Highlander's Charm (Highlander Heat #3)

“I’m on it.” Zayn whipped open her door, slung an arm around her waist and hauled her out. “Lean on me.”


“I—I—” Her vision blackened and her head shattered with pain. She slipped sideways and into oblivion.



Calum bumped into something as he pushed through the murky depths of the loch. He tried to grab hold of it, only he got nothing but water. Damn, he was almost out of breath. He kicked upward, broke the surface and treaded. He’d returned from Skye this eve with Colin and still had the fortuneteller’s prophecy humming through his mind. No one could disappear into thin air, but that old woman had after handing him a charm.

Now he was swimming in the loch for no good reason.

The stars twinkled in the dusky evening sky, a glittering ribbon shining over Duart’s massive fortified walls. The guardsmen on watch patrolled the battlements, keeping an eye out for any possible attack. ’Twas only a matter of time before MacIan sought his revenge for the atrocity done to him and his clan, and Duart was his to protect.

He kicked toward land, made the beach and collected his tartan and sword. His vision hazed and images flickered through his mind, a wispy barrage until just one became staggeringly clear. A woman. She turned toward him, her body covered in sleek, black fabric glistening from the water. Midnight-black hair streamed to her waist, and her enchanting silver eyes sparkled.

The image dissolved and his heart ached with loss.

Hell, he was losing his mind.

He strode into the keep, signaled the guard to lower the portcullis then walked up the tower’s side stairs. Once in his chamber, he shut the door and stoked the fire to blazing life.

“This is amazing.”

He spun around and a woman’s image flickered to life.

She wandered toward his side table. She picked up the pitcher, poured water into the basin then traced along the rim. “What a beautiful antique.”

“’Twas gifted to me, but ’tis no antique,” he answered her.

“Oh, sorry. It looks like one.” She drifted to his desk, inspected his candleholder then glanced at the ceiling.

“Who are you?” He wanted to touch her, hold her, feel the warmth of her skin against his.

“You know who I am.” She crossed to his bed and stroked the fur covers. “I’m your charm. For all time. I’ll come back to you. I promise.”

Her image wavered and disappeared.

His loss intensified.



“Would you care for a fresh glass of water with your medication?” An auburn-haired nurse buzzed around Lila’s bed, tucked in her crisp white sheets and smoothed the blue woolen blanket.

“No, the one I have is fine. How far away is the doctor?” She was desperate to leave after suffering through three long days of observation by the medical team. Blacking out had not been fun, nor when she’d finally awoken, being told she wasn’t going anywhere. She didn’t have time to laze about when she had Nanna to search for.

Mingary hadn’t turned up anything during her trip, but the next location on Nanna’s itinerary was Duart. The urge to get there was the strongest she’d ever had.

“Dr. Cardiff is doing her rounds. I’ll let her know you’re waiting.”

Her matronly doctor strode in, her shoes clipping loudly on the linoleum floor. “I heard my name.”

“You did. Lila wanted to see you.” The nurse walked out with a cheery smile.

“I have your test results.” The doctor flipped her white coattails and perched on the bed beside her. “Your blood work shows you’re pregnant.”

“I’m what?”

“You’re pregnant.”

“Are you sure?” The doctor must be mistaken. One couldn’t get pregnant when one hadn’t had sex.

“Yes, the results were conclusive.”

An image flittered into her mind, one of a blazing fire, the shadow of its flickering flames grazing the stony walls of a cave. Heat pulsed through her body, and a man with dark hair and golden eyes released the plaid still covering her until the soft wool pooled in her lap.

“Calum, show me everything you saw in your vision.” The words were her own, spoken to him. She loved him and the emotion consumed her with its intensity.

“Aye, everything.” With painstaking slowness, he grazed a finger from between her breasts to her belly, his touch starting a pulse point fluttering between her legs.

“I really like how you touch me.”

“I like it more.” He skimmed his hands over her waist and pressed his lips to her belly. He kissed her, right over her heart shaped mole. “Beautiful, and just as I saw it.”

“How about you show me your star shaped birthmark?” She tickled down his side and around to his right cheek. “It was about here, wasn’t it?”

“Aye, though I intend a long loving of your body first.” He laid her back on his plaid, eased her breasts together and licked one nipple.

“I never want to forget this night.”

“I’ll ensure it.” He swirled around the tip then sucked her nipple deep into his mouth. She pushed her hips against him. He’d awakened her body, and she wanted more. She craved his—