Highlander's Kiss (10 page)

“By the end of this day, I’ll have tasted every part of you, and most definitely down there. You’re so beautiful, so pink and lush and my mouth is watering for more. Don’t deny me. Say aye.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and somehow whispered her agreement. “Aye.”

“Relax, my mate. I intend for you to enjoy this moment, and me for to enjoy it too.” He swept his hands along her inner thighs and parted her folds. As he dipped his head, his warm breath feathered across her skin and sent butterflies abounding in her belly. “Look at me, Julia. I want to see your desire when it comes.”

She opened her eyes and met his gaze. “I wish to give you all of me. Taste and take whatever you please.”

“Good answer.” Grinning, he plunged one finger deep inside her and she bucked as pleasure ricocheted outward from her core and hardened her nipples further.

“Oh, that I like.”

“If I do anything you don’t like, then tell me.”

“Keep touching me as you are.” She doubted there’d be anything he did which she wouldn’t completely adore. “I wish to be loved by you, for us both to live as we’ve never lived afore.”

“All I want is to see to your pleasure.” He stroked her harder, faster, then rubbed his thumb across her nub until she arched into his touch. When he added a second finger and lowered his head between her thighs, she sank her hands into his dark hair and gasped as he licked and kissed her flesh in the most intimate of ways. Oh, her mate surely knew how to kiss. Never would she have guessed they could love each other in this way.

Exquisite sensations stormed through her. With each swipe of his tongue and deeply penetrating stroke of his fingers, she couldn’t help but lift her bottom higher and rock her hips. Something sat just beyond her reach, her need for more building higher and higher, until she cried out his name. “Tavish, I dinnae know what to do.”

“All you need to do is let go. I’ve got you, will always have you.” He sucked on her nub and sparks sizzled and flared. She hovered on the edge of a precipice she’d soon launch from.

“Cease, please. I cannae take anymore.” Except he seemed so determined to stay right where he was. Instinct took over and she reached down and glided over the hard length of his cock. Since he intended to drive her to the point of no return, she would do the same to him. She fondled his hot flesh, his shaft lengthening and heating deliciously in her hand. Stroking him in time with how he stroked her, she tried to hold onto some form of reason.

“Julia, halt.” He moaned, long and low. “Or else I’ll come before you do.”

“I wish to fly. Come with me.” She worked him in long pulls, her thumb swiping over the tip now slippery with his essence.

“Hell, you’re impossible to say no to.” He rose up, pressed every glorious inch of his body down on hers and took her mouth in a hot kiss, his fingers still stroking into her below with such exquisite perfection.

“Please, Tavish. I want to let go, but no’ without you.” She stroked him harder, everything within her needing his possession. “Come inside me.”

“Soon. First I intend to see to your pleasure.” He flicked her nub and she gasped and flew, soaring right into the heavens and amongst the brilliance of a million stars. Wave after wave of pure pleasure rippled through her core and a bright array of colors shimmered all around. His aura melded into hers and his gentle purr saturated her. “Are you ready for me, my mate?”

“Aye, beyond ready.” She clawed him to her.

His mind battered against hers, demanding entrance, and she spread her legs wider and wrapped them around his waist. With his hands on her hips, he carefully moved between her legs, slid the head of his cock along her slick folds then nudged at her entrance. “Do you accept me, all of me?”

“You’re my mate, my fierce protector. I shall always accept all of you.” She grasped his buttocks and looking deep into his eyes, pulled him ever closer. “Join us together and consummate our vows.”

With a deep roar, he plunged inside her, tore through her barrier below and as he did, his mind barreled deep inside hers. She welcomed all of him, both body and mind and reveled in their intense joining. There was naught she wanted more than to share all that she was with him, for him to make her his in every way. They were soul bound, each born to be the other’s mate, from now until the end of time.

* * * *

Tavish held perfectly still, his body buried deep within Julia’s, his mind moving swiftly to forge the merged link that would only ever be theirs. He cemented the link, her thoughts wrapping around his as he whispered into her mind, “
You’re my true mate, the one who holds the other half of my soul, just as I hold the other half of yours.
”

“
Aye, never have I felt so as one with another,
” she murmured, her grip firm on his butt. “
Or so wholly and perfectly full.
”

“
I’ll take this slow until you to get used to the feel of me.
” He looked deep into her eyes and she smiled. He could drown in her smile and be a happy man as he did. “
Keep your mind fully open to mine so I’ll know if I’m causing more pain than pleasure. I’ll stop if I do.
”

“
I am well, Tavish. There was a moment of pain but now ’tis gone. Look inside my mind and you shall see the truth.
” She rocked underneath him. “
I cannae halt what my body needs. I wish for you to move, to feel you sliding in and out of me, to feel your pleasure in doing so. We were made for each other.
”

“
You say the most beautiful things.
” He dipped his head, molded his mouth to hers and kissed her. Ever so slowly, he slid his cock back out then as gently as he could, pushed all the way back in. She moaned her pleasure, her eyelids fluttering and every inch of her hot channel hugged him, the exquisite pressure tightening his balls to the point of pain. Hell, he wouldn’t be able to hold on for long at this rate, except he had to. He intended to see to her pleasure once more before he came. He wanted her to experience only the sweetest joining with him.

“
I can sense your thoughts. You’re thinking of my pleasure first. You wish to come but no’ afore I do once more.
” She licked his neck, right over the mark she’d given him.

“
Good. Then you know the plan.
” He nipped her bottom lip then nibbled along her jaw and down her neck until he reached her thumping pulse point. Her soft, creamy skin looked ripe and ready for another mark, an entire series of marks. He intended for everyone to know she was his and no other’s.

“
Your thoughts are even more territorial than I thought they would be.
” She rubbed her thumb over the hollow on the other side of his neck and licked her lips, her own desire to mark him in the same way clear to see. “
I wish to bite you again as well, for all to know you are mine and that I’ve accepted our bond in every way. I belong to you, just as you belong to me.
”

“
I love how you think.
”
He moved deeper inside her, and she met each of his thrusts with one of her own.

“
Oh, that feels sooo good. You fill me completely, inside me below and within my mind. There is naught more enchanting than this bond.
” She thrashed underneath him, her teeth scraping back and forth over his neck.

“
Do it, Julia.
” He stretched to give her better access and she when she cried out and clamped her teeth down on him, he roared his pleasure and sank his teeth into her neck in return.

Her inner channel tightened wickedly around him and she lapped the new mark then inched along his neck and bit him again. “
You’re my mate, my bear.
” Her arousal flew down their link and swamped him. “
Have to—must—
”

Her channel contracted, pulsing over and over and he could no longer hold back. He bit the other side of her neck and bucking into her, came in a hot rush, his essence spurting thick and heavy to her core. No one could ever separate them, not now, not ever. She was his, always his.

“
Dinnae leave me.
” Her lashes fluttered down and she softly sighed. “
Stay right where you are, my handfast husband
.”

“
I’ll never leave you. You’re my mate, the one woman I’ve waited a lifetime for.
”

“
You have my thanks, for bringing me so much pleasure.
” Smiling, she succumbed to sleep and he carefully pulled out and tucked her safely within his arms.

He tightened his hold on her mind, both him and his bear so content. Through the vent above, the sky darkened and he allowed the pull of the coming night to tug him under. They’d remain here until the morning, then begin the search for her parents once the new day had dawned. He needed this night with her and he intended to take it.

Satisfaction rolled through him as he slipped further toward the dark.

Heavenly sleep took him.

A bird’s pretty trill drifted into the cavern from outside and stirred Tavish awake. Stretching, he opened his eyes while through the vent overhead, the new day’s rising sunshine shimmered through and rippled across the chiseled rock walls and basin of water within their sacred underground cavern. Steam plumed from the corner mound of boulders where cold water trickled onto hot rocks. It swirled all about, keeping them both toasty and warm.

Lying on the tartan in front of him, Julia smiled in her sleep, her long blond tresses tangled around them both. He caressed her back and her smile widened. His own smile likely matched hers, the night that had passed all he’d ever hoped for. Speaking vows with her then joining together and creating the merged link of the mind, had soothed his very soul. All he’d ever desired was to find and hold his chosen one and now all his wishes had come true.

Gently, he disentangled himself from her, spread her legs and touched the smear of blood along her inner thigh. His bear stretched and preened under his skin. She’d given him her vow, her body, all of herself, just as he’d given her the same in return.

Needing to take care of her, he leaned over the cool basin of water, scooped a handful of water and gently washed the blood from her thighs before splashing his cock and cleaning himself.

“Mmm, Tavish.” She murmured his name in her sleep and he barely restrained himself from taking her all over again. She’d bled and must be hurting. He nabbed her cotton shift, flapped the sand from it then tucked it around her. Keeping her gorgeous body out of his sight would help in ensuring he kept his hands off her too.

“Julia.” Leaning over her, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “We need to talk. The search for your parents begins today.”

“I cannae wait to ride out to the encampment.” She stretched and lifted her long sooty lashes. Her blue eyes captured his, the sparks of gold rimming the edge flickering bright as she ran her gaze down his body. “First though, I have a request. You must always wake me with a kiss.”

“I already did so.”

“I missed it. Kiss me again.”

Grinning, he pressed her back into the sand, their bodies fully aligned from head to toe, the only barrier between them her shift. She rubbed against him and a fiery burn invaded his limbs and hardened his cock.

“I would like another kiss, please,” she urged him once more.

“When I woke up, I told myself I’d not touch you, that you needed time to heal. You don’t fight fair.”

“I didnae realize we were fighting.”

“I need to take care of you, not to topple you back onto the sand and ravish you all over again.”

“Ravishing is good.”

“There was blood and you must be sore. Time to heal is what you need, not to be ravished.” Cradling her face in his hands, he kissed her, his mouth moving ravenously over hers and she kissed him just as hungrily back. Ragged for breath, he made himself pull away and roll onto his back beside her. Hell, it would take every ounce of his willpower not to succumb to this desperate desire he had for her and take her all over again.

“This need of mine cannae wait, and it appears neither can yours.” She sat up, her shift slithering into her lap. Her lush breasts bobbed free, the tips rosy and pink and making his mouth water. Her beautiful creamy skin and luscious pouty lips sent his thoughts into further free-fall.

“Stay right where you are, Julia. I mean it.”

“Dinnae turn me away, husband.” Smiling seductively, she slung one leg over his hips and straddled him.

How on earth was he supposed to say no to her like this? His greedy bear wasn’t helping him right now either. His claws sliced out, his beast riding him hard and his demand clear. He needed to mate. Joining with his chosen one and being as one with her was imperative. His hands moved of their own accord, reached up and cupped her breasts. “Tell me to stop.”

“Never.” She leaned in and offered him all he desired.

He retracted his claws, eased those delicious mounds together and sucked her nipples deep inside his mouth. He razzed the tips with his teeth and moaned at the delicious taste of her.

“I love it when you touch me like this.” She planted her hands on the sand either side of his head and wriggled against his groin, her folds sliding along the length of his erect cock.

Slowly, she moved downward until she grasped his shaft. She eyed his length and smiled, so wickedly, her thoughts extremely clear to see. She wished to take him in her mouth. Hell, the thought of her full and enticing lips sliding around him, of her taking him deep, saturated his senses.

“Hmm, your thoughts are most interesting and in agreement with mine.” She eased onto her belly between his legs, licked her lips and touched her tongue to the tip. With one slow swipe, she licked him from root to tip then played her tongue back and forth over the head.

“I’m going to have to learn how to halt certain thoughts from getting through to you.” The words barely made it past his dry lips.

“There is naught you can hide from me, not now.” She eased her mouth fully down over his shaft. The silken heat of her mouth seared him and sparks shimmered at the base of his spine and rippled around to his groin.

For the life of him, he couldn’t stop her, not when her touch was pure temptation and heated torture all rolled into one. Gently, he cradled her head in his hands and urged her on as she bobbed up and down. “You learn fast, my love.”

“Your aura also tells me exactly what you wish for, what you will or willnae like. Right now, the sizzling edge of red flares with more need. I believe I shall take you even deeper inside my mouth and see what happens.”

“No deeper. I’m not sure if I can handle any more of your aura reading right now, or your very clever mouth.”

“You wish to deny me of what I too would like to do?” Sensually soft words as she wrapped her luscious lips around him once more.

His cock pulsed with need and before he lost what remained of his control, he flipped her over onto her back and blood pounding, lavished attention on her. Licking and nibbling, he devoured her breasts before moving in a swirling trail downward. He kissed around her belly button, over her hips and along her inner thighs. Nuzzling her skin, his nose bumped the entrance to her core and he growled long and low as her sweet honey scent drifted around him. He needed to taste her just as badly as he needed his next breath. He slid his hands around her thighs, opened her wider and gave his bear permission to indulge. Lapping at her sweet folds, he rolled around in heaven. This was what he and his beast both wanted, and when her soft cries for more rang in his ears, he dived in and imbibed at the very heart of her.

Sensations stormed through him. His shaft throbbed and he could wait no more. He lifted up and plunged inside her fiery heat, taking her hard and fast, just as her thoughts demanded and just as his did as well. This bond was all-consuming and gave no quarter.

Kissing her, he tasted the delectable recesses of her mouth and claimed every last inch of her. He drank her in, allowing his desperate need for her to take him.

“Tavish!” She screamed his name, clutched his butt and pulled him in even deeper. “
You’re my mate, my bear. Make me fly.
”

“
Always yours, and your wish is my command.
” He tightened his mind around hers and pounded into her. His thoughts flew as she raked his back, as her inner muscles grasped ahold of him and dragged him in. He roared, his release exploding powerfully from him as she pulsed around him again and again. With his seed coating her womb, he finally eased his pace and rocked gently inside her. As he brought them both slowly back down, he whispered in her mind, “
You’re my wife and always will be.
”

“
Aye, and now I’m a very sleepy wife once more. I need a wee nap after such ravishment.
” She kissed him and cuddled into him. “
Sleepy.”

“
You rest and I’ll go fetch us some breakfast. I’ll be as quick as I can and wake you when I return.
” They couldn’t leave on any search until they’d eaten. A nap wouldn’t hurt her or lose them any great deal of time.

He waited until she’d drifted fully off to sleep, carefully pulled out of her then touched the marks he’d given her either side of her neck and along the top rise of her breasts. She was his mate and such a treasure, one he’d never let go of and always keep safe.

After rising, he tugged on his leather pants, white tunic and stuck his feet into his boots. With his wrist daggers sheathed and his sword belt on, he snuck out of their steamy cavern, slipped through the tightly vented opening and walked along the craggy tunnel into the fresh morning air.

A clear blue sky with only a smattering of white cloud reigned high above and gave the promise of a warm summer’s day ahead. White foamy waves sloshed along the sandy curve of the cove while behind him, the cliffs stood tall and strong and the river mouth to the side, sent water streaming smoothly into the sea. He searched along his merged link and touched Julia’s mind. She rested, still deep asleep and unlikely to awaken. Certainly if she did, he’d know.

With a determined step, he strode to the beached skiff, removed a snare from a chest under the bench seat and marched toward the river mouth where the forest rose high beyond it. He’d need to head into the woods to set his snare. He followed the river as it weaved inland then veered away and squelched across the wetland. The odd marsh orchid bloomed, a brilliant burst of fuchsia-pink and he couldn’t help but stop and pluck a flower for her. The orchid’s color matched Julia’s sweetly pouty lips to perfection.

Once he reached the edge of the forest, he found a good spot to set the snare then foraged close by for twigs and wood for a fire.

A few minutes later, a soft snap dinged from the direction of his snare and he tramped back to it, removed the rabbit and with his arms full of all he needed, returned to the river and skinned and cleaned his catch.

Down to the beach, he trekked then stole back inside the cavern. Julia still slept peacefully, the sight of her snuggled on his tartan bringing a smile to his lips and warmth to his heart. He dropped a soft kiss on the top of her head, snuck back to the rear of the cave then dug a small pit in the grainy sand. He pulled stringy bark off the wood he’d collected, struck flint with his dirk and coaxed the sparks to life. He built the fire into a crackling blaze with the twigs and wood, the smoke curling upward and floating out the vent above.

The heat of the fire and the steamy recesses of the cavern had the heat rising and dampening his skin. Sweaty, he tossed his shirt aside then set to work fashioning a spit from the thin sturdy sticks that remained. With the skinned rabbit in hand, he threaded the meat into place and set their meal to cook.

The tantalizing scent of roasted meat swirled through the air and near the bath-like basin of water, Julia stretched and opened her eyes.

“You’re back.” She moved onto her hands and knees and crawled toward him, her full and heavy breasts swaying as she joined him and wriggled onto his lap. “That smells divine.”

“What smells divine?” He bent his head and licked one nipple, his naked wife in his arms swiftly stealing his senses.

“The rabbit.”

“What rabbit?” He licked her other nipple, the sweet taste of her consuming him.

“I was speaking of the rabbit you’re cooking.” She looped her arms around his neck and with her body curved into his, offered herself fully up to him. “I’m hungry.”

So was he. He seized her lips with his and kissed her until she murmured something about a burning rabbit.

Damn it. The rabbit.

He removed it from the fire and set it to one side to cool. They would definitely need a honeymoon, a month long one at the very least, one he wouldn’t mind spending the entirety of within this very cavern. After their mission to find her parents, he was bringing her right back here.

* * * *

Julia giggled as she sat in Tavish’s lap while he frowned at the crispy rabbit. “It matters not that our meal is a little burnt. The meat will still provide good sustenance.”

“I prefer my meat rare rather than well done.”

“So does Gilleoin. Do all shifters enjoy their meat rare?” She stroked over his broad shoulders and wide chest, his golden skin gleaming within the heat of the cavern. Oh, and those defined bands across his stomach, they bunched and rippled and completely fascinated her. He was all hard muscles and strong angles compared to her soft curves. She traced one finger down the rigid center of his abs to his waistband and a delicious thrill raced through her. Mother had always said that when one was newly wedded, time was needed between husband and wife to bond. Some couples even spent a month or more away on their own, somewhere close, but also somewhere special. She wished such a time with Tavish, to learn all there was about him, from his intriguing mind to his tantalizing lips and everything in between.

“Aye, all shifters in my clan do. It’s a bear thing. The rarer the meat the better.”

“What is your favorite meal?”

“It used to be a good steak and roasted vegetables, but now it’s the taste of you.” He turned her in his lap so she faced the fire, her back to his chest. “How’s your head feel this morning?”