Part 35 (1/2)

I have no choice!

She commanded him in ways no one ever had. Her touch made him weak, and he was helpless before her. Deep inside, he knew he would give her anything she wanted.

And that he could never do.

Nay, once this day was finished, so was their relations.h.i.+p. He must make sure of it.

Brus.h.i.+ng his lips against her forehead, Braden allowed himself a moment to absorb the taste and smell of her. He closed his eyes and let those sensations wash over him. He would carry this memory for the rest of his life.

And it would haunt him throughout eternity.

”Good-bye, my love,” he whispered.

Chapter 18.

Maggie came awake slowly to the sound of Braden's gentle snore.

Not quite ready to rise, she snuggled closer against his side, until she recalled poor Connor waiting for her in her room.

Afraid the boy would think she had abandoned him, she quickly got up and dressed.

With a parting look at Braden's naked, slumbering form draped in furs, she rushed from the room and gathered apples, bread and a cup of milk for Connor.

She knew she should have told Braden about his son last night, but it just hadn't seemed the time.

Especially not after the way Braden had reacted when she'd asked him about children.

Nay, she would have to wait until he was more open to the possibility. The last thing Connor needed was to know his father hated the very idea of having a child. The boy had been hurt enough; she would add no more pain to his damaged soul.

Still, that voice in her head nagged her to tell Braden about Connor. He had a right to know.

Clasping the food to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, Maggie tried not to think about it lest she cry. And she had promised herself she wouldn't cry over what was necessary.

Braden would go his own way, and she...

She would care for Connor. The lad would be happy with her. Much happier than he would be with his uncles and father. After all, they were bachelors who had little knowledge of children. What Connor needed most was a mother's love.

If she couldn't give her love to Braden, then she would content herself with lavis.h.i.+ng it on his child.

Maggie returned to her room just as the boy stirred.

Not fully conscious, Connor cringed from her as she stood over his bed. ”I'll milk the cows,” he whimpered, raising his arm to protect his head.

”It's just me, Connor,” she said gently, placing the food and milk on the table. ”And there are no cows to be milked.”

He put his arm down and blinked as if unable to believe his eyes.

”I brought this for you,” she said, handing him a slice of bread.

He ate it so fast, she half feared he would choke on it. ”Slow down, lad, it'll make you sick.”

He did, but only for a minute before he tore back into it, then reached for the milk and apples.

Smiling at his enthusiasm, Maggie ruffled his hair. ”I want you to know that I have to go meet with the MacDouglas in a little bit, but as soon-”

”Nay,” he gasped around a mouthful of apples. He swallowed hard and stared at her with wide, terrified eyes. ”You can't be doing that. He'll kill you!”

”It's all right,” she soothed, wis.h.i.+ng her words could comfort her as well. ”He won't harm me.”

”Aye, he will.”

”Nay,” she rea.s.sured him, hoping it was true. ”I can handle my own. But I want you to stay here until I return. Can you do that?”

His greenish brown eyes full of reticence, he nodded. ”You will return, won't you?”

”Aye,” she said, hoping it wasn't a lie.

Reluctantly, she left him and returned to his father. While she walked, she realized today was the day Ewan would free Lochlan. She only hoped Lochlan and her brothers were still safe and whole.

As gently as she could, she shook Braden awake.

”Braden,” she whispered, brus.h.i.+ng his hair back from his shoulders before she placed a tender kiss right where the tiny hairs covered the nape of his neck. She nipped his flesh with her teeth. ” 'Tis morning.”

Braden groaned and s.h.i.+fted ever so slightly, baring one tawny hip to her eager gaze. ”It can't be morning,” he mumbled, ”I just went to sleep.”

Maggie laughed as she lifted the fur and admired his naked backside. In her mind, she could see him again as he had been last night, unabashed and completely hers, his eyes narrowed on her as she rode him. She could feel his strong hands on her hips urging her on, feel his warm breath on her skin.

Even now her body burned for him.

And right then, it was all she could do to stay focused on the task ahead, as well as on those who waited below for them.

”It is morning,” she repeated, ”and we have a laird to meet.”

Again he groaned before he rolled over, showing her his perfect male body.

”Fine,” he said, rubbing his hands over his face. ”Let us be about meeting our maker, shall we?”

Her cheeks burned as she saw his erection plainly in the morning light.

Braden laughed as he noticed where her gaze lingered. ”What can I say? Even in dreams, you haunt me.”

He sat up then and pulled her close. ”Care to-”

A sudden pounding on the door interrupted him. ”Braden?” Sin called from the other side.

”I'm up,” Braden shouted at his brother, then mumbled beneath his breath, ”and likely to stay that way if you keep pounding the d.a.m.n door.”