Page 35 of Love Beyond Wanting
He gathered the reins into one hand so he could reach up to brush her hair back with the other.He’d only meant to check for a fever by gently kissing her forehead, but as his fingers brushed against her cheek, he felt Kate’s breath come more quickly against his chest and he smiled.She still wanted him.Her pulse gave it away.Mayhap she just needed to know that he wanted her, as well, to feel safe enough to open up to him as she had that first night once again.
“I mean to kiss ye just here, lass.”He tapped his thumb gently to the center of her forehead.“To make certain ye’ve still no fever.”
She nodded and lifted her head from his chest just a bit.
He kissed her, but lingered close to her brow as he pulled his lips away.
“No fever.Lass?”
She smiled and every muscle in his stomach coiled.“Mmm?”
“Ye feel bonny, lass.The weather is pure misery, and Stella’s bony back is making my arse ache, but even still, I enjoy the feel of having ye close to me.I’m sorry if the uneven beat of my heart has kept ye awake.Each time I look down at ye, it betrays me by speeding up.”
He expected her to respond in some way—to at least smile and shyly lean into him again—but instead she said the last thing he’d ever expected.
“When we get to the Isle, I want you to take me to meet Machara.”
She might as well have slapped him in the face.His moment of vulnerability had been received with a closed heart.
The sun was just peeking over the horizon.The shoreline and the boat that would take them to the Isle were barely visible in the distance.At least he wouldn’t have to dwell over her rejection of him too much longer.
“While I canna imagine why ye wish to meet her, and while I can think of nothing I wish less than for ye to stand in front of that evil creature, I know such a meeting is inevitable.Ye willna have to wait long.”He pointed to the shoreline.“We are almost there.”
Chapter 22
The Isle of Eight Lairds
They must’ve heard us coming, or perhaps one of the other members of The Eight had some sort of spidey-sense that alerted them to our arrival, for a group of smiling faces awaited us as we rode up to the castle’s stables.
Laurel stood in front, and a man I could only assume was Raudrich had one arm draped over her shoulder as he held her close against him.She was smiling, but as she noticed that no other horses were pulling up behind us, her smile shifted into an expression of concern.
“Did Mom and David not come?”
Maddock dismounted and reached inside Mr.Crinkles’ makeshift den and quickly set him on the ground so he could stretch and move his little legs.He answered Laurel as he turned back toward Stella and lifted his arms to help me down.
“Kate fell ill on the journey.She is better now, thanks to a gifted healer we met along the way, but I still thought it best to ride ahead with her to reduce her exposure to the elements.The others are still a day or two behind.”
Laurel rushed over to me and threw her arms around my neck.“How are you feeling?”
“Honestly, perfect.Just tired from riding.”
As Laurel squeezed me, Marcus slowly approached.I gently pushed my sister away so I could move into his open arms.
“Marcus.”I leaned into him and smiled.“You look different—good different, though.How are you taking everything?”
He shrugged.“I’m okay.I’m adjusting to it a little more every day.As resistant as I was to it, there are some cool perks to having powers.You know, you look different, too.”
Maddock laughed as I turned to see Laurel bend to pick up Mr.Crinkles and smother him in kisses.
“The lass let loose some baggage ’twas weighing her down.”
Laurel turned wide eyes on me.“Dillon?”
I nodded and Laurel simply shrugged.She wasn’t nearly as pushy as our mother.
“If you’re happy to be rid of him, I’m happy for you.”
Bending, Laurel released Mr.Crinkles, who was wagging his tail as he prepared to swat her.“Let’s get you into a bedroom, okay?I’m eager to talk with you, and you need some rest anyway.You can meet everyone else later.”
