**Warning: Villainous behaviors ahead**

The breeze suddenly picked up and turned into a bitter wind. Dark, angry gray clouds began to roll in off the coast. Liam gazed out, eyes squinting in assessment seeing the storm quickly coming. They didn't have much time. As breathtaking as it was watching Erin light up with enthusiasm explaining her teaching tools to them, her chestnut hair energetically whipping around in the wind, Liam knew they would all be drenched from the coming rain storm. Judging by the crescendoing rumbles in the distance, boisterous thunder and fierce lightning would accompany this storm.

"Connor, get Ashlynn back to your horse and start back. Aedan, go with them. A storm is coming. Get back to the keep. We won't be far behind," Liam ordered. He quickly helped Erin put her things back in the bag.

By the time Liam and Erin reached their horses after running alongside each other, the others had gone ahead departing to return to the shelter of the keep. Liam helped Erin mount then quickly secured her bag to the saddle and retrieved a cloak out from the saddle bag. He draped the cloak over his shoulders but wrapped it around them both, tying it off just in front of Erin's neck. It kept her warm with his body heat and would protect them once the rain began to fall.

****

The wind soon became unforgiving, strangely brutal this early in the winter like it was foreshadowing something ominous to come. Kennedy let the men go in for lunch just as the rain assaulted from the sky.

Kennedy was frustrated still from the events with Liam earlier. The trainings did nothing to curve his emotions. He needed to find Bridget. She was used to his surprise visits for a good carnal release.

He found her in one of the storage rooms in the keeps lowest floor. She was bent over, her firm backside to him, putting away freshly harvested vegetables in storage crates. They would glean from these stores come winter. The hunting wasn't the only thing they did in preparation.

Kennedy was easily able to sneak up behind her and slide his hands around her waist, bringing his hot, opened mouth straight to the spot on her neck that always made her melt. She jumped, startled at his surprise contact but soon grinned and relaxed against his chest wiggling her bottom against his hips.

"You gave me quite a start, Kennedy," She mused, reaching behind her to grab his hair as he continued to kiss and bite at her neck.

"I'll give you more than that," he chuckled against her neck then spun her around, setting her on the edge of one of the crates. It put her at a perfect height for him. Without being asked her legs parted for him as she eagerly lifted the skirt of her dress, smirking devilishly at him.

Bridget grabbed Kennedy by the hair roughly pulling him to her mouth into a heated, hungry kiss. His hands made quick work of unlacing the front of her dress as she worked at his pants. There was no need to check if she was ready, he knew she was. It didn't take much to get her going. They had been rendezvousing like this for months. Just the thrill of it got her going.

Kennedy wasted no time before plunging into her, finding a steady, ardent rhythm. Bridget's heavy breathing and soft moans against his neck encouraged him on. What she didn't know, was that he had a plan in mind and needed her help. This was the easiest way to get her to agree.

His mouth assaulted her cleavage, working its way to her collarbone and finally her neck. That was the spot that really riled her up, just under her ear. He took advantage of that spot and whispered his desire hotly into her ear.

"I need your help, Bridget," he whispered into her ear, panting slightly.

"Anything, Ken-...oh, anything," she moaned, her hips rolling upward meeting his.

He grinned against her neck, slowing his rhythm just to tease her but rammed determinedly into her depths. Kennedy kept her going by sliding his hands down under her skirt to where their bodies joined, briskly rubbing another spot that never failed to unravel her. Bridget threw her head back, crying out loudly. He kept his rhythm and touches tedious, rough and deliberate, so he could lay out his plan.

"Yes, love, only you can help me," his mouth found her ear, fingers and hips never stopping as he spoke between thrusts. "There's a...visitor...in the keep...a woman...she's caught...Liam's eye...and I can't have that..."

"Ohh?" she mused, breathing heavily, clawing his back desperately trying to urge him to plunder again. She was achingly close. "Why not?"

"I need to...seduce her... it will hurt him...as he has... uhh, hurt me," he growled, thrusting harder and making Bridget moan louder.

"You...you have me...no need...for her," her mouth met his, feverishly trying to convince him.

"I will always come back to you," he bit her lower lip and dragged his teeth over it, grinding into her to prove his point. "Will you help me?"

"Yes...yess!" She moaned in agreement.

He would take it. Now to finish them both off. He picked up his speed matched with brutal force then brought his eager mouth back to her neck. Bridget embraced him tightly, breathing heavier and groaning loudly until they both trembled with their release.

"Anything for you, my love...anything at all," she smiled at him, kissing him gently.

"Excellent," he grinned at her, promptly separating them. "Just go see to her once they return, help her bathe, dress or whatever it is you maids do and highly speak of me."

"And what do I get in exchange for helping you bed her?"

"I'll give you round two tonight if you are successful," he kissed her roughly as he straightened himself out. Bridget did the same.

"I'm looking forward to it already," she smirked, sliding off the crate.

Kennedy smirked back as he turned to leave the storage room. He couldn't help but wonder if Erin would be just as feisty in bed. Surely she would be better. He would just have to conquer and find out just how much she could take of his...special tastes.

****

The rain pelted mercilessly on them as Liam and Erin made it back to the keep. They were drenched despite his wool cloak, now heavy from accumulating moisture. Liam led the horse into a steady gallop for most of the way back. Erin's back and rear were sore. Liam rode the horse right up to the front gate, untied the cloak then slid off, helping Erin next and taking her bag off the saddle before giving the reins to one of his men. She was shivering. Liam put his arm around her trembling shoulders, suddenly feeling protective of his guest especially with this storm, and swiftly led her toward the family wing of bed chambers.

On their way to their rooms, Liam caught sight of Katherine, "Would you please have baths drawn in each of our chambers, please darlin'?"

"Yes Sir, of course," She answered warmly.

"Uh Katherine," he called before she turned, adding quietly, "Erin's first. She's more cold than I am from the rain."

"Mhmm," She hummed, smirking up at Liam who sighed and shook his head. On her way to carry out the request, Katherine saw Erin peering around. "Erin dear!"

She spun, hugging herself and shivering. "Did Ashlynn and C-connor make it b-back safely?"

"Yes dear," Katherine answered, guiding Erin toward the stairs. "She's already been bathed, dressed and is sleepin' in her room for a wee nap. You go on up and a bath will be ready soon."

Erin laid a hand on the older woman's arm, offering a genuine smile. "Thank you Katherine."

"Erin, wait!" Liam called, darting between household people to make it her before going upstairs. He held out Erin's bag, smiling softly as their fingers touched around the strap. "I'd uh...very much like to know more about this bag's contents later..."

Erin smirked at his nervousness and nodded. "Let me bathe, change and check on Ashlynn then I will gladly show you some things."

They parted ways, butterflies bubbling in her belly. Entering her room, Erin smiled fondly at the sight of Ashlynn asleep in her bed, not Ashlynn's. She must have fallen asleep waiting. Erin took a long, warm bath relaxing in the rose scented water.

"Pardon the intrusion, Miss,"A maid called, cracking open the door. "My name is Bridget. I have a clean, warmer dress for you."

"Thank you, Bridget," Erin smiled as Bridget put the dress down on the edge of the bed then quickly left.

After getting out and drying off, Erin noticed her clothes that she had been wearing when they arrived here had been washed, folded and laid out on a bench seat near the window. She celebrated inside getting her bra and underwear on before slipping the fresh dress over her head. Next, was the wide leather belt around her waist, tying it off then lacing up the front of the dress. It was a dark blue, thicker fabric but still plain and simple. The belt gave her bust a nice lift and the wide neckline made the sleeves start at the top of her shoulders. Even though it was plain, it hugged her curves and was very flattering.

Ashlynn stirred and awoke, sitting up and rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Hi, Momma. May I go find Connor, please?"

"Sure, sweetie," she answered, stepping into the leather shoes left with this new dress. "Go have fun."

Erin left the room shortly after, wanting to explore and if she happened to find Liam... She padded down the halls, running her fingers over the cool stonework, amazed that this was real. Several bedrooms were behind doors Erin curiously opened, each decorated a little differently. She also found a study, a library connected to a sunroom that Erin vowed to revisit later then she finally made it to the stairs that led her to the great hall.

By the sound of it, a lot was going on in the hall. It seemed like most of the village was there. Liam, Kennedy, Aedan and a few others she didn't know made their way around to everyone. A young, golden blonde, very attractive woman with a cooing baby on her hip made her way to Erin once she made it down from the stairs.

"Hello, you must be Erin," the woman smiled sweetly. "I'm Colleen. Aedan is my husband and this is our son, Brayden."

"Oh, Colleen, I'm so glad to finally meet you!" Erin embraced Collen and gave a warm hug. "I can't thank you enough for helping with Ashlynn."

"It's not a problem at all! We are all family her either by blood, marriage or from knowing each other since childhood," She giggled. "Take Liam and Aedan for example! They grew up together since this age," She bounced her baby who giggled. "and when Kennedy joined the family, the band of brothers expanded. I've known them all since childhood. I used to throw rocks and Aedan." She chortled adorably and Erin immediately loved this woman. "Kyla and I put an herb that works as a laxative in Liam's ale once when teens, he couldn't stop visiting the..." she blushed. "Well, you get the idea."

Both women laughed heartily. Liam heard the bubbly sound, jade orbs searching ardently for the source. He elbowed Aedan and Kennedy, nodding his chin toward the two women who obviously were getting along. Aedan and Liam smiled at each other, tilting their glasses but Kennedy scowled once again, burning with jealousy that someone other than him had Erin's attention. That would change very soon. She was incredibly tempting in that dress he knew Bridget picked out. It emphasized Erin's curves and ample breasts perfectly. Delectable.

Kennedy felt his breeches tighten at the thought of those globes swelling and bouncing at his touch. Yes, his plan needed to be put into action soon or he would go mad with desire. Just as he was about to walk over to Erin and try to get her alone, Liam rose, raised a hand for silence waiting for attention from all to make an announcement.

"Good people," His confident, leader-like baritone broke through the chatter, bringing everyone to a respectful hush. "There are many things we must repair to get you back into your homes in the village, however, as long as it's raining, we cannot do those repairs. You can wait out the storm here. We have plenty of food and wood to keep the fire in the great hall burning. When the rain stops, I will need every able bodied man to help with the repairs and further reinforcements to prepare for winter. We might as well do it now. The women can help gather food from the farms, herbs from the garden and drying the meats from the hunt yesterday. If you are unable to do any of those jobs, you will help watch the children who are too young to help. Aedan will be in charge of repairs, Kennedy will be in charge of perimeter sweeps, Connor will be in charge of the people watching the children and Colleen will oversee the food preservation. We will work together to get a head start on our winter preparations."

Erin was in awe at the quiet of the room as Liam spoke. It was very obvious that these people greatly respected Liam as their leader. He stood on a raised platform area in the hall, just in front of the family table used for mealtimes. Their eyes locked for a moment when Liam paused in his speech, a mischievous smirk on his lips that made him look adorably boyish.

"I also want to take this opportunity, to introduce two guests who are here," he continued, eyes surveying the excited village people. "Erin and her daughter Ashlynn. Please help them feel welcome."

The people cheered and applauded as Liam stepped down actively mingling his way through the crowd of villagers. Kennedy grumbled as he went to gather some men to help with perimeter sweeps while Aedan continued the inquiries about what repairs needed to be done once the storm ended. Liam wound his way to Erin and Colleen just in time to hear the tail end of their conversation about dresses for Erin.

"It's really not a big deal. I'm fine with borrowing. I don't want to cause any extra fuss," Erin was saying.

"Nonsense, dear," Colleen replied. "The seamstress is probably here in the keep instead of the village and can get your measurements now. She could probably get you at least one decent dress by tomorrow morning."

"She's right, Erin," Liam interjected, causing Erin's cheeks to blush which in turn curved his lips into a faint smirk. "Tis not a problem. She would likely enjoy it. Go talk to her, Colleen and tell her to pick whatever is needed from the keeps reserves." Erin smiled at him, speechless, as he walked away to see to what Aedan would need.

Colleen took Erin by the hand and led her to the seamstress, introduced them then all three women went to Erin's room and set to the task of getting her measured for dresses.

"Anything?" the seamstress asked Colleen once the message about using the keeps reserves of cloth and dresses was passed on.

Colleen grinned and nodded her head. "That's what Liam said. Let's start with a few everyday dresses then get some nicer things from the reserve. The seamstress grinned at Erin, knowing something must be going on and agreed.

The rest of their evening until dinner was measuring for different styles of dresses. Dinner was quick and followed by the selecting and altering of several evening dresses from the reserves. Through the process, Erin found herself genuinely hoping Liam approved of each dress.

Happy Friday!  Phew!  Recovering from being away for two weeks is rough!  My six year old slept in until 8 am this morning!  Woohoo!  She's usually up by 6:00 am if I'm lucky.  Errands have been run, lunch eaten now we're about to put the Christmas tree away because new window are being installed at our apartment building. In winter!  Yay! -.-

Weekend Getaway is also updated!

Read, enjoy and vote!  Tell me what you think of Kennedy now! ;)

<3