Page 48 of Nyall

Caroline grew uneasy. “They screwed with a kid like that?”

“Unfortunately, yes. In that time, no one lived much past thirty, so the Pritani regarded ten-year-olds as grown men. Some of the remaining tribes still do.” She grimaced. “The chieftain has been fighting the effects of what they did to him ever since he came back to the clan. We hope someday to find a cure, but for now, all we can do is be supportive.”

“He and your husband had the same mom, right? I guess that factored in when the laird decided it was okay for me to live here, too,” Caroline said, and saw her flinch. “It’s not a problem. I’d do the same for family. I’ll also try my best to stay out of the man’s way.”

“Thank you for understanding.” She gave her a genuine smile. “I hope someday you and I can become friends, but for now, please think of me as a friendly ally. If you need anything for your new home, just say the word.” She winked. “The guy in charge here will do just about anything for me.”

After Valerie left, Caroline went back to work, but she also thought a lot about what the other woman had said. The three of them were going to attract a lot of unwanted attention, which might cause problems for both men. What was supposed to be simple and easy was becoming even more complicated now. Then there was the whole deal with Shaw.

Why can’t everyone mind their own business? This was why she’d always avoided making friends and joining groups, because people like Connal and Valerie thought they had the right to tell her what to do.

Yet even as she thought that, Caroline knew she was being unreasonable. The laird’s wife had been careful and respectful, and considering both situations, she wasn’t asking a lot. They had also let her finally move out of the castle. Now that Caroline had decided to stay in the twelfth century on this island, she needed to at least get along with the clan. That Connal had given her permission to live in this house for his brother’s benefit needled her a little, but it still worked in her favor, too. He’d likely also asked his wife to talk to her.

So what if he did? I’m not the easiest person to talk to, and he has to keep the peace, even with me.

Caroline knew she needed to let go of the anger that had gripped her since Rich had left her to die. She’d said as much to Nyall and Jamaran at the maze, but the truth was she still burned with resentment. Valerie and everyone else who got in her way became targets because she hadn’t coped with all the pent-up outrage.

She needed to finish this, tonight.

Walking over to the hearth, she removed the pearl stud earrings her partner had given her for her birthday, the final reminder she had of Rich. That had been their last date, when he’d taken her out for dinner and drinks on her birthday. When he’d tried to settle the bill his credit card had been declined, and he’d sheepishly admitted to being over his limit. Out of sympathy she’d paid for her own birthday meal. She had been truly surprised when he’d handed her the unwrapped box and promised to upgrade them to diamonds someday. Had he been thinking about killing her even then? she wondered.

She glanced down at the earrings, and then tossed them into the flames.

“I was good to you. Better than I’ve been to any man.” Seeing the tiny pearls blackening in the fire made something tight and hard inside her melt away. “You decided to murder me just so you could keep treasure you didn’t even have all to yourself. So, okay, it’s done. I survived. Maybe you’ll live a charmed life and die when you’re ninety. Or maybe you’ll spend the rest of your days looking over your shoulder, unable to sleep through the night or trust anyone while you wait for the cops to find out what you did. I just don’t care anymore.”

When a charred piece of wood fell down and covered the pearls, she hoped she had buried her anger with them.

The sound of someone walking up to the cottage made her go to the door. When she opened it she expected to see Jamaran, but instead saw Nyall. He carried a big tartan under one arm and held a bundle of firewood wrapped in heavy cord. For once his hair, which he usually wore tied back, hung around his face, creating shadows that made his handsome features look almost dangerous. He looked at her for a long time before he placed the plaid and the wood on her doorstep.

“The nights, they’re still cold. I’ll send some vassals on the morrow so they may clean the old chimney.” He started to turn away.

Someone else needed to deal with their anger, Caroline thought. Maybe she could help him with that.

“I need you more.” That stopped him in his tracks. “Come on, don’t go. You just got here, and it’s my first official night in my own place.”

Nyall’s shoulders went rigid. “Doubtless Jamaran shall come later. You wished him come tonight, no’ me.”

“That’s not true.” She’d hurt him that much, Caroline realized, hating herself now for being such a bitch to him earlier. “He’s not you. I want you.”

Still he didn’t move. “Take care, my lady. You dinnae ken what you ask.”

“Don’t I?” Caroline went to him, slipping her arms around his waist and resting her cheek against his broad back. “I’m not asking you to marry me, or even like me. I just want to be with you. Can’t you–”

Before she could finish what she was saying he pulled her hands apart, turned and lifted her off her feet to kiss her. With that he clearly showed her his desperation, anger, and all the things that had been simmering between them since she’d first kissed him on the cliff stairs. He kicked open the door to the cottage and carried her inside, falling with her onto the narrow bed, which groaned and shook under their combined weight.

He’s finally letting go, Caroline thought, completely dazzled.

Nyall didn’t give her time to take a breath as he straddled her and tore open her leine, filling his hands with her breasts as he watched her face. “’Tis what you want, so I shall give you all of me, then.”

She’d never really let go with a lover before now; even when they had been with Jamaran she’d held back, afraid to surrender herself. “Okay, but that means I get to do the same.”

Caroline didn’t care if she ended up covered in bruises, but instead of being rough Nyall lavished her with wild passion. His hands moved over her as if she were an instrument and he was playing her, tugging on her nipples and squeezing her bottom and stroking her between her legs. His mouth never stopped kissing and licking and biting her, so hungry and relentless she nearly came as he ravished her breasts. At some point he got them both naked, and then drew her up on her knees, lifting her off the mattress to position her over his cock, and then shoving her down, filling her with one savage, gorgeous stroke.

She dragged her nails down his back as he bit her shoulder, her body practically gushing with her arousal.

“Don’t you dare stop,” she murmured against his ear.

Nyall made a guttural sound as he started pumping in and out of her, first pressing her against the wall by the bed and then dropping her on her back. He hooked her legs over his shoulders as he pressed deeper, thrusting so hard now she came almost helplessly around his rampant shaft. He muttered against her mouth, urging her on even as he fucked her, and she twisted her fingers in his thick hair as she met every hard, plunging stroke.