Highlander's Passion (The Matheson Brothers Book 2)

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “That sounds divine. I believe I’m going to enjoy the conveniences of your future time.”

  “I’m going to ensure it, and right now, you’re tempting me beyond my endurance.” He bent, fastened his mouth over her nipple and sucked it into his mouth, cloth and all. She moaned at the sweet sensations that rippled through her.

  “That feels wonderful.” She gripped the leather tie at the waist of his pants and pulled it free and passed it to him. “This is for you, afore I lose my mind.”

  “What is—ahh.” He nodded and grinned. “A handfast binding. Perfect.” He slipped the tie from her fingers, clasped his right hand with her right and wrapped the thin strip of leather around both their wrists. “Arabel, with all my heart and all that I am, I wish to bind us together as husband and wife, and before a year and a day passes, I’ll ensure we’re wed proper before our clans.” He looked deep into her eyes. “I have fallen in love with you each and every time we’ve been together. That I know to the depths of my soul, and right now, I can’t live another day without you at my side.”

  “You are my mate, my match in every way. I long to speak vows with you, vows you’ll now remember.”

  “Then I’ll begin.” He lowered to his knees, caught her hands and brought them to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I, Finlay Michael Matheson, of Ivanson Castle, pledge my troth to Arabel, of the House of Clan Matheson. With this handfast, I take her as my wife for the next year and a day, and as my mate for all time.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “You’ll be mine, in every single way.”

  She sank to the knees, her fingers twined with his. “I, Arabel, of the House of Clan Matheson, pledge my troth to Finlay Michael Matheson. With this handfast, I take him as my husband for the next year and a day, and as my mate for all time.” She stared at the leather bound around their wrists and smiled as she raised her gaze to his. “Now we seal the vows with a kiss. We did so the first time.”

  “Are you sure?” A teasing glint lit his golden eyes.

  “Aye, very sure.” She captured his mouth and kissed him, until his hard body wrapped around and stamped hers with a fierce heat she needed more of.

  “Whatever you need from me, you’ll speak it.” He looked deep into her eyes. “I want to know what you like, or what you don’t like. What you’d prefer for me to do, or not do.”

  “As you told me the first time. I want to experience everything you can offer, Finlay, to be with you in every way, our bodies joined as one.”

  “Then first, I need to remove your shift.” He tugged the leather strip binding their wrists free then rose to his feet and drew her up. “Is that acceptable?”

  “I’m no’ sure what’s taking you quite so long.”

  “Because I’m as nervous as hell, woman. I’ve never lain with a lass before while you’re far more experienced in the act of lovemaking and have bedded me.” Grinning, he shook his head. “Which could only make sense between the two of us.”

  “If I remember correctly, you removed your trews first and I got to fondle and take your shaft in my mouth.”

  “That would never have happened first”—he tapped her nose—“not when your pleasure must come before all else.”

  “Ah well, ’twas worth a try.” A sneaky giggle escaped her.

  “I can see I’ll have to keep my eyes on you, which I can’t wait to do.” He crouched, grasped her hem and lifted the cotton. With the fabric at her knees, he slid his hands over her calves, along the curves of her outer thighs until he exposed the curls covering her mound. Leaning in, he nuzzled between her inner thighs, his nose bumping the entrance to her core and with a low growl, he breathed her scent in deep, his claws slicing free then retracting. “You smell like warm honey and something very, very nice. My bear is clawing for a taste.”

  “Just remember, whatever you do to me, I intend to do in return.” Palms flattened to the slick rock wall behind her, she reveled in the spray of cool water washing over her. No steam. No fire.

  Finlay continued to rise, just as he had the first time they’d joined, his hands stroking over her hips, her belly, his fingertips brushing the undersides of her breasts. Each of his touches sent a bolt of raw heat racing through her. Finlay would claim her, make her his in every way, and nothing could have brought her more joy than being here with him, right now.

  Hands sliding up along the smooth, sheer rock wall, she gave herself completely to him as he peeled her shift higher. His lengthy cock, so hard and full, the head escaping his loosened waistband and poking out, made her body sing for closer contact. She lifted one leg, wrapped it around the back of his legs and tugged him closer. “This mated bond is so wonderful.”

  “And all-consuming.” He rubbed against her, his entire body as slick and wet as hers as he swept her shift over her head and touched his lips to hers. “You’re so beautiful, your skin so creamy and soft.” He flapped her undergarment onto the ledge, shoved his pants down his thickly muscled legs and laid the leather down as another barrier against them and the stone. Then he swept her up, laid her on top of their clothes and kneeling between her spread legs, captured her breasts in his hands and eased them together. Thumbs swiping her nipples, stiffening them further, he licked around her aureoles, first one and then the other. “So wet and hard. I need more,” he rasped.

  “Take whatever you desire.”

  He kissed her again, so deliciously he turned the heat radiating through her blood into a roaring fire, until every inch of her sizzled and every one of her thoughts scattered. She needed this, needed him.

  “You’re all mine.” Greedily, he sucked one nipple deep inside his mouth and played the tip with his tongue.

  Delicious heat radiated through her blood and she arched her back, thrust her breasts ever deeper into his exquisite touch and whimpered. “Finlay, I need more.”

  “I’ve got you.” He rubbed her nub as he continued to lave her breasts and she gasped as white-hot pleasure struck her and rippled outward. She soared as he drove her over the edge, so swiftly and completely, her body so in tune with his touch. Stars shimmered, and ever so slowly, she came back down.

  “That was beautiful to watch,” he whispered against her ear.

  “I want you inside me, now.”

  “Soon. Your scent has wrapped itself around me and I wish to taste what beckons me below.” Grinning, he slid one finger along her wet folds and licked his lips as he eyed her entrance. “Did I do so the first time?”

  “Aye, you left no part of me untouched.” As he wouldn’t this time either. The promise of all that would come shone in his passion-filled gaze.

  * * * *

  “This is a moment I’ve craved.” Finlay longed for his mate, the only woman he’d ever love. Such a ravenous hunger rolled through him. “I want your scent on my tongue, as well as in and around me. I want to have you so deeply ingrained inside me, that you’re as much a part of me as I long to be a part of you.”

  He slid onto his belly between her knees, raised her legs, hooked them over his shoulders until her bottom lifted off the ledge and she lay fully exposed to him. From the overhead vent, light filtered through even as the storm raged. The lush pinkness of her enticed him. So beautiful, and all his.

  With her inner thighs spread, he traced along her folds then plunged one finger inside her. She bucked and moaned, her beaded nipples hardening even further. “I see you like that.”

  “There is naught you can do that I willnae like.”

  “Then are you ready for more?” He stroked her harder and faster, rubbing his thumb across her nub until she arched into his touch.

  “Aye,” she panted, “love me however you please.”

  He added a second finger then dipped his head and licked her flesh. His bear rumbled in appreciation then he removed his fingers and thrust his tongue inside her, stroked the inside of her channel then retreated and did the same all over again. Lapping her, he built her next orgasm to a peak with his mouth and tongue alone. This was what he wanted
, to hear her soft cries for more, to know her passion rose to such heights because of him. A myriad of sensations stormed through him and his cock throbbed, so heavy and full and wanting as he drank at the very heart of his woman.

  “Finlay, I cannae take any more. I need your mouth on mine.”

  “I’m coming, love.” He lifted up, licking and nipping her skin as he did, along the sweet line of her groin, around her belly button and her tasty midsection. Then he gorged himself on her full breasts and her pebbled nipples. Higher still, he moved, along her sweet collarbone and over the soft flesh of her neck. He laved his mark, still as visible as when he’d bitten her earlier in the day, then nibbled on her tiny lobe. All of her became a heady, intoxicating rush he wanted to drown himself in.

  “My mouth is here.” She cupped the back of his head with one hand and brought his mouth to hers. She kissed him and as she did, she reached one hand down between them, slid her fingers around his cock and pulled him in long strokes. His spine tingled and the pressure in his shaft built swiftly.

  Kissing her, savoring the luscious recesses of her mouth, and having her hand on him had his cock begging for release. He had to take her, join their bodies and never let go. He gave into that need and blood pounding, plunged his cock deep inside her.

  The fiery heat of her core bathed him in her scent and she moaned into his mouth, clutched his butt and pulled him in even deeper. “This is where you belong, my warrior, my lover, the other half of my soul.”

  “We’re one, and from this moment forth, we shall always be so.” Ever so slowly, he slid back out then pushed all the way inside her again, every inch of her welcoming heat accepting him. “I want to make you come, over and over. Keep your mind open to mine and share all you feel.”

  “I feel too much, yet also no’ nearly enough. This time we come together.” With her mind open to his and her legs looped around the backs of his knees, she clung to him. “Make me fly.”

  “I love you, Arabel, with all that I am.” He thrust, pounding into her and as he did, he sucked the skin of her neck between his lips and guided her mouth to his neck with one hand behind her head.

  She rocked with him as he moved, razzed her teeth over his fiercely beating pulse and as he sensed her spiraling need to mark him through their merged minds, he bit down and so did she.

  “Bite me again,” he demanded, bucking into her, his pace wild, driven by the very heart of his bear. She met each of his thrusts with one of her own and bit him on the other side of his neck. He roared his pleasure and bit her a second time and as her inner muscles tightened and dragged him in, euphoria overwhelmed him and he spilled his essence deep inside her.

  “Finlay, I wish for your seed to take root and give me a child.” She stroked his back. “I never believed such a thing would ever be possible, but now everything has changed. I have you, for the rest of my life.”

  “As I have you, and if you wish my child, then I won’t rest until I give you a babe all of your own.”

  Theirs was such a perfect union, his shifter soul connecting and locking tight with hers. She was his, the only one he’d ever desire, and he’d ensure from this moment forth, he never let her go. No more lost memories. Never again.

  * * * *

  Pleasure swept through Arabel as the cool mist continued to drift over her. Never had she ever expected to join with a man and be able to hold him close for the rest of her life. This was the most magical gift and her man, the most enchanting being she could ever have dreamed of. “’Tis my turn on top. I wish to see how else we might join.”

  “I don’t wish to leave your body.” His enjoyment flowed through their merged link.

  “I promise to make things even more enjoyable for you.” She pushed against his broad shoulders although he budged not an inch. “Please.”

  “Well, that was the magic word.” He rolled smoothly over on their clothing, every inch of his body still fully aligned with hers and his shaft stirring and lengthening again deep within her.

  “You feel so strong and full inside me. I love having you deep within.”

  “I’m sure I love it more.” He caressed her bottom and rocked his hips, his cock sliding even deeper inside. “Kiss me, my sweet.”

  “No’ yet. This is my chance to touch you as I please.” She pushed herself up into a seated position, and mesmerized by his honed muscles, stroked his sculpted chest. She skated along the enticing path of his glorious abs then lower still, until she reached behind her and cupped his balls. “Oh, that’s very nice.”

  “Your position suits me rather well too.” His golden eyes smoldered as he traced one lone finger around her nipple then he lifted up onto his elbows and kissed her, his tongue sweeping over hers in a hot, languorous caress.

  Her body clenched so tight she almost came from his kiss alone. “You are going to make the perfect husband.”

  “Aye, my fire-wielder, until the end of time.” He toppled her over onto her back and thrust inside her with one powerful stroke.

  The impact of their fast joining had her fighting to hold onto her control. She would get her chance to touch her mate as she pleased at some point, and luckily, she had a lifetime of such promising moments ahead of her. She’d been bound to him across the centuries, and now that he’d found her, she never intended to let him go.

  Her mate. Her bear. Her very heart and soul.

  Chapter 14

  Far into the future, Murdock Matheson stood at his solar window on the second floor of Matheson Castle overlooking the inner courtyard. A new day had dawned, one overflowing with an abundance of hope. Farther along the loch where the fae village had once stood, ruins now graced the land rather than dust. Their fae people had survived, and this morning when he’d shared the news with his clansmen, they’d cheered.

  He’d then contacted Finlay’s parents at Ivanson Castle, and Michael and Megan had been thrilled to learn their son had now found his mate and the battle to save the fae village had been won. They’d asked him to keep them informed of any visions to come and he’d assured them he would. They also longed for their sons to return, but not until their mission was complete. At least now, their shifter clan no longer stood on the precipice of extinction.

  Aye, come the next full moon, those who still remained unmated might feel the urge to seek out their mate, a dream he now held for his men. The ‘power of three,’ as well as their chosen ones had changed their future and set it on a new and exciting path.

  Outside in the training yard, his men attired in pants and shirts battled with renewed vigor. Swords clashed and glinted in the brilliant sunshine. Dust rose from their booted feet as they circled each other and fought, while overhead, a seagull squawked, flew in a wide circle then breezed in to land on the branch of the ancient elm tree scraping against the thick stone walls of the keep.

  His vision fluttered, and he closed his eyes.

  A barrage of images burst to dazzling life and he grasped ahold of them.

  A beaming Finlay in tan pants and a billowy white shirt knocked on Iain and Isla’s chamber door, a glowing Arabel in a full-skirted ruby gown at his side.

  Iain, in his belted plaid, opened the door and smiled at his brother. “Well, well, it’s good to see you looking so happy. You’ve been gone for days. Come in.” He motioned them inside and shut the door after them. “Although I could sense your contentment through our bond so I wasn’t worried, not in the least.”

  “As I sensed the same contentment.” Kirk, his smile as wide as Iain’s, slapped his black leather-covered thighs as he rose from the corner navy padded chair and grasped Finlay’s forearm. “I take it you two have found a way to join together without the need for a storm?”

  “We have. We tested the theory after the storm passed and discovered we can replicate the four elements with ease. The wind still blew down the tunnel into the cavern, and I lit a fire in place of lightning. We were covered for water with the mist and pool, and with the earth, we were well underground. We are each
other’s match in every way.” Finlay clutched Kirk’s forearm in return and Iain’s with his other hand. “On our return, we’ll build our own underground home close to Ivanson Castle and ensure we have all we need on hand.”

  “And we’ll aid you since you’ll no likely want that done as soon as possible.” Iain chuckled as he gripped Finlay and Kirk’s forearms, their circle of three complete as they stood together, each facing the other.

  “I’m so happy for you both.” Isla squealed as she rushed across the room in a flurry of burgundy skirts and hugged Arabel.

  Arabel squeezed Isla back. “None with my skill have ever known of this alignment needed of the four elements in order to exhaust our fire, and we are lucky to have discovered that is all that’s needed to be together as we wish. ’Tis wonderful to know there is naught any fire-wielder in the future must give up.” She glanced at Kirk and smiled. “’Tis now time for you to find your chosen one. The ‘power of three’ arena complete without their mates and you are the last.”

  “Last, but not the least, and the next full moon is mere days away. That should aid me in my search since so far it’s been to no avail.” Determination slashed Kirk’s face. “I intend to find my woman and I won’t cease until I have.”

  “Here, here,” Finlay cheered. “We’re not leaving this time until the ‘power of three’ rings with the greatest strength it can, that of all three of us joining with our chosen ones.”

  “Aye, and I pledge my promise of aid wherever and however it is needed.” Arabel ducked under Finlay’s outstretched hold with his brothers and wrapped her arms around his waist. On her toes in the center of the circle, she kissed his chin. “You can always rely on me.”

  “I pledge the same promise, and no one is leaving me behind this time, not once more.” Isla slipped underneath Iain’s arm and joined Arabel in the center of the three brothers, her compelling words shimmering all around them. She locked gazes with her mate and offered him a cheeky smile. “Am I understood, my big bear?”