Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers #3)

“I would have waited for you forever.” She blew him a kiss.

“I’m glad you did.” He ambled into his bathroom with its sandy and cream colored décor, then rummaged through a drawer and withdrew his shaver. A gentle hum buzzed as he shaved.

Smiling, she crossed to his window, parted the white drapes and opened the window a notch. Fresh pine air breezed in from the thick forest all around.

Below in the stony inner courtyard, muscled men trained in white shirts and belted Matheson plaids, each strike of their blade against the other’s ricocheting toward her. The two Matheson clans here in the future, both Kirk’s and Murdock’s across the other side of the Highlands, reveled in keeping to the old ways even though they lived in modern times. With their increased shifter strength, the men also required intense training in order to expend their abundant energy.

Eyes closed, she raised her arms and the wind whispered across her skin and with it brought the call of those unmated males below. Here, in this place with them, their need rang stronger. Aye, so many would need to travel to the past, and she wouldn’t rest until each and every man had found his chosen one. Both of the Matheson clans’ numbers had dwindled over the centuries until they’d neared extinction, but no more. Times were about to change, and would bring with it a new and wonderful future they’d all welcome with open arms.

“You look happy.” Kirk walked toward her, now clean shaven and his hair combed. He’d donned an impeccable blue dress shirt and tucked it into a pair of pressed black pants.

“I’m in heaven now I have you to aid me in my duty.” She shared her thoughts as he stopped before her then she reached up and straightened the collar of his silk shirt. “You look so handsome, and completely ready to celebrate your brothers’ nuptials.”

“They’ll only get married the once, as will I.” He slowly lowered to one knee and took her hand in his. A delicious smile tugged at his lips and her heartbeat raced. “Cherub, we need to speak. You are the reason I live and breathe, the one woman I wish to share my life with, to raise a family with, and to share all your duties with. I wish to wed you right alongside my brothers as they speak their vows with their chosen ones, and I will feel completely bereft if I can’t. I love you. Would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

“Oh my.” Tears misted her gaze as she dropped to her knees before him, her silk skirts billowing around her. “I love you too, with all my heart and soul, so aye, if you wish to wed this day then so do I.”

“We’ll never be separated again.” With a hearty whoop, he stood and lifted her with him. He swung her about in his arms and kissed her, his delight and hunger for her blazing down their link. “You’ll be mine, in this time and every other.”

“Aye, as you’ll be mine.” She had her mate and she was never letting him go.

“Oh goodness.” Megan stood inside Kirk’s now open door with Michael right beside her.

“Well this looks interesting.” Michael, dressed in navy pants and a tan shirt, grinned. “Sorry, we didn’t mean to intrude but we heard voices and we just couldn’t help but investigate what all the noise was about.”

“Mum, Dad.” Kirk wrapped one arm around Cherub’s waist and opened his other arm for his parents. “Come and meet Cherub, my mate and soon-to-be wife.”

Michael and Megan rushed across and hugged both her and Kirk.

Cherub couldn’t keep her tears of happiness at bay. “We’re getting married this day. So too are Iain and Isla, and Finlay and Arabel. We’ve come in order to take you back with us for the wedding celebrations to come, provided you wish to travel with us.”

“Try holding us back.” Michael arched a brow at her. “I’ve waited a long time for my sons to find their chosen ones.” He clapped Kirk on the back. “Murdock’s kept us well informed of all that’s happened since you traveled into the past. Congratulations on finding your mate.”

“I enjoyed every moment of the chase.”

“I’m sure you did.” Michael kissed Cherub’s cheek. “Welcome to the family, Cherub. Your duty to our clan has always stood firm even though you’ve remained out of our sight and as much a legend as ever. Glad I am to see you chose to accept the bond with Kirk. He’ll never leave your side, only aid you however he can.”

“Aye, as he has told me and as I now know he too will.”

“I love a wedding, and seeing all three of my sons speaking their vows will be a most magical moment.” Megan jiggled about in her red ankle-length skirt and white blouse embroidered with red roses along the scooped neckline. “Cherub, since the moment Murdock told us of your bond forming with Kirk, I’d hoped with all my heart for this very outcome. It’ll be wonderful to have a compeller, a fire-wielder, and a time-walker for daughters. When do we leave?”