“I can read your thoughts and you appear to need more.” She held out her hands for him and he went to her, laid down over top of her sensuously delicious body.
“A lifetime with you will never be enough.” He swept his tongue inside her mouth, the need to touch all of her riding him hard. This time when they came together, he intended to trace every inch of her smooth skin with his hands and tongue, to show her with his dedicated touch just how very much he loved her. Reveling in the sight of all her creamy flesh, he palmed the fullness of her breasts, licked then sucked her nipples deep inside his mouth, first one and then the other. He gorged himself on her, until her wild cherry scent swirled in and around his senses and drove him completely mad. “I’m going to eat you.”
“As you wish.” She feasted her gaze on him, roamed across his chest and down to his throbbing cock. “I’m fairly hungry myself. I barely got a taste of you afore. May I?”
“Later.” A sizzling pressure burned at the base of his spine and flared all the way around to his cock. His shaft lengthened and hardened to a staggering degree. “Much later. It’s time for my bear to have his way.” He rolled her onto her belly, slid one arm underneath her waist and lifted her up onto her hands and knees. “And this is how he wants you.”
“Aye, please. This is how I want you too.” She wriggled her luscious bottom, her glorious golden hair sliding wetly off her back and sweeping the ledge as she peered over her shoulder at him.
“I need to bite you again.” He rubbed his nose against the small of her back, nipped her skin then crawled in over top of her, the silky wetness of her body making his bear rumble with pleasure at being able to slide against all her smooth flesh. Head dipped, he razzed his teeth back and forth over the sensitive skin of her neck then whispered, “Are you ready?”
“I’ll always be ready.” Stretching, she offered the long column of her creamy flesh to him and he licked her skin, sucked it deep inside his mouth, swept one hand down her side and trailed his fingers through her golden curls below. He fondled her clit, moaned with greedy need as she arched back into him, her breasts swaying beneath her and brushing his arm.
“Tell me what you want, my love.”
“For you to join us together as one.” She reached underneath her, slid her fingers around his shaft and rubbed the head of his cock over her drenched folds and coated him in her heavenly scent.
“We are going to need one very long honeymoon, just the two of us, all alone, right here.”
“Aye, I’d love such a honeymoon.” She pushed her backside into his groin and he thrust his cock inside her, pulled back then pushed all the way back inside her again. She lifted up and rocked with him and as she did, he rubbed her clit and plunged even deeper. She met each of his fierce moves with such exquisite precision, his balls slapping the insides of her thighs and sending him half crazed. Unable to halt himself, he growled and bit down on her neck.
She screamed, her inner muscles clamping around him and squeezing him with such sheer perfection. She flew right over the edge and he soared right along with her, her body bathing him in her glorious heat and her channel clenching so beautifully around him.
Never had he felt so completely whole, as if the woman in his arms had finally gifted him with the rest of who he was. Without her, he would never survive, and of that he had no doubt.
As Layla went limp in his arms, he gently lowered her down onto the ledge on her belly and curled his body around hers, the steamy heat of their cavern enveloping them. He nibbled on the side of her neck, his heart and soul in paradise and when she sighed, so dreamily, he grinned and only wished to hear her sigh that way all over again.
Aye, he was home, right here with his mate, the only one who could ever satisfy both him and his bear. She was the most precious gift, a treasure he’d cherish for the rest of his days.
Always and forever.
Chapter 8
In her chamber on the second floor of the castle, Layla snuggled in bed with her warrior shifter and smiled as happiness burst inside her. It had been three weeks since Donnan had been sent winging back toward Skye and she and Tor had reunited within their sacred cavern. Three weeks of wedded bliss and enjoying all the benefits of their mated bond.
“We need to move and get dressed if we want to make it to our own wedding celebration. No more handfast wife for me, you’ll be my wife in truth within a matter of hours.” Tor rubbed his chest against her breasts as he caressed her bare back. Father John from the priory had arrived the day before and she could barely contain her excitement at finally being able to speak vows with her mate before their entire clan.
“I have something I must speak to you about first.” She caught his hand, pressed a kiss against the warmth of his palm. Her ring blazed from her finger, the large stone set atop a band of gold the same gorgeous golden color as her mate’s stunning shifter eyes. After a sneaky trip back to his time with Cherub, he’d returned with this ring, lowered to one knee and reaffirmed his oath to her. Never had she seen such an extravagant or more beautiful piece of jewelry, or been so filled with love. She’d accepted his ring then ensured she shared every single benefit to being mated to her brought him.
“Then speak. No more secrets between us, remember?”
“I remember, and this is less of a secret and more like a hopeful feeling. My courses are late, should have arrived four or five days ago. I know that does no’ sound like long, but I’m never late.”
“You’re saying you might be expecting?” He tipped her onto her back, flicked the bed sheet covering them away and caressed her belly, the sunshine beaming through her window playing across his bare skin and hers. “Let me check.”
“Pardon?”
“My shifter kind can scent when our mate is at her most fertile and then again when she has conceived.” He shuffled down, rubbed one cheek over her flat belly and breathed deep. With a rumbling growl, he scented the air then grinned. “Mmm, you smell incredible. Like wild cherries and something else. I’m picking up a new aroma, one which can only signify one thing.”
She pushed up, shoved him onto his back and straddled his hips as she sat on top of him. Jiggling up and down, she giggled. “Tell me exactly what that new aroma signifies.”
“That you’re carrying my child.” He edged up onto his elbows and licked the beading tips of her breasts swaying so close to his mouth. “My brother and parents and my entire clan are going to be ecstatic when they hear the news.”
“My father too will be over the moon.” Never had she ever expected to be gifted with such a fiercely loving and loyal mate, and now a babe all of her own. With her thoughts open to his, she shared all the wonderful new emotions rolling through her and he sent his love and happiness flowing right back.
“I believe this news deserves a celebration like no other.” His devious grin spoke of exactly what kind of celebration, one she heartily desired too. “Benefit number five will be required this very minute, my love. Your body will be all mine for the taking.”
“As you wish. I freely give you all of me.” She rubbed against his cock rising eagerly against her entrance. “Let us celebrate this new adventure we’re about to embark on.”
“An adventure I can’t wait to undertake.” He cupped the back of her head and drew her mouth to his. Kissing her, so intimately and so passionately, he made her tremble until she was an achy, hungry mess.
“Never let go of me.” She guided his shaft to her entrance and sank down on him. At the heart of her, he now belonged and nowhere else.
“You are my wife, my lover, the other half of my soul.” With one powerful stroke, he thrust deep, their souls completely entwined as they soared to the heavens.
Ahead of her, she had a lifetime of loving her mate, and between his future time and hers here, she most certainly would. No one would ever separate them again.
Their two hearts now beat as one, and their love for each other, rose to the very heavens themselves.
Sweet love
. It would be theirs forever.
If you missed Tavish and Julia’s story, which I adored writing, then you can catch it right here. Theirs was a whirlwind of an adventure, so raw and beautiful.
Highlander’s Kiss, (Book 1)
For the third book in the series, catch it right here.
Highlander’s Sword, (Book 3)
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Author’s Note
Clan Matheson descends from a twelfth century man called Gilleoin, a man who was believed to have been from the ancient Royal House of Lorne. The name Matheson has been attributed to the Gaelic words Mic Mhathghamhuim which means “Son of the Bear,” and the clan chief’s arms carry two bears as supporters. In the twelfth century, clan Matheson settled around the area of Loch Alsh, Loch Carron, and Kintail, and gave their allegiance to clan MacDonald whose chiefs were the Lords of the Isles. Clan Matheson became a large and powerful clan with a force of around two-thousand men, although by the middle of the sixteenth century they’d diminished greatly in size and influence due to the blood feuds raging across the isles at that time. This warring left them to possess less than a third of the original Matheson property on Loch Alsh.
I’ve made mention in this story of Dunscaith Castle, the stronghold of clan MacDonald on the Isle of Skye. Dunscaith Castle was first known as “Dun Sgathaich” and has strong ties to the heroes and heroines of Celtic legend. The castle itself is named after the legendary Scottish warrior woman Sgathaich, a great teacher of the martial arts, and arts of combat. Dunscaith Castle sits at the mouth of Loch Eishort and dates back to the early 1300s, although a castle or fortification of some type has in fact occupied this site from a far earlier date. For the purposes of this story, I’ve kept that earlier dated stronghold’s name as Dunscaith Castle to better describe the location’s setting for clan MacDonald in this era of the 1200s I’ve written within.
The first series I wrote about this clan titled The Matheson Brothers, showcases the initial time of Gilleoin and features a large and wonderful cast of characters, and if you haven’t read the three stories in that series, then I highly recommend you do.
This series titled Clan Matheson, is a spinoff series from The Matheson Brothers, which has allowed me to delve deeper into this clan and bring you stories that show both the blood feuds that raged at that time, and the alliances made between the clans.
It’s time for the whispers to reignite. Clan Matheson are the “Son of the Bear.”
This story is woven with as much accuracy to the period and locations as possible, although any mistakes made are mine alone.
This book forms part of the Clan Matheson series, a spinoff from The Matheson Brothers series, and each story within it is 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 Scotland and 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.
With several series underway, I write historical Highlander romances featuring strong heroines whose paths collide with their delicious Highland heroes, as well as fast-paced YA/NA fantasy romance, and heart-pounding romantic suspense.
There is no greater feeling than seeing my characters come to life, so come and join me...where romance meets fantasy and adventure.
To learn more about Joanne and her works, visit:
Website: http://www.joannewadsworth.com
Amazon Author Page: Here
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Clan Matheson Series
Highlander’s Kiss, (Book 1)
Highlander’s Heart, (Book 2)
Highlander’s Sword, (Book 3)
The Fae Series
Highlander’s Bride, (Book 1)
Highlander’s Caress, (Book 2) Coming May 2016
Highlander’s Touch, (Book 3) Coming Jul 2016
The Matheson Brothers Series
Highlander’s Desire, (Book 1)
Highlander’s Passion, (Book 2)
Highlander’s Seduction, (Book 3)
Highlander Heat Series
Highlander’s Castle, (Book 1)
Highlander’s Magic, (Book 2)
Highlander’s Charm, (Book 3)
Highlander’s Guardian, (Book 4)
Highlander’s Faerie, (Book 5)
Highlander’s Champion, (Book 6)
Highlander’s Captive, (Short Story Book 7)
Magio-Earth Series
Protector, (Book 1)
Warrior, (Book 2)
Enchanter, (Book 3)
Hunter, (Short Story Book 4)
Bodyguards Series
Witness Pursuit, (Book 1)
Bodyguard Pursuit, (Book 2)
If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review.
Reviews help authors tremendously, and also help other readers find books.
Thank you.
~ Joanne
Copyright: Highlander’s Heart
Copyright © 2015, Joanne Wadsworth
Cover Art by Joanne Wadsworth
First electronic publication: November 2015
First paperback publication: November 2015
Joanne Wadsworth
http://www.joannewadsworth.com
eBooks are not transferable. All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE:
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.
Published in the United States of America
Highlander's Heart (Clan Matheson Book 2) Page 14
