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Highlander's Shifter: Time Travel Romance (The Matheson Warriors Book 1) Page 5
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Page 5
The elderly man’s lips lifted in a smile.
“Good to see you, Gordon.” Jamie extended his hand and shook Gordon’s. “I hear you and Greer ended up in a tree for some hours due to two bears.”
“Aye, we were marking out a new walking track for our guests due to arrive this coming weekend.” He motioned toward the trail entrance at the edge of the forest where a red ribbon fluttered on a length of wood staked into the ground. “None of our visitors though shall be able to use it, not until this immediate threat is removed. We called the authorities this morning, the moment we returned and were told a team from Matheson Castle would arrive soon. Glad to see it’s you and Bella.”
“We’ll find those two bears and ensure they’re captured and contained. Likely they’ve gotten loose from the safari park.”
“Maybe even the wildlife zoo,” she added helpfully as she joined them. She patted the tranquilizer gun she’d strapped to her side. “We’re armed and dangerous, and we’ll get them rounded up and out of here, Gordon.”
“Good. Bears haven’t been spotted within these woods for centuries, and we don’t need these ones getting any closer to home than they already have, not with the horses we keep corralled here. They’ll remain in the stables until you’ve eliminated the threat.”
“Of course, and we’ll find them.” Of that she had no doubt, not when Jamie was one of the best trackers in their clan, right alongside Hunter.
“I understand you’ll be staying the night.” Gordon opened the door and motioned them inside. “Greer’s readying your rooms for you both right now.”
“Wonderful.” She stepped over the threshold in her boots then walked across the tan and cream striped carpet to the guest ledger open on the slim rosewood front table with its elegant silver-stemmed lamps sitting on either side. With the slim black pen in hand, she scrawled her name and Jamie’s in the register then nabbed a mint from the glass bowl next to it and popped it in her mouth.
“Hello, my dears. I see you’ve signed in.” Greer walked down the stairs from the landing above, her fluffy white slippers scuffing the carpet and her white cardigan draped over one arm. Like a fresh breeze, she blew in and smothered her in a motherly hug. “’Tis good to see you again, my dear Bella. How’s your brother?”
“Hunter’s well, although away at present, which is why I’ve come with Jamie instead.”
“You’re both welcome to come and stay whenever you please. I’ve already set the white room aside for you, your favorite since it looks out over the meadow and forest out back.” To Jamie, she smiled warmly and said, “Your room is beside Bella’s, the one you stayed in last time. Hunter prefers that room too. Dinner will be at seven sharp. Does that suit?”
“Thank you, that suits perfectly, will certainly give us the entire afternoon to scour the woods.” Jamie set a hand at Bella’s back. “We’ll go settle in then leave for the hunt. We’d like to get outside as quick as we can.” He guided her past the large urn of purple and pink flowering azaleas and up the stairs bordered by a white-painted wall on one side and a rosewood banister on the other.
Portraits of Gordon and Greer’s adult daughters lined the stairwell and at the top, a large family portrait hung in a glorious silver frame, one showcasing their five grandchildren sitting around them on a bench in the forest. She slowed and touched the cool silver of the frame. “Have you ever met Gordon and Greer’s daughters?”
“No, have you?”
“Of course. If you come and stay during the holidays, you’ll meet them too.” She continued on down the carpeted hallway, opened the door into the white room and held out her hand for her bag. “I can carry it from here.”
“I’m sure you can.” He stepped forward and she backed up into the room since she didn’t care to get knocked over by him. With a narrowed gaze, he scanned her room as if ensuring all remained secure before he set her satchel on top of the queen-size bed covered in a white crocheted comforter with plush golden-trimmed white pillows at the headboard.
“Surely you’re not expecting the rogues to be in here?” She crossed her arms and raised a brow. “Try and relax a little, Jamie.”
“I might be on edge, but that’s a good thing. It’ll keep my senses on full alert.” He ambled around to the tall window framing the head of the bed where the golden drapes had been secured with golden tassels then with one finger, eased the white net curtain aside and surveyed the stables and forest beyond.
“Does everything look clear?” She plopped down next to her bag on the bed, eased her tan leather jacket from her shoulders and unzipped her knee-high boots. With the top flap of her satchel unbuckled, she rummaged inside and removed a pair of ankle-high riding boots perfect for the outdoors and trekking along the damp forest trails. Boots laced, she unpacked the remainder of her belongings into the white-painted wooden drawers.
“All is clear.”
“Give me a second then.” She ducked inside the adjoining bathroom she’d be sharing with Jamie, his room on the opposite side of the connecting door. Hunter usually took that room, which brought a smile to her face. Her brother was about to miss out on an intriguing hunt to track down two rogues. He’d love to be here and a part of this current case.
Mmm, and this bathroom had the most decadent bathtub with jets and all. Usually she had to get in here quick at the end of the day to beat Hunter to it. Gently, she ran a finger along the curved edge of the white porcelain, fairly buzzing at the thought of the bath she’d enjoy tonight. An array of deliciously scented soaps and bubble baths sat within the holder at one end and she plucked the sweet lily scented bottle free, her favorite and one she always used at home. “I bags the bathroom first tonight,” she called over her shoulder. “I’m dying for a long, hot soak.”
“Sure.” He stepped inside the luxurious bathroom, removed his toiletries from his bag and set them on the vanity’s counter then opened the other door and disappeared inside his room.
She followed him, leaned against the doorway while he looped his bag over the high-backed chair in front of the corner oak writing desk. He strolled across to the large bed with its brown furs and padded leather headboard. The crisp scent of the woods wafted in through the open window above it, the teasing fragrance from outside making her inner bear stir to full wakefulness. “Are we going to talk about that kiss?”
“There isn’t much to talk about. We kissed and that’s it.” He cocked one brow at her, his words so gruff.
“I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone, other than you.” Surely that meant something. It did to her. She rubbed her neck, along the spot where she’d desired his bite too. “I’ve also never asked another for their bite.”
“I’m honored you asked for mine, but as yet I’ve no right to give it.” Pain laced his tone as he walked back to her, caught her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. “One more month, Bella, then we’ll know for certain who you belong to, and of course…who belongs to you.”
“I hope that man is you.” Whispered words as she covered his hands with hers. “Thank you for the kiss earlier. I liked it, a lot.” Although since they truly needed to be away, she backed up from him. “We have two rogue bears to track down and before seven no less. I don’t want to miss out on one of Greer’s meals.”
“Neither do I.” All brisk, he nodded and walked to the door leading to the hallway and opened it.
She strode past him and walked downstairs then hiked it out the front door into the midday sunshine, Jamie one step behind her. This man had haunted her dreams since the day she’d moved into the rooms across from his chamber, and over the past few years whenever she’d knocked on his door and blown on in, she’d never felt more at peace than when she’d been with him.
“Let’s catch us a couple of big bad bears.” With one hand at her back, he steered her along the cobblestone pathway around to the stables.
They passed the horses whinnying within the wooden-beamed corral and she re-attuned her acute shifter hearing so she’d pick up any and all sounds. Birds chirped and insects buzzed. The leaves of the trees rustled and somewhere close by, the splashing of the fast-flowing river which meandered right through these mountains traveled to her. She trekked past the red flag stabbed in the ground and strolled along the forested trail that Gordon and Greer had found the bears down. Breathing deep, she searched through the multitude of fragrances in the air for the one which would lead her directly toward their prey. Only she got nothing. “I’m not picking up any other bears, other than you.”
“Same. Let me move on ahead of you so I can track a little better. Your scent is overwhelming my senses.” With his black cargo pants cupping his tight backside, he jogged ahead and nose to the air, breathed deep as he foraged through the pine-fresh aroma swirling all about them.
Small critters scampered through the dense underbrush, likely dashing away at the clear presence of the predator now amongst them. Not unusual, not when Jamie—even in his human form—emitted the distinct scent of an immense bear. Aye, he was all alpha, all male, all bear, every wickedly muscled inch of him.
She breathed deep and drew in his heady aroma, his fur-rich scent mixed with a spicy undertone that made her nipples stiffen and her mouth dry out for more of a taste of him. Her breath came harder and she halted, bent half over and tried to clear her mind of the dizzy haze striking her. Oh boy, the coming full moon was certainly working a number on her.
As her cell phone beeped, she straightened and pulled it out of her jeans pocket. An incoming message from the chief. Jamie halted up ahead, then ducked into the scrub off to one side and scouted about.
She leaned back against the nearest trunk and opened the message.
Keep Jamie in sight.
She messaged the chief back. Did you have a vision?
His returning answer blared an instant later. Aye.
Want to elaborate? She hit send.
Can’t, but stay on your toes.
“A message just came in from the chief,” she called out as she pushed off the tree. “You got anything yet, Jamie?”
“I just caught a whiff of one of the rogues. What did the chief’s message say?” He shuffled out of the scrub, jogged back to her and snuck her cell phone from her hand. He grimaced as he scanned the chief’s words. “Murdock is being elusive again.”
“Isn’t he always?” Their chief always took great care when he received visions, particularly when as a seer, he detested altering their future to any great degree, or at least any more than was absolutely necessary. He believed in free will, that one needed to make their own choices in life, but when it came to his kin, he also believed in keeping them safe. Never would he allow any harm to befall them. Thus the message, even as elusive as it was. Keep Jamie in sight. She certainly would.
Eyes closed, she tightened her shields as Jamie’s worry barreled into her, then thankfully he firmed his shields and the outpouring of his anxiety over her eased. As it did, she opened her mind once more to the forest beyond them and attempted to find even a trace of any emotion leaking from anyone else who might be in their near vicinity.
“Are you all right?” He tucked her cell phone back into her pocket and pulled her into a hug. Gently, he rubbed her back.
“I’m fine, just focusing. We have to make sure these rogues don’t return and chase any other innocent visitors up trees. This wilderness is here for everyone to enjoy.”
“Agreed.” He firmed his hold on her, mushing her face right into his honey-yellow shirtfront.
“You’re making me feel incredibly claustrophobic, Jamie. Can you let me go?”
“No, I can’t. Give me a moment.”
She waited out far more than a moment, not that she was truly complaining. High in the canopy overhead, the afternoon sunshine speckled through the vibrant green foliage of the pine trees, and along one branch a pretty Scottish crossbill with brown-tipped feathers pecked at a dangling pine cone.
“When the chief says keep Jamie in sight”—he rubbed his chin over the top of her head—“it’s a double message. That means I need to keep you in my sight as well.”
“Show me what drew your interest in that scrub over there.” She gestured to the bushes. “I want to see if I can pick up one of the rogue’s scent like you did.”
“I’ll show you where he’s trampled about near the scrub.” He caught her hand and led her to the bushes, hunkered down before the largest bush and pressed one palm against the dirt at the base. Claws slicing out and in, he touched a padded footprint and looked back at her over his shoulder. “This mark is fairly fresh. It’ll be best if I made the Change. That way I can better hunt these rogues.”
“I’ll hold your clothes while you shift.”
“Thank you.” He removed his boots and treasured dagger, his other weapons and jacket, then whipped his t-shirt over his head and dropped it into her hands.
The golden skin of his chest gleamed, the rippling strength of his muscled torso making her fingers itch to touch him. And oh, what a sinfully delicious trail of hair he had arrowing down his belly and disappearing within the waistband of his pants. She wanted to touch him there, so bad.
Belt unbuckled, he eyed her with one questioning brow raised. “Are you going to turn around?”
“If I have to.” A croaky answer. Whenever any of her kinsmen shifted, they always looked away to give each other the most privacy they could, although even so she’d seen Jamie make the Change many a time, had witnessed his big bear bursting forth in a beautiful display of sparkling lights, although never this close and never had she allowed her gaze to wander below his waist when she had. With the full moon’s looming pull though, when she tried to turn around, she couldn’t. “I don’t seem to be able to move. Do you mind shifting behind the tree?”
“She’s getting bolder, isn’t she?”
“Aye.” She licked her lips as he strode around her and out of her sight behind the trunk.
“My bear’s getting bolder too. You’ll need to keep an eye on him, Bella. If he gets too pushy or forceful, take him to task.”
Rustling resounded, and her pulse raced, the wind whisking around her and bringing with it Jamie’s deliciously spicy scent. It overrode all else and eyes closed, she drew his intoxicating aroma even deeper into her lungs, until it filled her and sent her senses into a whirlwind.
“Stay very still.” His voice whispered from right behind her, then slowly he ran one hand down the long length of her hair, gripped her hips and chin on her shoulder, rubbed his nose against her neck. “Tip your head more fully to the side.”
“You’re supposed to be making the Change.”
“I’m ready to do so, stark-naked and all.” A gruff growl. “Do as I said.”
His commanding demand rolled through her in the most decadent way, and ever so slowly, she stretched her neck to one side, beyond eager for whatever he intended.
“You’re making my need for you heighten to the worst level.” He trailed one finger along her pulse point then pressed his lips there. “Keep your neck exposed once I’ve shifted. It’ll appease my bear a little.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Don’t sir me. You’re such a tease.” He shifted, so fast and she spun about as the crackling energy and sizzling display of light shimmered all around.
His big bear heaved up onto his hind legs and roared, his fur a dark chocolate brown, his paws and ears tipped with black and his belly rippling a golden shade. He thumped back down and prowled toward her, his teeth snapping together and claws digging into the pine-needle covered trail.
She backed up, knocked her back against the trunk behind her and flung her hands up. “Jamie, wait. Don’t you dare hurt me or I’ll be forced to have words with you.”
He surged up again, slammed his paws down on the bark either side of her head, his belly exposed as he bellowed fiercely.
She clapped her hands over her ears as his growl thundered all around, his warning clear to hear. That he wouldn’t permit any others near her and should any trespass on this place and moment in time, he’d slay them. “Jamie, quieten down. We’re on a hunt and we want to find these rogues, not send them running from us.”
Muzzle shoved into her neck, he sniffed then rubbed his furry cheek against her cheek.
She grasped the trunk harder, tried to hold herself upright only she lost her grip and slipped, barely managed to grab him around his furry neck before hitting the ground. Dangling underneath him, her hair swishing across the forest floor, he wedged his snout against her neck. She couldn’t help but smile. “Oh goodness, stop pushing me around, my bossy bear.”
Howling on all fours, he lowered his head further until he’d set her safely down on the ground on her back then with one beefy paw, his strength so immense, he rolled her over onto her belly and sniffed down her body, from her head to her toes. He missed not a spot.
“Are you checking me over?” Sexy bear. She rolled over and tried to get farther away, only he stomped after her, planted his paws in the way and stuck his muzzle into her belly.
A low whine, one asking if she was all right.
“I’m not hurt, but I am now dirty thanks to you.” She pushed her hands into his silky pelt, right around his neck and gave him a little shake. “We have two bears to find.”
Nose to the air, he snorted as if searching for those very bears, each of his legs bracketing her body as he took a terrifyingly protective position. With a deadly snarl, he bared his teeth.
“You’ve caught something more?” She sniffed the air too, and this time caught a whiff of a bear on the breeze and scrambling around underneath him, ducked her head out.
Another fierce roar and he charged off.
Two massive gray bears pounded through the underbrush toward them.
Keep Jamie in sight
She wouldn’t let him fight this oncoming battle alone. She shucked her clothes and made the Change, her bones and limbs burning at the excruciating speed of her shift, but with her bear released she could help even up the odds. She chased Jamie, her bear skidding in the mossy earth underfoot, while ahead, he heaved up and sailed through the air. He came down hard on both rogues at the same time, blood spurting and his claws as razor sharp and deadly as any sword he could wield.