Free Highlander's Seduction (The Matheson Brothers Book 3) by Joanne Wadsworth

the corridor coming through the narrow window at the far end of the passageway. Outside Cherub’s paneled door, he took a deep, steadying breath, walked inside and closed the door after himself.
    A warm breeze fluttered in though her open window. It ruffled the four-poster bed’s golden canopy that swept down to the polished floorboards. Before the fireplace, a large oval ring-mark around the size of a tub wet the floor, while within the hearth the remains of a fire glowed. Overtop of a silk dressing screen in the corner lay a white fur cloak, his mate’s cloak. He wandered toward it and stroked the soft fur. Memories surged from last night, of him carrying her through the forest, her cloak swishing softly against his legs, then of it falling away onto the sand and being exposed to his sight when he’d tugged the ties free from around her neck. “Cherub? Where are you?”
    “I’m right here.” Her voice whispered from behind him, a scant foot or two away and he swung around.
    “Is this your chamber alone?”
    “It is. Where is yours?”
    “On the second floor, although I intend to move in here. I’m not asking to share a bed, just to be closer to you. I need that, and that padded chair of yours in the corner looks comfy enough.” His claws sliced out, his bear still incredibly antsy and rippling right under his skin.
    “That chair appears terribly uncomfortable to me.” She slid one hand over his, her touch so soft, so gentle, then she tangled their fingers together and a level of calm rolled through him. “Claws away, my tempting bear.”
    He drew them back in, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. Slowly, he breathed in, drawing her delectably fresh scent deep inside him. “Thank you for taking solid form, except now my bear wants to roll around with you in that bed and smother you in our scent, as do I.”
    “Rolling around in a bed with you sounds rather thrilling.” She tugged him toward the end of her bed, gripped his shoulders and pushed him down until he sat. “Although afore we considering doing so, I would like to show you something.”
    “Whatever you wish.” She seemed so accepting and it sent both shock and fierce need racing through him. Likely his mouth gaped open. Aye, it did. He tapped it shut.
    “Nessa has convinced me that I need to be more willing to allow the bond. In truth though, I doubt I would have been able to stay away from you much longer. You are the other half of my soul and that I cannae deny.” She uncloaked, so swiftly his heart lost one very necessary beat. Just as well he was sitting. Her vivid blue eyes, as glorious as a summer sky, dragged him right into her very soul. And her skin, so creamy and smooth, sparkled as if capturing the sun’s rays and reflecting them.
    “Am I dreaming?” He blinked repeatedly.
    “Nay. There are so few I uncloak in front of because my skin is rather distracting to look upon, although I wish to be my true self with you, that’s if you so desire it.” An uncertain look flashed in her eyes. “You dinnae need to answer me now if you wish. Think on my offer if you prefer.”
    “No thinking is needed. Your skin is a distraction I will completely adore.” He caught her hands and tugged her in between his spread legs then cupped her hips and kept her locked in place. “I want to see you, to never have you hide yourself from me again. How come your skin sparkles? I’ve never met another of fae blood whose does.”
    “My father’s was so, and his father’s afore him. It denotes the eldest born in the royal line and always has.”
    “How many siblings do you have?”
    “I am one of seven.”
    “It’s almost impossible to look away from you. One could almost say you’re spellbinding.” Reveling in her nearness, he rubbed himself against her. “Are you truly willing to accept the bond?”
    “I am.” Two words, and the strength behind them spoke to his very heart. “My word is the truth and always has been. I must