Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

She rose to her feet.

’Twas time to make her decision, on whether she accepted the bond or not.

No more could she delay.





Chapter 4


Air swirled into the chief’s solar through the open window and Kirk fisted his hands. The scent of his woman wafted toward him, an elusive fragrance as fresh as the very air itself. Breathing deep, he prowled around the room then gritted his teeth as her scent strengthened then moved.

Kirk tapped the oak tabletop as he walked behind the chief’s chunky wooden desk in pursuit of his woman. “Finlay, stand at the door,” he bit out. “Iain, close the window and remain in front of it. My mate is in this solar and she isn’t going to leave it until we’ve talked.”

Iain did as he bid, closed the window then planted himself in front of it while Finlay slid in front of the door.

Nessa swished to the bench along the far wall and sat. “Kirk, When Cherub and I spoke this morn, she said she couldnae deny how happy she’d been with you last eve. I assured her you would never deter her in her duty.”

“I’d stand right by her side and aid her however I could.” He took one step closer to Nessa and stopped. Cherub’s scent lessened and he backed up swiftly. It was so strong right here in this very place by the desk. He swept his hands out and searched along the entire area. He couldn’t make his mate appear unless she wished it. “What else did you speak of?”

“Your mated bond and all that it would entail.”

“Cherub made her position quite clear to me, that she wouldn’t accept our bond. She thanked me for the unforgettable night then told me to stay safe, which I’ll never accept. I want my chosen one, and I won’t rest until I have her back.”

“Then consider me back.” A warm rush of air brushed his cheek and ear.

“Cherub?” Her scent wrapped around him and sent his heartbeat racing. “I need you to take solid form. I can’t stand not being able to touch you.”

“You speak so openly around your brothers and their mates. ’Tis reassuring that you do.” Softly whispered words that held a gentle playfulness to them. “Although I would like to speak to you in private, if you dinnae mind?”

“I’ll never mind. Where? Name the place.” Her scent drifted away and he circled the desk as he followed her. Hell, he needed to touch her, to know she was still close.

“How about my place?”

“And where would that be?”

“Upstairs. I keep a chamber here at the castle, Nessa’s doing since she insists I need somewhere to call home when I’m in this time. Third floor. The first door on your left.” A giggle escaped her then her scent trailed away and disappeared, any and all trace of it now gone.

“Damn it. She’s left.” He growled and stormed toward the door.

“She must have slipped right past me. I’m not quite sure how she did that.” With a mischievous grin, Finlay opened the door. “You’ve got your hands full there, and don’t forget to say hello from the rest of us when you catch up to her.”

“Finlay, you are the worst kind of help right now.” He bounded out the door and took the winding stairs two at a time until he reached the third floor. The darkened passageway remained bare of any other, each of the doors leading from it firmly shut, the only light penetrating the corridor coming through the narrow window at the far end of the passageway. Outside Cherub’s paneled door, he took a deep, steadying breath, walked inside and closed the door after himself.

A warm breeze fluttered in though her open window. It ruffled the four-poster bed’s golden canopy that swept down to the polished floorboards. Before the fireplace, a large oval ring-mark around the size of a tub wet the floor, while within the hearth the remains of a fire glowed. Overtop of a silk dressing screen in the corner lay a white fur cloak, his mate’s cloak. He wandered toward it and stroked the soft fur. Memories surged from last night, of him carrying her through the forest, her cloak swishing softly against his legs, then of it falling away onto the sand and being exposed to his sight when he’d tugged the ties free from around her neck. “Cherub? Where are you?”

“I’m right here.” Her voice whispered from behind him, a scant foot or two away and he swung around.

“Is this your chamber alone?”

“It is. Where is yours?”

“On the second floor, although I intend to move in here. I’m not asking to share a bed, just to be closer to you. I need that, and that padded chair of yours in the corner looks comfy enough.” His claws sliced out, his bear still incredibly antsy and rippling right under his skin.