Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

“I snuck away for a very good reason.”


“Explain your reasoning to me.” He struck flint with his dagger and lit the lamp, its flame flickering within the darkening tent and casting its soft glow over the canvas walls.

“To speak to Donnan, to break the betrothal I agreed to. So too I would have had the conversation under control if you had no’ have stormed in.”

“Like hell you would have.” He caught her around the waist as she made her next pass and dragged her up against his heaving chest. “I don’t even want to think about the fact that Donnan could have forced a consummation of your betrothal vows and made you his wife in truth this very day. No one would have gainsaid his decision with the signed agreement in place if he’d done so. I could have lost you, forever.”

“I would never have allowed Donnan to touch me, or to sway me to his way of thinking. I fully intended to explain things to him, to ensure he understood my position and to have him release me from our agreement.”

“You’re my mate, and I would give my life to ensure your protection.”

“Donnan may have repudiated our betrothal, but only under duress. He will return, seek retribution, make his demands known. ’Tis just a matter of time.”

“Let him. Next time I’ll not issue a reprieve as I did this day.” He walked her backward until the backs of her knees hit the corner pile of brown fur pelts and she toppled back onto them. Swiftly, he sank down on top of her, tipped her head to the side and bared her neck. He licked her flesh, right over his mark then looked deep into her eyes. “We need to complete the bond. Once we do, we’ll have a merged link of the mind, one that is inherent in my shifter blood. We’ll be able to speak to each other at will along a pathway known only to us, mind to mind, and that connection will ensure I can always remain in touch with you. Only then will both me and my bear ever be at peace.”

“The last thing I wish for is such a merged link.” A complete lie. She would adore it, not that she was telling him that right now. Mayhap not ever.

“I never want you to leave my side again.” He dipped his head once more, razzed his teeth over the mark, and damn it, she shivered with need.

“Dinnae you dare bite me, Tor Matheson.”

“I won’t apologize for coming to your rescue, and I will be biting you.” His low rumble vibrated against her heaving chest, his gaze imploring. “Say aye, my challenging mate. I need your permission before I do.”

“Nay, and we are in the middle of an argument if you have no’ noticed.”

“You’re so beautiful when you get mad. I haven’t told you that yet, but I should have.” He grinned, actually grinned and she wanted to slap him. Clearly her mate had no self-preservation.

“Release me.” She pushed against his rock hard chest, except he moved not an inch.

“Layla, when you went missing”—his tone gentled, his golden gaze heating as he rubbed the tip of his nose against hers—“I realized something very important, that there isn’t a chance I can ever live without you. I nearly went insane when I couldn’t find you. Let me bite you. You must allow it.”

“You are far too forceful for my liking.”

“And kiss you. You must allow me a kiss as well.” He slid one hand around the back of her head and seized her hip with the other. Rubbing his body against hers, he embedded his deliciously earthly fresh scent into her. “My bear is rampaging inside me. I’ll have to shift soon, and the last thing I want to do is leave you like this, when both of us have been fighting. Grant me a kiss, please.”

She truly shouldn’t allow him to have his way like this, only the need lacing his tone sent that thought flittering from her head. She touched her lips to his, their kiss brief and almost over before it had even begun, but a kiss all the same. “Now leave.”

“Huh.” He snorted under his breath. “I clearly should have stipulated how long that kiss should have been, but still I thank you for it all the same.” He groaned then rolled off her onto his back on the pelts, his gaze on the tented ceiling above. He squeezed his eyes shut then opened them again and slowly sat up. He removed his weapons, shucked his boots and hauled his loose-sleeved black tunic over his head before standing in his faded brown rawhide pants. “Turn around if you wish. I need to fully disrobe.”

“How long will you be gone?” She lifted the circlet headband of silk flowers from her hair and set it on top of the crate next to his war coat, kicked off her slippers and unknotted the tasseled blue ties of her leather girdle then tossed the belt on top of her belongings. “Will you be back this eve, or sleeping elsewhere?”