Page 34 of An Enchanted Spring
Emma didn’t say anything as they walked down the hall. She was more than humiliated and tried to rationalize her behavior.I’ve been under a lot of stress. I was threatened today. I’m tired from a really long drive.
But she couldn’t really lie to herself. These three men—four, if she included Cian—had more testosterone in their pinky fingers than Ben did in his entire body, and it scrambled her wits. She sneaked a peek at Aidan, and she swallowed hard. Colin’s all-American good looks and Reilly’s sex appeal still paled in comparison to the dark, mysterious man walking next to her.
Good thing she worked for him. Getting involved in anything other than a professional relationship with a man like him would overwhelm her. She was sure of it.
Besides, she reassured herself,I would never involve myself with a client, so it’s a moot point.
“You’ll be sleeping here,” Aidan said gruffly as he opened one of the doors. “It has a lock. I suggest you use it.”
“Are your cousins a danger to me?”
He met her gaze. “They wouldn’t lay a hand on you.”
“Then why would I need the lock?”
He closed his eyes for a moment, then looked directly at her. “To keep me from laying a hand on you.”
Emma must’ve looked as confused as she felt, because he closed his eyes again, muttered something incomprehensible, then, without warning, cupped her face and kissed her.
She smelledlike sunshine and heather.
But she tastes like home, Aidan thought.
Emma’s lips parted in surprise, and Aidan took theopening, running his tongue along her bottom lip, invading her mouth, tangling her tongue with his. He deepened the kiss, drank in her sigh, and felt a flash of triumph as her body melted into his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, and his control nearly snapped. Without breaking the kiss, he backed her into the room and kicked the door shut behind them. He walked her backward to the bed and laid her down on it, pressing his own body into hers. Feeling her passion rise for him, he hungrily kissed her neck, her ear, the sensitive spot beneath her earlobe, and she moaned his name.
“This is a bad idea,” she whispered, even as she tightened her grip on him.
He eased from the kiss, unwillingly, and sat up, his breathing ragged.
“What was that for?” she whispered, her hand touching her lips.
So that every time you look at another man, you’ll remember that you’re mine.
“I don’t know,” he finally said. He stood. “Lock the door, Emma.”
He closed the door behind him and waited to hear the lock click. It didn’t matter that when he kissed her, he felt a whisper in his soul, telling him she was his forever. Nay. He should not have given in to his impulse. She was a woman in trouble, and he was a bastard for taking advantage of her vulnerability.
He snorted to himself. Vulnerable though she might be, she would probably never admit it out loud.
“You can’t claim every pretty girl who turns your head,” Reilly grumbled as Aidan flopped onto the couch in the front living room.
Aidan shot him a glare.
Colin, in one of the armchairs, put his booted feet up onthe coffee table. He smirked. “I’m interested to know how you got her here. And so willingly, too.”
“Are those new Docs?” Reilly asked, leaning in to admire the shoes. “They’re nice. Good quality.”
“Thanks. Got ’em on sale,” Colin replied, admiring them. “Normally I hate getting new shoes, but these were a great find. No need to break them in.”
“If you two are done comparing shopping notes?” Aidan cut in, annoyed.
“Looks like she’s got under his skin,” Reilly noted.
“Shove off.”
“Don’t see what’s got his knickers in a twist,” Reilly said to Colin, who shrugged, still admiring his new Doc Martens.
“I’ll go real slow so the dim-witted one here can keep up,” Aidan said with a roll of his eyes. “I got my sword back.”
