Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Take care with that blade.” He slid his dirk free from his wrist sheath and passed it across. “I keep it fastidiously sharp.”


“Good. All the better to slice this stubble off with. I prefer you clean shaven so I can see your face and each of my marks on your neck.” She turned his cheek with one finger, held the blade nice and close to his skin and ran it in a smooth line down. With care, she drew the dirk along the next portion from his ear to his chin.

“You sound as territorial as I do, and when my stubble gets long enough, it softens.” He curled his fingers around her hips to keep her still. “I wouldn’t mind tickling you with it.” Softly sensual words that had heat flaring through her blood.

“Your words are getting me all hot and bothered.” She ran the blade right under his nose. “Dinnae move. I’ve no wish to cut your beautiful mouth, no’ when I’m in constant need of it.”

“You think my mouth is beautiful?”

“Aye, as beautiful as your stunning shifter eyes.” She tapped his jaw shut and slid the blade along his neck. Done, she dabbed his skin with a cloth, cleared the last of the suds away then leaned in and rubbed her cheek against his. “Mmm, now that is nice and smooth.”

“You’ve done a better job than I ever could have. I’m far more used to shaving with an electric razor.” He took the blade from her and sheathed it.

“I have no’ seen an electric razor.”

“I’ll show you mine when we return to the future, whenever that happens to be.” He stroked her back, drew her closer and nuzzled her neck. Gently, he licked the mark he’d given her and a deep rumble vibrated in his chest. “My bear would love nothing more right now than to mark you again.”

She stretched her neck for him. “Either of you may mark me whenever you—”

He bit down and she gasped.

“—please.”

“Time to mount up.” Kirk’s order rumbled through the open window.

Tavish growled as he released her, nabbed his blue tunic from the bed then donned it and the tan rawhide trews she’d left out for him. He pulled his boots on, eased his war coat over his shoulders and lifted something from the pocket of his pants which beeped when he touched a knob on the side.

“What is that?” She brushed her hair and picked up her jeweled hairpins her parents had gifted her. The sapphire stones sparkled a vibrant blue, just as her mother’s eyes had when she’d first pinned them into her hair. With her broad-brimmed hat in hand, she plunked it on and tied the ribbons under her chin.

“This is my cell phone. I must have left it in the pocket of these pants by accident. Cherub would have packed it without knowing. These are interesting devices, but I’ll show this one to you later, when there’s more time.” He pressed the button on the side again, slipped it back inside his pocket, opened the door and motioned her through.

She joined him in the hallway and he set one hand at the small of her back as he steered her downstairs and outside into the courtyard. Next to her mare, he cupped his palms together and gave her a boost into her saddle.

She gripped the reins, a sudden mix of worry and fear rolling through her. The moment of their leaving had arrived, their coming mission the most important one she’d ever embark on. That knowledge both scared and thrilled her. “’Tis time,” she whispered to Tavish.



“Aye, it’s time.” Tavish squeezed Julia’s thigh as he stood beside her atop her horse, her anxious thoughts pummeling through to him along their merged link. “I’m with you now, and I’ll always be right by your side.”

“Thank you.” She gripped the reins. “You need to mount up.”

The last thing he wanted to do was leave her side but he did as she’d bid and walked to his war horse. He nodded his thanks to the stable hand holding the lead and mounted. Reins in hand, he slapped his horse’s neck and rode beside Julia as they followed Kirk and Cherub and the rest of their armed party under the arched gate and into the forest. The cart rumbled in behind them, with another two warriors taking the rear.

High overhead, blue sky winked through the thick canopy and birds chirped from their nests. The wind rustled the leaves and scattered the pine-needles covering the well-worn forest path lined with low scrub.

Julia tucked her fluttering hat ribbons underneath the front of her violet riding jacket then lifted higher and snatched an amber leaf as it fluttered down. She slid it into her skirt pocket and softly smiled.

“Do you have a penchant for collecting leaves that I need to hear about?” Everything about her intrigued him.