Page 85 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

Muttering curses, he thrust into her again and again, sending her toward paradise with each stroke. Never had she experienced anything so stunning, so all-consuming. He eclipsed everything else in her life. Even the other times with him fell short of this erotic upheaval of indulgence. The keen edge of pleasure spiraled upward and exploded through her like a lightning bolt. The bliss shattered her for a long, drawn out, breathless moment. Her body tried to grip him and hold him deep. Hold on to him forever.

Though her body was tender, he did not slow. He had no mercy, and she didn't care. Didn't want mercy. She wanted him to pour out all his fury upon her, within her. She could take it, for she would endure anything for him.

Chapter 16

Brodie couldn't believe the storm crashing inside him, more violent than the one outside. He had never faced such powerful emotions. His need for her near brought him to his knees. He had never taken a woman so hard, certainly not her. One part of him raged at her for the torture she'd inflicted on his soul, while another, bone-deep part of him was voracious for her. Starving for her sweet mouth, craving her soft, silken skin, yearning to bury himself inside her hot, wet depths. He was only a mortal man. How could he resist?

When she'd said she loved him, even though 'twas a lie, his soul hung on to the words in desperation. If only....

Was taking her, this act that should bind their souls, just an empty illusion that meant nothing?

He tasted the salty tears on her face, or was it the seawater? Her cries and screams fed his own feral desire. She held him so tightly, her hands fisted in his hair, almost painful.

He took her bottom lip between his teeth and bit.

'Twas as if no time had passed since their last joining, and yet, a lifetime had passed. He had been desolate and wretched the whole time, his emotions frozen in the winter seawater. Not this searing bonfire that threatened to incinerate him from the inside out.

His flowing, surging movements heightened and accelerated, and she clamped on to him, her body shuddering, tightening, and trembling as she keened her elation once again, head thrown back.

He gritted his teeth, trying to withstand it, trying to hold back, but he couldn't. The peak smashed against him with a pleasure so powerful it bordered on agony.

Driving to the hilt, he growled like a ferocious animal, sounding unhinged to his own ears, as the ecstasy decimated him.

Damn her for stripping his soul bare and laying waste to him.

Depleted, he sagged against the cave wall, gulping air, simply trying to convince his mind to return. She was weeping, damn it. He clenched his jaw hard and withdrew from her. He didn't want to, but this madness couldn't go on. Gently, he set her to her feet, and she almost went down. He grabbed her, holding her upright.

"You alright?" he asked, his voice rough.

"Aye." She did not sound sure of that.

"Did I hurt you?"

"Nay."

Saints, he might have. Sometimes he didn't know his own strength.

His mind reeled in turmoil, doubts and questions bouncing and pinging. He could not sort it out now, and he had no time. The selkies needed him to lead them in rescuing their tribeswomen.

At the cave's entrance, he paused. The distant rumbling thunder moved overland toward the east. "The storm has passed." He turned back to her, though he couldn't see her in the night. "Come." He held out his hand. When she clasped it, he turned. "Climb onto my back."

"Nay. Why?"

Impatient, he blew out a breath. "Do you always have to contradict me?"

"Nay."

"I'm going to carry you up the cliff."

"I can climb," she said stubbornly.

"I'll lead you then."

"Alright."

Holding her hand, he helped her through the near darkness of the stony shore, then went up in front. The rain and wind were dwindling but not yet finished. When he had witnessed Neil leading her up the cliff earlier, an irrational fury had burned through him. Neil should not be touching her. No man should, but Brodie.

At the top, when they were on even ground again, Brodie lifted her into his arms and carried her through the darkness, across the drenched grass toward the portcullis.