Chapter 18

Celeste didn't offer to help clean up after dinner. She just relocated herself to the couch in the living room and watched the fire gradually decrease in size. She was no longer entertaining the small wine glass, but held the bottle firmly by the neck each time she tipped it to her mouth. This day had turned into the day from hell, and only the green bottle was keeping the demons at bay. At least the man in the kitchen was doing a good job of ridding the cabin of the putrid fishy smell that still lingered in her nose. He had opened the windows so a cool breeze would travel through the cabin every few moments. When he appeared in the living room, he tossed a thick log into the embers which brought the fire back to life, then joined her on the couch.

Celeste could think of a million things that could have made this day better. But only one seamed within reach at the moment. Placing the green bottle on the side table she turned her attention to the beautiful creature beside her. Pushing her knee into the couch beside him and turning herself she flipped her body over his, as if mounting a horse. She sat there, straddling him, waiting for some kind of response.

Finally he smiled and looked over toward the nearly empty bottle of wine. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I was just trying to get comfortable," she replied innocently, but with a naughty look in her eye.

"Oh, what was wrong with that side of the couch?" Duncan tried to act as if he wasn't enjoying her sudden advance.

"It was too soft." She teased as her delicate hands found the top button of his shirt. "I prefer a firm surface." Without hesitation or fear she leaned forward and kissed him passionately. His lips moving with hers, but with more caution than she would have liked, until she felt him pull away.

"Celeste, I think you've had a little too much wine." Duncan couldn't hold back his smile. The fearless woman on his lap now working on the next button.

"No, I can handle my wine. I think it was the scotch."She giggled moving to the third button.

He suddenly grabbed both her hands to stop her advance. "I didn't give you any scotch"

"I know, but I drank it any way." She seemed to get giddier by the moment.

Duncan firmly put his hands on her hips and lifter her off him, depositing her on the soft side of the couch. He jumped up and sprinted to the cabinet where he had stored the ancient bottle. Sure enough, the seal had been broken and the bottle had a quarter of the contents missing. Turning quickly he held out the bottle, "This was 250 year old scotch. I was saving this for…for…"

"For what?" She didn't seem to be bothered at all by his sudden outburst. In fact his anger only fueled her fire as she pulled her tank top over her head and let her hair fall back over her shoulders.

With fire still burning in his eyes, he quickly closed the gap between them until he was at arms length. He reached out, grabbed her by the waistband of her jeans and violently pulled her close. With his teeth he pulled the cork free from the bottle and spit it back onto the couch. He chugged several ounces without taking a breath before he released his grip on her. He put the bottle down before wrapping his arms around her, kissing her with the passion of a lonely man.

Celeste got back to work on his buttons as he kissed her down the side of her neck. Within moments she tugged the shirt free from where it had been tucked into his pants, and pushed it down his strong arms. The heat from his chest and the warmth of his lips could have put her in a trance. Never before had she felt this wanted. But as soon as that thought crossed her mind, he had pushed her away again.

"I can't do this to you."

Celeste looked confused. "What?" The sudden rejection sinking in.

"Your drunk, that's the only reason you want to be with me."

"Uh, no, that's not true."

"We'll see. Your immortal, that buzz will be worn off within an hour. We'll talk then." MacLeod picked up the bottle of scotch and found the cork, before returning it to the cabinet he had pulled it from. Then he closed himself in the bathroom, splashed water on his face and asked his reflection what the hell was he doing?

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It took a while for Duncan to regain his composure. When he finally opened the bathroom door, Celeste was laying on the couch, sleeping. He walked over to put a blanket over her bare shoulders. Even in the low fire light, he could see one shimmering tear that had streaked down her face and a sudden feeling of guilt squeezed his heart. What a day this had been for her. And an ending that neither could have expected. The good part, immortals didn't get hangovers, the bad part, he knew how embarrasses she would be in the morning.

It was hard pushing her away. His own desire wanting her as much as she thought she wanted him, but he couldn't accept her affection without her consent, and at that moment, she had no idea what she was consenting to.

And then there was Richie. Duncan hadn't even considered Richie during this entire encounter. Duncan had promised to take care of her for him, not steel her from him while he was out trying to solve the puzzle.

Duncan said it in his head, over and over, Don't let it happen again, don't let it happen again. It was hard to listen to this repeating over and over, when his heart was reminding him that she made him feel less lonely, in ways that he hadn't felt in a long time, and Richie only remained interested in girls for a week at a time. He still silently whispered, don't let it happen again. But this time he got a reply: Why Not? Because, next time you won't be able to stop. With that thought, he was able to admit to himself, that part was true. He wanted to be there for her and to be with her, and next time, he wouldn't be able to stop his heart from taking control.

He reached over and wiped the tear from her cheek before whispering goodnight, and disappearing to the bedroom alone.