Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

The early morning sunshine beamed through the vent high above and flickered across Layla’s closed eyelids, while the steam swirling through their sacred cavern dampened her skin. From somewhere outside, birds twittered and she stretched, burrowed her nose deeper into firm flesh as the soul-satisfying scent of Tor surrounded her. Mmm, he smelled divine, like that of the outdoors, the sun and the sea and all that she adored about her homeland.

She lifted one eyelid and bit down on her lower lip. Nay, nay, nay. Her legs were tangled with his and she lay almost half over top of him, her hands bunched in his tunic and his warm breath fanning gently over her forehead. How had she ended up in this intimate position? She needed to move away, with all speed, except when she tried to release him, she instead spread her hands more fully over his solid chest.

His muscles flexed under her touch and she trailed one finger over the tight bands of muscle layered across this stomach under the thin white cotton. His midnight black hair caught the dawn’s light and shimmered a fiery blue on the ends, the razz of stubble on his jaw giving him an early-morning, sensually-hot look that made her mouth water for more of him. Goodness. She shook her head. Turn away. Look anywhere but at him, because if she didn’t, she’d touch him, and far more than she should considering her betrothed state.

She scuttled back, jumped to her feet, dashed into the warm water of the pool and dove. Kicking, she cut a fast path across the surface toward the overhanging ledge running alongside the wall at the far side. Hands planted on the ledge, she gave herself a push up with her skill and sat on top of the warm stone, feet dangling in the water.

“You moved fast just then.” Tor stretched as he rose from the sand, shoved his black leather pants down his legs and with his white tunic fluttering against him mid-thigh, he bounded into the water. He dove and swam underneath, a wave rippling toward her and the streak of white which must be his shirt, shimmering just below the surface. He burst from the water in front of her, clamped one hand on her ankle and grinned. “Want to play?” He flashed a smile full of challenge then released her and backed away. “Or are you too wary to swim with a bear?”

“I’m wary of naught.” She’d show him she could swim and play and not be perturbed in the least. “Race you to the other side.” She stood and dove from the top of the overhanging ledge. Kicking, she swam hard and when he drew up alongside her, she sent a wave of water crashing into him with her skill and powered ahead.

He roared, plowed after her and caught her up as she touched the wall. He nabbed her around the waist and chuckled as he twirled her about in the water. “I love your form of play, sweet Layla, my challenging mate.”

His wolfish gaze and his hands on her hips sent a thrill racing through her then gently, he lowered her down, sliding her along the length of his body as he did. She cleared her throat. “Let’s race back to the other side.”

“I’ll give you a head-start.” He released her. “No cheating this time.”

“You are taller and stronger than me.” Cheat she would. She shoved another wave of water at him, tossed her feet in the air and went under. Swimming, she kicked, until her lungs were near to bursting then headed to the surface. Tor swam toward her on top and whizzed in front, his muscled legs strong and propelling him forward far faster than she could ever manage. She seized his feet as he flew by, held on as he powered them both to the ledge with sure strokes from his gloriously muscled arms alone.

With his hands on the rock, he hauled himself up, reached down and lifted her onto the flat stone next to him. Water sluiced down his legs and his laughter rang out and echoed all around. “I haven’t had this much fun in ages.”

“Neither have I, although we should return soon.” She wrung out her long locks then picked up the trailing ends of her shift and squeezed the water from it. “Father and I always break our fast together. He’ll know I’m missing afore too long.”

“Then I thank you for spending the night with me.” He caught her hand, pressed it against his thumping heartbeat. “I’ll forever remember this day.”

“So will I.” Spreading her fingers over his flesh, she reveled in the heat he emitted. His wet tunic clung to his heavily muscled chest and a smattering of hair, as dark as his head, showed through the white linen. She slid one finger into the gap between the loosened ties of the V neckline then trailed down between the contoured planes of his belly. His rigid abs tightened under her touch and his heat blasted toward her, made her want to wriggle even closer. Oh, and now that she’d started touching him again, she couldn’t stop. She swished along his trim waist, a raw and hungry need rearing to full and vibrant life within her. She wanted him, wanted more.