Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

“You sound so certain, yet right now I’m wondering if you might just be the very one I’ve been seeking. Perhaps your betrothal to another is how you’ve been hiding from me. Certainly whatever this is between us, I’m going to delve deeper into it and find out exactly what’s going on.”


“This is naught, and one cannae hide behind a betrothal. I have also given Donnan my oath to wed him afore the week’s end, of which I shall.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “Would you at least allow me to walk while we have this argument? Reason is all you need to see, and I’ll make sure you do.”

“If I put you down, I want your promise that you’ll continue on with me to the waterfall.”

“I promise.” She snorted under her breath. “You are a very vexing man.”

“Thank you.”

“It wasnae a compliment.”

Grinning, he set her feet on the ground, her long blond spiral curls sliding sensuously over his forearms as he did. He adored her fiery nature, her temper which rose quickly to the surface then just as quickly died away. She was like a fierce sunrise and a thundering storm, all beauty and explosion rolled into one, then the ultimate grace as she simmered back down. She was the kind of woman he longed for, with attributes he hoped his chosen one held. The kind of woman he would love to roll around in a meadow with, to claim as his and make her his wife. The kind of woman he could make love to each and every day and still never get enough of. Those thoughts barreled through his mind, gaining with strength and making him want her all the more. Hell, if she wasn’t his mate, it would likely kill him.

With one hand at the small of her back, he guided her along the winding trail leading upward toward the craggy hilltop. As she walked beside him, the skirts of her red velvet gown swished against his legs and her cinched bodice lifted her breasts, the white satin trim along the low-cut neckline brushing the upper swells of her creamy skin.

His mouth watered at the heavenly sight. He might have let her down, but he didn’t think he’d ever be able to let her go, not until they’d talked and he’d discovered exactly what it was about her that had both him and his bear clamoring for more of her. She had to be the one, his mate, and the holder of the other half of his soul.

“Cease looking at me like that, Tor.” She frowned, and so beautifully.

“How exactly am I looking at you?”

“Like you want to eat me.”

“I believe I do.”

“And cease speaking in such a way as well.” She gripped her skirts and stomped ahead. “I’ve witnessed Cherub and Kirk’s mated bond taking form, Tavish and Julia’s too, not to mention the others whom Cherub has brought through from your time. Their love for each other is so precious to behold. We do no’ have such a bond.”

“The mated bond is what my shifter clan live for.” He lifted his nose to the air and drew in the dampness of the forest floor, the clear aroma of pine and the fresh scent of the air, although Layla’s intoxicating cherry scent swirled around and stamped its wild beauty over it all. “I should have remained here these past three days rather than left you all alone. I’ll never leave you again.”

“No more.” She huffed, continued on. “I am no’ your mate.”

“What if you are? You need to at least consider the possibility.”

“I need to consider naught.” Another huff and a vexing stare.

Damn, she had the most beautiful eyes, the dark brown so rich in color and swirling with a multitude of emotions. Well, it seemed he had a very feisty woman on his hands, and possibly a mate, of which he’d know with absolute certainty the moment the full moon rose. Tonight was the one night of the month when his chosen one would never be able to hide from him. He’d sense the exact direction he needed to take in order to track her down, although all his senses roared that he was already in full pursuit, the woman before him the very one who held the other half of his soul. Hell, whenever he was around her, all he wanted to do was touch her in some way, keep her close, learn all he could about her. She intrigued him as no other could.

“Layla, wait a moment. Let me clear the way so you don’t catch your skirts on the scrub.” Thick brush partially clogged the last portion of the pathway and he swung his sword free and slashed the scrub away then gestured for her to go first.

“Oh my.” She stepped through and gasped. “’Tis so stunning.”

She was the stunning one. He joined her where the forest fell away and the roaring waterfall pummeled down. Water rushed over the topmost edge of the waterfall a good ten to fifteen feet above their heads. It sleeted past a stone ledge hidden underneath the fall of it and crashed into a pool thirty feet below, before streaming around thick boulders and flowing downhill toward the inner channel of Loch Alsh.

“’Tis been such an age since I last tramped up here. I’d clear forgotten how incredibly beautiful this place is.”

“I’m glad you agreed to come with me.”