The wind plastered his tunic against his chest and whipped his shoulder-length hair about his neck as he sailed toward the sleepy village. Houses of stone and clay, cloistered tightly together and surrounded by a high stone wall, beckoned him with the promise of the one who awaited him within.
He steered his skiff toward land, lowered the sail as he neared the pebbly shore and jumped into the knee-deep water. He hauled his boat half onto the beach then stopped as the faint fragrance of lavender and all things sweet reached him. ’Twas Elizabeth’s scent, one that had embedded itself deep into his mind the week before.
“Kenneth!” Elizabeth raced through the gap in the stone perimeter wall, her blue gown swishing about her legs and her long golden-blond locks catching the moonlight and shining like silk as her hair streamed behind her. She hurried down the stony trail, onto the beach and bounded into his arms. He barely planted one foot back in time to cease them both from toppling over. “I knew you’d come for me this eve,” she breathed in a rush. “Your grandmother spoke to me after you found my brother. She said I would be the one and to remain in wait for you.”
His grandmother was a sneaky one.
Filled with joy, he twirled Elizabeth around then set her back on her feet and lowered to one knee. Holding her hand in his, he spoke the words drawn from deep within his soul. “You’re my mate, the one woman I wish to share my life with. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
“Aye, I’d like that very much.” Her eyes sparkled, such a striking hue of sapphire. “Would you like to speak to my father?”
“Nay, I shall simply steal you away and inform him on the morrow that you’re to be my bride.” He swung her into his arms, leaned over the side of his skiff and set her gently on the center seat then pushed the boat into the water and leapt aboard.
Tonight was their night, and no other’s. He would woo his chosen one as she deserved and she would be his, for all time. Exhilaration, unlike any he’d ever known before, surged through him.
Chapter 5
Panting for breath in the back seat of the SUV, Iain nipped Isla’s lower lip then pulled back an inch as Kirk drove them toward the village. His woman could distract him completely with her passionate, mind-bending kisses.
“Where are you going?” She tugged him back and nuzzled his neck, her teeth razzing over his skin. If she bit him now, he’d be hard-pressed to hold back. If only they were alone.
Kirk pulled into a parking space on the main street next to Daniel’s vehicle.
The department store in front with its wide glass doors set within a sandstone brick frontage sat between a three-story tavern with accommodations on the top two levels and a florist shop with a bright red door and hanging baskets of colorful flowers.
“This village looks so quaint.”
“My mother adores this department store. She insists it sells everything one could ever need. You should be able to find all you’re after here.” He hopped out, came around the back and opened her door. He led her up onto the pavement then gently wiped a streak of dry dirt from her cheek.
“Maybe we could grab a bite to eat afterward. I missed breakfast.” She glanced at the tavern next door to the store. “Do we have time for that?”
“We’ll make time.” He clapped Kirk on the shoulder as he joined them. “Reserve us a table. Order for me if you like.”
“Will do.” Kirk wandered into the tavern that held a restaurant they patronized regularly.
Isla rounded the hood of Daniel’s car, opened the passenger door and nabbed a red leather purse from the front seat.
Finlay stepped in beside him. “I’m glad you’ve got her back. Now, make sure you don’t lose her again.”
“Thanks for keeping me sane while we searched for her.”
“No problem.” Finlay followed in Kirk’s footsteps.
Isla spoke to Daniel and the two hugged before her partner trailed after his brothers.
She sashayed across to him, caught his hand and tugged him inside the store. He pulled a trolley from the bay and weaved through the aisles as she browsed, her hips swaying far too enticingly in that super snug denim. All he wanted to do was drag her against him, stamp his mark on her as he had last night and ensure she never left his side again. The chase this morning to catch her had worn at his nerves. Hell, he really needed to be alone with her, and soon. He’d take her to the cabin. It was the perfect place.
In front of him, Isla thumbed through a rack of jackets, her golden gaze darting between the clothing and him. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine once I’ve got you alone.”
“We’re fairly alone now, give or take the odd shopper.” She sidled closer, pressed her entire body against his, every glorious and curvy inch of her. “We could even call this our second date.”