Highland Shift (Highland Destiny: 1) Read online

  Red put his arm around Lilly, but Lilly positively bristled.

  “Doona’ even be thinkin’ to say good-bye, yet. If you think there is any way I would be missin’ this wedding, Faolan MacGailtry, you are sadly mistaken! We will be goin’ as far as the boat. I have already packed.”

  “Red, Lilly,” Faolan said stepping toward them. “I canna thank you enough. I know the old man said you are released from whatever service bound you.” He paused, both to search for the right words and to clear his tight throat. “No son could ask for better parents than you two. I would be pleased to have you in my life forever.”

  Lilly began to cry, and Faolan hugged the two of them. He looked over the tops of their heads at Elena, their gazes locking, smiling, at each other.

  Elena silently mouthed “I love you.”

  Red followed Faolan’s gaze and broke the hug to put his arm around Elena’s shoulders and drew her into the little group hug, “We are proud to be your parents, Faolan, and—” he looked at Elena “—couldna be happier to be welcomin’ your bride to our family.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  The vicarage they found was in a tiny, out-of-the-way village. They were trying to cover their tracks a bit. The vicar was delighted to perform the ceremony with Red and Lilly as the witnesses. As far as weddings go, none could have been simpler. They hadn’t worried about what they would wear or a guest list. The only decorations needed were the smiles on the faces of those gathered. Red and Lilly’s love for Faolan was plain on their faces, and when they turned their gazes to Elena, she knew she was included in that love, part of their small family forever. She knew she would always be fiercely protected.

  The vicar met with Faolan and Elena separately to ask if they were entering this union of free will and with love in their hearts. They were. The standard ceremony took no more than ten minutes, but when Faolan looked at Elena, time stood still. They held each other’s hands, stood facing each other, and vowed to love each other for richer or poorer, through sickness and health, for better or worse, ‘til death did they part.

  The love in Faolan’s eyes took Elena’s breath away. With one arm cradling her waist, his other hand cupping her face, he bent Elena back and sealed their vows with a kiss that curled her toes, and when the Earth shifted again.

  The vicar wiped his brow. “Oh my.”

  ****

  They were starting on the northwest coast near the town of Uban, and they had several possible islands mapped. The little marina was brightly lit against the cold gray day. The sleek, modern yacht looked incongruous tied up at the small wooden pier, leaving the smaller fishing boats appearing shabby.

  Both Faolan and Elena had restrained their hair in long braids in an attempt to keep from being blinded as their hair was whipped around their faces by the bitter wind. The wind cut right through them as they carried boxes and suitcases from the Rover and stacked them on the pier near the boat. Lilly started taking bags onto the boat, but Elena wasn’t in too much of a hurry to get aboard.

  “Have any of you been to this island before?” Elena asked, already knowing the answer, and looking uncertainly toward the stormy sea.

  Three “Nays” did nothing to build her shaky confidence, but Faolan swept Elena up in his massive arms and kissed her, until she forgot why she was so worried.

  A side benefit of having Lilly and Red follow them all the way to the boat was Red could drive the Rover back to the farm after they helped to load the boat. It would be too easy to track them if they left their car at the marina, especially since they had no idea how long they would be gone.

  Everyone had disposable cell phones, and the boat had a satellite phone, all in an effort to cover their tracks. They assumed Worthington was still looking for them, though they’d seen no sign of him since he’d escaped the cell. Despite Elena’s misgivings, Red and Lilly were going to stay at the farm.

  Once all the bags and supplies were loaded, Elena really couldn’t avoid going aboard any longer. The boat really was much larger than she’d thought it would be, but Faolan assured her the two of them would be able to handle it. Most of the time, they would be near land and could navigate to a safe harbor whenever necessary. The plan was to depart through the Sound of Mull, stay in protective waters for the first few days, and let Elena get her sea legs and learn about the boat. Red seemed to find that amusing. Elena was finding nothing at all funny about living on a boat.

  It was time to say good-bye to Red and Lilly before they got underway. Lilly hugged Elena and patted her flat tummy, “Twill be a beautiful baby.”

  Red hugged Elena next as Lilly moved on to Faolan. Whispering something too low for Elena to hear, Lilly and Faolan said their farewells. Red got a hug from Faolan too, and then they boarded the boat. Elena and Faolan called out good-byes as they stood on the deck, and watched Red and Lilly drive away.

  Faolan turned to Elena and took her face in his hands, “I love you, Elena MacGailtry,” and then he slanted his mouth possessively over hers. They stood on the deck of their boat, the wind whipping at them and kissed, alone for the first time as husband and wife. Never taking his lips from hers, Faolan swept Elena up into his arms and carried her below deck to the master suite.

  Elena wrapped her arms around his neck and met his tongue as he thrust it into her mouth. His kisses dominated her, claimed her, owned her. They left Elena hungering for more. She held his tongue in her mouth, before releasing it. He pulled on her lower lip with his teeth then ran his tongue over her lips.

  Faolan gently lowered Elena, pulling her sweater over her head, and laying her back on the bed. Her legs were draped over the side of the bed, and he stood between them. “Och, Elena, ‘tis taking all my strength to keep from making love to you right here, but we just doona’ have time,” he said before he kissed his way down her stomach.

  Her mind was having problems connecting his words to his actions. He unbuttoned her fly, and then lifted her hips to slide her jeans and panties off. “Umm-humm,” Elena responded.

  “We canna take time right now. We must be getting out of here, so that we canna be tracked,” he said, dragging his velvet tongue across the sensitive skin near where her hips joined her legs.

  She tried again, “Uhhh…”

  His fingers separated her folds, and his tongue found the nub at the center of her heat. “We must get underway,” he continued to talk as though they were having a perfectly normal conversation. “Doona’ fash yourself, love. We can stop early tonight to make anchor; then we will have all night to make love.”

  Elena began to pant. Licking faster, Faolan slipped his finger inside her, stoking her fire.

  “When we stop for the night we can make love until dawn if you like, but we just doona’ have time right now,” he murmured with his lips against her womanhood.

  He rubbed the pad of his thumb against her sensitive nub increasing the pressure until she was moaning, on the precipice, ready to fall over the edge.

  Elena grabbed for his head, holding it in place, encouraging him.

  He slipped a second finger inside her, gliding in the slick heat, “Come for me, wife. Let me feel you, taste your sweetness.” He put his mouth on her clitoris, kissing her, lightly flicking with his tongue. He curled his fingers, stroking a sensitive spot deep inside as he increased the pressure with his mouth.

  “Ohhh, aahhh, Faolan!” Elena exploded, bucking against his mouth, her muscles squeezing his fingers inside, as spasm after spasm passed through her.

  After her muscles released him, Faolan slid up, giving her a wicked grin. “No matter how much you beg, Elena, I canna take time to make love to you now.” Then he laughed as he kissed her forehead and got up from the bed.

  “Come on, love, get yourself up. I need to give you a tour so we can get underway.”

  “Faolan,” she protested,

  “Nay, no time to argue. Never fear, love, I will seek revenge tonight for the shameful way you have treated me this afternoon.”

 
He was grinning, excited, electric. Magnificent.

  Two can play at this game.

  “We’ll see, Faolan,” Elena said, feigning a yawn. “I’m pretty tired, it’s been a very long couple of days, and we were up all night. Maybe I should just go to sleep now. We’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow.”

  Then Elena really played dirty, knowing his penchant for winding his fingers in her hair and taking her from behind. Completely naked, she turned her back to him and rose to her knees, and pulled her hair out of its braid, mussing it with her fingers. It spilled in cascades of raven curls down her back. Then with her ass up in the air, she crawled on her hands and knees to the top of the bed. She was making a show out of fluffing her pillows and pulling back the covers.

  Elena never even heard him move, but suddenly he tackled her from behind, flattening her under his hard body. He growled low in his throat, and placed open mouth kisses along her neck and shoulder, before biting down on her neck.

  Elena yelped. Faolan unbuttoned his fly and tugged his pants down. In one smooth motion, he snaked his arm around her waist, lifting her so her ass was back in the air. He rubbed his erection against her wet opening, and then entered in one fierce stroke. With one hand fisted in her hair and the other holding tight to her hip, he rammed into Elena, rough and hard. The sound of their breath was harsh, and she rocked her hips back to meet his, thrust for thrust. His heavy testicles slapped against her and his shaft filled her to the mouth of her womb, sliding back, and slamming in again. It was pure passion.

  Elena looked back over her shoulder at him, “Come in me, Faolan. Fill me now.”

  His hand tightened in her hair as he pulled her head slightly back so he could lean down and kiss her; then he put both hands on her hips and drove them both to orgasm.

  Chapter Thirty

  “So you already have a sense of the master suite,” Faolan said dryly “Let me show you the rest of the boat before we get underway.”

  Elena looked around the master suite. In addition to the king-size bed they’d already mussed, there was a built-in closet, a dresser with a mirror, a flat screen television, and large and small portholes that would let in light on a sunny day. A doorway led to a luxurious bathroom, including a shower big enough for two with a lovely bench against the back wall.

  As they explored, Elena found there were actually two master suites on the lower deck, and the second bathroom included a Jacuzzi tub for two! There was one other room, which had been set up as a library, and even though they didn’t have many of their books, their meager supply was already on the shelves and Elena’s laptop was set up on the teak desk. Lilly had been busy in her brief time aboard.

  The main deck was where Faolan would drive the boat, seated on something that looked more like a love seat than a captain’s chair. It was cream-colored leather and faced an impressive array of screens and gadgets, fit for the bridge of a starship.

  Directly behind the captain’s area was the galley, a sleek gourmet kitchen that had more amenities than any kitchen Elena had ever seen. She was itching to look through the cabinets, but there would be plenty of time. The floor plan was open, and the space was large and inviting. There was a bar between the galley and the lounge.

  The lounge included an area with a dining table, couches, and the latest in entertainment technology. The teak floor was covered in plush lambskin rugs. French doors led out to the deck, which had more chairs, another table for outdoor dining, and a grill.

  They briefly braved the flybridge where Faolan could drive the boat from the top deck should the weather ever get warm enough. When they returned to the main deck their cheeks were flushed from the wind, and Elena’s unbound hair was wild.

  At first, Elena asked endless questions. Where was this? How did that work? What was that? By the time they got to the top, she’d gotten increasingly pensive. When the tour was finished, Faolan looked at her, his unease at her quietness apparent on his face.

  “Tis a part of my wedding gift to you. What’s wrong, love? Is it not to your liking?”

  She could hardly speak. “Faolan, I married you today, and I don’t know a thing about you.”

  He went very still, his eyes guarded, and hardly breathing, he asked, “Do you regret becoming my wife?” It came out in a choked whisper.

  She realized he’d misunderstood. She placed her hands on either side of his face and looked deep in his eyes, Elena said, “I love you, Faolan. I have no regrets about marrying you. I never want to be separated from you. Don’t ever doubt my love.” She spoke the words firmly, sending light along with them, so he would hear and see the depth of her feelings.

  “Then what is it, love? What troubles you?”

  Elena knew her insecurities were part of the baggage she brought. She struggled to put her feelings into words. How could a man like Faolan love me? Surely, there were other women he had loved in all his lifetimes. Had he loved one more than me?

  Elena glanced away, but she was still holding his face, and her thoughts were visible to him. Placing his hands on top of hers, he moved them to cover his heart, as he had done when he’d pledged his love.

  “Och, lass, there is much we doona’ know about each other, but know this. I was not an innocent when I met you. I am naught but a man and aye, I experienced sexual intimacy with women before you. You knew that.” He looked at Elena until she finally nodded in agreement. “Elena, I told you this before, but I see you were not yet ready to believe it. Listen to me with your power. Feel what I am telling you, take it from my heart to yours.” He put more pressure on their hands, where they covered his heart.

  “I have never loved a woman before you, and for as long as we live, I will never love another. When I learn the ways of Druidry, I will find a way to bind us together for all eternity. What is mine is yours. You are my life.”

  They kissed long and tenderly, and promised each other a night of loving. For now, they needed to get underway.

  Faolan taught Elena how to untie the boat and throw the ropes back on to the deck before climbing back aboard. He promised that this boat, with all of its power, was perfectly capable of waiting for her to walk back across the little gangplank, and jumping was not necessary. Once back onboard, all she had to do was pull a lever, the gangplank retracted, and they were unfettered by land. Elena was terrified of leaving the solid ground behind but tried not to show it.

  ****

  Elena. She was his light and his life. She thought he didna know how afraid she was on the boat. She, who was fearless when fighting street punks, invading Worthington’s head, and loving a wolf. She who faced death head on and won. She was afraid of being on the water. It made him love her all the more.

  When Elena joined Faolan on the captain’s bench, she gripped the arm of the seat so tightly that her knuckles were white. It was positively endearing. He wrapped an arm around her and spoke through each of his actions, letting her become familiar with the operation of the boat. For the next hour, they cruised slowly, within easy sight of the coastline, while he pointed out the little villages that lined the Sound of Mull. Although there weren’t many, he was able to tell her stories of the boat and of the land, and that distracted her sufficiently so he could see her visibly begin to relax.

  He had told Elena the truth. In all the years he had been living, he had never loved a woman before. This was as new to him as it was to her, not the sex, but the loving. He had taken a lover occasionally when the isolation of his lifestyle had been too much, but it had never eased the loneliness in his heart. Other than Red and Lilly, he had not even been able to have friends. How do you explain not aging, disappearing every full moon, and a tendency to growl?

  His love for the sea had been a balm to his soul. No one was in danger while he waited out the effects of the full moon when on his boat. Red and Lilly had never loved the ocean as he had, but they would take two or three extended trips a year with him. He had found that people in marinas all over seemed to enjoy an easy camaraderie, becoming
instant friends without long-term obligations. He could travel from port to port, making casual acquaintances, knowing there would always be someone to greet him, and share a draught.

  The powerful engines were underused at this slow speed, but he had no desire to scare Elena. This slow, leisurely pace gave them time to talk. He told her a little of his love for the sea.

  When they had put enough distance between themselves and Uban, Faolan felt it was safe to anchor. He found a small inlet that was out of direct sight of any villages, and he couldna detect any houses on the cliffs surrounding the cove. It was perfect for the night, absolutely calm and very private.

  “Come, Elena, let’s explore.” Since they had already had fierce sex upon arrival, he thought they could wait a while before returning to the bedroom. He wanted to romance his bride tonight.

  He pulled out a wine bucket and put the champagne on ice. Then he got out two Baccarat crystal rocks glasses and started to pour each of them a glass of single malt whisky. Smiling, she asked for a sparkling water instead.

  Elena started opening each of the cabinets in the galley, looking in earnest. “What have you done, Faolan? Where did all this come from?”

  He just smiled at her. “Help me with the table, lass, so I can show you all of it.”

  Faolan handed her a linen tablecloth and napkins. He snuck up behind her as she bent over the table, and reached around her with a vase of roses that had been hidden in the refrigerator. Elena sucked in a shallow breath, and turned around. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears, and full of love.

  He placed the vase on the table behind her, took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. Just as she was ready to deepen the kiss, he backed away. He would not lose control early tonight. He had gifts and surprises planned for the entire evening. He had not had much time to plan, but it had been enough.

  With a smile, he returned to the kitchen, leaving her standing by the table with her mouth open. He removed tonight’s dinner from the refrigerator. It only needed to be heated.