Highlander's Charm (Highlander Heat #3)

Lila pushed on, swimming at a good pace as the hours trickled by. Seagulls circling overhead squawked, and a playful seal pup darted around. The waters teemed with life, but with each stroke she took, her heart sank deeper. Leaving Calum shouldn’t be this hard, and this bond they had shouldn’t hold this much power over her.

She swam past the odd village nestled close to the water’s edge, but took extra care and kept her distance as fishermen cast their nets from their skiffs.

Soon the high tide moved with the setting of the sun, the current flowing swifter into shore. Her chilled muscles ached, and wearily, she rode a cresting wave into a darkened, secluded cove. The perfect spot to rest for the night.

She trudged out then hands on her knees, dragged in a deep breath. Moonlight flickered over the rocky beach and shimmered across the treetops. The wind blasted through and she rubbed her arms with numb fingers.

At the edge of the beach where it met the forest, a stream gurgled into the sea. She lumbered toward it, lowered herself to her knees and shakily scooped water. She drank and the cold rush of liquid hit her empty belly and sent shudders raking through her. She swayed and grappled for the stream’s edge.

Too late. A rock loomed and she hit it hard.

She clutched her head as black spots danced before her eyes.



Calum urged his black destrier faster along the narrow forest path edging the cliffs. Below, the sea roared and crashed against the jagged rock wall. Lila was out there in that dark squall when she should be tucked safely in his bed. How had he allowed her to escape? And how had not one of the fishermen he’d stopped to speak to thus far, not seen any sign of her?

White-hot terror suddenly cut through him, their connection gaining in strength. Something had happened to her, and he’d felt the razor sharp blow to the depths of his soul.

Fisting his horse’s reins, he burst out of the forest and plunged down the hillside toward an isolated bay. At the mouth of a stream, the incoming tide washed over something.

Hell. ’Twas Lila.

Face down, her unmistakable silky black hair floated around her.

He slammed his knees into his steed, jumped a fallen tree across his path and raced.

No one would take Lila from him.

Never again.



Lila’s head shattered with pain, and her back throbbed as if someone beat on it.

Thunder pounded in her ears, and her name echoed all around.

Why was Nanna yelling at her? And why was her voice so deep?

She tried to call back, managed a croaky, “Stop.”

“Breathe, damn it.” Muscled arms wrapped around her and flattened her against a hot, hard chest. Definitely not Nanna.

She forced her eyes open and the haze cleared. A golden gaze, filled with fear and relief drilled into hers. “Calum?”

“I have to keep you safe from the sea.” He smothered her in his warmth.

“You do?” That sounded right, only where was Nanna? “I’m so c-cold.”

“I’ll start a fire and have you warm afore too long.”

“Nanna’s l-left the windows open.” She nuzzled his neck and the heat of his skin scorched her frozen nose. Oh, he smelled delicious, that fresh scent of his one she wanted to roll around in. “What am I doing here?”

“You escaped me, and it’ll no’ happen again.” He cradled her in his arms as he carried her and whistled. A horse whinnied and he grabbed the animal’s reins as it appeared out of the gloomy dark.

“You’re going to be in so much trouble.” She jabbed his chest. “Nanna doesn’t allow horses in the house.”

“Your grandmother isnae here.” He mumbled something she missed then said more clearly, “There’s a cave right alongside this cliff.”

“You mean our cave?” Her muddled thoughts were slowly clearing. “The one you saw in your vision?”

“Aye, it must be. Our future has been foretold.” He pressed his lips to hers, sending another blast of heat through her. She itched to get closer, to seek the ultimate contact. He was so hot, only he broke the kiss as he walked with her into the trees.

Brush scraped against her shoulders as he looped his horse’s reins to a low branch. He strode along a narrow ledge of rock, and the sea’s cold spray pelted into her. She burrowed, her cheek mashed against his damp shirt. “H-hurry.”

“Almost there.” He strode into the cave. “We’ll remain close to the entrance so the smoke from the fire can escape.”

“A fire sounds good.” The gritty walls held a slight odor, but the wind was gone. She longed for more warmth.

“I need to collect some wood.” Carefully, he set her down beside the wall, unraveled his plaid and wrapped her in it. Hunkered down, he tipped her chin toward him and looked into her eyes. “You appear more lucid. Dinnae move. I’ll be as quick as I can.”