Chapter 17

Evander woke the morning after the confrontation with Laird MacPherson to a rapping on his door and a foul taste in his mouth. His head was aching too, but not as much as he would have expected after the amount of drinking he’d done the night before.

The revelations in Laird MacPherson’s study had been difficult to wrap his head around. The idea that he might have been a danger to May – he wanted to protest that her father was wrong, but he knew he was stubborn. He always had been. If he’d been told that she loved him, but they couldn’t be together, would he have listened?

Probably not. Which meant her father had a very valid point. The lad he’d been all those years ago couldn’t have protected May. And his decision would either have dragged Clan Mackintosh into the feud, or left him striving to defend May alone.

The knock sounded again, more insistent, and Evander hauled himself from the bed with an oath, glad he’d worn short sleeping trews to bed. He’d half-hoped May would come to him again, but he wasn’t surprised she hadn’t, after the emotional events of the evening before. Still, he hadn’t wanted to be caught nude if Killian showed up wanting a late-night sparring match again.

There was a guard on the other side of the door. He looked somewhat nervous about disturbing him, and that was enough to curb the sharp edge of his tongue. “What is it? Are we under attack?”

“Nay me laird. ‘Tis only that ye’ve a visitor at the front door, and heir Killian sent me tae fetch ye.” He dipped his head in a shallow nod, then turned away to return to his duties before Evander could ask for more information.

His brother must have opted to come in person with their warriors, rather than simply sending back a reply. Evander hurried to dress. Even if Alec was his brother, he was also his laird, and it wouldn’t do to keep the Laird Mackintosh waiting.

Properly attired, he hurried to the Great Hall. He was surprised not to hear his brother’s deep voice as he approached. Instead, the voice that answered Killian was lighter and higher than Alec’s, though just as familiar.

Please let me be wrong. That cannae be who I think it is. Heart in his chest, Evander shoved the door open.

Enna Cameron sat at the table across from Killian, smiling brightly at something Killian had said. Both of them looked up as Evander entered. Then Enna rose and hurried toward him, arms out to embrace him. “Evander! Killian was just telling me ye were here and safe. He also said ye were ambushed – thank goodness ye werenae hurt!”

Evander stood frozen in surprise as she stretched up to kiss his cheek. “What are ye doing here? I thought ye were safe at home, planning the wedding.”

“I was, but I needed yer opinions on some things. I was looking fer ye when Alec told me ye’d sent word from MacPherson Keep, and that ye were in need o’ warriors tae aid in defending against Clan MacDonell. I told him I’d come tae ye and deliver his reply.”

“And what was his reply?”

“He needs tae organize the clan and prepare the defense o’ the castle, then Bran will be coming tae aid ye with warriors o’ the clan. However, he needs tae ken what ye’ve planned, so he can make his own plans.”

“I sent a messenger.” He’d written out the plans discussed in Council after being dismissed from Laird MacPearson’s study. “Ye must have missed each other.”

Unless the messenger had been captured, but he’d have to hope that wasn’t the case. He took a deep breath. “What are ye planning tae dae now? ‘Tis nae that I’m nae glad tae see ye, but it isnae safe tae be wandering in these lands, with the feud a threat. And as a guest meself, I cannae impose on MacPherson tae request lodgings fer ye as well.”

He wanted her to return to Cameron, and was dismayed when Killian spoke up. “I’ve already told the maids tae make rooms ready fer her.” The heir to MacPherson smiled. “Ye’re welcome tae stay, lass, at least until the morrow.”

Enna smiled. “Thank ye kindly, Killian. I appreciate the courtesy.”

A maid arrived to lead her to her rooms before Evander could realize what he was hearing. Enna smiled and hugged Evander once more. “I’m glad tae see ye well, Evander, and I’ll speak tae ye later.” With that, she turned and strode away.

Evander let out an explosive breath as she disappeared into the corridors. He turned to Killian. “Why on earth did ye ask her tae stay here? ‘Tis dangerous, and nae a place fer her. Enna doesnae need tae be involved in the feuding.”

“She’s likely tae be involved anyway, being yer kinfolk.” Killian’s brow creased. “Did ye think that she’d stay away, when her braithers are involved in a fight?”

Evander winced, understanding where the problem was. “She’s nae me sister. Me sister is Catreena, and she’s married tae Laird MacBean. The lass ye were just speaking tae was Enna Cameron.”

He had a faint hope that Killian wouldn’t pursue the obvious question, but it was dashed a moment later when Killian’s brow furrowed. “Why would a lass o’ Cameron clan come looking fer ye?”

Evander sighed. “She’s me betrothed.”

“Yer betrothed.” The heir to MacPherson Clan’s face darkened with anger. “Then everything ye had with May, the way ye’ve been acting around her... it was all an act? Ye never loved her?”

“Ye’re wrong.” Evander just barely managed to keep his voice down, to avoid attracting attention and making a scene. “Look, there were things that happened, and May and I each were thinking the other walked away from what we had afore this feud started. It wasnae true, but we didnae discover the deception till a few days ago.”

“But ye have a betrothed.” Killian’s voice was hard, and Evander didn’t blame him in the slightest. Had their positions been reversed, he might very well have laid Killian out by now.

“I ken. But ‘tis an arranged betrothal, nae a match o’ affection. I need tae talk tae Enna tae see if other arrangements can be made.” Evander swallowed hard and stepped closer, keeping his hands open and in view if Killian decided to punch him. “Ye’ve a right tae be angry, but when I agreed tae marry Enna, I didnae ken that May still cared fer me. If I had, I wouldnae have ever agreed, nae even if I had tae wait a hundred years tae wed yer sister.”

Killian’s jaw clenched. Then he relaxed, no doubt reading the truth of Evander’s words in his face and his voice. “She never stopped pining after ye, never entertained any other suit, nae matter how me or our aunt tried tae persuade her.” He paused. “Ye swear ye love her? And ye’ll dae yer best, on yer honor, tae dae proper by her?”

Evander nodded solemnly. “She’s the only woman in the world I ever loved, and now I ken she feels the same, I’ll never stop fighting fer her.”

With a curt nod, Killian excused himself to go about his duties, and Evander started to turn toward the Great Hall in search of a morning meal to break his fast.

Then he spotted a familiar face, framed by long blond hair, worn loose, and cursed inside his head. He’d been so occupied by Enna and Killian, he hadn’t realized May and Lillias were coming down the hall.

It was clear, from the glimpse he’d seen of her face before she hurried away, that May had seen him standing beside Enna. Evander raced to follow her, breakfast forgotten in his determination to prevent another misunderstanding between them.

May felt as if she’d been blindsided by a wooden cudgel. The sight of Evander and Enna, standing in the entry hall of her home, was like a knife to the gut. She excused herself from Lillias with a quickly muttered apology and turned away before the other woman could respond.

Tears stung in her eyes as she darted through the first doorway she saw, down a short hall into the storage area for the kitchens. May paused, trying to get herself together. She heard footsteps, too strong and heavy for Lillias or one of the servants.

She didn’t want to deal with anyone. Not a guard, and especially not her brother, father, or Evander. Without thinking, May opened the nearest door, which led to a larger storage larder for dairy products, and dove inside. She shut the door behind her and backed toward the far wall before ducking behind a large butter churn, willing whoever was there to pass by quickly.

The door opened, revealing the last person May wanted to see. Evander stepped inside. “May?”

Och, what is this luck now.

She didn’t answer, but either Evander had seen her enter the larder, or he heard some sound she made, because he stepped further inside and drew the door closed behind him. Then he leaned against it and spoke again. “Ye might as well stop hiding from me. I can hear ye breathing, and I’m nae leaving until ye come out and speak tae me.”

Caught on the spot, May emerged from her hiding place, her head held high as she tried to control her temper and her dignity. “And what’s there tae speak o’, when I saw ye with yer betrothed only minutes ago. Ye might have warned me she was coming.”

“And so I would have, had I kent it meself. I was as surprised as ye, and ‘twas only because yer brother had me summoned that I kent she was here afore ye did. Me oath as a Mackintosh on that.” Evander stepped forward. “I didnae want her tae stay, but I realized, when I saw ye – this is an opportunity.”

May couldn’t help stepping forward, closer to him. Hope bloomed tentatively in her heart. “What dae ye mean?”

“I didnae have a chance tae speak tae Enna afore she went tae rest, but yer braither invited her tae stay until taemorrow. Which means I can speak tae Enna taenight after the evening meal, and I can ask her if she’s willing tae break the betrothal, without taking offense against Clan Mackintosh.”

May stared at him. “Y–ye mean that? Ye’d break yer betrothal? Even kenning it could harm the reputation o’ yer clan? And yer own standing?”

“Fer ye?” Evander reached out and stroked her hair back from her face, his hand warm and gentle against her cheek. “In a breath. In a heartbeat. I’d go tae war against yer clan and mine, aye and Cameron and MacDonell too, if it was what I had tae dae tae be with ye.”

What could she do then, save throw herself into his arms? Evander caught her easily, steadying them both as he dipped his head to claim her lips in a searing kiss. May melted against him as his tongue tangled with hers, fire replacing the coldness of hurt that she’d felt before.

Evander’s hand slid against her hips, to cup her buttocks and pull her against the swelling arousal at his groin. “May... I want ye so much I cannae think of anything else.” His voice was rough with desire, and the sound aroused her in turn.

She could feel the dampness at the junction of her thighs, and the weight of his erection pressing against her. She felt a fleeting moment of embarrassment at where they were, but the growing heat of desire swept the feeling away. “Aye. I want ye too.”

She shifted her head to kiss his jaw as one hand tangled in the ties of his shirt. They came loose, and she reached down to grip his belt. Evander released a low growl and pulled her closer. “Nae like that. I dinnae want tae risk dropping ye.”

Evander slid down the door to sit on the floor, guiding May to straddle him. His eyes in the dim light of the storeroom were dark with lust, and the heat of his gaze sent tingles of desire sweeping through her.

His hands slid under her skirt, trailing over her thighs. The calluses on his palms were deliciously rough, creating a sensation of gentle friction that sent heat through her. His thumbs caressed the crease between her thighs and her hips, then one hand slid across her sex.

May shivered against him as Evander’s hand stroked over the damp curls that adorned her sex, the already wet folds that welcomed the touch of his fingers. He groaned. “Och, ye’re already so wet. So ready fer me.”

He slid his hand over her, two fingers stroking the lips of her sex before one finger sank into her. May gasped and arched her back, pressing her hips into his hand as his finger thrust through the dripping folds to her core.

Evander made another sound low in his throat. He withdrew his hand, and May almost whimpered as he lifted his hand to his mouth and slowly licked her arousal from his fingers. “Ye taste so good, like honey and the finest wine. I could drink ye in fer the rest o’ my days, and never have enough.”

He shifted to kiss her as his hands raised her skirt to expose her to him. May tasted the salt-sour taste of herself on his lips, and it only heightened her desire. Then Evander drew back, his hands returning to her hips. “Lift me kilt fer me, May.”

She did as he asked, her hands shaking as she exposed his erection, the shaft already thick and heavy and straining with a desire that matched her own.

Evander lifted her hips, and May moved with him as he raised her to position her over his member, then lowered her over him. The feeling was different as she slowly sank down over him, and the heat and friction of him pressing inside her made her gasp and try to sink down faster, eager to take him inside.

Evander lowered her until she was on his lap, his manhood fully sheathed inside her. Then he reached up to loosen the bodice of her dress, undoing the laces as she’d undone his, until he could push the top edges of her bodice and chemise down to expose her breasts. The cooler air on her body made her shiver, only to shudder and gasp as he shifted to take her right breast into his mouth, suckling and nipping at the nipple until the sensitive flesh hardened into a peak under his touch. Every movement made his body shift inside hers, and the added stimulation drove her wild as heat and pleasure sang through her body.

By the time he switched his attention to her left breast, his hands were caressing the sensitive skin over her belly. May shuddered under his touch, near mindless with the sensations from within and without. “Evander... please…”

He threw his head back, eyes dark, his hands sliding to her hips again. “Rise up fer me, May.” His hands guided her upward, off his shaft until she was nearly empty, then back down, setting up a gentle rhythm. “Like that. Move like that fer me May, just like that. Ride me just like that.”

It was intoxicating, being the one to move, the one in control. Mesmerizing to see Evander, head back against the door, chest heaving in sharp, panting breaths as he watched her move above him. Words spilled from his lips, like a prayer or an invocation, addressed to her.

“Ye look so beautiful. Rising above me like this, riding me... ye’re gorgeous. I could watch ye all day. The feel o’ ye around me, yer heat on me shaft, gripping me and milking me dry... ye could drive me mad that way, lass.”

Experimentally, she shifted her position slightly and clenched down, just the slightest bit. Evander groaned, teeth gritted against making any louder noise that might call attention to them. “May…”

He gasped as she moved a little faster. “Gods above, when ye move like that... I cannae think…”

His hands stroked over her chest, teasing the nipples before he slid his hands across her belly, caressing her skin. His fingers traced over her scars with gentle motions, his expression tender. “These scars o’ yers... dae ye ken how amazing ye are? Tae take these wounds and survive, tae thrive... ye’re so strong, I cannae believe I’m lucky enough tae have a woman like ye want me…”

His words were like poison. The heat was building within her, rising on a wave of fire. May shifted and put her hands on Evander’s shoulders, steadying herself and starting to move a little faster as the heat and pleasure climbed and spiraled through her.

Evander groaned, and May leaned forward to his shoulder to stifle her own desire to cry out. His hips shifted beneath her, helpless, unconscious thrusts that met every downstroke of her hips.

The roughness of the stone floor faded away under the heat of her desire and her pleasure. May lost herself in the sensation of Evander’s body moving inside her. “Evander…”

“May…” His hips pressed up more insistently, as they moved together.

He shifted, and she felt his teeth graze her shoulder, over the scar there, and bite down gently. May shuddered and stiffened as she climaxed, that slight jolt of pain sending pleasure crashing over her. Her inner walls clenched around Evander’s member, and she heard him groan into her shoulder as he found his release as well.

May shuddered, body shaking as a renewed wave of pleasure washed through her, along with Evander’s seed as he spilled into her. Then all thoughts disappeared, drowned in warmth and the knowledge that even if Enna was in the keep, Evander was here with her.