Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“You didnae offend me, so say no more about it.” She buried her hands in his silky black locks as the surf splashed his pants and molded the black leather to his thighs. “You’re getting wet.”


“I care little about the water, only being close to you. My bear also wishes to meet you, actually he demands it.” He rose, gripped the hem of his billowy white tunic, hauled it over his head and pitched it toward her cloak on the beach. He kicked off his boots then extended one arm. His skin rippled with fur as dark and as silky as the hair on his head, there one moment then gone the next.

“If you need to shift then do so. I’d like naught more than to see your other half, even as furry as he is.”

“He might get a little possessive. He knows you’re ours.”

“There is naught you can do that will scare me, if that is your concern.”

“I’ll need to lose these pants so I can Change. Shredding my clothing is a pain in the butt and I prefer not to do it. Can you handle a little more nudity?”

“I believe I can.” She licked her lips and near panted at the thought of seeing him fully unclothed. Oh dear, she was far more than just wanton. She was downright greedy. She stepped closer, stroked across his broad shoulders gleaming in the moonlight then traced one finger down the center of his wide chest and along the dusting of hair narrowing between his impressively hard abs and disappearing below the waistband of his pants. Only minutes ago she’d touched him below and doing so had brought her such pleasure. She swept her finger along his trim waist, back and forth as her desire to touch more of him flooded her once again.

Kirk caught her hand in his, his lips lifting. “My elusive imp, should you touch me again as you did just before, then I won’t be held responsible for my actions. My cock is already trying to spear right through my pants for more of your exquisite attention.”

“Then shift.”

“As you wish.” He shoved his pants down his heavily muscled legs, stepped out of them and tossed them aside. Under the moon’s glow, he stood before her, so magnificently male and all hers.

Goodness, ’twas just as well he couldn’t see how desperately she wanted him. Living more than a thousand years without any true companionship wasn’t easy, and with him offering himself to her on a platter, the thought of leaving him was becoming more difficult by the minute. “Make the Change, Kirk.” Husky words, which barely made it past her lips.

“Don’t leave me while I’m in my other form.” He fumbled to find her, grasped her face between his hands and brought her mouth to his for a searing kiss before he backed up and in a burst of brilliant lights, shifted and dropped to all fours. A big bear, his pelt a stunning midnight-black, lumbered toward her. He rose up on his hind legs and roared, his growl demanding all stayed far away from this place.

She swished through the lapping waves onto the sand and as she moved, he stalked her. She halted, held out one hand and he stuck his muzzle into her palm and licked her. Giggling, she knelt. “Your bear is beautiful, Kirk.”

He rubbed the side of his body against her, almost knocking her over. She wrapped her arms around his neck to keep herself in place then stroked down his back and petted between his ears. When she stopped, he flopped down, rolled onto his back on the dry sand and exposed his belly.

“Do you wish for a tummy rub?”

One long rumble, which reverberated deep within his chest.

“That sounded like an aye to me.” Hands spread over his belly, she stroked and as she did, he closed his eyes and fairly purred. There was naught more stunning to see than his bear. She laid down beside him and snuggled against his side. This was one of the most magical nights she’d ever had, and with her mate allowing her to see both sides of him, it made it even more special. Although what kind of a mate was she when she wouldn’t even show him her true form?

“I’m sorry,” she murmured in his ear. “You deserve so much more than to be bound to me, a woman who remains from your sight when you’re fully prepared to show me all of you.”

He growled and in a bright array of lights, swiftly made the Change then loomed over her, his dark hair falling forward over his brow as he narrowed his gaze on her chin.

“Look higher.” She caught his face and directed his gaze to hers. “See, I hide from you. I’m sorry to cause you that pain.”

“It’s a pain I can bear, and you’re only doing so in an attempt to protect me. The moment I have your image in my mind, it’ll make our separation all the harder, whereas right now, I have only the knowledge you’ve shared. Blue eyes and blond hair. But I know exactly what counts, and that’s what’s on the inside and deep within your heart. You have such pure intentions and think only of others. You’re all I could ever desire in a mate.”

Tears misted her gaze and trickled free. She sniffed and he frowned.

“You’re not crying are you?”