Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

I edged up on one elbow and peeked at him. He lay awake, his golden-brown hair a rumpled mess and his chin sharp with a razz of stubble. So cute. Why did he have to be a protector? My soul ached for more. “You’re going to be too tired if you don’t catch a few more winks.”


“I’m good. I slept half the night.” He tucked me back against him. “I like having you close.”

“Me too.” Boy did I like it.

I glanced behind me toward Hope. She was stirring while Silas sat watching her with a smile. He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her forehead. He murmured to her, so softly I hadn’t a chance of catching the words. Half our people were mated. It was what I wished for too, but…

I faced Cole, and then got lost in his beautiful eyes.

“Tell me what you’re thinking. I need to know, Lieska.”

“I—I—” My throat dried and my eyes misted. I ducked my head under his chin so he wouldn’t see my threatening tears. He was going to leave soon, and I was stronger than this. I wasn’t going to cry. I could deal with the decision we’d made.

“Hey, morning you guys,” Hope called out.

Oh thank heavens. I blinked rapidly then rolled toward her, beyond glad for the diversion. “Hey back at ya. Did you sleep all right?”

“You know me. I always sleep like a dream when I’m out under the stars.” She eased to her feet, tucked one loose violet shirttail into her jeans and stared toward the western bush line. “Hmm, it’s hard to tell from this distance what’s going on over there.” Hand to her forehead, she searched the area south toward the homestead. “And it seems even hazier in that direction. Strange. I wonder what’s going on toward home.”

I cranked around to look. Why would there be so much smoke near the homestead?

“Silas. Up you get.” Hope pulled on her riding boots. “I need you to ’port me into town. Fire Department. Let’s go check in with local enforcement and get an update.”

“Gotcha.” He shoved his boots on then held onto her. The two shimmered and disappeared.

Checking things out was a good idea. I eyed Cole. “I’ll do the same. I’ll whip home and take a look around, get changed and stuff. Can you hold the fort here while I do?” I wriggled up then found myself flat on my back, Cole above me.

“I can, but let’s get one thing straight.” The gold flecks in his hunter eyes flared. “If you don’t want to end our bond then tell me.”

I cupped his face, rubbed his cheeks with my fingertips. “Has anyone ever told you your morning manner needs some improvement? You’re far too demanding.”

“No one’s mentioned it yet, but thanks for the up.” He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me, one very hot morning kiss. My heartbeat thumped out of rhythm. I kissed him back, overwhelmed by the new emotions stirring within me. Oh, why did he have to kiss like a dream? Too soon he pulled away, heaved himself to his feet and lifted me to mine. “I expect you back here in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes? You can’t be serious?”

“Very serious.”

I grabbed my boots, Stetson and sword. Not prepared to argue further, I ’ported, fast. I needed a break from him. It might clear my head.

I arrived in my room, one Hope and Goldie had insisted I have near theirs instead of outside in the barracks. I adored this space, well, except for the snowy white carpet since I was always getting endless red dust on it. I tramped across it in my socks and tossed my gear onto my queen-sized bed, which took pride of place against one wall. I slipped Cole’s jacket off and folded it neatly next to my sword on the golden bedcovers. Goodness, I really liked his jacket. I wasn’t looking forward to getting the sweater at all.

At the window, I eased the white lace nets aside. A copse of gum trees near the corral, more brown than green, swayed in the wind. And the smoke. Shoot, it was so thick. It clogged the air. That’s why there’d been such a haze in this direction. There had to be fires burning close to here. I shoved open my link to Goldie. “Hey, I’m at the homestead and—”

“Great. I need someone there. Hope and Silas just gave me an update. The state firefighters are close to you. They brought teams in a couple of hours ago. They began back-burning in an attempt to snuff this fire out. I wasn’t aware of it, but it might mean more smoke your way as their operation spreads back to the west.”

“The smoke is thicker. Are you sure the back-burning is heading in the opposite direction?”

“Positive, but as a precautionary measure I want you to ’port the horses to the river. We don’t need them suffering from any fumes. Keep your hunter senses covered up too. I don’t want you breathing in anything toxic.”

“Okay, gotcha. I’ve got this covered.”

I raced to my dressing room, changed into a pair of skinny red jeans and a bright red blouse. Best to remain a beacon of color with all this smoke about. I added a red and black checked neck-cloth, lugged on my boots, and strapped on my sword belt.

I flashed to the kitchen, dropped bread into the toaster and poured a glass of orange juice. I’d need sustenance to get through today.