The Hawk: A Highland Guard Novel Read online

  “So you decided to give me no choice in the matter.”

  He grinned unrepentantly. “Of course you have a choice; I just decided to ensure you picked me.”

  She met his gaze unflinchingly. “What if I no longer want you?”

  His eyes flickered as if she’d struck him. The sudden look of uncertainty on that too-handsome, cocky face almost made up for the months of torture he’d put her through. Almost.

  He knelt down beside her and lifted her hand to his mouth. “Please, love, give me a chance to make it up to you.”

  Emotion swelled in her throat, making her voice raw. “Why should I believe you?”

  He looked into her eyes. “Because in your heart you know it’s the truth. I was the one too blind to see it. But I swear I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me again.”

  He sounded so sincere and looked so sorry, it made her heart soften—just a little.

  “Come on, lass,” Domnall interjected. “Show a little compassion for the rest of us and forgive the man. He’s been unbearable since you left.”

  She frowned at the older man. “I thought you weren’t supposed to be listening.”

  “And miss this?” Domnall chortled. “Lass, I’ve been waiting twenty years to see him grovel for a woman; I intend on enjoying every bloody minute of it.”

  “Grovel?” Erik said, horrified. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not groveling.”

  Ellie lifted one delicately arched brow, challenging his assessment of the situation.

  He frowned, shooting a scowl at Domnall. “I thought you were supposed to be on my side.”

  “I am, laddie,” the other man laughed, “I am.”

  Ignoring their audience, Erik turned back to her. “Can you forgive me?”

  Ellie gave him a hard stare. Truth be told, she was already halfway to doing so, but she intended to let him suffer just a little longer. A few hours, after all, was nothing compared to four months.

  She lifted her chin, giving him her best nursemaid stare. “I haven’t decided. Perhaps you should take me home and let me think about it for a while.”

  He sighed and shook his head regretfully. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, lass, but you’ve left me no choice.” He looked over to Domnall. “I told you she wouldn’t be reasonable.”

  “That you did, laddie. That you did.”

  Ellie looked back and forth between the two men, wondering what devilry he was up to now. He had that wicked gleam in his eye that boded mischief. “What do you intend to do with me?”

  He leaned closer to her, brushing his mouth against her ear. She trembled, heat shivering down her spine. “I intend to take you home and prove it to you. Over and over again, until you believe me.”

  Ellie gasped, understanding his meaning. The sensual promise in his voice sent a flood of heated awareness tingling between her legs. “So you intend to ravish me?”

  “Over and over.”

  “I got that part.” She tried to bite back a smile. Once a Viking, always a Viking. But he intended to take her home? “I don’t think my father will approve of your methods.”

  He winked, knowing he had her. “Fortunately for me, he’ll be a long way away.”

  Ellie lay sprawled across his chest, her soft, naked body pressed to his in a tangle of limbs and bed linens. Filled with a happiness that humbled him, Erik didn’t want to think about how close he’d come to losing her.

  He twirled a dark silken lock around his finger, thinking that this must be as close to heaven as any living man would want to come.

  “So I was right,” she said. “This is your home.”

  He’d brought her back to Spoon Isle, to the great house that had belonged to his father. As promised, the king had returned his lands to him. John of Lorn might disagree, but they would deal with him soon enough.

  “I’ve come to think of it as home, although I’ve many others.”

  She smiled up at him, and his chest twisted. As a man who fortune had favored most of his life, he’d never truly understood how lucky he was until now.

  “Because of me?”

  “Aye.” He kissed her on the nose. “When the war is over, I’ll build you the finest castle you’ve ever seen.”

  She put her head down on his chest and gave him a squeeze. “I have everything I want right here.” She paused. “How long can we stay?”

  “A week, maybe a little longer.” He wanted to keep her to himself for as long as possible. Once his mother and sisters got a hold of her, he wouldn’t know a moment’s peace. “I’ll take you to Islay before I rejoin the king. You’ll be safe there with my mother and sisters.”

  She paled.

  He felt a pang, fearing she’d reconsidered. “Are you sorry already, love? I know you will miss your family. I’ve asked you to give up so much.”

  She gave him a sideways glance. “As I recall, there wasn’t much asking.”

  He grinned and squeezed her to him a little harder. “I couldn’t take a chance that you would refuse me. I’m used to getting what I want.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  He gave her a mock frown. “Spending time with my mother and sisters will be good for you.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”

  “They’ll put you right about me being irresistible.”

  She nudged him in the stomach. Laughing, he rolled her under him, kissing her until the passion burning between them ignited once more. Slowly he made love to her again, holding her hand to his chest and gazing into her eyes, as he slid in and out with long, languid strokes.

  He watched the ecstasy transform her features with a heavenly light and sank into her one last time, holding her to him as the love he felt for her poured from his body in deep, shattering waves.

  It was some time before he could speak again. She’d resumed her position across his chest, and he could see that slight frown had gathered between her brows.

  He had that uneasy feeling again. “What is it, love? What’s bothering you?”

  “Will they like me?” she asked.

  He smiled, more relieved than he wanted to let on. “My mother and sisters?” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “They’ll love you as much as I do. Although …”

  Her eyes opened wide. “What is it?”

  He pretended to frown. “My mother is a rather traditional woman—she wouldn’t approve of your ravishing me like this—and as I have every intention of letting you continue, I’m afraid you’ll have to marry me.”

  She swatted at him again. “Wretch. You had me terrified for a moment.” She gave him a long look. “I suppose I could be persuaded to marry you.”

  He grinned and slid his hand over the soft curve of her bottom, pressing her more intimately to him. “Persuading is good.”

  She shook her head. “Is that all you think about?”

  He just grinned.

  She rolled her eyes. “I was talking about a few conditions.”

  The grin slid from his face. “What kind of conditions?”

  “No other women, for one.” Before he could respond, she added, “No flirting, touching, kissing, and none of those little bottom taps of yours.”

  He put his hand over his heart in mock horror. “Not the bottom taps?”

  She pursed her mouth. “I’m afraid I must insist upon this.”

  Their eyes met, and despite her playfulness, he sensed a layer of vulnerability beneath her words.

  All vestiges of teasing aside, he tipped her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “I haven’t been with anyone else since I met you.”

  He couldn’t blame her for the skeptical look that crossed her face.

  He smiled wryly. “Believe me, it’s just as surprising to me. But after four months, nine days, and,” he gazed out the window at the angle of the sun, “eight hours, give or take, I’m convinced. I love you, Ellie; you are all I want, and all I will ever need.”

  The smile that lit her features went straight to his heart. “