Page 23 of Tara's Warriors

“Uh, yeah, nice to meet y’all, as well,” Melinda stammered, blushing furiously. “Y’all aren’t from ‘round here, are you?”

“No,” Karwin replied. “We are from Poland.”

“Poland?” Melinda openly eyed them up and down then swallowed hard. “Huh.”

Tara caught Phin’s gaze and flushed all over, her nipples growing pert and her skin sensitive beneath the soft, warm breeze.

“So!” Melinda said suddenly. “I better get back to my husband and kids. Tara, you have fun tonight, sugar. The girls were talking about going to the waterpark tomorrow. Since Jillian is spending the night tonight, you mind if we bring her along, and you can pick her up tomorrow evening? Bet you could use some time to yourself.”

At her cousin’s not so subtle hints, Tara arched a brow, but she said, “That would be great. Did you need me to drop off a bathing suit for her?”

“No, I have some of Nikki’s suits from last year that’ll fit Jillian just fine.” Melinda patted her arm and gave her a big, shit eating grin. “Have fun! Phin, Karwin, it was nice meeting you. Call me later, Tara.”

Taking a big sip of her drink to hide her embarrassment, Tara avoided looking at them as she said, “You guys hungry? Want a tour of the town? Maybe look at some of the art booths?”

“You’re nervous,” Phin said as he looked down at her. “Don’t be.”

Ducking her head to hide her blush, she pretended to brush something off her skirt. “I’m not nervous.”

Warm, big fingers gently reached beneath her chin and tilted her head up. She found herself staring into Karwin’s lovely eyes, the sky a deep midnight blue above his head with streaks of clouds burning orange and gold high above him. He softly caressed her chin with his rough fingertips. Little chills of pleasure prickled over her as she took in his savage beauty.

“You have nothing to fear with us, myalyah, ever,” Karwin murmured.

“Okay,” she whispered back.

He leaned closer, and she was sure he was going to kiss her.

So sure, she closed her eyes and subsequently almost got knocked on her butt as Jillian barreled into her legs. She probablywouldhave fallen on her butt, if Phin and Karwin didn’t brace her. Each man put an arm around her waist as she was pressed into their bodies. Held tight against them, she had a moment to register how decadent it felt to be in their arms.

“Grammy!” Jillian’s excited voice cut through Tara’s desire like a knife. “Auntie Melinda said we’re going to Safari Swim tomorrow!”

Regaining her footing, she smiled down at Jillian. “So I heard.”

Jillian seemed to realize for the first time her grandma wasn’t alone, because she craned her little neck back and stared way up at Phin and Karwin.

“Hi,” she said while waving her wand at them, fearless in every way. “My name is Jillian, who are you?”

Karwin and Phin both squatted down next to Tara, one on each side as they smiled brightly at Jillian.

“Hello, little one,” Karwin said in a voice so warm and kind it made Tara want to cuddle up with him. “I am Karwin, and it is my great joy to meet you.”

Phin reached out and gently tucked a piece of Jillian’s long hair back behind her ear and out of her face. “And I am Phin. You have a very pretty wand.”

Giggling, Jillian said, “It’s a magic wand. It can make wishes come true.”

“That is truly a powerful tool,” Karwin said in a grave voice. “You must be very strong to wield it.”

“Grammy,” Jillian looked up with a small frown on her rosebud lips, “What does wield mean?”

“It means to hold something and use it, like a sword.”

“Ohhhhh,” Jillian’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “I want a sword.”

Laughing, Tara ruffled her hair, “I already told you, no real swords, not until you’re older.”

Karwin, still kneeling, winked at Jillian. “I got my first sword when I was around your age. My father’s rule was, if I could lift it, I could learn how to swing it so I did not cut my leg off.”

“See,” Jillian turned her big, puppy dog eyes on Tara who was immune to her granddaughter’s powers of cuteness. “I need a sword so I don’t cut my leg off.”

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