Page 36 of Beguiled By the Highlander
“An impossible task.”
She folded her arms across his chest and dropped a kiss upon his lips. “I’m certain ye’ll manage it.”
His hands roamed down her body and gripped her bottom. Even through all the layers she wore, she fancied she could feel the heat of his palms branding her skin.
The way he had branded her in the night.
Thrills raced through her at the memory, and desire stirred, strong and hot. Lord, she wanted him so.
“Stop yer wriggling.” His voice was raw. She wriggled again, even though she hadn’t been doing it on purpose before. He let out a tortured groan. “Ye’re killing me, woman.”
“There are worse ways to go, I’m sure.”
“And better ones, too, I’ve no doubt.” He gave her a feral grin. “But I’d rather not think of such things when I’m with ye.”
“Tell me what ye think when ye’re with me.”
“’Tis not fit for a lady’s ears.”
“I promise I won’t be shocked.”
He wrapped his arms around her hips, so securely she imagined she could feel his magnificent rod, even beneath the thickness of his plaid. A jagged breath escaped, as she recalled how his wondrous body had felt beneath her exploring fingers.
How desperately she wished to touch him again.
“Ye’re doing it again.” His groan was the most alluring sound she’d ever heard. “I believe ye only brought me up here so ye could torture me in peace.”
“Ye could be right.” She shook with silent laughter as she stole another kiss. He plunged his fingers through her hair, anchoring her head, and plundered her mouth until she could scarcely breathe, never mind think.
The frenzied thunder of her heart filled her head, and only when Njord broke their kiss and swore under his breath did the sound of Sjor’s barking penetrate her passion-drenched senses.
“Someone’s coming,” he muttered as he rolled her onto her side and clumsily straightened her skirts. She sucked in a sharp breath and glanced hastily around. Sjor was at one side of the plateau, barking out to sea.
She expelled a relieved breath. “No one can climb that sheer cliff. There’s only one way to reach this summit, and that’s the way we came.”
He was already on his feet, casting a grim glare at the way they had come. With a sigh, she stood, too, and taking his hand led him over to her dog. “What is it, my bonny lad?”
She shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun. A ship was sailing in the waters far below, heading directly for Eigg.
Unaccountably, a shiver raced along her arms.
“Huh.” Njord turned to her. “More visitors. Maybe they can shed light on my origins.” The skeptical smile that accompanied his words belied his optimism, but she smiled back, since he clearly expected it.
“That would be good.” And then she brightened. It would be more than good. It would mean he would no longer feel the need to leave tomorrow. “We need to head back, anyway, if we want to reach the castle before dusk falls.”
The sun was already dropping below the horizon as they entered the great hall. Aside from the usual castle servants and warriors, her sisters and grandmother were also present, standing beside the fire.
And so were a dozen foreign Scots.
Once again, unease shivered through her, and she had the mad urge to grab Njord’s hand and run back out into the night. But even if she had planned on following such foolishness, it was too late now, as her grandmother had seen them.
She took a deep breath. Whether these men knew Njord or not, all would be well.
One of the strangers swung about, and Njord faltered by her side. She cast him a searching look. Did he recognize this man?
“God’s bones, William.” The stranger strode across the hall and grasped Njord’s arm, before pulling him into a bear hug and thumping his back with his fist. “We thought ye were dead, man. We’ve been searching the islands for ye since the storm broke.”
The stranger released him and stared intently into Njord’s face. A slow frown crossed his features. And then he spoke.
