by Donna Grant
She didn't lag behind after that and urged Gregor on. When he declared a spot for their camp, she eagerly slid off her mare and began to unsaddle her.
After she found a clean gown, she headed to the loch. But Gregor's voice stopped her. "Where are you going?"
"To take a bath."
"Let me have a look around first. Rest here until I return," he said as he picked up his bow and arrows.
She wanted to throttle him, but he did have a point. She leaned against a boulder to await his return.
* * * *
Gregor scouted the area, and when he was certain they weren't being followed, he made his way back to Fiona. To his surprise, she was fast asleep.
He didn't want to wake her. He had known she hadn't slept the previous night. She hadn't fooled him, he thought with a smile, although she had tried to act as perky as usual.
Morgane nickered to him and he went to care for the horses. When he was finished he found Fiona still slept so he made his way to the loch. A bath did sound good and it would be an ideal time to test himself.
After he shed his clothes he walked into the cool loch until the water reached his knees. As the water swirled around his legs, the memories rushed to invade him. He pushed them aside and took another step until the water reached his thighs.
He tried to manage his rapid breathing to calm himself, but there was no controlling the erratic beating of his heart. With his fists clenched he waded until the water reached his waist.
Even with the cool water, sweat beaded his forehead. The cries of his sister rung loudly in his ears as he desperately tried to push the memories into the hole where his heart used to be.
It was too much. He would never swim again and he needed to realize that.
He moved into shallower water and sat so he could begin to wash. Just as he was about to finish he saw the water ripple around him.
* * * *
Fiona stretched the cramp out of her neck as she stood. She couldn't tell how long she had slept, but by the look of their camp Gregor had already returned.
Now where could he be … ?
Her body needed the bath, so she made her way to the dark waters. It was there she found him.
He sat in the shallow water and looked out over the terrain. He looked so lonely sitting there that she wanted to go to him.
She licked her lips at seeing his skin glistening with water. Her hands fisted when she thought of how he would feel as her hands glided over his damp skin.
It would be the perfect opportunity to get his attention.
* * * *
The sound of a giggle reached Gregor as he turned his head. All he spotted was feet as Fiona dove into the water.
His eyes found his clothes and gauged the distance between him and the shore. He tried to calculate if he could reach them and the rocks before Fiona broke the surface when she did just that.
"Why didn't you wake me?" she asked. Her expression was that of an innocent, but her eyes were anything but.
He knew she wanted him, but there was no way he would give in. He wouldn't have that on his soul as well. She would be brought to the Druid's Glen an innocent. He refused to think what Moira and Frang would do to him if he sullied Fiona with his dirty soul.
"What's the matter?" she asked as she swam closer to him. "Has your voice disappeared?"
"Nay," he answered. "I saw you needed the rest."
She smiled and winked and he knew he was about to get her all out assault. He needed to get out of the water. Fast. Before his legendary control snapped.
"That was very thoughtful of you."
Here it comes. Prepare yourself.
With her arms stretched out in front of her she glided toward him. "Why don't you come into deeper water? 'Tis nice out here."
No way on God's green earth. "I'm sure 'tis."
"Surely you aren't afraid of me?"
He shook his head, still trying to figure out a way to get to shore quickly.
To his utter amazement, she took hold of his hand. He had been so intent of finding a way out of the loch that he hadn't realized she had come up beside him.
On their own accord, his eyes traveled to the water to see if she was as bare as he, but all he found was the delectable swell of her breasts visible through the dark water.
It would be so easy to give in and have her. He wanted her and she wanted him. Why should he allow something as insignificant as her innocence stop him? It certainly wasn't stopping her.
He squeezed his eyes closed and silently cursed. He was the monster his father had called him. He should have more strength than be thinking of giving in to base wants and needs. He never had a problem getting a woman into his bed.
It would just take vast amounts of control to keep Fiona off him until he delivered her to Moira and the Druid's, then he could find a nice, willing wench to warm his bed for the next month.
"Gregor?"
Her voice, smooth as silk and slightly husky, surrounded him. He opened his eyes to find her very close.
Control. Vast amounts of control.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
She pulled on his hand. "Let's relax in the water while we can. A little swim won't hurt anything."
"Nay." Gregor yelled louder than he intended but it had gotten her attention.
She dropped his hand and shrugged. Her hand snaked out and grabbed the chain of his medallion. "What's this?"
"A medallion that was given to me by my father."
" 'Tis beautiful."
"Thank you," he said and turned away. "I should head back to camp."
"Please stay and talk to me."
He didn't have any choice in the matter if he didn't want to leave before her. He resigned himself to the fact that he would be in the water for some time. Yet, he could make the most of it, he thought with an inward smile as she turned.
Water ran in droplets down her back. Skin the color of cream glistened in the afternoon sun, and he would bet his best dagger she tasted of cream as well.
Her hair had come lose of its braid to float seductively in the water. He almost reached out to touch a dark strand, but stopped himself in time.
She swam deep into the loch and although he called out to her, she kept swimming. His fear threatened to rise up and choke him as he struggled to rein in his emotions.
"Fiona!"
Finally she turned and smiled at him. "What's wrong?"
"Come back."
"Have I frightened you?"
He didn't answer her, but waited until she was closer to him. "Don't go out that far."
"I'm a great swimmer, Gregor. You have nothing to worry fear. Not to mention I have power over water," she said. Then stopped and stared at him. "You were worried about me. Why?"
"Just don't do it. Please," he ground out.
She looked at him for several heartbeats. "All right."
Then, to his shock, she began to bath. "What are you doing?"
Her laughter filled the air. "What does it look like?" She continued to lather her slender arms, and just when he thought she would stand up, she turned her back on him. "Tell me what you did before the Druids sent you for me."
He didn't want to tell her but knew she would keep on him until he told her. "You really don't want to know."
"Why?" she asked over her shoulder. "Will it change my perception of you?"
"Aye."
"Why don't you let me decide that?"
He sighed. She was like a swarm of gnats that would keep after you no matter how much you tried to avoid them. "I'm a mercenary."
Silence. He had hoped she wouldn't change her opinion of him, but maybe it was better that she did. Then the seduction she had in mind would cease.
"I hope you fight for good causes."
He sat in stunned silence for a moment as her words registered. If discovering he was a mercenary hadn't done it, his next statement would.
"War is never a good cause, and 'tis the money I'm interested it."
She s
topped her bathing and looked at him over her shoulder.
"I bet that has changed your opinion of me," he said sardonically.
She shook her head. "I wouldn't have thought that of you. You don't seem the type."
" 'Tis amazing how the past will shape one's life."
"Because of your banishment, you mean."
He turned his head away from her. He couldn't meet her eyes. When she said it, it made his choice seem so unpractical and stupid.
"Why then did you take this task?"
What to tell her? Dare he tell her the truth, that he wanted to prove to himself that it wasn't about the coin, but that he wanted to do something that was right?
"Because Moira asked me," he said. It was partially the truth anyway.
"How did you come to meet her?"
She had asked nonchalantly, but he knew how much that had cost her. For a moment, he watched as she continued to wash. "I was on the wrong side of a war. Glenna and Conall helped me see that."
"So, you helped them."
"Aye."
She rinsed herself and turned towards him. "In other words, MacNeil hired you."
His heart constricted at her words. They were spoken softly, but with sorrow. "Aye."
"Why?"
"Because he was willing to pay. That's my way of life. I'm not going to sprinkle it with goodness because there isn't any. I never wanted to know why someone fought a war. I went to the person who paid the most. I'm good at what I do and men will pay handsomely to have me in their armies."
"But you are good or you wouldn't have helped my sister and Conall. Regardless of what you think of yourself, 'tis the truth."
Her words stunned him. How could she think that of him? She barely knew him. He was so lost in thought over her statement that he didn't realize she was out of the water until she called his name.
"Enjoy the sunset."
He turned back around and looked above the mountains to the sky. The sun had sunk behind the massive mountains and had turned the sky a vibrant gold and purple. The clouds that dotted the sky were turned a darker shade of purple while the loch reflected the gold sky.
'Twas a sunset seen once in a lifetime and one that should be enjoyed with someone. Too bad he was alone. As usual.
* * * *
Fiona watched the sunset from their camp. Gregor's words had disturbed her, there was no doubt, but she also knew that he was a good man that had been knocked off the right course.
A good woman could set him on that course.
But it isn't me.
He would return soon. She decided on her course of action while swimming and there was no turning back now. She would have him. Tonight.
And she had just the thing that would make him fall to his knees. Or at least she hoped he would.
* * * *
Gregor walked into the camp without looking at Fiona. He wanted to give her a fire but without the shelter of a cave he didn't know if they could chance it.
The fact MacNeil hadn't followed them worried him. They were on the shortest route to MacInnes land, so in truth, MacNeil should be trailing them. Where the hell was he anyway?
He happened to spot a place in the mountainside where they could build a small fire and still be hidden. "I'm going to find some food," he said and grabbed his bow and arrow.
"I will get the fire started," he heard her reply as he walked away.
His father had taught him well. He tracked the rabbits and caught three of them. By the time he returned to the camp he was starving and looking forward to the meal.
"I caught three hares," he said as he walked into the camp and stopped dead in his tracks.
Fiona stood by a boulder, her leg placed on it while she bent over and fiddled with her shoe. A large amount of leg was visible to his gaze, and he hungrily ate up the sight of her.
"Oh, good," she all but purred.
Gregor jerked his gaze away from her and set about cleaning the rabbits. All the while she hummed and carried on a one sided conversation that he refused to be a part of.
He set the rabbits above the fire to cook and dusted off his hands, his mouth watering at the thought of their meal. He straightened and turned to find Fiona in front of him.
"You are an expert hunter, aren't you?" she asked and ran her finger down his arm.
His muscles twitched of their own accord and chills rose on his skin at her touch. Damn, but she was hard to resist.
"I get the meal on the table."
She bit her lip and looked at him through her lashes. "So humble."
"I, ah, I need to scout around the camp again." He had to get away from her. All his blood had pooled to his manhood at her nearness. He never lost control like this and it was a bit embarrassing.
"I will be waiting." She gave him a wink and sat beside the fire.
Without looking back he nearly ran from the camp. He waited until he knew the rabbits would be cooked before he returned to the camp.
She didn't speak to him as she began to eat, and Gregor never realized how alluring a woman eating could be. He didn't taste his food as he watched her lick away the juices from the meat, her pink tongue peaking out to tempt him.
Her lips wrapped around a piece of meat and all he could think about was her mouth on his manhood. Sweat covered his body as he tried to focus on eating instead of Fiona's mouth, but 'twas impossible. When he could stand it no more, he rose to bury the bones.
Just go back to camp and lie down. Don't talk to her, don't look at her. Just close your eyes and sleep.
And that was his intention until he walked into camp and found her standing beside the fire with a plaid wrapped around her. He was about to ask her if she as ill when she let the blanket fall to her feet.
Gregor felt as though someone punched him in the gut. Fiora stood before him in all her naked glory. She was magnificent, and his eyes took in everything from her long legs, full hips, slim waist, and breasts that would certainly fill his hands.
Those hands itched to touch her, to see if she was real or a vision his mind had created to taunt him. The bow and arrows dropped out of his hands, and his sword soon followed. His feet began to walk towards her and his eyes found her face.
Her dark locks hung loose and full around her shoulders and down her back to graze her waist. As he closed the distance between them he saw the dark tint of her nipples. They hardened beneath his gaze, and he knew there was no turning back now.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Fiona held her breath and waited for Gregor to stalk away, but as he came towards her she began to breathe again. His gaze raked her body, and the smile that pulled one corner of his lips caused her body to jump in anticipation.
He continued until he stood before her. Then, he fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. She enfolded him in her arms and briefly closed her eyes as she savored the moment.
She kneeled down with him and saw the desire in his black eyes. Triumph flared in her. He hadn't shunned her and she was in control. It would stay that way, too.
"Do you know what you are doing?" he asked as he ran a hand through her hair.
"Aye. Don't question this. Just accept it and let yourself feel."
He leaned forward and nibbled on her mouth while his hands brought her against him. She began to remove his vest. Her hands pushed it over his broad, muscular shoulders then ran down his back as she learned the feel of him.
His hands roamed all over her while his mouth drove her to ecstasy with his kisses. She leaned her head back when his mouth moved over her jaw to her neck.
"Hmmm. You do taste of cream."
She smiled at his words. "Do I? Is that what a woman is supposed to taste like?"
He raised his head and pushed her back until she was lying on the ground. "Only you," he said as he loomed above her.
"You still have your trews on."
He laughed and the sound warmed her heart. "So I do, but I can remedy that."
She leaned up on one elbow as
he disrobed and tossed his medallion in the pile. His body didn't disappoint. His legs were just as muscular as the rest of his body, but 'twas the man part of him that drew her attention.
He stood straight and tall and beckoned her. She had never seen a man naked before, but she knew no man would compare to Gregor. He didn't give her long to look as his body covered hers.
"I wasn't done looking," she said.
"What's looking when you can touch?"
She raised her eyebrows at his bold invitation, but rolled him onto his side just the same. Her hands roamed over his defined chest and abdomen as his chest hair crinkled beneath her fingers.
When her hand dipped below his waist to his bulging thigh he didn't hinder her. Her hand stopped shy of touching his manhood. She could feel the heat of his member, and it intrigued her even more.
She bit her lip and reached out to touch him. 'Twas silken in texture, and it leapt at her touch. He sucked in a breath and groaned as she ran her hand over him and his sacs.
"By the saints," he moaned. "I never knew your touch could do this to me."
"And what do I do?" She needed to know how she affected him.
His eyes burned as they gazed at her. "You set me afire. 'Tis everything I can do not to take your right now."
"Then take me," she offered as a thrill shot through her at his words.
He growled and pulled her on top of him. "You shouldn't have said that," he said before his mouth crushed hers.
Even though he threatened to take her right then, he didn't. His hands were gentle, insistent as they skimmed over her body, learning her curves and giving her untold amounts of pleasure.
When his hands found her breasts and squeezed, she burned for more, and he gave it to her when his lips moved to her nipples. She cried out from the pleasure and raked her hands across his back.
He suckled until she thought she would die of the pleasure. A moan escaped when his hands skimmed down her skin until they reached the juncture of her legs.
Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at him only to find his gaze on her. She raised a hand and ran a finger over his eyebrow.
"Don't stop now," she said.
