A Thistle Beyond Time: Book 2 of The Thistle & Hive Series Read online

  “Cormac,” Jenna was starting to slur her words. “I jush wanted to thank you, for shticking up for me back there.”

  “It was me pleasure, lass.”

  “I like it when you call me lash. Did you know you are probably the mosh handsome man I’ve ever sheen?”

  “I didnae know that.” Cormac chuckled.

  “You are… really. I mean it.”

  “I ken ye need to stop drinking, lass.” He decided it was time to intervene, before she got sick.

  “No… I jush want one more, pleash.”

  “Jenna, Cormac’s right. You’re going to regret this in the morning. Why don’t you let Cormac take you back home? I’ve got some unfinished business I need to take care of.”

  “Shtay away from Jonathan, Dylan. I mean it.”

  “I’m not talking about Jonathan. I met a pretty girl earlier, and we’re going to meet up at her place.”

  “Oh… okay. Cormac, lesh go.” Jenna swayed as she tried to stand up and Cormac steadied her before she fell over. “You’re so sweet,” Jenna giggled, clutching his sleeve.

  “She’s pretty drunk,” Dylan observed.

  “I ken it. Dinna fash. I’ll be sure she gets home and to bed.”

  Dylan gave Cormac a questioning look.

  “Alone.” Cormac reassured him.

  “I’ll get you guys a cab.” Dylan offered, and then headed outside to flag one down.

  “Come, lass, let’s get ye home.”

  As they hit the fresh air outside, Jenna swayed even more.

  “Weeeee!” she cried.

  Cormac was concerned she was going to fall, so he did the only thing that made sense and picked her up to carry her to the waiting cab.

  Dylan paid the driver and told him the address. He handed Cormac his house key.

  “Here, you’ll need this to get into the house.”

  “And what of ye? How will ye get in?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got a spare,” Dylan winked, as he prepared to close the cab door.

  “Thank ye, Dylan.”

  The cab dropped them off in front of Jenna’s house and Cormac lifted her into his arms again, carrying her up the stairs to the front door. Opening the door, he carried Jenna across the threshold and she began to giggle.

  “What’s so funny, lass?”

  “You carried me, like I was a bride.” She continued laughing, as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard.

  Cormac was puzzled, but Jenna was in no condition to notice. Closing the door, he found the light switch and headed for Jenna’s bedroom. Chester, who had been soundly sleeping by the front door, lifted his head in greeting and then promptly went back to sleep.

  Jenna was resting her head on Cormac’s chest and she reached up to caress his face. “Cormac… would you kiss me? Please?”

  He nearly dropped her at the sound of her sweet voice requesting something he’d never dreamed would happen. She looked up at him with such longing that he couldn’t speak. He reached her room and put her down by her bed.

  “Come on… kiss me.” Jenna stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his. Fire shot through Cormac, from head to toe and all the places in between. He let her kiss him and found that he could not resist kissing her back. He wrapped his arms around her and let his hands wander over her back and hips. They slid up her sides and brushed her breasts. Jenna moaned softly. Her lips were soft and warm and he wanted more than anything to crawl into bed with her and explore her beautiful body. Being a gentleman, however, he would not allow that to happen.

  Her breath was mingling with his and the kisses were becoming more and more impassioned. He had to end this now, because if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to stop.

  “What’s wrong?” Jenna asked, when he abruptly stopped kissing her and placed her away from him.

  “Nothing is wrong, lass. Ye’ve just had too much to drink and I dinnae want to take advantage of ye.”

  “But I want you to make love to me.”

  “Not tonight, Jenna love. When I make love to ye, I want ye to remember it.”

  She giggled at that.

  “Will you lie down with me? Just for a little while.”

  “Aye. I will happily do that.”

  He helped her take her boots off, examining the black leather and high heels with a smile on his face. Cormac then got her into bed, pulled the covers up over her, so he wouldn’t be tempted, and then he lay down next to her.

  “Whoa! The room is spinning,” Jenna cried.

  He pulled her in close and she rested her head on his chest.

  “Close yer eyes and try to sleep. I’ll be right here. I promise.”

  She did as he told her and drifted off to sleep, almost immediately. Cormac took the opportunity to examine her, while she was unaware and didn’t have her guard up. She was truly beautiful. Her skin was soft and smooth and her lips were pursed into a pretty little pout. Her golden tresses lay strewn across the pillow and he couldn’t help himself and curled a lock around his fingers. She was perfect in every way, as far as he was concerned, and he knew that starting tomorrow - he had a chance with her.

  FIVE

  Jenna’s head was throbbing and her mouth was as dry as the Sahara Desert. She tried to move, but couldn’t. Something was anchoring her tightly in place. Her head rested on the hardest pillow she could recall sleeping on. Realizing she didn’t have any pillows like that, her eyes shot open and the pain in her head increased tenfold. She tried to sit up. No luck. There was a very large, very masculine arm holding her down.

  “What the…” she muttered.

  The arm moved and she discovered it was attached to a fully clothed Cormac, who was just opening his incredible eyes to look at her.

  “How be ye this morn, lass?” he asked as he stretched and sat up.

  “What happened here? We didn’t— did we?” She nervously awaited an answer, while simultaneously trying to remember what had actually happened last night.

  “Nay, lass, dinna fash. Nothing happened, but not for lack of trying on yer part,” Cormac chuckled.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember inviting you to sleep in my room with me,” she snarled.

  “Well, ye did, lass. I wouldnae be here otherwise. I believe ye had a wee bit too much whiskey last night.”

  “Yuck. Don’t remind me. Ooh, my head feels like it’s going to explode.” Jenna’s hands went to her head as she groaned.

  “Wait here, lass. I’ll get ye some water. A verra wise woman once told me that ye need to drink lots of it, when ye feel as ye do.”

  “Can you bring me some aspirin, too? It’s in the cabinet above the glasses, in the kitchen.”

  “Aye. I’ll return quickly, lass.”

  Cormac left the room and Jenna replayed the night’s events from the beginning, trying to piece it all together.

  “What on earth did I do? I hope I didn’t embarrass myself too much,” she said to herself.

  Bits of memory were making their way into her brain. She remembered Cormac carrying her up the stairs to the house. That was nice of him. He carried her into her room where she kissed him. Oh, my God, I kissed him! He must think I’m easy - or worse. But the kiss, as she remembered it was incredible, all soft, and warm. A very solid wall of man had wrapped himself around her and she’d liked it, very much. She was drunk, though. Maybe it seemed better than it really was. Just thinking about it was doing crazy things to her body, so it must have been pretty damn good. Oh, no! I asked him to make love to me! It’s official - I am never going to be able to look him in the eye again.

  Cormac walked back into the room to the sight of a very red-faced Jenna fanning herself with an old magazine. She immediately lowered her gaze, as if she had just found something very interesting to read.

  “Are ye well, Jenna? You look a bit ill.”

  “I’m fine,” she barked. That felt better. She needed to reestablish the boundaries she’d set yesterday. She definitely didn’t want him thinking
she was interested in him. Although he was very sweet, and protective of her, when Jonathan was being an ass. So, he’s a nice guy. What difference does that make? I’m going to stay as far away as possible. I don’t need this right now. I used to think Jonathan was a nice guy, too. Hell, I married him!

  Cormac handed her the aspirin and the water.

  “Can I get ye anything else, lass?”

  “Yeah, you can leave me alone and get the hell out of my room.” Yelling at Cormac was making her head hurt worse, but it was also allowing her to take back control of her wayward emotions.

  “I’ll leave ye, then. I can see that yer back to yer prickly self.” Growling under his breath, Cormac turned on his heel and strode from the room, leaving Jenna to nurse her aching head and sort through her conflicted feelings.

  ***

  Cormac soundly closed the door to Jenna’s room. He was having a hard time understanding how she could be so sweet last night, and so thistle-like this morn. Could drinking all that whiskey have turned her into someone she was not?

  The front door opened and Dylan walked through, looking a bit disheveled.

  “Hey, dude, how was your night? Did ye get Jenna back here without any trouble?”

  “Aye. There was no trouble,” Cormac scowled.

  “Your words are saying one thing, but your face is telling a different story. What happened?”

  “Nothing happened. Yer cousin is in a verra bad mood this morning.”

  Dylan took a seat and motioned for Cormac to do the same. They eyed one another, both waiting for someone to speak.

  “She was pretty out of it last night. Thanks for making sure she got home in one piece,” Dylan finally announced.

  Cormac nodded and continued to scowl.

  “It couldn’t have been that bad,” Dylan said.

  “It wasnae, until this morning. She was a different lass last night, sweet like honey and this morning, she’s as prickly as a thistle. I dinna ken what changed.”

  Dylan grinned. “She sobered up, that’s what changed. She always has her guard up, especially around men. She’s been dealing with Jonathan for a while now and it’s made her very skeptical of any man’s motives. Plus, my guess is, she’s a bit embarrassed about last night.”

  “Aye. I ken what ye speak of.” Last night he’d thought there was hope for them, but this morning all of his hope had been thrown out the window. Why on earth did Edna think that Jenna would agree to be his wife? A better question yet - why would he want her to be his wife? A brief glimpse into the softer side of Jenna had him curious to find out.

  ***

  Jenna was feeling badly about how she had treated Cormac. He hadn’t done anything wrong. As a matter of fact, he had been a perfect gentleman. She should apologize to him for her behavior and leave it at that. The wall was back up and she wasn’t planning to let it be knocked down any time soon.

  As she was about to enter the living room, she could hear Cormac speaking with Dylan. He sounded hurt and confused by her ill treatment.

  “Ahem.” Jenna cleared her throat to announce her presence and both Cormac and Dylan glanced in her direction. “Cormac, I just wanted to apologize to you for my behavior last night and this morning. I was angry with my ex, and I took it out on you. I’m very sorry.” She hoped she didn’t look as embarrassed as she felt.

  Cormac looked up in surprise at her words, a relieved smile spreading across his handsome face. “Apology accepted, lass.”

  “Good. I promise not to be all ‘prickly like a thistle’.” Jenna did her best to smile through her embarrassment.

  “I’d like that verra much,” Cormac said, ending Jenna’s awkward apology. Chester had curled himself up into a ball at Cormac’s feet and looked up adoringly when Cormac bent to pet him. “Yer a good dog, Chester. Do ye know that last night when we returned, he didnae even stir?”

  “That’s because he trusts you,” Dylan said. “He’s not like that with everyone. Chester hates Jonathan. Never warmed up to him.”

  “I cannae understand why,” Cormac joked.

  “Hey, let’s go get some breakfast. Same place as last time. Okay?” Dylan asked.

  “Aye,” Cormac agreed.

  “You just want us along to protect you, from that waitress who’s in love with you,” Jenna accused. “I’m on to you, Dylan.”

  “She’s in love with Cormac, now,” Dylan laughed.

  “Cormac?” Jenna repeated in disbelief. Why did she suddenly feel jealous? She shouldn’t. She had no claims on him; Cormac could see whomever he wanted.

  “Yeah. She was all flirty with him, when we were in there yesterday. Told him to come back and ask for her table.”

  “Well then, we wouldn’t want to disappoint her, would we?” Jenna tried to make her voice light and carefree, but somehow it didn’t come out that way. Both Cormac and Dylan were watching her skeptically. “Come on, let’s go,” she urged.

  ***

  Cormac was quite amused by the two ladies both vying for his attention. Sophia was obviously not happy to see Jenna with them when they arrived at the diner. She did everything possible to exclude Jenna and Dylan from her conversation with Cormac. As for Jenna, she was showing signs of jealousy and doing her best to pretend Sophia was invisible. They were both speaking to him at the same time and it was all Cormac could do to keep a straight face and answer both of them. Dylan was very amused by the whole situation, and constantly snickering under his breath.

  “Ladies, I cannae possibly speak with ye when ye both talk at the same time.” He purposely focused his attention on Sophia. He was enjoying this little game with Jenna. “Now, Sophia, what was it ye were saying to me?”

  Sophia gave Jenna a triumphant smile.

  “I was wondering what you were doing later today. I get off of work at four.”

  Jenna was just about to speak, but Cormac beat her to it.

  “I’m afraid I willnae be able to see ye at that time, lass. Dylan tells me we’re going to someplace called the East Bay.”

  Sophia giggled. “Cormac, you are so funny.” She batted her eyelashes at him and positioned herself in such a way that he couldn’t avoid seeing her cleavage when she touched his arm.

  “Mayhap we can meet some other time.” He winked and gave her a cocky grin.

  Sophia was fanning herself with the menus. “I’d like that.”

  “Can you take our order please,” Jenna said, her tone clipped.

  “What would you like, Cormac?” Sophia asked, in the sweetest voice.

  “I’ll have what I had yesterday, lass, if ye dinna mind.”

  “I don’t mind at all. Anything for you.” Sophia continued ogling Cormac.

  “Oh - My - God. Could you hurry it up already, Sophia? This is a restaurant, not a dating service,” Jenna fumed.

  Turning to Jenna with a growl, Sophia said, “What do you want?”

  “I’d like a Denver omelet, please. And an orange juice.”

  Sophia didn’t say anything in response.

  “I’ll have what Cormac’s having,” Dylan offered.

  Sophia turned and winked at Cormac as she walked away.

  “You really shouldn’t encourage her, you know.” Jenna said angrily.

  “There’s nothing wrong in flirting with a pretty lass,” Cormac answered.

  “You’ll be sorry when she starts stalking you,” Jenna testily offered.

  “I’d have to agree with Jenna on that one,” Dylan confirmed.

  The restaurant was crowded, but Sophia managed to get them their food in record time. She poured everyone coffee, again ignoring Dylan and Jenna.

  “Grrr. She is really getting on my nerves,” Jenna confessed as Sophia walked away.

  “Why would she be annoying you?” Dylan questioned.

  “She’s just so obviously ignoring you and me. It’s like we aren’t even here, and if we say anything to her, she acts like we’re disturbing her.”

  “The lass is working verra hard, Jenna. You sho
uldnae judge her.” Cormac hid his grin.

  “Never mind. We need to finish breakfast and get back to the house. I’d like to be across the bridge by noon.”

  They ate their breakfast in silence, interrupted only on those occasions when Sophia was fawning all over Cormac.

  Of course, Cormac was no fool. He knew exactly what he was doing by encouraging the waitress.

  “Jenna, ye have no reason to be jealous of Sophia,” Cormac said.

  She gave him a look of sheer disbelief. “I’m not jealous. Don’t flatter yourself, MacBayne,” Jenna snarled.

  He laughed, “Aye, ye are jealous. I’m not a daft idjit. I know what I see.”

  “You are out of your mind, if you think I’m even remotely interested in you!”

  “Ye and I both know the truth, Jenna, lass.” He gave her the smile he knew made the lasses weak in the knees. He wasn’t sure it was working on her. Now, she just seemed angry.

  “Can we get out of here, please?” Jenna snapped.

  Dylan was watching the interplay between Jenna and Cormac with an amused expression on his face. “Sure, let’s go,” he said.

  Cormac stopped to thank Sophia and lifted her hand to his lips. She looked like she might faint and out of the corner of his eye he watched Jenna’s reaction.

  “MacBayne, we don’t have all day here,” she spat angrily. “Do your flirting on your own time.”

  With that, she stormed out through the door, with Dylan close on her heels.

  Sophia was smiling triumphantly and Cormac felt a bit bad about using her to get to Jenna, but he’d probably never see Sophia again, so he didn’t think he’d done anything terribly wrong.

  SIX

  Back at the house, they loaded up Dylan’s truck with everything they needed. Chester sat in the back with Jenna. She let Cormac sit up front with Dylan, for the simple reason that he wouldn’t have fit in the smaller rear seat. Chester rested his head in her lap and sighed contentedly as they drove off.

  Cormac appeared to be fascinated with the truck and was asking all sorts of weird questions. If he was trying to make her believe his crazy story about being from another time, he was doing an admirable job. The two men were preoccupied with each other, so she used the opportunity to examine Cormac without him knowing. He really was gorgeous and she sighed contentedly as she continued to give him a thorough once over. She couldn’t believe she had propositioned him last night. Well, maybe she could. Any woman in her right mind would find him irresistible. That obnoxious waitress, Sophia, certainly had. Jenna couldn’t understand why it had bothered her so much, to see Cormac flirting with the other woman. She didn’t need another deadbeat man in her life. Jonathan had been enough and she was not going to repeat that mistake, ever again. Jonathan had only wanted her for her money. That was another reason to steer clear of Cormac. He didn’t seem to have any money or even a place to live. He had somehow weaseled his way into their home and was taking advantage of their good graces. They’d been paying for all his food and drinks. If Dylan really didn’t know him, just what was he up to? She’d better be careful. Letting him hang around might be a huge mistake.