Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson Book 2) (6 page)

“I do, Tor.” She reached out a hand, his name rolling off her tongue so softly, so sensuously as she touched his arm. Never had another spoken his name with such an underlying current of need before.

“What else worries you?” He gripped her fingers, squeezed, her hand so very tiny in his.

“I have so much to think about. That is all.” She frowned, pulled her fingers from his and turned the roasting meat over.

He returned to his carving, shaved down the bear’s legs, accentuating the silky pelt and adding paws and claws as he considered how he was supposed to continue comforting her while remaining completely honest.

“Have any of your kinsmen ever discovered their mate was already taken?” She nibbled on her lower lip. “As I am.”

“You’re not taken yet, and there is only one for us, the other our soul cries out for.”

“None of your clan have ever accepted another, other than their soul bound mate?”

“We accept only our chosen one in order to keep our bloodline’s ability to shift in place. That is why our shifter line now nears extinction. It has come to the point that if we’re now to survive, we need a new infusion of fae blood in our line to strengthen it. Our last clan birth occurred over five years ago, and that can’t be allowed to continue.”

“You wish for children?”

“Absolutely. I adore children, love their energy and exuberance.” He couldn’t wait to have a child he could guide in this world, one he could love and adore right alongside his woman. “What of you?”

“Children bring such joy to one and all, and my father longs for grandchildren. He has told me so many a time.” She wriggled closer. “In all honesty, I also agreed to the betrothal with Donnan so I might be given the chance to have children of my own. My mother loved me, gave her life for mine, and I wish to honor her love by sharing my own love with my children.”

“Then I promise to give you as many children as you wish for, or cubs since our offspring will be as I am and hold the heart of a shifter.” He held out the finished wooden bear for her, one he’d carved meticulously for her alone. “This is for you, to remind you of me. Will you accept my gift?”

“’Tis a beautiful carving.” She leaned forward, her drying hair sweeping over his forearm as she plucked the bear from his palm then lifted it with her skill and twirled it in the air before her. She studied it, each and every intricate little detail. “This bear looks exactly like you.” She settled the bear in her palm and popped a kiss on its tiny head. “I shall treasure this gift. Thank you.”

How he wished she’d pop a kiss on his head instead of his carving’s. He clamped his lips shut for fear he’d utter his desire out loud.

“Is something wrong?” She looked at his tight lips, traced a finger over the lower one and he nipped her finger, sucked it into his mouth. Giggling, she plucked it free. “You have a very territorial bear.”

“He’s also hungry for you, and I’m struggling to keep myself from touching you.”

“Well, the rabbit is almost done. That is the only meal your bear is allowed to eat, no’ me.”

The meaty aroma of their meal swirled all about and he removed the meat from the spit, set it to one side to cool down. “Tell me what your favorite food is.” He longed to know everything about her, every little detail, no matter how big or small.

“Anything sweet. I adore honeyed plums and figs, lemon apple pie, and cherry tart. The cook makes these wonderful fruit pastries along with custard and cream.” She nabbed her gown from beside her, tucked the figurine he’d made her into the pocket of the red velvet and set her gown back next to his belongings.

“We have what is called chocolate in my time, the most sensational sweet I’ve ever tasted.”

“Oooh, chocolate. Even the name of it sounds decadent.” She licked her pouty pink lips and he almost whimpered with his need to lick her lips too. “How do you make chocolate?”

“Ah…” He shoved his heady desire to lick her aside, tried to focus on her question. “I’ve no idea. I just know where to buy it.”

“You buy your sweets?” Brows soaring, she wriggled closer, her knees touching his leg where he’d crossed them at the ankle.

“Aye, from a supermarket or a store.” He’d love to drive her into the local village near Ivanson Castle and take her shopping in the sweet section of the mall. There was even a dedicated shop in the village that sold various types of chocolates from all over the world. She’d never want to leave that store.

“Goodness, all this talk of food and sweets is making me very hungry.” She rubbed her rumbling belly.

“Then let me feed my hungry mate.” He checked the meat, found it had cooled well enough. After tearing the meat into small slivers, he held up a piece for her. “Come closer.”

Wriggled closer and leaning in, she pressed her hand to his chest, right over his heart. “Is this close enough?”

“That’s much better?” His heart skipped a beat then picked up its pace. Gently, he slipped the morsel between her lips, his bear clawing to get even closer to her, to tip her onto her back on the sand and trap her underneath him.

“This meat is delicious.” She chewed, her hand still a hot brand against his skin as he fed her another morsel then took a bite for himself. Small steps. Those would be what he’d have to take in order to win the woman who held the other half of his soul to his side. Slowly but surely, he would woo her until she could no longer withhold herself from him. He certainly wouldn’t be able to hold himself back from her for much longer. He continued to feed her, until she held up a hand and pleaded, “No more for me.”

“Are you certain?”

“Very.” She laid down on the sand, stretched with a smile of pure satisfaction, her gaze on the stars twinkling through the vent high above. “You finish the rest of the meal off.”

He finished it, licked his fingers and stretched out beside her, the sand a soft mattress underneath him as he trailed one finger down her arm. “Would you like another swim?”

“I would, but mayhap in the morn.” She yawned and curled onto her side as she faced him. “I’m tired. I rose early this morn since I had trouble sleeping last eve.”

“I had trouble sleeping last night as well.” Unease at being so far away from her had taken ahold of him and wouldn’t let go. Even now, with her so close, she still remained too far from his touch. He longed to wrap his arms around her, tuck her in close against him and allow his scent and warmth to surround her.

Instead, he waited as she drifted toward sleep and counseled his bear that a slow yet sure pursuit would be needed with their chosen one. Aye, she’d asked for some time and he needed to give it to her, although he had no intention of allowing her to keep her distance for too long. He’d never survive it if he did.

* * * *

The early morning sunshine beamed through the vent high above and flickered across Layla’s closed eyelids, while the steam swirling through their sacred cavern dampened her skin. From somewhere outside, birds twittered and she stretched, burrowed her nose deeper into firm flesh as the soul-satisfying scent of Tor surrounded her. Mmm, he smelled divine, like that of the outdoors, the sun and the sea and all that she adored about her homeland.

She lifted one eyelid and bit down on her lower lip. Nay, nay, nay. Her legs were tangled with his and she lay almost half over top of him, her hands bunched in his tunic and his warm breath fanning gently over her forehead. How had she ended up in this intimate position? She needed to move away, with all speed, except when she tried to release him, she instead spread her hands more fully over his solid chest.

His muscles flexed under her touch and she trailed one finger over the tight bands of muscle layered across this stomach under the thin white cotton. His midnight black hair caught the dawn’s light and shimmered a fiery blue on the ends, the razz of stubble on his jaw giving him an early-morning, sensually-hot look that made her mouth water for more of him. Goodness. She shook her head. Turn away. Look anywhere but at him, because if she didn’t, she’d touch him, and far more than she should considering her betrothed state.

She scuttled back, jumped to her feet, dashed into the warm water of the pool and dove. Kicking, she cut a fast path across the surface toward the overhanging ledge running alongside the wall at the far side. Hands planted on the ledge, she gave herself a push up with her skill and sat on top of the warm stone, feet dangling in the water.

“You moved fast just then.” Tor stretched as he rose from the sand, shoved his black leather pants down his legs and with his white tunic fluttering against him mid-thigh, he bounded into the water. He dove and swam underneath, a wave rippling toward her and the streak of white which must be his shirt, shimmering just below the surface. He burst from the water in front of her, clamped one hand on her ankle and grinned. “Want to play?” He flashed a smile full of challenge then released her and backed away. “Or are you too wary to swim with a bear?”

“I’m wary of naught.” She’d show him she could swim and play and not be perturbed in the least. “Race you to the other side.” She stood and dove from the top of the overhanging ledge. Kicking, she swam hard and when he drew up alongside her, she sent a wave of water crashing into him with her skill and powered ahead.

He roared, plowed after her and caught her up as she touched the wall. He nabbed her around the waist and chuckled as he twirled her about in the water. “I love your form of play, sweet Layla, my challenging mate.”

His wolfish gaze and his hands on her hips sent a thrill racing through her then gently, he lowered her down, sliding her along the length of his body as he did. She cleared her throat. “Let’s race back to the other side.”

“I’ll give you a head-start.” He released her. “No cheating this time.”

“You are taller and stronger than me.” Cheat she would. She shoved another wave of water at him, tossed her feet in the air and went under. Swimming, she kicked, until her lungs were near to bursting then headed to the surface. Tor swam toward her on top and whizzed in front, his muscled legs strong and propelling him forward far faster than she could ever manage. She seized his feet as he flew by, held on as he powered them both to the ledge with sure strokes from his gloriously muscled arms alone.

With his hands on the rock, he hauled himself up, reached down and lifted her onto the flat stone next to him. Water sluiced down his legs and his laughter rang out and echoed all around. “I haven’t had this much fun in ages.”

“Neither have I, although we should return soon.” She wrung out her long locks then picked up the trailing ends of her shift and squeezed the water from it. “Father and I always break our fast together. He’ll know I’m missing afore too long.”

“Then I thank you for spending the night with me.” He caught her hand, pressed it against his thumping heartbeat. “I’ll forever remember this day.”

“So will I.” Spreading her fingers over his flesh, she reveled in the heat he emitted. His wet tunic clung to his heavily muscled chest and a smattering of hair, as dark as his head, showed through the white linen. She slid one finger into the gap between the loosened ties of the V neckline then trailed down between the contoured planes of his belly. His rigid abs tightened under her touch and his heat blasted toward her, made her want to wriggle even closer. Oh, and now that she’d started touching him again, she couldn’t stop. She swished along his trim waist, a raw and hungry need rearing to full and vibrant life within her. She wanted him, wanted more.

* * * *

Tor closed his eyes, opened them again and tried heartedly to get his racing heartbeat under control. Layla’s breath came as hard and fast as his did, her brown eyes darkening to a hungry hue as she traced along his waist.

The white cotton of her wet shift, almost transparent where it pressed against her chest, showed the perfect fullness of her breasts and a mouthwatering tease of ruby pink nipple. The sight had his cock hardening and his need for her rearing with fierce intensity. He yearned for her touch, for her trust and her heart. She was his, just as he was hers.

Gently, he swept his hand around hers, brought her fingers to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against her palm. He nibbled up, along her wrist then rubbed his cheek against the creamy skin of her inner forearm. Being surrounded by her scent and ensuring she carried his own, consumed him. How he wished to bite her as their shifter kind did, to leave his mark on her so all others would know she was his, but instead he breathed slowly, forced the deep desire down and attempted to calm himself. Time. She’d asked for some time and as much as he hated giving it to her, he would.

“Are you all right, Tor?”

“I’ll be fine. It’s just that I need you.”

“In what way?” She inched closer, sank one hand into his hair and lightly raked her nails over his scalp.

His bear rumbled deep inside him, her touch a mark of claim that brought such peace to his soul. He wanted her caressing all of him, her mouth on his neck and the ultimate mark of her claim made right there on his flesh for all to see. “I want to bite you, for you to bite me.” He looked deep into her eyes. “You’re my mate and no other’s. I’ll never give you up.”

“You are stealing my will to be anywhere but here with you.” She wriggled her fingers free of his, shoved her hands in her lap then stared at her whitened knuckles. “What kind of a woman promises herself to one man then so readily touches another?”