Highlander's Shifter: Time Travel Romance (The Matheson Warriors Book 1) Read online

  “Your scent is far more than any simple distraction. It’s an elixir of the most decadent sort.”

  “Yet I know you can handle it.”

  “No, Bella. I can’t anymore.” He swished his hands and she breezed off the ground. She lifted a full foot then grasped Jamie’s forearms as he stepped firmly in front of her and gave her one of his drilling stares.

  “Hey, put me down before Gordon and Greer see me.” She jabbed a finger downward. “This second, Jamie Matheson. Right now.”

  “Gordon and Greer have moved off into the stables and no one can see you with this vehicle in the way. I’ll also put you down when I feel like putting you down.” He slid one arm around her waist and tipped her back against the warm black metal before muttering, “This is a dangerous mission, with not only two rogues on the loose but me as well, and I’m one damn hungry unmated male after a bond. Don’t take my warning lightly, Annabella.”

  “Bella. And I’m well aware you’re one damn hungry male.” She ran her hands up over his large biceps and curled her fingers around them. “Clearly you need to stake your claim while we’re here. I understand why with two possible rogues so near, so whatever you need to do to calm your bear, then do it. Stake whatever claim you wish. Cover me in your scent, and if that’s not enough, I give you permission to kiss me.”

  “I want to do more than saturate you in my scent.” He nuzzled her neck, scraped his teeth back and forth across her pounding pulse point and sent all her thoughts scattering as he did. “I’m ravenous, have been walking an incredibly tight line around you of late.”

  “And I trust you to keep walking along that tight line and not to deviate from it.” Certainly no man had ever made her feel so safe and secure as Jamie did, no matter the current frustration rising within him and leaking past his guards. “I wouldn’t mind if you took me up on my offer though. Smother me in your scent and kiss me.”

  She’d been dreaming of how he’d kiss her, how he’d touch his lips to hers and share the same breath as her.

  His gaze narrowed and that delicious rumble vibrated again in his chest and rose upward. It left his throat in a snarly rasp and she couldn’t help but tighten her grip on his arms. Still floating, she leaned in and rubbed her body against his. “I dare you to kiss me.”

  “Careful, Bella. You’re treading into dangerous territory.”

  “And you’re not treading into it quite fast enough.” She wanted more from him, and she’d wanted more for a while. “Do it,” she whispered. “Kiss me, Jamie Matheson.”

  Chapter 2

  The year 1211, a week before Jamie’s death and Annabella’s ascension with Cherub beyond the veil.

  “Do it,” Annabella whispered. “Kiss me, Jamie Matheson.”

  Annabella stared Jamie down as he stood in his battle leathers at the sea-gate landing. Certainly no man had ever made her itch for more the way Jamie did, no matter the frustration that also arose within her whenever he was close. “We’re mated, due to wed in another fortnight and still you willnae kiss me.”

  “You should never dare one who holds the ‘power of thought,’ Annabella.” Jamie turned his back on her, released his skiff’s mooring rope, coiled and tossed it into the center of the hull then slid another aggravated look at her over his shoulder.

  “Dinnae call me Annabella in that angry way. I’ve warned you afore no’ to do so.” She remained stoically in place, her hands on her hips and her gown’s red woolen skirts beating against her legs in the brisk sea breeze. “Jamie, we’re mated, betrothed and soon to be wed, but you seem so intent on no’ spending any further time with me between now and our wedding day. I’m an empath. I can sense your emotions and your frustration smothers me.”

  “Kissing is for wedded couples, Annabella. We have another fourteen days until we speak vows. I willnae bring any dishonor down upon your head by taking more from you than I currently should.” He jabbed a finger at the keep rising high behind her. “Back inside with you now.”

  “I won the wager between us last eve, and you promised me that if I did you’d take me to the caves farther along the loch. I long to see the place which your parents so often speak about, and the only way there is if I tread across the boggy marshland, which I’ve no intention of doing, no’ when you’re already sailing alongside the coastline in that direction. Please, take me.”

  “Your brother willnae permit any man to be alone with you, and night will soon fall. ’Tis only a mere few hours away.”

  “Do you see my brother here right now?” She waved a hand around the landing devoid of even one soul. Not even the guardsmen patrolling the battlements could be seen, although they’d be there, somewhere. “My brother’s ridden out for the headland to take over the point watchman’s duty and willnae return until the morrow. Now is the only time I can go. Please.” She laid a hand on his arm, his large bicep going taut and hard under her fingers. “Will you no’ keep your word?”

  “I always keep my word.” Gritting his teeth, he gestured to his skiff. “In with you then, afore I change my mind.”

  “Thank you.” With a grin of success, she swished past him, clambered on board and eased onto the bench seat at the stern.

  “You may have won this argument, but you willnae win the next.” Grumping under his breath, he nabbed the oars, sat on the center seat and stuck them into the swell and rowed. Once he’d passed the breakers, he tucked the oars away, seized the ropes and raised the sail. The wind filled it with a vigorous slap and with his booted feet braced wide along the side of the skiff, he steered his boat alongside their Matheson land as he negotiated the rough waters toward the headland.

  She rested her arms on the edge of the skiff and took in the rugged coastline where the forest butted right up to it. Sparrows twittered from high in the treetops while seagulls pranced along the foreshore, beaks stabbing the muddy flats in search of a tasty treat. The hills rose high into the distance and a waterfall graced the dip in one prevalent peak. With a soft sigh, she smiled. “This is the most beautiful place in the Highlands.”

  “I wholeheartedly agree.”

  “Thank you for bringing me with you.”

  “I hardly had a choice.” A gruff answer, one she couldn’t help but grin at.

  As they sailed, he tightened his hold on the ropes, his black leather pants sitting low on his hips, the soft leather molding his muscled thighs and backside, his claymore sheathed on one hip and his dagger on the other. Two large sapphire stones were embedded in the dagger’s fine silver hilt and engraved with his name.

  “You seem to be mightily fascinated by my weapons, wee Annabella.”

  Heat flushed her cheeks and she pressed her hands to them. “I was actually admiring both you and your weapons.” She pushed to her feet and swayed as they crested a wave and splashed down.

  “Come here.” Jamie swept one hand out, nabbed her around the waist and pulled her up hard against his chest. “Hold onto me. The waters roughen and I hardly need you falling overboard.”

  She wrapped her arms around his middle and with his feet once again planted wide along the side of the skiff, he tugged on the ropes and steered them alongside the coastline through the white-tipped swell. “Nessa told me once, that you were in fact born on the water. Is that true?”

  “Aye, my grandmother only ever speaks the truth.”

  “Tell me how that came to be, you being born on the water and all.”

  “Nessa had a vision the morn of my birth and immediately set out to warn my parents, only she missed their leaving by a mere few minutes. Father had decided to take Mother aboard his skiff to the very caves where we’re headed toward now.” He glanced at the shoreline. “Her waters broke as they sailed into the bay up ahead.”

  “And he didnae decide to turn around and sail his skiff back to the keep?” She tucked a lock of his dark wind-tossed hair behind his ear, her fingers tingling where she touched his skin.

  “There wasnae time.” Holding the sail’s rope with one hand, he spread his other hand more firmly over her lower back.

  “Tell me more.” Her breath came faster, his as well. “Your mother clearly delivered you safely.”

  “Aye, and at my father’s hand no less. While in the bay, the waters so calm that day, he lowered the sail and intended on rowing them in, only my mother cried out and he instead laid his furs in the hull for her to rest upon. Apparently I was beyond eager to enter this world and she gave birth to me within mere minutes.” His hand dipped lower, right over her bottom.

  “Then what happened?” She raised her arms, twined them around his neck, her fingertips playing in the longer length of his hair brushing his shoulders. Never had she touched him so intimately, but this moment was theirs alone and she had no intention of losing it.

  “They named me James in honor of my uncle who’d passed away in battle the year afore.” He groaned and squeezed her bottom. “You feel so good against me.”

  “You feel good against me too.” She couldn’t miss the bulge in his pants and the heavy presence of it pressing into her belly. Even though she was an innocent, she wasn’t exactly unaware of what happened between a man and woman, not when she’d stumbled across her fair share of warriors coupling with wenches in all manner of places about the keep. From darkened nooks within passageways, to the storeroom and the stables. Once she’d even been walking in the forest late one night and caught sight of an amorous couple together in the woods. Likely she shouldn’t have remained, but instead she’d ducked behind a thick tree trunk and held her breath as the pair stood kissing under the gentle glow of the moon at the edge of a small clearing. The man had soon left the lass’s lips though, trailed his mouth down her neck and along the upper swells of her breasts. He’d popped her full mounds free of her bodice, sucked ravenously on her nipples before toppling her to the lush grass underfoot and diving under her kirtle’s brown skirts. The lass’s eyes had near rolled to the back of her head as pleasure had consumed her then moments later, the man had lifted free of her, thrust his cock inside her and the two had come so fast in a loud and boisterous cry.

  Aye, that was the kind of love she wanted with Jamie, a love which couldn’t be halted no matter where they might be. She pushed her fingers deeper into his hair and rubbed his scalp.

  “What are you doing, Annabella?” His low growl vibrated with neediness.

  “I would hope that would be obvious.” Smiling, she reached up on her toes, her lips a mere breath from his. “Please kiss me, Jamie. I want to know what it feels like to share the same breath as you. Dinnae deny me any longer.”

  Chapter 3

  “I won’t fall for any dare, particularly not issued from your sweet lips.” Jamie shook his head as he tried to clear it, only Bella had gripped his arms and wasn’t letting go, or maybe that was him who wasn’t letting go of her, where he’d pressed her up hard against his SUV.

  “We’ve never kissed, and I—” She rubbed her hips against his hips, her golden shifter eyes burning bright. “Please, Jamie. I want to know what it feels like to share the same breath as you.”

  “You’re letting your feisty female bear rise too close to the surface. You only want to kiss me because there’s a full moon on its way, and no matter you’ve a month left until you’re ready for a bond to form, your bear is still clamoring for some attention.” He pressed her even harder against the black metal, her golden locks cascading over her shoulders like a river of satin. “Likely a kiss from any of the unmated males within our clan right now would work for you.”

  “No, I want a kiss from you, and only you.” She released his arms, snagged the collar of his denim jacket and held on tight. “I promise not to tell Hunter, or anyone else about this.”

  “Any one of the thirty-seven unmated men in our clan could be your chosen one, and I’m not permitted to kiss you when you might very well belong to another.”

  “Yet you’re the only one I want to kiss and right now, your emotions are ramming into me so hard I can barely think straight. You want to touch me, to bite me. I can sense your desire and it’s sending my bear into a spin. She wants you, just as I want you.”

  “So she likes it when I get all aggressive and unwilling?” He pushed the sides of her tan leather jacket out of the way, gripped the hem of her black tank top and lifted it high enough to expose her belly. Gently, he stroked the creamy soft skin of her midriff and hopefully embedded enough of his scent into her flesh to calm his inner beast down.

  “We both like it when you stake your claim, just as you’re doing now. Making sure I hold your scent is reassuring, but if you kissed me or bit me, that claiming could go even deeper.”

  “You shouldn’t be asking me for my bite.” He dropped her top, touched the back of one of his hands to the soft curve of her cheek, trailed his fingers along her jaw then softly collared her throat. “No matter I like it that you did.”

  “Only like?”

  “Damn it, more than like.” He kicked her legs apart and pressed every hard inch of himself against her as he kept her levitated at his height. “Say my name.”

  “Jamie.” She gripped the waistband of his pants, her thumbs sliding under his t-shirt’s hem then gently, she stroked over his hips in small circles with her thumbs.

  “That’s it. Take in more of my scent.” His bear clawed for release, to topple her to the ground and dominate her, only that he’d never be able to do.

  “And here I thought you didn’t want to play with a female bear on the cusp of entering into full maturity.” She stroked higher, lifting the hem of his shirt as she glided up his sides and over his pecs. With a stuttered breath, she touched her midriff to his belly, her golden shifter eyes blazing with fire.

  “More skin.” He couldn’t keep the demand from his voice. He trailed his fingers down her silky neck, dipped into the gap between her full breasts exposed by her black tank top then back up again. With his other hand, he roamed down her back and cupped her curvy backside.

  “I think I’m well and truly covered in your scent now.” She licked her lips, and he followed the sensual swipe of her tongue with his gaze. She had the lushest mouth, smart and sassy too.

  Staking his claim and kissing her right now rode him hard. “Tell me to stop if I go too far.”

  “The word stop won’t be leaving my lips in the next few minutes. That I can assure you.”

  * * * *

  Wanting more, Bella wrapped her arms around Jamie’s neck and drew his head closer to hers, until his mouth hovered a mere breath away. Such a raw and primal need roared through her, made her breasts swell and her nipples scrape against the cotton of her bra. She wanted her top and bra off, until every inch of his masculine skin slid warmly against hers. “Do you feel it, Jamie?”

  “Aye, I can feel every inch of you.” Another husky rumble of need made heat flare in her core and gather between her thighs.

  She lugged in a breath.

  She had no words for how sublime this moment was, so instead she leaned farther back against the vehicle, her neck angled so should he wish to take her up on her offer and bite her, then he’d know beyond a doubt that he’d had her permission first.

  “Damn it, Bella. You’re so incredibly enticing.” He stroked one finger down her neck, right along the exposed skin she offered him.

  “You have my consent.”

  “I’m well aware I do.”

  “You’re also taking far too long in accepting my offer.”

  “I won’t bite you, but I am going to—” He swooped in, covered her mouth with his and the shock of his lips finally on hers sent a spear of such intense pleasure coursing through her. Then he pulled back a touch and gentled his kiss, his lips brushing so tender and feather-light over hers.

  “Bite me, in the way of those who are soul bound do,” she whispered against his lips and almost drowned in the open desire swarming within his eyes. “On my neck. Now.”

  “That spot is reserved only for your mate, of which you’ve yet to discover who that truly is.”

  “Lift me higher.” Hands fisted in his hair and his gloriously warm and spicy scent rolling all around her, she tried to get her way.

  “Give me a moment.” With his hands cupping her bottom, he lifted her with both his grip and his fae skill. “Have you ever allowed another to touch you like this?”

  “That question is irrelevant.” Although she hadn’t, not when she’d only ever wanted him.

  “Your scent is intoxicating, and making my bear drunk with the need for more.”

  “Then take more.”

  “You need to cease giving me whatever it is I want.” He kissed her again, then just as quickly pulled back. “I should stop.”

  “One more kiss.” She dipped her mouth to his neck, trailed her lips along his jaw and nipped and nibbled as she did.

  “I can scent Gordon.” He yanked back and dropped her fast.

  “Pardon?” Dazed, she breathed deep and tried to slow her frantically beating heart.

  “I said I can scent Gordon. He and Greer have left the stables, although Greer’s taken the pathway to the back door while he’s waiting at the front.” He righted her tank top then fixed his own shirt, picked up their bags which he’d dropped and marched toward Gordon. “Strap on your tranquilizer,” he muttered over his shoulder with one last glance at her.

  “Sure.” She opened the glove compartment in the SUV, pulled the weapon out and holstered it. As she did, she tried heartedly hard to tamp down her current frustration. Kissing her partner while on a mission truly wasn’t acceptable, although it appeared neither she or her bear currently wanted to listen to reason.

  Composing herself as best as she could, she followed Jamie across the graveled yard toward Gordon as he waited next to the door with its welcoming potted ferns planted either side of it in bright yellow pots.