Page 11 of Highland Warrior

He smiled down at her and brushed a tender kiss on her lips. “As ye wish. I’ll get ye a cloak.”

Ian returned with a wool fur-lined cloak. “This should keep ye warm.”

“Thank you.” She slipped into the thick fabric and grasped Ian’s outstretched hand.

At the stables, Natalie examined the beautiful horses and raised an eyebrow when Ian ordered only one to be readied.

He gave her a wolfish grin and a wink. Despite the thrilling chill running through her body, Natalie hoped they would actually talk on this ride. She was missing a lot of information and had some crucial decisions to make based on the facts.

Ian mounted the horse in one fluid motion and Natalie swore she caught a glimpse of his naughty parts before he sat in the saddle. Well, maybe they could talk after they played.

He reached his hand down and helped her to ease in front of him, his strong arm spanning her waist. Flicking the reins, Ian turned the horse and urged him to gallop out of the bailey gates. They didn’t speak for several minutes, both of them just taking in the surroundings and the feel of each other’s bodies pressed close together.

Ian’s hand slipped beneath her cloak and massaged the swell of her breasts, easily bringing each nipple to a taut peak. Her sex hummed and grew slick, waiting for what she knew would come…delicious pleasure and abandon.

He nipped gently on her neck, and she turned her head to the side as he guided the horse over the expansive terrain.

“I have a story to tell ye. ’Tis no fairytale, I swear it.”

All Natalie could do was nod as Ian continued his assault on her neck and breasts.

“There has been a brooch passed through my family from laird to laird. A couple of months ago, my twin brother disappeared, only to reappear several weeks later. He told me the brooch has special powers, allowing ye to find your true love. He told me this and prepared me to be laird as his lady from the future would be calling him back to her.”

Natalie stiffened and turned her face to Ian. Although it may have seemed like a fairytale to some people, since she’d traveled through time, the reality of it was clear.

“And that is why ye are now laird?”

“Aye.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “I didna truly believe him until he disappeared before my eyes.”

Natalie nodded. Deep inside, she sensed he was her true love. There was a connection with him from the very beginning, something beyond fantastic sex. Even knowing she was in a different time than her own hadn’t bothered her as much as it should have. This was because of Ian. He made her feel so comfortable, like she belonged. She realized she wanted to be with him.

Ian told her about the story he and Lachlann had concocted to ease the people of Donell’s disappearance and how he needed to marry to secure the clan and his future.

“As I thought on my future, the brooch called to me. Next thing I know, ye’re there, smiling at me like a wee minx.”

“You weren’t exactly innocent. I remember waking up to the feel of your hands on my skin.”

Ian chuckled and tickled her ribs. “What is a man to do when a beauty such as ye ends up in his bed? And naked, too!”

Natalie laughed, imagining all the things running through his mind.

“Nothing innocent, I know that much,” she teased, rubbing her derriere against his crotch, which was suddenly swollen.

Despite their play and the sensual tension rippling in the air, the conversation turned serious.

“Ian, what am I supposed to do? I feel a strong connection to you, and I know my presence means a lot to your livelihood and that of your clan. But what about me, my friends, my family?”

Ian sighed, placing his chin on her head. The intimate gesture felt so normal, as if they were meant to spend many moments in such tender embraces.

“I know, lass, I know.” Those simple words held so much emotion, sadness, disappointment, and yearning. “If ’tis not here ye want to be, I understand. My brother did tell me how the brooch worked. I could return ye to your time.”

Did she want to return? That was the question. Could she risk returning and then not being able to get back? Was it better to have her family think she’d been kidnapped or murdered? No, she couldn’t let them panic.

“Ian, if I do decide to stay, I will have to let my family know.”

He nodded in agreement. “Let us enjoy this ride and get to know each other. No decision needs to be made quite yet.”

“All the same, I will give you my decision by tonight.”