Ah,” he sighed, and she knew he understood. He began to move within her again.

  He smiled down at her. “You were so close, my love. I willna be stopping the next time, I will be deep inside you, and we will come together.”

  His thrusts were harder, faster now, and Randi held on to his hips, her nails scraping his ass, meeting him, stroke-for-stroke. They were breathing fast, moans, and whispers filled the air. She could feel the change in him, he was harder, and seemed to swell within her, all of his muscles became rock hard. She thought he must be close.

  He shifted slightly and suddenly he was rubbing against her clitoris, while his cock rubbed another spot inside of her, and she moaned at the new sensation. Again, her internal muscles began to tense, it felt as though all of her nerve endings had been gathered in one place, and Gabhran was master of them all.

  She pushed her head back into the pillow and her back arched, a cry of, “Now,” was wrenched from her lips. He pushed even deeper inside of her, and she knew the feel of her muscles contracting, squeezing him, sent him over the edge.

  They exploded together, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes, their hard thrusts painful with the intensity of their orgasms, unable to tell where one ended and the other began. Gabhran buried himself deeply within her and began to rotate his hips. He drew a second, gentler climax from her. When he cupped her face in his hands she savored the moment.

  “Inevitable,” he murmured with his face pressed against her neck.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When Marie woke, she and Liam were back inside the shack, side-by-si
de on the bed and covered lightly with a sheet. Someone had started the generator and the air conditioning hummed. Their bodies had been washed and were free from blood, and the cuts covered with the healing oil. She looked to the corner and saw the ancient healer sitting there watching her.

  “Meemaw,” she whispered to the old crone, who smiled her gummy smile.

  “The healing spells have been cast, you both must drink of the elixir. Your scars will fade; your wounds were not as nearly deep as his. I saw him press himself against your blade. He has been marked forever in some places. He is a man of deep magick. How are you feeling, cher?”

  “Strong, humble. It was far more powerful than I expected. Do you think that was because of Liam’s power?”

  “I think you and he together are very powerful. You were successful in calling the spirits back to this place, the magick is strong here again. Your great grandmother is pleased, no doubt. She was here this night, I saw her. Your magick has grown, I believe you are nearly as powerful as she.”

  The old woman searched Marie’s face. “The final potion you asked for is in your bag, you know how to use it. Are you sure about this, mon cher? There is a great passion between the two of you.”

  “Mind your business, old woman,” Marie said, but both women were smiling.

  “I found your mark. I know you,” replied the old woman, as she got up to leave. She kissed Marie on the forehead and let herself out of the shack.

  Marie got to her feet and took her elixir with a glass of water, then brought Liam’s elixir to the bedside table. She had him for a few more hours, no more, and then it would be time for the final vial.

  She pulled the sheet back and looked at his magnificent body, the henna tattoos still clearly visible between his wounds. She had intended to lightly trace the blade along the symbols, but he changed it all. She’d felt his ancient and powerful magick come alive during the ceremony. He’d been filled with a wild darkness that took him to the edge and kept him there. Kept them both there. What they created together was more powerful than either of them alone. She felt honored that the spirits had entered them in such a fashion and worked so much magick.

  She took cotton gauze and began to wipe at his cuts with more of the healing oil. She chanted softly, knowing once he took the elixir, his cuts would heal in a few more hours. As she dabbed, she became aware of a change in his breathing, he was waking. His shaft was hard, and she longed to stroke him. She glanced up at his face and saw his dark eyes watching hers.

  “Ah, you’re awake.”

  ****

  Every part of his body was sore. The woman was a witch. He smiled to himself. He knew she wasn’t a real witch, but she would make a fine sorcerer. Had he not already set his mind to Elena, he would spend more time here with Marie. It was possible to pass the day with her, but he was in New Orleans for a reason, he needed to get back to pushing Gabhran to the dark.

  Why had MacLachlan come to the fishing shack earlier? There had been a woman with him, was she the same one from the bar? Had he somehow fought back the darkness that had been threatening him earlier? Liam would take care of that pesky little problem before the next day was through. He needed to see to business, his flight back to Edinburgh was scheduled for this weekend.

  Earlier, he’d opened his eyes to watch Marie as she spoke quietly with an old woman before he drifted off again. When next he woke, Marie was wiping him with a cloth that soothed and cooled his cuts, cuts they had put there together. She was gentle, and loving, wanton and reckless. Yes, she was fierce, determined, a warrior in another century. She would do whatever it took to save her people. He admired that about her.

  He would not underestimate her, or her network. She had organized his capture and restraint neatly and he had never known one minute of suspicion. Tonight she had opened an ancient portal and for a time they had both been possessed by ethereal spirits, and he felt their continued presence in this place. If he tried to kill her, would they intervene? Could they?

  He knew his magick was more powerful than Marie’s, but what of her potions and curses? Could he trust her? He hid a smile at the thought of what she had done to him yesterday afternoon, when he was tied to her bed. She deserved to suffer a little at his hands for all she had put him through. Then he would decide whether or not to kill her.

  Och, he was getting hard, thinking about it, feeling her touch his wounds. Suddenly, as if she felt his gaze on her, she met his eyes. There was a hunger shown in their depths he hadn’t expected.

  “You must drink this elixir for your wounds, I have already taken mine.” She held a small vial to his lips. He hesitated, then probed her mind, trying to rip her intentions from it, to sense if this was another trick to incapacitate him. She was well protected, her mind as impassive as a stone fortress.

  “If I wanted you dead, I would simply have cut your throat once we were finished with the ceremony and thrown you to the alligator that lives under my house. Take this, then we can talk.”

  Liam drank the contents of the vial in one quick swallow, and felt a rush of heat hit his stomach and then spread like a wildfire, coursing through his veins.

  “Hot,” he grunted.

  “Yes, but now you’ll heal rapidly.” But she looked away from him when she’d said it.

  Quick as lightening, Liam’s hand reached out and grabbed her by the neck, then she was on her back and he was on top of her. The violence in him was palpable.

  “Tell me, lass,” he said quietly, his voice low and dangerous.

  Marie told him about the scars he would have, because he’d pressed so hard against the knife. Then she told him the ceremony had been a success, the level of magick had been restored.

  He tasted the air, and even though she had blocked his thoughts, he realized she was telling the truth. Even more interesting, he could tell that she wasn’t feeling any fear right now. He admired that about her, not many still lived after he had moved that swiftly against them, and none had been without fear.

  “Your turn,” she whispered silkily, as she slid under him, extending her arms and legs until she was spread eagle across the bed, imitating the position she had kept him in much of the previous day. He covered her body with his and went to work, intent on seeking his pleasure at her expense.

  ****

  Marie smiled to herself as she slid from the bed hours later. She was deliciously sated, even if she was a bit sore. She retrieved the last vial from her bag and added the contents to Liam’s water bottle. It really was a shame, but there was no other way.

  Returning to the bed, she placed the bottle on the table and slid back between the sheets. Liam woke and pulled her tight, spooning her against him. Marie reached for her own water and encouraged Liam to drink, their cuts would heal even faster if they stayed hydrated. He finished his bottle in one long pull and threw it across the room, before flipping her over onto her stomach. She practically purred when he grabbed her hair in one hand and pulled her roughly against his erection.

  *

  When she was truly convinced he was incapacitated, she called Andre at the hotel. The process they had put in place now worked in reverse. While she waited, she laid the cards on the table. Time to read again. Something had changed. The signs were unclear, there were unseen players she had failed to recognize previously, and she would need to keep watch now that she had a stake in this game. The two men she’d seen the first time were no longer on intersecting paths and there was very little room left in either man for light.

  She looked once more upon the sleeping highlander and thought to give him a small measure of protection, one that could not be removed as easily as a gris gris. She pulled out her needles and ink. Although she’d already marked him once, it was not a place he would notice. This time she planned to make her mark unmistakable.

  ****

  The ringing phone woke him from a deep sleep, and left him momentarily confused.

  Liam sat up and answered quickly. “Where have you been? I’ve be
en trying to reach you. Has it happened yet?” His father’s voice was like a splash of cold water.

  “No, but he’s very close to the darkness, now. It’s inevitable that he will turn.”

  “Well, we can’t waste any more of your time. The pull is undeniable, and he’ll return to Edinburgh eventually. We’ll know, even if we can’t get close to his house. I need you back here now. There are…complications on that other issue, and it’s a far more important matter to me.”

  “I can fly out today.” Liam began to pack one-handed, while he listened to further instructions on the phone. “I will see you tonight, Father.”

  Liam thought of the whore that had visited him, and wondered when she had left. He knew they had sex, he could smell it on himself as he stripped and stepped into the shower. Christ, had she drugged him? The last thing he remembered clearly was her coming to the door with the champagne. After that, it was a blur of images, leather and boots, restraints and snakes, a dark fantasy come true. He looked at his wrists and saw the telltale signs that he'd been restrained. Hmm, too bad I don’t remember that, he thought with a slow smile.

  When he stepped out of the shower, he caught sight of his reflection in the foggy mirror. It couldn’t be right. He used his towel to wipe away the moisture, the sight unbelievable. Rage burned within him.

  He turned slowly, examining his reflection. Scars, pink with the freshness of the wounds, marked his chest and back. And there, just below his navel was a fresh tattoo of a sun. The fucking bitch! He would return to New Orleans some day and track down the whore who had come to his room and dared mark him. When he found her again, he would kill her.

  He stopped by the concierge desk on his way out of the hotel; Andre was there, watching him carefully.