Highlander's Charm (Highlander Heat #3)

Everything within him demanded it.

Sprinting, he took the stone steps four at a time and raced out the entrance. At the water’s edge, he shucked his boots then searched again for the lights. More concentrated now, they churned within a swirling vortex. He dove in and swam into the heart of it.

It sucked him down, an unearthly force he’d never fight.





Chapter 11


With a tight grasp on her charm, Lila fought the icy water as a blaze of lights shimmered all around. It was as if the stars themselves had escaped the sky. Beautiful, yet deadly. She had to get—

An arm clamped around her waist.

She jerked around and stared into the most piercing golden eyes. Calum firmed his hold on her and pushed them upward through the murky depths, and in a flurry of bubbles, they broke the surface.

She gulped in great drafts of air. “I-is it really you? Or have I died and gone to heaven?”

“Who are you? Why have I been longing for your arrival?” He cupped the back of her head and drew her closer. His dark hair floated around his neck as he treaded water for them both.

“I came as soon as I could.” Her Highlander was real, his body solid, his flesh warm and his hold tight. She clutched his shirtfront as the lights around them blinked out. “Don’t you remember me?”

“I’ve seen a vision, and three days past, a fortuneteller spoke of you.”

“I’m Lila.” She’d returned to the same time she’d first arrived. “I’ll help you remember, but this water’s cold. Do you mind taking me inside?”

“Aye, I must warm you up.” He kicked them toward the shore, swept her into his arms and carried her out. Water sluiced from their bodies, and she shoved her coin into her pocket as Calum’s gaze roamed her body. “What are these clothes you wear?”

“Jeans, and they’ll be tough to get off now they’re wet.”

“I’m sure I’ll manage, ah—” He shook his head. “My apologies. I didnae mean to be so forward.”

She stroked his cheek. “Take me inside, and you can be as forward as you like.”

He hurried, bounding up the winding stairs and into his chamber. He shut his door then motioned toward his trunk where a tartan was folded on top. “Use what you’d like. Wrap yourself up.”

“From memory, you’re very good at warming me up all on your own.” Nothing would heat her blood faster than his touch, and she longed for it, to the depths of her soul.

“I dinnae—” He grasped the edge of the table and closed his eyes. “A vision.”

“Tell me about it.”

He moaned as if in pain. “You have a beautiful heart shaped mole on your belly.”

“What else do you see?”

With his eyes still closed, he murmured, “You lie afore me in a darkened cave. Your beautiful hair is spread like black silk over my tartan, and your body is entwined with mine. No part of us remains apart.”

“Keep watching.” She stroked his back as he did.

“We’re speaking vows and—” He slowly straightened and turned around. Desire blazed in his eyes. “You’re my wife?”

“Now we’re getting somewhere.” She tugged her cotton t-shirt free then tossed it onto the polished floor where it hit with a resounding slap. “Now, show me exactly how we fit together.”

“Are you”—his devouring gaze lowered to her chest—“certain?”

“Touch me, Calum. I want you to remember everything as I have.”

He embraced her breasts and nuzzled between them, his mouth moving hot and swiftly over her flesh. “I recall making love to you in a hidden loch. Your breasts are so beautiful. So full.”

“Yet still a little cold.”

“Sorry, my love.” He drew her nipple deep into his mouth and sucked, hard.

“Mmm, much better. You are so good at that.”

“We crossed the sound but sunk the skiff,” he murmured. “There was a battle and you disappeared within the waves. I remember. You wished yourself away from me.” He lowered to his knees, planted his hands on her waist and trailed his lips down. He kissed her, right there where their child lay. “Where have you been?”

“A medical facility in the future, where there are healers.” She pushed her fingers deep into his thick hair and held onto him. “It took me three days before my memories returned, but once they did, I had everything. I came as soon as I could.”

“I dinnae understand. Were you no’ well?” He fiddled with the domes on her jeans until he snapped each one open.

“I’m just fine, and you’re going to be a daddy.”

“What?” He stopped and stared at her.

“That’s exactly what I said when I first heard. It was the shock I needed for my memories to surge.” She guided his hands to her waistband. “You’re getting distracted. Jeans off now.”