First
came marriage...will love come next?
As children,
stoic Caelan MacKenzie married feisty Brenna Grant for a parcel of land and an
Earldom. Then the child bride and groom went their separation ways.
Years later,
Caelan is the feared Viking Highlander, a great warrior. His father lies on his
death bed and now Caelan must return home to take his place as the Chief of
Clan MacKenzie. Time has come for him to face his past and the secret he has
carried. Some believe him unworthy to lead.
All but his
wife—Brenna knows the true man that he is from the letters they had been
exchanging since childhood. Now at Castle MacKenzie anticipates her
husband's return. Brenna must use her influence to protect the Grant clan
or have her life destroy. And that she refuses to happen.
From the
Scottish Highland shores to the rugged glens, the alpha male and his brave
heroine must battle against outside forces to save their wedded life even as
they succumb to their sensual desire.
Can
they save all they hold dear including their growing love? Or
will they be defeat and betrayed?
First Kiss Excerpt:
“My mount is here.” The white
horse, dusted with shades of gray, tossed his head. His long mane flipped
about. The beast was a Spanish horse, with a thick chest to match his teeth,
and hooves that must have trampled many a foot soldier.
She
aimed glances at the beast. She stayed a safe distance from its wide head.
Caelan swung up with ease. He clasped her forearm. She grasped his arm, not
wanting to have her own yanked from her body. He lifted her and plopped her
across his firm legs. She raised her gaze from the hard ground to his chin.
Short, blond hair covered his blunt chin and softened the hardness of his face.
His breath breezed through her hair. She forced herself to look upward. His
bright blue eyes locked on her. Something stirred inside her, a mixture of
passion and fear. Not fear of him—never would she fear Caelan. Nay, it was an
uneasiness of what lay ahead. She had been schooled on how to be a wife, yet
before her husband, she was unsure of how to be the wife to Caelan.
He
tucked his forefinger under her chin, lifting her face closer to his lips.
Through her parted mouth, she drew in a sharp breath. Her lips began to tingle.
The corners of his eyes pinched. She waited for his mouth to touch her own. He
brushed his thumb across her lips.
“Hold tight, Brenna.” His voice
lowered to a caressing tone.
Unsure
if he spoke of waiting for a kiss or if to hold onto him, she gripped his
forearm. She pressed closer against him until their bodies melded against each
other. He was so deliciously warm. Her nose filled with a vibrant blend of
salty air, crisp greenery, a hint of smoke, and the evening air. She turned her
face toward him for a better sample of his fragrance. She promised herself to
remember this night. After all, this night was the beginning of her marriage.
It would be a great marriage, as she planned.
The
castle bridge appeared too quickly for her and before she got over her
disappointment, they had arrived in the courtyard. She pried her hands away
from him. His solid support was gone and her arms felt empty. The truth was,
she didn’t want to let him go. He might leave her again. Foolish thought—aye
since with the circumstances facing him he would never leave these lands.
His
large hands grasped her by the waist. A quick tightening and she was in the
air, and then on her feet. That was it? She glared at her husband. Caelan
stared down at her. His black pupils intensified the blue of his eyes. The
color wasn’t what captured her attention. It was the softening of them. The
corners of his eyes lost their hawk-like intensity. He swung down.
This
was her moment. She braced her hands on his chest and kissed him. His lips were
malleable, like the softest feather bed. His heat cloaked about her. He still
hadn’t touched her, yet nothing felt chaste about this caress. He tasted of the
fiery uisge beatha, the flavor dizzying her as
if she drank a cupful. He had kissed her before.
Not like this…not as a wife and a woman.
The
kiss broke. She sucked in choppy breaths. He ran his thumb over her trembling
lower lip. The corners of his mouth twitched. He grabbed the reins and headed
into the stable.
She
smiled into the darkness before she followed him. Either Caelan was a fast worker
or she had stayed outside longer than she thought, but he was wiping down the
Spanish mount. The large beast stood there as Caelan rubbed the cloth over the
flanks. His other hand trailed over the same path as the other. The gentle,
caring motion mesmerized her. These were the hands that had cut down men,
wielded a sword the same height as Brenna. Yet, they were as gentle as that of
a mother cradling her bairn.
When
he touched her…her lashes fell and a little sound came from the back of her
throat. Hopefully, he’d be more interested in her than the horse. Like the
laundry girl and the stable boy she caught behind the brewery. They had been
grunting, moaning. She couldn’t wait to do that with Caelan. After all, she had
been a bride for too long, and time called for her to be a wife.
He
led his mount to the stall. “Let’s feed you.
You need some substance.”
“Do you speak to me or the horse?
I have plenty of substance; however, you cannot see it under all this plaid.”
He
tilted his head as he ran his gaze over her. The slow, heated appraisal set her
afire. Little tremors quaked through her. She straightened, not one part of her
body wishing to be neglected under his regard. A half-smile tugged at his lips.
He palmed her hip. His gaze returned to hers. It felt like a slam to the heart.
“Let’s get you fed so we can add
to your substance.”
“Claiming the
Highlander” is available through:
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