Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Good. Come with me. I’ll show you to my bathroom and get you sorted.” He set his hands on her waist and lifted her off the bed then slowly set her down in front of him.

Wobbling, she grasped his shirtfront and leaned her forehead against his chest. “I still feel so woozy.”

“Lean on me as often as you need to.” He tucked a lock of her wind tangled blond hair behind her ear then once she appeared steady on her feet, offered her his arm once more and guided her out the door and into his bedroom down the hallway. His four-poster bed took up half the large space, the remainder holding a blue swede settee and an armchair angled in front of a wide screen TV. His bathroom sat off to one side and he steered her across his room and through the door. Sandy colored tiles led to an open shower in the tiled corner, one without any glass sides. The shower curtain though could be pulled across if needed, although he rarely used it. The bathroom flooring was designed to funnel the water away into the sink hole.

Julia ogled the room and gasped as she sighted the massive mirror over top of the white marble vanity. “I can almost see my entire self in that looking glass. That is the largest one I’ve ever beheld.”

“We call them mirrors in this time, and it is a beauty.” He picked up the metal shower chair, set it in the center of the showering area then flicked the overhead fan on. It whirred and fluttered the white towels on the side rail. “Come here, Julia. Take a seat.” She did and he lowered to a crouch, bringing them eye to eye. “I don’t actually have a bath as such for you to bathe in, but instead I’ve got a shower in which you’ll sit underneath. That is how you’ll be able to bathe and wash up.”

“I see.” With one finger, she touched the button on his shirt then glanced at the ceiling above and each wall surrounding her. An intriguing look crossed her face. “And how does one shower inside a bathroom when there is no way for a shower of water to reach me?”

“Showers are a modern invention and it’s best if I show you, rather than try to explain how they work.” He removed her slippers and lobbed them toward the heated towel rail. There, they’d remain dry and out of the spray’s reach. From the shower caddy, he handed her shampoo and a bar of soap. “Feel free to use anything in this room you might need. What’s mine is now yours.”

“Are you certain I need to be sitting right here to have this…ah…shower?”

“Very sure.” He chuckled and popped a kiss on her forehead. “I’ve never met such a woman as you, and it feels like forever since I’ve had such an enjoyable conversation. Seeing your delight in all these new things reminds me of how lucky we are to live in this time with all our modern conveniences.”

“I’ve never had such an interesting and enjoyable conversation either.” She touched her forehead where he’d kissed her. “What do I do next?”

“You’ll need to take your gown off to shower.” She had a full-length shift on underneath, the top lacy edge of it showing along her neckline. “Will your shift cover you adequately? You can borrow a towel if not, but it’s best I remain with you while you shower since you’re not yet steady enough on your feet. The last thing I want you to do is fall and hit your head on these hard tiles.”

“Aye, I usually swim in my shift when needed so it will cover me adequately, although I cannae reach the stays in the back of my gown. Could you aid me?” She set the shampoo and soap on the floor next to her chair, rose to her feet and gave him her back.

“Absolutely.” He swept her long blond hair to one side and exposed the creamy length of her neck then with her gown’s cream and gold ribbons in hand, he unlaced her stays. “There, all done.”

“Thank you.” She wriggled the loose fabric down over her hips and the cream velvet swished to the floor. She scooped it up and hung it on the wall hook then wavered in her step, pressed her hands to her knees and drew in a long breath. “Everything spins when I move too fast.”

“Then take a seat. I set it there for you for that very reason.” He led her back to the chair and she plopped onto it and eyes closed, slowly breathed in and out. He hunkered down, rested his hands on her knees and gently rubbed. “I promised Cherub I’d remain with you and I will. Also, with dizziness usually comes nausea. Let me know if you feel sick so I can give you some meds to ease your symptoms.”

“There is no nausea, just dizziness.” She opened her beautiful blue eyes with their glimmer of gold at the edge and covered his hands with hers. “’Tis so comforting to be near you. You make me feel quite at ease.”