Page 171 of A Reign of Roses
“I like you,” Kane growled softly, pulling me close.
My lips found his in a sleepy, slightly sweaty haze, and though I’d only intended to greet him before bathing, I couldn’t help the heat that bloomed in my chest and along my neck as he sucked my lip between his and tongued it with indolent care. I moaned a little, and his hands found my waist and neck, dragging me against his hardening—
“You sure you two should be doing that?”
We spun, Kane coughing a little, as Ryder pushed the front door open with his back, carrying six bottles of wine by their necks.
“Doingwhatexactly?” Kane asked him.
Ryder shrugged, unfazed, as the bottles clinked with the closing door. “Won’t that, you know…hurt it?”
Mortification turned my face hot.
But Kane couldn’t help his laugh as he ran a hand through thatsable hair, pushing it back and free from his face. “Your understanding of human anatomy is concerning.”
“He skipped almost all of his classes as a kid,” I said.
“You’ll have to amend that if you intend to mold the impressionable minds of our youth.”
My brother rolled his eyes. It was still surprising that Ryder had hung up his sword and leathers to pursue teaching carpentry. But he had come to love caring for Leigh and Beth back at Shadowhold far more than he’d ever enjoyed battle strategy or dueling. And like his father, he was a natural woodworker. Maybe the profession would suit him. He certainly seemed happy.
The door pushed open again, and Griffin’s sculpted frame filled it as he lugged through an armful of chopped firewood.
“Need help?” Ryder offered, though Griffin seemed to have the logs under control.
“Took you long enough,” Kane said, sitting down at the kitchen table.
“The women refused to leave the sweetshop.” Griffin’s face revealed no trace of humor.
“They’re still there now?” I asked, having moved into the kitchen to stir the soup.
“Leigh went to the seer’s house. She said she’d be back before dinner.”
I slid behind Ryder to pull two large trout from a crate of ice. “And Mari?”
Griffin cleared his throat, and Ryder and I exchanged a knowing glance.
“The witch—”
“I’m here, I’m here,” she sang, waltzing in. “Anyone want a candiedapple? I have about thirty. Who knew little girls could be so convincing?”
Kane’s brows lifted and he extended a hand. Mari fished through her shopping basket for one such shiny red treat and tossed it to him. Kane caught the apple deftly and bit in.
“Why so many?” I asked Mari as I pulled plates from a low cupboard.
“They don’t have these in Shadowhold. Leigh wants to stock up before we leave.” She craned her neck at me. “Are you sure you should be moving so much?”
I looked down at my slightly rounded belly. Two weeks ago nobody would’ve even been able to tell. “Yes, everyone can stop fussing.” I’d actually never felt stronger.
Kane’s eyes found mine and the warmth and protectiveness that shone there heated my blood once more.Thatwas the real problem. The near animalistic need that had swallowed us both whole ever since we’d realized I was expecting.
“Who else is fussing?” Mari asked.
The memory of Ryder’s intrusion was a much-needed bucket of ice on whatever tension had thickened the air between Kane and me. “Nobody,” I muttered. “Never mind.”
“Let me guess,” Mari lilted, strolling into the heart of the living room. “Your overly involved commander here.” She motioned to Griffin. “You justhaveto stop caring so profoundly about others. It’s clearly eating you alive.”
Griffin had gotten very bad at hiding the way Mari’s playful jabs affected him. He almost grinned directly at her before schooling his face and returning to his task stacking wood in the fireplace.
