Chapter 12
“Come,” he took her hand, guiding her closer to the hearth in the corner of the room, but not quite making it there.
It wouldn’t be as comfortable as the beds at Breaghacraig, but comfort wasn’t his goal.
He wanted to feel every inch of her, breathe in her scent and taste the sweetness of her body with his tongue.
His hand brushed her neck. “Yer skin is so soft.” He said it with a reverence he hoped told her how much she meant to him.
“Thank you,” she responded, tipping her head to the side, inviting his kisses and nips. “Mmmm …”
Her enjoyment urged him on. He knelt before her, removing her boots, kissing her fingertips as he returned to his full height.
Hamish slipped her vest from her shoulders and snaked his hands under her top, lifting it over her head and tossing it to the floor.
Her bare shoulders gleamed in the firelight, calling to him.
His tongue traced the side of her neck and across her shoulder, eliciting moans of delight.
His hardened cock, tingled with anticipation.
It would have to wait. He wasn’t finished caressing her with his tongue, his lips and his hands.
His fingers found all her sensitive spots and he played them as he played his lute.
Her breasts were small, but perfect. Dusky pink buds needed his attention.
He dipped his head, his tongue circling and teasing and as he did, she dropped her trewes to the floor and stepped out of them.
He placed his hands on her hips to steady her as his mouth and tongue traced a path from her breasts, to her soft, sweet belly and below.
***
Elle was lost in the ecstasy of the moment.
She was sure she would have collapsed to the floor if it weren’t for Hamish’s strong hands preventing it.
She let herself go, knowing he was in control, knowing he wouldn’t hurt her and feeling free with him.
He traced a scorching path down her body.
His fingers were between her thighs and then inside of her.
He nudged her legs wider, placing a strong palm at the small of her back holding her steady.
Everywhere he touched, she tingled. She shivered.
“Are ye cold?” he asked, concern in his voice.
She shook her head, unable to get the words out.
“Ye are.” He unwrapped his plaid and laid it on the floor by the fire.
She watched appreciatively as he removed his shirt, admiring the perfectly sculpted muscles of his warrior’s body.
Taking her hand, he laid her down in front of the hearth and placed himself over the top of her.
The warmth of his body melted into hers.
She soaked it in, her hands stroking his back, her lips finding his.
Lips so soft, warm and wet. He smelled delicious.
The pine soap he washed with mixed with the scent of the wood fire and musk.
It was intoxicating. The hard floor should have been uncomfortable to her, but it contrasted with the sensual softness of his kisses and matched the hardness of his body.
Any discomfort was quickly quelled by Hamish.
His sensual mastery of her body had her aching in all the right places.
He nudged her thighs apart and teased her opening with his hardened manhood.
The distraction of his lips and his hands caused her to be surprised when he quickly entered her and just as quickly departed.
She raised her hips, beckoning him back.
Slowly this time he penetrated her, each movement bringing her closer to ecstasy.
She quivered around him. Soft sounds of pleasure escaping her lips.
***
Could he have died and gone to heaven? The sensations coursing through his body were heightened and made more pleasurable by the emotional connection he felt to Elle.
In that moment, they were one. It was what he wanted now and forever.
Elle beneath him, beside him, with him always.
His thrusts came quicker and harder. Elle wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, holding him close.
Her soft breath in his ear, her moans of pleasure and the flick of her tongue urged him on.
He climbed closer and closer to the place they both craved and as he neared it, he waited for Elle to join him.
An explosion of incredible sensations rocked them both as they reached the peak holding tight to each other, releasing all their pent up desire together.
Breathing heavy, they lay together before the hearth.
The heat of the fire kept them warm despite the chill air outside and the sound of rain pelting the roof of their small haven.
He wished it could always be like this. The two of them tangled together in love.
The thought of losing her tore at his heart.
He pulled her closer still never wanting to let her go.
He wanted to tell her he loved her, but he stopped himself. He didn’t think she’d want to hear it.
“Mmm …” Elle snuggled closer, her head resting beneath his chin. She fit there so perfectly.
How could he make her see that she was his, that they were meant to be together? He pulled the plaid over them and listened as Elle softly sang the love song from her first night at Breaghacraig.
When she finished, the only sounds in the room were the crackling fire and the rain and wind outside.
“’Twas beautiful,” Hamish said.
“That’s our song, Hamish. Whenever I sing it I’ll think of you.” She kissed the underside of his chin and ran her fingers through the hair on his chest.
“If ye stayed, I believe I could love ye.”
“I know.”
***
And I believe I could love you. She wouldn’t say those words out loud.
She didn’t want to hurt him. She was leaving tomorrow despite her feelings for him.
There was no way she could stay and no way he could come with her, but she didn’t want to think about that right now.
She wanted to live in the moment. This moment was special.
A memory that would last a lifetime. She would never, ever forget Hamish MacBeown.
Hamish made love to her again during the night and now slept peacefully.
Despite the fact she was emotionally and physically exhausted, sleep seemed to be eluding her.
She lay in Hamish’s arms listening to his slow, steady breathing and trying without success not to think about leaving him.
It wouldn’t be long before they were up and on their way to the bridge.
She could barely remember what it looked like, having been so wrapped up in her phone and the shock of not knowing where she was.
Her brain buzzed with all the things she needed to do when she got back, the promises she made herself while at Breaghacraig and the love she found with this man who lay beside her, but who could never be hers.
Time passed and she slipped in and out of sleep only to be awakened when Hamish left her side and went outdoors.
Shafts of sunlight fell on her face. It seemed they wouldn’t be riding in the rain today after all.
She could hear the sounds of Hamish speaking to Aylwen.
The deep timbre of his voice carried through the door and into her heart.
Yet another thing she’d miss about him. She pulled the plaid tighter around herself, cold now that Hamish was no longer beside her and wondered if she were doing the right thing.
The door opened, bringing with it more sunshine and Hamish. “Good morn to ye, love.” He’d put on another plaid, which he must have pulled from his saddle bag. He looked so sexy standing there framed in the light of the doorway.
“Good morning,” she replied.
“Ye should rise. We must get to the bridge.”
“I’m cold,” she complained.
“I can fix that fer ye.”
She was disappointed when he gathered her clothes and handed them to her. “The sooner ye get these on, the warmer ye’ll be.”
He pulled some food from his saddle bag. “I ken ye dinnae eat when ye wake, but I’ve some food fer ye if ye like.”
“No, thanks. I’m not hungry.” How could she eat when it felt like her whole world was falling apart?
“Would ye like me to help ye get dressed?” he asked.
“You’re sweet, but no.”
“Sweet?”
“Like honey …” she said, pulling her leggings up. She put her socks on and her boots before her tunic and vest. She’d hoped this would warm her, but it did little to alleviate the chill she was feeling. “Hey … Can I get a hug?”
He hesitated momentarily. He doesn’t want to touch me. I get it. She thought he must be trying to put distance between them so their parting wouldn’t be any more difficult than it was bound to be.
He beckoned to her with a crooked finger and she went directly into his arms. There was that warmth she needed. “I wish I could stay here, just like this.”
“Ye can,” he stated. “’Tis yer decision to make.”
“A wish is a lot different than reality.” She pulled away from him.
Reality was waiting for her at home. The tour, her career, Eric, her family.
Staying here was not an option. She had to say good bye and hold on to the hope that the ladies were right, someday Edna would let her visit this amazing man.
She looked at him again and realized that he would find someone else, maybe Nessa.
No. Not Nessa. Someone good and kind that would love him forever.
Someone that would make him happy. The thought was killing her, but she had no choice.
There was no space for a man in her life back home. “We should go.”
Hamish made sure the hearth was cold before opening the door. She followed him out to Aylwen, where he lifted her into the saddle. “Do ye mind if I walk for a bit?”
“I guess not.” Was this more of him keeping his distance? “How far do we have to go?”
“We’ll be there by midday.”
He held Aylwen’s reins and strode off through the trees, back to a more well-traveled road. Once there, he hopped up behind her. She’d never tell him this, but she’d been hoping he’d tire of walking. She wanted to be held in his arms as they rode and to feel the warmth of him at her back.
The road was covered with puddles from last night’s rain.
Drops of water glistened on the grass and on the leaves of the trees they passed.
The sky was clear and blue. White puffy clouds outnumbered the remaining few dark, rain clouds.
It was as pretty as a picture. She felt in her pocket for her phone wondering if, despite the fact that nothing else worked on it, her camera might be able to get a picture.
She lifted the phone and pointed it at the beautiful scenery around her.
“What are ye doing?” Hamish wondered.
“Seeing if my camera works.” She clicked the button and captured the image. “It does. Look.” She held the camera up so he could see it. “I want to take a picture of us,” she announced. She held the phone up in front of them for a selfie.
“What magic is this?” Hamish asked.
“Not magic. Just modern technology from my time.” She took the picture and then showed it to him. “I wish there was a way I could make a copy of it and give it to you.”
“I willnae forget,” Hamish said. “The image will stay here with me always.” He pointed to his head.
“I can look at this whenever I want to see you, Hamish. Let’s take more photos.
We’ll take one with Aylwen.” She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of this earlier.
She could have taken photos of everyone at Breaghacraig.
It was too late now, but at least she’d have pictures of Hamish.
He was the one who mattered most to her.
Hamish dismounted and helped her down. They took lots of photos.
She had to cajole him into smiling, but when he did it was amazing.
He was a gorgeous man with a kind heart and it showed in every picture she took.
Aylwen posed nicely along side of them, but eventually she decided she’d taken enough pictures and didn’t want to wear her battery down.
No doubt when she got back she’d have lots of calls and texts to answer.
***
Mounted again, they were on their way. Hamish did his best to keep Aylwen at a slow walk, but he was only postponing the inevitable. Elle was leaving him and his life would never be the same without her.
“Why do you think Edna tried to match us?” she asked.
“We are perfect for each other,” he said. It was true, at least in his mind.
“I wish I could take you with me, but it just wouldn’t be right. I’d be so busy and you’d be alone in a place you were unfamiliar with.”
“Edna said I could go, but only if you wished me to join ye.” After their night together, perhaps there was hope.
“I’m so sorry, Hamish. It’s really not a good idea.”
“‘Twould be an adventure,” he said, wanting her to understand his need to leave behind the predictable life he now had.
“I know you want an adventure, but the future is so different from what you’re used to. Without someone to show you the ropes, I think you’d end up miserable.”
He didn’t say anything. He hadn’t quite gotten on his knees to beg, but he had said everything he could and yet had not convinced her.
It was obvious to him she’d made up her mind and despite the fact she wanted him, she would let him go.
He would have to do the same. It just might kill him, but he would do it. “Mayhap ye will come back some day.”
“Maybe.”