Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

Tor closed his eyes, opened them again and tried heartedly to get his racing heartbeat under control. Layla’s breath came as hard and fast as his did, her brown eyes darkening to a hungry hue as she traced along his waist.

The white cotton of her wet shift, almost transparent where it pressed against her chest, showed the perfect fullness of her breasts and a mouthwatering tease of ruby pink nipple. The sight had his cock hardening and his need for her rearing with fierce intensity. He yearned for her touch, for her trust and her heart. She was his, just as he was hers.

Gently, he swept his hand around hers, brought her fingers to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against her palm. He nibbled up, along her wrist then rubbed his cheek against the creamy skin of her inner forearm. Being surrounded by her scent and ensuring she carried his own, consumed him. How he wished to bite her as their shifter kind did, to leave his mark on her so all others would know she was his, but instead he breathed slowly, forced the deep desire down and attempted to calm himself. Time. She’d asked for some time and as much as he hated giving it to her, he would.

“Are you all right, Tor?”

“I’ll be fine. It’s just that I need you.”

“In what way?” She inched closer, sank one hand into his hair and lightly raked her nails over his scalp.

His bear rumbled deep inside him, her touch a mark of claim that brought such peace to his soul. He wanted her caressing all of him, her mouth on his neck and the ultimate mark of her claim made right there on his flesh for all to see. “I want to bite you, for you to bite me.” He looked deep into her eyes. “You’re my mate and no other’s. I’ll never give you up.”

“You are stealing my will to be anywhere but here with you.” She wriggled her fingers free of his, shoved her hands in her lap then stared at her whitened knuckles. “What kind of a woman promises herself to one man then so readily touches another?”

“Don’t. I adore your touch, need it to the depths of my soul and I’ve no doubt my need calls to yours, increases and inflames it. It hurts when you pull away.” With one finger under her chin, he lifted her gaze back to his then traced his thumbs over the dusting of freckles smattered across her tiny nose and cheeks. “Touch me, as freely as you wish. I’m yours, always and forever.”

“This bond is so all-consuming.”

“Aye, but in a very good way.” He pushed to his feet and lifted her to hers. She needed a moment to relax again, to not worry about their bond and the depth it raged. She enjoyed playing and so did he. He’d play with her some more. He swept her up into his arms then tossed her into the water with a resounding splash and dove in after her.

She emerged, spluttering and laughing just as he did, her long hair floating like a silken web of gold around her as she treaded water. “Your bear is far too playful for me right now.”

“Do you wish to head in?” He tipped his head toward the beach. “Or take me on once more? I know you can.”

“I would adore taking you on, but I’m afraid we should return afore a search party is dispatched. I’ve no wish for anyone else to discover this sacred place. It is ours alone.” She swam in and once her feet touched the ground, she slogged through the water to the sandy shore.

He set out after her, kicked into shore and joined her on the beach then wrung his shirt out as best as he could, although it’d dry quick enough since his temperature ran hotter than most. All shifters’ blood did.

Gripping the hem of her sopping shift, she eyed him. “I need to remove this undergarment. The wet cotton will chaff my skin if I wear it underneath my gown. Could you turn around?”

“I’d rather not.” Except he did, giving her the privacy she’d asked for. He shook the sand from his black pants and jammed them on, fastened his sword belt and tugged on his boots. Done, he waited, rested one hand on the warm surface of the damp rock wall. “Let me know when you’re dressed.”

“I still need a moment.” A wet plop, the swish of velvet falling in a whoosh then her soft step as she moved across the sand toward the fire pit. “Now I’m done.”

He turned around, his pulse racing at the way she smiled at him, her brown eyes dancing with mischief and her lush lips lifted with a sultry sensuality he longed to taste for himself. “It’s time to leave.”

“Aye, it is.” She knelt before the fire and even though it had died out some hours ago, she scooped sand and tossed it over the charred remains to ensure not even a spark remained alight. She rose, picked up the cane basket of cherries in one hand and tucked her wet shift inside it, her shawl again draped over her shoulders. “What are your plans for the day, Tor?”