CHAPTER 48
"It's like a fortress." Devan complained when he read the notes about the precautions MacLeod
and the others had taken to protect Beth. Pierson was living in the house with her and more
nights than not, MacLeod and Amanda stayed there as well.
This was going to be tougher than he thought. He had to find a way to draw them out … a
distraction so he could get his hands on the woman. Once he had her … Raphael would certainly
come for her.
He ran the sharpening stone along the edge of his sword and then tested the blade against his
hand, satisfied when it sliced through the flesh like a hot knife through butter. He stared at the
wound, watching the blood drip onto the concrete floor … imaging what it would be like to watch
the blade tear through the body of his enemy … what it would be like to try and decide which he
would kill first …
He didn't seem to notice when Reynolds backed out of the room, sickened by the display.
Back at the house, Amanda was going to stay … but Joe and Duncan had some things they
wanted to check on and left shortly after dinner.
Amanda, Beth and Adam sat for awhile in the living room talking … but when it was becoming
way too uncomfortable being the fifth wheel, Amanda feigned that she was exhausted and
retreated up to the room she'd been staying in.
"What about you?" Adam asked. "Ready to call it a night?"
"In a few minutes … " she answered, leaning over the edge of the sofa to scratch Barkley
between the ears. "But you go ahead … I know you're exhausted from the trip."
"Is that you're way of saying I'm staying in my room tonight?" he asked, his eyes telling her it was
ok if that is what she wanted.
"Adam if that is what I meant … I'd have said it." She replied. "I'm just not ready to go up yet … I
want to sit here for a little longer. I missed being home … I want to just sit and enjoy it awhile."
"Ok … but don't stay up too late. I'm going to take a long overdue shower and I'll see you in a
bit." He replied, kissing the top of her head and stopping to give Barkley a pat before he went
upstairs.
Beth sat back against the sofa, pulling her feet up beneath her as she watched the last of the
embers begin to die in the fireplace. It felt good to be home … she looked around the room, and
even though she knew Devan was out there … waiting to extract his revenge against her, she
didn't feel afraid. She was home and she was safe … and in a short while she would be sleeping
in Adam's arms, where nothing could harm her.
She thought about Adam … about the way he'd become so protective of her and how that
protectiveness had become so much more. She thought about the way his eyes could change
from a stormy and threatening steel gray to an intense hazel with tiny flecks of light in a matter of
moments. She tried to think about all the centuries those eyes had seen … all the places … all
the …
"Don't even go there." She told herself. He's been alive for 5,000 years … of course there had
been other women … she knew about Alexa, but she knew that there had probably been more
than he could count before that. "And probably many more after me …" she whispered as the
realization hit her. Beth knew she wasn't ready to think about that right now. Right now she only
wanted to think about being with the man she knew she loved … and to let him know how much
he meant to her.
She scooped the last of the live embers to the back of the grate and covered them with ashes
before going upstairs to her room.
Adam took a very long, hot shower, letting the water run over his shoulders and back … easing
the tension of the day. When he was finished, he toweled his hair until it was only a little damp
and started to go back to his room to put on some sweatpants before going to Beth.
But when he walked into his room … he was surprised to find Beth sitting in the middle of his bed,
wearing a simple white cotton gown … her hair loose and falling around her shoulders and down
her back. His eyes didn't leave her face as he pulled the towel tighter around his hips and closed
the door.
Beth couldn't help but let her eyes travel over him. Little beads of water still clung to his
shoulders and chest. Her mouth felt suddenly dry as she took in her first glimpse of the lean but
very well defined muscles that covered his entire body. His chest was smooth and firm, and his
abdomen deeply cut … the result of literally century after century of keeping himself constantly
prepared to defend himself. The muscles and veins in his arm stood out prominently as he ran
his hand through his damp hair. In the glow of the single candle she'd lit, Beth thought he was
literally beautiful to look at … as perfect as she could imagine a man being.
"I wanted to see how you liked your surprise." She said softly, licking her lips nervously because
she couldn't read anything into his expression. He was simply watching her in that intense way
he had … making her feel very aware of every breath she took and every beat of her heart.
"I'd say finding a beautiful woman in my bed is one of life's better surprises." He replied, letting a
slight smile play on his lips.
"Uhm … that's not the surprise … exactly" she looked down at her hands as they bunched in the
folds of her gown and back up at him almost shyly.
"It's not?" Adam let out a little laugh and sounded disappointed.
Beth suddenly felt very silly. This had been a bad idea … she should have just waited downstairs
in her room. "It's really no big deal … but I was waiting down in my room for you and
remembered the surprise … and … " she began, but as soon as he saw her begin to chide
herself for being so impulsive he moved to the bed and dipped one knee onto the mattress …
determined not to let her ever regret being that way with him.
It was at that moment when the mattress dipped slightly under his weight that he grinned.
"That's my surprise isn't it?" bouncing the mattress a few times. "You replaced that squeaky
mattress and box spring." He grinned, making her smile.
"I ordered it the week you first moved in … but since this is an older bed frame and couldn't take
a very tall mattress … it took awhile before they had it ready for delivery." She explained. "Big
surprise huh …"
"It's a wonderful surprise … even better since you did it before you even thought you wanted me
in your house." He said, leaning forward just far enough to place a light kiss at the corner of her
mouth … before sitting back on the edge of the bed, still watching her.
"You weren't worried I might get so comfortable with my new bed I wouldn't be able to leave it
were you?" he teased lightly because he still sensed how uncertain she was.
"No … I … I just … " she was so affected by being so close to him … by the sight of his body still
glistening from the shower … by the sound of his voice as he seemed to stroke her with every
syllable.
"I want you Beth." He said simply, encouraged by the way her breath seemed to catch in her
throat when he said it. But the next move was hers to make … and she knew that he was waiting
for her to let him know it was what she wanted too.
Beth lifted one hand and slowly ran it over the plane of his chest, caressing him softly before
letting her fingers come to rest just over the place where she could feel his heart pounding. "I
need you too Adam." She whispered as her eyes moved from where her hand lay to lock with
his.
Adam pulled Beth to her knees and up against him in one swift move, looking down into her eyes
for one long second before covering her mouth with his in a kiss that began tender and gentle,
but became an extension of the need they both felt for the other.
Beth's hands were pinned against his chest as Adam held her so tightly, but as his hands began
to wander up and down her back, she managed to slip them free … sliding them up until her
fingers were caressing the back of his neck and the short hair along it's nape.
The feel of her soft, full curves molding against his body without hesitation made it even more
difficult for Adam to control his desire. His hands impatiently sought out the hem of her gown,
sliding over the back of her thighs and then moving to cup the soft swell of her hips, stopping only
when he came into contact with the tiny bit of lace that he chose to ignore for the moment. He felt
her shudder of anticipation and smiled against her lips, knowing she wanted this as much as he
did.
Carefully Adam lowered Beth to the mattress, lifting his face to drink in the site of her looking up
at him with her dark, luminous eyes and kiss-swollen lips. Her hands came up to trace each side
of his face … his jaw … his strong mouth.
"Are you sure?" he whispered, tasting the tip of her finger. "Sure it's safe I mean?"
"You aren't going to hurt me or the baby Adam … unless you stop now." She added, pulling her
knee up along the outside of his thigh and over his hip, to emphasize how badly she wanted him.
That was all he needed to hear. He kissed her for a moment longer and then moved to lie beside
her, propping himself up on one elbow as his eyes traveled the length of her body.
Adam's hand moved over the soft, slick cotton, beginning at her hip … over her waist … her rib
cage and along the slope of one full breast. His touch was light, but it ignited everything in it's
path. The gown she wore had a thin satin ribbon that laced up the middle and down the front of
the bodice. His eyes met hers as he lifted the delicate ribbon and began to tug gently, slipping it
through one tiny loop in the fabric after another, until the gown was open from neck to waist.
Beth held her breath as his hand retraced the thin line of skin exposed to him and gasped when
he leaned over to place a long, wet kiss along the same path. He had only just begun to explore
and yet he could see and feel her body's arousal beneath the thin cotton.
He let out one long ragged breath as he opened first one and then the other side of the gown.
She was more than beautiful … her body was incredible … even more than he had imagined.
Beth flushed slightly under the heat of his gaze as he seemed to be memorizing every inch of her.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered as he began to touch what his eyes had already ravaged.
Beth arched into his caress, but he could feel her tense up as he reached the sweet swell of her
belly and the life she carried. He knew she was thinking that it made her less than perfect in his
eyes, but nothing could be further from the truth. Right here, right now, she was everything a
woman should be … and she was his for the taking.
He placed one chaste kiss on the place where her child grew, and then let her pull him back up …
she was hungry for his kiss and anxious to let her hands explore him as thoroughly as he had
touched her.
Beth urged Adam over onto his back, moving to straddle him. She let him slip the gown off her
arms and over her head before brushing his hands away. "My turn." She stated with a seductive
smile as she began to trace every plane, curve and ripple of his chest, arms and abdomen.
Adam groaned as she ground her hips into him, his battle to maintain control becoming that much
more difficult with every move of her soft round bottom. And when she leaned over him and
began to rain kisses and trail her tongue over his body … he decided they'd waited long enough.
He gently wound his hand in the curtain of hair that had fallen over his face and chest and pulled
her up against him even as he rolled her beneath his body. It took only a couple of quick tugs to
remove the last barrier between them, allowing him to make her completely his.
Beth clutched his shoulders as they moved together and Adam took great care to make sure she
received as much pleasure as was humanly possible before whispering a request that she open
her eyes … looking deeply into his as they spiraled over the edge of passion together. For
several minutes he held his weight above her until their breathing became more regular, then
held her close as he rolled to his back, cradling her head tenderly against his chest.
For a long time they simply held one another, Adam staring up into the dark ceiling as he stroked
her back absently. He thought she must have fallen asleep, and was close to doing the same
when her soft voice broke the silence.
"I don't even know your name … do I?" She whispered, her breath tickling his skin as she
continued to rest her head on his chest.
Adam let out a long breath, amazed at the way a woman's mind could work.
"I've been called by many names … " he began. "and I've been many things … spoken
languages that are long since dead from civilizations that are little more than dust now." He
continued.
Beth placed a light kiss against his rib and continued to listen.
"I am Methos …" He stated. "My name is Methos"
Beth lifted her head and turned to look into his face. "I love you Methos." She whispered before
lowering her head to rest once again against the smoothness of his chest.
Her words had been so unexpected … even though he had guessed that her feelings ran deep.
He knew he should say something, tell her how he felt. But the words he'd only spoken truthfully
once before wouldn't come. He wrapped his arm tighter around her body and reached with his
other hand to stroke her hair and face.
"It's like a fortress." Devan complained when he read the notes about the precautions MacLeod
and the others had taken to protect Beth. Pierson was living in the house with her and more
nights than not, MacLeod and Amanda stayed there as well.
This was going to be tougher than he thought. He had to find a way to draw them out … a
distraction so he could get his hands on the woman. Once he had her … Raphael would certainly
come for her.
He ran the sharpening stone along the edge of his sword and then tested the blade against his
hand, satisfied when it sliced through the flesh like a hot knife through butter. He stared at the
wound, watching the blood drip onto the concrete floor … imaging what it would be like to watch
the blade tear through the body of his enemy … what it would be like to try and decide which he
would kill first …
He didn't seem to notice when Reynolds backed out of the room, sickened by the display.
Back at the house, Amanda was going to stay … but Joe and Duncan had some things they
wanted to check on and left shortly after dinner.
Amanda, Beth and Adam sat for awhile in the living room talking … but when it was becoming
way too uncomfortable being the fifth wheel, Amanda feigned that she was exhausted and
retreated up to the room she'd been staying in.
"What about you?" Adam asked. "Ready to call it a night?"
"In a few minutes … " she answered, leaning over the edge of the sofa to scratch Barkley
between the ears. "But you go ahead … I know you're exhausted from the trip."
"Is that you're way of saying I'm staying in my room tonight?" he asked, his eyes telling her it was
ok if that is what she wanted.
"Adam if that is what I meant … I'd have said it." She replied. "I'm just not ready to go up yet … I
want to sit here for a little longer. I missed being home … I want to just sit and enjoy it awhile."
"Ok … but don't stay up too late. I'm going to take a long overdue shower and I'll see you in a
bit." He replied, kissing the top of her head and stopping to give Barkley a pat before he went
upstairs.
Beth sat back against the sofa, pulling her feet up beneath her as she watched the last of the
embers begin to die in the fireplace. It felt good to be home … she looked around the room, and
even though she knew Devan was out there … waiting to extract his revenge against her, she
didn't feel afraid. She was home and she was safe … and in a short while she would be sleeping
in Adam's arms, where nothing could harm her.
She thought about Adam … about the way he'd become so protective of her and how that
protectiveness had become so much more. She thought about the way his eyes could change
from a stormy and threatening steel gray to an intense hazel with tiny flecks of light in a matter of
moments. She tried to think about all the centuries those eyes had seen … all the places … all
the …
"Don't even go there." She told herself. He's been alive for 5,000 years … of course there had
been other women … she knew about Alexa, but she knew that there had probably been more
than he could count before that. "And probably many more after me …" she whispered as the
realization hit her. Beth knew she wasn't ready to think about that right now. Right now she only
wanted to think about being with the man she knew she loved … and to let him know how much
he meant to her.
She scooped the last of the live embers to the back of the grate and covered them with ashes
before going upstairs to her room.
Adam took a very long, hot shower, letting the water run over his shoulders and back … easing
the tension of the day. When he was finished, he toweled his hair until it was only a little damp
and started to go back to his room to put on some sweatpants before going to Beth.
But when he walked into his room … he was surprised to find Beth sitting in the middle of his bed,
wearing a simple white cotton gown … her hair loose and falling around her shoulders and down
her back. His eyes didn't leave her face as he pulled the towel tighter around his hips and closed
the door.
Beth couldn't help but let her eyes travel over him. Little beads of water still clung to his
shoulders and chest. Her mouth felt suddenly dry as she took in her first glimpse of the lean but
very well defined muscles that covered his entire body. His chest was smooth and firm, and his
abdomen deeply cut … the result of literally century after century of keeping himself constantly
prepared to defend himself. The muscles and veins in his arm stood out prominently as he ran
his hand through his damp hair. In the glow of the single candle she'd lit, Beth thought he was
literally beautiful to look at … as perfect as she could imagine a man being.
"I wanted to see how you liked your surprise." She said softly, licking her lips nervously because
she couldn't read anything into his expression. He was simply watching her in that intense way
he had … making her feel very aware of every breath she took and every beat of her heart.
"I'd say finding a beautiful woman in my bed is one of life's better surprises." He replied, letting a
slight smile play on his lips.
"Uhm … that's not the surprise … exactly" she looked down at her hands as they bunched in the
folds of her gown and back up at him almost shyly.
"It's not?" Adam let out a little laugh and sounded disappointed.
Beth suddenly felt very silly. This had been a bad idea … she should have just waited downstairs
in her room. "It's really no big deal … but I was waiting down in my room for you and
remembered the surprise … and … " she began, but as soon as he saw her begin to chide
herself for being so impulsive he moved to the bed and dipped one knee onto the mattress …
determined not to let her ever regret being that way with him.
It was at that moment when the mattress dipped slightly under his weight that he grinned.
"That's my surprise isn't it?" bouncing the mattress a few times. "You replaced that squeaky
mattress and box spring." He grinned, making her smile.
"I ordered it the week you first moved in … but since this is an older bed frame and couldn't take
a very tall mattress … it took awhile before they had it ready for delivery." She explained. "Big
surprise huh …"
"It's a wonderful surprise … even better since you did it before you even thought you wanted me
in your house." He said, leaning forward just far enough to place a light kiss at the corner of her
mouth … before sitting back on the edge of the bed, still watching her.
"You weren't worried I might get so comfortable with my new bed I wouldn't be able to leave it
were you?" he teased lightly because he still sensed how uncertain she was.
"No … I … I just … " she was so affected by being so close to him … by the sight of his body still
glistening from the shower … by the sound of his voice as he seemed to stroke her with every
syllable.
"I want you Beth." He said simply, encouraged by the way her breath seemed to catch in her
throat when he said it. But the next move was hers to make … and she knew that he was waiting
for her to let him know it was what she wanted too.
Beth lifted one hand and slowly ran it over the plane of his chest, caressing him softly before
letting her fingers come to rest just over the place where she could feel his heart pounding. "I
need you too Adam." She whispered as her eyes moved from where her hand lay to lock with
his.
Adam pulled Beth to her knees and up against him in one swift move, looking down into her eyes
for one long second before covering her mouth with his in a kiss that began tender and gentle,
but became an extension of the need they both felt for the other.
Beth's hands were pinned against his chest as Adam held her so tightly, but as his hands began
to wander up and down her back, she managed to slip them free … sliding them up until her
fingers were caressing the back of his neck and the short hair along it's nape.
The feel of her soft, full curves molding against his body without hesitation made it even more
difficult for Adam to control his desire. His hands impatiently sought out the hem of her gown,
sliding over the back of her thighs and then moving to cup the soft swell of her hips, stopping only
when he came into contact with the tiny bit of lace that he chose to ignore for the moment. He felt
her shudder of anticipation and smiled against her lips, knowing she wanted this as much as he
did.
Carefully Adam lowered Beth to the mattress, lifting his face to drink in the site of her looking up
at him with her dark, luminous eyes and kiss-swollen lips. Her hands came up to trace each side
of his face … his jaw … his strong mouth.
"Are you sure?" he whispered, tasting the tip of her finger. "Sure it's safe I mean?"
"You aren't going to hurt me or the baby Adam … unless you stop now." She added, pulling her
knee up along the outside of his thigh and over his hip, to emphasize how badly she wanted him.
That was all he needed to hear. He kissed her for a moment longer and then moved to lie beside
her, propping himself up on one elbow as his eyes traveled the length of her body.
Adam's hand moved over the soft, slick cotton, beginning at her hip … over her waist … her rib
cage and along the slope of one full breast. His touch was light, but it ignited everything in it's
path. The gown she wore had a thin satin ribbon that laced up the middle and down the front of
the bodice. His eyes met hers as he lifted the delicate ribbon and began to tug gently, slipping it
through one tiny loop in the fabric after another, until the gown was open from neck to waist.
Beth held her breath as his hand retraced the thin line of skin exposed to him and gasped when
he leaned over to place a long, wet kiss along the same path. He had only just begun to explore
and yet he could see and feel her body's arousal beneath the thin cotton.
He let out one long ragged breath as he opened first one and then the other side of the gown.
She was more than beautiful … her body was incredible … even more than he had imagined.
Beth flushed slightly under the heat of his gaze as he seemed to be memorizing every inch of her.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered as he began to touch what his eyes had already ravaged.
Beth arched into his caress, but he could feel her tense up as he reached the sweet swell of her
belly and the life she carried. He knew she was thinking that it made her less than perfect in his
eyes, but nothing could be further from the truth. Right here, right now, she was everything a
woman should be … and she was his for the taking.
He placed one chaste kiss on the place where her child grew, and then let her pull him back up …
she was hungry for his kiss and anxious to let her hands explore him as thoroughly as he had
touched her.
Beth urged Adam over onto his back, moving to straddle him. She let him slip the gown off her
arms and over her head before brushing his hands away. "My turn." She stated with a seductive
smile as she began to trace every plane, curve and ripple of his chest, arms and abdomen.
Adam groaned as she ground her hips into him, his battle to maintain control becoming that much
more difficult with every move of her soft round bottom. And when she leaned over him and
began to rain kisses and trail her tongue over his body … he decided they'd waited long enough.
He gently wound his hand in the curtain of hair that had fallen over his face and chest and pulled
her up against him even as he rolled her beneath his body. It took only a couple of quick tugs to
remove the last barrier between them, allowing him to make her completely his.
Beth clutched his shoulders as they moved together and Adam took great care to make sure she
received as much pleasure as was humanly possible before whispering a request that she open
her eyes … looking deeply into his as they spiraled over the edge of passion together. For
several minutes he held his weight above her until their breathing became more regular, then
held her close as he rolled to his back, cradling her head tenderly against his chest.
For a long time they simply held one another, Adam staring up into the dark ceiling as he stroked
her back absently. He thought she must have fallen asleep, and was close to doing the same
when her soft voice broke the silence.
"I don't even know your name … do I?" She whispered, her breath tickling his skin as she
continued to rest her head on his chest.
Adam let out a long breath, amazed at the way a woman's mind could work.
"I've been called by many names … " he began. "and I've been many things … spoken
languages that are long since dead from civilizations that are little more than dust now." He
continued.
Beth placed a light kiss against his rib and continued to listen.
"I am Methos …" He stated. "My name is Methos"
Beth lifted her head and turned to look into his face. "I love you Methos." She whispered before
lowering her head to rest once again against the smoothness of his chest.
Her words had been so unexpected … even though he had guessed that her feelings ran deep.
He knew he should say something, tell her how he felt. But the words he'd only spoken truthfully
once before wouldn't come. He wrapped his arm tighter around her body and reached with his
other hand to stroke her hair and face.