Read Highlander's Passion (The Matheson Brothers Book 2) for Free Online Page B

makes things difficult, but perhaps we’ve been bound together for a greater purpose. Certainly I can handle a higher degree of your heat as none other can.”
    “You cannae handle a full blast. Please, step aside.” He moved and she nodded her thanks. “Where there’s heat, there is fire.” She dunked her hands into the pitcher of cold water on the side table and steam plumed. “See, heat. Fire is just a blink or two away.”
    “And when there’s a mated bond, there are two souls entwined and two people who can’t live without each other. You are the only woman I will ever live for, the only one who’ll make my life complete.”
    “I—” She gaped at his bare legs. “When did you take your kilt off?”
    “During the night. I got hot, and my shirt covers me adequately, not that I have any issue with being unclothed before you. I was nude in the pool last night.”
    “The waters were dark and you well know that.” She tossed him his bag from under the table. “Please, don some clothing.”
    “As you wish.” Whatever would make her feel more ease, he’d do. He flipped the flap open and removed a pair of black leather pants and a tan colored shirt. He changed, rolled the billowy sleeves of the shirt to his elbow and donned his pants. “Is this better, my mate?”
    “Nay—I mean aye. Much better.” She set her hands on her hips. “We need to have a talk, a serious one.”
    “We do.” He caught one of her long golden-blond locks, wound the length around his finger then released it. It bounced and caught the tip of her cute nose. Everything about her intrigued him.
    “Finlay!” She flicked the lock away. “Cease playing with my hair. I need you to understand just how much danger you’re in when you insist on touching me.”
    “I apologize, but the need to touch you rages through me.” He backed her against the wall, slid one hand behind her head and the other behind her shoulders so she’d not scrape her flesh on the rough stone. Then slowly, he bent his head. “May I kiss you?” He longed to taste her lips. “One single kiss. I need this, Arabel. I need you.”
    “There shall be no kissing.”
    “Then I shall just have to steal a kiss.”
    “There shall be no stealing of kisses either.” She ducked under his arm, gone in the blink of an eye as she darted to her golden curtained ambry across the room. She nabbed a blue and gold colored gown and disappeared behind her dressing screen. “Perhaps you should leave.”
    “And go where?”
    “Anywhere but near me.”
    “That is an impossible request.”
    “I also have much to do this day, my sister to find and further preparations to make for any of the villagers who I hope will be seeking shelter from the coming battle behind these walls. I’m sure you have plenty to do to keep you occupied too. There is a village to save, and all.” Velvet swished.
    “So you intend to ignore the fact we’re mated and a bond has formed?” Something he wouldn’t allow. Boots in hand, he pulled them on then strapped his wrist daggers and sword belt in place. From the side table, he picked up the pitcher of water and poured some into the basin. Steam curled into the air. Nice. “Thank you, my sweet, for heating the water.”
    “You are completely impossible,” she grumbled from behind the screen. “I didnae heat it for you.”
    “Aye, but I still appreciate it all the same.” He chuckled. His woman had a fiery temper, one that made him gloriously happy. He’d always hoped his woman would be as feisty and strong-willed as he was, and she was no disappointment. With the bar of soap in hand, he built up a good lather and before the looking glass propped on the table, smeared the suds over his jaw. Dagger unsheathed, he gently ran the blade in one slow stroke from his ear to his chin, thankfully only nicking his skin the once. He sure missed the modern conveniences of his own time.
    Arabel strode out, a radiant vision in long layers of blue that