“Are you Arabel?” A warrior rode free of the forest path, his horse snorting misty air as he hauled it to a stop.
“I am.” She slowed, treaded water. “Who are you?”
“Finlay Matheson. I passed Julia along the trail. She asked me to guard you, said your fire skill had flared.” He dismounted in one easy and swift move.
“There’s really no need to stay. I’m fine.”
“How bad are these flares you’re experiencing?” He slung his horse’s reins over a low branch, knotted the leather then strode toward her, his great plaid secured over his broad chest with a silver pin and belted low at his waist with a leather girdle. Midnight-black hair curled onto his shoulders and his golden gaze met hers with unwavering intensity. He had the eyes of a shifter, just as Gilleoin and his sons, Kenneth and Ivan, did. So mesmerizing.
“Naught that the cool water cannae disperse.”
“I see.” His biceps flexed as he palmed the hilt of his mighty sword. “I’m intrigued by your skill.”
“Julia wonders if the four elements of fire, water, air and earth are involved in the flares.”
“The vortex that hauled us through did so within mere minutes. The air was thick and swirling fast.” He propped one booted foot on the boulder next to her discarded gown. “I can’t see any heat emanating from you.”
“Mayhap I’ve cooled sufficiently.” She swam toward him and at waist-depth, slogged through the water and joined him on the grassy bank. “Do you mind checking?”
“Not at all. Tell me what to do.” He extended one hand as if wishing to take hers and she shook her head.
“Nay, you must no’ touch me unless all is well.” She lifted her hand and turned it palm over. “If you will, bring your palm closer to mine, but halt at the point where you feel my heat. That will give me a good indication if my fire still flares too strongly.”
Slowly, he lowered his hand until it hovered a little above her own. “There’s no heat that I can sense, although being a shifter, my blood runs hotter than most.”
“Then touch me.” Her words whispered out, and far too breathy. “I mean—”
“It’s all right. I know what you mean.” Grinning, he picked up one of her long golden locks and curled it around his finger. “Your hair is now dry, as is your shift, so you must be emitting some heat.”
“I dry my clothing with merely a thought. I am never wet for long.” She shuffled closer, drawn by the spark in his golden eyes. “Where exactly do you live in the future, Finlay?”
“I live far across the Highlands toward the east near Loch Bear. Ivan, Gilleoin’s second-born son, weds Bethia and becomes chief of his own clan at Ivanson Castle. Bethia doesn’t hold any fae blood, which is why Ivan’s line is shifter alone as Kenneth’s is not. I’m one of Ivan’s direct descendants.” Eyes twinkling, he caught her hand and brought her palm to his cheek. “Mmm, you feel lovely and warm, just how you’re supposed to.”
“Are you flirting with me?” Surprise took her. No man ever had.
“Are you aware I’m here to find my chosen one?” He kissed her fingertips.
“All the lasses are.” A flare of heat pulsed from her and she jerked back and broke their contact. “Oh, my apologies. Did I burn you?”
“Not at all.” He held out his hand for hers again. “Allow me to touch you.”
“’Tis best I return to the water.”
“Then if you’re returning, so am I. That water looks heavenly.” He kicked off his boots. “I’ve also got a very playful bear who longs for a dip, that’s if you don’t mind sharing that water.”
“You cannae swim with me. I’m a fire-wielder. Where there is fire, there is hot water.”
“I love hot water, or cold. It matters not.” He knelt at the loch’s edge and swept one hand through it. “This isn’t hot at all, a little warm, but not hot.”
“It will be far hotter if you hop in with me.” Her heat had flared when he’d touched her and she didn’t doubt it would do so again if he came too close. “I truly dinnae need a guard even though my sister asked you to watch over me. Your brothers must surely need you.”
“I left them behind. I felt a desperate urge to return early. They’ll be here first thing in the morning so for tonight, or for however long you need me, I’m yours.”
“Your mate could right now be at the castle and in remaining here with me, you might miss out on meeting her.” She walked backward into the water and a tiny puff of steam rose. She was still too hot, but at least she was cooling.
“Possibly, but that’s not going to deter me from guarding you. I gave Julia my word I’d remain.” Sword belt unstrapped, he propped his weapon against the boulder then divested himself of his wrist daggers before unpinning his kilt.
Oh goodness. He was now clothed in naught but his white tunic that fluttered against him mid-thigh. She fanned her flushed cheeks at the sight of his strongly muscled legs. Never had a man unclothed himself while she watched on. She sank lower and kicked away. “Have any within your clan ever discovered that there is no mate when you come of age?”
“There are a good dozen unmated men who’ve been searching for their chosen ones and have had no luck in finding them.”
“What if they never find them? Or you never find yours?”
“Should that happen then I will find the strength to move on. My parents and brothers would never allow me to wander too far from my clan. They hold me to the present and always will. You appear to be a strong swimmer.”
“I am.”
“Good, because my bear truly does wish to play and you’re the only possible playmate in sight. Catch me if you can.” He dove and disappeared beneath the night-shrouded waters.
Twirling around, she searched for his shadow within the loch. There wasn’t even a ripple on the surface to mark his movement or a bubble to prove he’d released even the tiniest mouthful of air. She hadn’t played in the longest time and even as dangerously alluring as he was, she couldn’t help but dive after him. She kicked hard as she scoured the bottom of the loch for him. He had to be down here somewhere, and her lungs were near to bursting so his surely must be too. Ah, there. A hazy streak of white. His tunic. That had to be him. She clamped a hand around his ankle and he twisted around, his hair swirling about his face as he beamed at her. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and kicked them both upward. They emerged in a burst of bubbles and she gulped in air. “I didnae realize you intended to swim at the bottom of the pool.”
“I had to test your strength.” He tightened his hold on her, kicking for them both. “You don’t seem hot at all to me.”
“Hold onto me any longer and I will surely burn you.” She slipped out of his arms, tossed her feet in the air and went under. As she kicked across to the far side of the pool, a heated wave rippled out from her. His touch had her emotions rising and her excitement building. Never had she played with a man in this way before. ’Twas delightful, naughty even. Underwater, she swam then surfaced when she made the boulders bordering the far side. Clambering onto the closest one, she made it just in time as Finlay shot to the surface in a spray before her.
Grinning, he shook his dark head and sent drops flying. “So that’s how you intend to play, is it?”
“You are very slow under the water.” She shoved a wave of water at him and giggled. “Show me your bear, Finlay, since you insist he’s the one who wishes to play.”
“My bear’s in a desperate mood to Change, so you’re about to get your wish.” He gripped the hem of his tunic under the water and held still. “The shirt has to go though. I detest shredding my clothing. Close your eyes if you need to.”
She should, but for the life of her she couldn’t.
“Last chance.” Challenge glimmered in his eyes, a dare she couldn’t help but meet.
“Go right ahead.”
“As you wish.” He hauled his wet tunic over his head and tossed it onto the hard rock beside her. The waters swirled about his waist as he e
dged closer. “This is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s so private and secluded. Just us within this little slice of paradise.”
“Are you always like this with the lasses? Ready to unclothe at a moment’s notice?”
“I’ve never made the Change in front of a woman before. You will be the first. Are you ready?”
She was transfixed, couldn’t move her gaze from his heavily muscled chest where a smattering of hair, as dark as his head, trailed down between his contoured abs and disappeared under the water’s murky surface. “I’m ready. Shift for me, Finlay. I truly do wish to see your bear.”
He took another step closer, his golden eyes heating to a toe-curling hue. “Shifting causes quite a lightning bright display.”
“I wield fire. There is naught as bright as that. Shift.” The raw intimacy of the moment rolled through her and sparks flared from her fingertips. She sent her fire arcing high into the air then clenched her fists.
“You have such a powerful skill.” He eyed the remnants still flickering on her fingertips then he made the Change and bright lights burst in a myriad of sparks. A very large bear with black fur glimmering in the moonlight rose up before her. On his hind legs, he roared.
“Come closer, Finlay.” She held out one hand, desperate to touch his beast. “I willnae hurt you.”
He slapped his paws down on the boulder either side of her then he nudged her hand with his muzzle.
“Thank you.” She took a long breath in, sought the control she needed and sank her fingers into his silky pelt. She scratched between his ears then smiled as a purr rumbled from deep within his chest. The sound caused a strange heat to surge through her, not one of fire, but of something else. A form of heat she’d never experienced before. It pooled between her thighs and made Finlay sniff and prod her belly.
* * * *
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.
“One can’t argue with the mated bond, Arabel, not when it speaks to the very heart of the two who are soul bound.” He stepped down beside her. “Do you feel anything toward me?”
“Nay, no’ a thing.” She frowned something fierce as she eyed his wet shirt. “Allow me to dry you.” She smoothed her heated palms over his shoulders and along his chest then circling him, swished along his waist and legs. “That is better. I wouldnae want you to catch a chill.”
“All I feel right now is a deep desire to jump back into that loch so when I hop back out, you’ll dry me all over again.” That need roared to life within him. No woman had ever laid her hands on him the way she just had, the way he wished for her to do again. Her heated touch had been sheer perfection, soft and tender, not harming in the least.
“You fascinate me, Arabel.” Gently, he traced the delicate smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. “Do I fascinate you at all?”
“I—I—” Confusion crossed her face. “We need to leave.” She hurried around the pool toward their clothes, snatched her burgundy gown from the ground and wriggled the velvet over her head. He followed, dressed and fastened his sword and daggers as she fumbled to gather the burgundy ribbons at her back.
“Here, allow me.” He slid her long golden locks over one shoulder and exposed the long length of her neck then picked up her gown’s ribbons and laced her stays. Gently, he turned her by the shoulders to face him and stroked down her arms to her wrists where her gown’s lacy sleeves dangled over the backs of her hands.
“Oh, your hair is still wet. We c
annae have that.” She ran her fingers through his shoulder-length hair, drying and tidying it, the delicious contact sending a wave of warmth across his scalp. “Is that better?”
“Infinitely. I love having your hands on me.”
“You must cease talking like that.” She swayed toward him and the golden sparks rimming her blue eyes glimmered before she jolted upright. “’Tis time to leave.”
“Not without me.” He collected his horse. “I’m your guard.”
“I’ve roamed these forest paths my entire life. I assure you I dinnae need a guard.” She walked toward the trail, the sensual sway of her hips making him want to drag her into his arms and hold her close, to smother her with even more of his scent. The desire roared through him, demanding and relentless, a need that wouldn’t be appeased. His bear had found his mate and so had he, only it appeared now he’d need to convince her of that fact.
Within minutes they emerged from the woods and the thick stone walls of the House of Clan Matheson rose like an impenetrable fortress in the dark. A two-story gatehouse took pride of place in front while beyond the gate’s arch, the four-story north tower house overlooked all. He stopped at the stables and handed his steed to the stable hand who hurried over to him then slung his traveling bag over one shoulder and guided Arabel through the gates and across the inner courtyard. So few of her clansmen would likely be awake at this late hour of the night, other than the guards, but since he didn’t wish to wander through the great hall and disturb those warriors who had already sought their rest, he led her toward the side stairs. “Where is your chamber?”
“On the third floor.” She climbed the stairs and walked along the gloomy corridor lit only by the odd candle in an iron wall sconce. The passageway remained bare of any other, each of the doors leading from it firmly shut, except for the last one. She walked inside the chamber that remained perfectly dark with not even the fire lit.
“Is this your room alone?” He followed her inside.
Highlander's Passion (The Matheson Brothers Book 2) Page 2