Page 40 of Wolf's Keep

She pulled away, taking a few steps back, self-conscious at the ease with which she sought him out for comfort. “Sorry… I… I was just a little freaked out.” She flushed.

His arms dropped to his side, sizing up her clothing, her shoes, his gaze raking her from head to toe. Would Anne get into trouble for giving them back to her?

“You should know Langeais is that way,” he said, pointing behind her. “If that is where you were heading.”

“What?”

“If you were making a run for it.”

“Oh…um… I—” She looked in the direction he pointed, shaking her head. “No, I’m… I think I’ll head back to the…to the um…the keep.”

Gaharet nodded, moving a few steps closer, reaching up to brush a strand of hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear. It took all her will to not lean into his touch. Tilting her head up, she met his gaze. Those eyes. Dark shadows flitted across their depths. She blinked. Blinked again, tearing her gaze away. Just a trick of the moonlight, nothing more. She risked another glimpse. Bad idea. His gaze zeroed in on her lips.

“I think I’ll head back now,” she whispered, but she didn’t budge an inch, letting him slip his hand behind her neck and draw her to him. Her mouth parted, his lips bare millimeters from hers, his warm breath dancing across her skin. They stood there, almost touching, as the moment stretched, the anticipation almost painful, his hooded eyes fixed on hers. A strangled moan slipped from her lips, and she gave in, closed the gap and pressed her mouth to his.

His arm snaked around her waist, easing her into his embrace, letting her take the lead. The hunger she knew him capable of, controlled. Erin swore she could hear her defenses, that had once stood as strong as Hadrian’s Wall, crumble. Her hands, obeying commands she no longer issued, reached up to clasp behind his neck to tangle her fingers in his hair, crushing her body against his and willing him to deepen the kiss. He groaned against her mouth, tightening his hold on her. His tongue dove between her parted lips accepting her invitation.

He ground his hips against hers, the unmistakable evidence of his arousal pressing against her belly. She clung to him, sliding her leg up and crooking her ankle around his knee. She wanted him closer, to feel his thick length pressed against her heated core. He grabbed her thigh, lifting her leg higher, notching himself against the v of her thighs. She moaned against his mouth, and he released her neck. He moved his hand to her waist and slid his fingers beneath her T-shirt, caressing up her spine.

God, I can’t get enough of him.

He tugged at the hem of her top, pulling it up. Cold night air brushed against her heated skin.

What was she doing? She wrested herself out of his arms and pushed him away, gasping for air. She wrenched her T-shirt back into place, ignoring the growl he released deep in the back of his throat. Turning on her heel, she stalked off through the trees, her emotions raging out of control.

She scowled at the moon.

You’re not helping.

“Erin,” he called after her.

Coming to an abrupt halt, her shoulders tensing, Erin spun to face him, eyes downcast and fists clenched at her side. She would not go to him. Under no circumstances would she let him draw her back into his arms. Oh, how she wanted to. Wanted nothing more than to get buck naked with him right here on the forest floor. She dug her heels in.

“What?” She refused to meet his gaze. If she looked into his eyes and saw the same lust that gripped her own body, she’d be lost.

“The keep’s that way.”

She looked up, his arm outstretched, pointing in the opposite direction.

“Oh.”

The man didn’t look the least bit flustered. She scowled at him. He suppressed a grin.

“After you then,” she said, composing herself, waving him ahead. No way would she walk ahead of him, knowing his eyes would be on her, watching her all the way back to the keep.

Nodding, he scooped up the discarded dagger, running his hands over it. She shifted from foot to foot. He must know it came from his armory.

“You never know when you might need this.” He handed it to her, hilt first, then turned and walked ahead of her.

Surprised he’d let her keep it, she had to hurry to catch up to his long stride, her body screaming at her to jump him. Right now. While she had the chance. She gritted her teeth and let him lead her out of the forest and back to the safety of the keep.

Chapter Seventeen

Erin pushed open the door to the room across from the hall. After last night’s debacle in the forest and a restless sleep, she had risen more determined than ever to unearth Gaharet’s secrets. Only, she wouldn’t be following him into the forest again to do it. And since he wasn’t at all forthcoming with answers to her questions, that left exploring the rest of his keep.

She’d relinquished her jeans and T-shirt once more, in favor of tenth-century clothes, and this morning, Anne had presented her with a beautiful pair of soft, fur lined leather ankle boots. Her inability to navigate the forest, and her fear of its inhabitants, must have allayed any concerns Gaharet had about her running off.

Erin closed the door behind her and scanned the room. Her eyes widened. Chests upon chests hugged the walls. Some lay propped open, filled with scrolls, books, and tomes of all kinds. Some remained closed, books scattered on their lids. She’d found the library.

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