Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson #2)

“I accept you, every single infuriating inch of you. I hope you can handle a fiercely strong woman.” She caressed his shoulders and arms, so thick and strong then fluttered her fingers over the firm planes of his wide chest. His abs rippled, layer upon firm layer and she swished down the rigid center, along the delicious tease of dark hair narrowing down his belly and along his waist. With her skill, she lifted him up a touch until he floated an inch or two above her. Sweet heaven. The head of his shaft had thickened further and now flushed a bright and delectable cherry color.

She needed all the kisses he could give her, every mark of claim and anything else he was willing to offer. She ran her thumb across his warm lips and a whole lot breathless, murmured, “’Tis time.”

“Show me it’s time.” He caught her hands, pressed them high over her head and against the pelts she lay on. As her fingertips brushed the canvas wall behind her, she arched into his touch, spread her legs and lowered him back down on top of her.

She closed her eyes as a sizzle of sensation rippled through her then opened them again. Having his flesh against her flesh and naught else separating them made every inch of her crave him all the more. “Touch me wherever and however you please, Tor. I need to feel your hands on me.”

“I hold the same need but if you want me to stop at any time, then tell me.” He licked her lower lip. “I’ll understand.”

“There’s no stopping the completion of our bond.”

“Then we’ll take it slow. You’ll tell me what you like, what you don’t like, what you want more of, or what you don’t want more of. I’ve no wish to hurt you, to take from you what you’re not yet ready to give.”

“I want to be with you, in every possible way.” Time is of the essence. Nessa’s prophetic warning rang in her ears. “Be mine.”

“In order to complete the bond, we’ll need to be skin on skin. Which means there’ll be a chance you could conceive.” He released her hands and shuffled down, his warm breath feathering across the flatness of her belly. He pressed his palm there, then dropped a gentle kiss on her skin. “Is that acceptable?”

“I dinnae fear having a babe, no’ when I long for children.” She sank her fingers into his shoulders and gasped as he licked around her belly button.

“I’d love nothing more than to give you a child, my child.” He brushed his nose along the underside of her breasts, nipped in a circle around each mound then cupped them both and smoothed his thumbs over the peaking tips. “In the future, very few women die in childbirth since medically speaking, we’re far more advanced. I’ll never lose you as your father lost your mother.”

“Promise?”

“I give you my word. I’ve waited so long to find you, and there isn’t a chance I’ll ever lose you, not now. I’ll make certain of it.” He sucked her nipple deep into his mouth then moved to the other and drew it between his lips. He played the tip to perfection and heat rippled through her. Her body undulated under his, all on its own accord and she couldn’t halt her need or contain it.

“Layla, there’s one more thing we need to speak of before we go any further.” Gently, he caught her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed her palm. His gaze heated, burning an even richer golden hue. “Marry me this night. Be my wife.”

“You wish to wed me, now?” Her heartbeat raced.

“I do.” He suctioned his mouth over her nipple again and she moaned as he devoured her, sucking and licking her.

“Aye,” she gasped. Tears filled her eyes and slid down her cheeks as sheer happiness overflowed her. “I want you as my husband.”

“We’ll speak handfast vows since I’ve no intention of finding a clergyman at this time of the night, or leaving this tent for that matter. Bind yourself to me now, for the next year and a day and the moment I can get you before a priest, I will.” He reached out, nabbed his pants from the floor, pulled her hair ribbon out and grinning, clasped her right hand with his right hand and wrapped the red silk around both their wrists.

“You are a very clever mate.”

“And determined. I’ll go first.” He breathed deep, his gaze locked tight with hers. “Layla, I offer you my full protection, that of my body, my clan, my family, and all that I am. I give myself to you freely. Give yourself to me freely in return.”

“I will.”

“Thank you.” He brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I, Tor David Matheson, of Ivanson Castle, pledge my troth to Layla, of the House of Clan Matheson. With this handfast, I take her as my wife for the next year and a day, and as my soul bound mate for all time.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “Be mine, in every single way.”

With her fingers twined with his, she nodded. There could be no other way. He had stolen her heart and would hold it for the rest of their lives. “I, Layla, of the House of Clan Matheson, pledge my troth to Tor David Matheson. With this handfast, I take him as my husband for the next year and a day, and as my soul bound mate for all time.” She touched the silk bound around their wrists and smiled. “Glad I am that you are mine.”