Page 121 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"Can I watch?" Curiosity lit her eyes.

"If you wish."

A small grin lifted her lips as she hurried away.

Confused, he frowned after her. His shifting disturbed most people, but she was intrigued. Warmth filled him, making him wish they could be as close as they used to be. Maybe they could... if he learned how to forgive.

When she returned, she handed him the thin, wadded-up sealskin. "I washed the blood off it and let it dry."

"I appreciate that." He followed her into the chamber, then barred the door behind them.

"You do realize I have to remove my clothing," he said.

She bit her lip and nodded, her gaze scanning down over him.

He was already becoming aroused, which made him even more disoriented.

He sat on the chair, removed his boots, then slid his feet into the sealskin. He unclasped his belt, releasing the plaid, then tossed it.

"You may have to help me with my shirt and bandage."

"I will."

"Close your eyes, lass." Her bewitching, bonny blue eyes.

"I have seen you before." One corner of her lips lifted.

"I ken it," he growled. But he did not want her to see him now. He was trying to fight down his arousal and boost his healing velocity.

He stood, tugging the sealskin up past his hips and waist. She helped him pull the shirt over his head, then removed the cloth bandage Finnian had tied around him. The stitched wound appeared dry.

After lying down on the floor, he drew the sealskin up over his head and magically shifted into seal form.

Elsea gasped, her hand covering her mouth.

Brodie relaxed into the form, so soothing. But he craved the seawater terribly. 'Twas so unnatural to be inside a room—too dry and warm. But he forced himself to relax.

Elsea sank to her knees beside him. He recalled that this was the first time she'd seen him in this form. She'd been knocked out the other time, when he'd rescued her and swam with her to the island. Smiling, she reached a hand out to him. Holding back his front flippers and their sharp claws, he bowed his head toward her.

"Oh," she breathed and petted him. "I cannot believe 'tis really you, Brodie. You are so adorable but... large. I had imagined you as a small seal."

He shook his head.

Even though he craved the saltwater something fierce, her hand on him was a soothing replacement. They remained that way for a few minutes as he relaxed, trying to focus on healing and gaining selkie strength.

In this form, he sank into her unconditional love like a soft, warm cloud. When he was human, his rage blocked it.

After a quarter hour, he felt the need to shift again. Drawing away from her, he lifted his fore flippers and grasped his clawed digits into the top of the sealskin. He dragged it down off his head, triggering the shift back into a human, then peeled the skin down over his shoulders and chest. Sitting on his knees, he looked at the stitched wound on his pectoral, then pressed his fingertips against it. It did not hurt as much as before.

She gasped, drawing his attention. "It looks so much better."

"Indeed. Most of the pain is gone."

She smiled. "I'm glad."

"I thank you for helping me."

"'Twas fun."