Highland Pull (Highland Destiny: 2)

by LAURA HARNER

  Liam growled so Andre would have to struggle to hear him. “The fucking whore you sent drugged me, cut me, and marked me. I will return one day to kill you both and you will never see it coming.”

  *

  Only when Andre was sure the mad Scot was truly gone did he permit the smile that had been tugging at his lips to emerge fully.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Miranda placed her hands on top of Gabhran’s as he cupped her face in his hands, and she looked searchingly into his eyes. Was it true, could he really feel something like love for her? Did she feel love for him or was she caught up in the moment? He smiled, and her heart fluttered at the way his golden skin crinkled into tiny lines around his steel-blue eyes. His teeth were straight and white, his lips swollen from their kisses, and his black hair curtained their faces.

  How had she failed to fully appreciate his handsome face, with its strong features? Could it have been that her preoccupation with other parts of his anatomy had blinded her? She’d realized he was good-looking, but right now, in the after-glow of their lovemaking, he was breathtaking.

  “Gabhran, I—”

  He interrupted her when he rolled them over onto their sides and put a finger to her lips.

  “Nay, lass, there is plenty of time for talking later, unless you were planning on telling me how good I made you feel.” he waggled his eyebrows outrageously, making Randi laugh.

  “Oh,” she gasped, stopping mid-laugh. “You’re still inside me, and you’re still hard.”

  “Aye, lass.” He rolled her again and suddenly she found herself on top. “Now use those same muscles you felt when you laughed, to squeeze me deep inside of you.”

  Randi did, and was rewarded by Gabhran’s moan, deep in his throat.

  “Ah yes, that feels good. Tell me, are you ready to keep going or do you need to rest? I didna hurt you overmuch did I, Miranda, love?

  Randi ground her hips against him, pushing his cock deeper, and it felt so good, she caused herself to gasp. Which caused Gabhran to laugh, spreading his joy.

  “With you on top, you can control the pace, stop if you need to.” He wound his fingers into her hair and pulled her face closer, then his kiss was on her lips, tender. A lover’s caress.

  Randi pressed herself against him and gloried in his kisses, she felt treasured and revered. She lay against his chest and deepened the kiss, running her tongue over his lips, his teeth, everywhere she could reach.

  “Sit up, love, let me see you,” he said.

  As Randi sat up, his cock slid even deeper, and she moaned as he filled her, stretched her, buried himself deep within her. She began to slide up and down his cock, pulling nearly off of him before pushing hard and impaling herself once more. He was so deep, she thought he must be touching the entry to her womb.

  ****

  Gabhran kept his hands on her hips, driving upwards when she slid down on his shaft, meeting her with intense thrusts. He looked between them and watched as she took his cock again and again, spreading streaks of blood on both of them. He was filled with wonder that this beautiful woman had waited so long, and had chosen to share her first time with him. Whatever he could do to make it special he vowed he would.

  Looking up into her face he saw the small beads of moisture on her upper lip and brow. She was working hard, and from the sounds she was making low in her throat, she was enjoying every minute. Her lips were parted and she panted softly. Gabhran put his finger on her lush lower lip, and she pulled it into her mouth. She licked and sucked while watching his face.

  He took his wet finger from her mouth and touched it to her clitoris, rubbing gentle circles around her nub. She cried out with the intensity of the sudden orgasm that shook her body. His cock was squeezed tight and he used every bit of his restraint to ride it out, to not be carried away, lost in the waves of her pleasure.

  Miranda collapsed against his chest, and he stroked her back lightly, tracing her spine with the lightest brush of the tips of his fingers. She continued to shudder and shiver around him. She was an incredibly sensual lover, every touch elicited a response, and she returned his touches with pleasure.

  Miranda began to run her fingers through the silky black hair that lightly covered his chest. She scraped her nails across his chest, tracing his muscles, finding his nipples. Her mouth followed the trail of her hands. She licked, kissed, and bit every plane of his chest, and finally drew his nipple into her mouth and sucked. He moaned when she stopped him from moving inside her by climbing off. She took the sheet in her hand, obviously intending to wipe him clean.

  “Leave it for the now, lass. It reminds me of the gift you gave me.” he smiled. “How can I pleasure you next, what do you desire? Or do you need to rest for a bit? Is that why you stopped?”

  “Gabhran MacLachlan, I might have been a virgin when we started tonight, but I’m not exactly innocent. You don’t grow up sheltered in New Orleans.”

  He laughed. “Then tell me your fantasies, love.”

  “Mmmm…I’d like to know what you want, Gav. I want to see you lose a little of that control,” she murmured.

  He shivered, knowing she wanted him to ask for her anything. He could feel the truth of her words; she wanted to fulfill his every fantasy. He picked something he was sure she would enjoy.

  “On your hands and knees, love.”

  She smiled, raised herself, and looked over her shoulder at him. She licked her lips. “Come on, Gabhran, fill me.”

  He popped off his back quickly and placed himself between her knees. He showered her back and ass in kisses and nips, before pushing her knees farther apart. He reached his fingers between her thighs and he groaned when he felt how wet she was. He rubbed his cock in the moisture between her legs then spread her womanly folds and slipped his tip inside.

  “Hard and fast, Gabhran, hard and fast, now,” she gasped. With a growl, he buried his shaft to the hilt in one smooth stroke. All of his restraint slipped away with her words; again and again he drove himself deep inside her. One hand gripped her hip while the other pinched and kneaded her ass, his heavy sac slapping against her with each thrust.

  Gabhran had never been so aroused. Just when he thought he couldna hold back any longer she leaned down on her elbows and presented her luscious ass. He licked his fingers and slipped them between Miranda’s thighs. He found her nub and began to rub and pinch. Her head arched back and moans and whispers began to escape her lips. Again and again he drove himself into her, his fingers working frantically against her clit.

  “I canna hold on, lass. Christ, I am gonna explode.”

  Miranda bucked hard against him, and he was unsure she would be able to walk after they were finished.

  “Come with me now, Gav, ah, ah-”

  “Miranda, I ca—”

  “Don’t stop.”

  “So goooood.” The words came out on a long moan, as every muscle in his body contracted with the force of his orgasm. His back arched as his hips thrust forward in one long last trembling shudder. His sweet Miranda made a noise halfway between a grunt and a moan, as her body spasmed around him.

  Gabhran collapsed against her, then rolled them both to the side so he wouldn’t crush her. He reached around and placed his hand over her mons and gently slipped his finger between her folds, and then up once again to her hard nub. Another series of tremors shook her, the contractions caused his shaft to jump and jerk within her, as they both had residual orgasms.

  At last they grew still and Gabhran withdrew his shaft but not his arms. With a shaking hand, he gathered her long blonde hair from her neck, and held it aside while he planted open mouth kisses against her fever-flushed skin, then blew gently, raising goose bumps.

  “Miranda, my love,” he murmured.

  She turned over so she was facing him. “Is it true?” she asked quietly.

  He knew what she meant, and he understood her need to hear it; he needed the same from her. He took her hands in his and gathered his thoughts. She had gone to bed wi
th him, without any promises, without declarations of love, knowing he was destined leave her.

  “Aye, lass, I will say what you want to hear. I have been alone as long as I can remember. No one has ever touched my heart. You shake me, woman. Make me question everything I thought I knew. You make me want to stay in this one place and this one time with you forever. I want to know you, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry.” He smiled. “I want to know your favorite ice cream flavor, every silly little thing about you, lass.

  “Och, lass, you hold the dark at bay, and bring in the light, you make my verra soul sing. I doona know how or why, but aye, lass, I do love you. Is it possible that the feelings I felt from you are also true, could you love me too?”

  “Aye, Gabhran MacLachlan, I don’t know how either, but yes, I love you, too.”

  They sealed their words with a gentle kiss, then Miranda snuggled against him, and sighed contentedly. After a few minutes, Gabhran tried to move her gently over so he could get a damp washcloth. He wanted to wash the blood from her thighs, but Miranda was already asleep. She was cradled in his arms, her hair splayed across his chest, and he felt more at peace than he could ever remember.

  His own eyes began to feel heavy, but he was not yet willing to sleep. He wanted to hold Miranda, to gaze upon her sleeping face, to savor this night forever. If he fell asleep, he might miss something, he wanted to stay here with her cradled in his arms, stay in this moment, and feel her heart beat next to his for all of eternity.

  ****

  Randi stretched lazily the next morning when she woke. She pushed her arms over her head, and felt the pull of her stomach muscles. Pushing her legs out straight, she almost whimpered they were so stiff. I’m going to need to get in better shape if we have many more nights like that. Heck, I will be in better shape if we keep working out like that.

  The room was chilly; the air conditioning must really be set to cool. Knowing it was time to face the day, she reluctantly opened her eyes. And lost her breath. She didn’t recognize one thing about the room. Not the stone walls. Not the massive hanging tapestries. Not the enormous four-poster bed. Not the sword carrying, kilt clad warrior with long black hair spilling down his back. She sucked in a breath, and he turned and looked at her possessively.

  “Good morrow, lass,” he said quietly.

  Randi threw her head back and screamed.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Randi was screaming and she couldn’t seem to stop herself.

  The warrior turned and she was shocked to see Gabhran, but not Gabhran. He was dressed like he'd stepped out of the movie they’d been watching earlier. Was this a dream gone very wrong? The Gabhran who wasn’t her Gabhran reached her in two strides, pulled her from the bed, and shook her roughly by the shoulders.

  “Stop it, lass, this is your home now, you are my wife, and you will not behave in such an unbecoming manner.”

  She began to struggle in his arms and screamed louder. Quick as a flash his hand slapped her hard across the face.

  “I said haud yer wheesht,” he bellowed.

  Randi was so shocked she shut up immediately and stared up at Gabhran in stunned disbelief, her hand covering her cheek.

  “Tis better, lass. You willna be making such a racket around here again. You are now the Lady of the castle and as my wife, you must maintain your dignity at all times. Do you understand me?” he asked in a low and dangerous voice.

  Randi prayed she was dreaming, but that slap had felt remarkably real for a dream. She realized her mouth was hanging open and shut it with a snap.

  “I have estate business to attend to and will be gone much of the day. You will remain in your chambers. Your belongings have been placed in there and I will have a bath sent up for you. I expect you to dress for dinner; Lissa will help you. Do you have any questions?”

  Randi had a thousand questions, but nothing she was prepared to share with this man in front of her, who mere hours ago had looked into her eyes with such love. Now he looked down at her as though she was a necessary, if unpleasant, fact of his life. She shook her head, thinking she would at least have the day to herself to figure out what was happening.

  He put his hand under her chin. “I am sorry, lass, we should have had a fortnight, or more to get acquainted before the wedding, but there was not time. Your da should have told you. He agreed to the terms, and he knew I was looking for a wife to give me children as soon as possible.” She blinked rapidly.

  “I hope I did not hurt you over much last night. You may have the day to recover. Your chamber is the room next to mine. All I require from you for the now is that you dine with me each evening, and I will bed you each night until you are with child.”

  Miranda’s head began to shake from side to side while he was speaking, denying that any of this could be real. Waves of danger rolled off him. He used his big body to intimidate her, stepping closer so she was forced to step back and bend her neck back to look up at him. He kept coming until her bare back was pressed against the cold stone wall. Bare back, oh God, I’m still naked!

  She could smell the musky, spicy scent of him, his expanse of chest looked even larger pressed up against her this way. He lowered his head, and she nervously licked her lips. He pushed his hand roughly between her thighs, and when he found her sopping wet, he shoved a finger inside, chuckling darkly.

  “Think ye I didna notice that you enjoyed yourself last night, lass? Aye, I know you were a maiden, the evidence was clear upon the both of us this morn. Think not to try and deny me what is my right, I will only take it from you by force if necessary.” He added a second finger and began to pump. She was raw from the lovemaking, and cried out with the brutal way he was touching her.

  He removed his fingers and put them in his mouth, licking her moisture, savoring the taste, never taking his eyes from her. He lowered his face until his lips hovered above hers, her scent upon his breath. “I can pleasure you a thousand ways, lass. I will make it as enjoyable, or as rough as you want it, but know I will not be denied until you are with child.”

  He grabbed her face in his hand and held it tight when she struggled to pull back. He took her mouth in a claiming kiss, his lips hard, cruel against hers. Then his mouth softened, and he ran his tongue along her lower lip before pulling on it gently, covering her mouth again. He put the pad of his thumb on the corner of her mouth, and despite her fury and fear, Randi's body responded.

  Her nipples hardened as she became aware of their bare chests touching, and her breath quickened. Her lips parted and he took advantage and thrust in his tongue, deepening the kiss, stealing her breath. She forgot where she was for a minute, lost herself completely in his kiss, her tongue tangled with his, and she leaned into him, her hands going to his chest.

  He pressed his body to hers and ground his hips intimately against her. Randi was jerked back to reality. Or unreality. To wherever it was she had awakened this morning. She shoved both hands against his chest as hard as she could. Which against his powerful physique wasn’t very impressive. She squirmed and pulled her face back, trying to free the vice-like hold he had on her jaw.

  He laughed darkly, not giving an inch. His breath was ragged and he bent his knees so that when he rubbed his erection against her, it was nestled against her mons. His whisper was menacing when he finally spoke. “I see you have made your choice; rough it will be, lass.” He forced one more kiss against her unyielding mouth, then spun on his heel and left the room. Randi heard the lock click into place. She was in deep shit.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Randi ran to the bed, yanked a sheet off, and wrapped it around her body, before following him to the door, hoping she’d been mistaken and he had left it unlocked. Locked up tight. Now what? She paced the room, looking at her surroundings.

  Everything about the room screamed luxury, in a medieval sort of way. The four-poster bed was massive; she could lay in any direction and still not have any part of her body hang over. It was covered with layers of covers and
piled with pillows. Rich tapestries hung from the walls and the floor was cool stone against her bare feet. The hearth was stone and although no fire burned in the grate, she could imagine sitting in one of the brocade covered chairs in front of it and warming her toes on a chilly evening.

  There was one other door in the room, but it was also locked. She sank to the floor, with her back to the second door, and dropped her head into her hands. She knew this wasn’t a dream. Her cousin Marie had warned her that Gabhran’s essence felt ephemeral, as if he was already making the transition to another time. Somehow Gav had been pulled to a new life, a new reality, and she had been pulled along with him.

  Despite her best intentions to be brave, the tears came then. Randi was not a crier, she hated it, hated feeling helpless. Yet here she was, with no clothes, no food or water. No bathroom! She was locked in a room, threatened by a man who mere hours ago had professed his love, and who now had all but boasted of owning her.

  What started as gentle tears coursing down her cheeks, turned into full-blown sobs. Her heart was breaking, she was alone, and she was scared.

  A knock at the door behind her startled her, and she hiccupped a reply, “Yes?”

  “Miss, I have your bath ready, if you are ready to come into your chambers.”

  “The door is locked. I can’t get out.”

  The doorknob rattled and Randi jumped to her feet, but nothing happened. Then there was a very long pause before the woman on the other side asked, “Did you try turning the key?”

  Sniffing up her tears and wiping her face on the sheet, Randi looked at the door. Sure enough there was a key in the lock. She glanced over to the other door in the room, but there was no key in that lock. Sighing, she turned the key, and opened the door onto her new world.

  Randi stepped tentatively through the door, and realized the rooms were of similar dimensions and layouts, but not mirror images. While Gabhran’s room felt dark and overbearing, this room by contrast, was much lighter, more welcoming.