Highlander in Her Dreams by Allie Mackay Read Free Book Online Page B

Euphemia McDougall these days and, yes, her stepdaughter, Mara, married a real live Highland chieftain. Sir Alexander Douglas, I believe Phemie called him. Their castle is somewhere near a place called Uban or something.”
    â€œOban,” Kira corrected her. “The gateway to the Hebrides. It’s on Scotland’s west coast. My tour years ago stopped there. We had a whole hour’s look at Dunstaffnage Castle.”
    â€œWell, dear, if ever you go back, I’m sure Phemie would give you Mara’s phone number and address. She’d surely be pleased to see you. Just—”
    She broke off as the doorbell trilled in the background. “That will be Lindsay. She made a batch of organic brownies for your father. Call if you need me.”
    â€œI will,” Kira said as her mother rang off.
    Not that her mother—or anyone—could help her with what she needed.
    Knowing she couldn’t even help herself in that regard, she put down the phone and began peeling off her rumpled clothes, making for the bathroom. Naked, she yanked back her thistle-covered shower curtain and made to step beneath the steaming, pounding spray.
    Until her phone rang again. Pausing, she listened as her answering machine clicked on and Destiny Magazine ’s executive editor’s voice rose above the sound of running water, the man’s tone giving her pause.
    Dan Hillard sounded excited.
    Kira, girl . His booming voice filled the bathroom. I know you’re in hiding and may even want to quit, but I’ve got a new assignment for you .
    â€œO-o-oh, no, you don’t.” Kira grabbed a towel and slung it around her as she hastened back into her bedroom to click off the machine. “Not for a while anyway.”
    This is one you won’t want to miss, Dan’s voice cajoled, almost as if he’d heard her. It’ll get you away from this media circus .
    Kira hesitated, her fingers hovering over the answering machine. Something in his voice was getting to her, making her heart skitter.
    Faraway, Kira. All expenses paid .
    She closed her eyes, breathed deeply, ready to reject—
    Another voice broke in, interrupting Dan. Come, lass, I’m waiting for you.
    Kira whirled around, the towel dropping to the floor. But only her empty bedroom stared back at her. Even if the echo of Aidan’s voice still rang her in ears. Dark, rich, and sexy, and so full of longing her knees weakened.
    He’d called to her.
    She was certain of it.
    Trembling, she stooped to pick up her towel, waiting for Dan to say something else. But he, too, was gone. Nothing remained of her boss or his cryptic message but the insistent little red light blinking on the answering machine.
    Not that she needed to hear the words.
    Her heart already knew.
    She was going to Scotland.

Chapter 2
    â€œCome, lass, I’m waiting for you. Burning for you.”
    Aidan MacDonald stood at the tall arch-topped window of his bedchamber, one hand clenched around his sword belt, the other clutching the tasseled edges of a richly embroidered tapestry proudly adorning his wall.
    A brilliantly colored display of bold knights and fair, half-naked ladies romping in a wood, their erotic playfulness so explicitly depicted that he could scarce bear looking at it.
    Truth be told, if his temper didn’t soon improve, he might just yank the thing from the wall and send it sailing out his window.
    Letting go of it, he shoved a hand through his hair and scowled. For well over a sennight, he’d been unable to reach his bruadar . The comely, well-made vixen of his dreams he’d glimpsed but once and ne’er been able to put from his mind.
    Or his heart.
    Not to mention what she did to his body.
    â€œHell and damnation.” He blew out a breath, the scent and feel of her haunting him. A bittersweet torment so real and vibrant he hurt inside. Ached with a deep, lancing pain that knew no healing.
    Not without her. Her soft, lush lips