Free Sea Wolf Magick (Highlander Magick Series Book 2) by Patty Taylor Page A

wouldn’t be needin’ them anymore.”
    “Get rid of them. Destroy all the rest of his clothes.” Quinn ordered and drew Beth closer to him. “He canna hurt ye now. The lad jumped ship. We willna be seein’ him again.”
    “I wish you were right.” Beth whispered. Beads of sweat filled her forehead. “He’s coming back. You don’t understand. Finley doesn’t have a choice. He won’t stop until he gets what he’s after.”
    “There’s nothin’ left for him to come back for. McGregor already checked. The lad took all his valuable belongin’s with him.” Quinn tried to reassure her. “I know it sounds weird, but you have to believe me. I just know.” She clutched the gem dangling around her neck, her gaze locked with his. “It’s me he’s after.”

Chapter 9
    Beth closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Quinn’s neck while he carried her back to his cabin. The Highlander waited until Kalista glided behind them into the room and kicked the door shut with the back of his foot.
    “Dinna be frettin’ yerself about young Finley. He canna hurt ye here.” The charming boyish grin vanished, replaced by a sweeping shadow of anger. The muscles in his face grew taut. “He knows what the crew would do to him first, before I got me own hands on him.”
    “Don’t you see? It’s driving him. Finley has about as much control over this evil as much as I do with this.” She shoved her arm in front of them, exposing the Maras mark. “He won’t stop until he finds me. That’s the one thing I am sure about.”
    “We reach Shetland Islands tomorrow.” I know I promised not to pressure ye about bringin’ yer she-wolf to the surface, but ye canna wait any longer. Come first light, I’ll take ye ashore with me and help the shifting begin.” Like a caged animal, Quinn paced back and forth in front of her. “The first time can be the worst, but ye’ll get used to it soon enough.”
    Her body tensed. She stirred uneasily on the bed. The breaking of her own voice startled her. “After those words of encouragement, I’m not sure whether to thank you or curse you right about now. I’m not ready to turn into a werewolf, Maras, she-wolf, or whatever you want to call it. I fought it the other evening. I’ll fight it again.”
    “Ye dinna understand.” He stopped in front of her and clasped her hands. His nearness roused her senses. His masculine scent took her breath away. Goosebumps prickled across her arms. His gaze bore into her eyes. “The she-wolf is the only hope ye have against the Maras right now. Ye can control yer she-wolf. Ye canna control the Maras.”
    “Wait. I need to sort this in my head.” The image of the black wolf popped into her head. Memories of his eyes filled with compassion when he rescued her raced through her mind. His soul’s true core still shined through, even in his wolf form. Her heart skipped a beat. “I think the lightbulb just lit.”
    Quinn’s face clouded with uneasiness. A fever must be making her talk of foolish things. He pressed his hand to her forehead.
    Beth jumped down from the mattress and threw her arms around the back of his neck. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain later.” Her skin tingled from his touch. He held her tightly against his body, her bosoms squeezing against his bare chest. She quivered, his lips pressing against hers. Her blood boiled like a volcano ready to erupt. His lips were hot, leaving her mouth burning with fire and wanting more.
    Quinn gripped the shirt she was wearing, raised it over her head, and hurled it to the floor. Fiery kisses covered her neck.
    Her nipples hardened between his cajoling fingertips, and her firm breasts molded beneath his expert hands. Like warm lotion gliding across smooth skin, his fingers ventured down her belly and stopped at the top of her shorts. She gasped. His manhood pressed against her. Her hands trembled, digging her fingers into his back and drawing him closer.
    Kalista whimpered. A loud rapping