Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“Damn. Do you need a hand?”


“No.” Heck no. “I’ll be fine.” Any time we spent together would only strengthen our bond. I checked my saddlebags. Water flask and snacks. Good. I folded Cole’s jacket and tucked it into one of the pouches. It was hot out, and only getting hotter. I mounted and galloped, giving my mare her head. Adrenaline pumped, blood flowed through my veins and invigorated me. This was life, riding free across the greatest plains on Earth.

“I’m serious about my offer, Lieska. If you’re in any danger and need a hand I’ll come. ’Port back and collect me.”

“There’s no danger, or at least not yet. I’ll be sure to holler though if there is.” Not. I didn’t need a protector on warrior soil. That would cause more problems than the bushfires, more unnecessary heat too.

I surveyed the northern horizon where Rocky Ledge ascended. The Ledge, a massive red rock sitting on the plains, ran as far as the eye could see. The cloudless sky above was a vivid blue and clear of any smoke. To the west, a different story hailed. The hills, rising far into the distance, displayed a swath of brown-green bush, one with the bushfire’s telltale smog clinging to it. To the east where the mighty river lay beyond the plains, thankfully it all appeared clear.

“Where in the outback are you? Give me a location. I need to check for myself.” Great. Perhaps I should’ve stuck around so we could speak the words of release and end our bond properly. Although my mate was a hunter, so his male need to come a-running had likely doubled.

“Cole, can you do me a favor?” I dug my knees in and urged the horse to a faster speed, keeping an eye out for any strays between the homestead and watering hole.

“You know the bond. If there’s anything you truly need, then ask.”

“I need you to close this connection and never open it again.”

“Except that.”

“You said anything.”

“Yeah, but within reason.”

“That’s not unreasonable. We broke up. I distinctly remember leaving you a note.”

“You can’t speak of bushfires and not expect me to react. Tell me where you are. Don’t make me hunt you down.”

Ha. He’d actually like that. The thrill of the chase was what hunters thrived on. “You’d never catch my scent this deep in the outback. Wincrest Station alone is spread over eight-thousand square miles.” Okay, why was I provoking him?

“Give me some coordinates.”

“Nope, that’s too easy.”

“Which state?”

“The one apparently on fire.”

“Lieska.” He growled my name, a dark rumble down our link.

Oooh, hot tingles raced across my skin. Maybe I’d give him something. He’d never find me out here under the scorching sun anyway. “Okay. Soon I’ll be coming up on a cluster of bush trees bordering the closest water source to the homestead. Come find me. I promise a reward if you do.”

“What kind of reward?” Silky smooth words. “You want me to chase you. I can sense it.”

“Think about what you really want, my mate. That’s all I’m asking. It’s not me, and it’s too dangerous for us to pursue this bond.”

“Danger is my middle name.”

“Nah-uh, it’s Chimpanzee.”

“It’s Chase.” He chuckled. “And for a very good reason. Hold onto your reins. I’m coming for you.”

My long hair whipped around my face as I rode low and fast. I bundled the locks of brown under my Stetson then petted the horse’s neck. He’d never find me. Or at least he better not.

Gripping the reins, I allowed my love of the outback to comfort me. Tumbleweeds blew across the land, some catching in low brush before the gust freed them and they rolled on. The ride lengthened, and I changed my angle toward the east.

A half hour later, the watering hole came into view. Cattle munched on a small patch of grass growing along its shallow bank. I rode in and jumped down beside the half-dry creek bed. At the edge, the sun had baked deep cracks into it.

My horse snickered, pushing his muzzle into my back. “Are you thirsty, girl?”

I tied the reins to a low branch, removed my water flask from my saddlebags and poured some into one cupped palm. The horse whinnied then lapped at the clear drinking water. When she was content, I took a few sips then tucked the flask away. Even harsh and dry, this was the most beautiful place.

I eyed the red rocks rimming the basin. Hold on. What was that? A wisp of black fluttered between two boulders, completely out of place.

Hands clamped around my waist from behind. I jumped and thumped back into one very hard chest. A man’s spicy scent enveloped me.

“Turn around, Lieska. I want my reward.”





Chapter 3


My heartbeat thundered as I whipped around. Oh boy. Cole. It was really him. My mate stood before me when I should never have seen him again. “How’d you find me? That should have been near impossible, and never this quick.”