Finlay’s heartbeat thumped as Arabel petted him, as her fingers slid through his sleek coat and soothed the beast deep within him. Her stunning blue eyes, as warm as a summer sky, held glittering sparks of gold around the edges, and her scent, it swirled so temptingly around him, like honey and something very, very nice. He pushed back a little on his paws and halted. Her shift was wet from the water he’d sprayed as he’d shifted and up this close to her he couldn’t help but note the thin ivory cloth pressed against her chest showing the roundness of her full breasts and a tease of pink nipple.
Slowly the fabric dried, likely from her heat and he whimpered. What was she doing to him? She’d invoked so many new emotions from him since he’d entered this secluded area and walked toward her. He should be at the castle as she’d said and searching for his mate, but the deep pull to remain with her had been unbreakable. For five years he’d been searching for his mate in the future, and never had he found her, not even during his search at the village these past few days.
She stroked him, her fingers moving in a delicious massage around his ears and under his chin. He stretched and rubbed against her for more. “Your bear is stunning, Finlay,” she murmured in his ear.
He needed more of her touch, of hearing her sweet voice as she spoke so softly and sensuously to him. He prodded her belly again for more.
“I see you like being petted.”
A throaty rumble. Her gentle petting soothed him, the first time another’s touch had ever done so. He lifted his body higher and she rocked back then wound her arms around his neck to keep from toppling off. He licked her ear and she giggled.
“I cannae believe how soft your pelt is. It feels like furry silk, all smooth and warm. You also feel incredibly big and strong.” She touched the tip of her nose to his and smiled, so beautifully his heart missed a beat. “There is something so very intriguing about you.”
She more than intrigued him, her long golden locks tumbling to her waist in charming disarray and the moon’s glow highlighting her high cheeks and luscious berry-red lips.
“Can you hear me at all, Finlay?”
Her question made him itch to return to her and he forced the Change, so swiftly she gasped. As a man once again, he looked deep into her eyes and said, “I heard every word you uttered, my sweet.”
“There isnae a chance I’m your sweet.” She stroked one finger along his lower lip, her mouth lifting in a teasing smile. “’Tis a shame you’re back. I was rather enjoying my chat with your bear.”
“My bear adored your touch, as do I.”
“You are definitely flirting with me.” She picked up his wet shirt lying next to her and passed it to him. “’Tis best you change.”
He donned his shirt then planted his hands on the rock either side of her to keep her caged close. “I’ve never flirted, or shifted in front of a woman before. That is the truth.”
“What are you trying to say?” She fixed his collar then lowered her hands.
“Perhaps I should show you.” His touched her lower lip just as she’d touched his. “I wish to kiss you, to see if there is something more between us.”
“Kissing a fire-wielder isnae permitted. I’m sorry, but I’ve clearly misled you somehow. You search for your mate and she cannae be me.” She scrambled to her feet and jumped from boulder to boulder toward the bank.
“Why is kissing not permitted?” He bounded through the water, hoisted himself onto the boulder in front of her and blocked her way. “Take my hand. These rocks are slippery and I won’t have you fall and hurt yourself.”
“Kissing isnae permitted because I would lose control of my skill, and in the worst possible way.” She shooed him to move.
“I don’t think so.” He scooped her into his arms then dipped his head and rubbed his cheek against hers. He coated her in his scent, until it clung to her skin and hers clung to him. Aye, his bear demanded this nearness and that he not let her go. He jumped onto the next boulder. “Since my search for my mate began, I’ve been led in so many different directions, although whenever I’ve arrived at the place where my mate should be, there was never anyone about, except for the night of the last full moon. For the first time, I was actually driven toward this area.”
“Then you received a clear signal she was here.” She grasped his shirtfront.
“Aye, and now I have the good fortune of holding you in my arms, I’m aware my mate is close, very close, that she might very well be you.”
“That is impossible.” She wriggled out of his arms and jumped onto the mossy bank.