Alex, come to me. I need to see you.
The words were a whisper in his mind, and he jarred awake. It took him moments that felt like hours to orient, despite familiar surroundings. He was in his bed, in the laird’s chambers. In his home, Dunvegan.
Alex sat up, throwing the plaid and furs off his sweaty body. He put a palm to his bare chest. His heart was hammering. He was hot; skin clammy.
Why was he overheated?
His bollocks ached, answering him. His shaft was hard and heavy, pulsing as if beckoning his hand.
The dream.
He’d been with Alana again.
Exhaling slowly, he closed his eyes as visions of carnal things floated across his mind. His princess, stripping. Kissing him. Touching him. Mounting him. Taking him into her lithe body. They moved together, hands all over each other. Lips, too.
They hadn’t been in his rooms. Or his bed.
But where had they been?
Everything except her was fuzzy.
Alex, if you can hear me, come to me.
He jerked and his bedframe creaked.
Her voice was loud and clear, as sure as if she’d whispered in his ear.
“Alana?”
Please. I need you.
Alex slipped from his bed and looked around the room. The fire had been banked hours before, but embers winked from the hearth. He shivered, but he wasn’t cold.
He grabbed a leine from his trunk and tugged it over his head, then wrapped his plaid around his waist and belted it on.
“Alana?” he repeated. He swept the room, looking everywhere, even under the desk and behind the thick drapes.
I need to be with you, Alex.
She wasn’t in his suite.
Panic inched up from his gut. Not that he’d finally lost his mind—as it probably should—but that she’d be gone before he could find her. That he’d dreamt her up only to miss seeing her.
Need burned a path from his pelvis to his throat and Alex was torn between the very opposite feelings. But it helped him inhale and calm.
He glanced at the closed window. The angle of the moonlight leaking inside told him it was late—the middle of the night.
“The beach!”
She’s down there.
Waiting for him on the ridge where he’d first kissed her.
At the current hour, he was mad indeed to consider going out alone, and on foot—because he’d not want to alert anyone to his jaunt—but he had to go.
Alex stomped into his boots and grabbed his sword, dashing to the double doors of the laird’s chamber—where he made himself stop and breathe.
He needed to be stealthy and alert no one. His parents were right next door. The Lady of the Castle’s rooms adjoined his, and even shared a door on the inside.
Iain had moved into the room, even though it was smaller than the laird’s, when his wife had first taken ill. Alex had tried to refuse to take his father’s former private space and been unsuccessful, then had moved out of his childhood quarters soon after.
He stared at the thick wooden panel from his spot near the main entrance to his suite.
All quiet.
No sound was coming from the room where his parents slept.
Alex wasn’t inept at sneaking out of the castle—had done so many a time to meet a lass in the stables for a tryst in years past, but that was all before he’d become the laird.
He’d not want questions from his family—or his clansmen, if he encountered anyone. His father was a notoriously light sleeper, and with the man so close, he had to be extra careful with every footfall.
Barely breathing, he made it out of the room, down the stairs, through the great hall, and waited until the night guards were on the other side of the embattlement before sneaking through the gates.
He kept his back plastered to Dunvegan as much as possible—the men-at-arms were high above and it was their duty to detect threats. Their roving patrols of the wall made the whole area easily visible—even at night.
Although their laird stealing off into the darkness wasn’t a danger to those within the castle walls, it was certainly another root of those questions he wanted to avoid.
He couldn’t straighten to his full height until he was well away from the stronghold. He thanked God for the long untamed grasses and small hills between the castle and the beach.
When Alex could smell the waters, he ran. The ridge came into sight in the light of the moon, and his heart stuttered.
She was indeed up there, looking toward him as if she’d known he’d come to her. “Alex!”
He skidded to a halt, bent at the waist with his hands planted on his knees. He wasn’t out of breath, exactly, but his heart cantered so hard he was dizzy.
Alana scampered down the incline as if she did so every day, and her body collided with his. She threw her arms around him, hugging him so tight it took his breath all over again.
Alex barely had time to catch her up and keep them from both tumbling to the rocky ground. “Alana. Lass.” He inhaled her aroma, familiar and overwhelming at the same time. Floral and wild, mixed with the scent of the moving waters of the sea. “Alana, Alana,” he chanted.
She pulled back and pinned him with that violet stare. “Alex.” His princess exhaled audibly. “Alex. I knew you’d hear me. I knew you’d come.”
“Always, lass. Always.”
They strolled in a companionable silence by the moonlight, but like the first moment he’d spotted her and she’d yelled his name, he still wasn’t convinced he wasn’t dreaming.
The waves were calm tonight as they slapped the beach, the repetitive sound washing even more peace over him as they walked.
Had she really been calling him?
Why couldn’t he find his voice to ask?
She’d said something about him hearing her, and he could find out what that meant, if could stop staring and ask.
Alex grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers, because he couldn’t not touch her. The familiar spark shot up his arm and he swallowed.
Alana flashed a grin that had his heart pattering again.
“I really did fear I’d ne’er see ye again,” he whispered.
Sadness darted across her ethereal face, visible despite the darkness of the night. The moon was high and full. “I…I really shouldn’t have come back. It’s too dangerous.” She paused as if she’d say more, but didn’t.
Like the last time she’d come to him with her cousin. When they’d languished in each other’s company for hours that felt like days.
What was she not telling him?
His gut told him pushing her would get him nowhere. He brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I’m glad ye did.”
Alana nodded. “I know I said goodbye. That I could make no promises to you. It’s still true. But…I…had to come back.”
Rightness settled over Alex like he hadn’t felt since he’d met her, then lost her. All three times. “This feels like ‘tis supposed ta happen.”
She made a noise that sounded like a half whimper, half laugh.
“Alana?” he whispered. When he looked down into her eyes, they were misty.
His princess had her free hand over her mouth, as if holding back a sob.
“Is somethin’ wrong?”
Alana shook her head, but didn’t speak.
“If ye dinna tell me, lass, I—”
She tugged her hand free and launched herself at him.
He caught her up and chuckled, but the sound was lost with the frantic press of her lips against his. Alex didn’t hesitate to meet her seeking tongue, pushing his way into her mouth as she did the same to him. He let her deepen their kiss as they clutched at each other.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and he hiked her higher, until Alana wrapped her legs around his waist.
He couldn’t get close enough. Couldn’t hold her tight enough. ‘Twas a foolish foolish thought, but he didn’t want to let her go. Ever.
“I need to be with you,” she breathed into their kiss.
“Lass—” All sorts of words formed in his brain, but there was a disconnect with his mouth. He didn’t want to waste time or statements. Wanted to agree with her wholeheartedly. But they were on the beach, out in the open at night—it was cold, too—and he couldn’t exactly take her back to Dunvegan.
His brother may know of her, but Alex wanted to avoid questions from the rest of his family and clan. Come morning, he’d certainly have to explain the lass in his bed, let alone a beauty such as her.
He could sneak her in through the kitchens, but there would be no solution for hiding her when the sun rose. His parents so close to his rooms were another problem entirely.
“I know a place we can go,” Alana said, as if she’d read his mind. She loosened her hold around him, and he set her to her feet.
She slid down his body, and the soft push of her breasts into his chest made his insides quiver and his cock jump. His princess took his hand, and led him down the beach, away from the ridge where they’d first kissed.
He didn’t argue. Didn’t care where she took him; Alex’s sole concern was Alana.
Kissing her. Touching her. Taking her.
Their gazes met. Emotions that didn’t make sense stared back at him. A part of him wanted to question what he was seeing, and the other part reveled in it. His pulse skipped, his heart bounded off his ribs, and it was difficult to look away from her, especially when she put her hand on his arm.
She wasn’t close enough.
He needed more.
“Alex?” she whispered.
“I canna explain any of this. But I need ye, lass. Like I need my next breath.”
Alana swallowed and he wanted to kiss her throat. “I know, Alex. I feel the same way.”
“Take me where ye will.”
She laughed, and the charming grin curving her kiss-swollen lips was almost his undoing. “I was hoping you’d take me, actually.”
His half-mast erection tingled, the friction against the wool of his plaid worsening, torturing with every step they took. “Aye, I’ve tha’ in mind.” The thickness of his voice made the jest fall off a bit, but Alex didn’t care, because the sultry look in her eyes only made him harder, until his whole body was begging. “Just hope ‘tisna far.”
“Nay, ‘tis not.”
The refined edge to her words was distracting since it was so different than his own—reminding him of her station—but it didn’t dim his desire.
She pulled him around a large boulder, until they stood in front of the tall wall of an incline, with what appeared to be a crack dividing the cliff-face. It widened as it came down into the rocky sandy ground. “We’re here,” she announced.
“Where is here?”
“Remember I told you about Faery Stones? The portal to come to this realm is born of their magic. They’re housed inside. It doesn’t look like much, but ‘tis a cave within. We’ll be safe. No one will bother us.” She moved toward the split in the cliff.
Although the entrance was cave-like, it wasn’t very wide. Even her slender form blocked his view, and Alex would have to duck, possibly turn sideways to fit through it.
He let her go into the fissure first, but his protective instincts protested. She’d said it was safe, but he couldn’t know that until he could see inside.
Indeed, the cavity opened up into a cavern, and once they were under the cover of it he was able to straighten. The ceiling was low, though. If he reached up, he could touch it. He relaxed a tad when nothing jumped out at them.
A glow in his periphery—along with a low hum—took his attention, and his gaze shot to the left. Five crystals sat atop five natural-looking rock-like formations, in a semi-circle shape that looked too perfect to be an accident. They were lit from the inside, an almost throbbing radiance, and in turn, illuminated the cave.
Alex gasped.
Alana took his hand and led him closer. “Behold, the Faery Stones.”
His mouth was dry for reasons other than his urgent libido. “Magic,” he breathed.
She nodded. “They bring me to you.”
“Then I’m fond of ‘em.”
Her smile was brilliant and she threaded her arms around his middle, squeezing him tight.
Alex returned her embrace, but let his eyes scan the cave. It wasn’t overly large, but it wasn’t tiny, and the natural floor was littered with starkly white sand, much different than what was outside on the pebble-ridden beach.
The area was well lit from the Faery Stones. More light than the moon had offered them.
“Magic,” he repeated. “To see it…’tis different than hearin’ of it.”
“I know, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know…later.”
“Later?”
“Aye. I cannot stay long, and right now, I want you, Alex MacLeod.”
He gulped.
Again, her words were forward, but he wanted her, too. It mattered not that they didn’t really know each other. That they’d seen each other three times, besides tonight.
What was between them felt natural. Right.
He didn’t like the idea of her leaving again, but he’d deal with that…later, as she’d said.
Now, he was going to take her.
Alex cupped her face and claimed her mouth.
Alana was right with him, kissing him back deeply and enthusiastically. She twined her tongue with his as she pushed for control.
He groaned against her lips and hauled her closer. His cock pounded, pleasantly trapped against her stomach, but he needed so much more.
She mewled a protest when he ended their kiss and rested his forehead against hers.
He had to pant to breathe and needed a minute before he could speak. “I want ye, lass.”
“Aye,” Alana whispered.
“Undress,” Alex ordered.
The smile she flashed as she broke their physical contact was erotic, and made his erection strain even more against his plaid.
She shimmied out of her purple trews, and the crystals behind her offered all the light he needed to see every inch of her body. Her light purple leine fell mid-thigh, obscuring what he wanted to see most, but it was only a matter of time, and he could do with some calming of his impatience.
Or so he was trying to convince himself as he shifted in his boots and resisted the urge to rip her clothing from her lithe form.
Her long hair was loose, swaying around her hips with her movements, and he couldn’t wait to bury his hands in it.
“Lass,” Alex groaned.
She cocked her head to one side, and paused. “Somethin’ wrong, Alex?”
He growled and darted forward—couldn’t help it. “Dinna tease me.”
There was a gleam in her violet eyes. “Tease you?” This was a fair imitation of innocence, but just because she was a virgin didn’t mean she didn’t know exactly what she was doing to him.
He framed her cheeks, tugged up, and took her mouth again.
Alana moaned and opened for him, pressing her body close, and slipping her arms around him.
Alex slid his hands over her shoulders and down her back. When he reached the bottom of her leine, his fingertips brushed bare warm flesh and he stilled. Her bottom was perfect, and he needed more. He cupped her, kneading, caressing until she wobbled in his arms.
“Alex…” She pushed his name into their kiss, and the wanton plea made his cock pulse, his bollocks tingle like he was about to climax.
He nibbled on her mouth, dipping his tongue inside the warm recesses again to play with hers.
She whimpered and kissed him back, but her hands were busy at his belt, tugging at it. When she had it open, he backed up and caught the falling plaid.
“We can lie on this.” Alex formed a makeshift blanket with his garment, but it was narrow. He would lay in the sand before he forced her to do so.
Next time, he’d remember to bring a blanket.
Alana’s eyes were low, as if she was trying to see past his leine, which also fell mid-thigh, concealing his straining manhood—at least for the moment. “I want to touch you,” she whispered.
He shivered, despite the unmanliness of it. “An’ I ye, believe me.” He shucked his tunic and watched it fall to the sand next to his plaid.
Her gasp had him meeting her eyes, but then she was on him—her hands all over his body. Alana buried fingertips in his chest hair, dragging her other hand lower, through the dark springy curls dividing his abdominal muscles, and then swept her palm beneath his bollocks.
Alex jumped and a curse fell from his mouth.
She stilled. “Alex?”
He grabbed her wrist and kissed her knuckles. “Lass—”
Her cheeks pinkened. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to touch you. I didn’t know how it would feel.”
“What?” The word came out a croak.
“Your…hair. Fae don’t have hair on their bodies. Just on our heads. See?” She lifted her leine, revealing a bare, glistening sex.
Alex swallowed for the hundredth time. Told himself it was rude to stare at the tempting slit of her womanhood, but his eyes wouldn’t move from the apex of her thighs. “Take…take…off yer leine.”
Alana obeyed. She slipped out of her boots, and he took time to do the same, although his whole body was tremoring as if he was the innocent.
She was flawless, from the curve of her bottom to her slightly rounded hips, slender waist and the soft part of her belly. Her breasts were perfect, too. High and tight, neither too large, nor too small. Dusky nipples were peaked, begging for his lips and fingers.
Whether that was due to the cool humid air in the cave, or her arousal, he couldn’t know, but he needed a moment. If he touched her now, he was going to orgasm before he ever slid inside her.
He’d never wanted a woman like he did Alana. Combusted from the inside out.
Alex ordered himself to look away from her bare sex over and over again. He wanted to get his tongue there, too. Instinct said she’d taste as good as she smelled. “How…how does it feel?” he asked to distract himself.
She wrinkled her nose, and it was adorable. “Well, umm….rough. But not bad…” Her cheeks stained a deeper crimson and he chuckled.
“‘Tis fine, lass. Men tend ta be…hairy. Human ones, anaway.”
Alana bit her bottom lip and he groaned. With the forwardness he was coming to crave, as well as admire, she closed the distance to him and circled her hand around his hard shaft.
Alex couldn’t suck back a moan, and he closed his eyes as she explored him.
“Is…this all right, Alex?”
“Aye,” he croaked.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” She left his cock bobbing to caress his chest. “Your body is so hard. Beautiful.”
His thoughts scattered, his blood ran hot, on its way to a rolling boil. He should answer her, tell her he was flattered she thought so, but he couldn’t form words. Every touch notched him higher, until his head spun and he hollered at himself to hold it together.
He’d had lovers before; this…situation…shouldn’t be any different, should it?
Except…it was.
She was. And not because she was Fae or a princess.
“Alex? Are you well, love?”
He blinked at the endearment, and their gazes locked. If it was possible, she’d gone even redder. “Aye. Come lie wit’ me.” Instead of addressing the word she shouldn’t feel enough for him to call him, he gripped her wrist and pulled her down with him on the plaid that was still warm from his body.
Alana snuggled into Alex as soon as her shoulders touched the familiar MacLeod pattern, but a shudder traveled her slender frame he couldn’t help but feel.
“Lass, are ye well?”
“I am.” She smiled and it made his gut jump.
“I willna hurt ye.”
Her expression softened and she caressed his stubbled cheek as she gazed up at him. “Oh, I know. The first time will likely cause pain, but that’s not your fault. I still want it to be…you. I still want you and no other.”
Alex had to swallow. Heat kissed his neck and cheeks. He needed to tell her he was honored, and he wanted her, too, but his words had journeyed afar.
He’d not been with an innocent since he’d been innocent himself. He and the blacksmith’s daughter had discovered each other when she’d been seven and ten to his fifteen summers, but he’d not felt an iota for the dark-haired beauty of what he did for the Fae Princess lying naked on his plaid against him.
Which makes no sense.
He’d known Sorcha since they’d been wee.
He’d met Alana four times, including tonight.
Instead of trying to speak again, he let his eyes trail her perfect body one more time.
She had one knee bent, and she was open to him, not shy as her arms lay at her sides, leaving her breasts and sex on display. “Alex, touch me.”
Tremors chased each other down his spine and his hands lowered to her supple skin of their own accord, as if he was compelled to obey, but damn, he burned to do so anyway.
Alex cupped and kneaded her perfect globes, thumbing her nipples until a whimper drew his attention to her mouth.
She licked her lips, making the pink skin glisten and shove him beyond temptation.
He lowered himself onto her, his chest brushing hers as he sank his mouth over hers and his pelvis claimed hers, his erection trapped between them.
Alana kissed him back and snaked her arms around his neck. She trembled, but when he pulled back, she wore a grin. “Your hair…it tickles.”
He smiled, and spread a trail of kisses down her neck across her collarbones and chest, circling his tongue around her nipple before sucking her into his mouth.
His princess gasped and buried her hands in his hair. She tugged, but he didn’t care.
Alex continued to kiss his way to her belly, laving her navel until she giggled, but he didn’t want her to laugh, he wanted her to beg for more, so he moved downward.
His tongue met his fingers at the same time, as he parted her silky hairless folds and he couldn’t help his groan at the dual feelings under his lips and hand. She was hot and already wet.
Alana breathed his name and tightened her hold on his locks.
The sting felt good, urging him on as he licked up and down her sex, lapping at her moisture, and the smooth feel of her most tender flesh.
He’d been right about her flavor. He couldn’t get enough as her essence coated his tongue and he gently pulled the sensitive cluster of nerves at the top of her sex into his mouth.
She screamed and arched her hips, pushing into him.
He cupped her bottom and urged her higher, even closer, but quickly slipped one hand back between her legs so he could touch her as he tasted her.
Alex slid two fingers inside her and her inner muscles clutched him with a surprising fierceness, but he maintained ginger thrusts, very aware that her tightness was due to the barrier he would no doubt feel if he pushed all the way forward. He didn’t want to hurt her with hand or manhood; he just wanted his princess to shatter in his arms.
“More, Alex, I need…”
Of course, he would obey any command. Alex grinned up at her, but stilled when he took in the passion on display.
Her head was thrown back, chin jutting up. Her long flaxen tresses were spread in every direction. She was flushed pink from head to toe, and so pure in her abandon.
It was going to unman him.
Not just now, but forever.
Alex had never seen a more gorgeous sight.
When she pinned in him those violet eyes—likely because he’d stopped his ministrations—they were half-lidded and hazy, making him groan again.
“Alex,” she whimpered.
“Jesu, lass,” he breathed, he couldn’t help it. He shot up her body, the demand to taste her mouth, hold her, have every inch of her under every inch of him was too much to resist.
He needed to claim her. Now.
They kissed until he couldn’t breathe. Her breasts were flattened into his chest, and they grappled at each other, holds not lasting long because they were both writhing and rocking, imitating lovemaking, but he’d not joined their bodies yet.
Alana tore her mouth from his. “Now, Alex. Now. You’re driving me mad. I need you inside me.”
Alex stilled, and their eyes locked. “Are ye sure? Yer ready? I’d wanted ye ta come first.”
She shook her head, those incredible eyes wide. “Aye, I’m sure. I’ve had pleasure before, but I haven’t had you before.”
He quivered, and shifted above her. “I need ye.”
“Have me.”
Breathe, just breathe. You need to breathe.
He kept the chant up as he gripped himself and guided his erection to her gleaming sex. She was swollen and ready, and looking at her made his desire settle even lower, the flames scorching hotter. His bollocks pulsed.
Alana grabbed his forearms, as if she knew she’d have to brace herself, but he’d still do his best not to hurt her.
They both watched as he sank into her slowly, inch by inch, until he had to close his eyes because the tight hold rocked him to his soul, and he wanted to drive forward and mark her, take her maidenhead hard and quickly, so there would be no question of who she belonged to.
Mine.
The bolt of lightning he always associated with her at first touch traversed his limbs; made his heart skip and settle in his gut, urging him on.
This time, he didn’t question was it was or what it meant.
It only solidified that the princess in his arms was all his.
Alex would never let her go.