Clan Ross: His Heart's Desire Part 5

Ignoring his outburst, Catrona backed up and turned the wheel. She wasn't looking forward to the next few minutes driving down from the cliff. "Maybe you better close your eyes. The road is rough."

"Aye, we know the path well, la.s.s." Braden braced his hands on the front dash.

"Very well, but remember it's not going to be like riding a horse," she said as she put the car in gear and eased the vehicle into motion.

They spent the first few minutes in total silence. That was more nerve-wracking than their asking questions. A b.u.mp in the road bounced the car, and the once silent compact was filled with very loud Gaelic curses.

Catrona cringed at the volume of their voices and tightened her hands on the steering wheel. They wound through a few more hairpin turns before they reached a stretch of the gravel road that was straight, if not narrow. Rather than increase her speed, she kept the car well below the posted limit, trying not to cause her pa.s.sengers any more angst than they already felt.

"We're almost off the mountain." Catrona glanced quickly at Braden. He was pale in the moonlight, but other than that he didn't display too much emotion. That probably came from being a laird who was not permitted to let his expression say much for him.

Catrona concentrated on driving and turned onto the stretch of motorway which led her to her hotel. She made the drive quickly and, with the exception of a few comments from the backseat, in silence.

Once the car was parked, she took a deep breath. "Here we are."

"Where exactly is here?" Braden said as he gazed out the window.

"This is my hotel." Catrona unbuckled her seatbelt and gathered her bag. "We'll sleep here for the night and then figure something out."

"Ah." Braden remained seated. "How do I make this contraption work?"

"Didnae you watch when I did it earlier?" Alec asked.

"Wait one second." Catrona reached over his body and opened the door. "See, you pull this black handle." Alec pulled and shoved at the same time and fell out onto the pavement. "Cursed machine." He stood and dusted the dirt and rock off his plaid. "Give me a mount anytime. One must be comfortable when you travel."

"I'm sorry. This is a compact. I didn't know I'd have company on my trip. There are bigger cars, I a.s.sure you, but they come with bigger price tags to boot."

Braden stepped out of the car and planted his hands on his hips. "We are fair starving. Does your accommodation have food?"

Catrona slapped a hand to her forehead. "Food. Shoot, I forgot. Let's get you set up in the room and then I'll go and find something to eat."

The three of them made their way along the corridor with only a few strange looks cast their way. Catrona fed the slim keycard into the door and the red light blinked to green. She shoved the door open and walked inside with Braden and Alec both hot on her heels.

"Here is the bathroom, and here is the remote control for the television. You do know how to use a toilet and what a television is, right?"

"Aye, la.s.s. We've kept up with the new inventions over the years."

Under her breath she said, "Of course you have." Turning, she slammed into Alec's broad chest. His strong hands gripped her arms as he steadied her. "Careful, la.s.s."

She rubbed her abused nose. "Sorry about that."

"No harm done." He moved away from her and picked up the remote control.

"I'll be right back. Don't leave the room for any reason." She didn't know how she was going to explain these two new men and their form of dress, but she had little doubt they would attract attention-a great deal of attention.

"Thank you, Catrona." Braden walked up to her and placed a warm kiss on her mouth. His touch shot right through her, leaving her tingling and wanting more.

With a shy smile, she grabbed her purse and left the room.

Since it was getting dark and she wasn't familiar with the area, the woman at the front desk directed her to the nearest Tesco and a.s.sured her it was open late.

The directions were simple, and she found the large shopping complex without any trouble. Now she faced the burden of what to buy. What did you feed two hungry Highland lords? Since she didn't have a kitchenette in her room, she couldn't cook.

Catrona was pleased to see a deli that served hot food. She decided to buy two roasted chickens, potatoes and gravy. She added water, napkins, plates, plasticware, various snack foods and drinks to the basket, then headed to the checkout. Totally shocked by the cost, she handed over the money.

The drive back to the hotel was quick. She juggled the various bags up to her room and found Alec sprawled on the second bed with his ankles crossed and his arms raised above his head, laughing at a Friends re-run.

Braden sat at the table, resting his elbows on his thighs.

"I'm back. I hope you both like chicken."

Braden stood and made his way over to her, lifting the bags from her hands. "Chicken is fine. I confess to be verra hungry."

Alec bounded off the bed and helped himself to some of the food.

"Take what you guys want." Catrona put her backpack down, pulled her hair back into a ponytail and sat down in one of the chairs. She was tired.

The two men ate with gusto and, when they'd done, not a sc.r.a.p remained.

"We'll have to get you clothes tomorrow. I'll talk to Elspeth and see if perhaps she could help me." The weight of her situation pressed down on her. What was she supposed to do with two Highland warriors? One who haunted her dreams in ways that made her burn.

"There is no rush, la.s.s. We'll do as you think best."

She pulled on her ear. "Maybe you could start by answering a few questions."

Braden sat beside her at the table. "I'll do my best."

"Okay. Let's start off small. Who are you exactly?"

Braden gave her a small smile. "I am Braden Ross, Laird of the proud Clan Ross." He pointed at the other man. "He is my cousin and first in command, Alec Ross."

Catrona nodded her head absently. "Of course you are." This was just too much. Seriously. Who went on vacation only to summon two Highland hotties to them? Yeah, that was going to be easy to explain. Some people went to Scotland and returned home with pictures and stories, maybe a sword or postcard. Not her. No. She had to go and bring home flesh and bone males.

Wait. She couldn't take these guys home with her. They weren't her "things". But the very idea of leaving Braden behind made her heart physically ache. What on earth was she going to do? The answer was easy, worry about it when it was time to go home.

"What else would you like to know?" Braden said.

What else? Good question. "Let me think about it. I confess I'm a little overwhelmed by what has happened. I think we should all get some sleep."

"A fine idea. I am fatigued."

Alec snorted from the bed. "Are you kidding me? I'm watching television."

"Alec. Our hostess is tired."

"Oh, it's okay. I can sleep with the television on." Catrona looked around the small room. "I'll call and see if I can get a roll-away bed for myself."

"I will prepare a pallet on the floor. I won't take your bed from you." Braden stood with his hands on his hips.

Too tired to argue at this point, Catrona offered a small smile. "Thank you. I'll see about getting a larger room tomorrow."

Gathering her nightclothes, she dashed quickly into the bathroom. Once behind the closed door, she shut her eyes and let out a breath. He was here with her, and oh, how she wanted to wrap herself around him and never let go. Of course this was ridiculous since she didn't know a darn thing about him. She was in such big trouble.

Well, she couldn't hide in the bathroom forever. It was time to face the one man her heart wanted above all others. Hopefully she'd be able to get a little sleep. Yeah, right. Sleeping next to her dream man would be a piece of cake. NOT.

CHAPTER TEN.

Catrona spent the next day trying to dress both Braden and Alec in modern clothes. She was not against the whole men-in-a-kilt thing. Both men pulled the look off with panache. But for her own peace of mind and the need for crowd control, she thought it best to get them clad from head to toe with something . . . bulky.

Finding clothes to fit was no easy task and now, after several hours of shopping, Catrona had to wonder if it was such a brilliant idea to put Braden in Levis. The denim did things to his backside that made her blood rush and her body ache.

"I care little for this garment," Alec groused as he ran his hands up and down the stiff fabric. "It chafes."

His complaint was cut short when he looked up and met the eyes of a woman who made no effort to pretend she was looking anywhere else but at his body. "Now, there is a beauty." Alec rubbed his hands together. "I must say I love the way women dress now. Nothing better than looking at a fine set of legs. I could put up with this strange fabric if this is a side benefit."

Catrona couldn't keep herself from laughing. "So, you're a leg man?"

"Aye." He turned and winked at her. "Although I can't comment on yours since I don't wish to have my head separated from my body." He tipped his head in Braden's direction. "He's already growling."

"I am not growling." Braden moved closer to Catrona.

"Aye, you are." Alec looked back and forth between the two. "I think I'm going to wander around a bit. Give you both some time alone."

"You don't need to do that, Alec. Besides, do you think that's such a good idea? You don't know the area all that well."

"La.s.s, this is my home. I vow I know it better than you. I'll be fine, and I will return to our quarters soon enough."

With a jaunty wave, Alec turned on his boot-shod foot and headed over to the woman who had been admiring him.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Catrona said.

"Aye. He's a grown lad." Braden walked over to her and picked up their numerous bags. "Maybe we should take this opportunity to talk."

Catrona shook her head in surprise. A man who wanted to talk and discuss feelings. How extraordinary. "Very well. I confess I have a great deal to ask you, and I'm sure you have questions too."

They made their way back to the hotel. Fortunately, for Catrona, they had been able to secure adjoining rooms. The night before she'd had a hard time falling asleep. Braden's spicy scent had reached out to her, making her ache for his arms, his touch. And Alec had snored.

Tonight they would have their own room, and hopefully she'd have a little peace of mind.

Once they were in her room, Catrona began to feel self-conscious. She knew this man and yet she didn't. Not really.

"You're nervous." Braden sat on the bed and made no attempt to get close to her.

"No. I'm fine," Catrona managed to stutter.

"No, you're not. I have eyes. You have nothing to be fearful of. I'd sooner cut off my own arm than hurt you."

The sincerity in both his tone of voice and facial expression allowed her to relax her guard. "I know you'll never hurt me. I know you in so many ways."

"Aye, you do, la.s.s. Our lives are forever bound together." He stood and moved over to her, pus.h.i.+ng her chin up with a gentle finger, so she was forced to meet his solemn gaze. "You must trust me and promise you'll listen to what I have to say."

Catrona wet her lower lip. "I promise," she whispered.

Braden led her to the bed and she sat. "Later we must go and meet with Elspeth."

"You know Elspeth?" Why that should surprise her she didn't know, but it did.

"Aye. Elspeth has great magic about her."

"Of course she does." Catrona noticed Braden smiling at her. "What has you so amused?"

"You and Alec both like this sarcasm. With him, I find it annoying, but with you it is charming and sweet."

Catrona couldn't argue with that so she didn't even bother. "I'll take you to the castle in a little bit. Maybe Elspeth will be able to help you."

Braden picked up one of her hands, entwining their fingers. "I don't need anyone else but you."

His words sent panic clawing through her body. She wasn't sure how she felt about his full belief in her. It was daunting. She stood, but he wouldn't let her move from him.

"You're not going to run from me. I know you're frightened but you made a promise to me."

Catrona let out a sigh. He was correct about the promise. Proud of the fact she'd never broken one before, she decided she wasn't about to start now. "You're right." She sat back down and waited.

"I've waited several lifetimes for you to come back into my life."

Catrona knew this was coming, but hearing it did funny things to her stomach.

"Your name was always Catrona, and centuries earlier I fell in love with you."

The air rushed out of her lungs, and she was glad she was already seated or she would've fallen over. Hearing aloud what she already knew in her heart was both terrifying and oddly comforting. "My dreams have been real, haven't they?"

"Aye, Catrona."

His softly spoken agreement made her heart race and tingly sensation to dance up and down her spine. They had shared intimate moments. The feelings that coursed through her were valid and, more importantly, she wasn't crazy.

Braden moved closer to her on the bed, dipped, and she brushed up against his side. Instantly she s.h.i.+vered at the contact. It was as if she'd touched a live wire.

"Don't pull away from me, my Catrona. We have all the time in the world and we will take things slowly."

"Slowly?"