Highlander's Claim: Time Travel Romance (The Matheson Warriors Book 2)

by Joanne Wadsworth

  Sword unbelted and wrist daggers removed, she set her weapons on top of the vanity in the interconnecting bathroom, tugged off her boots and left them propped in one corner. She splashed water on her face from the tap and patted her cheeks dry with a cloth from the cupboard.

  Inside Hunter’s chamber, she crawled under the thick brown fur, plumped one white pillow and settled herself. Through the open doorway, Hunter still snoozed, his jaw slack and tongue lolling out. He appeared so content and she couldn’t help but smile. Papa would tell her off for using her dust in such a manner, of removing her possible mate’s memories of her. He preferred she and her sisters used their dust for only extreme emergencies, but Hunter had backed her into a corner and left her with no choice. Hopefully, he’d forgive her. Hunter and Papa both.

  She pummeled the pillow and snuggled, the bedsheets carrying the tantalizing scent of the man she’d just spelled. The faint aroma of an ocean breeze swirled about her too. Mmm, wonderful.

  Chapter 4

  Hunter clawed the white woolen mat and perked his ears as the intoxicating aroma of an unmated female swarmed his senses. He fought the deep sleep, his mind all foggy and thoughts skewered. That scent meant huge things to him though, and his bear was tearing at him from the inside and demanding he awaken.

  He pushed through the fog and heaved to his feet. All jelly-legged, paws scrabbling to stay upright, he wobbled into the bathroom and through the other door into his own chamber. His bear rolled his shoulders and tipped his head up. Difficult though. He wanted to slide back down onto his belly on the floor and snooze the rest of the night away. Good grief. It was as if someone had drugged him and he couldn’t properly awaken.

  Never had this happened to him before.

  Ahh, there, he caught the mouth-watering aroma of unmated female and it revived him a bit. His bear dragged in a deep breath and slobbered all over the floor as he jerked wonkily toward the woman’s slumbering form in his bed.

  He bashed his tail end against the trunk as he passed it, then snapped his teeth at his butt. It was a pest for not obeying his directive to move. Never had he been so uncoordinated in his life. He bumped his head into the mattress, gave it a shake and returned his gaze to the woman under his bedcovers. He grinned sloppily. Goldilocks slept in his bed, but without the three bears—there was only one bear, him.

  He heaved up and his paws thumped onto the mattress, most clumsily and nothing like his normal self, but thankfully his ungainly move didn’t even cause her to flicker an eyelash. She was curled up on her side, her cheek resting in her open palm on his pillow and her breath whispered softly in and out from between her lips, and whoa, what incredibly alluring lips. So lush and pink and—his bear wanted to nibble, or just bite her, or perhaps nibble then bite, then eat her up as fast as he could.

  Mmm, bet she’d make a tasty meal. He smacked his lips together. More drool plopped.

  She had the cutest freckles dusting her cheeks and one golden ringlet had snagged on the end of her nose, the wispy strands fluttering across her lips as she breathed. Her long neck lay exposed, her pulse beating right there where he wanted to sink his teeth into her. Wait.

  He jerked back. No, he wasn’t permitted to sink his teeth into any woman, other than his mate. He snuck his muzzle into the deep V of her white tunic and licked across the curvy upper line of her breast. Unfortunately, her black leather bodice prevented him from going any farther down, but he’d gotten a good taste of her anyway. His bear loved the taste of her, all sweet and juicy, like a ripe melon waiting to be consumed on a sweltering summer day.

  He lifted one paw and played with the dangling ties of her tunic, and she grumbled in her sleep and tried to swat his paw away. Hmm, she’d make a good playmate. He wanted a playmate, a woman who was all his, and he’d been waiting a hell of a long time to find one. She smelled just right too, purrrrfect, her clothes somehow already holding his scent, although perhaps from her falling asleep in his bed, because there was no other way for her to hold his scent otherwise. Unless of course he’d already tangled with her somehow. He shook his head of that thought. He’d never forget tangling with a woman like this. His yummy Goldilocks.

  He pushed off the bed and lumbered across to his scotch chest. With a mere thought from his mind alone, he forced the Change in a bright flash of sparks, which thankfully didn’t awaken Goldilocks. Without a noise, he opened the top drawer and pulled on his black silk boxers. He usually slept in the nude, but he’d need to make an allowance for her tonight. Carefully, he closed the navy curtains across his wide window and eased into bed beside her under the fur.

  She let out a soft moan and rolled over, her hand settling on his chest and her cheek on his shoulder. Sweet heaven. He had to be dreaming. There was no other reason for this insanely beautiful moment other than that he’d dragged it straight from his fantasies. He closed his eyes, wrapped his arm around her waist and caressed the lower curve of her back. He tucked her in against him even closer, and his bear moaned so sweetly with satisfaction.

  Aye, he loved holding her, touching her, being near her.

  Mate, his bear rumbled.

  Aye, she’s our mate, he whispered back.

  Chapter 5

  The dawn’s rising sunshine slithered through the slim gap in the heavy drapes over the window and Ailith blinked against the harsh light spearing right into her eyes. At her back, intense heat wrapped around her and she wriggled about and—how on earth had Hunter gotten into bed with her? Without her sensing it? She’d spelled him to fall asleep and he shouldn’t have awoken before her.

  Carefully, she pushed the fur cover back and oh my. He was nearly naked. All he wore were black silk boxers that barely covered his nether region, particularly since his shaft was erect and the head seemed intent on escaping the waistband. He had one sizeable cock for that to happen.

  Eyes away. Look anywhere other than at him. Except she couldn’t. Of course, she’d never lain with a man before, not since she’d been awaiting a mated bond to form between her and her chosen one, but she was certainly aware of what a man looked like, particularly when she’d spent so much time at the warrior encampment and the men there would undress and get stark naked before bounding into the loch for training. Some kept their breeches on, but most favored wearing naught at all, preferring no hindrance with clothing which might slow their speed in the water.

  She wasn’t unaware of how a man and woman joined together either, not when she’d lived as many centuries as she had. She’d come across her fair share of warriors coupling with wenches in darkened niches, either in the castle, stables, or deep in the woods. She’d even watched a few as they’d come together in a rowdy climax since she hadn’t been unable to back away quick enough.

  She reached with one finger and touched Hunter’s chest. His torso tapered in a firm V downward, with twin ropes of muscle rippling down his sides. She smoothed her hand along his jaw, his morning stubble raspy under her fingertips. A wayward lock of his hair curled deliciously across his forehead, and she wrapped that curl around her finger then pushed her hands fully through his dark hair. So silky and soft. Tingles raced across her skin and made her nipples tighten.

  His shoulders were so wide and thick with muscle. She glided around his flat male nipples. Both contracted into firm points and when she leaned in and flicked her tongue over one, he groaned in his sleep and tightened his hold around her middle.

  Mmm, he tasted divine.

  She wanted more.

  She licked over his other nipple and heat flared through her core.

  This could get rather addictive, rather quick. Not good. She had a mission to complete, and getting sidetracked wasn’t permitted, not even by this tasty warrior.

  She eased away from him, pried his fingers loose from around her waist and slipped out of bed. Without looking back, she hauled her butt into her own bedchamber.

  “Ailith?” A knock rattled her door. “It’s me, Isla.”

  “I’m coming.” It had
been months since she’d last seen Isla. Murdock’s daughter was mated to Kirk’s brother, Iain, and she and her chosen one had traveled to Gilleoin’s time during Iain’s chase of her. She opened the door and smiled at Isla standing with a duffel hanging over one shoulder and two steaming mugs in hand, a divine chocolate aroma swirling into the air from them.

  “Dad said you might need some clothes, that you arrived last night without a bag.” With her buttery-yellow blouse swaying over her pregnant belly, Isla extended one mug with a grin. “I come with hot chocolate too.”

  “Thank you, clothes would be wonderful, hot chocolate, divine.” Even though she wanted to leave as soon as possible, she couldn’t remain in these clothes which held Hunter’s scent. Likely her hair and skin carried his alluring aroma too, so she would need to shower before stepping one foot out of this chamber. “I am terrible at procuring clothes with my dust. I always end up bringing forth the wrong things, like a broom instead of breeches, a tin can instead of a tunic.” She accepted the mug, slid the duffel from Isla’s shoulder and set the bag on top of the wooden trunk at the end of her bed, the quilted burgundy and white covers still pristine since she hadn’t slept under them.

  Isla closed the door and cast her gaze from her to her bed then back again. “I should probably warn you that Dad had another vision this morning.”

  “About the warrior killed by Colin MacKenzie?”

  “No, about you and Hunter down at the loch. He saw you spelling the removal of Hunter’s memories, of you bolting back here then getting chased down by Hunter.” Barefoot, her red-painted toenails peeking out from underneath the bottoms of her jeans, Isla eased onto the bed, her drink sloshing to the rim as the base knocked against her belly. She giggled and drank a mouthful. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to get back up again without a helping hand, so don’t go too far.”

  “I’ll remain close at hand.” Grinning, she sat next to Isla and spread her hand over the rounded bump of her belly. One foot kicked her palm, then a second foot. Again, and again, she got pummeled by little feet. “You have two very feisty cubs in there.”

  “They get incredibly active whenever Cherub touches my belly just as you’re doing right now. Dad said that’s due to the ancient fae blood you and Cherub hold. It’s stronger, richer, more magical. They can sense that.”

  “Aye, our ancient fae blood calls powerfully to those of our kind, even within the womb.” She set her mug on the floor, leaned in and rested her cheek against the area where the babies’ heads should be lower down on Isla’s belly. A delightful thrum of angelic sweetness flared out and her heart lifted. Through her telepathic skill, she touched her mind to first one of the babe’s and then the other’s, then she touched Isla’s mind and joined them all together. “Little ones, I am Ailith. I cannae wait to meet you when you enter this world.”

  Gurgles resonated as Isla’s sons wriggled about.

  “Do you wish to speak to them?” She arched a brow at Isla.

  “Good grief, I didn’t know this would be possible.” Tears swam in Isla’s eyes.

  “’Tis only possible because I’m a telepath with the ability to link those to me who dinnae hold that skill. They will be able to hear your voice once you speak mind to mind with them.” To the babies, she murmured, “Your Mama is eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

  More excited gurgles and swishing.

  The tears in Isla’s eyes flowed free. “I love you both, just as your father loves you both.” She hugged her belly, her love for her unborn children flowing along the merged connection and sweeping over her children. “I wish they could speak to me in return.”

  “That isnae possible, until they are much older.” Ailith waited for the babies to settle back to sleep then she closed her connection with them and wiped Isla’s tears from her cheeks. “Have you heard why I’m here?”

  “Aye, Dad left nothing out. All our clan are aware of the reason why you, Cherub and Kirk have arrived.” She slanted her head. “Is that why you removed Hunter’s memories and ran from him? Is he the warrior you saw imprisoned in your vision, who was slaughtered by Colin MacKenzie? Is he your mate?”

  “He is the warrior from my vision, but I must wait until the next full moon to be sure if he is my mate as well. Neither of us can be certain until then.”

  “Hunter has never chased any woman the way he has chased you. Dad agrees with me too.” Isla sipped her drink and rubbed her belly. “How do you really feel about him? Anything you say to me will go no further than these four walls.”

  “I find him incredibly distracting.”

  “Then you need to tell Hunter that.”

  “I’d be doing him a terrible disservice if I did, particularly when I intend on leaving.”

  “I find you incredibly distracting too.” Hunter leaned against the bathroom doorway, arms lazily crossed, his feet and chest bare, and his kilt barely hanging onto his trim hips.

  “You’ve been listening in?”

  “From the moment you left my bed. You’re Ailith, one of the ancient fae, who is terrible at procuring clothes with your dust. You love hot chocolate, and you’ve spelled the removal of my memories about you thus far. You’re a telepath, who just connected Isla and her babies in a mind to mind conversation with you, and my chief had a vision that saw you running from me last night, and of me chasing you down. You wonder if we are mated, but won’t know for sure until the next full moon, which explains why you slept in my bed. Oh, and apparently, I’ve featured in one of your visions, in which you saw me being slaughtered by Colin MacKenzie. Did I miss anything?”

  “You won’t be slaughtered by the MacKenzie, not when I intend on leaving and ensuring you can never travel to the past.” She stood and snorting, tried her hardest to give him her sternest expression. “When I said I find you incredibly distracting, I actually meant that in a bad way.”

  “You’re in heat, Goldilocks.” He gritted his teeth. “I could scent you a mile away, whether you were next door or not.”

  “Goldilocks? Why’d you call me that?”

  “The name seems to suit you.”

  “Well, this Goldilocks holds the skill of combat sense and can receive visions of war afore they unfold. Unfortunately, I’ve foreseen your death, and now ’tis my duty to ensure your protection.”

  “I don’t need anyone’s protection.”

  “Aye, you do. I’ve foreseen—”

  “I understood that part, you had a vision.”

  “I think that’s my cue to leave.” Isla grimaced as she rocked on her butt on the bed and tried to get up. She waved one hand at them. “Ugh, some help over here, please?”

  “Allow me.” Hunter whisked past her and offered Isla a hand up.

  The perfect distraction, and exactly what Ailith needed. She scooped Isla’s duffle and ducked into the bathroom, then flicked the lock on both doors and turned on the overhead light. She sagged against the vanity, her palms pressed to the marble countertop. The most difficult part of her journey here was now over. She could safety leave knowing she’d discovered who the prisoner was—Hunter Matheson. Now, she’d ensure his survival by whipping away just as swiftly as she’d arrived.

  Certainly, for what remained of her time here, she’d simply keep her wits about her and remain as far away from Hunter as she possibly could. Showering and removing his scent from her was the first task on her immediate to-do list.

  She stripped off her black leather breeches, vest, and cream tunic, tossed her clothing into the corner wicker basket and set her pouch on the counter so she wouldn’t forget it. Each time she’d visited this century she’d always enjoyed the modern conveniences on offer, like hot running water. She opened the glass shower door and tipped the showerhead toward the tiled wall so she wouldn’t get splashed with chilly water and lifted the lever. Water gushed out and as soon as the flow became warm, she tipped the showerhead back in place and stepped inside the cubicle and closed the door.

  Steam swirled and she leaned into the wat
er’s heavenly warmth. From the shelf, she squirted liquid soap into her palm and frowned at the strange fragrance. Bacon Scented Soap, the label displayed. How unusual. Perhaps a manly scent. Oh well, she’d try it, particularly since she hardly wished to smell of fertile woman. From top to toe, she soaped herself clean then picked up the shampoo.

  Good grief. Pork Belly Shampoo. Might as well lather up with that too. She’d be flavorsome meat running about on two legs, but what the heck. A dollop in hand, she scrubbed her hair then rinsed.

  Done, she turned the lever off, wrung out her hair and opened the door. A plume of steam billowed and coated the large looking glass over the basin. She nabbed one of the plush white towels stacked on a wooden rack beside the vanity, wiped the glass and cleared the fog. She patted herself dry, hung the towel over the rail and flipped the top of the duffel. From inside, she pulled out a pair of modern jeans and a t-shirt. Perfect. She quite liked the jeans of this time, and she certainly preferred donning such clothes over gowns like Cherub did. Oooh, and underwear. She tore the plastic wrap from a packet holding a red pair. Cairstine adored this kind of frippery like she did, while Lilias not so much. Her youngest sister hardly wore much at all since she was always dipping and diving about in the water, the element she controlled through her fae skill.

  She tugged the panties up, jiggled into the jeans and tucked the hem of the black t-shirt in, hooked her ever-present pouch through one belt loop, then strapped on her sword and wrist daggers, which she’d left on the countertop last night. A quick rummage through the top vanity drawer and she found a brush. Her hair always dried into bouncy spiral curls, which she usually left lying loose down her back, so she swept the brush through and left it at that.

  From the drawer, she found a guest toothbrush and scrubbed her teeth clean, then she tidied the counter and left the duffel in the corner. Ear pressed to her chamber door, she caught no noise filtering through. Hunter surely would have used the hallway to return to his chamber by now.