Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

“To speak to your father and then my brother. I need to inform them both that I’ve found my chosen one and that she is you. Following that, I intend to continue wooing you.”


“Do you have another hidden pool to show me?” Grinning mischievously, she wandered toward the tunnel’s entrance and sent the basket floating ahead of her down the darkened passageway. She bounded up onto the rock, her red skirts clinging to her pert bottom and her hips swaying so enticingly as she sashayed out of his sight.

His bear growled deep inside him, doubling his demand for her. Hell, keeping his hands off her until she’d ended her betrothal would be one of the hardest things he’d ever done. He lengthened his stride, caught up with her as she squeezed through the thinning gap at the end of the stone ledge and joined her outside, the crashing of the waterfall and life beyond their secret haven, resounding all around.

“This place is so enchanting.” She pressed herself against the mist-covered rock wall, the clear sheet of water arching over them and pounding into the pool nestled within the ravine far below. The morning sunshine beamed bright, flared through the cascading water and sent a colorful rainbow of beautiful yellows, pinks, reds and blues shimmering over her upturned face.

“You’re the enchanting one.” Her beauty was one of sweet, youthful innocence, her vibrant love for her clan making her glow all the more and drawing him in. Unable to help himself, he traced his knuckles gently down the softness of her cheek, her flawless skin warm to the touch. He dropped a kiss on the tip of her tiny nose, wanted to smother her face in a myriad of kisses. “You’ll need to set the basket down on the other side of the ledge, Layla.”

“Why?”

“So you don’t drop it when I kiss you proper.”

“There shall be no kissing.” She tapped his chest. “None whatsoever.”

“I keep telling myself not to touch you, to give you the time you’ve asked for, but I’m struggling to adhere to your request.” He gave her his most hopeful expression. “Please, surely one kiss wouldn’t hurt.”

“One kiss will likely lead to so much more, and you are a terrible tease for even asking.” Giggling, she floated the basket toward the grassy cliff side. “And I am no’ setting this basket down so you can kiss me, in case it appeared that way.”

“You are a very mean mate.” He followed her along the ledge where the view opened up then breathed deep as he took in the beauty of the land spread out before them. At the bottom of the hills, the House of Clan Matheson rose like a sentinel, the inner channel of Loch Alsh weaving inland like a ribbon of blue silk, while across the sea’s choppy ocean waves to the west, the northern tip of the Isle of Skye rose with a layer of white cloud swelling over it. Skye. Clan MacDonald’s land, and that of his mate’s betrothed. He edged past her on the ledge, bounded onto the grassy bank and arms extended, nodded. “Jump.”

She took a step back then bounded across.

He caught her, twirled her around onto his other side and safely away the sheer cliff edge.

“Oh my.” Laughing, she spun about, her damp blond locks streaming behind her and her rosy cheeks and smile so captivating. “Never have I felt so free as I do in this moment.”

In a way, neither had he, no matter he had Donnan MacDonald still to contend with. His woman had certainly cast a spell over him, fully and completely ensnaring him and he wanted it no other way. Her brown eyes, as rich in color as dark chocolate, sparkled with vigor and vitality and his desire to hold her close, roared through him with thundering need. He’d get no respite from that need, not for the rest of his life. The one woman he desired to spend the rest of his days with stood before him and all he wanted to do was fall to his knees then take her down with him and worship her body.

“Thank you for bringing me here, to this most precious place.” She closed the distance between them, pressed one hand against his chest, right over his heart as she reached up on her toes and kissed his chin.

“This will be our place, only yours and mine, always and forever.” He slid one hand over her hip and the other around to the small of her back. “By the way, you missed my mouth by an inch. Are you certain I cannae claim a kiss?”

“Positive.”

“My bear is feeling incredibly territorial right now.” He dipped his head, rubbed his cheek against her cheek and embedded more of his scent into her flesh.

“Can you control him?” She curved her body into his, her hips rubbing against his hips.

“Barely. He wants you to desire us, the same way that we desire you.” He nuzzled her neck, scraped his teeth along the sensitive hollow where her shoulder and neck met and she dug her fingers into his biceps and held on piercingly tight.