isn’t there?” Her eyes crawled to his, sad almost. “For their one true love.”
“Aye.” Adlin took her hands in his. “And does that frighten you, lass?”
“More than you could imagine,” she whispered. “Do you know why?”
He shook his head though he had a good idea.
Her eyes held his for several moments before she said, “Because you’re supposed to lead me to him yet here you sit with me on a secluded beach at the tip of the Highlands.” She paused for several, excruciatingly long seconds, then said, “Which leads me to believe that you will only be leading me to one man… you.”
Adlin was almost startled by the shiver that raked his body. Perhaps he’d underestimated her short years. Aye, she’d stated the obvious but her wide blue eyes hadn’t batted a lash. No, they’d been sure and direct, completely unafraid.
“Did it not occur to you that perhaps I brought you here to help soften the blow of what was to come? To prepare you for the man you were meant to be with?”
Why had he said that? Why did he suddenly try to push her away?
“Not in the least.” Mildred’s voice gained more confidence. “You’re far too old and powerful to have given into the need for a kiss back in the stall.”
The corner of his lip curled up in a half grin. He couldn’t help himself. “See what I mean about being arrogant?”
A half smile met her lips as well. “Guess you had a point.”
Shocked, he realized he suddenly felt like a teenager again. Such an emotion felt beyond foreign. The world felt lighter, everything he had to tell her far less pressing. How did she do that?
“Want to go for a swim?”
A chuckle escaped his chest. Had he really just asked that?
Mildred chuckled as well as if the heavy tension of their conversation had never existed, she said, “Absolutely not. It’s freezing out!”
“Is it?” With a savvy grin, Adlin did the last thing he knew he should be doing on MacLeod land and used a wee bit more magic. Warm air whooshed around them.
“Oh!” Mildred said.
“Downright tropical, aye?”
Her eyes turned merry when she pointed at the water. “Doubt that is.”
“Hmm.” Adlin stood and removed his fur cloak. “Guess we’ll just have to find out.”
A nervous giggle erupted from her as he stripped down and ran into the choppy water. Ballocks, it was cold. At least for now. It wouldn’t be by the time she reached it. In fact, he’d have to use a bit of magic to get them in and out of these waves safely.
Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.
When he turned all good reason fled.
Surprisingly enough, Mildred had all but stripped down and was wading into the rough turf. Her curves were pronounced in the moonlight, breasts high and firm, and waist tiny, leg’s long and athletic.
His mouth went dry.
Let the whole of the MacLeod clan come down on him in one fell swoop if it meant seeing her this way for a few more precious minutes. Sweeps of thick hair were already damp with sea spray as she worked to gain her balance. Another long ripple of laughter escaped her full lips.
What a bloody fantastic sight!
With a few sturdy jumps he was close enough to catch her hand and a good eyeful of her chilled and very erect nipples, dark against the sheer white chemise she’d opted to keep wearing.
Determined, he pulled her close where the water would be warmed by his magic, and steered her beyond the crash of the waves. Wobbly, she held on and allowed his lead. Apparently, she enjoyed a good adventure.
Or was desperate for a little escape.
Either way, it worked and as they traveled a bit further out, he too was able to release heavy thoughts and obligations and… have fun?
Laughing together, they crested the last of the overly turbulent water which put him above waist deep and her to the chest. Conveniently enough that meant she had to depend on him to keep her from rolling back in on the tide. The wind whipped up around them but as he’d done to the water he did to the air and she felt only warmth.
“This is crazy,” she said on an errant breath. “You’re crazy!”
“Aye, lass.” He smiled and came around her backside so that he could hold her more securely. With one strong arm wrapped around her midriff he rested his cheek close to hers and said, “I’ve got you now.”
As he intended his words caused a