Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Ravishing and a rescue sounds perfect.” She swept one hand around Tavish’s neck, reached up and sucked on his neck. She licked his pounding pulse point then bit him. His desire surged down their link and flooded her and she went to bite him a second time only they began their descent.

“We’re here, everyone.” Cherub set them gently down on the mountain peak, the wind churning all around and the gray clouds out at sea swelling toward shore. Rain lashed the ocean then hit Red Point beach.

She released Cherub and Tavish did the same.

He fluttered into her sight, his golden shifter gaze bright as he leaned in and rested his forehead against hers. “I need to kiss you, except the kiss I wish for is one for behind closed doors.”

“I love having you back in my mind.” His passionate words and returned touch sent her thoughts flying. She longed for that kiss, but he was right. This wasn’t the place or time. Taking a long breath, she wriggled around in his hold and faced the others. “Thank you all for coming for me.”

Cherub hugged her, her soulful aura sparkling, just as her creamy skin did. “I would say anytime, but I’d rather you never fall into the MacKenzie’s hands again.”

“I second that.” Kirk pulled Cherub back to his side, rubbed his chin over the top of her blond head. “It’s good to have you back, Julia.”

Cherub leaned back against Kirk, her smile wide as she gazed at her mate over her shoulder. “And you, my tempting bear, must cease your mischievousness behavior when we are in flight. Distractions can cause me to drop people.”

“What mischievous behavior?” In tan rawhide pants and a white tunic under his loose fur vest, Kirk twirled Cherub around and grinning, kissed the tip of her nose. His claymore sheathed snugly at his side, gleamed as it swayed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You are the worst liar.” She giggled and kissed the tip of his nose in return.

Tor clapped Tavish on the back then hugged her, his black war coat flapping in the breeze. “Julia, I’m so glad to see you’ve suffered no serious injuries at the MacKenzie’s hand, although no more high-tailing it off with them. We’ve been searching for you all night.”

“What of the battle?” She stretched back against Tavish, soaking in even more of his delicious scent.

“We won the war.” Tor rubbed his hands together. “And sent those damn MacKenzies fleeing.”

“That’s wonderful news.”

“Aye, and now we need to find and rescue your parents.” Cherub swatted one of Kirk’s roving hands then offered her arms to them all. “We need to travel to Loch Broom, with all speed.”

“Hold on.” Frowning, Tavish touched the back of her head and blood spotted his fingers. He spun her around. “You hurt yourself again? When did this happen?”

“A small injury. I knocked my head on the mast when the galley flew out of the bay.”

“I’ll need to take a closer look at it.” He shrugged out of his steel-studded gray coat and slipped it over her shoulders. “Arms in. You look cold.”

She pushed her hands down the sleeves, his heat trapped within the cloth warming her through. “Thank you.”

“Chin down.” His tone brooked no argument.

She did as he bid while he parted her hair and assessed her injury.

“It’s a new wound, an inch lower than the last one and thankfully not deep or long enough to require stitches. Did you lose any awareness at all?”

“I may have.”

“For how long?” He turned her again, the worry in his aura spiking out in sharp waves.

“Not too long.”

“How long? And be exact.”

Clearly she wasn’t getting out of answering this question. “The entire night, although I would like to point out that one usually rests during the night once one is asleep. That was all I was doing. Resting and sleeping.” She reached up on her toes and brushed her thumbs along the darkened shadows under his eyes. “Which it appears you didnae do at all.”

“This conversation isn’t about me but you. Keep your eyes open.” With one hand, he tipped her chin up and peered directly into her eyes, his golden gaze so intent and those luscious lips of his so close. “Do you feel faint at all?”

“Aye, very faint.” She swayed toward him, her heartbeat racing. Goodness. She needed to regain her focus. Tor, Kirk, and Cherub stood waiting, and she needed to find and rescue her parents. No more could she delay. Swiftly, she ducked under Tavish’s arm and grasped ahold of Cherub’s hand. “I’m ready to leave.”

“Julia Matheson.” Tavish caught her around the waist. “You should be in bed, resting. Losing consciousness is dangerous, particularly for a solid night.”

“Yet I just woke up. I dinnae need any more rest. What I need is to find my parents, and then I shall rest once that is done. You may oversee that rest if you like.”

“I’m sorry, Tavish.” Cherub arched a sympathetic brow at him. “You really can’t argue with a woman when she’s in this kind of a determined mood. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can return, then you can tend to your mate to your heart’s desire.”