John slid her hair over her shoulder and dropped a soft kiss on her neck. “We’re your kin, more so than the MacLeans will ever be. Which means there’ll be no more traveling to Mull.”
“Now, that I can promise you. I’m content to remain on Islay with you, although”—she shuffled around and faced him—“do you think there’s a way to get a message to Margaret, to let her know I’m all right? I’m certain she’ll worry.”
“I cannae give you any promises, but if the opportunity ever arises, I’ll send word. Have you eaten your full?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s bathe.” John gripped her waist and set her on her feet as he stood then nabbed his bag.
She flapped out the tartan blanket they’d sat on, and with it wrapped around her for added warmth, followed him into the moonlit recesses of the forest.
John prowled ahead, keeping an eye out along the densely wooded trail. He strode with such purpose, his leather pants clinging to his powerful thighs and molding his tight butt. He was so delectably gorgeous with his white tunic fluttering free. A gentle breeze whispered through the trees, lifted his shirt hem and gave glimpses of his golden skin lit by the moonlight. “We’re here.” He held up a low branch and she passed under it.
“Oh, this is beautiful.” The loch, small, private and perfectly round was encircled with towering trees and its dark, glassy surface, beckoned her to come and swim. “How did you know this loch was here?”
“When we need to make landfall, this cove is a favored place to make camp.” He unwrapped her blanket from around her then laid it on the ground under a tree. “Do you need aid with removing your gown?”
“No, not since the ties fasten in front, but still I’d love your help.” She removed her slippers and stepped up to him.
“This is one task I’m always up for.” He picked up the front ties and unlaced her stays, his warm breath feathering across every inch of skin he exposed. Slowly, gently, he slid his hands under the fabric covering her shoulders, eased the garment down her arms and skimmed it over her hips. The crinkly blue velvet swished into a puddle at her feet and exposed all of her. “Now, this is beautiful.”
“Are you coming in with me?” She backed up a step and his hungry golden gaze sent tingles racing across her skin and heat pooling in her below.
“There is no’ a soul who could stop me.” He divested himself of his weapons, a sword and sheathed wrist and ankle daggers, then lifted his tunic over his head. Chest muscles flexed and rippled as he shucked off his boots and pants. As he stepped forward, his silky dark hair wisped with blond slid sensuously over his broad shoulders.
She could watch him forever, exactly like this. Every inch of him was hers, and she longed to join with him.
“What are thinking?” He scooped her into his arms and walked toward the mossy edge of the loch. As his erect shaft grazed her bottom, her nipples beaded tight.
“That I’ll have to insist on more than just bathing. Are you up for a little adventure?”
“Always.” He strode into the water and when it lapped at his waist, he slowly lowered.
She gasped at the shock of cold and clamped her hands around his neck. Down they went and under the surface. She released him and came back up, water streaming through her hair and over her breasts. “Oh goodness. You could have warned me you were about to do that.”
“Aye, although you’re the one who just requested a little adventure. I was simply supplying it.” He leaned in and kissed her, taking her breath away a second time with the heat of his mouth on hers.
“Then did I mention I also like to play?” She shoved a wave of water at him and backed away. “Catch me if you can.” She ducked her head and dove. Kicking toward the center of the pool, she remained below, although not for long. He snaked an arm around her waist and hauled her to the surface far sooner than she’d thought possible. She dragged in a deep breath. “I see it’ll take quite a bit to catch you off your guard.”
“More so now than ever afore.” He pressed his powerful body against hers, their legs entwined and his cock nudging her entrance.
Her heart beat frantically at having him so close, and the desire-filled look in his eyes, made her nipples tighten and throb. She ached for his mouth on them. “Come inside me.”
“Aye, I long to. Soon. I wish to love all of you first.” He lowered his head and kissed her, his lips so warm and silky soft, then with the smoothest of caresses, he licked across her tongue and fired all her senses.
She encircled her arms around his neck, wrapped her legs around his waist and ravished his mouth as he ravished hers.
“Your passion inflames my own, Katherine.” He carried her toward the loch’s mossy edge and lifted her up. Cool air washed over her body as he laid her shoulders back on the spongy surface, her bottom still in the water. Gently, he cupped one breast and rubbed the tip until the peak hardened even further. “You have the sweetest, pinkest nipples. I dream of devouring them at night.”
“Kiss them.” She pressed her breasts together. “I love feeling your mouth on my body, all of my body.”
He held her gaze as he lowered his head and lapped her nipples. The hot stroke of his tongue sent shards of pleasure rippling through her. “Like so?”
“Exactly like so.” Arching into his mouth, she drowned in the storm of sensations. Then he raised her legs, hooked them over his shoulders until her bottom lifted out of the water and fully exposed her to him.
“Ah, you also have the sweetest, pinkest flesh below too. So lush, and just waiting for me to taste.” He plunged two fingers deep inside her and pumped as he captured her clit between his lips. The dual attack had her crying out. She bucked as pleasure swept through her.
She was going to lose her mind, but before she did, she’d make certain he lost his right along with her. Under the water, she searched and found his cock and with her fingers wrapped around his thick shaft, she worked him in long pulls.
“Katherine.” He groaned her name. “I love how you touch me.” He circled his fingers inside her and as an explosion of heat swirled, her orgasm built, hard and sharp.
“John, inside me. Now. I can’t wait any longer.” She whimpered and writhed against him.
“Aye, now.” He released her legs, lifted her against him and filled her in one deeply penetrating move. Then he took her over, driving her toward the edge as he thrust in a wild and raw beat.
Unable to hold on, she came apart, her inner muscles dragging and throbbing around him. Blissful spasm after spasm shook her body as she held him to her. He was her Highlander, the warrior she’d traveled through time for, and the man who’d forever be hers.
* * * *
John was lost as Katherine’s hot channel pulsed around him. He roared, his release exploding violently along with hers as he spilled his seed deep within her.
Theirs was a miraculous union, his soul interlocking so tightly with hers they’d never be separated. “My wife,” he whispered against her lips. “You hold my heart in your hands.”
Tears misted her gaze. “And you hold my soul in yours.”
“As I always will.” They’d be together until the very end, and he’d make certain of it.
Cradling her in his arms, he waited as his breathing settled and his pulse slowed. Gently, he carried her out of the water and laid her down on the tartan blanket, and throughout what remained of the night, he lavished more attention on every single inch of her.
’Twas the most enchanting night as he learned her body and what brought her the ultimate pleasure, and even though the first rays of dawn stole it from him, it would only be the first of many.
At dawn’s break, they rose and dressed.
Katherine donned one of his spare tunics and a pair of his breeches and though the pants were too big, she secured the soft cotton around her hips with a belt. The sight of her in his clothing stirred him, had him itching to undress her and take her all over again. Thank heavens the fae had bound her to him. H
e would have a lifetime to love her and he didn’t want to miss a moment of it.
After packing her gown away in his bag, she eyed him. “That’s one intriguing look on your face. What are you thinking?”
“That I adore the fae.” He tucked his shirttails into his leather trews and strapped his sword belt and weapons on.
“They’re a mischievous bunch, and I once heard from a very reliable source, that they like to tinker and play.” She passed him the bag and shook out their blanket.
“As well as provide missions.”
“I’m not sure I’m up for any more missions.”
“You’ll need to be. I have one of my own for you.” He ran his fingers through her silky white-blond hair and tidied her waist length locks as best as he could. “One I intend for us to undertake together.”
A mission that included their vows being spoken before a clergyman this day. ’Twas time to live his life with the woman of his dreams, and with her tucked under his shoulder, he returned, boarded their birlinn and set sail for Dunyvaig.
Aye, she was his woman. His faerie.
He’d keep her safe, and never let her go.
Chapter 10
Inside the hot, steamy recesses of their underground cavern the day following their marriage ceremony, Katherine lay sprawled across John’s chest on the small curve of sandy beach as water lapped her toes. Filled with happiness, more than she’d ever known in her life, she played her fingers through the soft smattering of dark hair on his chest. “I never imagined my death would lead to living my life like this.”
“You’re alive and you must no’ think otherwise.” He smiled, caressed down her bare back and cupped her bottom. “And if I need to prove that to you every day, I shall.”
“Yes, please. Prove away.”
“I love you.” He rolled her over and still joined as one from their recent lovemaking, stroked deeper into her slick heat. “We’ll live a long life, together. I promise you that.”
“I love you too.” Her heart lifted and she clasped the amulet at her neck. “You’re my warrior protector, and I belong right here with you, always and forever.”
“Aye, as you promised me in your vows.” He kissed her, so deeply the heat in her blood surged.
“Make me fly,” she whispered against his lips.
With breathtaking speed, he did just that, until they soared beyond their bodies. Their love transcended both the future and the past, was built from the depths of their souls to the heights of their hearts.
Oh yes, her future was now hers for the taking, and it would be an adventure she’d never let go of.
Her greatest mission was about to begin.
To be bound to her warrior protector, for all time.
Heart, body, and soul.
I hope you enjoyed Highlander’s Faerie. Please feel free to search for the other full-length novels now available in the Highlander Heat series.
Highlander Heat Series
Highlander’s Captive, Novella (Short Story)
Highlander’s Castle, Book One
Highlander’s Magic, Book Two
Highlander’s Charm, Book Three
Highlander’s Guardian, Book Four
Highlander’s Faerie, Book Five
Highlander’s Champion, Book Six
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Amazon Author Page
http://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Wadsworth/e/B00AVRVIBM/
Author’s Note
After I wrote Highlander’s Magic featuring Marie and Archie, I longed to write Katherine and John’s story. I’m so glad I finally got the chance to share their tale with you.
The ruins of Dunyvaig Castle holds such history within its crumbled stone walls, along with a past I find completely fascinating. With the rich accounts told of the Highlander clans who lived in the Western Isles, I’m driven to keep what I can of the past alive. So within my Highlander Heat series expect history mixed with fantasy and adventure as I weave stories around actual events and people who lived at the time.
For the purposes of this story, I chose to send Katherine MacLean back to the year fifteen-hundred and ninety, because Angus MacDonald, the eighth Chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg had been imprisoned by the king due to his feud with the MacLean of Duart, his brother-in-law. The king did in fact induce all those involved in the dispute, being Donald MacDonald of Sleat, Angus MacDonald of Dunnyveg and Lachlan MacLean of Duart, to go to Edinburgh. When they each arrived, they were apprehended and imprisoned.
In the other stand-alone books in this Highlander Heat series, you can catch the individual stories of the clans, and discover how the feud began and the ramifications of it as it raged.
Angus MacDonald’s successor was his son James MacDonald, a minor, and with someone needing to lead the clan, I chose John and his brother, Archie.
John MacDonald and Katherine MacLean however are fictional characters.
The faerie circle and the amulet bestowed to Katherine’s sister, along with its passage down through Mary MacDonald’s maternal line were also my addition to the story.
Although the account told by John, of Donald MacDonald and his men seeking shelter on the MacLean’s portion of Jura, as well as James being taken hostage, Angus’s release and his meeting with MacLean at Mullintrea, are as accurate as I could convey them from the historical information on record of this event. Following this tragedy, the feud continued to rage and all within the Western Isles were affected. Ravaging by fire and sword, both MacDonald and MacLean laid waste to huge portions of land.
This story is woven with as much accuracy to the period and locations as possible, but any mistakes made are mine alone.
This book forms part of my Highlander Heat series, and each within it are stand-alone.
Please feel free to search for any of my other works. I simply adore strong heroines, and have a ton of fun matching them with their honorable alpha heroes.
Joanne Wadsworth
I love reading romance, but even more, I love to write it. My characters hound me, demanding their stories are told. I’m happy to oblige, giving them the romance they’re after, provided they can accept a little angst and adventure along the way.
In beautiful New Zealand, I live with my hubby and four energetic children, and adore using the stunning countries of the South Pacific as backdrops in many of my books. One day I hope to travel further afield, to visit the Scottish Highlands, America, and everywhere between.
Currently I have three series underway. Highlander Heat, historical Highlander romances, feature strong heroines whose paths collide with their delicious Highland heroes.
Magio-Earth, is a fast-paced YA fantasy romance line, where across worlds, soul-bound mates battle against both love and land.
And in Bodyguards, each heart-pounding story will bring you a bodyguard and the woman he protects.
There is no greater feeling than seeing my characters come to life, so thank you for joining me...where romance meets fantasy and adventure.
To learn more about Joanne and her works, visit:
Website and Blog
http://www.joannewadsworth.com
Facebook
http://facebook.com/joannewadsworthromanceauthor
Twitter
http://twitter.com/JoanneWadsworth
Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6469428.Joanne_Wadsworth
Books by Joanne Wadsworth
Highlander Heat Series
Highlander’s Captive, Novella (Short Story)
Highlander’s Castle, Book One
Highlander’s Magic, Book Two
Highlander’s Charm, Book Three
Highlander’s Guardian, Book Four
Highlander’s Faerie, Book Five
Highlander’s Champion, Book Six
Magio-Earth Series
Protector, Book One
Warrior, Book Two
&n
bsp; Hunter, Novella (Short Story)
Enchanter, Book Three
Bodyguards Series
Witness Pursuit, Book One
Bodyguard Pursuit, Book Two
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Wadsworth/e/B00AVRVIBM/
Highlander’s Castle
Highlander Heat, #1
Traveling through time…for a Highlander.
Anne MacLeod’s identical ancestor has made a wish on the Fairy Flag at Dunvegan Castle, one which sees the two young women swapping places in time and leaving Anne set to handfast with the very man her ancestor wished to escape. Only Anne sees the possibilities, because now she could change the future and ensure her parents never perished in the inferno which took their lives.
Highland warrior Alex MacDonald has made an agreement to handfast with Anne in order to bring a halt to the feud raging between their clans. The last thing he expects though is a woman claiming to come from the future, a woman who stirs him on a physical and emotional level to protect, and to even believe.
When Anne finds herself in her MacLeod chief’s presence, she chooses to go with him in order to leave a message for her parents. In full pursuit, Alex wages a battle of the heart, and of the very essence of time. Can he defy the odds as Anne is taken from him…to work his own magic and get her back?
Highlander’s Magic
Highlander Heat, #2
Traveling through time…for a Highlander.
Wearing the four-hundred-year-old amulet she inherited, Marie MacLean enters a faerie circle near the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle. A veil rises. A warrior from the past makes a wish to win the war against the Chief of MacLean, and as the veil thins, she falls through into his time.
Highland warrior Archie MacDonald has been gifted a faerie who insists she’s from the future and the progeny of both his and his enemy’s clan. The last thing he expects is for her to stir him on a level he’s never experienced before. All he needs is her aid in the war, no matter where she believes she’s from.
Highlander's Faerie (Highlander Heat Book 5) Page 13