“One can’t argue with the mated bond, Arabel, not when it speaks to the very heart of the two who are soul bound.” He stepped down beside her. “Do you feel anything toward me?”
“Nay, no’ a thing.” She frowned something fierce as she eyed his wet shirt. “Allow me to dry you.” She smoothed her heated palms over his shoulders and along his chest then circling him, swished along his waist and legs. “That is better. I wouldnae want you to catch a chill.”
“All I feel right now is a deep desire to jump back into that loch so when I hop back out, you’ll dry me all over again.” That need roared to life within him. No woman had ever laid her hands on him the way she just had, the way he wished for her to do again. Her heated touch had been sheer perfection, soft and tender, not harming in the least.
“You fascinate me, Arabel.” Gently, he traced the delicate smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. “Do I fascinate you at all?”
“I—I—” Confusion crossed her face. “We need to leave.” She hurried around the pool toward their clothes, snatched her burgundy gown from the ground and wriggled the velvet over her head. He followed, dressed and fastened his sword and daggers as she fumbled to gather the burgundy ribbons at her back.
“Here, allow me.” He slid her long golden locks over one shoulder and exposed the long length of her neck then picked up her gown’s ribbons and laced her stays. Gently, he turned her by the shoulders to face him and stroked down her arms to her wrists where her gown’s lacy sleeves dangled over the backs of her hands.
“Oh, your hair is still wet. We cannae have that.” She ran her fingers through his shoulder-length hair, drying and tidying it, the delicious contact sending a wave of warmth across his scalp. “Is that better?”
“Infinitely. I love having your hands on me.”
“You must cease talking like that.” She swayed toward him and the golden sparks rimming her blue eyes glimmered before she jolted upright. “’Tis time to leave.”
“Not without me.” He collected his horse. “I’m your guard.”
“I’ve roamed these forest paths my entire life. I assure you I dinnae need a guard.” She walked toward the trail, the sensual sway of her hips making him want to drag her into his arms and hold her close, to smother her with even more of his scent. The desire roared through him, demanding and relentless, a need that wouldn’t be appeased. His bear had found his mate and so had he, only it appeared now he’d need to convince her of that fact.
Within minutes they emerged from the woods and the thick stone walls of the House of Clan Matheson rose like an impenetrable fortress in the dark. A two-story gatehouse took pride of place in front while beyond the gate’s arch, the four-story north tower house overlooked all. He stopped at the stables and handed his steed to the stable hand who hurried over to him then slung his traveling bag over one shoulder and guided Arabel through the gates and across the inner courtyard. So few of her clansmen would likely be awake at this late hour of the night, other than the guards, but since he didn’t wish to wander through the great hall and disturb those warriors who had already sought their rest, he led her toward the side stairs. “Where is your chamber?”
“On the third floor.” She climbed the stairs and walked along the gloomy corridor lit only by the odd candle in an iron wall sconce. The passageway remained bare of any other, each of the doors leading from it firmly shut, except for the last one. She walked inside the chamber that remained perfectly dark with not even the fire lit.
“Is this your room alone?” He followed her inside.
“It is. Which of the guest chambers have you been given?”
“On the night I arrived, I bedded down on a pallet in the great hall alongside the other warriors. I needed to remain close to the door in case my bear wished to roam, which he did in no time at all. He’s been antsy this past week.” But not anymore. His bear had settled with one gentle petting from her. The only woman who would be able to do that would be his mate. He set his bag down near the side table and faced her. “We were provided with all we’d need and since I’ve arrived, I’ve traveled light, as have my brothers and Isla.”
“If you wish, I can ask one of the maids to prepare a chamber for you.” She brought fire forth to one fingertip and lit a candle in the corner stand. Its glow flickered over her queen-sized bed with its red velvet canopy sweeping down onto the polished wooden floors.
“There’s no need.” He intended to stay right here where he could be close to her. “Would you like your fire lit and your chamber warmed?”