Chapter Eleven
Duncan wanted Jessica in a whole new way. A need rose in him to show her exactly how much he loved her before he ceased to exist. If it was going to happen anyway, he had to risk the pain of disintegration to make love to her one last time.
He tipped her head up to look at him. “Jess, I want to make love to ye right now.”
She grinned. “That works for me.”
He smiled. “I hope ye dinna think of it as work.”
“Not at all. Hey, wait.” She pushed away from him.
“What is it?”
She looked around the room for the first time. “That bed.”
“Aye. What of it?”
She moved her finger to the bridge of her nose but there were no glasses to push up. “Where are my glasses?”
He opened his hands to the sides. “You dinna need them to see. You’ve had perfect sight since you arrived in the afterlife. You just never realized it.”
Her eyes widened. Then she squinted at him before her gaze roamed over his loose white shirt, purple- green-and-red kilt, and stocking feet. A smirk formed on her face. “Is it true what they say about what a man wears under his kilt?”
“And what is it they say, lass?”
She shook her head. “If you don’t know, I’m not telling. I’ll just have to find out for myself.”
He winked. “I think that be a good idea.” He took a step toward her.
“No wait.” She put her hand out.
“What now?” His cock was already hardening, just thinking of being inside her.
“That bed, is that the one, I mean have you, I guess, I don’t want to…”
His heart shimmied as he realized her concern. “Nay, I’ve no’ taken another woman in that bed. I’ve never even had a woman in this room besides my mother. Only you.”
Her relief was palpable.
He didn’t need to tell her this wasn’t his bedroom. He’d brought too many women into his bedroom. Jessica was special, far beyond what she could understand right now.
She wandered over to the large four-poster bed and touched the maroon and gold curtains tied back on one of the corners. Then she looked at the table next to the fireplace before returning her gaze to him. “This isn’t your bedroom. You may sleep here on occasion, but it’s not where you dress and go to sleep every night.”
Blast, the woman was perceptive. “Nay, it isn’t. This is the room I used when I wanted to be alone.”
She raised an eyebrow at him, a lovely sight to see without the glasses she usually wore.
“You want to know why I wanted to be alone?”
She nodded.
“If I tell ye, will ye get undressed?”
Jessica unbuttoned her top button and then the next one.
His mouth went dry as he tried to remember what he’d promised her. Oh aye, why he used the room.
Two more buttons were set free.
His gazed riveted to the cleavage now tantalizing him. His cock hardened further.
The last buttons were let loose and Jessica threw her blouse over the chair next to the table. “Duncan, you were saying?”
“Aye, I came up here when I needed to get away from everyone.”
Jessica pushed her skirt down and stepped out of it, then smirked. “That’s usually what alone means.”
Duncan forced himself to look away from her tantalizing body. “I came up here when I wanted to think and no’ be happy all the time. I was a second son, which meant my older brother had the weight of the world on his shoulders, but I was free to enjoy life. That’s why it was so disappointing when…” He swallowed, saying the words aloud harder than he expected.
Jessica’s arms came around him from behind as she pressed herself against his back. “When what?”
He’d never admitted his thoughts to anyone before. “When I realized I would never find the right woman to share it with.” He grasped her hands at his waist and held them. “I didn’t know she hadn’t been born yet.”
Jessica sighed. “I’m not sure which of us was worse, you for thinking you would never find love or me for deluding myself into believing I had found it.”
He opened her hands and turned around. She was naked and he sucked in a breath as he embraced her, her tart scent filling him with warmth. “And have you found it, Jess? Are you sure?”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, absolutely, positively, sure.”
He lowered his head and brushed her lips with his. He’d meant it to be a gentle kiss, but as their tongues entwined, he lost himself in the heady feeling of the woman he loved.
Just as his heart swelled, he felt her hands moving up his back beneath his shirt. The sensation of her soft fingers splayed across his skin made his heartbeat pick up speed. He broke their kiss and ran his hands over her back, finally cupping her rounded ass and pulling her tight against his kilt-covered cock.
“Ouch.” She tried to pull away. “What is that?”
He chuckled. He’d been so anxious to have her against him, he’d forgotten about his sporran. “Hold on, lass.” Quickly, he unhooked it and threw it on the table behind her. Before she could turn around and investigate his accessories further, he pulled her back into his arms.
“Now what was I doing? Oh, aye.” He grasped her naked ass and pulled her hips into him, pressing his erection behind the wool of his kilt, against her skin. It was frustrating and tantalizing at the same time.
“Oh, Duncan, you feel even harder when you’re solid.” Her hands came to his sides and she pulled at his shirt. “Please take this off. I want to feel you against me.”
Within a second he had his shirt over his head and tossed onto the floor. “Is that better?”
She ran her hands over his pectorals and as her fingers brushed across his nipples, he sucked in his breath. The need to be inside her had him clenching his hands. He wanted this to be perfect for her, for them.
She licked at his stomach. “I think I need to taste every nook and cranny of these hard abs of yours.”
“Abs?”
She licked again and he gritted his teeth to keep from picking her up and throwing her on the bed so he could take her.
“Abdominals. Those are what we call these muscles here.” She licked again.
“Jess, if ye dinna stop, I’ll have to enter ye right here on the table.”
She stilled. Then the little minx looked behind her as if considering his idea.
He growled and threw her over his shoulder. “That’s it. I canna wait another minute more.”
She laughed as he tossed her on the soft quilt.
His heart leapt at the sound of her joy. He wanted to hear that laughter forever…or as long as he had. Sobering, he knelt on the bed.
She sat up and faced him, a devilish gleam in her eye. “So let’s see exactly what a true Scotsman wears under his kilt.
Before he grasped her intent, her hand slipped beneath his tartan and took hold of his hard cock. His balls tightened at the feel of her warm hand clamping around him.
“Ah, so it is true. You wear nothing beneath. I’m so glad.” Even as her hand held him, she leaned forward and licked his right nipple. Blast, his body couldn’t grow any tighter.
“Jess, ye be playin’ with fire.”
She let go of him and pushed him to lie back. He acquiesced, more than a little curious as to what she was about.
“Ach, lass, so ye want to ride me do ye?”
Jessica shook her head. “I want to pleasure you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do ye, now?”
She grinned as she scooted down the bed to kneel at his feet. Her naked body—a vision to behold—kept him enthralled. Her firm breasts had light-colored areolas that boasted large nipples, which were hard, proving she was anxious to have him inside her. Past her belly was the tiny tuft of blonde hair he remembered from Loudon Hill, but she was solid now and that much more enticing.
“Now, I want you to just lie there while I have my way with you.”
Her smirk was too tantalizing to his heart. “So ye want me to lie here and simply accept the pleasures of Christmas Past?”
She laughed again. “That’s right. I’m the Spirit of Christmas Past and I plan to provide you with so much pleasure, you won’t be able to hold back.”
His cock jumped beneath his kilt even as his body prepared for her challenge. “I have complete control over my desire, lass.”
She licked her lips. “We’ll see.”
Duncan’s gut tightened at her words. Blast. His cock was already painfully hard for her. Exactly how experienced was she?
Jessica still couldn’t believe Mr. Distraction who’d become Mr. Obsession was now Mr. Soulmate. She was positive her existence couldn’t get any better.
The man lying before her, bare chested in a kilt and socks, was her daydream. That he loved her, filled her with awe. She wanted to show him exactly how much she loved him. He spent his life bringing pleasure to people, and way too many women in particular. It was time he was on the receiving end.
She put her hands on his knees and grinned as his legs tensed beneath her palms. Oh, she’d make the man lose control sooner than he thought. She moved her fingers down to his socks and her right hand encountered something hard. Confused, she leaned forward and pulled out a short knife. “What is this for?”
Duncan grinned as he held out his hand. “For whatever I need it for. To defend myself, to eat with if I’m outside, or to cut ropes that I might tie your hands with when I have my way with ye.”
Jessica’s breath caught as her pussy swelled. She’d never done anything like that before and was more than a bit shocked her body reacted like it did. She placed the blade in his hand. “I certainly don’t need it.” She smiled slyly. “You won’t keep me from doing whatever I want, right?”
Duncan’s grin faltered.
She congratulated herself on putting him in an interesting position.
Instead of answering her, he shrugged. But that was enough for her to know her time in control was of limited duration. She better get started.
She tried to pull the sock down over Duncan’s rock-hard calf, but it wouldn’t budge. His chuckle had her glancing up at him. “Now what? Why can’t I pull these down?”
“Have ye never undressed a Scotsman before?”
She gave him a look that made it clear his question was beyond ridiculous.
He stopped laughing at her and smiled, the love in his eyes turning her body to springtime slush.
“And glad I am that ye dinna have more experience.” He lifted his arms and settled his hands beneath his head as if he wouldn’t do a thing to help. “The socks are held up by garters underneath the fold where the purple flash is.”
She had noticed the little strip of purple, but had thought it sewn to the sock. Lifting up the top of the folded sock, she found the garter and untied it. The flash came off with it, and she was able to easily pull down the sock. She took it off Duncan’s foot and threw it to the side of the giant bed. Then she did the same with the other. When she finished, she looked at him, triumphant.
Duncan gazed at her like he was a starved bear and she a fresh salmon. She took a deep breath and licked her suddenly dry lips.
A low rumble came from Duncan’s chest, but he didn’t actually voice any thoughts. Her whole body tingled at the warning. He would only be patient for so long. She rethought her plan to undress him and instead moved her hands up his legs and under his kilt.
Purposefully, she bunched the material at his waist, his strong pine scent distracting her a moment before her gaze feasted on his cock and balls now in full view. Then she lowered her head and blew.
His cock jumped toward her. She didn’t dare grin or look at Duncan for fear he’d stop her playtime. Instead, she lowered her lips to the head of his erection and kissed the top.
Duncan’s thighs distracted her for a moment. They tensed, showing muscle definition like she’d only seen in pictures of bodybuilders. Shit, the man was honed. Having that strength at her command was a heady feeling, even if it was for only a few minutes.
She flicked her tongue out and encircled the entire ridge at his tip before encapsulating the head in her mouth. His cock was harder than stone, and she couldn’t resist licking up the underside, tracing the veins that pulsed there.
Her pussy wept at the knowledge she would soon have this beautiful specimen deep inside her and moisture seeped beyond her folds.
Daring a glance at him, she found his stare intense as he watched her mouth suck at only the top of his ready cock. She slowly let it glide into her mouth, watching as his abdominals turned to cliff ledges. Unable to resist, she raised her head and let the tip pop out of her mouth then leaned forward, brushing her nipple against his wet cock.
Duncan’s hands swooped down from beneath his head, but stopped just shy of touching her.
Since he didn’t grab her, she sucked on his tip again and then stroked it across her other breast, turning herself on far more than she’d planned. From the corner of her eye, she caught his hands making fists against the quilt.
All that strength, restrained, told her she did indeed play with fire, but in this case she couldn’t wait to get burned. Leaving his cock, she licked her way up the center crease of his stomach, letting her body slide against him, the soft wool of his kilt stimulating her skin.
She flicked one of his nipples with her tongue before she pulled it between her teeth and rolled it.
His chest rose as he took a deep breath.
Taking that as a sign he liked it, she moved to his other nipple and flicked and rolled that one too. Then she slid her body upward until her moist folds glided along Duncan’s erection and her nipples brushed across his chest before she kissed him.
Duncan’s tongue thrust into her mouth the second her lips touched his and her heart soared. Reflexively, she pushed her pelvis against his cock, loving the feel of her labia spreading as she rocked against him.
He pushed his hips up, hitting her clit with his erection, and she moaned.
Duncan’s hands wrapped around her as his growl filled her mouth and he spun her over onto her back.
She grasped the back of his head as he continued to plunder her mouth with his tongue and slid his cock against her clit.
When he pulled his lips away, she opened her eyes to look at him, not sure when she’d closed them. “That didn’t take long.” She couldn’t help the smirk that formed on her lips or the intake of breath at his hot gaze.
He quirked a brow. “I dinna want to disappoint ye.” He pushed his pelvis against hers. “Ye seemed so ready, I dinna want to make ye wait.”
She lost her smile. “Please, Duncan, don’t make me wait.”
His nostrils flared as his blue eyes darkened to cobalt. “Nay, Jess. I won’t.” His hips lifted and the head of his cock slid down from her clit to her opening. Without hesitation, he pushed into her.
She tightened around his welcome intrusion as he forced her sheath to widen and take him completely. When he’d reached his hilt, he angled his hips slightly and pressed a bit farther, sending liquid pleasure through every vein in her body. She wrapped her legs around him, resting her heels on the wool that covered his taut ass. “I love you inside me.”
He brushed a kiss across her lips. “I love ye.”
She stared into his eyes, mesmerized by the depth of his feeling for her. “I love you with everything I am.”
A soft grin lifted his lips. “I plan to take everything you are, right now.”
Before the shivers of anticipation had swept through her body at his words, he moved. His cock slid out and pushed back in while his eyes remained on hers.
Determinedly, she kept her gaze focused on his as his cock pumped in and out of her, the speed increasing at very slow increments, building the waves of excitement enveloping her body.
The intensity strengthened and still he watched her, even as both their bodies rocked against the bed with his thrusts. Her exhilaration built, tightening her passage even as he forced it open for his return.
His hips shifted, and he brushed his pubic hair against her clit.
Her eyes closed as the sensations converged, pushing her toward a precipice of ecstasy.
Duncan’s lips touched hers and she opened for him, clasping him to her as his tongue delved into her mouth. His chest crushed her breasts, pressing the rumpled kilt against her tummy while his cock rocked into her. Every part of her enveloped by him.
Taken. Loved. Pleasured. Her body erupted. Sweet bliss spread through her, sweeping her into pure joy, even as Duncan’s shout echoed in her ears. She held on to him like a person drowning, unwilling to be separated from him even in her moment of rapture.
When her heart finally slowed enough to allow her steady breathing, she opened her eyes to find her true love gazing at her, a soft smile on his face.
“Ye enjoyed that, aye?”
She gave him a faint nod and raised her hand to touch his cheek. “How could I not? To have the man I love bring me to paradise with him is absolute heaven.”
He blinked rapidly and turned his head to kiss her hand.
“Are you crying?” Her heart was complete mush that he could feel so much for her.
He shook his head, but still wouldn’t look at her. “Nay, ye are imagining things.”
Her heart grew full, more than willing to allow him to deny it. To take his mind from his embarrassment, she tightened her sheath around his cock still deep inside her, more than a little surprised by the spear of desire that shot to her core.
He looked at her with the seductive smile that was so him and her body tingled all over again. Already?
“Lass, I am sensing ye want more.” He eyed her with so much promise in his gaze, she found herself anxious to see what else he had in his bag of sexual tricks.
She gazed at him from beneath her lashes. “I’m anxious to benefit from your vast experience, but I don’t want to wear you out. I do realize you need a bit of time to recover.” She turned her head away just slightly and glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Maybe I should go below and find you some food to help you regain your strength?”
At first, Duncan frowned, his brows drawing together in confusion. Then he scowled before he broke into laughter.
His body’s vibrations on hers along with the thrill of hearing his laugh, had her seriously ready for him again.
When he’d gained control over his humor, he shook his head at her then suddenly pulled out.
Her groan issued forth without any direction from her.
He moved to the end of bed and grabbed his socks. Did he really need to get dressed to go to the kitchen?
But he didn’t put the socks on, instead he crawled up the bed and took one of her hands and kissed it. Then he licked her palm, sending tingles down her arm and straight to her breasts.
He stopped and stared at her hardened nipples, causing her to squirm. She used her other hand to plump her breast. “This is your fault.”
He chuckled as he grasped that hand in his and pulled it above her head next to the other one.
Heat pooled in her abdomen as he tied her hands together. “What are you doing?”
Ignoring her question, he leaned forward and pulled the rope holding the curtains back. In no time he’d tied it to headboard then tied the other end to her wrapped hands above her head.
The wool sock was soft against her skin, but when she tried to escape it, it wouldn’t budge though the length did stretch a bit. “Duncan?” She tried not to sound too worried, but being tied was not within her realm of experience.
“Is that too tight, lass?”
“No, it’s fine, but what are you doing?”
“I’m going to pleasure you until you can’t move.”
“Do you need to use ropes to do that?” Panic seeped into her voice, though she tried to control it.
His eyes widened and moved back to look in her eyes. “Lass, ye ken I would never hurt ye, right?”
Now that she had his full attention, she relaxed a little. “I know you wouldn’t on purpose, but I’ve never done this before.”
His eyes lit with excitement. “Then allow me to initiate ye. I promise ye will enjoy it. I have so much I want to teach ye.”
His own excitement communicated itself to her body, but her mind was still skittish. “I don’t know.”
He grinned. “Ye do remember how to phase, right?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course I d—Oh, right.” Crap, she must look stupid. If she wanted to, she could just phase out of the ropes.
He grinned as he lowered his head and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. At the zing of excitement that hit her pussy, she went to grasp his head in her hand, but she couldn’t. The helpless feeling that flowed from her brain throughout her body spiked her desire twofold. Oh yes, she was definitely sold on all his experience now.
He started to nibble, and she arched into his mouth. He pulled at the hardened nub before letting it pop from between his teeth. “See?” He grinned, perfectly confident in his ability to please her.
Her lips went dry at the thought of all his experience being brought to use on her…while tied. “I do.”
He stood at the end of the bed and unbelted his kilt. After unwrapping it and throwing it on the table, he faced her. His cock stood rigid.
She swallowed hard at the sight of him and the knowledge he was ready for her so soon. She just needed to be patient and see where he would bring her to next.
He crawled onto the bed like a lion, every sinewy muscle moving in concert and setting her heart to fluttering.
Duncan lay next to her on his side. “Ye are so bonnie, Jess. I canna believe ye are mine.”
Her blood heated as his gaze roamed over her chest. “I can’t believe you’re mine, though I can’t touch you to prove it.” Maybe he would take the hint.
“Ye dinna need to prove it, but I do.” He moved his hand across her stomach before cupping one breast. “I want to show ye the pleasure of surrender.”
Jessica’s folds thickened at his words and her body turned to jelly. “What if I don’t want to surrender?”
His lips quirked. “Believe me, Jess. Ye do.” Duncan moved his hand over her breast, and with one large finger circled her nipple, causing her areola to pucker. Then he flicked his finger across her hardened tip, which sent tingles racing straight to her core.
She tried to pull her hands down, but the soft wool held her tight.
Duncan left that breast to give the other the same attention, first teasing her nipple by circling it with one finger then flicking it, causing her pussy to moisten more. Then he stuck his finger in his mouth, before rubbing it over her hard bud. When he blew across her nipple, she arched with desire, wanting more than anything for him to suck. As much as she wanted to pull him to her, she couldn’t.
Duncan must have read her mind because he leaned over and licked her nipple, lapping it, circling it.
Her sheath moistened with need and she arched as far as she could, pushing her breast against his mouth. He opened his lips around it and sucked, hard.
She squeaked.
He let up on the suction and looked at her, her nipple still in his mouth.
She nodded at his unspoken question. Then she grasped the socks holding her wrists.
He returned his attention to her nipple and again sucked hard. Need shot through her and moisture flooded her folds. He let go suddenly and she relaxed in the bed, unaware she had arched her chest toward him.
After tickling her hard nipple with his tongue he moved to the other one. He held that breast firmly and lowered his mouth.
She held her breath, anxious for the spike of need, already addicted to his skill.
He closed his mouth over her and gently sucked.
She arched toward him, now wanting the hard suction he’d shown her he offered. Instead, the man loosed his lips from her breast and lapped at her nipple. She gritted her teeth to keep from asking him for what she wanted. Instead, she stared at the cloth covering overhead and focused on the tiny tingles coming from his tongue.
His mouth covered her nipple and sucked hard.
She would have come off the bed with pleasure if he didn’t have one large hand splayed over her stomach. When he stopped all suction and looked at her, she pouted. “So not fair.”
He smirked. “I’m in charge this time.”
A deep fluttering started in her abdomen at his words. She was so screwed…literally, and thrilled by that. But if he knew she looked forward to it, would it be as fun? She shrugged as if it didn’t really matter, knowing he’d take it as a challenge. “Do what you will.” She gave an exaggerated sigh as if she didn’t expect much.
“I plan to.” His serious face sent more moisture to pool in her pussy. Suddenly, she had a feeling she may not be up to all he planned. I can always phase if I want. The thought helped her relax.
As Duncan trailed his fingers across her rib cage, over her belly and into the tuft of hair on her mons, she held her breath. When his fingers dipped between her legs, past her clit, she tilted her pelvis toward his hand. He didn’t disappoint as his finger found the wetness in her folds and brought it to cover her clit.
She spread her legs, hoping his finger would accept her invitation to dive inside her opening, but he didn’t. His fingers continued to coat her clit as they circled it, causing her muscles to tense as her excitement built.
Desperate for release, she bent her knees, and gripping the rope above her hands, lifted her pelvis from the bed.
Duncan’s hand immediately left her body and he shook his head. “It isna for ye to seek your pleasure, but to allow me to give it to ye.”
She moaned. “But I’m so close.”
“I ken, lass. I ken.” His smile proved he was pleased with his abilities to bring her to the edge of an orgasm. “But ye need to let go.”
She swallowed hard to keep from whining. Instead, she simply nodded.
Duncan smiled and lay down next to her again, only this time, he turned her on her side as well and pulled her body tight against him.
Feeling his erection press against her ass gave her some patience. If Duncan was hard, it shouldn’t be too long before he would thrust inside her.
“I think I could play in bed with ye for a full day.”
Just the thought of Duncan making love to her for an entire day had her sighing. “That sounds wonderful.”
His hand found her breasts again. With her hands above her head, she was helpless to do anything as he rolled her nipples, one after the other, causing her sheath to constrict in pleasure. Back and forth he went, sending lightning from each nipple to her core with every roll then moving to the other breast and doing the same. It was sweet torture and her heart raced. Finally, she couldn’t take any more, her pussy flooding with wetness. “Please, Duncan.”
His hand didn’t leave her. Instead, he continued to roll her nipples, one after the other without stopping, even as he whispered against her ear, “I am pleasing ye.”
His breath brushed the sensitive skin of her neck and a shiver raced through her body. She took a deep breath, pressing her breast against his hand.
He stopped rolling and grasped her whole breast and gently kneaded it. The sudden lack of stimulation gave her a chance to recover her breaths, but her body was tense with need.
Duncan’s hand moved down her stomach and over her mons again. But this time his finger didn’t stop. It thrust straight into her opening and she sighed with the promise of release.
But that wasn’t Duncan’s plan. He cupped her mons with his palm and with his finger deep inside her, he pulled her pelvis against him, pressing her ass into his cock where it nestled between her cheeks. Then one of his legs hooked her leg against the bed, holding her immobile except for her other leg.
“Lass, I love everything about ye, including this delectable body. I want to bury my cock inside your wet passage and stay there for eternity.”
His words sent her pulse racing again, but it was nothing compared to when his finger left her pussy and circled her clit.
She bucked as sweet need coursed through her veins and centered at her core.
As his finger played against her clit, Duncan’s cock rubbed against her ass. She held on to the rope holding her tied hands together as if it could keep her from being swept away by pure bliss.
Then Duncan moved himself lower and pushed her free leg up with his hand.
“I canna wait any longer to be inside ye.”
Before the thrill of Duncan’s need for her had settled in her consciousness, his cock penetrated her opening from behind and he thrust inside her, pushing her tight walls wide, pressing into her until he could go no farther.
Her breath caught at the sensation of finally being filled, but her relief was short-lived. Suddenly the feeling disappeared. How could that be when she hadn’t moved? “Duncan, what ha—”
The fullness returned, surprising her and she squeaked.
“Do ye like that”
“What did you do?”
He chuckled against her back. “I phased my dick then solidified it again.”
Her sheath contracted around him. “Oh wow. I didn’t know anyone could phase just part of their body.”
“I don’t know if others can too. It’s just something I experimented with after phasing became so easy. Do you like it?”
“Absolutely.” She grinned as the fullness inside her vanished again. Breathless, she waited to feel the sudden intrusion, and then it came. “Oh.”
Duncan’s hand moved back to her clit and began its play again, only this time there was purpose to the pattern, sending shock after shock of pleasure pulsing into her core and tightening her passage around his cock.
Then there was nothing. He built her tension and suddenly her tightness was spread wide again. Her pleasure rebounded against him, revving her body faster and higher.
He held her tight to him, unmoving as he played her. She gripped the rope holding her hands over her head like a lifeline as her whole body tensed and her pussy tightened against nothing, preparing for release.
Duncan’s fingers teased her clit, her nub striking sparks of need into her belly and spreading like a wildfire. Then without warning, Duncan’s cock filled her pussy a scant second before his hips pulled back and he slammed into her.
Her world exploded.
Duncan gritted his teeth as Jess’s passage squeezed him and pulsed against him, pulling at his control. But he held on, focusing on his finger movement across her clit and holding her bucking hips against him.
As her breathing slowed to a more normal pattern, he grasped her about the waist and held her.
“That was amazing.” Her voice came out scratchy, husky and she cleared her throat. “I have never experienced anything like that…ever.”
He smiled with pride though she couldn’t see him. “There is so much more I want you to experience.”
Her breath caught. A telltale sign she was ready to explore all he could show her. If only he had eternity. His mind told him he was on borrowed time, but his heart refused to yield.
Pulling out from her wet warmth, he stifled a groan.
“Where are you going?” Her voice revealed her disappointment in their separation.
Good, because he couldn’t hold back much longer. “I just need to untie ye.” He moved up and quickly loosened the sock, allowing her hands to slide free.
She pulled them down and rolled her shoulders. “I didn’t realize how exciting it could be, not to have the use of my hands.”
He rolled her onto her stomach and massaged her shoulders, trying to ignore how close his cock was to her ass. “I am pleased you enjoyed it.”
“Hmm, I enjoy this too.”
His hands refused to remain on her shoulders and instead they drifted down her back, massaging as they went. When he finally reached her ass cheeks, he couldn’t help massaging them as well. He forced his hands to move to her thighs, spreading them, revealing her moist entrance. He couldn’t wait a second longer.
“I need you.” His voice rasped with his craving.
“Then take me.”
His body reacted to her words and primal instinct took over. Lifting her hips, he plunged into her opening.
Her sheath welcomed him, tightening around him when he reached her end. “Yesss.”
Her hiss was his final undoing. He let his body claim her, rock into her as it was meant to, making her his. When she screamed her pleasure, his heart burst with love even as his seed flooded her core.
When her panting had slowed, he pulled out, her moan of disappointment a balm to his soul. It was so hard to believe she loved him in return.
He lay on his back and pulled her to cuddle against him, his emotions far too close to the surface for him to bury them.
She pushed herself up onto his chest and brushed her lips across his.
He gazed into her eyes, letting the depth of his feeling show.
“Duncan, are you all right?”
He blinked at the water stinging his eyes. “Aye. I just canna believe I found ye.”
Jessica’s own eyes teared up. “And I you, but we did, and just in time.”
A shiver ran through his body. It had been too close. He hugged her to him, determined to continue touching her until he was taken away.
* * * * *
Jessica listened to the sound of Duncan’s heartbeat, so steady it could put her to sleep as she lay with her head on his chest, but a question still floated in her mind. “Duncan?”
“Aye.”
“You said you had loved once in your lifetime. Who was it?”
At his quiet chuckle, she lifted her head to look at him.
His arm squeezed her tight for a moment. “You aren’t jealous are you, Jess?”
She shrugged, trying to appear unconcerned, but it did make her nervous. If he had loved and remembered that love, would he search the woman out in the afterlife now that he’d remembered?
He pushed her hair away from her face. “She was a bonny, wee thing. All she had to do was smile at me and I was smitten.”
“Oh.” She didn’t like the sound of that.
His smile grew wider. “But I could watch her sleep for hours, no need for her to put forth any effort.”
Okay, now he was just rubbing it in. She lifted herself up on one arm. “You’re not making me feel better.”
His laugh caught her off guard.
“Jess, there is no need for jealousy. The lass I loved was my baby daughter.”
Oh wow, she’d never even thought about the possibility that he had children. Based on his lover boy ways, there were probably dozens. “Did your family accept her? I mean, you were never married so…”
His brows lowered and his face grew serious. “They better have.”
“What do you mean?”
He lifted his chin, stretching his neck like he did when he wore the “blasted” t-shirt. “The first time I met my daughter I knew she was mine. The woman I had been with was no’ the type to do what she did with me.”
“You mean have sex?”
He frowned. “Aye. I was trying to spare your feelings.”
“Don’t. It happened in the past, while you were alive.” She gave him an encouraging smile, not because she wanted details about his daughter’s mother, but because she wanted to know about his daughter.
“The woman was widowed and when she found herself with child she moved away from her village. But once my daughter was born, she realized she couldn’t support her on her meager income and sent for me.”
He paused and a look of pure happiness filled his face. “She had named her Isabella. When I looked down on Bella’s face and her little hand grasped my finger in her sleep, I knew she was mine.”
The look on Duncan’s face caused a lump to form in Jessica throat. He had so much love to give. Everyone, including herself, including him, had done him a disservice by accepting the Duncan he presented to the world, instead of looking deeper to the amazing man he was. “So you took her home?”
He blinked, obviously lost in his memory. “I wanted to, but first I had to tell my family, prepare a room and hire a nursemaid. Since my brother had yet to marry and have children, my parents were happy to have a little one. Of course, she wouldn’t inherit anything, but she was to be given a sizeable dowry, so she could marry well.” His brows lowered in concern.
“But you never got to see her marry, did you?”
“No. Once all was ready for Bella, I sent for her. She and her mother were almost at the castle. I was anxious and rode out to meet them at the bridge across the burn. But we’d had weeks of rain and as the carriage came along the road next to the overfull burn, the embankment gave out and the carriage tipped.”
“Oh, no!” Jessica’s heart ached, afraid to hear what befell little Bella.
Duncan squeezed her waist again, as if keeping her close helped him relive his memory, so she laid her head down again, but kept her gaze on his face.
“Bella’s mother and the coachmen were thrown partially into the water, but Bella slipped from her mother’s arms and into the raging burn.” He looked down at Jessica. “I’ve only felt that kind of terror one other time in my existence and that was when you were fading into a ghost.”
Her heart expanded with love and tears filled her eyes. “Please tell me you were able to save Bella like you saved me.”
He touched her cheek with his knuckles. “Aye, I did. I jumped into the burn and lifted my fair Bella out of the freezing water and handed her to the coachman. But my body had gone numb and when the branch I held broke, I was swept away. I died saving her.”
She lay her cheek against his chest and hugged him tight. Relieved and yet overwhelmed by the man who was now hers. “Now that you remember, will you contact her here? I think I’d like to meet her.”
“Jess.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “I would like to, but I don’t think I will have time. I was almost taken when I saved you too, but I refused to go. I wanted more than anything to experience this love we have found. I promise you, it is not common.”
“What do you mean you were almost taken?” She leveraged herself up to make sure he was serious. He was.
Duncan looked away. “I am no’ sure how much time I have left.”
“What do you mean? It’s not like you’re going to die and you are certainly not turning into a ghost.”
The need in his gaze when he returned it to her took her breath away. “I want to stay with you for eternity, Jess. But…”
Now he was truly scaring her. “But what?”
A figure floated through the wall.
“Ack!” She dove under the covers as Cameron Douglas solidified.
Duncan sat up. “What are you doing here? We finished our assignment.”
Cameron leaned against the bed post. “Almost.”
A growl issued from Duncan and she glanced at him. He was seriously angry.
“I dinna give a faerie’s ass if we haven’t finished, ye canna float in here and scare Jessica.”
“Actually, I can. You see, it’s time for you to move on.”
She sat up, pulling the quilt with her. “I don’t think so. He’s staying with me.”
Duncan ran his hand down her arm. “It’s all right, Jess.”
“No, it isn’t.” She glared at Cameron. “Exactly where do you expect him to move on to?”
Duncan looked at Cameron. “Let me tell her.” He turned back to her, but her heart was already breaking.
“Those ‘headaches’ I’ve had grew a lot worse. It was part of my soul ceasing to exist. I dinna want to go, though. Now that I have you, I want to stay with you.”
“I certainly hope so.” Cameron scowled. “Because she’s going with you.”
Duncan threw back the covers and had his hands around Cameron’s neck before she could react. “Duncan!”
Cameron phased. Duncan did too but a split second behind, which gave Cameron the opportunity to escape. He backed up two steps, laughing as he held his hands out in front of him to ward off Duncan. “No, no, Duncan she’s not going there with you.”
Duncan halted in midstride, his hands fisted at his sides. “Explain yourself.”
“I will if you just give me a chance.” Cameron took a second to catch his breath. “You were right, you were ceasing to exist, but you won’t anymore.”
Jessica wasn’t following. “Why?”
Cameron smiled. “Because you love him and he returns that love.”
She looked at Duncan and he looked at her.
“May I?” Cameron indicated the chair by the table. At Duncan’s nod, Cameron moved her clothes to the table and sat. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you, but I have even more rules than Spirit Guides.”
Duncan took the couple steps back that brought him to the end of the bed where he sat and she scooted next to him, entwining her hand with his.
Cameron continued. “Any soul on this plane is here because he or she has not come to terms with his or her life.” He looked at her. “For you, it was your regret. So many cases you wished you could have helped. You even regretted the cases you didn’t live to get.”
She squirmed. He was right there.
“You also regretted at the same time not marrying the man you were in love with because you were so involved with your work.”
“You mean the man I thought I was in love with. But that wasn’t love. You made that far too clear in my visits with Holly.”
Cameron did look sorry. “And you, my friend.”
Duncan raised an eyebrow, clearly revealing his doubt about them being friends.
Cameron sighed. “I know I was hard on you, but I had to be. When I first met you, I thought you were an anomaly. You were not only the oldest soul here but you were also the one who didn’t appear to have any issues with your life.”
Duncan squeezed her hand, but didn’t remove his gaze from Cameron.
“That made no sense. Then when you had the episode when you finally won the bet against me on the Rangers game, I knew something was wrong so I asked Remiel some pointed questions.”
Duncan tensed. “You asked Remiel?”
“I did. I was that worried.”
She couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Who’s Remiel?”
Duncan whispered in her ear, “He is an arch angel.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what to make of that. She hadn’t realized angels were real. Then again, she was a newbie to the afterlife, so she cut herself some slack. “So what did you learn?”
“That Duncan’s soul was disintegrating.”
“What?” She looked at Duncan for confirmation and he gave the slightest nod. “That was your headaches?”
“Aye, but they were a tad more painful. They lessened when I phased, but then I started to drift apart. When your connection to Holly grew too strong, I was forced to solidify in order to discover where and when you two had gone. I found if I suffered the pain, the darkness stayed away.”
Duncan turned to Cameron. “But when I was trying to save Jessica, I couldn’t solidify on the living plane, yet the blackness disappeared.”
Cameron nodded. “Yes, because you finally remembered that your one significant regret was not having loved, so when Jessica told you she loved you and you believed that, you came to terms with your life.”
“So I’m no’ in danger of disappearing forever?”
Cameron shook his head. “No, you’re not.”
“Does that mean I can search out my daughter?” Duncan squeezed her hand, his anxiousness clear.
“Yes.” Cameron smiled. “In fact, both you and Jessica have attained peace.”
She had? She searched for that feeling of needing to help and not being able to and didn’t find it. Her wish to know love had been completely fulfilled by Duncan. She looked at this man from a totally different country and a totally different century and was awestruck they had ever found each other. “Wait, how did you know making Duncan my mentor would save him?”
Cameron shrugged. “I didn’t, not for sure. But I’d seen the women he’d been with and none of them were like you, so I hoped. You were my only chance to save Duncan and your connection to my wife was the perfect way to help you understand your place among the living.”
“But I almost turned into a ghost!”
Her supervisor had the grace to redden. “I admit, my plan wasn’t perfect. I misjudged exactly how connected you were to your cases and overestimated Duncan’s ability to charm you.”
She glared at him a moment longer, but couldn’t stay mad. In the end, she’d found peace and Duncan, or maybe it was the other way around. But she still had one question. “Duncan remembered how he died, but I thought we couldn’t remember that.”
Duncan looked down at her. “I was wrong. Because I couldn’t remember, I assumed we weren’t allowed to, but you can.” He looked at Cameron. “Right?”
Cameron nodded.
“How did I die? I know I wasn’t sick or anything. So it had to be an accident or some fluke event.”
Cameron nodded.
Duncan leaned down and whispered in her ear, “He’s not allowed to tell you.”
“Oh.” Jessica tightened her hold on the quilt. “I’m leaning toward accident, most likely a car accident because I was forever driving to clients apartments over half the state.
Again Cameron nodded.
She tried to focus. She could picture herself on a highway, maybe interstate 95. No, that didn’t feel right. She got off the highway onto another road. “Yes, I was on a road but it was way off the highway, but still well tarred.” She looked at Duncan. “Some of the roads I traveled were dirt. But this wasn’t.”
Again Cameron nodded.
“Oh, I remember thinking how beautiful it was. The evergreens everywhere. The only sign of civilization was the telephone poles along the side of the road and an occasional home or trailer.”
Jessica stilled. “Telephone poles.” She saw the pole come at her fast. “I drove into a telephone pole?”
Cameron grinned. “Yes, but why?”
She forced herself to envision the ride. What did she remember seeing? It wasn’t that she was sleepy. She’d been very alert. She didn’t want to hit an animal if it— “A bear. It was a bear.” She looked up at Duncan. “It was a baby black bear and I swerved to avoid hitting it and I crashed into the telephone pole.”
He grinned at her. “I didn’t realize you helped animals as well as people.”
She smiled as a tear fell down her cheek. “Did I avoid it?” She looked to Cameron.
“Yes, you did.”
She took a deep breath as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Everything made sense now. Everything was right. “Thank you. I feel so much better now that I know.”
“I’m glad. And what about you, my friend?” Cameron raised one eyebrow. “Did you remember everything?”
Duncan nodded. “I did.”
“What about Bella, Duncan’s daughter?” She looked at the man she loved. “Do you want to know?”
He turned to Cameron, his voice quiet. “Can you tell me?”
“Yes, I can. Isabella Montgomerie married Robert Hamilton and they had a brood of little Hamiltons.”
Jessica sensed the tension leave Duncan’s body. “Do you know if she married for love?”
Cameron nodded. “Yes, she did. Her dowry allowed her the pick of the men in the area.” He moved his gaze to Duncan. “You’re sacrifice enabled her to have a long life.”
Duncan nodded, but he didn’t say a word.
Jessica squeezed his hand, too pleased for him. “I’m so glad we know now.”
“That’s why you can move on.”
Duncan tensed. “What do you mean move on?”
Cameron stood and walked over to put his hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “I mean that after all the time you have been here and helped others to find peace, the gates of paradise are now open to you, my friend. They are open to both of you. You may continue on together for eternity now.”
Jessica felt the truth of his words in her heart and her eyes teared. She glanced at Duncan, who stared at Cameron in surprise before his own eyes watered and he stood.
“Thank you, Cameron. For helping me remember and forcing me to see the love that was in front of me.” He gave Cameron a hug.
When the men separated, Cameron leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for all you did for my wife. I knew you could help.”
She smiled through her tears. “She is a wonderful woman.”
“Yes, she is.” The sorrow that was so much a part of Cameron’s spirit seemed to return full force. As if he sensed her need to help him he held out his hand and laughed. “Oh, no you don’t. I’m perfectly happy to wait for Holly. You two go on.”
Duncan pulled her out of the bed.
“Duncan, I have no clothes on!”
He grinned. “Ach, lass, where we’re going we dinna need clothes. Besides, would ye rather spend eternity with me clothed or naked?” He gave her a devilish smile.
“Definitely naked.”
“That’s my Jess.” He brushed her hair off her shoulders and pulled her against him. Then he tipped her head and gave her a heart-searing kiss.
Pure joy filled her heart as they drifted into paradise. “Oh, wow!”