by K H Lemoyne
Sleep. The call for the warrior in you has just begun.
Through time and space, let your soul steer you to your destiny.
Let bravery’s laughter guide you, and loyalty’s heart sustain you.
May my power protect and shelter you
For love is the true reward of your valor.
22
Dimension Earth – Present Day
Duart Castle, Scotland
They were still upright, though Bri clutched Logan until the dizziness stopped. “I’d forgotten that felt so awful. Was it like that for you the last time?”
“There was too much going on the last time for me to notice the vertigo,” he said. “I felt the portal open this time though.”
She turned toward the portal, visible and illuminated, over his shoulder. “You have to close it, Logan.”
He gritted his teeth with a terse shake of his head. “I don’t think I can.”
“Try.” Her hand tightened on his, linking their fingers together when he raised his hand toward the open tear between dimensions. “Others are at risk if we don’t get this closed.”
She lent him all the strength she had—not that he needed it to seal the portal. He’d need it to shut off his last connection with Robert.
His harsh exhale rasped against her hair. His body shook as a pulse of energy flowed from them to the circle of light. Without a sound, it faded into blue sky and clouds, a phantom gone before their eyes.
For a moment, he leaned into her. Then he released her and turned away. She left him to his thoughts, expecting him to withdraw. But after only a second he turned back to her and held out his hand.
She hesitated. Placing her hand over her breastbone, she focused on all the lines connected within her. An incredible skill she’d honed only with Logan and Robert’s help. She’d accomplished so much in such a short time. Yet at such an unbearable price. A painful pinch clenched her heart, wrestling with her focus. She staunched her regret to deal with later—in private.
“You all right?”
“He’s still alive,” she whispered, her hand over her heart.
“Robert? You can still sense him, even here?”
She nodded and looked at him. His eyes shifted from hopeful to concern in an instant.
“What will happen to you if he—?”
She squeezed his hand. “I will share your pain at his loss, and we will celebrate his life. Until then, we have faith. That is what you advised for me, yes?”
Logan released a ragged breath and nodded. Then he pressed a kiss to her forehead, holding there, his lips warm and comforting. “We still have a chance to help him.”
Strands of her hair blew across her face when he pulled back. And because his eyes glistened, she changed the subject. “Where are we?”
“We’re home.” He pointed across the grass to a gravel lot. “That’s the car I rented. I can see our stuff in the back. If we’d been gone long it would have been towed.”
He frowned, as if realizing he’d phrased his words to include a future with her. The unexpected lapse lifted her spirits.
“Are our surroundings unusual?” he asked.
The car he’d referred to was a black box on wheels at the edge of the gravel. It looked unimpressive—not unusual. At her shrug, he moved his arm around her shoulders and propelled them both toward the car.
“We need to figure out the time difference between when I left and when we’ve returned.”
He helped her into the contraption. Myriad satchels and bags filled the inside of the small space. A leather bag took most of the space at her feet. She’d picked it up in order to have room to sit and almost set it back down until she saw Logan’s hesitation.
“Robert’s laptop is in there.” Leaning across her, he removed a black flat object and split it in half, doubling the size. He pressed her finger to the slick edge and one half blinked into life with color. “I think he’d like you using it. He uploaded our travel plans and the photos we’ve taken to research later. You can get an idea of what things look like, people and places.”
With his instructions, the images popped to life with crisp clarity and moved under the command of her fingers. He pointed out a few more items around them and then left her to play with the gadget.
Mesmerized with the wealth of information, she didn’t notice they’d left the gravel lot until she glanced out the front window and discovered they’d stopped somewhere new.
Logan was staring at her with a frown. “Too strange?”
She licked her lips and considered the illuminated numbers, digital readouts, all over the car, the assortment of metal contraptions, cameras, tripods, external drives, packaged in the backseat, the tiny cell phone Logan had used and the laptop in her lap. She’d need a grimoire to keep track of all the names and uses. “Yes and no. These items are peculiar.” She flicked her fingers over the buttons of the laptop. “But they’re only magic adjusted for humans.”
His mouth lifted at the corner, though without a laugh. His memory of Robert wound too tight to allow him the joy of the moment. She felt the same way. But for Logan’s sake, she refused to give in to her grief.
With a hand on his arm, she stopped him from getting out of the car and pressed a change of clean clothes over him. Pants and a shirt covered his body, identical to the ones he’d worn the first night he’d arrived with Fiona. She glanced at her own torn pants and leather vest and then at him for a suggestion.
He pointed out her window toward another vehicle. A young woman exiting her car was dressed in blue pants and a white cable-knit sweater. “She’s wearing something called jeans. But your leather pants would fit in anywhere. Whatever works until you have a chance to determine your own preferences.”
It sounded like he considered her being here more than short-term, and her heart pounded harder. In a flash, she donned her leathers and a similar, thick sweater of pearl gray. She tucked the laptop beneath her arm, and joined Logan standing by the car.
“Home?” She eyed the four-story stone house. The center tower and flanking turrets looked every bit like a small castle.
He shook his head. “Temporary. I live a long way from here. This is Glengorm Castle, I—we have rooms.”
Bri slid her hand into his and ignored his stumble. “What I wouldn’t give for a bath.”
“I can arrange for that, but tips are encouraged,” he said, lifting one brow as he escorted her through the front archway.
“Mr. MacKenzie, how are you enjoying your stay?” The middle-aged woman who greeted them looked curiously at Bri.
“Very well. I’d like to get a second room key for my wife. She’s decided to join me for the last leg of the trip.”
“Will you and Mr. Bonnarati still be staying to the end of the week?”
Logan dipped his head. “My cousin had to return home. I can pack his belongings and check him out after I’ve settled my wife upstairs.”
“Of course. At your convenience. We’re glad to have you join us, Mrs. MacKenzie.”
The woman’s look had seemed sincere before she left through an adjoining hallway, though Bri had caught the subtle glance at the ring on her finger.
She turned in a circle, gauging the space. An ornate stairway dominated the center of the entry. Sturdy, dark newel posts, finials, and detailed carvings grace each set of risers. She continued examining each level as they walked up the stairs, and having seen enough fine woodworking, she was impressed.
At Logan’s gesture, she entered a room and gasped. The large comfortable bed didn’t begin to fill the space. And the window beyond framed glorious gardens and blue waters. “It’s beautiful.”
Logan stood just inside the doorway, watching her. “I hadn’t wanted such an elaborate room, but when we got to the last bit of the trip there were only two rooms left. They happened to be the biggest suites.”
“This is more civilized than blankets on the ground,” she added with a smile. However, she’d rather enjoyed sharing a blanket
with him. She felt heat flush over her cheeks at the recollection.
“Don’t tell me your home was like this?” he asked.
“Hmm. Bright windows, yes. Warm soft beds, definitely. But our home hovered in the air.” She laughed as his eyes widened in surprise. “Teasing.” She passed through to the bathroom and saw nothing beyond the huge tub in the center of the room. “I’m in love.”
“Really, such worship for a piece of porcelain.” Logan leaned into the room, one palm braced on the doorjamb. “Do you need help?”
She grappled with the steel knobs until water gushed into the tub. “What do you think my people are? Barbarians?” Bri rose for the towels and ran her hands over the plush fabric, giving him an impish smile. “I’ve really missed this. Do you have anything I could wear or should I improvise?”
His eyes widened again, this time with the heated speculation she’d hoped to entice. Before he answered, she pushed him from the room. “I get the bath first.”
“I’ll see what I can find you to wear, but if there’s nothing, you’ll have to just wear the towels.” His laugh echoed from the other side of the door.
Bri appeared many minutes later and Logan couldn’t see skin, except for her cheeks and her toes peeking beneath a thick, white robe. With a towel turbaned around her head and a sparkle in her gray eyes, she looked every bit the satisfied diva.
“I put clothes for you on the bed, but I’m partial to what you’re already wearing.”
“Or not wearing?” she quipped and pushed him toward the bathroom. “Your turn.”
He raised a brow. “Did you leave me any towels or hot water?”
“Mmm, I think there’s one small towel left.” She winked and fell back on the bed in a sprawl.
Damn, she was tempting. Her relaxed attitude eased his. And while a shower was the last thing on his mind, he forced himself to close the bathroom door and start the water. He needed equilibrium.
Standing under the steaming-hot spray, the weight of sadness lifted. Only a fraction, but tense muscles relaxed even as a thin layer of grief sluiced from his skin and swirled down the drain. This small respite wasn’t enough to heal him. Robert’s absence would live with him forever. But he wouldn’t grieve for him until he’d exhausted every effort to save him—across the dimensions or not.
For now, he could lose himself for a while with Bri. Gloriously naked beneath that robe, or fully clothed, she had the ability to pull him outside of his darker thoughts. His thickening erection urged him to finish in the shower faster. Time was precious and he refused to lose a second with her.
Focus on now. They had now. Her choices for the future, like Robert’s situation, he’d deal with later.
He turned off the water, rubbed at his hair, and realized he’d brought no fresh clothes in with him. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he opened the door and looked out.
The meal he’d requested because they’d missed the dining hours had arrived. Evidently, he’d have to fight for Bri’s attention. The butter-laden muffin in her hand was already half-eaten. Crumbs littered the plate beside her, and a dab of golden butter dotted her upper lip. Her robe hung open enough to show an ivory half-moon of her breast.
Oh, he could definitely work with this, he thought as he stalked toward her.
He bent over and licked the butter from her lip. She moaned and leaned closer but he moved back, eyeing the table. In a large serving bowl, two roasted chicken halves were nestled around a mound of chestnuts and stuffing. He picked a bit of the chicken, sampled a quick bite and then offered the rest to Bri.
She opened her mouth and nibbled it out of his fingers.
He didn’t need more of an invitation.
The robe’s tie had loosened and he leaned into her kiss as he slid his hand beneath the terry cloth. Palming her flesh, he brushed her nipple until it peaked. At her sweet responses, he knelt between her legs and opened the robe farther. Her pupils dilated, the gray a warm silver, as her lips opened with a silent sigh. Not letting his gaze move from hers, he took a finger full of butter from the muffin and covered her nipple. He worked the sweet cream across her flesh, smoothing it like lotion until the nipple was rigid beneath his fingers.
Her moan was as beautiful as the taste of her on his tongue. The ripple of unrestrained pleasure when her emotions opened to him intoxicated him. Slowly, methodically, he suckled every bit of butter from her breast.
Her fingers clenched in his hair worked in harmony with her moans and the tingle on his scalp charged in pulsing heat to his cock.
Done with patience, he scooped her up and landed them in the middle of the bed. They sank deep into the covers as he flung the towel from her glorious hair and spread the black strands over the pillows. Then he fisted a handful, curled the silky gloss around his hand, and rubbed it against his cheek. Glorious. He wanted to wake every morning with her hair wrapped around him. He pressed a kiss behind her ear before placing more along her neck.
With a gentle nip on her shoulder he parted her robe, displaying all of her to him. She eyed him coyly and he half wondered what he’d done to deserve such a rich prize.
The dream in the forest, he remembered through a haze. The night of their wedding, he remembered with incredible vividness and sensory details. But both lacked the added punch of making love to her in broad daylight.
His wife was a wonder to behold. Ivory skin, long slender legs, a womanly sweep of hips, a sensuous waist and belly, and breasts with dusky pink nipples he couldn’t resist. None of that topped the sensuality in her gaze. He could lose himself in her eyes. They exposed her full heart and compassion, the inner beauty he loved all reflected in the shine of her eyes—the glow enough to make him forget and force him to dream. Yes, he wanted her now, with an unsettling animalist craving. But more, he wanted her forever.
“Don’t you dare look so serious, Logan MacKenzie.” Her wicked smile clued him in before her emotional wave of abandon hit him. Bri rolled him over, ripping away his towel before she lay on top of him and kissed him.
Her lips were gone before he could claim a deeper kiss. Her hands stroked over his chest, creating a fire of need as she made her way to his stomach and hips. Her expression, a mixture of passion and feminine confidence, was so compelling he could do nothing but lie there, mesmerized.
Logan sucked in his breath as her fingers closed around his erection. She kissed his stomach, then moved lower, her fingernails drawing unintelligible designs against his abdomen. He grunted and dug his fingers into the bedspread, wads of fabric clenched in his palms as her kisses feathered along his straining cock.
God, have mercy. She was going to kill him. He surged once within her hold. She chuckled, obviously enjoying her exploration and control. Nothing in the world, short of cataclysm, would induce him to take that from her. He strained as she caressed him in a too-gentle slide, the friction enough to launch a fire in his balls, not enough to give him relief.
Then her mouth closed over him. With a loud groan, he fisted his hand in her hair. Part of him urged her to take him deeper. A stronger part of him refused to give in until he hauled her up and was buried inside her with her climax gripping his cock.
Her tongue teased and he closed his eyes and held on. “Damn. So good.”
Covering her hand with his, he encouraged a harder stroke. She suckled harder and he let loose a groan. “Please, honey. I want you now.” Backing off with a tender lick, she lifted and he pulled her higher.
The dampness between her thighs against his stomach was a welcome relief. He didn’t know if he could hold off if she wasn’t ready for him. Her desire blanketed him in a thick heady rush, her desire matching his own. She arched into his touch and ground her hips against his as he caressed her full breasts. He reached to the side table with one hand for the bag of toiletries he’d left there. Fingers searching for the box of condoms, he pitched toothpaste, lotion—anything he found—to the floor in search of the box he’d packed out of habit and never thought he’d end up
using.
The friction of her pussy against his cock drove him insane. Moving her a little, he ripped the foil with his teeth and covered himself before she had time to laugh. Then he thrust slow and deep into her moist heat and all the humor left her expression.
Mouth opened in a moan, she pushed against his chest and seated him deeper inside her.
He rolled her beneath him, hooked one arm under her thigh to open her for him, and cradled her head for a searing kiss. Tongues dueling, he tasted her; the feel of her lips, the sweetness of her mouth, the vibration of her escalating cries.
He withdrew from her, poised at her entrance again, and lifted his head, searching her eyes. Bright with passion, she panted, her lids heavy as she waited. “Do you want this, my love?”
“Am I sending the wrong signals?” She exhaled the laugh before he sank into her again, and bit her lip with another moan. “You’re staring at me.”
Yes, he wanted to memorize every moment, every expression. Seemingly determined to control him as well, she wrapped both her legs around his hips and took him deeper. At his groan, she laughed again. He loved her abandon as she teased him.
“Perfect signals. I don’t want to miss anything about you,” he whispered, and lowered his lips to hers as she blushed.
He nipped at her lip and moved again, slowly at first, then in long deep strokes. Her nails dug into his back and the tiny bite of pain pitched him higher. Not able to hold back, he drove into her, his gaze never leaving her face. Then her breath became shallow and short and her eyes lost focus. The most beautiful woman he’d ever seen was in his arms. She reached her peak and cried out. Pressing his forehead to hers, he gave her everything he had, his hopes and last ounce of his energy—all hers to keep—and let go.
Moments later, they lay entwined in each other’s bodies, wrapped limb to limb, skin still hot and sensitive to each other’s breath. Logan rolled to his side, keeping Bri tucked against him. If he could stop time, he’d want her melted against him like this—always.
