Annella bumped down with Cherub inside Alec’s darkened, moonlit chamber, the air rippling over the blue curtains pushed back either side of his tall window. His room remained similar to when she’d last seen it, his plush black fur cover rumpled on one side of his bed, his sheets all tossed about. She set her traveling sack down on the luxurious white carpet near his wall-mounted television and touched the scarred wood in the paneled wall where he’d impaled her arm to it. He’d thrust the weapon unmercifully fast, but that she’d never hold against him, not when she’d asked him to cut her.

To his window, she wandered and gripped the windowsill. Below in the inner courtyard, all remained quiet and she pushed the window open and caught the slight thwack of an axe striking wood somewhere deep within the night-shrouded forest. Tonight, the treetops shone a silvery hue under the golden orb of the moon and she breathed deep, took in Scotland’s freshest air and firmed her resolve. She would take on her mate and without any hesitation. “Is that him chopping wood?”

“Let me check with Kirk to be certain. He’s on guard along the battlements, will know if that is Alec.” Cherub touched her head as she opened her merged link with Kirk. She conversed with her mate then nodded. “Aye, that’s your chosen one, out deep in the forest.”

“Then I shall go and confront him there.” She crossed to the door and together they walked downstairs and outside into the gravelly courtyard.

“Should you need me, call out and I’ll come.” Cherub hugged her then glanced up at Kirk where he stood in his kilt and white tunic silhouetted with the moon shining bright behind him. “I’ll be with my mate should you need me.”

“Thank you.” With a deep breath, she marched under the raised portcullis then followed the stony pathway sweeping around to the rear of the castle, her hand on the hilt of her ever-present belted sword. The forest rose high beyond a— She stumbled to a stop. Strange contraptions with wheels and shiny coats in a myriad of vivid colors sat side by side within the clearing she’d entered. How unusual. What were these beasts? She trekked toward the first enclosed cart and stroked one finger over the glass window then along the edge of one smooth, painted side. Metal. Incredible. This contraption must be one of this time’s conveyances, and with its fortified strength it would surely be able to repel arrows or the strike of a warrior’s blade when one sat fully encased within. How clever. Only where were the necessary attachments so the horses could be secured to the front? Frowning, she wandered around the wagon then stuck her nose against the glass window at the front. Inside, luxurious and heavily padded seats took pride of place front and back, along with a small wheel at arm-height before the front seat. What a strange place to put a wheel.

“Those are called vehicles.” A giggle echoed toward her from high on the battlements and Cherub leaned over the crenellation with a grin, Kirk standing guard at her back. “Alec’s that-away.” She pointed toward the worn trail leading through the thick line of pines. “Off you go.”

“Of course.” She’d inspect these vehicles a little more later. With a wave, she trod past the conveyances and into the forest, jumped over the odd trailing tree root and toward the resounding hammering of an axe.

In a small clearing surrounded by trees, her chosen one stood, his biceps rippling as he swung his axe down on a log. Wood splintered with the sheer force of his strike, the moonlight shimmering over his bare chest, his skin all sweaty and glistening, his heavy muscles contracting and well-defined abs making her suck in one very necessary breath. Goodness, her man looked completely edible in those black leather pants which clung to his powerful thighs and rode low on his trim hips. Patting her racing heartbeat, she embraced the heady mix of desire and need rolling through her. With one slow but sure step, she moved out from under the trees. “Good evening.”

Alec halted mid-strike, his legs planted wide and arms raised high, his axe firm in his powerful grip. He lifted his head, locked gazes with her, his golden shifter eyes blazing bright in the moonlight, then he snarled something wicked. “What the hell are you doing back?”

“’Tis lovely to see you too.” She’d stand strong, never allow him to rattle her. Ambling across the lush grass dotted with the odd yellow flower, she halted in front of him.

“I’m not asleep, so either you’ve infiltrated someone else’s dreams to get to me, or you’ve traveled through one of Cherub’s portals.”

“Aye, you’re such a clever bear. I’ve come with Cherub and now stand afore you in the flesh.” She pulled her collar to the side and angled her neck toward him. Entice him, she would. “If you wish to bite me, this mark will stay. Does that sound tempting?”

“Hardly, and cover yourself up.” One narrowed glare as he slammed his axe through the wood. “Why are you here?”

She released her collar, flicked her braid back over her shoulder and walked around him in a slow circle. “Cherub, Kirk, and I will be leaving at first light on the morrow for our enemy’s land, to the place where Father and Ronan were captured by Duncan MacKenzie.”

“And what has that got to do with me?” Every muscle in his body tensed, his stance rigid as he raised his axe again.

“I’ve come to ask you a favor.” Standing at his back, she ran one finger from hip to hip along the top of his pants. “I still cannae reach Father or Ronan in the dream realm, which means Kirk will need to track their scents from Duncan’s campsite. Two trackers would be better than one, particularly since a couple of days have passed since they were taken. I would also like the best tracker there is to be at my side during the hunt. That tracker would be you.”

“You can’t have me.” He lowered the axe headfirst onto the grass, his palm firm around the wooden shaft’s end as he slowly turned around and faced her.

“I’m aware of that.” She stroked over his broad shoulders, leaned in and blew a warm breath across his damp chest holding a smattering of hair. Touching him in this way soothed her, so very much. “Cherub has searched the Chief of MacKenzie’s castle on the shores of Loch Alsh, but there is no sign of Duncan or my kin there, which means Duncan must have taken them either to his own stronghold, of which I’ve heard about but am unaware of where it is, or some other place. ’Twill no’ be an easy task to find them, no’ if I cannae find them in the dream realm first.”

“You still can’t have me.”

“Please, Alec. I need your aid and I will do whatever you ask to secure it.” With her entire savings in her pocket, she removed her pouch of coins and handed it to him. She would give her entire life if she could to see her kin safely returned to her, as well as all that she was. “That is all I have. Please accept it.”

* * * *

An owl hooted in the distance and echoed all around as Alec stared at his mate then the pouch of coins she’d handed him. Hell, he was the worst lout for making her think she needed to offer him actual money to secure his aid. He gripped her hand, gently placed the pouch back in her palm and closed her fingers around it then looking into her eyes, muttered, “You’re impossible.”

“I need my kin returned to me. I love them, would gladly go to my grave if they’ve gone from this world, but until I know for certain, I will remain here on this Earth and continue my search for them. Please, say aye. I need your aid in finding them. If this isnae enough, then name your price and I’ll try to pay it.”

This was his chance to exact the only price he wanted. “If I come, you must give me your word that once your kin are safe again, you’ll find another man and wed him.”

“What?” Pain and anguish flared in her gaze, her heartache at his demand clear to see. “You hold the other half of my soul, just as I hold the other half of yours. You’ve just asked of me the one thing I can never give. Accepting another over you is impossible.”

“I want you to try.”

“Nay.” She thrust the pouch at him again. “Take it. I’ll find a way to secure more coin.”

“Damn it, woman. I won’t take your money, no matter how much you give me.” He pushed her hand away.

“Then ask me for anything else, only not that I lie with another man and dishonor our bond in such a way.” Tears pooled in her eyes and his heart nearly clenched in on itself at seeing her sheer pain. Pain, he’d damn well caused her.

He was such an idiot. He wanted to kick himself. Hurting his chosen one was the last thing he wished to do, and now he’d gone and done it without even laying a hand on her. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you to choose another man over me.” He swiped another log from the pile and thumped it on top of the chopping block, her deliciously enchanting fragrance swirling all about and tantalizing him beyond measure. His bear raged at him to take her and his hunger flared with brutal strength inside him. Teeth gritted, he swung his axe and brought it down on the log, drove it into the wood over and over until all that remained was the odd splinter on the block. “I’ll come.”

“You will?” She grasped his arm, lifted up on her toes and kissed his cheek, the smile on her face one he wanted to memorize and never forget. “Truly?”

“Truly, provided you obey every one of my orders from this moment forth. First, you’re to cease touching me.”

“Completely?” She frowned, so damn endearingly.

“Completely and utterly.”

“You strike a hard bargain.”

“Give me your word. No touching.” He wouldn’t back down on that request.

“What if you were hurt and needed my aid? I would need to touch you.” Hunkered down, she picked up the wood he’d chopped and tossed it into the barrow.

“Then touching is only permitted within reason. You’re also to call me Captain, not your mighty bear or any other endearment. That’ll help you to remember who’s leading this trek to find your kin.”

“You wish to place boundaries between us, to keep me firmly from you?”

“Exactly.”

“We are soul bound, although I shall try to follow your orders, but only those within reason.” She gripped the wheelbarrow’s handles. “I’ll take this load to the woodshed. Is that permissible, Captain?”

“Very. Be gone from my sight until we leave.”

“Again, that is an unreasonable request.” With a far too sensual swish of her hips, she disappeared into the trees.

How the hell had she so easily gotten him to accept her request for his aid? He could have sent any one of his kinsmen along with her. Cherub and Kirk would already be at her side on the trek and even though he might be their clan’s best tracker, Kirk was still damn good at what he did and could handle any hunt on his own.

Axe in hand, he chopped wood then groaned when she returned. She filled up the wheelbarrow a second time and walked off once more, her long golden tresses pulled tightly back into a braid that swayed all the way to her tiny waist. His fingers itched to wind that braid around his hand, to tug her up against him and keep her pinned in place while he ravaged her mouth with his. She was here, his mate, and in her physical form. He’d never caressed her true flesh and damn it, he longed to.

Thwack. Thwack.

The coming days would be a nightmare as he searched for her kin, and with her in such close reach, he’d need to enforce definite lines between them and ensure she didn’t cross even one, which clearly she’d already done and would likely continue to do.

“Are we going to be out here all night chopping firewood?” She set the wheelbarrow down and piled more wood into it, wiped the back of her hand across her glistening forehead. She even sweated beautifully. “I have no’ slept much these past few days and wish to be at my most alert during our search.”

“Sure. I’ve finished here. We’ll catch some rest.” The dark circles under her eyes gave testament to her lack of sleep and as her mate, even though he had no intention of claiming her, everything within him still demanded he see to her care. He scooped up his discarded shirt, tossed it over one shoulder, set the axe on top of the wood in the barrow, gripped the handles and pushed it down the trail. “I’ll need to secure you a chamber for the night, although I’ll need to wake the chief’s wife to do so. I have no idea which chamber might be free.”

“There’s no need to wake her. I’m quite happy to sleep in the great hall on my plaid.” She walked beside him as he bumped the front wheel over the trailing tree roots. “Or on the plush carpet in your chamber. That too would do quite well for my needs.”

He’d never allow his mate to sleep in the great hall where any number of his clansmen—and mostly unmated clansmen—might stumble upon her. “No, you can take my bed and I’ll sleep on the settee.” He could deal with that.

“Are you certain?”

“It’s late. You’ll take my bed, and that’s an order.” He dodged the creeping undergrowth crowding the trail, emerged from the forest and set the barrow down inside the woodshed then marched toward the postern gate as his mate walked beside him and yawned. “You shouldn’t have allowed yourself to get this tired, Annella.”

“My father and brother would say the same.” She stopped next to the center well draped in ivy and picked up the wooden ladle from within the swaying pail and sipped from it. She scooped up a second ladleful and held it out to him. “Are you thirsty, Captain?”

“Sure.” He gulped the water then tipped what remained in the pail over his head and shook the drops from his hair, pressed one hand to the small of her back and urged her across the courtyard and up the front step. The vest of soft black leather she wore over her cream tunic matched her black breeches which hugged every inch of her sweetly curved backside, a backside he shouldn’t be looking at. He adjusted his suddenly too tight pants, stomped up the stairs and opened his chamber door for her.

“Thank you.” She swished inside.

“Don’t thank for opening a damn door.” Door slammed shut, he flicked on his bedroom light, walked into his bathroom and hit that switch too. Shower lever snapped up, he tossed his shirt into the corner wicker basket and kicked off his boots.

“Oh my, that is the largest looking glass I’ve ever beheld.” She stood in the doorway eying his ceiling-high mirror over the black marble vanity top. “One can almost see their entire self in it.”

“We call them mirrors in this time.”

“Hmm, mirrors. An apt name.” She crossed the bathroom and with one hand resting on the glass shower side, ogled the water streaming from the shower head. “Incredible. What do you call this glassed enclosure?”

“A shower. Water travels through metal pipes within the walls and comes out the spout. You adjust the lever on the wall and set the heat to whatever you’d like. Hot or cold or anywhere else in between. It offers water of any temperature.” He motioned toward the door. “Out you go.”

“I’ve never partaken of a shower afore and I wouldnae mind one.” Weapons set aside, she tugged off her knee-high boots, pants and vest and standing only in her cream shirt, nodded at him. “You go first. I’ll follow.”

“You can’t shower with me.” Hell, she’d stripped off so fast he hadn’t had a chance of halting her, had lost his tongue the second she’d pulled the ties on her breeches loose.

“Of course I can. Me and my fellow warriors often bathe together in the loch bordering our warrior encampment. This shower is no different to that, just in a more confined space.” She stepped inside under the spray and twirled about. “See, there is plenty of room in here for two.”

“You agreed to following my orders.”

“Aye, those within reason.”

“You’re being beyond unreasonable right this second.” Still, he stepped inside after her in his pants, heaved the door shut and rattled the glass sides as he did. If other men had bathed with her, then so would he. “Pass me the soap.”

“This warm water is glorious.” She plucked the bar of soap off the recessed shelf and built a lather in her hands before handing it to him. Gently, she pressed her hands to his neck, right over the marks she’d given him and rubbed.

“Do you soap your fellow warriors as well?”

“Nay, never, but you’re different.” She lifted up on her toes and ran more of the bubbles through his hair. “You I’m permitted to touch even though we’ll never complete the bond.”

“You know why we can’t complete the bond.” Clearly, she wasn’t going to obey his order not to touch, and right now, with her looking so tired, he didn’t have the heart to keep reminding her of his request. It may have been a slightly unreasonable one, possibly.

“Aye, because you’re a stubborn man with an equally stubborn bear.” She plucked the blue silk ribbon from the end of her hair and unraveled her braid, dipped her head back under the spray and softly sighed as the water ran through her locks and down her front.

He didn’t dare look down, not when all he could envision was the thin cream cotton of her tunic plastered to her skin. Instead, he grasped her waist and turned her around so she faced the wall then gulped. Her wet shirt clung to her back as well, followed the curvy contours of her bottom and from there the hem hung loose, her gorgeous legs on full display. “Don’t move.”

Shampoo bottle in hand, he squirted a dollop into his palm then gently worked the bubbles through her wet hair, the silky strands sliding so sensuously through his fingers. He likely shouldn’t be doing this, only his idiotic hands were acting of their own accord and he couldn’t seem to stop them.

“Mmm, that feels wonderful.” She leaned back against him, her head resting on his shoulder as she closed her eyes and tipped her head to one side. Her creamy neck glistened and his teeth ached. All he wanted to do was bite her, to have his mark stamped on her skin for all to see.

He cupped her hips and swung her around. “Tip your head back and wash the bubbles out.”

“Aye, Captain.” Yawning, she did as he requested, the bubbles swishing down her body and pooling around her tiny toes. “This shower is making me feel all cozy and warm.”

Cozy and warm was the last thing he felt. As horny as hell, was. He shoved his head under the water, rinsed his body, turned the lever off and opened the door. From the heated towel rail, he swiped a fluffy white towel and smothered her in it, grabbed one for himself and while wrapping it around his waist and dripping water from the bottom of his pants, stalked to his bedroom. Alone, at least for the moment, he shucked his pants, and from his tall chest of drawers grabbed a clean pair in a dark green and tied the laces at his waist.

“Are you decent?” She peeked around the corner, those sparks of gold rimming her eyes, twinkling. “Oh, you’re already far too decent.”

“Come in.” He dried his hair as she wandered toward her canvas bag propped against the wall, her towel wrapped around her now nude body and her wet tunic in one hand. Her damp hair stuck to her back as she crouched, foraged within her bag and nabbed a dry tunic. “Could you turn around?” She stood and twirled one finger in a motion that mimicked her request. “I would like to change.”

“Sure.” He did and waited as a wet plop sounded then cotton swished.

“I’m done.”

He turned around and nodded. She was presentable, her dry tunic dangling to her about mid-thigh.

“Thank you for the lovely shower. I shall forever remember taking one with you.”

“I’ll hang your shirt and that towel on the heated rail. Both will be dry in the morning.”

“Wonderful.” She handed the items across.

“Hit the sack.” He motioned toward his bed. “And that’s an order. Daybreak is just around the corner and we have a long day of tracking ahead of us.”

“’Tis a very large bed you have.” She straightened his black fur bedcover and plumped the pillows then shuffled under the sheets and sighed as she wriggled about. “Mmm you have the softest mattress. Are you sure you wish to sleep on the settee? There is plenty of room in your bed for both of us.”

“I’m absolutely certain.” He hung her shirt up to dry in the bathroom, combed his wet hair, brushed his teeth and snagged his plaid from his wardrobe while she watched him from his bed, which she looked far too enticing within. Her damp hair lay spread across his pillow and the fur cover sat tucked right up under her chin.

“Would you like a pillow?”

“Sure, toss me one.” He laid down, his bare feet dangling over the blue suede settee’s far armrest then caught the pillow one-handed when she lobbed it to him. “Turn the light switch off. It’s right above your head.”

“This one?” She pointed to it.

“Aye, it flicks down to go on, and up to go off.”

“Oh, I see.” She flicked it up and plunged the room into darkness. “I wish you a good night’s rest, Captain.”

“No talking is permitted once the lights are out.”

“But—”

“That’s an order. Go to sleep.”

* * * *

“All right, all right. You are such a grumpy one.” Annella couldn’t help but giggle at her feisty mate. He seemed resolute at keeping her at a distance, but since this might be the only chance she had to convince him that doing so wasn’t a good idea, and tired or not, she intended to take it. She relaxed back into his mattress and went to open her mouth to speak, only her belly rumbled. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Ignore that.”

“When was the last time you ate?” Lowly muttered words.

“I’m no’ sure. ’Tis impossible to eat when all one does is worry for their kin, but content I am right in this moment. You have agreed to help me and brought a sense of happiness back to my soul in doing so. Tomorrow, we will track my kin and soon we shall find them. That is all I need for nourishment.”

“In my bedside drawer is a chocolate bar. At least eat a piece or two. It’ll help curb your hunger until the morning.”

“What’s a chocolate bar?” She’d never heard of the foreign word before.

“A high energy hit of decadent sweetness. My bear likes chocolate.”

“I would like to try it.” His bedside drawer beckoned and she opened it and foraged within, the moonlight providing just enough light to see by. She ran one finger over a beautiful, red leather-bound book and a strange looking rectangular device sitting on top of it. The device was as big as her hand yet half as slim. Fascinating. Flattened glass lay on one side while cool metal lay on the other. Curiosity strong, she picked it up. “What’s this?”

“A cell phone. Touch the button on the side and it’ll light up.”

She did and the device flared to life. Oh, good gracious. She squealed, jerked and toppled right out of the bed. On the floor, the device still alight within her fisted grip, she could barely breathe through the shock of what lay before her very eyes. “T-there is a forest contained inside this tiny thing. A small forest, but a forest all the same. How do we get it out?”

“It’s just a picture of a forest no matter that it looks strikingly real.” Chuckling, he trod across the carpet and held out his hand for it. “Pass it here, sprite.”

“You told me to touch the button.”

“I did, and it’s good to see you have quick reflexes. Cell phones can sometimes break when you drop them. Make sure you never do.”

“My reflexes are just fine. You should have warned me about your device, no’ told me to touch the button.” She slapped his cell phone into his hand and pushed to her feet. “Show me this chocolate bar, and no more surprises.”

“One moment.” Still chuckling, he pushed another button on the side of his device and it beeped and went dark. He set it down on his bedside table then from his drawer, pulled out a large slab of something wrapped in shiny purple paper with words stamped all over it. From the top row, he snapped off some pieces. “Here you go.”

“Are you sure this is ‘decadent sweetness?’” Since he appeared in a strangely mischievous mood, she’d best check.

“Taste it and see. I dare you too.” A glimmer lit his eyes and she accepted his offering and turned the hard brown thing over in her hands.

“It looks like no food I’ve ever beheld.”

“Once you’ve eaten chocolate, you’ll crave it as badly as I do.” He broke off a row for himself, popped a square in his mouth and moaned, his eyes closed and sheer joy flashing across his face.

Taste it she would if it invoked that kind of reaction from him. She reached up and touched her mouth to his, licked across his lower lip and the trace of chocolate smeared along it. Oh my, so good. She urged his lips apart and kissed him, gloried in the taste of both him and the smoothest, sweetest chocolate. ’Twas beyond decadent.

“Annella.” He rumbled her name against her lips. “You’re not supposed to taste it directly from me.”

“More,” she whispered and shoved against his chest. The backs of his knees hit the mattress and he toppled back onto the bed and she crawled on top of him, popped one of the squares he’d given her into his mouth then kissed him again, the taste of chocolate and virile man swarming her senses. “This is delicious. I love your chocolate.”

“I’m never going to be able to eat another piece without remembering this damn moment.” With his teeth, he bit off another square from his row.

She grinned and hands planted either side of his head, leaned in and licked his lips once more. “Feed me a piece.” She opened her mouth and he slid a chunk between her lips and she rolled her tongue around it. “Mmm, so exquisite.”

“You’re the exquisite one.” He flipped her onto her back and over top of her, fed her another piece then buried his head at her neck and razzed his teeth over her skin.

She moaned and rocked underneath him. Would he bite her? She desperately wanted him to. She clutched his shoulders, her nails digging in deep then he sank his teeth into her neck and fierce pleasure coursed through her, wave after wave that she desperately needed more of. “Do that again,” she whispered. “Give me more.”

“I shouldn’t be doing this.” He swept around to the other side of her neck, plucked the ties of her V neckline open, his chin bumping the upper swells of her breasts as he nipped her flesh, each of his bites a mark of claim she craved. “Stay still,” he whispered, his breath a hot brand against her flesh.

She couldn’t, didn’t have a chance of doing so. She wrapped her legs around his waist to keep him imprisoned on top of her, speared her fingers through his midnight-black locks as he lifted her breasts free of her tunic. He eased them together and gently sucked one nipple deep inside his mouth, flicked the tip with his tongue and made her moan for more.

“Tell me to stop.” He razzed his teeth over her other nipple and heat surged through her, shot straight to her core and pooled between her thighs. He lifted his head, dragged in a deep breath, his gaze swirling with desire. “You smell incredible.”

“You should do whatever you please, because this certainly pleases me.” She cupped his head in her hands, drew his mouth back to her breasts. “I love the feel of your mouth on mine, your lips touching other parts of me. I want more of it.”

“I shouldn’t be giving into you like this.” He suctioned his mouth around her wet aureole and played the tip to perfection with his clever tongue. “Except I have nearly no willpower when it comes to you.”

“You have far too much—oh, good, so good.” She cried out as sheer pleasure stormed through her and she rocked her hips against his, the hard length of his leather-clad manhood poking her between her thighs. She wriggled, until the head of his shaft brushed against her entrance. Perfect. He felt so sublime on top of her and she wanted even more, whatever he was prepared to give. “There is something just beyond my reach, but I dinnae know what it is.”

“I know what you need.” He gripped her thighs, pressed his leg higher into her crotch and urged her to move on him. Pleasure coursed swiftly through her, swept her away on a tide of wonder. Never had she ever known such decadence as this. She was his, whether he wished to claim her or not.

“That feels sublime.” A tight need for more built deep inside her. “More, Alec.”

“I’m here.” He hissed out a breath and gave her even more friction. He eased one hand down her body and underneath the hem of her tunic before sliding his finger along the seam of her womanhood and swirling around her nub. Having him touch her so intimately, felt so very right.

Breathless, she rubbed against him harder, clamped her mouth on the soft skin of his neck and dizzy with need, bit down and marked him just as she desired. He bucked against her, roared and sank his teeth into her neck in return, then with one swipe of his finger across her nub below, white-hot pleasure struck her, ricocheted outward from her core and sent her flying far beyond her body, her mate atop her jerking and groaning as his own pleasure soared through him.

As she slowly came back down, she sucked on his neck and laved his skin. Sweet heaven. She’d just flown to the stars and at her mate’s hand no less. He’d saturated her in pleasure, and all she wanted to do was hold onto him and never let him go.

“Are you all right?” Soft words in her ear.

“Very.” Panting, she opened her eyes. “I love chocolate.”

“So do I, but it appears it’s not only decadent, but also dangerous to consume.” He popped another square into his mouth then slipped the last piece between her lips, fixed and straightened her tunic then lifted himself from her. He dusted his hands against his sides and gazed somewhere over her head. “We won’t be consuming that again. Do you want to use the bathroom first?”

“Aye, I would, please.” She pushed to her feet, swayed a little but managed to slip past him and closed the bathroom door after herself. Leaning against the solid wood door, she breathed slowly in and out while in the mirror above the basin, her reflection showed her dreamy, heavy-lidded eyes and mussed hair. Her mate certainly knew how to make her head spin. She craved him, of lying with him without a stitch of clothing between them, of him making love to her and completing their bond. A dream for now, but one she’d work incredibly hard at making a reality. Of course she wasn’t like other women and hadn’t been since the moment she’d lost her mother and instead donned lad’s clothing so she might remain at her father’s side, but if Alec could see through those layers and to her true heart, then she’d do all she possibly could to ensure his happiness.

At the vanity, she opened a drawer and removed a comb. She tidied her hair, braided the long length then fetched her ribbon, which lay in a puddle on the floor of his shower where she’d dropped it earlier and secured it at the end. Done, she opened the door and came face to face with her chosen one. “Your turn.”

“Thank you.” He eased past her and disappeared within.

Back under the covers, she waited and finally he opened the door and in the dark, stomped back to the settee, dropped down and hauled his plaid over his head.

“That,” he muttered, “will never happen again.”

“That,” she murmured, her smile wide, “was a true treat. Thank you, my mighty bear.”