Highland Burn Read Free Page B

eyes, took a deep breath and leaned back against the warmth of his body. Wait… what was she doing? Abigale Bruce, you are to be married.
    Quickly she slipped away from his hold and began to gather up the leather reins. “I should be getting back.” Observing the stallion’s actions, it was clear to Abigale that Fergus did not approve of the stranger.
    Jumping up on the back of Fergus, she turned to face the Highlander. The man rubbed the back of his neck as if he was thanking the white horse for saving his arse from making a huge mistake.
    She dared one last look at him before she rode off into the glen back to her father’s castle where she would prepare for travel to Castle Douglas and marry the Bogeyman. Her eyes roamed his massive body sketching everything about him to memory; his striking amber eyes, strong masculine jaw line, and the way his eyes strayed over her body. She did not want to forget this man.
    If only she did not have to go. Mayhap she could run away with this beautiful man and avoid being married to a monster. Deep down, she was drawn to this mysteriously intriguing, charming and pure male Highlander. He made her think that for once she could be in control of her life and make her own decisions. In a way she envied his freedom. It did not seem fair that she had to marry a man who her father wanted her to marry. Shouldnae one marry for love? But then again, he was a stranger… a mystery. Before she ran away with fantasies she knew better than to think of, she squeezed her legs, sending Fergus into a run. She had to marry the Bogeyman.

Chapter 2
    The Bogeyman
    Hush ye, hush ye, little pet ye,
    Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye,
    The Black Douglas shall not get ye.
     
    A thunderous knock echoed through James’s bedchamber, and rattled his drunken slumber. He growled his response while rolling over on his back. A soft, warm, naked body nuzzled next to him, sighing a breathy moan.
    As his way of dealing with an unwanted arranged marriage, he had spent the night drinking heavily. To his dismay, no amount of mead was going to change his situation. The thought alone of not being in control of his fate burned him. The more he burned the more he drank until he was numb, which meant a significant amount, being that he was Dragonkine.
    When a busty brunette with a low-cut dress whispered an invitation of a night filled with pleasures to him, he couldn’t resist. It wasn’t unusual for women to offer themselves to him. He was handsome, dominating, and a Highlander. Men feared him, and woman sought to have him between their legs. Being the clan chief did have its advantages.
    Another loud rap ricocheted through his head. “Go away!” he demanded. “Leave me be.”
    James drifted back to sleep, when all of a sudden the door flew open with such force it shattered its’ hinges. Terrified out of her wits, the brunette sat up and threw her hands over her breasts. As she tried to cover herself, a tall, robust man came charging into the room.
    “Conall?” With his vision blurred and head pounding, James could barely recognize his best friend and second in command.
    Conall scooped up the brunette’s dress and threw it at her. ”Get out!”
    The frightened woman jumped out of bed naked, and holding her dress, she ran out of the room.
    “James get yer arse out of bed,” Conall demanded and threw a white tunic at him.
    James moaned and tried to sit up; his stomach lurched and his head spun.
    “Do ye realize what today is?”
    “Aye,” James rumbled.
    “I’m going now to fetch yer lass. Ye best get moving.”
    Lass… Lass… James lay there for a moment trying to shake the cobwebs free. “Shite.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. Today was the day he was to marry the princess of Scotland.
    Before James finished putting on his tunic, a pair of trews smacked him in the face. Conall showed him no mercy. With his hands on his hips he stood looking over at James sternly. “Make sure ye wash up. Ye stink