Ramsay sniffed, continuing to focus on the dancing yellow flame. “Yeah. But if we do make it back, then you won’t get to see Maxwell no more. Won’t that make you sad?”
Maxwell.Trish hugged herself and turned away from the boy. When had Ramsay gotten so perceptive? “Of course, I’d miss him but we don’t belong here. Don’t you remember all those lessons your father taught you about throwing the continuum out of balance?”
“The MacKays have always kept the continuum thrown upon its ear. Why should any of that change now?”
Trish whirled toward the doorway and the mesmerizing sound of the deep baritone voice that always filled her with conflicting emotions. Nodding toward the smiling boy at the table, Trish pointed toward the door. “Ramsay, why don’t you go see if Keagan’s had any luck translating those scrolls he keeps in his room?”
Ramsay winked at Maxwell then hopped up from the table and bounced toward the hall. “Sure, Auntie Trish. I’ll check with Keagan and I’ll prolly spend the whole entire night in his room. So’s you can have some time to yourself.”
Trish decided against scolding Ramsay when she noticed the look on Maxwell’s face. As the patter of Ramsay’s footsteps faded to nothing, she leveled an accusing gaze on Maxwell. “Did you put him up to that little statement?”
Maxwell raised both hands level with his shoulders, his mustache quivering as he obviously struggled not to smile. “I’ve not seen the lad all day. He’s been up here with you.”
“Why do I not believe you?” Trish edged farther away from the blazing hearth. The room suddenly seemed overly warm.
Maxwell closed the door and leaned against it. Trish heard the metallic clink of the latch as he slid the bolt into place.
“Why are you locking me in?” As Maxwell moved toward her, a wave of molten heat centered in Trish’s belly and spread to regions much lower.
Maxwell shook his head ever so slightly and pulled her into his arms. “I’m no’ locking ye in, sweetling. I’m bolting the rest of the world out.” He bent his head and tasted her with a hesitant kiss, gently suckling her bottom lip into the inviting warmth of his mouth.
Trish groaned, leaning into him as she tangled her fingers into the hair at the base of his neck. A hint of ale laced his delicious flavor as she opened to his exploring tongue. His hands slid down her back, cupped her buttocks, and pulled her into his hardness. Trish shivered, pressing tighter until his heartbeat hammered between her breasts. She needed this, needed him. Damn, she’d wanted this so long.
“Tonight.” His voice rasped hoarse with urgent need; his warm breath tickled down her throat. “I canna wait any longer.”
All the reasons why she shouldn’t whirled through Trish’s mind. 7All the reasons why she should pulsed liquid heat between her thighs. “To hell with it.” Trish gasped against the delicious assault of his lips across her collarbone. “I’ve never behaved myself this long before.” She slid a hand up Maxwell’s muscled thigh, groaning with a satisfied shudder as she confirmed what a true Highlander wore beneath his kilt.
Maxwell scooped her up and took her over to the table, gently laying her atop the sturdy oak. He trailed his fingers down along her throat, pausing with a teasing touch when he reached the sensitive skin between her breasts. “If ye’d worn your dress like a proper woman, I’d have a much easier time getting to your charms.”
Trish unzipped her jeans, slid them down her hips and popped open the snaps of her blouse. Licking her lips, she reveled in the shocked delight shining in the depths of Maxwell’s gaze. “If I were a proper woman, I doubt very much that I’d be spread across this table like your own personal banquet.”
“Now there’s a fine idea, if I do say so myself.” Maxwell slid his hands under her hips and stepped between her thighs. With slow deliberation, he ran the tip of his warm wet tongue in maddening circles along the flesh of her inner thigh.
Trish closed her eyes, arching her back and writhing beneath the delicious tickle tracing up her leg. “Dammit, Maxwell. You’re killing me. Please…”
“Please what?” Maxwell paused, blowing a long hot breath into the center of the reddish curls directing him to the prize.
Trish panted and gripped the sides of the table. Hooking her legs atop his shoulders, she pulled, urging him forward. “Please…Maxwell…I need you.”
“Do ye now?” Maxwell chuckled, dipping his tongue into her pulsating center. “Mmm…” Maxwell purred as he dove deeper and suckled her aching nub. “Sweeter than honey-flavored wine.”
Trish shuddered, filled her hands with his thick hair, and pulled his mouth harder into her body.Lord have mercy but this man knows how to use that tongue.Arching her back, Trish shook with the need coursing through her flesh. A purring groan tore from her throat as thrumming pleasure threatened imminent explosion. When Maxwell treated her to a slow luscious finger buried deep and suckled hard on her nub, Trish released a shouted,“Yes!”Shudders of uncontrollable ecstasy shook her as delight reached critical mass and pushed her over the edge. Wondrous spasms rippled through her as she clenched Maxwell between her legs. Moaning, she laced her fingers in his hair and rocked into his talented mouth with gyrating hips.
“Take me, Maxwell. Take me now,” she gasped without opening her eyes. Damn, she needed to feel him pound inside her. She needed…more.
“Aye, m’love.” Maxwell raised his head and pulled her down to the edge of the table. “’Tis definitely time for the claiming.”
A satisfied growl escaped from Maxwell’s lips as he slid partially into her depths. Trish wrapped her legs around his waist, gasping as he paused. “Don’t stop now, for heaven’s sake.”
“I dinna want to hurt ye, love.” Maxwell’s face reddened as he struggled with self-control. “God’s beard, woman, hold still. Ye are so damn tight ye are gonna make me spill my seed before I’ve given ye any pleasure.”
“If you give me any more pleasure, I’m gonna freakin’ die.” Trish dug her nails into the knotted muscles of Maxwell’s forearms locked on either side of her body. Wriggling her hips, she clenched him tighter with her legs, pulling him deeper into her body. “Enough talk. Dive in and move!”
“Ye are a bossy wench.” Maxwell groaned as he buried himself into her depths. Sliding back out, he immediately hammered back into her and pressed his forehead against hers. With a quick kiss to the end of her nose, Maxwell repositioned his hands closer to her hips. “But who am I to argue with a woman who knows what she wants?”
And then he pounded into her until their cries melded as one and echoed into the night.
ChapterEleven
