Highlander's Guardian Read Free

the water.
    Her sark swirled around her legs, hindering her a touch when she usually only wore an old shirt in the water, but still, she should be able to make that ledge before her minute was up.
    “Sixty,” Colin yelled.
    “Nay, you cheated.” He’d counted to ten and no more. She was certain of it.
    His golden eyes shone with laughter as he caught up and passed her. She nabbed his feet and held on. Using his arms alone, he powered them both the last twenty feet to the wide overhanging ledge. Then with his hands on the rock, he hauled himself up, reached down and lifted her onto the flat stone beside him. “You’ve always been a tricky lass. Were you going to hide up here?”
    “How could you even think I would?” Water dripped from her dangling feet into the loch.
    “Because I know you too well.” He caught her hand and pressed it against his thumping heartbeat. “Spending such time with you is always tiring.”
    “Yet you love it.” He’d been her closest kin growing up, and they’d had so much fun, no matter the years separating them. Gently, she spread her fingers over his solid muscle. His wet shirt, almost transparent, showed a smattering of dark chest hair. She slid one finger into the gap between two loosened ties and as his muscles flexed under her touch, a strange heat surged through her.
    Now she’d touched him, she couldn’t stop, and since he hadn’t moved to halt her, she trailed her finger down over each of his rigid abs and swished along his trim waist. Oh, being this close to him was glorious. New and needy emotions reared to life within her. She wanted, and more.
    * * * *
    Colin’s heartbeat thumped as Annie’s blue eyes darkened and her breathing quickened. Her wet sark was pressed against her chest, showing the roundness of her full breasts and a tease of pink nipple. The sight sent wicked thoughts racing through his mind, although thoughts he wasn’t permitted to have.
    He closed his eyes, shoved what he’d seen into the darkest recesses of his mind then opened his eyes and grabbed her wayward hand. She was his ward, and had been since her father had passed away three years ago. “Annie, stop.”
    “Please, no’ yet.” She wriggled her fingers free and let them drift over his belly.
    “We’re cousins.” Damn it. He had to stop her before she encountered his rising cock.
    “Nay, our grandparents were cousins. We’re far removed from being first cousins.”
    “Third cousins still shouldnae touch each other so.”
    “Then you might like to inform the king, because there’s currently no law against it.”
    Ever since she’d lost her parents, she’d sought comfort from him on a greater level, and he’d done all he could to provide whatever she’d needed. Except she was no longer a child and as her guardian, he had a responsibility to ensure her future was secured. To the right man, and that would never be him when he had to lead his clan during this current feud. Aye, he needed to push her away, except they’d always been so close, their bond one he adored. Hurting her was impossible. Tenderly, he caught her face in his hands, traced his thumbs over the dusting of freckles covering her tiny nose and cheeks. “I’m no’ the man for you, but I will aid you in searching for one. Tell me what you’re looking for in a husband.”
    “In truth, I’d like someone just like you.” She skimmed her hands over his. “I’d also love to return to my MacLean roots and be closer to you and my kin. If you’re adamant there is naught between us, then I would like a man from Mull.”
    “You dinnae wish a husband of rank? You can only find that here at court.”
    “Rank means little when it is what’s inside a person that counts.” She released him and tapped her chin. “Hmm, what of Arthur?”
    “My second isnae looking for a wife when the last lass who took his fancy married another.” A small lie, but he’d never be able to stand aside and watch his right-hand man wed