Page 6 of Desire

“Your pants, please, Liam.”

“Kellen, you are the most unique woman I have ever met,” he said as I listened to the rustle of his clothes.

“The world is filled with interesting women. You’ve simply been looking in the wrong places.”

“Such as this glade filled with my brothers?”

“Precisely.” Material weighted my palm, and I took his pants and quickly stepped into them. They fit me just as loosely as they’d fit him, drowning out any hint of femininity I possessed. Without any underthings, the coarser material scratched my inner thighs as I tied the strings. I knew I would grow accustomed to it, though.

Removing my shift, even with my back to him, made my heart race.

“Shirt please,” I managed, holding out my hand again.

Instead of placing it in my hand, he brought it over my head. His fingers skimmed down my bare sides as he lowered the tunic and clasped my arms through the material, pinning them. He rested his forehead on the top of my head and exhaled heavily.

I held still, unsure what he meant to do. He released my arms and hugged me from behind. I could feel our size differences then. How the back of my head touched his neck. How his chest met my shoulders. How his bare hips met my back.

His hold didn’t feel lewd or wanton but tender and heartfelt.

“Edmund isn’t angry that you hit him,” Liam said softly, his breath teasing my neck just as his brother’s had. “Do you know why?”

I shook my head.

“He said your response to him was worth the pain.” Liam’s lips brushed my temple. “We all care about you, Kellen. We will keep you safe. Always. And you never need fear us. If Edmund is being an ass, speak it, and we will set him straight. Don’t hurt yourself again to reprimand one of us for poor behavior.”

His admission of how much they cared wrecked the hold I had on my emotions before I even knew what was happening. Light flared behind me.

“Liam, don’t.”

“It’s okay, Kellen. You’re not hurting me. I promise.”

He dipped his head and kissed the same spot Edmund had. A soft gasp escaped me, and I cursed myself as a wanton woman as I tilted my head to enjoy the sensation.

“This is wrong,” I said.

“Allowing you to dress as a man to keep you safe or asking me to pretend to be a woman?”

I snorted a laugh. He chuckled against my skin then withdrew to simply hold me again. The glow faded as I carefully regained control.

“Be safe, Kellen. That is all we ask of you.”

“Are you certain that is all you are asking?” After all, I’dfelthis desire.

“Well, Edmund and Brandle would be grateful if you stopped abusing their persons, but the rest of us have quietly enjoyed seeing you best them.”

“You’re as incorrigible as the rest,” I said, shaking my head.

Liam kissed my temple again and released me so I could thread my arms through the sleeves of the borrowed tunic.

Once I finished, he turned me toward the door, careful to remain behind me, and handed me a cap.

“Do not forget. You are me,” he said.

“I almost wish I could be here to see their faces when they enter the cabin expecting a helpless maid and instead find a naked man.”

Liam chuckled. “Their shock will be my advantage.”

“Be safe, Liam,” I said, tugging the cap on and tucking my hair up.

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