Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Even your eyes are aglow with shifter gold.” She touched his chest and leaned in. “He calms right down when I touch you.”


“We both like it when you touch me.” Fur rippled across his arm then retracted, there one moment and gone the next. “We need to speak of our bond. Until we complete it and create the merged link of the mind, one that’s inherent in my shifter blood, then both my other half and I will never truly be at peace. I need to join with you, Julia, in all ways, for us to be able to speak to each other at will along a merged pathway known only to us. I want you to accept me and all that I am. My word is the truth. We are mated.” Hair rippled across his other arm. His bear needed to be set free, couldn’t be contained anymore. He gripped his shirt hem, hauled it over his head and tossed it onto the end of her bed. “I need to shift, and since I detest shredding my clothing, it has to go.”

“Then allow me to give you some privacy while you make the Change.” She walked to the door.

“No.” He nabbed her hand and tugged her back to his side. “Don’t leave me. It’ll make my bear antsier if you’re not here. We both want you, him and I.”

“You wish for me to stay?”

“I’ll use the dressing screen to shift behind if you wish, but I have no problem changing before you. You are my mate and I will hide nothing from you.” He motioned toward the hand-painted silk screen propped in the corner. “Although I’ll give you the choice.”

“Aye, use the screen, please.” Her cheeks flushed.

“Of course. Thank you for staying.” He toed off his boots, unstrapped his sword belt and set it on the side table then strode in behind the screen. Faded blue jeans unzipped, he shoved them down his legs then tossed them onto the table with his weapons. It was time to shift, to show her his other half. No more could he delay. “Are you ready?”



“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Julia clasped a hand to her chest as she waited for Tavish to shift. Suddenly, a sizzling display of bright lights flared behind the screen then a large bear plodded out, reared up onto his hind legs and roared. Goodness. Tavish’s bear was huge, with black fur the same beautiful shade as his head and his golden eyes alight. He dropped down onto all fours and prowled toward her, his pure white aura with its sizzling red tinge at the edge glowing even brighter.

Overwhelmed, and with a fierce need to touch him rolling through her, she dropped to her knees and held out one hand. “Come closer, Tavish. Let me pet you.”

Slowly, he padded around her, rubbed against her sides then came back in front and nudged her hand with his head.

“Thank you.” She sank her fingers into his silky pelt and scratched between his ears. One deeply satisfied purr rumbled from him, the heavenly sound of his content bringing tears to her eyes. “Your bear is beautiful, Tavish, as beautiful as you are.”

He bumped his muzzle into her belly.

“You wish another pat?” Heart lifting, she wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed her cheek against his furry one. She couldn’t deny her need to be close to him in his bear form, just as she’d needed to be close to him in his human form. She truly hadn’t wished to leave him so he could shift, had been secretly thrilled when he’d asked her to stay.

She sank down, tucked her legs underneath her and smiled as he too lowered then rolled onto his back and exposed his belly. With his paws up, he offered her a hopeful look. He definitely wished for a tummy rub.

“I like touching you, almost too much.” She smoothed her hands over his belly, her fingers sliding through his decadently soft fur. With one slow stretch, his purr deepened. “There’s been the odd time I’ve actually stumbled upon Gilleoin out in the woods with Aunt Sorcha. Gilleoin adores lying on the grass in a pool of sunshine while Sorcha sits beside him and rubs his belly.” She spread her hand over his heart, its steady and powerful beat soothing her further. “I need to ask you something, and dinnae get mad when I do.”

He remained still, so she continued, “If you’re wrong and we arena mated, then I shall never keep you from your true mate.”