Journey with Joe (Middlemarch Capture Book 5) Read online

Mungo’s blundering around in the dark woke them all, but at Joe’s signal, each of them remained quiet. When she disappeared into the trees, Joe rose. He waited, scowling when she never returned.

  “She’s trying to escape, Joe,” Sam said.

  “Yes.” Joe smiled in anticipation.

  “Aren’t you going after her?” Duncan asked.

  “I’m giving her enough space to make the chase interesting,” Joe said.

  Max guffawed while Joe spotted Kenan’s smirk.

  “We cats enjoy a challenging chase,” Joe added.

  Joe gave her a decent start before he sniffed the air and used his senses to track her route through the trees surrounding their camp. He followed on silent feet and soon heard her crashing progress and mutters of irritation as the undergrowth clung to her cloak.

  “Clot-heid!”

  “Can I help you find your way back to camp?” Joe asked.

  “Speak o’ the fiend-man and there he is,” Mungo spat.

  Joe held back his smile. Temper looked magnificent on her, flashing in her brown eyes. Even her red hair swung around her head and struck him in the face.

  He lifted his hand to remove her curls from his cheek and nose and she flinched. Every male instinct inside him tightened with fury. No one struck his mate. He took a step back to give her space and freedom. “It’s easy to misstep in this dark.”

  Mungo stood straight, raised her chin with a trace of defiance, and Joe wanted to chortle in delight. He, however, remained silent since living in proximity to his mother, sister, and his brothers’ mates had taught him a thing or two.

  “Aye, ’tis dark as the deepest black hole out here.”

  A chuckle burst from Joe at this. “Let me help you back to camp.”

  Joe curled his arm around her waist, pleasure surging in him at her small gasp and rapid intake of breath. She wasn’t immune to his charms. It was time to up the progress of his courtship, and he imagined the outcome with exhilaration.

  He guided her back to the camp, but when she directed her steps to her earlier position, he tsked in her ear. “No, sweetheart. Since I can’t trust you not to endanger yourself, you’ll need to sleep beside me.”

  “Nay,” she breathed.

  Joe guided her to his bedroll and tugged her to the ground.

  “Nay, this not seemly,” she snapped.

  “Shush,” Joe whispered. “You’ll wake everyone.” Her body stiffened as he drew closer. He breathed in her scent and lost himself. He claimed her lips, and her muscles went rigid at the first contact, but he continued to sip at her mouth, to tease and caress her. She sighed against his lips, and he took advantage. He deepened the kiss, dancing his tongue across hers and tasting her fully. Pleasure seeped into his body and darted downward to frisk his cock.

  Ah, yes. His feline stretched through his mind with lazy satisfaction while he savored the decadence of her touch, her taste and her fragrant scent. Her presence. Proximity would take care of the rest of the relationship between them and meantime, he’d enjoy the seduction.

  Without haste, he parted their lips to read her expression. Not aversion. Excellent. He settled beside her and closed his eyes, content with his slow courtship.

  6 – This Is Not Seemly

  Mungo awoke with warmth blanketing her body. Above her head, a crimson bird trilled from its perch on a tree, its invigorating song bringing a sleepy smile. She attempted to rise and found herself restrained. Her eyes flew open and Joe’s braw visage filled her gaze.

  “Good morning.”

  Mungo scrambled away from the cat-man, her heart beating faster than it had mere seconds earlier. “I told ye it wasnae seemly to sleep close to me.”

  “Did you sleep well?”

  Joe rattled her so much she dinnae think to lie.

  “Aye.”

  “Then we’ll do the same this eve.” His lips quivered in amusement. “I wouldn’t want you to wander the wrong way again in the dark. Who knows what dangers lie in waiting.”

  Mungo stood, straightened her clothing and walked into the shade of the trees.

  “Where are you going, sweetheart?”

  “I need to wash my face and relieve myself.”

  “Don’t take too long. We need to move the herd faster now to make certain our timing for the crossing is perfect.”

  As usual, Mungo puzzled at his words as she turned toward the trees again and walked until she no longer saw the camp. Tempted to run, she hesitated and scanned her surroundings. A hard sigh rushed free—one of truth and acceptance. Joe with his cat-man abilities made it impossible for her to bolt. Even if she managed to steal the steed, the cat-man seemed to read her mind and be several steps ahead of her.

  Unfortunately, the only way she’d escape was if her brother and his friends arrived and freed her along with her coos.

  Ach, what a mess she’d made of this reaving.

  A frown dug into her brow and worry crept through her. She hated to imagine her father’s reaction. She kenned he’d be angry. Mayhap Reilynn would talk to him and make him understand how much her coos meant to her.

  Her stomach flipped—a sign of anxiety. No, her actions would anger her father, and he’d have no hesitation in punishing her. He’d lock her in her chamber and withhold meals until he discovered the perfect punishment to fit the crime. He might even take a switch to her or backhand her again, leaving the mark on her jaw for many cycles.

  Mungo ambled back to camp. This whitelight, the cat-men had brewed water over the fire and drank a drink they called coffee. Max and Kenan sat around the fire with Sam and Duncan.

  “It’s a drink from Earth,” Joe said as he handed her a mug. “The coffee is half-decent. We purchased a replicator machine during the journey to Tiraq. It’s come in handy.”

  Not much of his explanation made sense, but Mungo accepted the drink. These cat-men were so different to the Scothage people, and it raised her curiosity about the world outside the Highlands. She lifted the mug to her mouth and sipped on the hot liquid. ’twas dark and bitter, and she pulled a face.

  “Not to your liking, sweetheart?”

  “Ye shouldnae call me that. It’s not—”

  “Seemly,” Duncan and Sam chorused.

  Joe grinned as heat collected in her face. The other cat-men laughed, but it wasn’t mean. Not in the spiteful way of her brothers.

  “If you don’t want the coffee, I’ll drink it.” Joe accepted the mug from her and with his gaze still trained on her, he placed his lips on the exact spot where she’d drunk from.

  The heat in her cheeks sank to spread through the rest of her body. His action—it worked like a kiss. One of the kisses he’d given her the previous blacklight. She forgot to breathe until a tightness in her chest forced a gasp, and she wrenched away from their visual connection. The rogue! She’d never met such a wicked man, one who tempted her to forget every ladylike instinct Reilynn had drummed into her.

  The cat-men doused their fire and packed up their camp. Sam fed his pink owl another mouselet, and Mungo glanced away with a grimace.

  “Mungo, it’s gonna get hot today.” Joe held out a shirt to her. “Wear this. It will be too big, but it’s more suited to the climate. Change behind the tree if you’re shy then give me your shirt and cloak. I’ll carry them in my pack.”

  Joe turned away to roll up her cloak while she studied the garment. The cat-man kept surprising her with his actions. While he was frustrating and pushed at acceptable social boundaries, his thoughtfulness and caring confused her. He made sure she ate. He made sure she rested. And now, he’d given her clean clothing.

  Aware of the passing time—the others had already freed the coos from their temporary pen and ushered them on their way while Kenan loaded their packs on the steed—she whipped her tunic over her head. The steed caught her attention, and disbelief at the affectionate manner of the beast with these men stole her breath. They spoke with the animal and petted it. The cat-men were equally affectionate with her coos, and s
he’d never seen them beating the animals or raising their voices in anger.

  “Mungo?” Joe prompted.

  She let out a screech and held the clean shirt to her chest.

  “Hand me your shirt, and I’ll pack it for you.”

  Aghast at appearing in her underwear in front of him, she trembled. Joe stood and closed the distance between them. He plucked her tunic from her grasp, kissed the tip of her nose and retreated.

  “I think the resort might be a culture shock for you. The ladies who visit wear scanty clothing. On Earth, it’s acceptable to wear fewer clothes in some situations.” Joe packed her tunic as he spoke, not gawking at her in disrespect as her brothers might have done.

  Mungo blinked, once again his words making little sense. With trembling fingers, she lifted the garment over her head. It clung to her breasts in an unseemly manner, but Joe was right. The clingy fabric hugged her curves with softness. Much better than her coarse tunic. Silkier too.

  “Is that better?” Joe’s expression gleamed with heat as he studied her.

  “It’s much cooler.”

  “You’re beautiful, Mungo. Stand straight and own it.”

  The strange heating disease that often struck her in Joe’s presence inflicted her face and chest. She pulled a tie from the concealed pocket of her trews and tied her hair.

  “Are you ready to leave?”

  Unable to trust herself to speak, she gave a nod.

  “Did you want to ride the steed or walk?”

  “I’ll walk,” she said.

  The day passed much the same as normal, but Joe pushed her coos a little faster. The terrain grew flatter, and she noticed a strange tang on the air.

  “What is the weird scent?” she asked Sam. She was aware of the shirt clinging to her chest, but Sam didn’t give her a second glance. Joe had spoken the truth when he’d told her the women of his acquaintance wore these shirts.

  Sam lifted his head, his nostrils flaring. “It’s just the sea.”

  “The water?”

  “Yes, it contains salt like our seas and oceans on Earth.”

  “Oh. Can ye drink it?”

  “No,” he said. “It will make you sick if you try to drink it.”

  Mungo gaped at the jade expanse of water. “It’s so big. My coos cannae cross that. They’ll die.”

  “My cows can and will,” Joe said from behind them.

  Sam grinned and absently stroked the downy head of his owl. “We won’t reach the beach for a crossing today.”

  “No,” Joe agreed. “I gathered materials for a pen here since I thought that might be the case. We’ll graze the cattle on the pasture here and drive them onto the beach early in the morning.”

  Blacklight colored the landscape once they’d constructed the temporary pen for the coos. Used to the routine by now, Mungo helped the men with their duties, including collecting wood for a cooking fire.

  After their meal and tired from walking all cycle, Mungo requested her cloak.

  “You’ll sleep with me,” Joe said.

  “But ’tis not—”

  “Seemly,” each of the men spoke in a chorus.

  “Verra funny.” She glared at each of the rascals. There went her hopes to slip away from the cat-men. Surely her brother would arrive this blacklight. Unbidden, an insidious thought crawled through her mind. No one in her family cared enough to rescue her from these cat-men.

  “I’ll get my bedroll,” Joe said.

  “But it’s not seemly, Joe.” Duncan wagged his finger, and this set off the cat-men again with their laughter.

  “You’re just jealous,” Joe shot back and winked at her.

  Mungo lowered her head, allowing her loosened hair to fall around her face. Her brainbox tangled with confusion. The contrast between these men and those of her inner family continued to shock and surprise her. This eve, they hadnae demanded her to prepare their meal or collect the wood from the beach. They hadnae ordered her to gut the fish they’d caught for dinner or to collect the herbs they’d used to wrap their fish.

  Instead, they’d shared in the tasks, laughing and joking amongst themselves. Sam had hunted for food for Roly, his demanding wee owl. And now they shared a bottle between them and spoke of the future. Sam and Duncan wished to grow food while Max and Kenan wanted to make furniture. Excitement colored Joe’s expression when he discussed the coos and the things they already grew for use in the resort.

  “Joe, do you want a drink?” Duncan asked.

  “No, I’m gonna be unseemly with my girl.”

  Mungo frowned. She wasnae his lass. Another thought occurred, one that stole her breath. She’d spent three cycles alone with the cat-men. What of her reputation? Nay, her father dinnae care what she did. He’d made that clear. If she followed his orders and stayed out of his way, her life functioned without a hiccup.

  Joe smoothed out his bedroll a short distance from the fire, but far enough way to give them privacy. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. Would he kiss her again? Her pulse raced faster, her breathing growing shallow.

  “Use the trees over there,” Joe said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Shout if you need me.”

  “Nay, I’m capable of going on my own.” She ignored his smile and stomped toward the trees. Although she could hear the cat-men, she couldnae see them from this position. Insects buzzed and clicked from the trees overhead and in the distance, an owl hooted. Roly must’ve heard the call since the wee owl screeched in return.

  Then, without warning, the blacklight noises fell silent. The hair at the back of her neck prickled in a preternatural warning. She gasped, her eyes widening with a slash of fear. Mungo tugged her trews up around her hips and scanned her surroundings.

  Had her brothers arrived?

  She remained silent and still as the sensation of someone watching her continued. The cat-men possessed above-average hearing so she hurried back to Joe.

  “What’s wrong?”

  The men were also far more perceptive than the males of her acquaintance. “The blacklight is creepy.” While it dinnae normally bother her, this blacklight there was something scary about the gloom.

  “I’ll keep you safe.”

  If these words came from one of her brothers, she’d worry, but with Joe, she kenned he’d safeguard her. He’d fight for his coos too. Apprehension slid through her, and she turned away under the pretext of settling on his bedroll. Protection might mean a battle against her father, her clan. The Caimbeulachs would outnumber the cat-men. Although they frustrated her, and she wished to return to everything she kenned, she’d hate to see them injured or worse. And her coos. If they panicked and got in the way, her brothers wouldnae care.

  Och, the first eve she should’ve planned better instead of bungling in and allowing them to capture her. On finding her coos, enthusiasm had taken over. After her first successful experience of reaving arrogance had turned her second attempt into failure.

  Joe stretched out beside her. He traced his finger over the pucker between her eyes. “You don’t need to worry, sweetheart. You’re important to me.”

  Instead of soothing her, his words dug her frown deeper. “Ye cannae keep me nor my coos.” Her brothers and father would come for her. Wouldnae they?

  Joe smiled. “Who will stop me? Tomorrow we will cross the cattle to Ione.”

  Mungo tensed. “I cannae swim.”

  “You can ride the horse if you wish. It’s a short swim, and if we hit the causeway at the right time, the land bridge might go the entire way. The two moons are an advantage for tides. Both tug in opposite directions. Do not fear. All will be well.”

  Mungo risked a glance at the nearest clump of trees. How could she sleep with these nerves swirling through her stomach?

  “Mungo,” Joe said, his voice soft yet confident. “I promise to protect you.”

  When she said nothing, he drew her nearer and pressed his mouth to hers. At first, she remained stiff, but his touch distracted her. His kiss warmed her throu
gh, and before she realized, she was returning his caresses and opening her mouth to his questing tongue. His hands wandered her shoulders, turning her limbs to sweet syrup.

  This cat-man tempted her like no other. While he kept her and her coos captive, he treated her with courtesy and kindness. She drifted on pleasure, her body craving a mysterious more.

  Joe raised his head, and she croaked out a protest. She sensed he smiled but couldnae see much in the blacklight.

  “Have you been with a man before?”

  Fire flashed to her cheeks while consternation flooded her mind. Reilynn had spoken to her about men and what they wanted from a lass. She pulled away until their bodies no longer contacted, yet contrarily, she still sensed him.

  “Mungo?”

  “Nay.”

  “No, you haven’t?”

  “Why the question?”

  He reached out, his fingers gentle on her cheek. “Your answer will shape my approach to you.”

  She frowned. “I dinnae understand.”

  “You will,” he said, his voice tender, his fingers stroking.

  She shivered, unable to think clearly while he touched her in this manner and spoke to her as if he cared. Mungo swallowed. “No one has ever sought my company nor wished to kiss me.”

  “Are the men of your clan blind?”

  “Nay. My father detests me.” A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed again. The blacklight made it easier to speak the truth. “My mother—he loved her verra much. My birthing killed her, and he couldnae bear to look at me. He and my mother thought they were having a boy, so they’d only picked a name for a son. Mungo. My father was grief-stricken and not right in his head. He refused to hold me, and he told them to give me the name they’d chosen.”

  Joe dinnae speak, but he pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. Mungo found silent comfort in his embrace.

  “Father wed Reilynn only months after my mother died, and Reilynn gave him the sons he wanted. Janeet and Reilynn both told me once I grew older, my father would forgive me. He’d treat me as a treasured daughter.”

  “That hasn’t happened?”

  Tears stung when she seldom cried. She blinked hard. “Nay. Instead of resembling my father with his black hair and blue eyes or my half-brothers who take after him, I am the image of my mother. She had red hair and brown eyes. I have her height and build, so Father prefers not to see me. I-I thought to prove to him how capable I am. That I’m valuable, so I learned how to raise coos. I learned to use a bow and fire my arrows with accuracy. And when ye bought my coos, I decided I’d reave them and return to the keep. I-I thought it’d make him proud, and that he’d see me instead of pretending I ne’er existed.”