Highlander's Guardian (Highlander Heat #4)

“Aye, that’s right.” It had been a year since she’d last visited Colin and her mother’s kin at Duart Castle on Mull. Colin had skipped his afternoon duties one day and taken her down to the sea. Together they’d swum, him powering through the water with such skilled ease and she being as sly as she could to keep up.

“Bet I can still catch you. Swim. Fast.” He flashed a smile full of challenge, then ran and dove.

A wave rippled toward her. She ducked her head, tossed her feet into the air and went under. Kicking toward the center of the pool, she remained below, her lungs near to bursting. Surely, he’d think she’d—

A hand clamped around her ankle and Colin dragged her upward.

She broke the surface in a slew of bubbles and gulped in great breaths.

“Too easy. That white sark you’re wearing is like a flag under the water.” His gaze was wolfish, his hands on her hips sending a thrill through her.

“Then close your eyes as you should have afore you dove in. Give me time to get away.” She shoved a wave of water at him.

He fell back, shook his dark head and sent a spray of drops flying. “So that’s how ’twill be.”

“Always.”

“I’ll give you a minute head-start to hide.” He lunged and she squealed and kicked backward. “Starting now. One.” He closed his eyes.

She was off, kicking with fast strokes toward the stone ledge at the far end. If she could climb on top then she’d be able to hide where it dipped out of sight to the side. He’d never look for her out of the water.

Her sark swirled around her legs, hindering her a touch when she usually only wore an old shirt in the water, but still, she should be able to make that ledge before her minute was up.

“Sixty,” Colin yelled.

“Nay, you cheated.” He’d counted to ten and no more. She was certain of it.

His golden eyes shone with laughter as he caught up and passed her. She nabbed his feet and held on. Using his arms alone, he powered them both the last twenty feet to the wide overhanging ledge. Then with his hands on the rock, he hauled himself up, reached down and lifted her onto the flat stone beside him. “You’ve always been a tricky lass. Were you going to hide up here?”

“How could you even think I would?” Water dripped from her dangling feet into the loch.

“Because I know you too well.” He caught her hand and pressed it against his thumping heartbeat. “Spending such time with you is always tiring.”

“Yet you love it.” He’d been her closest kin growing up, and they’d had so much fun, no matter the years separating them. Gently, she spread her fingers over his solid muscle. His wet shirt, almost transparent, showed a smattering of dark chest hair. She slid one finger into the gap between two loosened ties and as his muscles flexed under her touch, a strange heat surged through her.

Now she’d touched him, she couldn’t stop, and since he hadn’t moved to halt her, she trailed her finger down over each of his rigid abs and swished along his trim waist. Oh, being this close to him was glorious. New and needy emotions reared to life within her. She wanted, and more.



Colin’s heartbeat thumped as Annie’s blue eyes darkened and her breathing quickened. Her wet sark was pressed against her chest, showing the roundness of her full breasts and a tease of pink nipple. The sight sent wicked thoughts racing through his mind, although thoughts he wasn’t permitted to have.

He closed his eyes, shoved what he’d seen into the darkest recesses of his mind then opened his eyes and grabbed her wayward hand. She was his ward, and had been since her father had passed away three years ago. “Annie, stop.”

“Please, no’ yet.” She wriggled her fingers free and let them drift over his belly.

“We’re cousins.” Damn it. He had to stop her before she encountered his rising cock.

“Nay, our grandparents were cousins. We’re far removed from being first cousins.”

“Third cousins still shouldnae touch each other so.”

“Then you might like to inform the king, because there’s currently no law against it.”

Ever since she’d lost her parents, she’d sought comfort from him on a greater level, and he’d done all he could to provide whatever she’d needed. Except she was no longer a child and as her guardian, he had a responsibility to ensure her future was secured. To the right man, and that would never be him when he had to lead his clan during this current feud. Aye, he needed to push her away, except they’d always been so close, their bond one he adored. Hurting her was impossible. Tenderly, he caught her face in his hands, traced his thumbs over the dusting of freckles covering her tiny nose and cheeks. “I’m no’ the man for you, but I will aid you in searching for one. Tell me what you’re looking for in a husband.”

“In truth, I’d like someone just like you.” She skimmed her hands over his. “I’d also love to return to my MacLean roots and be closer to you and my kin. If you’re adamant there is naught between us, then I would like a man from Mull.”

“You dinnae wish a husband of rank? You can only find that here at court.”