Highlander's Guardian (Highlander Heat #4)

Keeping to the shadows, he moved soundlessly toward her four-poster bed with its navy canopy and golden-tasseled ties. She slept on her back, her pale blond lashes glimmering in the fire’s glow. Quietly, he lowered to his haunches and gently smoothed the back of his knuckles across her flushed cheeks. Everything about her touched his heart, and he desperately wished he could explore what was between them. Except taking that chance when his current mission was such a treacherous one, would only endanger her.

He breathed deep and her sweet rose scent swirled seductively around him. Her mother had adored roses, and she and Annie had planted cuttings along the forest path near their cottage. Wild copses of roses had bloomed, and each time he’d ridden that trail over the years and encountered the fragrance, memories of Annie stirred and overwhelmed him. He hated that she lived so far away on the Isle of Skye, that he could only visit her when his duties allowed it. Those visits of late had become fewer and further between.

“Mmm, Colin.” She pushed her arms out from under the covers, dislodging the tartan blanket.

Hell. Her nightrail was loose at the top and gaped open.

With shaky hands, he caught the ties, but before he could pull them together, she wriggled and stretched and exposed her full breasts.

“Dinnae leave me, Colin. You promised you’d always be close,” she murmured in her sleep.

Lust shot straight to his cock. This had been the most tortuous day, and it appeared it wasn’t yet at an end. He needed to close those ties. He hauled the fabric together as best he could and knotted it.

“Colin?” She blinked her eyes open and grasped his hands and sat up. “You’re back. Is all well?”

“As well as can be. The king thinks to weaken Lachlan but his mind remains strong.”

“The Chief of MacLean is one of the most determined warriors I know. He’ll never lose his mind or fail his clan.” She wriggled across and patted the mattress. “You look tired. Surely you can guard me from here.”

“I should sleep afore the fire.” Yet he kicked off his boots, propped his sword beside the bed where it would lay within easy reach and slid in beside her. The itch thrumming through him to be close to her was too strong to be curtailed. “Come here, scamp.”

She rolled into his side, slid her hand over his chest. Her soft circular strokes over his heart soothed him, as did her warm lips pressed against his cheek. “You worry too much.”

“There are two men intent on harming you. James proposed, and Arthur admitted to me he too made an offer.”

“I turned Arthur down, although he didnae take my answer as a firm nay and told me to think on it.”

“You cannae wed him.” His words, a mere whisper between them, were the strongest he’d ever issued. “I’m sorry, but bearing witness to the two of you together would kill me.”

“Why is that?” She kissed the corner of his lips. “Do you feel what could be between us too?”

“I gave my chief an oath, and I must abide by it. I’m here for him, no’ to dally with you.”

“You dally with no woman, or at least none I’ve noticed.” She licked along his lower lip and heat surged through his veins. “A point you should take note of.”

“Because you continually scatter my thoughts, as you’re doing now.” He cradled her face in his hands. “Annie, you’ve held a piece of my heart since the day you were born and always will, but of late, we’ve grown too close. I want to kiss you, and ’tis wrong.”

“What would be wrong is no’ kissing me.” A teasing smile lifted her lips. “I want to kiss you as well, to know what it’s like to share the same breath as you.”

“Damn it. You’re no’ listening.”

“Colin.” Brow arched, she tapped his mouth. “You shouldnae swear when a lass makes such a request. ’Tis no wonder you’re still unwed.”

“Which I intend to remain. Warriors have short lives, and you need a man who can care for you throughout all of your days.”

“Life is meant to be lived. Kiss me now so I’ll no longer wonder what your lips on mine would feel like. You know how curious I can get.”

“Such a request could also get you into a world of trouble.”

“I like trouble.” She threaded her fingers deep into his hair, guided his mouth to hers and kissed him. Her breath whispered softly across his tongue, a teasing caress that had him urging her lips apart to capture more of her essence.

This was wrong, but now he’d indulged, he couldn’t stop. Need rushed through him and he took control of the kiss, plunged his tongue inside her mouth and drank in her delectable innocence. He welcomed the raw intimacy, one he’d craved for so long.

“Mmm, I love the feel of your mouth on mine.” She pressed her breasts against his chest, kissed his jaw and nibbled toward his ear. “My heart is beating so fast. I’m no’ sure what to do.”

“I feel your heartbeat.” It pounded ruthlessly against his own. “Annie, what are we doing?”

“Getting into trouble, together. Kiss me again.”

“I didnae come in here to ravish you, but to ensure your safety.” He had to insert some space between them, to clear his head. “’Tis been a long day and we both need to rest.”

“Well, I’m wide awake now.”