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  The only thing he could do was take back control—and the only way he knew how to do that was to completely lay claim to her body.

  Drostan begrudgingly pulled away. He gazed into her eyes, glazed with passion, her lips plump and wet from kissing, her cheeks reddened from the scrape of his whiskers on her tender flesh.

  “What?” she asked, her voice breathy, surreal.

  He’d asked her what he would do without her, not realizing how much he truly wanted her to stay until those words had issued from his lips.

  “I cannae wait to be inside ye.”

  She nodded. “Yes, come inside me, please.”

  Drostan groaned. She was begging for him to claim her. His cock surged, blood filling him to bursting. He swore he was bigger than he’d ever been before. He ran his hands over her soft skin then rolled her over onto her belly before yanking her hips up into the air.

  He stared down at the creamy white of her ass, a pink, rose-shaped star in its center. He kissed the center of each ass cheek, listening to the hiss of her breath as his fingers played against her star. He would claim her there eventually. Instead, he stroked inside the wet, velvet of her cunny.

  She was dripping wet with her need for him. He pulled out, licking her essence from each finger. God’s breath, she was made for him.

  He took the head of his cock in his hand, pressing the tip to the rim of her hole. Briana reared her ass up and pushed backward, encouraging him to enter. She shuddered beneath him yet he refused to enter just yet. He slid his cock between her folds toward her nub, enjoying when she cried out at the contact.

  “Your cock…feels so good on my clit…” She shivered as he rubbed her again.

  Clit. He liked that word. Had never heard it before now. “Say it again.”

  “Rub my clit with your cock,” she panted, her voice high-pitched as she moaned again. Her hips rolled back again and again and she gripped her right breast tightly.

  Drostan had never been with a woman as responsive as Briana. He loved every bit of it. And so did his cock. Already, more than a drop of pre-cum had slicked over the tip. He stroked her wetness down his cock, rubbed it up toward her cunny, and this time he didn’t just press it against her slit, he thrust deep and hard.

  “Oh, yes!” Briana tossed her head back, coming up on her knees in a kneeling position. Her right hand still kneaded her breast and her left hand came back to grip Drostan’s thigh hard, her nails digging in slightly.

  This was going to be one hell of a ride. Drostan bent his lips to her neck, sucking hard. His hand wrapped around the front, stroking over her breasts, plucking a nipple as he pulled out and thrust deep again.

  Together their bodies moved, both of them kneeling, her ass perfectly curved against his pelvis. Left hand still on her breast, he reached his right around to the apex of her thighs, the crisp hairs of her mons tickling his fingertips. He delved between her folds, rolling her clit. Briana dragged in a breath, her body bucking.

  Drostan held on tight, driving faster inside her wet warmth. He trailed kisses over her shoulders, her neck, her ear, nipping at the lobe. Briana wrenched her head around, capturing his lips with her own. Their tongues tangled as their bodies danced. Sensation, so exquisite if he wasn’t awake he’d swear he was dreaming, streamed through his limbs.

  “Briana, I cannae hold on much longer,” her murmured into her kiss.

  “You…don’t have…to,” she said through licks at his lips.

  He could feel the muscles of her cunny clenching around his cock. She was close.

  Drostan took his hand from her breast and trailed it over her waist and around to the small of her back then up her spine. Gently he pushed her forward so her head was on the bed, her ass still high in the air.

  Still massaging her clit, he took hold of her hip with his free hand and wasted no time in riding her hard. He pulled out long then thrust deep. Faster and faster. The only sounds in the room were the pounding of their wet flesh and the panting moans coming from their mouths.

  The muscles of Briana’s cunny went wild, clenching and unclenching, fluttering, squeezing and a rush of fluids soaked his cock at the same time she pierced the air with a moan filled with ecstasy.

  “Mo, creach!” Drostan pounded into her, his climax intense as it took hold of his body. He thought he was flying. His insides clenched and he exploded inside her.

  He continued to press against her as they came down from the high that was the pinnacle of lovemaking and then collapsed on the bed, Briana cradled in his arms.

  Drostan swept her hair from her neck and tenderly kissed where he’d left his mark. He kissed her cheek and then, taking hold of her chin, moved her face so he could kiss her lips.

  “That was breathtaking,” Briana said.

  “Aye,” Drostan agreed. He’d never experienced anything like it and would be perfectly happy to do so again and again for the rest of his days.

  Chapter Four

  As they made their way through the river gate, down the dirt-packed path toward the Loch Lochy, Drostan threaded his fingers through Briana’s. She smiled and squeezed his hand.

  “I’m glad ye came with me,” he said quietly and Briana got the sense it was hard for him to speak his mind and share how he was feeling with others.

  “I know what it is like to lose people you are close with. I could have used the support when I went to my parents’ funeral but sadly it was just me and a few of their coworkers, a couple distant cousins.”

  “Your ways are so different than ours.”

  “How so?” Briana asked with a tilt of her head.

  “Here, family means everything. This clan, we are all one large family even though some of us are distantly related by blood and some not at all.”

  “Sounds wonderful,” Briana said wistfully and she meant it. She’d always wanted to have a big family, to be part of something larger, something meaningful. Was it possible she could live in this time period and find that sort of happiness?

  She shook her head, she couldn’t possibly.

  “I’ve never known it any other way but as ye’ve described your time, I would not like it. We work together at Inverlochy and within the Highlands. Allies look after allies and even our enemies might surprise us, teach us where our weaknesses lie.”

  Briana glanced up in time to see Drostan’s face darken with anger, his lips pressed together. The latter part of what he said must have regarded what happened to his brother.

  “And yet your enemy has brought us together.”

  Drostan’s face cleared of anger and he stopped walking. He took both her hands in his, his gaze intense as he looked into her eyes.

  “Aye, ’tis the truth. And…”

  “What?” Briana said, leaning closer, wanting more than anything to hear him say words that would change her mind, make her want to stay.

  “’Tis nothing.” He tried to pull away from her but she wouldn’t let him off that easy.

  “Drostan, I have not been here a full day and yet I find myself wavering on whether I ever want to return to the circle of stones. Give me a reason to stay.”

  The muscles on either side of his jaw flexed and unflexed, his eyes became a stormy sea and emotion cascaded off him in waves.

  “I cannae make ye do what ye desire not.”

  Not what she wanted to hear. Perhaps it would take a bit more massaging to get something meaningful to come from him. She still had several more hours before she really had to make a decision. She prayed that by morning he would be willing to share his feelings, give her motive to remain.

  “We’ve news, Laird Comyn.”

  Briana watched as two men dressed similarly to Drostan, weapons attached to what seemed like every available space upon them, marched up. She was disappointed in the interruption and also a bit relieved.

  She studied in fascination how the tall, broad leader of these people turned to face his men. Outwardly, he appeared in complete control. But she knew the demons he fought on the
inside.

  She wanted to hug him, squeeze him to her and tell him how proud she was of his strength, but she knew he would not be receptive to that. She chuckled a little, covering her mouth and pretending to cough. Drostan gave her an odd look before turning back to his men.

  “What news?”

  One of the men stepped forward. “We spotted the Campbell on the outskirts of Comyn land. He should arrive within two hours’ time. He’s not alone.”

  From what Drostan had told her, Briana feared this change in events could not be good.

  Drostan crossed his arms over his chest. “How many travel with him?”

  “A dozen retainers and three men tied to horses.”

  Even with Drostan’s careful ability to hide his emotions, Briana caught the slight twitch of his brows.

  “Show him to the great hall when he arrives—divested of his weapons.”

  The men nodded and hurried to the gate to relay the news that Campbell and his men would be allowed entry.

  Briana touched Drostan’s arm, suddenly struck with how invested she’d become in this clan, in him.

  “What do you think is going on? Why does he have men tied to the horses?”

  Drostan turned his blue eyes on hers, worry lines etched around the edges. “It is my hope he comes bearing gifts.”

  He didn’t expand on what he meant and Briana did not have time to think on it as they arrived at the loch. What appeared to be the entire clan stood by the water’s edge. A gentle mist sprayed from the loch with the wind and the motion of the water. It was peaceful, beautiful.

  A single, large wooden pyre had been built within a small wooden boat and atop it were two bodies. Dressed and clean, they looked as though they were sleeping. With cloth tied at their necks, there was no evidence a beheading had taken place. They each had a hand over their hearts, and in the middle their hands were entwined.

  A religious man chanted words Briana could not understand. She suspected Gaelic. Beside her, Drostan stiffened. She squeezed his hand, hoping he would lean on her for support. He squeezed back.

  When the priest ceased speaking, two warriors stepped forward with torches and lit the pyre, while several others pushed the boat into the water, continuing up to their waists until the current took hold of the funeral pyre and carried it into the loch, flames licking the mist where it met the water.

  The clan stood in silence, watching the boat as it was carried away by the loch.

  “’Tis done. And now a new chapter begins.” Drostan’s words carried out over the people. They turned to face him and one by one knelt to the ground, their heads bowed.

  Seeing each person do this, Briana too turned toward Drostan and knelt.

  “Briana.”

  She looked up to see his outstretched hand.

  “Come, ye need not kneel before me. Here with me, ye would have ruled beside me not behind me.”

  Briana smiled, wanting all the more to be a part of his world. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a man. Strong, loyal, saw her as an equal, excellent in bed, intelligent and sweet. She placed her hand in his and let him lift her. Drostan held her hand up in the air, turning her toward the crowd of Comyn people.

  “The circle of stones has spoken. I have spoken.”

  “God bless Lady Briana!” someone shouted and then the rest of the clan chimed in.

  Briana’s heart swelled. She felt welcomed, almost loved. It was everything she’d dreamed of. People to belong to.

  “Come, let us go to the great hall. Campbell should be here soon.”

  Briana walked with Drostan back to the keep, feeling as if Campbell had soured a great moment. The man had damn better come bearing gifts!

  * * * * *

  When they entered the great hall, Drostan was pleased to see that Campbell, sans weapons, stood by the hearth with only a few of the retainers he’d traveled with. Kneeling before Campbell and his guards were three clansmen wearing Campbell colors.

  Drostan came to stand only a couple feet from the entourage. “Campbell.”

  “Comyn.” Campbell inclined his head then swept his hands out, indicating the kneeling men. “I received your message regarding your brother. As a show of my respect for ye, I have brought the men responsible. I would have ye ken that ’twas not my order to murder your family. We may have our feuds but I would never sink to the depths of outright murder without cause.”

  The words sank heavily into Drostan. Yet he was still skeptical. Was it a trap? “What is it ye expect me to do?”

  Campbell grinned with appreciation. “I see ye think I might have come under false pretenses. I assure ye, ’tis not the case. Ye can punish the louts for their crimes. I have already banished them forever from Campbell lands.”

  “Truly?” Drostan couldn’t keep the astonishment from his voice.

  Campbell stepped around the men and came within a couple feet of Drostan. When the Comyn retainers drew their swords, Drostan sliced his hand to the side, a motion meant to have them sheathe their weapons. His men acted at once although the air remained thick with tension.

  Campbell did not, however, look upset. In fact he seemed all the more happy for it. He eyes bored into Drostan, holding him as if through his gaze he relayed another message, and it was one that Drostan fully understood. They may be enemies but they still needed to safeguard each other from mutual enemies.

  “’Tis good to see your men honor ye as their laird. Your brother was a good man, a strong leader. We may not have been friends, in fact were enemies, but I never wavered in my respect for him. When a laird is murdered in such a heinous way, his own lovely, innocent wife slain for no reason other than a couple of maggots chose to take a feud upon themselves, there is nothing I can do, nor ye, except punish them to the furthest extent of our law.”

  Drostan breathed deeply, realizing the depth of what his visit from Campbell meant. This could forever change the way the two clans acted toward each other.

  “Then I accept your show of alliance, Campbell.”

  The man opened his mouth as if to argue against the word alliance but then he closed it, nodded. He held out his hand and Drostan wasted no time clasping his forearm.

  “I will leave ye then.” Campbell gave him a grave smile. “I trust ye to take care of these butchers in true Highland form.”

  “Aye, ye have my word.”

  Drostan watched as Campbell’s gaze was drawn to somewhere behind him. He turned, expecting to see the other laird gazing at Briana, his gorgeous woman, but instead Campbell’s gaze went farther toward the wall. The only female there was Drostan’s younger sister, Sorcha. She stood between his two remaining younger brothers, Cowan and Tomas. Her gaze was directed at Campbell and it was intense, filled with interest.

  His gut constricted. The Campbell was recently widowed when his wife died in childbirth. Was it possible he might be able to stop their feud with a marriage between Campbell and Sorcha? Could he sentence his sister to a life married to their clan’s enemy? Would they be enemies any longer?

  Campbell finally broke his stare and looked back at Drostan, his face stricken. The man had no idea how to deal with the sudden attraction to Sorcha, he suspected.

  “I must away.”

  “My thanks.” Drostan walked Campbell to the gate with his men, standing there for a long time as the man galloped away on his horse.

  A soft hand glided over his back. “You did a good thing today. That man didn’t seem so much like an enemy to me.”

  “Aye. We’ve changed history.”

  Briana stepped in front of him, winding her arms around his middle, pressing her breasts to his chest. His body reacted immediately, hard and wanting.

  “You have. Things will never be the same again—and I suspect it will be all better.”

  He smiled, picked her up and twirled her around. In a matter of a day, this woman had changed his life completely. How was it possible that Fate could bring him a woman such as her?

  * * * * *
r />   A gentle shake upon her shoulders woke Briana from a deep and peaceful sleep. She stretched her arms up high, pointed her toes and swiveled her ankles. She felt fantastic and smiled before opening her eyes. The room was dim, lit only by a single candle and a small fire in the hearth.

  Drostan stood over her, already dressed, looking quite handsome and impressive. He was so tall, covered in muscles. No man had a right to look as good as he. She felt her body react, thinking about those smooth muscles naked beneath her fingertips. Her nipples pointed into achy tips and her pussy flooded with need.

  “Good morning,” she said, her voice still sounding sleepy. She beckoned for him to join her in bed.

  He looked as if he was going to join her but then appeared to change his mind. He stepped back as if trying to distance himself from her. “’Tis just before dawn. We must go to the circle of stones now for the magic to work at sunrise.”

  Briana tossed the covers aside and stood. She drew herself up to her full height and looked Drostan square in the eyes. “I’m not going.”

  “What do ye mean?”

  “I want to stay.”

  Drostan’s brows drew together skeptically. “Here? At Inverlochy? For how long?”

  Briana smiled and reached out to grip his hand in hers. “Forever.”

  Drostan’s frown could have killed a lesser woman. He yanked from her grip, raked his hands through his hair and walked to the hearth as if dismissing her from his thoughts.

  “Nae, I willnae let ye give up a life ye already had. There is too much for ye to learn. Our ways are different than yours. Ye willnae make it.”

  Briana joined him at the hearth, refusing to take offense at his words. She reached up to turn his face toward hers so she could see his eyes. His gaze locked with hers, a storm of emotion.

  “There will be much for me to learn, yes. But don’t you see? For you, to be with you, I am more than willing to learn. I want to learn. With your help, your guidance, the kindness of this family—Clan Comyn—I will make it. This is what I want, to belong, to be with you here. I was born eight hundred years too late and Fate has given us a chance to be together.