My Savage Heart (The MacQuaid Brothers) Read online

  “What happened then?” Caroline moved onto the floor beside him.

  “Then my father decided there was enough of his blood flowing through my body to warrant spending a few pounds on me. I was sent to England for schooling.”

  “It must have been difficult being torn away from all you knew... from those that loved you.”

  “It was hard for my mother,” was all he said before changing the subject. It was not her pity he sought. Wolf leaned toward her. “You’re shivering. Are you cold?”

  “Not really.” Before she could stop him, he’d reached across her and dragged another blanket over her lap. She already wore one wrapped around her waist. That and his shirt made up her apparel. “Perhaps my clothes are dry.”

  “I don’t think so,” he said as he tucked the blanket around her. His fingers brushed across her cheek. “Is that better?”

  Caroline nodded, afraid to trust her voice. But it hadn’t been the cold that made her tremble, and as he leaned over, staring at her, Caroline had the feeling he knew it.

  When he picked up his rifle and left the cabin to look after the horses, Caroline rushed for the clothes hanging from the pegs. He was right. Her petticoats were still damp, but she didn’t care. She whipped off the shirt, wishing the smell of it, so like him, didn’t do strange things to her insides. The shift was just sliding over her body when the chill made her skin prickle.

  Her pale-as-moonlight curls swung across her shoulders as she jerked her head around. Wolf stood in the open doorway.

  The sight of him there, watching her, his eyes dark and sensual, was paralyzing. It seemed an eternity till he reached behind him, leaned the rifle against the wall and shut the door. An eternity punctuated by the rapid beating of Caroline’s heart.

  She knew he’d seen her, was still seeing more than propriety allowed. Yet she couldn’t summon the energy to do more than turn to face him as he moved toward her.

  The ribbons that held the neck line of her shift together draped across her breasts, untied. With each breath, she could feel the soft linen spreading, revealing more of her flesh to him. Flesh that felt more fevered the nearer he came.

  The cabin was small, his pace slow and deliberate. Each step he took accentuated his animal grace and power. Heightened the anticipation. His gaze stoked a blaze hotter than the one in the hearth.

  When he was so close that Caroline had to tilt her head to see his face, he stopped. She knew she should turn away, to make some effort to cover herself. After all, her shift was old and threadbare. But he overwhelmed her... his towering height, the broad strength of his body, his musky scent. The dark intensity of his eyes.

  He drew her to him with a force she couldn’t begin to understand. And couldn’t continue to fight. It was as if he sapped all reason, all notion of right and wrong from her body. With his first touch, a gentle cupping of her cheek, she was lost.

  Caroline’s eyelids fluttered shut, her lashes forming a dusky shadow on her fair skin. His palms were weather-callused, but the contrast of soft and rough sparked a need in her to feel more.

  On a moan her head turned into his hand. Her lips brushed his palm, tasted the saltiness of his skin. Wanted more.

  Caroline’s knees nearly buckled when he kissed the long exposed side of her neck. The feel of his firm lips and tongue in concert with the feathering of his hair across her skin sent tingles dancing down her spine. By the time he bit and caressed his way to her shoulder, Caroline writhed with the need to feel the imprint of his hard muscles against her.

  But he held himself apart, touching her only with the palm of his hand and his mouth. Then his chin, whisker-roughened and firm nudged at the ruffled linen hanging precariously from her shoulder. Slowly the shift lost its hold, slipping sensually down to catch on the distended tip of her breast.

  His fingers trailed down her neck to work the same magic on the other shoulder. Then he lifted his head, his eyes like smoldering coals, and looked at her as, with a flick of his thumbs, he released the shift. The linen drifted to the packed earth floor on a whisper of air, leaving Caroline completely naked and vulnerable to his hungry gaze.

  She waited for the embarrassment to overwhelm her, after all, no one had ever seen her like this. But it didn’t come, not even when he made no attempt to disguise his thorough scrutiny of her body. She could feel the heat as his gaze slowly traveled down her neck, resting briefly on her breasts, then down her stomach to the delta of tight curls at the apex of her legs.

  When his eyes again met hers she let out a trembling breath.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  If Caroline heard a hint of surprise in his acknowledgement, it didn’t make it sound any less flattering. But Caroline was beyond caring. For once in her life she was doing as she wished, not thinking of the effect it would have on others. She sucked in her breath as his fingers skimmed across her nipples, then moaned aloud when the moist heat of his mouth covered one swollen tip. His tongue tormented the fevered flesh till Caroline reached up, digging her fingers through his coarse hair.

  When he dropped to his knees in front of her, leaving her breast wet and shimmering in the firelight, Caroline’s legs gave way. If not for the strength of his large hands cupping her buttocks and the pressure of lips and chin against her stomach she would have fallen.

  As it was she could barely stand the pleasure, so intense it bordered on pain. Below his chin an ache began. A knot that tightened.

  She cried out when his long fingers inched between her legs from behind, urging her to open for him.

  “Shhh.” The sound whispered air across the pale hair guarding her womanhood. “I won’t hurt you.”

  But she couldn’t be quiet. Not when the tip of his tongue touched her. The knot tightened unbearably, then exploded, leaving her body wracked with wave upon wave of pulsating ecstasy.

  Her fingers opened and closed, clutching first his hair, then the bunched fabric of his shirt. Her lips grew slack and her head lolled from side to side as the shivers skidded through her. She soared free like the winged hawks, circling high in the sky, then slowly, sensually slid back toward earth.

  But before she landed Caroline found herself lifted again, this time by strong arms. Faintness overcame her and she clung to him, collapsing against his chest. When he lowered her to the bearskin, her arms lingered about his neck, pulling him down with her.

  The kiss was deep and carnal, like nothing she ever imagined existed. And it fanned anew the spark of desire left tamped but smoldering beneath the surface.

  Her hands tore at his shirt, pushing the cotton off his broad shoulders, reveling in the feel of his hot skin. And all the while he kissed her, feasting upon her lips, plunging his tongue to the deepest recesses of her mouth. His fingers dug through her hair, framing her face, holding her head still for his onslaught.

  But her body would obey no civilized rules of conduct. Beneath his weight she wriggled and writhed, rubbing against him. Uncontrollable.

  A muscle-corded thigh straddled her waist. Pulling away, he savagely jerked the shirt over his head, tossing it across the room. His leggings were next. Firelight sent wild shadows dancing across his smooth skin as he bent back toward her. Then she felt his weight, the heat of his body, as he lay in the cradle of hers.

  Raising onto his elbows Wolf studied her face for a moment before again attacking her mouth with his. “This may hurt.” He whispered the words into her hair, but he doubted she heard him. He doubted she was aware of much but the consuming passion that shined in her light eyes.

  His hips spread her thighs. He was hard and aching, had been since he walked in on her while she changed her clothes. Yet he hesitated. Was it conscience that kept him poised so near he could feel the heat radiating from her? Wolf didn’t know. But he couldn’t deny the doubts about doing this... to her.

  “Please, oh, please,” she begged, her voice barely more than a sob. Caroline didn’t know what it was she wanted, but her body was as tense as before. She knew th
ere had to be something he could do to relieve the savage hunger. Her body slid lower.

  The control he’d worked hard to keep slipped as her moist heat skimmed the tip of his manhood. He thrust. Gently at first, then when he encountered the delicate barrier, more strongly. She made a low whimpering sound when he rent her maidenhood, and Wolf froze.

  “Hush now, Agehyaguga. It is the way of men and women.” He bent down and kissed her moist lips. “But only the first time, I swear it.”

  She looked up at him wide-eyed... trustingly. A hint of a smile was obviously to make him feel better for the pain he caused. It didn’t. But Wolf soon forgot all but his desire to bury himself inside her. She lifted her hips in an instinctive move that made him surge forward.

  Deeper and deeper he went, losing all thought, everything but the desire to mate with her. Each driving thrust was more powerful than the last. His pace quickened, and beneath the consuming passion was the knowledge that she met each sensual stroke, and reveled in them.

  Instinct told him when she neared her release. Her body stiffened, and her breathing came in short, shallow gasps. He plunged again as she tensed, waiting till she jolted, her fingers digging into his back before allowing his own searing release.

  When Caroline regained her senses enough to open her eyes, she found him staring down at her, his expression dark... unreadable. Her heart raced and she didn’t know if she’d ever stop trembling. Still she smiled. He didn’t return the gesture.

  Instead his brows lowered in a frown. “I’m sorry,” was all he said, but it was his tone that made Caroline’s skin prickle.

  “’Tis nothing to apologize for. There really wasn’t much pain.”

  He levered himself off her, rolling to the side, his arm thrown across his eyes. “I’m glad,” he finally said. Without looking at her, he drew a blanket up over them. “It is time we went to sleep.”

  But slumber came to him no easier than to her. Wolf lay on his back staring at the flickering shadows on the low rafters, knowing she did the same. God, he should say something else to her... something soothing and sweet. Something to take the sting from his actions.

  But he could think of no words that would erase the deed. Nothing to soften the blow of taking her virginity. And he could not stop thinking of how good it felt to make love to her. He wasn’t supposed to enjoy it so much. Nor was she, he thought ruthlessly. Revenge was not to be tainted by pleasure.

  “Raff.”

  His name, though barely whispered in the half-light, made his body tense.

  “Are you still awake?”

  “Yes.” Reluctantly he rolled his head to look at her. She stared at the ceiling, her profile clean and beautiful. Wolf took a deep breath. “Did you wish something?”

  There was a slight hesitation then he heard the movement of her hair against the bear fur as she shook her head. “’Tis nothing really.”

  He should leave it at that. Leave her to think what she may. In the long run that might be easier on her. But Wolf found it impossible to lie there, the distance between them farther than the span of an arm separating their bodies.

  Telling himself he’d do as much for a whore who’d sold her body, Wolf reached out. His expression was grave as he gathered her into his arms.

  She came without question, snuggling onto his shoulder, molding her small frame against his body... fitting perfectly. Wolf shut his eyes and silently cursed his father. If only the old man weren’t such a bastard. If he hadn’t cheated and lied to the Cherokee. If he hadn’t lied to Wolf’s mother, and hurt her. If he hadn’t sent to England for Lady Caroline Simmons. God, if he just hadn’t done any of those things.

  “Is something amiss?”

  “No.” Wolf answered too quickly. He could feel her eyes on him, but didn’t turn his head to face her. “What makes you ask?”

  “I don’t know. You seem...” Caroline couldn’t imagine what made her so bold. But then nothing she’d done this night was like her.

  “Tired is what I am,” Wolf finished for her. “Now go to sleep, Caroline.”

  But despite his words, slumber was a long time coming to Wolf. He lay, her sleeping body in his arms, and he tried not to think.

  He must have finally dozed for he awoke near dawn. Woke from an erotic dream to find it wasn’t entirely a product of his imagination. She’d shifted during the night and now one of her long, creamy smooth legs rested over his thigh, inches from his aching manhood. Her arm was flung across his waist, her cheek against his chest. And God he wanted her.

  But revenge against his father was met.

  If he took her again it would have naught to do with avenging his mother. And everything to do with desire.

  The battle within him was short-lived and lost before it began.

  His hand followed the curve of her hip, the gentle slope of her bottom. When his fingers skimmed down to her womanhood, he found her already hot and moist... perhaps she shared the dream that just woke him.

  But she wasn’t dreaming when she raised her leg higher giving him better access to her heat, or when she moaned, a deep, sensual sound that made him throb.

  “Are you sore?” He had a firm enough grip on reality to ask that.

  “Nay.” There was a catch in her voice as his finger entered her. “What you do to me, it feels...”

  “What?” Wolf rolled so he could look down at her, his hand still cupping her body. “How does it feel?”

  “Wonderful,” she breathed. “You make me feel wonderful.”

  She breathed the last word into his mouth as his lips crushed down on hers. She opened for him and his tongue found the sweet haven, its rhythm the same as his finger.

  Her body tightened almost immediately. More responsive than any woman he’d ever known. He lifted his head, watching her in the soft pewtery light as she rode the waves of ecstasy. Satisfied for the moment to give her pleasure. To see the pearly skin flush, her small, ruched, rose-colored nipples, reach out to him. He tasted one, then the other as she drifted back to earth.

  “Mmmm, wonderful,” she whispered and Wolf chuckled, the sound vibrating against her stomach.

  When she could summon the strength, Caroline lifted herself up on her elbows. The sight of his dark head resting on her body tightened her chest. “What of you?” she asked. His hair brushed across her skin as he turned his head to look up at her.

  “What about me?”

  “How does—” Caroline raised her hand, then let it tangle with his raven locks. “How does this make you feel?”

  His smile, a flash of white teeth, brought color to her cheeks and Caroline was thankful for the dim light. He shifted his attention, moving slowly up her body till she had no choice but to lie flat again. Leaving a trail of nibbles and aroused skin.

  “You take my breath away. I want you so badly, I—” Wolf stopped and rolled to his side. Taking her hand he guided it down his body. She didn’t resist as he wrapped her fingers nearly around his hard length. “I ache for you, Agehyaguga.”

  Her hand remained after his left to touch her.

  “What does that mean, Agehyaguga? You said it last night, too.”

  “Did I?” Wolf hadn’t noticed saying it either time. “Moon woman.” His fingers tangled in her curls. “Your hair is the color of moonbeams,” he whispered. But he did not tell her that he had begun to think of her as Agehyaguga.

  Caroline reached for him. His weight was welcome as was his first thrust, and his next, and all the others that surged faster and deeper. His powerful body plunged into her, sending her soul soaring, filling her completely. Making the word wonderful inadequate.

  “What do these mean?” They were lying side by side, Wolf’s elbow bent, his head propped in his palm. He tucked his chin to follow her finger as it traced a line of tattoos across his chest.

  “I did not realize you were such an inquisitive little thing,” Wolf teased, bending forward and nestling a kiss between her breasts. He straightened and took her hand. “Most of them do
not really mean anything. They are just symbolic of my tribe or family.”

  “I like them.” Caroline skimmed across one that traversed his ribs, surprised when he squirmed.

  She tried it again and got the same reaction. “You’re ticklish.”

  “No,” he insisted, but he couldn’t stop wriggling when she did it again. “If you do not stop, I will—”

  “You will what? Oh!” His movements were so fast she barely had time to gasp. One moment he was lying beside her, the next he straddled her hips. His hands caught hers and stretched them high above her head. He looked fierce and wild looming over her, but Caroline wasn’t afraid. When she started laughing, he threw back his head and joined her.

  “You have a pretty smile.”

  His words surprised Wolf as much as they did her. They also made him realize he must stop this. No matter how much it pleasured him to continue. He agilely climbed off her and stood. “It is time we got up. I will build up the fire.”

  Caroline couldn’t help watching as he laced up his leggings and donned a shirt. Then he was gone, closing the door behind him. Caroline scurried from the fur pallet. It was chilly this morning, and she quickly pulled on her shift. A boned bodice and quilted petticoat followed. The overgown was drifting down over her body when he tramped through the doorway. He dropped the split logs then set about stoking the embers to life.

  “I told you I would start the fire up. You could have stayed in the bed until there was some heat.”

  “’Tis not too cold for me.” Caroline managed to keep her teeth from chattering while she lied.

  He simply glanced over his shoulder and shrugged.

  “I could make us something to eat.” Caroline stepped forward cautiously. The way they were acting around each other it was hard to believe that she’d lain with this man. She longed to capture the comfortable feelings of before.

  “Your Ladyship cooks?” His dark brows lifted skeptically.

  “A little.” There was no sense lying when he would discover the truth soon enough. “But I’m anxious to learn.” She could imagine how it would be for the rest of their lives. He would hunt and fish, and she would cook for him. And every night they would share the bearskin bed.