Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“I want you as my wife, and that is my one and only stipulation before we complete the bond and all that it entails.”


Tears misted her gaze. “I do wish to speak handfast vows with you, to be your wife in truth.”

“Then I’ll begin.” He kissed the tip of her nose, his lips lifting. “I, Tavish William Matheson, of Ivanson Castle, pledge my troth to Julia, 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 squeezed her hand. “I long to be your husband, to know none other can ever claim you, except for me. This way you’ll be mine, in every single way. None can ever tear us apart. Certainly not a MacKenzie, or their devious demands.”

“I cannae believe this is happening.” The depth of the vow she wished to speak with him, and the complete rightness of the moment rolled through her. She twined her fingers through his and looked into his eyes. “I, Julia, of the House of Clan Matheson, pledge my troth to Tavish William 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. I will never allow another to tear us apart, and in speaking this vow, I also promise to both trust my mate and his word.” Tears slipped down her cheeks, her happiness overwhelming her. “Kiss me.”

“Aye, we’ll seal the vows with a kiss, then I intend to make love to you, to devour every single inch of you, for you to know you’re mine, just as I’m yours.” He slid one hand around the back of her head, his fingers sliding through her golden locks. Gently, he drew her forward, captured her mouth with his and kissed her. She swayed forward, grasped his shirtfront and twined her tongue with his in a delicious dance she couldn’t help but desire more of. Their kiss grew wilder, more frantic and he tugged the handfast binding off and freed their hands. Rising up over top of her, he toppled her back onto his plaid, gently eased one knee between hers and nudged her legs farther apart. He settled himself fully on top of her, his glorious body a heavenly weight she desired more of.

“My husband.” She dug her fingers into his hair, his warm and fresh scent surrounding and embedding itself deeply within her.

“Knowing you can’t get away from me right now soothes me beyond reason.”

“I dinnae wish to get away.” Reveling in his closeness, she glided her hands over his bare back and down his sides. Her fingers itched to touch more of him. “I’ve always been a curious lass, and there is no one who sparks my curiosity more than you.”

“I need to join as one with you, Julia, more than I need my next breath. I long to complete the bond and form the merged link of the mind.”

“To have such a merged link, just as Arabel does with Finlay, is something I too desire.” Carefully, she caressed over his leather-clad buttocks, wrapped her legs around his legs and rocked underneath him. The sand made a sweetly soft bed, the steam dampening his golden skin and making it gleam in the trace of light filtering through from the vent above. “I want you inside me, all around me, and for us to never be apart again.”

“That’s exactly what I want as well. You are one very agreeable wife.” His lips lifted in a sensual smile and he lowered his head and seized her mouth once more with his. He slipped his tongue between her lips and licked the inside of her mouth, so smoothly and slowly, with such a seductive stroke he left her panting for more.

Raw and primal need swelled within her and she pushed her breasts into his chest and clung to him. Nipping and licking, her mate tasted her with such a soulful and greedy need, need that flared to raging life within her as well. Heat flooded her below and she moaned and scraped her nails down his back.

“I love it when you do that,” he whispered against her lips, “and I mean by marking me as yours.”

“Aye, you are mine.” She dug her fingers into his back once more and he rumbled his pleasure then kissed her deeper, until something brushed against her mind and pushed harder as if trying to find a way into her mind. Cradling his head in her hands, she pulled back a touch and locked gazes with him. The merged link was only possible between mates and his mind clearly battered at hers and demanded entrance. “We truly are mated.” Awe laced her words.

“You still doubted it?” His aura expanded and flowed out. “My mind is shoving against yours, trying to gain access. I want the telepathic connection.”

“Mayhap just a little part of me still held back on that truth, but not anymore, not when I can sense your need to form the merged link.” She gasped as his aura suddenly swarmed around hers, not only tugging but completely surrounding and melding into the rainbow of colors that made up her own. “Oh my.”

“What’s wrong?” He searched her gaze.