Page 99 of Lochlan

“Possibly everything we discussed tonight. I never thought of you as part of my life. We only worked together for our mutual benefit.”

I stare at the fire, watching the flames climb higher in the grate, needing to say something more. “I'm not in a place where I can offer you anything. What I'm working on, at best, is a gamble. If it goes as planned, I'm going to find you. Short of you being with child, I mean to have you with me. I have feelings for you I can't deny, although I've tried.”

“Careful, Lochlan, a man who discusses his feelings is as rare as diamonds on the ceiling.”

I move close beside her on the couch, warming to the topic. “Scottish men are a romantic lot,” I say in a rough brogue. “Have you not heard of our ancient songs, lass? They're either about our loves or our battles; we have an affinity for both. And what are your feelings for me, since it's easier for a woman to discuss her innermost thoughts?”

“My heart says yes, but my head says no, that I can't hope any longer.”

“You'll disappoint Geordie,” I say.

“Geordie will get over it. He and I will continue to be friends.”

“I'm not even allowed to hope for a friendship?”

“I'm sorry. It'll just be an excuse for me to hang on.”

I snatch a blanket and pillow from the pile. This is the only way I can stave off temptation without freezing. “This couch is big enough,” I say. “I'll sleep on this side and not bother you.”

Her gaze follows me as I toss the pillow in the corner. “Will you really sleep, or are you just planning to sit there and stare at me all night?”

“I might.”

“Aren't you forgetting something?”

I have no clue what she's talking about until she stretches a hand toward the pile of clothes she brought to me earlier.

“Jeans are uncomfortable to sleep in. There's an entire drawer in the bathroom of new toothbrushes. It's time you get comfortable.”

She's right, so I take a lantern and search for the bathroom. When I return, I'm in a T-shirt and my skids. The room is warm enough for me to sleep normally. I hold up my lantern higher, thinking the shadows are playing tricks on my vision. Kenzie sits in the middle of the couch with pillows and blanket strewn around her, including the ones I took earlier.

“What's this? Did you decide I don't deserve even a blanket or a pillow for my head?”

“What I decided is that I don't want to sleep alone with you watching me like a hungry lion.”

“Is that so? Are you afraid I'll eat you if you fall asleep?”

“I was hoping.”

“To be clear, you want me to sleep with you?”

“I do.”

“You said you had no hope for me.”

“I don't, but there's nothing in the rulebooks that say I can't enjoy you one last time.”

I pull my shirt over my head, then toss it to the side before she reconsiders. Kenzie smiles while she makes room for me. I settle next to her and pull her in for a kiss, something I've been desperate to steal since she walked into the nature room. It's my good luck that she's willing; it would have been hard not to have her tonight.

Her lips part and my tongue slides over hers, giving me a cool hit of mint. Her scent of warm flowers is sweeter, with an undercurrent of musk.

I slip my hands down her arm until my hand can roam under her shirt and over her breast as she moans into my mouth. I palm the soft, heavy flesh, my fingers kneading and pinching until her nipple is a hard pebble.

Kenzie's breath is coming faster as I control her with that small piece of flesh. I squeeze and tug until she pulls her face away to groan. God, I've missed her, dreamed of dominating her in ways that are too wicked to name at present or until we've had more time to explore her limits.

I take my other hand to continue my play with her under the soft flannel; she arches her back, giving me reign to enjoy her. My lips have gone to her neck just under her collar when I breathe in the scent of another man on the shirt fabric.

The faint aftershave is not mine and is mingling with Kenzie's sweet scent. The release of her body heat has brought it to life, and it's sparking unwarranted jealousy that another man has fucked her in this cottage.

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