Chapter 12

Lightning filled the sky as Niall leaned against the window and waited for Ran to come out of the stable. Trees swayed and bowed as rain slammed into the castle but Niall wasn’t worried. Ran rode into the storm on the back of his demon horse, Kelpie, and there wasn’t a force on earth that could defeat them as the beast thundered over the hills. Ran swore Kelpie was as docile as a puppy but he was the largest horse Niall had ever seen and he was as dark as the bánánach, the terrible warrior spirits that haunted the battlefields in his grandmother’s tales. But the kelpies were the fierce water spirits of the lochs and suited Ran’s mood as he marched out of the house after dinner. Niall knew Ran needed the wrath of the storm and the chill in his bones to suppress enough of the frustration and disappointment to get through another day.

Ran was exhausted and battered as he limped out of the stable and rolled the door shut. He headed for the terrace and the back door and Niall hurried across the room and eased his door open so he could peek into the hall. Niall shut his eyes and listened as Ran pulled himself up the stairs. He was quiet but his steps were wet and heavy as he climbed. Niall was hidden by the shadows as another flash of lighting lit up the gallery and Ran was haggard and wild as he watched the stained glass windows. His hair was plastered to his head and water dripped down his face and beard as his clothes hung from his body. He was still large and potent but he was battle worn and haunted.

Ran was descended from the same class of warrior as the bánánach, traces of their ruthless loyalty, bravery and dominance lingered in his blood. It was why he was reckless and wild as a child and could only be tamed by horses. Ruling and claiming was in his nature but he’d suppressed it out of obligation to his family and his love for Niall. It was tearing Ran apart. He could feel that Isla and Simon were a cancer in his house and he couldn’t claim the one thing he wanted. He was shackled and mercilessly whipped by his loyalty and obligations and he coped by riding out to face the storm’s fury and surviving.

Ran turned toward his rooms and Niall ached to go after him. Niall was losing him. After so many years and so many men, Ran’s heart was drifting. As much as he’d hoped for Ran’s freedom and pushed him toward it, it stung. It gnawed at Niall’s soul that another man’s name haunted Ran’s lips. He could see someone else’s face reflected in Ran’s eyes and Niall was the one who pushed him straight into his arms. Niall had no one to blame but himself.

Ran pulled his coat and shirts over his head as he headed for his room and Niall was in terrible pain as the long, corded muscles of his back and shoulders twisted and flexed. His jeans were soaked and heavy and were already sliding, revealing just the hint of his taut, round ass as he kicked open his door and Niall bit into his lip to keep from crying out to him. Niall quietly eased the door shut and pressed his hands and forehead to it as he imagined Ran’s clothes sliding from his body. They dropped in sagging heaps as he made his way to his bathtub. Ran had the master bathroom expanded because he didn’t need the extra closet and dressing room. He would never have a Lady Lachlan and decided the space was better spent on an oversized tub and a shower he could actually fit in. All the bathrooms at Gallahide were modern and comfortable, aside from their size. The main part of the castle was built during the Tudor period and the bathrooms were…an afterthought. Many were tight, irregularly shaped and the ceilings could be low. Niall thought his bathroom had character and he loved the view of the loch from the narrow window. He’d only seen Ran’s bathroom once but Niall knew it was his habit to soak away the cold and the aches after a long, hard ride.

Niall raised his head and listened carefully but all he could hear was the storm. It howled as longing raged within him. He backed away from the door then turned and went to his bed. He climbed beneath the quilt and tried to recall the last sentence he’d wrote for his paper so he could formulate the next but his brain followed Ran as he lowered into steam then groaned as he sat back and rested his head on the edge of the tub. Niall shut his eyes and stepped out of his pajama pants as he crossed Ran’s bathroom. His heart raced as Ran smiled and reached for him. Niall’s hand tightened around his erection and he shrank and hid deeper beneath the covers. Ran was sacred as Niall stroked his cock and lapped and sucked at his lips. Intense heat swirled in Niall’s groin as Ran’s fingers gripped, squeezed and claimed. Niall worshiped Ran’s erection with his hands as they kissed and writhed in the tub. He worshiped Ran’s cock nightly and it found him in his dreams. He tried to be discreet, but Ran could have had a third leg sewn into his jeans and trousers, it was obvious to everyone within a five-mile radius when he was aroused. The damn thing had a mind of its own and it kicked Niall in the ass or shoved his thigh whenever Ran pulled him into his arms. It was the third person in their relationship and Niall fantasized about falling asleep with it in his arms.

Desire washed over Niall and it was brutal as it pulled him under. Pulsing pressure gripped his sack as Ran’s cock pushed deep into his core, filling him with hard heat. Niall turned his head and bit into his pillow and a desperate sob climbed and clawed its way out of his throat. He smothered it as his hand twisted as it pulled at his shaft and he rode Ran in the tub. Water spilled over the sides and steam and tears clung to their lashes as they devoured each other with their hands, lips and tongues. Pleasure, pressure and heat swirled and swelled until Niall was taut and his breath hissed in and out of his teeth. Ran’s head fell back as Niall’s name poured from his lips and there was a hot burst of pressure in his ass that seeped and spread until the pressure in his hand became too large and real and the fantasy was gone. Cum poured over Niall’s fingers, making them slick then sticky as his hand tugged at his length and he was alone again. Pain and loathing chased away any traces of pleasure and relief and Niall rolled and pushed his face into the pillow to muffle the tears and ragged cries. He fell asleep praying Ran found peace but he left none for Niall as he followed him into his dreams.