Page 18 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)

C ailin and Ashley stopped in to visit with three more families during their tour of Laird Robert’s northern lands.

Each family had a job they performed in service to the MacKenzie Clan and they each had requests, which Cailin handled to everyone's satisfaction. It didn’t take long for Ashley to realize that they all depended on one another for their daily survival.

Robert was the source of their homes and protection, and each of them played a part in supplying the needs of the castle and its occupants.

It was a mutually beneficial relationship to all parties involved.

On the return journey towards Breaghacraig, Cailin had a mischievous look about him. He kept glancing at Ashley, and more than once, she caught a wicked twinkle in his eye. Drawing Cadeyrn to a halt, he graced Ashley with a gorgeous smile and nodded to the open expanse in front of them.

"How would ye feel about racing our horses to the tree line over there?"

Ashley cocked an eyebrow. "What are we wagering?"

"If I win, ye'll owe me a favor and if ye win, ‘twill be me who owes you." There was a disarming sparkle in his eye.

"That sounds a little vague, Mr. MacBayne. What kind of favor are we talking about?"

He grinned devilishly. "Whatever favor ye choose, lass."

"Well, it sounds as if I'd better win."

"Do ye need a head start, then?" Cailin said with mock seriousness.

Ashley feigned insult. "Absolutely not! Shall we?"

On Cailin's nod, Ashley dug her heels into the horse's flanks and crouching low over his back, gave him his head. She flew across the field at breakneck speed, with Cailin fast on her heels. Ashley snuck a peek over her shoulder and found Cailin was gaining on her. Before she knew it, he was right beside her. It was apparent Cailin wasn’t going to let her win, and Ashley’s competitive nature came out.

She wanted to win. As they approached the trees, Ashley’s horse suddenly slowed, coming up lame and Cailin flew past them.

Ashley brought the horse to a complete stop and slid down to the ground.

Cailin seemed quite pleased with himself as he turned back to Ashley.

"I won," Cailin crowed victoriously.

"I can see that, but I had you beat until my horse came up lame.

" Ashley was checking each of the animal’s hooves, searching for stones.

She ran her hands down each of his legs, speaking softly to the creature as she looked for anything that might give her a clue to his sudden lameness.

"He must have stepped on a rock as we were racing," she announced.

"You are a wonder, Ashley, lass." Cailin had dismounted from Cadeyrn and watched her quietly.

"Why's that?"

"I've seen ye do more things in the last few days, than I've ever seen any other lass do."

"I like to think I'm pretty capable." Ashley straightened up, happy to know Cailin wasn't intimidated by a woman who could take care of herself.

"Leave yer horse to graze and come with me." Cailin walked back to Cadeyrn and removed the saddle packs. From one, he removed a second plaid and laid it down on the grass. From the other, he retrieved bread, cheese, wine and some fruit. He’d also saved a sweet cake for them to share, from the supplies he’d been handing out to the children all morning.

Cailin placed the food on the plaid he’d lain out and taking Ashley's hand, motioned for her to sit down.

Once Ashley was settled on the ground, Cailin lay down beside her, stretched out on his side.

Long legs, clad in deerskin breeches and boots caught her attention, as she brazenly looked him over from head to toe.

Ashley knew Cailin was aware of her perusal and he looked pleased about it. So much for not being an open book.

Ashley watched as Cailin picked up the cheese, cut a slice with his Sgian Dubh and much to her surprise, delicately pressed it to her lips.

His fingers brushed gently against her lips and remained a moment longer than was necessary.

A thrill ran through her body at the very intimate gesture and she glanced away, suddenly hyperaware of the closeness of the handsome Scotsman.

Cailin continued feeding her little pieces of everything, as he fed himself.

He handed Ashley the wineskin and she swallowed thirstily, aware he was watching as she drank.

When Ashley handed it back to him, the intensity of his gaze caught her off guard.

She suddenly felt extremely shy and turned her attention to the view across the field.

"I believe ye owe me a favor, lass. I did win the race, ye ken."

"I would've won…" Ashley began to protest.

"But ye didnae."

She rolled her eyes at him and laughed. She was enjoying this bantering with Cailin MacBayne, very much.

"Okay. Technically, you won. So what favor do I owe you?" Ashley knew she was in trouble, the second the words left her mouth and Cailin snaked his arm around her waist, drawing her close.

"I'd like the favor of a kiss,” he whispered huskily, his gaze on her lips. “I enjoyed the last one so much; I’ve decided I’d like another."

Before she could respond, his lips met hers in a gentle kiss and without thinking; she kissed him back, exploring his silky, soft lips.

Her hands trembled as she placed them flat against his hard chest. Cailin drew her down to lay beside him on the plaid and wrapped her in his arms, deepening the kiss.

The electricity between them built, spreading warmth throughout her entire body.

His tongue pressed against the seam of her lips and Ashley yielded to him with a low groan, unable to control her response.

A mewl of satisfaction escaped her throat as she sank further and further under Cailin's spell. She slipped her arms around his neck, and Cailin released her lips for a moment, their eyes met and he pressed his forehead to hers. The mutual want they held for one another needed no words. Cailin kissed his way to her jaw and then trailed his lips down her throat, as Ashley tossed her head back and tried to remember how to breathe. His mouth continued lower down, to where the top of her breasts peeked out from the bodice of her gown, his hands exploring and caressing her curves. Everywhere he touched, Cailin left a burning sensation, as if Ashley’s skin had caught fire.

He cupped her breasts in his large hands and Ashley gasped as her nipples pebbled.

She ran her fingers through his hair, enjoying the touch of it against her skin and delighted to discover it was as silky as she’d imagined.

She buried her nose in his neck, breathing in the scent of him…

pine, leather and something else, which was distinctly Cailin.

He lifted her chin with a finger, so that he could see into her eyes.

"Ashley, love–" He broke off what he’d been about to say and his lips met hers again, sending her mind and thoughts reeling.

A loud clap of thunder interrupted them and they both glanced up at the sky, which was rapidly darkening with the approach of a storm.

They’d been so enamored of one another; they hadn't noticed the wind picking up.

It appeared it wouldn't be long before they found themselves stuck in the middle of a downpour.

Cailin reluctantly loosened his hold on Ashley and flashed a brilliant, Hollywood-movie-star-type smile.

"We'd best be gettin' back." Cailin stood up, drawing Ashley to her feet and kissed her lips once more. Her legs were a bit wobbly and Ashley was glad when he steadied her against his long, lean frame.

"Come, lass, we must hurry." He bent and picked up their belongings, wrapped her in his plaid and grabbed her hand as they ran for his horse.

He vaulted into the saddle easily and then reached down to lift Ashley up, settling her in front of him.

Cailin wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

Ashley wriggled for a couple of seconds, trying to get comfortable and felt the evidence of Cailin's desire, resting firmly against her bottom. She tried to move away, but Cailin pulled her closer still, chuckling softly.

"Ah, Ashley, love, do ye ken what ye do to me?" His warm breath tickled her ear when he spoke.

"It would be hard not to," she giggled shyly.

He kissed her neck and moved Cadeyrn forward. They trotted to where Ashley's horse grazed and Cailin reached out and grabbed the reins.

"Ye need a name fer yer horse, lass."

"Technically, he's not my horse, I just borrowed him."

"Aye. I ken that, but yer not going to bring him back are ye? So I think ye should name him."

Ashley considered Cailin’s words. It was certainly true; she wouldn’t be returning the horse to Thomas, so it would make sense to give him a name if she intended to continue riding him. At least, until she returned to her own century, she reminded herself firmly. "I'll have to think about it."

***

Cailin started the journey taking them home.

He loved holding Ashley in his arms, but he wasn’t sure if he'd make it back to the castle in once piece, not with her backside rubbing up against him in the most pleasurable way imaginable.

He hadn't wanted to stop kissing her and would likely have taken it much further if they hadn't been interrupted by the impending storm.

Much further than he should. She was a lady, and it was his sworn duty to protect her, even from himself.

No matter what his body was telling him, Cailin was determined to treat her with the respect she deserved.

"How about Destiny?" The object of his thoughts suddenly announced.

He was so preoccupied with the discomfort of his painfully tight breeches, that it took almost a minute for Cailin to realize she was talking to him.

"Destiny?" he repeated blankly.

"Yeah, because I think perhaps it was my destiny to be here, on this adventure with you."

"‘Tis a good name," Cailin agreed.

"Then Destiny he'll be from now on." Ashley sighed contentedly and Cailin was equally dismayed and delighted when she nestled back further into his arms.

Cailin knew Ashley was very aware of the effect she was having on him, and it became obvious soon afterwards that the lass had decided to have some fun with it.

It began with Ashley occasionally wiggling around, resettling herself in the saddle.

Cailin would growl deep in his chest every time, and she'd apologize profusely and wiggle again, causing him even more misery.

"Lass, could ye possibly stop with yer wrigglin’ and sit still," Cailin pleaded after the tenth ‘adjustment’.

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I bothering you? I'm just not used to riding in tandem like this." She tried, unsuccessfully, to hide her smile from his view.

"Aye, ye be botherin’ me, and if ye dinnae stop, I’ll nae be responsible for what happens."

Ashley batted her eyelashes at him and managed to look as innocent as a newborn babe.

Cailin huffed out a frustrated breath and dug his heels into Cadeyrn’s flanks. "We dinnae have far to go, and I think for your sake, lass, the sooner I get off this cursed horse the better,” he grumbled.

The sound of Ashley’s delighted laughter could be heard across the fields, even as the wind picked up around them.