"Dammit, Bree, we need to talk."
"How long have you known my name?"
"What?"
"How long have you known my name?"
"I found out before I came to look for you."
"So you didn't know before today?"
"Do you remember telling me at all that night?"
"No, I realized that afterward.” When she went looking for him. “That we never even exchanged names."
"Then how else did you think I knew it?"
"I don't know.” Bree's patience was rapidly disappearing. “Why did you come after me?"
"Why did you run?"
"'Cause I didn't want this,” Bree gestured to the tree and the two of them, “to happen."
"Well, it's not like I intended it, either."
"No, of course not. Just like last time."
"Dammit, woman! You are insufferable."
"Good, glad to see you finally learned that. Now please, just leave me alone.” With that, Bree stalked away once again.
* * * *
She didn't see him for the rest of the day. She didn't know where he was or what he was doing, and she told herself she didn't care. Whenever the thought of their attraction occurred to her, she pushed it away as fast as she could.
He seemed to want her as much as she wanted him. Why was he so angry at seeing her? He was the one who deserted her. He was the one who didn't come back.
Damn men. As long as she lived, she would never understand them.
Bree didn't expect Kade to come find her, but she was wrong. Right before the main ritual, he joined her in the procession to the circle. She didn't even have to look, she knew it was him as soon as he approached, even wearing his long, hooded cape.
The energy bouncing off of him hit her palpably, making her catch her breath. What was it about this man that drove her so over the wall with lust?
It wasn't lust, though. She knew that. She knew nine years ago it wasn't lust, but who believed in falling in love after one night? Bree had known she had never gotten over him. Today just brought that home to her.
It would take another nine years for her to get over this weekend, too. Was it worth it? At that moment, he put his arm around her and pulled her close into his warm body under his cape.
Yes, it was worth it.
* * * *
After the ritual, he turned to her with purpose and promise in his eyes. No words were spoken, none were needed. No promises, no expectations. And Bree decided she didn't need any, either. She would take what she could get, and if that was only one more night with her dark god of Beltane, then so be it.
Silently he led her to his tent where he closed up the flaps securely before turning to her standing in the middle of the floor.
"I looked for you,” he whispered as he reached out for her. “All those years ago, I tried to find you, but I had no name, no one knew who you were. Every lead I had came up empty."
"Why didn't you show the next day?"
He held her tight for so long she wasn't sure if she was going to be happy with his answer. “I had to leave. I got called back to immediate duty. There wasn't any time to find you before I left, so I left messages with a couple friends, hoping they would figure out who you were."
"I was devastated.” Bree looked away, embarrassed to make such a confession.
"I'm sorry.” He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “I came back every year looking for you, but you were never here."
"I thought you had played me for a fool. I couldn't risk coming here and seeing you again. I only came this year because of one of the handfastings tomorrow."
"Eventually, I stopped taking this time of the year off. I chose the worst possible assignments I could, ‘cause May always reminded me of you."
"What made you come back this year?"
"I got out of the service. I'm due to start a new job next month. I thought I would try one last time."
"One last time?"
"My heart couldn't take any more failures, Briana.” He shook his head. “I had to move on if I couldn't find you."
"And now that you did?"
He smiled bright enough to compete with the battery-powered lamp sitting in the corner of the large tent. “Now that I did, my heart is complete, and I can move on with the woman I fell in love with one night nine years ago."
"What if our memories are wrong? What if we aren't meant to be with each other?” Briana pulled away, fear in her voice.
"We now have the time to decide that for ourselves. The gods brought us together this last time, the least we can do is give it a chance, don't you think?"
"Are you sure?"
Kade took hold of her once again. “I am more sure of this than I have been of anything in a long time."
"Well they went to all this trouble, the least we can do is try for the honor of the gods.” Bree's smile was small, but hopeful.
"For the honor of the gods. And of your love."
SHEILA'S SURRENDER
by
Michelle Hasker
Sheila Thompson paused and looked over at the fire again. Who's that gorgeous hunk of man dancing around the growing flame? His auburn hair was tied back with a strip of leather and he was dressed, or rather barely dressed, in a kilt. A few of the other men wore them too, but on him, it looked incredibly yummy. He laughed and danced with her brother and many others around the Beltane fire. She'd give her right arm for a dance with him. Maybe she could convince him to tutor her in the ways of the pagan festival.
When Morgan stepped toward the fire, Sheila reached out and grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?"
"Where do you think I'm going?” Morgan pointed at Jack.
"Oh!” Sheila released her quickly and blushed. Of course, she'd been thinking along that same line herself. She wanted to take Mr. Gorgeous back to her tent and have her wicked way with him. It wasn't something she'd done before, and he was a stranger, but he felt familiar and her body hungered for him. Maybe she should go for it.
"You should find someone, Sheila. Like that guy next to Jack. His name's Bryant. I've known him for years. I can vouch that he's safe. Let loose and have some fun. You deserve it. Don't fight it. With all this sexual energy bouncing around, you won't be able to make it the rest of the weekend without giving in to the inevitable. I know you've been looking at him. Watching him. Go for it, honey."
Sheila turned and looked back at Bryant. When Morgan stopped in front of him, Jack hugged Bryant and left, but she kept her gaze on Mr. Gorgeous. Bryant. Even his name is sexy.
All day long she'd seen him throughout the campground. Everywhere she turned, he was there, his body calling to hers. She wasn't sure if it was only the magic and energy in the air. She'd felt a strong desire for him from the minute she'd first seen him. It was as if she recognized him from somewhere, but just couldn't remember.
Another couple left the fire at almost a run and she wondered how much time she had before some lucky lady approached Bryant.
Even though this celebration was a new experience for her, it didn't take a genius to figure out why people were pairing off and disappearing. Would someone pair up with him? Her heart thundered in her chest as panic flared. She wanted him. She wanted him more than she'd ever wanted another man. She couldn't let anyone beat her to him. Just the thought of being with him was enough to make her wet.
Determination strengthened her, and as the drumbeats increased in tempo, she found herself moving in rhythm to the music. Her hips swayed the way her belly dancing instructor had taught her, and Sheila wanted to put those lessons to good use. With Bryant.
Letting the music take over, Sheila closed her eyes and moved to it, feeling the beat until her heart matched the rhythm. Then she opened her eyes and made her way toward the fire.
A young man came up to her and started to dance with her, but he wasn't the one she was interested in. She stayed with him for a few minutes until she was closer to Mr. Gorgeous. While she debated how to ditch her dance p
artner politely, a young blonde-haired woman came up behind him and began to move suggestively against him. He offered Sheila a smile, but then turned around to dance with the blonde.
Sheila let out a sigh of relief and looked up to see Mr. Gorgeous staring at her, devouring her with his eyes. She winked at him and then lifted her hands over her head. She moved toward him, then turned in a slow circle as she ran her hands down her body. As she danced closer to him, his grin widened. When her back was to him again, he closed the distance and grabbed her waist. He moved with her, against her, sending shivers up her spine.
Oh. My. Goddess. Did he know how to move or what? Each time he brushed against her, hunger coiled tighter in her stomach, and desire soaked her already wet panties. Could she do this? Could she ask him to go back to her tent?
Slowly, she turned her head and thrust her hips back. She connected with a very hard part of his anatomy and knew if she was going to ask, she better do it now before another woman beat her to him. Sheila turned her head as far as she could so she could look at him. When he leaned forward and met her gaze, she licked her lips and pushed back against him. He shivered, and another wave of desire washed over her.
"Would you like to come back to my tent?” she asked softly, praying he'd say yes. Please, please say yes.
The heat of the fire, the energy of the dancers and the sounds of the drums swept around her as she continued to move to the intoxicating beat. She swayed her hips, and rocked against him, imitating a dance she'd like to do privately with him.
"Yes.” His husky whisper tickled her ear, and she leaned back against him. The smell of sandalwood and his unique male scent filled her senses, making her sigh. He held her close for a moment, then stepped next to her, wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the circle of dancers. “You're new at this, aren't you?"
"Yes. Is it that obvious?” She blushed, heat rising in her face to match that in her lower body. Now that she was this close to him, she felt as if she would combust into flames.
"It is, but don't worry. There are several new people here this year. Are you having a good time?"
What was with the chit chat? She was too horny to think, let alone make small talk. Damn it, where was her tent? Oh yeah, near the end of this row.
"There I am. The blue one near the large oak.” She was glad she'd invested in the large tent. It'd been a pain setting up, but she was glad for the extra space, and the room to stand now that she was taking Bryant with her.
"Are you sure about this?” he asked as he followed her inside.
"Positive."
Sheila groaned as he brushed past her. She closed the tent flaps and turned to find him lying on his side on her air mattress. She dropped to her knees and crawled to him. Her top draped open, and by the way his eyes widened, he'd noticed she wasn't wearing a bra. Would he be disappointed she was wearing underwear?
"Oh, babe, you are so sexy.” He let out a low moan and grabbed her shoulders, tugging her to him.
Bryant covered her mouth with his, and rolled her beneath him. Her entire body trembled at the sparks of electricity and lust that generated at the contact. Sheila grabbed onto his biceps and sighed into his mouth. Damn, he was hard all over. And she was getting so wet her juices were sliding down her thighs.
"I've been watching you all day,” he whispered, trailing kisses down her neck to the opening in her blouse.
"You have?” She gasped when his hands fastened on the bottom of her skirt and began to slide it up her legs.
"Yes."
He lowered his head and sucked her nipple through her blouse. Sheila closed her eyes and arched her back as she buried her fingers in his hair until she hit the piece of leather. She untied the strip and released his hair so she could fist her hands in it more easily.
Once Bryant pushed her skirt up to her hips, his fingers cupped her through the scrap of lace that comprised her underwear. “You are so wet, babe. I want to taste you."
Sheila moaned and lifted her hips, silently begging him to do whatever he wanted.
"Tell me, Sheila."
Her eyes flew open at the sound of her name. But then she knew his name was Bryant, so why wouldn't he have found out hers as well?
"Yes,” he chuckled as he dragged his face across the fabric covering her lower abdomen. “I know who you are, Sheila, sister of Jack Thompson. You don't think I fall into bed with strangers, do you?"
Sheila closed her eyes and groaned as his finger brushed back and forth over her mons.
"Oh please,” she begged breathlessly. “Please, Bryant."
"Please what? You need to tell me what you want.” His voice was now a soft purr.
"I want you to stop talking and start pleasuring me.” She laughed, but choked when his finger pressed against her swollen clit. With a moan, she arched her back.
"How should I pleasure you?” he whispered, rubbing his finger in a circular motion. “With my hand? My mouth?"
He slid the lace barrier aside and kissed her wet folds. Sheila cried out, thrusting against his mouth.
"Or perhaps, you'd rather I tie you up and make love to you while I spank that tight little bottom of yours?"
Sheila moaned as he moved higher, lifting her arms over her head and pinning them there with one large hand before sliding his other one down her body to knead her breast. His caresses threatened to overwhelm her.
She gasped for air before admitting, “I'm yours. Do what you will."
Bryant growled, then took possession of her mouth, thrusting his tongue inside her lips like she hoped he'd do a little lower. He still had her hands pinned above her head, so she settled for rubbing her body against his, and wrapping her legs around him.
"Are you sure?” he asked when he ended the kiss.
"Positive,” she purred and rubbed against him. “Whatever you want."
"Oh, Goddess,” he groaned and slid down her body. “I want you to take off your clothes. I want to see you. All of you."
Sheila rose and stepped into the center of the tent. She turned on her battery-powered lamp and then moved to face him again. Slowly, she peeled off her clothing for him, using the sound of the drums they could still hear to add movement to her striptease. She took her time unbuttoning her blouse, then let it fall to the ground before she slid her hands to her hips and pushed her skirt down.
"Stop,” he called out when she kicked her skirt to the side. “Stay like that."
Sheila stood still as his hungry gaze roamed over her. He rose and walked over to her. He stepped behind her and reached down to cup her breasts.
"Do you have something I can use to tie you with?"
"Uh...” Sheila hesitated, and licked her lips.
Bryant squeezed and tugged on her nipples while the heat from his erection seared her through his kilt. More of her juices trickled down her thighs.
He groaned and released her, turning her around. “Sheila?"
The hungry look in his eyes was her undoing. No man had ever looked at her with such desire, and she would do anything to keep it there.
"Use whatever you want."
"Thank you.” He smiled at her and pushed her toward the air mattress. “Lay down and wait for me."
Sheila obeyed him quickly, hoping that he hurried. She was so ready for him that it terrified her. He was a stranger, and here she was, about to let him tie her up and have his way with her. What if he wanted her in the ass?
She studied him as he dug through her things until he came up with the tie from her robe, and her thin cotton nightgown. What was he going to tie her to? He couldn't mean to tie her to the tent. She'd bring it down on their heads if she moved.
Bryant studied her for a minute then he walked over and held out his hand. When she hesitated, his expression softened. “Trust me, Sheila. I won't do anything you don't want, and nothing that will hurt you."
"I trust you,” she answered and offered her hands to him.
He took her belt and then used it to tie her wrists toget
her. What's the nightgown for then? He twisted it and covered her eyes with it.
Sheila gasped and automatically lifted her hands to push it away.
"Shhh,” he whispered, pushing her hands down. “This will heighten your other senses and increase your pleasure."
Increase her pleasure? She already felt as if she'd melt into a puddle and he wanted to increase it?
"Please,” she begged when he finished blindfolding her but still didn't touch her.
"I love the way you beg.” He pushed her hands above her head.
Bryant kissed her softly on the lips while his hands cupped her face. He moved until she felt his legs between hers. Something brushed against her leg and she realized he wasn't wearing anything under that kilt. Oh my.
Sheila moaned and drew her legs together as moisture pooled between her thighs. Bryant inserted his hands between her thighs and pushed them apart.
"What are you trying to hide from me?” he asked.
Bryant nuzzled her heat through the lace. Now she knew why he'd made her leave her panties on. He wanted to torture her.
"Please,” she whimpered as twinges of pleasure created a butterfly feeling in her stomach.
"Please what?” he whispered, his breath blowing on her heated body.
"Please. Suck me, lick me, bite me, just do it now, please!"
Bryant growled. His finger slid between the fabric and her wet flesh. “Damn, baby. You are so wet."
Sheila tried to move away from him as an embarrassed flush covered her face. He grabbed her sides and pinned her in place. She wished she could see him, see his face. But she couldn't. She wiggled but his hold tightened.
"Sheila,” he cooed her name. “Shhh. Relax, babe."
"I don't usually—” She broke off with a strangled cry as his finger slid between her folds, driving all coherent thought from her mind.
"Don't usually what?” He sounded breathless. If he was as turned on as she was, what was he waiting for?
"Mmm,” she moaned and thrust her hips against him.
"Don't usually do this kind of thing?"
"No. Yes!” It came out as a scream when his finger dipped inside her.
"You don't usually let men tie you up? You don't usually invite strangers back to your tent? Or you don't usually let a guy go down on you?"
Celtic Love Knots Volume 2 Page 3
