Chapter 10 #2
“Nothing to say. For a brief minute, you wanted me. I saw the need in your eyes, but it’s fine.
My sexy American awesomeness scared you.
It happens. It’s okay, really.” She smiled up at him, even though the wall around her heart had a new fissure.
“I’m arm candy to ward off Blondie. There’s no need to pretend behind closed doors. ”
“That’s no’ it.” Collin’s voice lowered to a deep timbre.
“You’ve almost died twice since you’ve been here.
I cannae seem to stop the attacks, but if I bed you, I’ll be even more distracted.
Maybe ’tis best if Angus drives you over to the next town where there’s lodging, and maybe you’ll be safe.
I cannae help but feel getting you away from the castle would redirect the attacks. ”
Quinn rolled her eyes and patted his chest. She couldn’t help it. He was like a new toy that she’d been told not to play with. “First of all, you helped me up the cliff; I’ll give you that, but I didn’t die the first time or the second. Ye of little faith. But if you want me gone, I’ll go.”
“This isnae about what I want. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“So am I considering I’m stuck on your mothership and you have my face painted on canvas like your own personal Guinevere.
I’m going to do the right thing and help you.
” She patted his chest. “So it’s settled.
I’m staying.” Quinn sidestepped him and sashayed out of the room with a little more sway in her steps, teasing and taunting him with her assets, which he’d denied himself the pleasure of getting to know better.
He followed as she jogged down the steps and made her way into the main entrance hall where she was halted by a parade of men carrying tables and chairs toward the ballroom. She’d forgotten all about the party.
“Come with me.” Collin caught up to her and took her hand, pulling Quinn toward the kitchen and out the back entrance where she’d tried to use her cellphone.
“You need better cell service,” she announced out of the blue.
“I need a lot of things,” he countered with a glance over his shoulder as he continued pulling her toward a little house on the property.
“Who lives there?” she asked, slipping her fingers free.
“Garth, the caretaker, but that’s no’ where we’re going.”
A seven-foot, big, burly man stepped out of the worn shack with an ax in his grip.
Harness, the white-haired dog, was by his side.
A long, dark beard hung down the man’s flannel shirt, and his dark gaze watched them.
He reminded her of a cross between a lumberjack and a serial killer, and by the way he was looking at them, she guessed the latter.
Quinn stumbled, and Collin caught her arm before she fell flat on her face.
She followed Collin and climbed the little Mt. Everest, wondering where on earth he was taking her. They crossed the bridge and entered the clearing where she’d seen him the first time on horseback. Her nose twitched in anticipation of nature surrounding her.
“I’m not going into the forest.” She stopped and propped a hand on her hip. Suffering from hayfever was not on her agenda for the night.
He let out a resigned sigh before sweeping her up into his arms. She could have protested if she’d wanted, but she didn’t bother. It wasn’t every day she was pressed up against a hard, manly chest. If nothing else, she’d remember the feeling and use it as material for her dreams.
“I’d never take you into the forest.”
Collin headed to the end of the clearing, where a small house, identical to the caretaker’s, sat. He lowered Quinn to her feet, letting her soft body slide down his length. His hard-on pressed against the apex of her thighs as he opened the door and ushered her inside.
She expected cobwebs, dust, and worse, but the small cabin was as clean as the room she was staying in. The furnishings were humble and made of solid wood, the cooking items antique. She loved every part of the small little house down to the beautiful blue quilt folded at the foot of the bed.
Quinn picked up the soft quilt. The silky material surprised her. “Who’s place is this?”
“This belonged to Gwinnie’s ancestors. Her father was the castle steward, and she fell in love with the laird. It’s been updated some through the years.”
Quinn couldn’t imagine the ghost in the north tower wearing anything other than the jewels and satin that she’d seen her wearing.
She dropped the quilt and smoothed the lines. “Why did you bring me here?”
He closed the distance between them and cupped her cheek, resting his forehead against hers. “You’re stubborn.”
“And?” If there was a punch line, she was missing it.
“Beautiful.” He placed a tender kiss to her lips.
“And?” She was still confused, but she enjoyed the lip action, and he didn’t appear to be moving.
“You're outspoken, a pain in my ass, and American.”
Her lips twisted into a smile. The big Highlander was actually getting to know her. “You’ve giving me whiplash. One minute, you look like you want to devour me, and the next minute, you’re acting like I’m the one with the measles. So what’s it going to be this time, big guy?”
“I brought you here so we wouldnae be disturbed.”
She chuckled, making his brows dip. “Is this like your love shack? Do you bring all of the girls here and sweet talk them?”
“I’ve never brought another here.”
“Why did you walk out of my room?” Quinn couldn’t help herself from asking in an effort to figure out what made him tick, and it didn’t hurt that teasing the Highlander was just too easy.
“I was trying to be a gentleman.”
“I’m not a lady.” Her grin grew as she lifted her shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor. “And I’m not afraid to take what I want.”
She reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, letting it slide off her shoulders and down to the floor. She gestured to the scratches and cuts on her chest. “This happened. I survived, and it hasn’t swayed me from wanting you. Can you deal with this?”
“Aye.” Collin’s voice grew husky as he lifted her into his arms. A girly yelp escaped her lips before she could rein it back.
He laid Quinn on the bed, and her heart beat frantically as heat pooled between her thighs. She was embarrassingly wet and wanting, but nothing was going to stop her this time.
She kicked off her tennis shoes onto the floor in anticipation and had reached for the button on her jeans before he placed his hand over hers and took over.
He kissed her stomach as his fingers made quick work of the fastening.
The sound of her zipper lowering filled the quietness of the room.
Her quickened breath was loud in her ears.
He eased the jeans down her legs. His lips followed the path, kissing her everywhere but where she wanted most.
She lay naked as he stood tall in front of her, taking his time to undress for her visual excitement. His blue eyes darkened and hooded as he licked his lips, never taking his eyes from her body. He crawled up and settled between her thighs. Now, this is what I’m talking about.
Quinn raked her nails slowly over his tan back and held his gaze.
The rapid rise and fall of his chest matched hers as he reached between them and grabbed his shaft, running the stiff length between her wet folds.
No words mattered in that minute, no curse, no emerald.
It was just him and her, both mindless with pleasure, as he slid deep inside and took her over the edge, straight into amazing bliss.