Mary Robb - Down the Rabbit Hole

“I thank you, Hamish. You may walk freely among my clansmen, knowing they will never harm you.”

Ian walked up to the head of the table, stepping in front of his friend Hamish and swaying slightly.

His words were slurred. “What of my reward?” He looked around at the others. “Since I was the only hunter to bring down a stag, I have earned the right to be declared winner of the hunt.”

“I have not forgotten.” Colin’s expression never changed.

He nodded toward Jamie, who handed him a goblet of blood-red wine.

Colin held it out to his stepbrother. “Drink, Ian.”

Incredulous, the young man stared at the cup, then up at Colin. “What of the gold you gave the others?”

“Gold is their reward. But this is made from our own vines, grown in our own hallowed soil. It is the drink of life that binds us one to the other.”

With a look of absolute fury, Ian tossed the goblet against the stone fireplace, where it spattered and ran in rivers of red.

“You will pay dearly for this, brother.” Without another word, Ian turned and stormed out of the great hall, his booted feet beating an ominous tattoo on the scarred wooden floor.

In the silence that followed, Edwina hurried forward. “My brother is drunk and knows not what he is doing. On the morrow, he will apologize to you, brother-laird.”

In a low voice, for her alone, Colin muttered, “No more lies, sister. We both know the morrow will not come. And we know why.”

For a moment she was so startled, she could find no words. Then, with a last glance at the others, she turned and lifted her skirts before racing after Ian.

With the joy of the evening now gone, the guests made ready to return to their chambers for the night.

A murmur ran through the room, and Beth caught snatches of the conversation as the men and their ladies hurried away. It was something she’d heard before, though she couldn’t seem to recall where.

Remember, with a new moon, it isn’t safe to be out after dark.

Before she could ask Colin about the meaning of their words, he had his arm around her waist as he escorted her up the stairs to her chambers.

Her body felt practically scorched from his touch.

At the door, he turned to Jamie, who had trailed them. “You’ll not be needed this night, lad. You may go to your chambers.”

“Aye, m’laird.” The lad bowed to Beth. “Good even’, m’lady.”

“Good night, Jamie.”

As Colin opened the door she stepped into her room and turned to him. “Before you leave, I want to tell you something very important.”

“I have much to tell you, also, my lady.” He stepped inside her room and closed the door before leaning against it.

On his face was a look that had Beth’s heart racing.

“You’re in danger.” She spoke the words quickly, since she’d been holding them back for so long.

He gave her a wolfish smile as he lifted a hand to her cheek. “Aye. Grave danger indeed, my sweet Bethany. For the greatest risk of all is giving one’s heart. But that is what has happened to me. I’ve already lost my heart to you. And now, before you say another word, I must taste your lips.”

He drew her into his arms and kissed her with a thoroughness that had all her breath backing up in her lungs. A kiss that had her blood running hot through her veins. So hot, she could barely breathe.

His mouth moved over hers until she had no choice but to wrap her arms around his waist and hold on as he took her on a dizzying ride that had her mind spinning, her heart soaring.

And then, as his lips continued to weave their magic, she was lost. Whatever she’d been about to say was forgotten as she gave herself up completely to all that he was offering.

“I fear I’ve lost my heart, too, Colin. Completely.”

“Oh, my sweet, beautiful Bethany.”

And then there were no words as he lifted her in his arms while his mouth, that wonderful, clever mouth, continued weaving its magic, clouding her mind, heating her blood until all she could taste was Colin. And as he carried her across the room, all she could feel was this incredible hard, driving need to show him, in every way possible, all the things that were in her heart.

“My bonny, bonny Bethany.”

In front of the fireplace, Colin set her on her feet and continued kissing her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kisses with a hunger she’d never known. This was more than hunger. It was a desperate, driving need that clouded her mind and stole her will. A need that only this man could fill.

How had this happened? When had this Highland laird become so important to her?

There was no time to consider as his mouth pressed kisses to her ear while he murmured endearments, and his hands, those clever warrior’s hands, moved over her at will, driving her closer and closer to the edge of insanity.

With a sudden sigh of frustration, he grasped the top of her gown and tore it from her, sending silken threads and sparkling jewels dropping to the floor at their feet like pebbles.

She let out a cry of consternation. “Your mother’s beautiful gown . . .”

“It is mere cloth, and can be replaced. But I’m desperate to see you, Bethany. Now. All of you . . .”

His words died in his throat at the sight of her. “You are so lovely, my lady. Please don’t torture me. I must lie with you, Bethany, now, or die from this wanting.”

In answer, she framed his face with her hands and lifted herself on tiptoe to press a kiss to his mouth.

It was all the response he needed.

He groaned and gathered her into his arms, lifting her off her feet and carrying her the last few steps to her pallet.

There he laid her down as gently as though she were made of spun glass. And then, tossing aside his plaid, he joined her on the pallet and began raining kisses across her face, down her throat, and then lower, to her breasts.

Her breathing quickened, and her heart was racing as though she’d been running for miles.

“Colin. Wait. I need a moment.”

He lifted his head, his eyes blazing. “A moment feels like eternity when the very sight of you has me on fire.”

“I just need to catch my breath.”

“You may have mine, my lady, for I have no need of anything, even my very breath, without you.” He brushed her lips with his, and she breathed him in, loving the familiar scent of Highland forest that clung to him.

And then, with teeth and tongue, with lips and fingertips, he began leading her higher and higher, until her entire world narrowed to this man, his kiss, his touch, and the paradise he promised.

Outside her balcony the wind sighed, matching her sighs. A night bird cried, and its mate answered. A dove cooed to its young in a nest. None of it mattered to the man and woman locked in a loving embrace.

As needs rose in her, Beth clutched at Colin, and the feel of his flesh had her palms tingling, her nerves quivering. Then, aware that she was free to touch him as he was touching her, she allowed her hands to move over him, tracing the solid ridge of muscled torso, the flat planes of his stomach.

He was so beautiful. A sculpted Highland warrior, a laird who wielded great power over his people, and yet he treated her with such care. As though afraid she would break if he but held her too tightly.

The thought emboldened her as she gave herself up completely to his loving ministrations.

“There is magic between us, Bethany.” He whispered the words against her mouth, and then inside her mouth, as he kissed her long and slow and deep.

She absorbed the deep timbre of his voice inside her. She could do nothing more than cling to him, and sigh from the pure pleasure he offered.