Page 24 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)

Cailin turned her to face him and Ashley felt the stones of the fortified wall against her back when he captured her lips with his.

His tongue invaded her mouth and tangled with hers.

His hands were everywhere, stroking, caressing.

He made it apparent he wanted her and Ashley definitely wanted him.

Cailin slipped his hand into the bodice of her dress, exposing her breast and one pert, dusky pink nipple.

He pinched the rosy nub, his mouth tracing a path across her upper chest. Ashley moaned at the exquisite physical contact and Cailin responded by sucking her breast into his mouth and grinding his hardened manhood against her with a rumbling groan.

Ashley could hardly breathe. The throbbing ache of desire between her thighs had her mind in a fog.

She wanted more, but this was not the place, no matter how exciting it might be.

Finding her voice, Ashley begged. "Cailin, not here."

His breath was ragged when he stopped and nodded. His forehead met hers and he looked longingly into her eyes. It took him a minute to get himself under control, but then he adjusted Ashley's gown and quickly kissed her lips.

"Come." He grabbed her hand and pulled her along behind him, as he headed for the keep and hopefully, his chambers.

Ashley was still enveloped in a sensual haze. She’d never been one to engage in casual sex, but this was definitely going to be the exception. She knew, instinctively, that sex with Cailin would be anything but casual.

***

They’d crossed the courtyard together, and were so focused on one another; that they almost ran right into Kenna and Gavin.

“There ye are,” Gavin winked at Cailin. “We were wondering where ye’d gone off to.”

Once again, Ashley was blushing. It was dark outside, so she hoped no one would notice when she put her hand to her face.

Receiving no response, Gavin seemed to decide it would be a good idea to tease them further. “Yer looking a bit off, Cailin. Is all well with ye?”

Cailin growled, “Aye, all was well and I dared to think it might continue to be well, until now.” He was squeezing Ashley’s hand so hard, that she yelped. “I’m sorry, lass,” he apologized, kissing the fingers he had just crushed.

“It’s okay, why don’t we go back inside and join the others?” Ashley sighed. She couldn’t see any way of sneaking off, not with everyone intent on enjoying the party-like atmosphere, which enveloped the castle this evening. Someone was bound to notice they were missing.

The expression on Cailin’s face spoke volumes and his two old friends read him like a book. Kenna took Ashley’s hand and pulled her away from Cailin, smiling sweetly back at the two men they were leaving behind. “I promised Ashley some embarrassing stories. Isn’t that right, Ashley?”

“Yes, you did.” She hated walking away from the promise of a night in Cailin’s arms, but this was the sixteenth century and she shouldn’t be behaving like the castle tramp. They’d have to wait until later…much later. With that thought firmly in mind, she followed Kenna back into the great hall.

The rest of the evening was spent with everyone but the one person she really wanted to be with.

They exchanged longing glances when they spied each other across the room, but it seemed the castle occupants were determined to keep them away from each other.

Eventually they won, when Ashley decided it was time to retire for the evening.

Glancing around, she couldn’t see Cailin anywhere, nor did she catch sight of Gavin or Cormac.

Irene and Robert had long since headed to their chambers.

“Kenna, I’m exhausted, I’m going to bed. I wanted to say good night to Cailin, but I can’t see him.”

“I’m sure he’s with Gavin and Cormac. They’re probably well into their cups by now, but I’ll tell Cailin you’ve gone to bed, should I see him.”

“Thank you, Kenna, and good night. I hate to leave you here all alone.”

“Dinnae fash, I’ll be fine. I will see ye in the morn.”

“Helene,” Ashley called across the room. “Can you help me get out of this gown?”

Helene nodded and exchanged a quick word with the handsome highlander she’d been sitting with. The man kissed her hand and Helene hurried to follow Ashley upstairs.

Ashley hoped Cailin would find his way to her chambers before the night was done, but if she were honest with herself, it was best if he didn’t. Should she really be encouraging his attentions, when she was going to be leaving soon?

Lying in bed, Ashley stared into the darkness. Fate had been a cruel master. The one man Ashley was convinced she was meant to be with, and he had to be from not only a different country, but also from a different century . A century to which she didn’t belong.

***

Cailin could not escape Gavin and Cormac, no matter how hard he tried.

Every time he thought he’d slip away, they’d insist on filling his mug with more Uisge Beatha and propose another toast. The only thing he wanted to do, was finish what he’d begun with Ashley.

He was having a hard time thinking of anything else and his brother and Gavin had taken advantage of his inattention, by seeing to it that he was in no condition to go searching for her.

“What are ye up to,” Cailin slurred as they distracted him once again.

“What do ye mean, Cailin? We’re nae up to anythin’.” Gavin laughed, and clapped him on the back. “I just wanted tae spend time with my friends. We’ve nae done this in a right long while.”

“Yer right, Gavin, but I think our Cailin here be wishing he were with a certain lass, who’s caught his eye.”

“Aye. She’ll nae be happy that I just disappeared without a word,” Cailin muttered darkly.

“Dinnae fash, my brother. She’s probably gone away to bed and is soundly sleeping by now.”

“Gavin,” Kenna called into the darkness. “Where are ye?”

“Here, by the stables,” he responded.

“Kenna, where is Ashley?” Cailin asked.

“She’s gone to bed. She said I should tell ye good night.”

Cailin cursed under his breath. He knew it would do him no good to seek her bed this night; he was so far into his cups he could hardly stand, without leaning against Cormac and Gavin.

And by the look of his brother and his friend, they were nae better off.

Nae, he shook his head to himself, he wouldnae do that to her .

He only hoped he’d get another opportunity.

“It looks like ye all need to find yer beds, before ye end up sleeping here in the stables,” Kenna scolded. “Come, Gavin, I need ye to walk me back to our shelter.”

“Aye, me love. I’d be happy to take a beauty such as yerself back with me.” He winked at his friends and swatted Kenna’s behind. She gave him a look of mock outrage, but then put her arm around his waist and led him off to bed.

Cailin watched Cormac hoot at the couple as they disappeared into the darkness. Cailin, on the other hand was thinking how nice it would be to head to his chambers with Ashley by his side.

It seemed Cormac could read his mind – even in his disheveled state – and he wrapped his arm around Cailin’s shoulders. “Brother, come. Let’s be off to bed. Ye can see yer lass again in the morn.”