Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers Book 3)

by Wadsworth, Joanne

  “I wish I’d known this place was yours.” Kirk opened the stylishly stained glass doors leading onto her balcony and hooked them back to allow the fresh breeze in. In the doorway, he stood as he gazed out at the night sky. “I’ve scoured that bay below for you many a time. In fact on my very first visit here I met an old man walking along the beach who lived on this property. He assured me there were no women living within.”

  “That will be Gerard, and he’s rather protective of me. He’s one of my great-great, well there are a fair number of ‘greats’ in there, nephew. He lives in the cottage beyond the gardens and oversees all. I also keep a minimum of staff on hand. Close kin, all of them, and as trustworthy as can be, two maids and a gardener included. They have rooms below on the first floor.”

  “Then you’ll need to introduce them to me.”

  “I shall, although no’ this eve. Tonight is our night and no others’.” Wind rustled the thick burgundy velvet drapes hanging either side of the door. She tied them back with the gold-tasseled ties and wandered onto the balcony. With her arms raised, the wind whispered across her skin and flapped her shift about her legs. As the air swirled, so too did it bring with it the promise of all the future held. Souls had been bound across time and her kin now awaited her aid in bringing them together.

  “Can you sense anything?” Kirk brushed in behind her, the warmth of his chest against her back sublime. She leaned back against his heavenly hold.

  “There are many now in need of my aid, both from yours and Murdock’s clan. Their mates reside in the past, their women awaiting them.” Far below, moonlight played over the white-capped waves of Loch Shin as they tumbled into shore, and high in the night sky, a myriad of stars twinkled within the heavenly blanket of midnight-blue. She turned in Kirk’s arms and wrapped her hands around his neck. “The ‘power of three’ will be needed both here in the future and of course in the past. I sense that, strongly, although ’tis hard to explain the how and why of it, just that it is what will be.”

  “Iain and Isla, and Finlay and Arabel won’t have any issue with you taking us wherever we’re needed, from the past to the future, or anywhere in between. Our mission won’t be complete until all of our clansmen find their chosen ones. Do you have the names of those who are newly soul bound, who we’ll soon need to find and offer our aid to?”

  “If I did, and if I told you, would you be able to keep their names to yourself?”

  “Hardly. If I can help them track down their chosen ones all the quicker, then I will.”

  “Yet a mated man actually longs for the chase, and part of his journey is in what he must overcome in order to be with his chosen one. That journey builds the foundation for their bond and all that ’twill be. I happily bring them to the right place and time, but that is all. You wouldn’t wish to deprive your clansmen of the chase that awaits them, would you?”

  “When you put it like that, perhaps not. Although if you truly wish to persuade me to your way of thinking, then you’ll need to distract me from my good intent.”

  “And I believe I know just the way.” With a teasing smile, she slunk backward into her room and crooked a finger. “Except right now, you’re far too overdressed for the distraction I have in mind.”

  “That sounded like a dare, and I do love a dare.” Stalking her, he unstrapped his weapons, laid them on the trunk at the end of her four-poster bed then tossed his rawhide jacket on top and kicked off his boots. He stood in his black leather pants and white shirt, the crystal-beaded chandelier overhead casting its golden glow over him. “I need you, bad.”

  She reached up on her toes and kissed his chin. “And you’re still far too overdressed. Take your shirt off.”

  “Your wish is my command.” He gripped the hem of his billowy shirt and hauled it over his head.

  Warm golden skin shone and she stroked his wide chest and shoulders. “You’re so beautiful, if one can call a warrior that.”

  “Call me whatever you wish, but I’m one warrior who needs to make love to his woman, right here in this bed, or anywhere else that might take your fancy or mine.”

  “I have a fancy for everywhere.” She traced the tip of his cock attempting to spear through his black leather pants. Gently, she worked the leather ties loose, wriggled them down his legs and on her knees on the plush white bedside rug, grasped his cock with one hand and palmed his balls with the other.

  His breath whooshed out, and he arched into her. “When you touch me like that, everything feels so sensitive.”

  “Just as I feel when you touch me.” She licked him from root to tip. “Touching you like this also makes my nipples harden and heat flood me below.”

  “Now you’re the one who’s by far overdressed.” He lowered and knelt in front of her, seized her shift’s hem and tugged it over her head. Caressing her breasts, he swiped his thumbs over her beaded nipples. “So beautiful. I’ve missed the taste of you, although if I go too fast right now then tell me. I can barely contain my need, or my bear’s. He’s ravenous for more of you.”

  “I dinnae mind fast or slow, no’ when we have the entire night ahead of us, and an entire lifetime too.” She toppled him back onto the rug and slid over top of him. She swept her tongue inside his mouth and kissed him, until his breathing became as ragged as hers and the very air around them thickened with a pounding heat. The bed could wait. She wanted him right here, right now. “I’m so incredibly hungry.”

  “As am I.” He rolled her onto her back, dipped his head and sucked her nipple deep inside his mouth. He played the tip to perfection with his tongue before moving to her other breast.

  “Mmm, I love it when you touch me like this.”

  “I’m sure I love it more. Are you ready for a coupling like no other?” He spread her legs, pure need lacing his tone as he bent and nuzzled the inside of her thighs. His nose brushed her nub and he breathed deep, groaned and plunged his fingers inside her. Licking her most private place, he caressed her with his tongue, so seductively, so deliciously.

  Desire swarmed her and she widened her legs farther as he loved her with such heart-pounding intensity. Need consumed her and her desire soared to such a thunderous level she couldn’t help but cry out his name. “Kirk, I need it hard and fast, with you inside me. Slow can come later.”

  “Hard and fast it shall be.” He flipped her over onto her hands and knees on the rug, his cock rising higher and firmer as he crowded her from behind. The fiery heat of his chest on her back as he rubbed against her made her throb for more. “Are you ready?”

  “More than ready.” She smiled back at him, her hair sliding off her back and over her shoulder. “Take me.”

  “You never need ask me twice.” He opened her folds and with one finger stroking along her slit, scraped his teeth along her neck.

  “Are you going to bite me too?”

  “Aye, and far more than once before this night is through.” He clasped her hips, pushed his cock between her legs and before she could draw her next breath, he plunged inside her.

  He took her just as she’d asked, his mind locked tight around hers as he shared his pleasure and she shared hers with him in return. Then he bit down on her neck and she pushed her bottom into his groin. Each time he thrust forward, she met his move and urged him deeper. Her passion soared from the dual sensations of his possession, both body and bite, her inner muscles clamping down on him. Untold pleasure barreled through her. Never had she ever expected to be gifted with such an incredible soul bond as this. “I love you, Kirk, and all that you are.”

  “As I love you. You’ll always be mine, just as I’ll always be yours, and no one shall ever tear us apart.” He plunged balls-deep inside her, his seed shooting to her core.

  Heart pounding, she flew over the edge and joined him in heaven, her inner muscles gripping him tight.

  Aye, they had an eternity together, a treasure of time she’d never relinquish. He’d found her, and she’d found him, and together, they would always be one
.

  * * * *

  Never had such a wildly desperate need to mate ever consumed Kirk. Cherub pulsed around his cock as she tugged him ever deeper inside her heat. She was the only woman he’d ever desire, the only woman who would ever hold him, heart, body, and soul. She was his sanctuary, his home, his everything and all.

  Bringing them both gently back down, he slowed his rocking then withdrew from her. Not for long though. He scooped her into his arms and carried her into her bathroom connected to her chamber. After flicking on the overhead light, he strode across the gold and cream floor tiles, set her down then opened the glass shower door and flicked the lever up. He’d missed the conveniences of his time while in the past, or at least a little bit. Hot water on tap had been one of those conveniences. He stuck his hand under the flow, waited for it to hit the perfect temperature then swept his woman inside with him and closed the door.

  On the wall across from them hung a massive mirror, one which reflected Cherub’s luscious body, from her rounded bottom to her long golden locks that tumbled to her waist. Her sparkly skin gleamed and the sinfully sexy sight had him aching to be inside her all over again.

  “I’m going to be rather insatiable for a while.” He looked deep into her divine blue eyes. “Can you handle that?”

  “I’ve waited over a thousand years for you. I’m going to be rather insatiable myself for a while.” With one hand on his chest, she pushed him against the glass wall, curled her other hand around his nape and with the shower water sluicing down their bodies, brought his mouth to hers and kissed him with a ravenous hunger that matched his own.

  Hot water pummeled them and she hooked one leg behind his knee and rubbed up and down his calf. The delicious sensation of her smooth skin against his hairier body had his bear clawing for more. “There isn’t any part of you I don’t absolutely adore and I can’t wait to sample more of you.”

  “Then sample away, because I intend to do the same with you.” She rubbed her breasts against his chest then leaned in and sucked on his neck. His cock stiffened even further and his spine tingled as the pressure in his shaft built, so swiftly, so surely.

  “We might need to do hard and fast again. I have next to no control right now.” He grit his teeth in an attempt to hold off the sheer pleasure racking through him but to no avail, not when she grasped his cock and worked him in long pulls.

  “Make us one, Kirk. There is no need to wait.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and with the water’s heavenly steam swirling around them, he cupped her bottom and did exactly as she’d asked. He lifted her up, dropped her down on top of him then pumped into her, his mind becoming lost within hers as he took her just the way they both needed, the way their bodies strived for and together, they rose to a great height before soaring to the very stars themselves.

  Aye, there would be time for a slow loving at some point. He’d make certain of it. She was his, the only one he’d ever desire and he would savor every single inch of her over every single day to come. Such peace invaded his soul. No more searching. He’d found his chosen one, a most wondrous and loving woman who matched him in every way, to the depths of his soul.

  Chapter 11

  Warm summer-kissed morning air breezed into Cherub’s chamber through her open balcony doors and swirled around her. She lay with her head nestled against Kirk’s chest, his arm wrapped tight around her waist and his breath fanning her cheek. The crashing of the waves far below on the beach and the seagulls squawking over something they’d clearly found of interest made her smile. She loved being at home, but even more than that, she loved lying next to her mate. With her heart filled with love, she lifted up and gazed at him then holding perfectly still, embedded the moment deep into her mind.

  Kirk’s long black lashes swept low over his high cheeks, his lips lifted contentedly in sleep. After their shower, he’d made love to her four more times, his shifter ability giving him an increase in stamina she completely adored.

  Softly, she kissed his closed eyelids, his cheeks and nose sprinkled with freckles, all while the wind whispered across her skin and spoke to her very heart. She stopped and frowned as a trace of need suddenly rippled toward her.

  Isla and Arabel. The clergyman had arrived at the keep.

  “Kirk?” She kissed his lips and he stirred. “We need to return to the past.”

  “This very minute?”

  “Aye.”

  “Is there a reason for the hurry?” His arms banded tighter about her as he opened his beautiful golden eyes.

  “Isla and Arabel spoke to Nessa a few days ago and Nessa sent a guard to fetch Father John from the priory. The ladies wish to wed their mates although your brothers know naught about their plan to do so. ’Tis a surprise, which means we must leave now so I can add to their special day with a surprise of my own. I wish to collect some very special guests along the way.” She became as one with the air and breezed to her wardrobe door then retook her form.

  “Cherub,” he grumbled and slapped the mattress. “I really hate it when you flitter right out of my arms like that.”

  “I’m sorry. I shall try to remember not to do so.” Smiling, she walked into her walk-in closet. Clothing to suit the ages hung clean and pressed by her maid, from jeans, sweaters, skirts and day dresses, to silk and satin gowns in an array of glittering colors.

  She selected a gown of cream and gold silk, one with long lacy sleeves that fluttered to her fingertips. With the mountainous folds of fabric in hand, she eased the material over her head and the soft layers whooshed down her body. She laced the bodice’s front stays, slid on a pair of matching slippers then strode into her bathroom and brushed her locks.

  “You are moving far too fast.” Kirk still lay in bed, his arms crossed behind his head as he watched her through the open doorway between them.

  “Oh, I completely forget. You’ll need clothes too and you dinnae have any here.” She walked to the bed.

  “I’m certainly a little short on clothes at present.” He shoved the golden covers back and stood, every inch of him so deliciously nude. Gently, he reached out a hand and curled one of her blond locks around his finger. “You look beautiful, Cherub, and I’m the luckiest man on this Earth to have found you.”

  “Lucky, yet still nude.” She caught his hand and kissed his palm. “Even though I’ve been to Ivanson Castle afore to visit one of your clansmen, I’ve no’ actually been to your chamber. Show me an image of it in your mind so I can travel straight there. I’ll gather some clothing for you and return as quickly as I can.”

  “You’re welcome to the image in my mind, but you’re not leaving me behind. I’ll wear what I’ve got until I can change.” He frowned as he eyed her. “Exactly which one of my clansmen have you already visited?”

  “Dr. Tavish. I had a need to take one of my wounded kin from the past to him, for an ailment that required a certain degree of his special twenty-first century care. A couple of follow-up visits were included.”

  “Tavish is my second cousin. He and Tor, his brother, are identical twins. Neither have ever sensed their mates, and both came of age around the same time as me and my brothers did.” He picked up his discarded clothing from the day before and donned the leather pants and now crinkled shirt. With his weapons in hand, he wrapped one arm around her waist. “Who are the very special guests by the way?”

  “Your parents and Isla’s father. I cannae allow either Michael and Megan, or Murdock to miss their children’s wedding day.” She nabbed the image of his chamber from his mind and focused on it. The air swirled as she opened a portal. It tunneled around them and then they fell away into the dark abyss, both holding onto each other.

  Moments later she arrived in Kirk’s chamber and the air settled. His large bed with its thick black fur bedcover and plump white and black striped pillows dominated the room. In the corner a tall chest with glass fronted doors showcased a collection of ancient weaponry within, from dirks to swords to war axes, while on the wall near h
is bathroom door a glorious family portrait hung.

  Taken by the image, she walked across and stroked one finger along the lower wooden edge of the frame. Iain and Finlay stood impeccably attired in black dress pants and collared shirts, each standing either side of their mother seated on a roped swing under the shade of a golden-leafed tree. Kirk and his father stood behind Megan, both with a hand on her shoulders. Megan’s black wavy hair swished about her shoulders in a soft bob and her beautiful smile lit up her face. She’d seen his parents from afar during those flying visits to Dr. Tavish, so she knew exactly who they were.

  “I love this portrait.” Kirk brushed in behind her. In the image, Michael’s hair was the same midnight-black shade as his sons’ hair, although it held just a sprinkle of gray at the sides. “They completed the bond right after they came of age, and my brothers and I were born exactly nine months afterward.”

  “You were all clearly eager to enter the world.”

  “Very eager, and now I know why. You were already waiting for me.” He kissed the top of her head then strode to his wardrobe and pulled down a canvas case from the uppermost shelf. He popped the case on top of his bed and added clothes from his oak dresser—shirts, pants, casual jeans and jackets.

  “I would have waited for you forever.” She blew him a kiss.

  “I’m glad you did.” He ambled into his bathroom with its sandy and cream colored décor, then rummaged through a drawer and withdrew his shaver. A gentle hum buzzed as he shaved.

  Smiling, she crossed to his window, parted the white drapes and opened the window a notch. Fresh pine air breezed in from the thick forest all around.

  Below in the stony inner courtyard, muscled men trained in white shirts and belted Matheson plaids, each strike of their blade against the other’s ricocheting toward her. The two Matheson clans here in the future, both Kirk’s and Murdock’s across the other side of the Highlands, reveled in keeping to the old ways even though they lived in modern times. With their increased shifter strength, the men also required intense training in order to expend their abundant energy.