Page 40 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
We barely know each other, but already I cannae fathom a future without him.
I’m roused from my thoughts when I notice Kelwyn and some of the others heading out of the dining hall and toward the meeting room. The moment of truth has arrived.
I school my features, giving Noah a tight smile. “Come. We must attend the meeting with my clan leader.”
“About time,” Noah says, completely unaware of my inner turmoil. “You’ve been a man of mystery all day, and I’m looking forward to getting some answers to my questions.”
I mentally wince because I’m not so sure he’ll like what he learns. Noah may be attracted to me, but how will he feel about being fated mates? What will he think about the fact that being my mate means staying here—and for the rest of his life?
The meal I ate churns in my stomach and I focus on steadying my breathing.
Noah keeps his arm entwined with mine as we make our way to the meeting room, and I try to engrave this moment in my mind—just in case.
I sincerely hope it’s not the last time he touches me with such sweet and open regard.
Chapter nine
Noah
Mama Delilah’s Daily Horoscope Reading
Unexpected revelations await you, Sagittarius. Are you ready to bravely face what lies ahead? The path is filled with danger but also many potential blessings. Keep your wits about you and weather the storm because the calm that follows may be the beginning of a bright new future.
Being the only humanin a room full of gargoyles ought to feel a lot stranger than it does, but there’s something about this amazing castle and all of the clan members that I’ve met so far have welcomed me and made me feel oddly at home.
The meeting room is a lot smaller than some of the other spaces on the ground floor of the castle, and it has a decidedlycozy feel to it. There’s a roaring fire going, but this room’s fireplace is far smaller than the cavernous one in the Great Hall. Plush sheepskin rugs line the floor and there are a variety of comfortable, oversized, high-backed armchairs with what appear to be convenient openings for wings and an enormous sofa sturdy enough to hold several massive gargoyles. When I take a seat on it, I sink into the soft material with a sigh.
“This is heavenly,” I whisper, then squeak a little when Elryk sits beside me.
Closebeside me.
As in, thighs touching.
The heat radiating off him is enticing. His body is so much bigger than mine and makes me fantasize about how it would feel pressing me into a bed.
Or this couch.
Or any damn surface, really.
Play it cool, Noah.
I take several steadying breaths, but I can’t stop my eyes from fixating on Elryk’s muscular thighs. His kilt’s ridden up a little and they peek out at me from under the hem, taunting and tempting as hell.
Praise be to whoever came up with the kilt as a clothing garment!
I swallow back the bucket’s worth of drool pooling in my mouth as I vividly imagine what might be going on under that kilt—especially since he confirmed that he goes commando.
Friends, Noah. You were going to focus on being friends, not throwing yourself at him like a horny loser.
By the time I manage to tear my eyes away from his lap, I can’t help but admire the broad expanse of his massive gray chest too. When I scan up and meet his gorgeous jade-green eyes, I stop breathing at the desire I see burning in their depths.
The force of it threatens to scald me where I sit.
Fuck the friends-only nonsense. Right now, I’m one hundred percent certain I’m not the only one who’s feeling this sexual chemistry. Elryk looks like he wants to carry me off and have his wicked way with me.
If anyone asks, I’msodown for that.
Seriously. No one, and I mean no one, haseverlooked at me with that kind of overwhelming intensity.
