Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) (15 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Aline’s entire body tingled, and the more she rubbed against him, the better it felt. As if in another world, she heard his voice say, “Do you like this?” He lifted his head from her breast to look at her.

Both stunned and embarrassed, she whispered, “Aye. Everything you do feels wonderful. Do not stop. Tell me what to do. I wish to please you.”

“You will please me if you lean back and enjoy what we do. Do not worry about me.”

She stayed his hand, then reached down for the hem of her gown, pulling it up and over her head to toss it aside.

He stopped and stared at her, his jaw open.

“Is there something wrong? Do my bruises bother you?”

“Nay. Your beauty takes my breath away.”

She reached for him and tugged him down to kiss her again. Nibbling lightly on his lower lip, she teased him with just the touch of her tongue, careful not to aggravate his cuts. She wished to kiss every injury he had, every one that he’d gotten because of her.

He gave a deep moan and shifted her sideways on the bed, dipping his face to her breast, taking her nipple in his mouth and suckling her until she cried out and wove both hands in his hair to keep him there, just where she wanted him. While he moved back and forth between her breasts, laving them with his tongue, his hand stroked her belly, her thighs, her… At first, her instinct was to pull away, but she reminded herself that this was Jake, someone she trusted, mayhap even someone she loved.

She jumped when he touched her vee of curls, and he stopped, lifting his head to stare at her, a question in his eyes. “Do you wish for me to stop?” he said.

Her panting had reached a point that she did not wish to speak, so she shook her head before running her hand down his chest, through the coarse dark hairs there, and to his abdomen. His body was something to see, all firm planes and angles to feel and explore. When would she ever get this opportunity again?

He teased her entrance, dipping one finger inside her, then two. She spread her legs with abandon, not caring what he did to her next, trusting him in ways that shocked her after the things Hew had done.

“Aline.” He settled himself between her legs and whispered, “I cannot wait. Will you have me or do you wish to end this?”

“I want you, Jake. Make love to me, please.” She heard the panting in her own voice, surprised that it matched with his. She gripped his biceps, waiting for his invasion, wondering if it would hurt like…nay, she would not think of anyone but Jake. Her Jake. “Aye, now.”

He gripped her hips and plunged into her, stopping for a moment as he dropped his head onto her shoulder with a small moan.

“Is aught wrong?” She dared not look at his face. She knew what happened from here, that it was almost finished, but she did not want it to end. Arching her hips toward him, she said, “Please do not stop.”

He lifted himself onto his elbows and cupped her cheeks. Gazing into her eyes, he said, “Naught is wrong. All is right. We are perfect together. I reacted to how good it feels to be inside you.”

He thrust into her again, and she responded by spreading her legs apart, hoping to give him better access. Every thrust, every move he made forced her to grab for something, to reach out for the unknown. His rhythm picked up and she matched it, grasping onto his hips to push him into her as far as she could. She wanted this, she wanted all of him. “Jake? Jake, more, please, more.”

His hands caressed all of her, making her feel so special, so beautiful. He massaged her breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, squeezing her lightly, enough to make her moan, her desire torturing her. His fingers trailed a path down her belly until he found her sex, and he stroked her until she cried out.

“Aline, forgive me, but I cannot wait any longer.

He came at her fast and hard, right where she wanted him, and when she moved to exactly the right position, she thought she would explode, and she finally did, holding in a scream as she went over the edge, falling into a chasm she’d never even approached before. Her insides clutched him, spasming as she careened in a spin that went on forever. In a haze, she heard him shout her name and groan, a sound that told her she’d pleased him as much as he’d pleased her.

He leaned his head into the crook of her shoulder, gasping for air at the same time his hands caressed her hips. She could still feel his hardness inside her, so she squeezed her muscles together and he grinned. “I can feel that. Are you trying to tell me you are pleased?” he asked.

“Aye. ‘Twas most wonderful.” She traced her fingers up and down a path on his back, feeling his muscles ripple beneath her touch.

He pulled out, but rather than move away from her, he wrapped her in his embrace and rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Then he pressed his lips to her temple. “May I ask you a question?”

“Aye.”

“Would you tell me about your family? How you ended up with Hew?” He caressed her arm as she spoke.

“Aye. ‘Twas about two years ago when he came to our hut. My mother died giving birth to my wee sister. I took care of her, feeding her goat’s milk. There were four of us that lived, though Mama birthed three dead bairns in between. I was the eldest, then Leith who’s quite a bit younger than me, then Maisie and Morna. He came with his two goons, Gilroy and Duncan. From the expression on my da’s face when they barged into our home, I knew something was not right. Hew looked me over and told my sire he was taking me and Maisie. He did not want Leith or Morna. I could see the tears in my sire’s eyes when we left. I knew our life would not be good.” She glanced at Jake, whose gaze was molten with fury. “Do such things happen at Clan Grant? Can a lad take whichever lasses he fancies from their homes?”

“Nay,” Jake said. “Men can ask for a lass, and sometimes the parents will agree without the lass agreeing. Many times the couple do not know each other when the match is made. ‘Tis the way of our land. However, my grandparents believed in lads and lasses both agreeing to the marriage. My grandmother made my sire promise that he would not marry any of his siblings or children off without their agreement.”

“So your clan is unusual.”

“True, but ‘tis rare for anyone to marry without their sire’s permission, though marriage was clearly not what Hew wanted from you. What they did to you and your family is unforgivable. Your sire had no say, and he was the only one there to protect four bairns against three men.”

“Aye, you have no idea how many times I cried after he took us. I had no idea why he took Maisie until after we arrived at his keep. He used Maisie to guarantee my compliance. As long as he held Maisie in another chamber that I could not reach, he would always gain my agreement. I had to earn visits with Maisie. ‘Twas verra hard on both of us.

“I’ve often wondered how my sire has fared without me to help him. It could not have been easy for him and Leith to care for the wee Morna. I’ve thought of them often.”

“You have my word that I will do all I can to see you and Maisie free of the scum. And once winter clears, I shall search out your sire if you choose.”

She turned to gaze into his eyes, wondering what she had done right to deserve this man in her life. “I wonder if you think ‘tis wrong for me to say that I love you. I know little about love, but I guess it to be exactly how I feel about you.” She traced her finger down his rough jawline and across his lower lip.

“I was thinking the same. I’ve never felt for another the way I feel for you.” He tucked her in the crook of his neck and closed his eyes. “We have much to do on the morrow.”

And they stayed like that, an intimacy that she would forever treasure.

***

They left early the next morn. Kenzie rode with Loki, Aline with Jake, and Magnus rode alone. Jake kept his lips in her hair for most of the trip, taking in her scent for comfort. She smelled of lavender, most likely from the oil his aunt Celestina made.

Loki glanced up at the majestic mountain in front of them, covered in white.

“Papa, why do you stare at the mountains so?” Kenzie asked.

Loki tried to straighten the lad’s unruly hair. “Must you be so attentive? I stare at the mountains because they represent freedom and a good life to me. You know exactly what I mean, do you not?”

Kenzie frowned, but then glanced around him. “Aye, but to me, ‘tis something different. Why the mountains?”

“Because the first time I saw them, I rode in front of my mama, though I did not yet know that she would adopt me. We were traveling to see Da because of his injury. ‘Twas verra cold and nearly winter, the snow was flying hard, and I’ll never forget the first time I saw the mountains and the Grant lists. The peaks looked like they touched the heavens. ‘Twas where I thought we were headed, but the next thing I saw was the Grant lists. That
was
heaven to me. Was there not something similar for you?”

“Aye, but you will laugh at me if I tell you.”

Jake listened to his cousin’s conversation with his adopted son, curious to see what Kenzie would say meant the most to him. All the clan knew of Loki’s attraction to the mountains, but what did the wee laddie care about?

“Go ahead.” He tipped his head toward Jake. “We promise not to laugh.” Magnus was too far ahead to overhear, but Jake stayed close.

“The moment I knew things might change for me was when you and Grandsire came to get me. Remember when Grandsire told me to go get my favorite animal my mama had made for me? I knew for sure you were Lucky Loki then, and I knew you would not leave me to live in a crate.”

Jake turned to Kenzie. “Is there a sight that summons that feeling for you?”

“Aye, whenever I see my papa and grandsire. Then I know I’m lucky, too.”

Loki gave Kenzie a quick hug and they continued onward.

A little while later, Jake said, “I’d like to review a few things, if you do not mind.” Magnus was a little closer now and could hear them this time.

“Go ahead. Kenzie, pay attention.” Loki turned his son’s head toward Jake.

“I know, Papa. I know.”

“Go ahead, Jake,” Loki said.

“So we shall meet Uncle Logan at the part of the curtain wall we used for our escape when the sun is highest. Then he shall tell us where to find Maisie, and Aline, Magnus, and I will go after Maisie while you, and Kenzie shall go with Uncle Logan.”

“And I have my slinger and my rocks ready.” The laddie yanked his slinger out of his pocket, holding it at the ready. “And down goes another surly pig-nut.”

They all grinned at Kenzie’s enthusiasm, but Jake couldn’t help but be a wee bit concerned about the lad. There were many warriors in the enemy compound, and they would have to outsmart them all. But nothing would stop him from finding Maisie this time.

They arrived just before the sun was highest, so they crept over to the agreed upon meeting place and listened. Loki scaled the wall first, then scanned the area.

Magnus smiled, though his shuffling feet betrayed his feelings. “Daylight. If they’ve already gone after the Grants, ‘twill be easy to get Maisie out, but if they have not left yet, we’ll have to be careful.”

Kenzie became a different lad once they arrived at their destination. His usual exuberance faded into a quiet, serious demeanor. According to Loki, he’d had much practice sneaking around Ayr, so he knew exactly what was expected of him. He also had skills none of them had expected, Loki included. He could hide anywhere, and his keen sense of hearing meant he could overhear conversations from long distances.

Loki came back down the wall moments later, landing in the middle of them. “They have not left yet. There’s quite a few of them in the lists, but it seems as though they are being led in some drills, so we may get by unnoticed. There are a few people in the kitchens, so we’ll have to be more careful there.”

A loud bird call interrupted them, and Loki tipped his head back to respond.

Jake whispered in Aline’s ear. “Uncle Logan.”

Aline nodded and stared straight ahead. He wrapped his arm around her middle and pulled her back against him. The tension in her body was palpable. He knew what was at stake, so he understood.

She was afraid she’d be captured by Hew again, and everything would return to the hell it had once been. Her fears would calm if she understood how Jake felt about her. Last night had been life altering for him. While he’d snuck out before dawn, he’d only done it to maintain her honor. He’d never let her go. “Remember, I’ll protect you, and if we are separated, I will return for you.”

She nodded, squeezing his hand as Loki climbed the curtain wall again. Gavin was already on the top, hidden among the boughs of a tree with his bow. He waved to them, and Kenzie ascended the wall, followed by Aline, Jake, and Magnus. One of the others had set a small brush fire to draw the warriors’ attention. The ruse had worked, and they were able to get across the back of the yard before ducking into an alcove near the keep. There they set their plan in place.

“Jake, go down the back staircase,” Uncle Logan said. “Maisie is being held in the first room on the right. Knock three times and the lass will let you in. Loki and Magnus will lead you, and Aline can go with you to make sure the wee lassie comes along quietly.

“Where’s Ashlyn?” Magnus asked.