CHAPTER7
Lore, the scent of her drove him insane. Colum tightened his arm around Lady Kenna’s waist and drew in another mouthwatering inhale of her sweetness. With a subtle nudge of one knee, he silently bade Rua to slow his pace. ’Twas much better if they traveled slowly. After all, he wouldn’t wish to frighten the wee lass—this being her first time on a horse and all.
The horse tossed his head and danced a bit to one side. Kenna squeaked and clutched Colum’s arm tighter around her waist.
“’Tis all right, lass. I willna let ye fall.” Colum smiled and hugged her back tighter against his chest. Rua would have an extra share of oats and mayhap a carrot or two this verra evenin’. The horse always did have a keen sense for his master’s wishes.
Colum leaned forward, nuzzling his cheek against the silk of the lady’s hair while pretending to dodge a low-hanging tree limb that couldn’t possibly reach them. So soft. So silky.What he wouldn’t give to lace his fingers through those tresses as she shuddered and cried out his name.
“Colum?”
“Aye, my lady?” He dipped forward again, pressing his cheek snugly against her hair. For sure and for certain, he nay wished to miss a single word the lady uttered.
She cleared her throat and wiggled, nearly making him groan aloud as the delightful curve of her bottom brushed back against his aching cock. Lore a’mighty.What pure . . . albeit delicious . . . torture.
After a light pat on his arm, she wiggled again. “Uhm. You don’t have to hold me so tight now. I think I’m getting the hang of it.”
Colum loosened his grip the barest bit. The woman seemed oblivious to the excruciating waves of pleasure she triggered with every move of her sweet arse. After another deep breath, he kneed Rua to walk slower still. May the Lady Trulie forgive him. If he had his way about it, they would never reach the keep. He would hold this lovely lady against him and they would ride on forever. “It gladdens me to know ye no longer fear Rua.”
She shifted and lifted her face to the gentle breeze soughing through the trees. “He’s not scary. It’s just he’s so tall. If you weren’t hanging on to me, I might fall and break my neck.” She closed her eyes and shifted against him again with a deep intake of breath. “This place is so . . . ” Her voice trailed off as she shivered.
Colum swallowed hard. A few more wiggles like that and the lass would completely undo him. “Aye, my lady. Nothing compares with the Highlands and the beauty they hold.”
His spirits fell as they cleared the last of the woods and came to the bridge. Damned if they weren’t nearly there.
Lady Kenna excitedly leaned forward; Rua’s immense size apparently forgotten as the breathtaking vista of the keep spread out before them. “Holy cow—look at this place.”
Colum failed to see how a cow could be holy, but he did agree that MacKenna keep was quite the impressive stronghold. Sheer cliffs rose on either side of the deep blue inlet, hemming in the rocky crag jutting out to the center of the bay. The fortress sat perched on the solitary knuckle of land like a great seabird about to take flight. The stone bridge they were crossing provided the only access. The castle was also safe from attack by sea because it could only be approached by boat with extreme caution. Few other than the MacKenna himself knew of the narrow channel leading through the treacherous, jagged inlet.
Colum glumly straightened in the saddle as they rode beneath the welcoming stone arch. Soon, he would have to hand the fair Lady Kenna over to the others. “The child must not be here yet. There are none in the bailey to greet us.”
She bounced in the saddle like an excited child. “Hurry then. Help me down so I can get to Trulie.”
He slid to the ground and pulled her down into his arms. For the barest second of sheer bliss, she rested her hands on his shoulders and smiled down into his eyes. Did he imagine that she caught her breath? Was he merely confused by his own aching need or was that desire in her eyes?
He found himself unable to move as her gaze fixed on his mouth and she slowly traced the tip of her tongue across her lips. Dare he hope to steal a taste of her before he had to let her go? Ever so gently, he brought her closer. Her warm breath brushed him as he closed the distance between her mouth and his.
“Colum!”
Kenna jerked away, then quickly squirmed her way down out of his arms.
Colum clenched his teeth. Galen. That ill-timing, interrupting son of a bitch. He would snap that fool’s bloody neck if the squat bastard had one.
“Hie yerself, man! Mother Sinclair bids ye deliver the lass to the tower. The babe is nearly here and the Lady Trulie cries out for her sister.” Galen hopped back and forth across the wide top step of the front entrance like a great toad unable to decide on the perfect log.
Kenna patted Colum’s arm. “You heard him! Get me to Trulie.”
He deflated with a disappointed sigh. Life had suddenly gotten very complicated indeed. Gritting his teeth against another wave of frustration, he grabbed hold of her hand and rushed her up the entry steps. “Come with me, my lady.”
Without slowing, he glared at the stairwell leading to Lady Trulie and her grandmother. Now he knew why Gray had been so damned amused when the two women had assigned him this task. His chieftain knew he would never stand a chance once he felt the magic of a Sinclair woman’s touch. Damn old Mother Sinclair. Damn Gray MacKenna.
Lady Kenna hurried ahead of him. Still clasping his hand, she anxiously pulled him along. Her voice giddy with excitement, she yanked on him as she motioned toward the stairs. “This way, right? He said the tower.”
Colum’s heart melted, but at the same time, his irritation grew. Twice damn Gray MacKenna, for snaring him in this inescapable trap.
CHAPTER8
“She is so precious.” Kenna cradled the squirming bundle closer, soaking in the wonder and warmth of the treasured new life. She gently pressed the tip of her finger into the tiny outstretched hand. The baby grunted, then squeaked out a yawn as her wee fingers closed around Kenna’s and latched hold of her heart with a bitty squeeze. Her round little face was still red from the hard task of entering the world. Kenna eased down and sat on the edge of the freshly straightened bed. “Do you have a name picked out or shall we all just call her Princess?”
