Highland Heat

by Eliza Knight

  Her hands trembled, and the light from the flashlight danced back and forth. She bit her lip, afraid to open the book to see what it said. Would it tell her that Camden stayed with her or that he returned to his time? Taking a quick peek over her shoulder to make sure Camden wasn’t there, she opened the book, thumbed through the table of contents and then flipped to the page that had the account from his time period.

  What she found brought a smile and tears to her eyes. She couldn’t keep this to herself; she had to wake him.

  She bolted up and took off at a run toward the stairs, stumbling and stubbing her toe along the way. She cursed herself for not turning on the lights. When she burst into her bedroom, Camden jumped from the bed, reached for his sword and stood ready to do battle.

  “Camden, it’s me!” She laughed aloud at the giddiness in her voice.

  “What is it?” He put the claymore down and bent to turn on the light.

  “Look what I found.” She handed him the book. “I know you had your vision, but I had to see for sure. See what it says? Eaghan successfully took over the clan. A tale was passed down through MacLeod history about you, Camden. The tale goes that you were whisked away to an enchanted land by fairies in the middle of the night.”

  “Ach!” He laughed aloud, tossed the book on the bed and came around toward her. He lifted her into the air and twirled her around. “Thank ye, love.”

  12

  “Woot!” Camden watched Amanda hoot along with the rest of the crowd as he played a livelier tune.

  In the past several weeks since he’d started his gig at the pub, he’d gathered quite a following. Those who came from town and all over for his tours also came to see him play. There was never an empty seat. People had to arrive early if they wanted to get in, as he tended to pack the house, and Amanda was his number one fan. He loved glancing out into the crowd as he played to see her smiling face. His heart soared every time.

  “Thank ye!” he said into the microphone.

  He set the guitar down and bowed to the crowd after playing his last song for the night.

  “You were amazing,” Amanda said, placing a kiss upon his lips.

  “Always for ye, fairy.” He winked at her and took the offered mug of ale she held out to him. “I’ve got something for ye.”

  Her eyes widened, and her lips curled into a sultry smile. “What is it?”

  “Come outside, ’tis a surprise.”

  He led her outside, his heart pounding. Although some had considered him a romantic in his own time, Camden had a hard time figuring out what would be considered sweet and charming to a lady in modern times. Would the same sentiments be seen as endearing? He sure hoped so. He rubbed his palms against his kilt and pulled her through the door. There waiting in the moonlight was the black warhorse he’d asked for.

  Amanda gazed at him in puzzlement. “Are we going for a ride?”

  “Aye, fairy.” She’d confessed to him she’d always wanted to travel back in time, even before she met him, to see what life was like. He’d spent as much time as he could re-creating his previous life for her.

  He easily mounted the horse, giving her a little peek beneath his kilt just like she liked.

  “You really are a devilish warrior.”

  He laughed aloud and put his arm out for her. She grasped him tightly, and he lifted her, settling her on his lap.

  She wiggled her luscious arse against his thickening cock. “But you aren’t the only one who can behave badly.”

  “I’ve known that all along, lass.”

  “Where are you taking me?” She absently stroked his arms.

  “’Tis a surprise.”

  He pressed the horse’s flanks, and they rode off down the street toward Dunvegan. What he was going to do had taken a lot of thought and careful planning. Amanda had healed him—his heart, his mind. She brought out his true self, one of the many reasons he loved her.

  “I never told ye, lass…about Maura.”

  She looked up at him, the top of her head bumping his chin. He tucked her head back down, kissing her gently. If he was going to do this right, he needed to concentrate, and her dazzling blue eyes always took his breath away.

  “We were betrothed—went through a handfasting and all. Married in name, and even consummated, but the wedding ceremony had yet to be held. I loved the girl—or at least I thought I did. But one day, I came home from training to find the castle empty and silent, save for the moans I heard coming from above stairs. I dinna know what to make of it. I ran up the stairs and found her in the arms of her lover.” He took a deep breath, surprised at how relieved he felt to get the story off his chest. “Even still, my honor won out, and I repressed my anger. I told her we would honor the handfast, and the marriage was still on. Her lover grew angry, attacked me. We battled, and he lost. I killed him. ’Tis how things are in my time, kill or be killed. Maura was devastated—had hoped I’d find them and let her go to be with her lover. She took the man’s sword, and before I could stop her, she ran herself through.”

  “Oh, Cam! That’s terrible.” Amanda turned in her seat and hugged him close, silent for several moments. “Thank you for sharing your history with me. I know it must have been hard to tell the story,” she whispered. “Know this, I would never, in all my life, betray you.”

  “I know, lass, I know.” He smiled down at her and captured her lips. He didn’t think he would ever get enough of her.

  “I love you.”

  “And I ye.”

  They arrived at Dunvegan, and Camden led her through the castle and up into the Fairy Tower. They climbed hand in hand, both shaking from emotions. When they reached the top and entered the room, he smiled. Just as he’d asked, a table had been set out, candles lit, wine poured, and a meal awaited beneath silver domed lids.

  “Oh, Camden! This is beautiful,” she exclaimed, rushing to hug him.

  “Come, let’s eat.”

  They sat down, and he lifted the lids. There on porcelain dishes were enchiladas, his new favorite food. The smell of spices, peppers, meat and onions wafted around, making his stomach growl.

  “Who would have thought that a Highland warrior’s favorite food would be enchiladas?” Amanda asked with a laugh.

  “Certainly not I, angel.”

  They ate with gusto, each starving from the late hour. After their dinner had been cleared, another tray with a silver domed plate arrived and was placed in front of Amanda. Camden turned toward her and grasped her hand. “Dessert,” he said simply.

  She lifted the lid and gave him a puzzled look. On the plate was not an edible dessert but a small wooden chest, laden with silver carvings and precious stones. Her hand went to her chest to finger the stone necklace she still wore around her neck.

  “Open it.”

  She nodded and, with a shaky hand, opened the chest. Inside were three velvet pouches, one black, one maroon and the last purple.

  “I went to my clearing after I had my vision, and ye showed me the history book. There was a tree that Eaghan and I carved our initials into. We used to use it for target practice when we were boys. As we grew older, I was the only one who used it anymore. For some reason, I had this strong pull to see it again. When I did, I reached inside the knotted hole we’d used as kids to hide our makeshift weapons, and I found the box. He left those pouches and a note.”

  Breathlessly, she asked, “What did the note say?”

  Camden smiled and stroked her cheek. “He wished me well. Assured me the clan was good and taken care of, and my name would live on in history. He told me he had a gift for me and my love.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Mayhap, my wife?”

  Amanda’s eyes widened. “Are you…”

  “Aye. Will ye marry me?”

  “Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” She flung herself into his arms, squeezing him tight and placing kisses all over his face.

  “Amanda, I love ye so much. I will love ye for all eternity and never leave ye.” He kissed her long and hard,
making good on his declared words.

  When they pulled away, panting with need, Amanda gazed deep into his eyes. “I love you too, Camden. I promise to always remain true and faithful to you, and I will love you until the universe ceases to exist.”

  Beyond desire, passion and rapture, love had come to call, and they were more than ready to answer. They were soul mates, and not even their two very different worlds could rip them apart.

  “Look inside the pouches.”

  After one last kiss, she pulled away and lifted the black pouch. Nestled inside was his mother’s ring, a beautifully hand-crafted work of art. Celtic knots wrapped their way around, and in the center was a large diamond surrounded by rubies. She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Camden took the ring and slid it onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  “My mother’s, and now yours.”

  She gazed at it in wonder a few more moments before opening the other pouches. In the maroon pouch were some of his family’s precious jewels, a jewel-encrusted thistle pin, a few necklaces, a belt and a couple of rings decorated with precious stones. The purple pouch was filled with Scottish freshwater pearls.

  “My gig at MacEwan’s Pub and the tours at your shop earn me a living, but this will settle us for life. A nest egg.”

  “Oh my,” she whispered. “I’m in shock, Camden.”

  “I dinna think I’ve ever seen ye speechless, except when…well, even then, ye make a lot of noise.” He grinned at her wolfishly and winked when her mouth popped open in mock outrage. “In fact, I think we ought to consummate our commitment to each other right here. Right where it all started.”

  She stood up then and started to lift the hem of her dress. “Well, what are you waiting for? Take it off, warrior.”

  How could he say no to the demands of a fairy?

  Have you read the other books in the Touchstone series?

  Highland Steam

  Highland Brawn

  Highland Tryst

  About the Author

  Eliza (E.) Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty sizzling historical romance and rip-your-heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies. Visit Eliza at http://www.elizaknight.com or her historical blog History Undressed: www.historyundressed.com. Sign up for her newsletter to get news about books, events, contests and sneak peaks! http://eepurl.com/CSFFD