Lost in the Highlands, Volume 3, page 28
Everything felt so good, so right, he fought against his burgeoning desire to end this dream, this wicked, wonderful dream, and bring it to an end.
But alas, too soon, he felt the fire burning between them reach a crescendo and as he looked directly in her eyes, something shifted…No longer was this a dream brought on by circumstance—it was more…
As they both gave over to their explosive release, clinging to one another in the aftershocks of their lovemaking—Clarion realized what that something was—he loved her.
CHAPTER 19
LOCH MORAR, SCOTLAND
The Past - Greystone Castle
No matter how hard Paige tried, she couldn’t seem to get her naughty, yet freakishly real dream, out of her mind.
She knew why, too.
She was sexually frustrated.
Hard up.
She needed to get some.
Ha! She thought, laughing.
It had been so long, it seemed, since she and Gavin made love, she was now, not only dreaming about it, she was also thinking about it constantly while she was awake.
Granted, Paige went most of her life without hot sex, but apparently once you had it, your body and mind, didn’t want to give it up. At least that was her reasoning as to why she kept thinking about her dream and the dark Gavin taking her, which was hot—really hot.
And even though it had been with Gavin, for some reason, she felt like it wasn’t Gavin.
Guiltily, she looked over at the bed.
Gavin was still asleep, and he wasn’t thrashing about, so his nightmare must have passed.
Still, feeling a bit warm…Hell, who was she kidding? She was hot…and bothered. She walked behind the screen and splashed some water on her face. Using a small piece of linen, she dipped it into the water and placed it on the back of her neck, trying to cool down, and banish her heated dream from her mind.
It didn’t work very well. Setting the rag aside, Paige stepped out from behind the screen and let out a little yelp of surprise.
Gavin was staring right at her.
Paige took a tentative step forward.
With his head tilted slightly, Gavin watched her movements from the bed. It seemed he was trying to figure out what she was doing, or maybe, who she was.
She hoped it was the former and not the latter.
“Hello,” she said finally, twisting her hands nervously. “How are you feeling?”
“Like the bloody devil has cleaved my head in half.”
Well, at least he was talking. “Are you okay?” she asked and then promptly added, “other than your head hurting?”
He gave the restraints on his arms a slight tug, as if to say, he would be fine if his arms were not tethered.
“I did that so you wouldn’t hurt yourself.”
A doubtful look crossed his face. “Hurt myself?”
“Yes. Hurt yourself. You have been acting rather strange.” That wasn’t even the half of it but Paige saw no point in getting into the particulars right now.
“I see.” However, Gavin, didn’t really see at all.
“Would you like something to drink?” she asked, rushing forward and lifting the pitcher of water, only to realize it was empty. “I can get you some more,” she said quickly and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Paige stopped and slowly turned around. “Yes?”
“Can ye untie my arms?”
He asked her nicely enough, she supposed, but something was in his eyes that gave her pause.
“Ah…I will when I return.” Scared of how he would react, she rushed from the room and quickly made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She was in such a hurry that the dimness of the room didn’t even bother her like it normally would.
Making her way to the table, she lifted the pitcher and sniffed the contents. It had a strangely sweet odor. For some reason the scent reminded her of some of the flowers her Grandmother had tended to in her garden.
After, washing out the pitcher really well, Paige refilled it with clean water and sniffed again. This time it smelled just as it should, like water.
Turning, she looked at Elvis. “Wish me luck.”
Of course, Elvis didn’t respond. He was sound asleep.
Paige left the kitchen and made her way back to his room.
♦
Plastering on a smile, she walked back into Gavin’s room. “I got some water for you.”
She lifted her eyes to his and her smile faltered.
He didn’t look very happy, that was for sure.
In fact, he reminded her of the Gavin from the first time she came here. Full of spit and vinegar.
Suddenly, Paige wanted to cry. Setting the pitcher on the table, I poured a big cup of water and walked over to the bed with it. “Here you go.”
She held out the glass.
He looked at her like she had three heads.
“How am I ta drink the water with my hands bound?”
“Oh, right. I hadn’t thought about that.” Not sure what to do, she wavered in place.
“Are ye planning on giving me some water or are ye going ta tease me with it?”
“Oh, of course.” She placed one hand behind his head and lifted the glass to his lips.
Slowly he drank it down, but water still slipped from his lips and dribbled down into his beard leaving little droplets of water behind.
Once he drank his fill, she pulled the cup away and set it on the side table. Lifting her skirt, she dabbed his face, like a mother would a child.
“There,” she said, dropping the edge of her gown down. “All cleaned up.”
His brows creased. “Am I an invalid?”
“A what?”
“Can I no drink my own water?”
“Well, um….” Paige cleared her throat. “I had to tie you up, um, because, ah, you were really sick.”
The creased between his brows became more severe. “Am I still sick?”
“Ah….” Dang it. “Well…uh, yes. Yes, you are.”
He gave her a doubtful look.
“I do no feel sick.”
“It comes and goes.”
“This sickness that I have, comes and goes?”
“Yep.” She nodded emphatically. “It sure does.”
“Am I dying then?”
“What?” she choked, feeling sick. “No. You’re not dying.”
Nodding his head, he seemed to absorb her answer.
“Are ye dying?”
“No, I am not, dying. What a terrible thing to ask.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Seemed like it was a good enough question ta me.”
“Well, I guess it is a decent question, but why even go there? Gesh.”
“It may have something ta do with the fact that ye have no given me a good reason as ta why ye have me tied up.”
“Fine,” she huffed. “You want to know why I have you tied up?”
“Aye, that would be helpful.”
“You said you were going to kill me!” she yelled, not meaning to. “Happy?”
“What did ye do ta me to warrant such a threat?”
“Me?” She thumped her chest. “Nothing. I was only trying to take care of you.”
“Why were ye trying ta take care of me?”
“You were beaten badly. And then you wouldn’t wake up. And the men went to get help. And no one was here but me. And I am no doctor.”
She took a breath and continued, “I tried, I really did, to help you. And you don’t even remember who I am, do you?” It was like she had diarrhea of the mouth, but she couldn’t stop herself. It had been so long since she had a conversation with anyone, so everything poured out at once. “And I was scared. Really, scared that you wouldn’t wake up again. But then you did, and you were acting crazy and you tried to kill me, so I tied you up so you wouldn’t, kill me. Happy?”
“Och, lass, why do ye keep asking me if I am happy?”
“Oh, take it. It’s just an expression.”
“What did ye do ta make me want ta kill ye?”
At this, she almost lost it. “I didn’t do anything, you, you…”
Gavin, leaned back and gave me an assessing look.
“I do no remember doing any of this.” His frown deepened.
Paige felt bad for being short, but she was mad at him. For being sick, and for not remembering who she was, and most importantly, that even now, he didn’t seem to know what she was even talking about. “Well, that doesn’t mean you didn’t do it.”
“Aye, I gathered that.” He was silent for a moment and then asked, “Why are ye here?”
“I am your, uh, fiancée. We are, or were, to be married.”
“Married?” His brows lifted to his hairline.
“Yep. That’s what I said.”
Gavin gave her the strangest look she had ever seen and then his eyes settled on her belly.
“Are ye with child, then?”
“No. It’s the dress. It’s the dress,” she said again, like repeating it would make him believe her.
“Aye, I heard ye the first time.”
“Then stop looking at my belly.”
He lifted his eyes. “Did I love ye?” he asked quietly, almost a whisper.
“Yes. You love me madly. You couldn’t even be away from me for more than a moment at a time because you would miss me so much.” As soon as she told that doozie, she started feeling sick to her stomach. Lying did that to her.
“When was this auspicious occasion ta take place?”
“The wedding?”
He nodded.
“Um, a, uh, few weeks ago. But then you got hurt and well, it was postponed.”
“I do no remember ye,” his said.
“Well, too bad. We are still getting married.” She even stomped her foot to accentuate her point.
His eyes widened at that and she suddenly wished there was a hole to crawl into …forever. She didn’t even know why she was still continuing with this farce, but she was angry and for some reason telling him that he had to marry her seemed like a just retribution for not remembering who the hell she even was.
He took a breath and then another. “I have no reason ta doubt yer words,” he said and then added, “but, I would like ta speak ta Morgan. Can ye send him ta me?”
All the anger and irritation she had been feeling and the justification of her actions, as poor as they may be, flew right out the window and a deep sadness closed in on her. How was she to tell Gavin that the man he spoke of, the man he loved like a father was dead?
Paige swallowed back the tears suddenly clogging her throat. “He’s gone,” she said quietly and cast her eyes to his to see what his reaction would be.
“When will he be back?”
“Ah…” she croaked. “Um, not for a long time.” She was going to tell him the truth, but in the end, she just couldn’t. Not now, at any rate. “He had an errand to, um, yeah, for the king,” she rushed out, continuing with yet another boldface lie to add to her already growing list of lies.
Gavin nodded as though that was something he expected her to say.
Thank God.
“I bet your hungry. I should get you some food.” Before he could respond, Paige ran from the room.
♦
Gavin wasn’t sure what to make of the lass that was just in his room. Not to mention, that he was supposed to marry her. She was toothsome enough, he supposed, but he felt no great attraction to her that would justify something as sacred as marriage. He couldn’t be sure, of course, but he had a feeling she was lying. But why would she do that? he couldn’t help but wonder.
Closing his eyes, he tried to recall where he may have seen her before, but everything, including his life up until he woke a short while ago was nothing but a big blur of disjointed puzzle pieces that did not quite fit together.
However, he did remember his men, but that brought about another slew of unanswerable questions. Where were they? Why did they let the lass tether him to the bed?
Granted, he was sure they had good reason, but the reasoning behind their actions, eluded him.
The oddest thing of all was his memories of another girl, one that made his heart beat a little faster and his loins tighten. She was very beautiful. Cherry red lips, shimmering auburn hair and ice blue eyes that haunted him. The image of her face swam behind his closed lids and if he concentrated really hard, he could almost hear her lilting laughter…feel her lips caressing, teasing, and the rightness of her body joining with his own.
Nay, he thought, pushing the memories aside. He did no want the lass he was supposed ta marry but another, the one his heart belonged to. And by God, he would have her in the end. He just needed to find out who she was and of course, get rid of the one that was here now.
CHAPTER 20
LOCH MORAR, SCOTLAND
The Past
As soon as Paige stepped out of the room, a clammy wetness broke out on her skin and she felt like she needed to throw up. Keeping low, Paige I settled down onto her knees.
Bracing her hands on the floor, she heaved once, twice, but nothing came out.
She couldn’t imagine what was wrong since she hadn’t eaten anything, really, except a cookie and that wasn’t very big. Certainly not enough to make her sick.
Another gut-wrenching spasm shot through her abdomen, and she heaved again. Something was wrong, she knew, but she didn’t know what.
Not able to stand, she crawled back towards Gavin’s room.
“Gavin,” she called but her voice was barely audible.
Then she remembered he was still tied up so it wouldn’t do much good calling for him anyway.
“Stupid,” she muttered, inching forward on her hands and knees. The floor swam before her eyes, fading in and out of focus as another spasm tore through her stomach.
Shaking, Paige heaved again, but nothing came out. All she wanted to do was lie down and place her face against the cold stones but knew if she did that, she would probably get even sicker.
Forcing herself forward, she crawled to the doorway and promptly fell inside the room.
Her head smacked the stone and she saw a bright flash of white and then nothing.
♦
“Lass, “he called, his voice coming out raspy, from thirst and lack of use. “What is the matter with ye?”
There was no answer or movement coming from her other than a twitching of her hand.
An unusual feeling assailed him and he vaguely remembered the like when he was locked in a dungeon. But that seemed a distant memory to him now, almost as if it didn’t happen to him at all, but to someone else.
With renewed vigor, he began working on the ropes. It took four tries, and no small amount of exertion on his part for Gavin to finally free himself from the restraints. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he made to stand but fell back against the bed.
His legs felt numb under the weight of his body.
Bracing himself on the bed, he thumped his feet on the floor until he finally got the feeling back in his legs and feet.
Although his feet and legs prickled as though hundreds of tiny needles were in them, he was able to finally stand. Walking, the few steps to reach her was an effort of sheer will on his part. By the time he made it across the room he was out of breath and weary to the bone.
Using the chair near the table, he braced himself and lowered to the floor. “Lass,” he repeated and gently tapped the side of her face.
She let out a little moan.
Somewhat relieved, he pushed himself back up to standing. This small action took a lot more effort than he would have thought.
Reaching down, he grabbed hold of her arms and struggled to lift her still form. He didn’t have the strength to lift her so instead he dragged her across the floor as close to the bed as he could get.
Jerking a fur off the bed, he laid it down and then lifted her up just enough to get her head on top.
Lowering himself down to the floor, he reached out and felt her forehead. The clammy skin under his fingers was not even hot to the touch.
“Lass,” he said, patting the side of her face gently again.
She didn’t respond.
Gavin tended to the lass as best as he could but since he still had a terrible headache and his limbs were weak from lack of use, this was no easy task.
As he stared down at her face he kept waiting for to feel some kind of emotion pour forth, but he felt nothing. Not anger, or sadness, not want, or desperation, he felt absolutely nothing, except a bone-weary tiredness. Leaning forward he placed his face in his hands and closed his eyes.
The rain continued to pelt the Earth and the wind continued to howl as it blew hither and yon and as the sound of both lulled Gavin, he relaxed and slipped off into a twilight sleep. Not quite asleep but not quite awake either.
Thoughts of strange boxes with moving pictures entered his mind as well as metal beasts that traversed the countryside at unnatural speeds. And in that strange place his mind took him while he wasn’t thinking on anything in particular, is where he saw the lass.
She looked different, happier, he supposed, and not so bedraggled as she was now. She was making him food, well, not making it, but rather setting it on the table in front of him. It was strange looking food but he did remember it tasting good.
Then she sat on his lap. He was happy she was there as well. Her body soft and warm as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He let his mind go and saw other things as well that made him question his sanity.
Things that couldn’t possibly be real and yet, he seemed totally at ease in these places as well.
Again, he saw her.
He was in a bed, unlike his own as it smelled fresh and was soft. She climbed on his back and massaged his shoulders, and then he flipped over and she laughed. It was a nice sound, that laughter of hers and warmed his soul.
Then, just as suddenly his thoughts veered off course and he was in a dark place.
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