Highlander's Guardian (Highlander Heat #4)

He caught her hand and halted her retreat. “You cannae accept another man’s proposal while I’m gone.”


“Rory isnae leaving until I’ve secured an engagement. Even should you still wish to aid me in selecting the right man, you’ll be gone for weeks. I dinnae have weeks, no’ if I wish to decide my own path and ensure the king cannae demand another match.”

“That’s no’ what I meant.”

“I’ll no’ speak of your intention to rescue your chief. It comes as no surprise to me that you had a plan to do so.”

“You still misunderstand. I cannae leave you knowing James MacDonald waits in the wings. There is only one thing for it.” He hauled open his satchel, tugged his plaid out and tore a short strip from it. He clasped his right hand with her right and wrapped the plaid around both their wrists. The symbolic gesture had her pulse racing. “Annie, I wish a handfast. Bind yourself to me as my wife for a year and a day, and afore that time has passed, I’ll ensure we’re wed proper.”

“Pardon?”

“You cannae marry James.”

“And you cannae ask me to marry you because you feel a sense of duty toward me.” She shook her head. “Nay, I—”

“I love you, Annie. There is no sense of duty in the deep desire I have for you.”

“What did you just say?” Her heart fluttered with hope.

“I love you, and as much as I wish to protect you from enduring a life with me, I’m too selfish to let you go.” He lowered to his knees, brought their joined hands to his lips and kissed her palm. “Speak vows with me. I’ll begin.” He cleared his throat. “I, Colin Eoin MacLean, of Mull, pledge my troth to Annie MacLeod. With this handfast, I take her as my wife for the next year and a day.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “I want you as mine, in every single way.”

“As I want you. I cannae believe this is happening.” She sank to the floor, her fingers twined with his. “I, Annie MacLeod, of Skye, pledge my troth to Colin Eoin MacLean. With this handfast, I take him as my husband for the next year and a day. Now what do we do?”

“We seal the vows with a kiss.” Gaze smoldering, he dipped a finger down her neck and along her riding jacket’s square-cut neckline. “Come closer.”

She swayed forward and he captured her lips in a scorching kiss, his hard body a fierce heat that stamped warmth into hers just as she desired.

“My wife,” he murmured against her lips. “As you always should have been.” He rose to his feet and drew her up, untied the plaid binding them and removed her jacket. With his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around and unlaced her gown. He smoothed the red velvet down over her sark until it fell in a swish to her ankles. “Time for bed.”

“I need to wash up. I’m grubby from my ride.”

“Then make it quick.”

She crossed to the water basin, unfolded a cloth and dipped it. With her foot braced on the wooden chair, she lifted the hem of her sark, draped it over her bent knee and cleaned her ankles of the mud splatters from the trail.

“There’s something I need to speak of.” Colin sat in the chair, took the cloth from her and propped her foot in his lap. Gently, he wiped around her calf and over her knee as he tracked upward. His warm breath whispered across her flesh then puffed hotly along her inner thigh.

Toes curled into his soft leather trews, she held his shoulder. “I’m listening.”

“With my coming mission being a dangerous one, I need to know you’re safe. You are to return to Dunvegan with Rory. I’ll come for you there, as soon as I’m able.” His golden gaze lifted to hers, so hungry and needy. “I also cannae take the risk of getting you with child, but if you wish, I would still love to give you pleasure this night.” He lowered her leg, lifted the other and stroked higher, until the thin white cotton bunched across her most private parts. “Your pleasure will bring me pleasure.”

“If it involves more of this kind of touching, then aye.”

“I promise it will.” He caught her around the waist and pulled her across his lap.

Straddling him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I trust you.”

“Dinnae let go.” He eased her hem higher and pressed the cool cloth against her entrance. A pulse skittered to life where he touched her and she rocked forward with a low moan. ’Twas past time for them to deepen their bond.

“I want your hands on me, and mine on you.” She caressed his glorious chest. “Everywhere.”

“Aye, everywhere.” He tossed the cloth onto the side table and slowly removed her sark, one inch at a time until she sat naked before him. With his finger, he traced around her beading nipples. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Oh, everywhere is good.”

“Tell me if I go too fast.” He clamped her bottom and kept her tight against him as he sucked her nipple deep into his mouth.

She leaned into him, desperate to rub against the hard length of his erection thrusting upward and tenting his trews. “It seems I like fast.”