“What if they never find them? Or you never find yours?”
“Should that happen then I will find the strength to move on. My parents and brothers would never allow me to wander too far from my clan. They hold me to the present and always will. You appear to be a strong swimmer.”
“I am.”
“Good, because my bear truly does wish to play and you’re the only possible playmate in sight. Catch me if you can.” He dove and disappeared beneath the night-shrouded waters.
Twirling around, she searched for his shadow within the loch. There wasn’t even a ripple on the surface to mark his movement or a bubble to prove he’d released even the tiniest mouthful of air. She hadn’t played in the longest time and even as dangerously alluring as he was, she couldn’t help but dive after him. She kicked hard as she scoured the bottom of the loch for him. He had to be down here somewhere, and her lungs were near to bursting so his surely must be too. Ah, there. A hazy streak of white. His tunic. That had to be him. She clamped a hand around his ankle and he twisted around, his hair swirling about his face as he beamed at her. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and kicked them both upward. They emerged in a burst of bubbles and she gulped in air. “I didnae realize you intended to swim at the bottom of the pool.”
“I had to test your strength.” He tightened his hold on her, kicking for them both. “You don’t seem hot at all to me.”
“Hold onto me any longer and I will surely burn you.” She slipped out of his arms, tossed her feet in the air and went under. As she kicked across to the far side of the pool, a heated wave rippled out from her. His touch had her emotions rising and her excitement building. Never had she played with a man in this way before. ’Twas delightful, naughty even. Underwater, she swam then surfaced when she made the boulders bordering the far side. Clambering onto the closest one, she made it just in time as Finlay shot to the surface in a spray before her.
Grinning, he shook his dark head and sent drops flying. “So that’s how you intend to play, is it?”
“You are very slow under the water.” She shoved a wave of water at him and giggled. “Show me your bear, Finlay, since you insist he’s the one who wishes to play.”
“My bear’s in a desperate mood to Change, so you’re about to get your wish.” He gripped the hem of his tunic under the water and held still. “The shirt has to go though. I detest shredding my clothing. Close your eyes if you need to.”
She should, but for the life of her she couldn’t.
“Last chance.” Challenge glimmered in his eyes, a dare she couldn’t help but meet.
“Go right ahead.”
“As you wish.” He hauled his wet tunic over his head and tossed it onto the hard rock beside her. The waters swirled about his waist as he edged closer. “This is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s so private and secluded. Just us within this little slice of paradise.”
“Are you always like this with the lasses? Ready to unclothe at a moment’s notice?”
“I’ve never made the Change in front of a woman before. You will be the first. Are you ready?”
She was transfixed, couldn’t move her gaze from his heavily muscled chest where a smattering of hair, as dark as his head, trailed down between his contoured abs and disappeared under the water’s murky surface. “I’m ready. Shift for me, Finlay. I truly do wish to see your bear.”
He took another step closer, his golden eyes heating to a toe-curling hue. “Shifting causes quite a lightning bright display.”
“I wield fire. There is naught as bright as that. Shift.” The raw intimacy of the moment rolled through her and sparks flared from her fingertips. She sent her fire arcing high into the air then clenched her fists.
“You have such a powerful skill.” He eyed the remnants still flickering on her fingertips then he made the Change and bright lights burst in a myriad of sparks. A very large bear with black fur glimmering in the moonlight rose up before her. On his hind legs, he roared.
“Come closer, Finlay.” She held out one hand, desperate to touch his beast. “I willnae hurt you.”
He slapped his paws down on the boulder either side of her then he nudged her hand with his muzzle.
“Thank you.” She took a long breath in, sought the control she needed and sank her fingers into his silky pelt. She scratched between his ears then smiled as a purr rumbled from deep within his chest. The sound caused a strange heat to surge through her, not one of fire, but of something else. A form of heat she’d never experienced before. It pooled between her thighs and made Finlay sniff and prod her belly.