The Chieftain's Yule Bride - a Highland Christmas novella (Clan MacKrannan's Secret Traditions #10) by Jonnet Carmichael

started it or where the portrait was.  He felt like a lad again, affeared to go further for now, with the promise of everything if he did things right.  He stoked up her want, lifting her jumper to reach the smooth skin of her back and caress her into forgetting any but him.  She did the same to his back and he felt it run through him.  Like a couple of teenagers they were, with their tentative touches nowhere too intimate, giving their all to the kissing and breathing hard and forgetting what time it was or where they were.
    It was the torment of feeling her chest heaving against him that did him in.  His hand reached higher to the fastening of her bra, and with a quick twist it came free just as his other hand went up her front ready to accept the prize.  The breast that filled his hand was warm and luscious and he brushed his thumb lightly over her peak. She melted then, moaning against his mouth as her nipple stiffened harder than an unripe berry.  He thought he'd spill in his trousers like an amateur, and might have done if the sound of the back door closing had no' brought them both to their senses.
    "Turn round..." he whispered.
    She did his bidding and he fastened her bra with shaking fingers.  The noise of a kettle being filled told them that Isla had stayed in the kitchen, yet she must have seen the lights on in here.
    "I'm making a pot of tea..." came the call.  "Or would you rather have whisky?"
    He stayed behind when Freya went through.  Unfit to be seen in company, he was, far worse than at the restaurant.  After this he'd be wearing his kilt the whole time he was near her, and was bloody glad he'd packed it.
    They joined him in the parlor, Freya carrying a silver tray of glasses and Isla carrying a bottle of single malt with which she was a generous pourer.
    The amber fire hit a spot in Callum's gullet he hadn't realised needed it, relaxing him enough to join in the conversation about Isla's class.
    Astronomy was never his best subject but he could hold his own.  The Wisdom of the Cosmos had been drilled into him since infancy by the Elders, and he'd to be careful to keep from divulging any of their advanced teachings.  He was more interested in listening to Freya's views anyway, and heard much on her balancing her inner self with the universe while jetting about the planet and worrying about the color of cushions.
    "Auntie, I'm going to Orkney tomorrow to find out more about the Harpers. Callum's coming with me."
    Isla had taken a slurp at the word Orkney and now put her glass down and rose from her seat.  "Wait there."
    She was back in seconds carrying a tube in seasonal wrapping.  "Fancy me knowing what you'd want from Santa this year.  Folks seldom appreciate this until they hit forty at least, but there you go.  When the Runes speak, the wise do what they're told, so I did."

There was something passed between the women then, a hint of triumph from Isla and a flash of dissent from Freya, but the lass let it go and pulled the wrap off.  Inside the tube was a family tree chart going back many generations and dwindling down to very few alongside Freya.  He was left holding it while the women hugged each other.
    "Takes away the fun of doing it yourself," said Isla, "But oh, my girl, when would you ever get the time in your line of work?"
    "It's perfect.  Thank you, Auntie!  Will you look after the portrait while we're away, please?"
    Isla glanced towards the hallway and gave a satisfied smile, much like the tabby cat on the hearth rug who chose that moment to lie on its back and stretch. 
    "Indeed I will.  You'll have made all your bookings, have you?"
    There was a bit of that question missing, the part which said while I was out.  Isla Harper knew damned fine what him and Freya had been doing instead, and her twinkling grin said she was simpering pleased about it.
    He stood up and brought out his phone.  "I'll get onto that now."
    "Could you give Auntie your number, Callum?  I'm still