The Dark Highlander

He released her nipple and looked up at her, startled. “But you’re not, are you, Chloe?”

“Smile,” she panted, not wanting to answer that. Not wanting to admit that some part of her was afraid of the intimidating man who danced between centuries. Not exactly of him, more afraid of the power he had over her because she had such intense feelings for him. With all the scorching, incredibly intimate things he’d done to her, he’d not said any of those words lovers were wont to say, words hinting at a future together. As he’d told her yesterday, he made no excuses and offered no pretty lies. No promises either.

She wouldn’t mind one or two. Or ten.

Taking her cue from him, she’d kept her feelings silent, resolved to be patient; wait and watch, try to catch some of those subtle little signs that were all Dageus ever revealed.

He arched a brow and smiled as she’d requested.

“Oh, that one was much better,” she said, smiling back. It was impossible not to smile back when he truly smiled. When he slid his hands down her arms, over her breasts, then to her hips, she shook her head warily. “Huh-uh. I can’t. Not now.” She deliberately teased him with, “It could be a week before I can again.” She topped it with a demure batting of her lashes.

Growling, he tossed his head, his black mane spilling like dark silk over her skin. “Och, nay, lass, I doona think so. A bath will hasten your recovery.” He prodded her in the thigh, hard and ready. Did the man never tire? she wondered blissfully.

Despite her extreme soreness, desire flared, hot and greedy, stirring all those battered nerve endings to life. He made her feel insatiable. Having sex with him made a woman feel like she was doing something forbidden somehow, and she could get downright obsessed with it. Though she felt bruised and tender, if they had the time, she’d be all over him, or rather, he’d be all over her, for he certainly liked the dominant position. “You heard Nell. We’re not getting a bath. Silvan wants us.” Chloe felt a sudden flush of embarrassment. She’d slept with Silvan’s son in Silvan’s castle. Though she hadn’t felt awkward about it with Nell at the door, for some reason she felt uneasy about it when she thought about Silvan, perhaps because he was of her grandda’s age.

“Doona worry, lass,” he reassured her, guessing at her thoughts from her expression. “Silvan saw us come in last eve. He’ll no’ think less of you. Verily, he’ll be delighted. I’ve no’ had a lass in my chamber before.”

“Really?” she asked a bit breathlessly. When he nodded, Chloe smiled radiantly: At least here in his bedroom, she was the only one. Though not what she’d prefer (like a declaration of undying love or a request that she have his babies), it was something. Then her eyes narrowed. The sun was spilling in the window behind her and Dageus’s eyes were golden, dappled with darker flecks. Smoky and sensual, fringed by thick dark lashes, but gold nonetheless. “What is with your eyes?” she exclaimed. “Is it part of being a Druid?”

“What color are they?” he asked warily.

“Gold.”

He flashed her another unguarded smile. It was like basking in the sun, she thought, tracing her fingers over his beard-shadowed jaw, smiling helplessly back.

He prodded her again. “You’re good for me, lass. Now get off your back woman, lest I start something you refuse to let me finish.” He sat up, bringing her with him, kissing her, nipping at her lower lip. The kiss turned heated and fierce while he was trying to stand and they fell out of bed, so she landed on the floor atop him. He promptly rolled her beneath him and kissed her till she was gasping for breath.

He gave her a cocky smile a few moments later as he helped her to her feet. “I’ll wager you won’t be sore long,” he purred.

Definitely not, she thought, damn the teasing, torturing man! Muscles in the inner parts of her thighs she’d not known she had, protested when she tried to walk. And still, she wanted more.

Only much later did she realize that he hadn’t answered her question.

“ ’Tis nigh time,” Silvan grumbled when they entered the great hall.

“Da, where’s the fifth Book of Manannán?” Dageus asked without preamble.

“There is no fifth Book of Manannán,” Chloe said matter-of-factly. “There are only three. Everyone knows that.”

Dageus gave her a cool smirk. “Ah, the nefarious everyone. I’ve long wondered who comprises that group.”

Silvan looked amused, cocked his head and glanced inquiringly at Dageus. “Think you she needs a distraction? I thought you’d been distracting her quite thoroughly.”