Page 42 of Forbidden Bond

“I won’t hide anything from you…” Linking their fingers on one hand, she drew them up until they were palm to palm. “Except…”

Snatching her chin, he wrenched her head back to a painful angle. “No caveats, no conditions. You don’t hide anything from me.”

“It was telling you everything that caused this. You have enough going on with the McDades. My mess almost took you from them.”

“We’ve been through this.”

No way she’d let him brush this off like it was nothing.

“How can you forgive me? Why would you want to? The McDades need you—”

“You need me.”

No part of her could deny that. “I exposed you, dragged you around the McDade shield, made you vulnerable. This was my fault. I forced you through your defenses—”

“Cushla Machree…” His fingertips skimmed down the front of her throat. “How the fuck do you do this to me?”

A question he didn’t want answered. It didn’t have one, not that she knew. Whatever it was, she hoped to keep doing it forever.

There was so much to say. The ground they had to cover seemed insurmountable.

“At my grandpapa’s—”

“Later, Macushla. Rest.”

She caught his wrist. “Then take me to our bed.”

No way she’d be separated from him again. It still didn’t seem real that her guy was there, talking to her.

“This is where you heal.”

No. “I’m cured,” she said, raising his hand to her face. “Don’t let me out of your sight. I am your kingdom. Please.”

And that was exactly the button to push. It gave him the permission he wanted. What she needed, and the only way she’d heal, was with him.

Snagging his fingers between hers, he led her out into a large office, desk angled to the right, double doors behind it.

A round table, couches—he guided her behind the desk and opened the double doors. A bed, black silk with the occasional spot of red. Yes, this was their domain.

Her restraint strained against its want to let go and leap on, to declare this conquered land her territory. With everythinggoing on, and how they’d got there, too much exuberance didn’t seem appropriate.

She pulled back the covers to climb into bed without letting go of him. “Can you join me?”

Releasing their connection, he grazed the back of his fingers down her jaw. “Rest.”

He kissed her hairline and left her alone to scoot to the middle of the bed. He’d wanted to give her up, thought they were over. All this turmoil had a crucial consequence. When they got to talking, she’d make a few things clear.

“Mo Grá?” He paused on the threshold. “Thank you.”

The curiosity in his eyes touched hers for only a moment. He went out, closing one of the doors and leaving the other slightly ajar. To ensure she didn’t run away? Or to prove he trusted her to eavesdrop?

A door beyond the room opened and closed, after a few seconds, Niall’s voice rose.

“Aye?” the lieutenant asked the enigmatic question.

“Aye,” her guy said.

Were they really going to do this again?

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