He shrugged, a familiar smile creeping into position. Maybe, but I dont need my ears to enjoy you. His hands slid from my neck down my back, pausing to grip my hips.
And what about your eyes? I played his game, finding it difficult to put together a simple sentence the way his fingers were dril ing into my skin.
His eyelids dropped, his hands fol owing their lead. His smile crept higher. I think I can make do.
Tingles ran the ful length of my body.
Case in point? he whispered, his mouth finding mine with no amount of searching needed, despite his temporary blindness. His mouthed sucked at mine gently, right to the heart palpitation point, before he released me.
I half-sighed, half-moaned. Point proven. Who needs sight and sound when theyve got hands and lips that can do that? I was stil feeling the aftershocks tingling down my body from them.
He laughed, deep and slow. I dont need them, he said, his lids lifting to reveal the pale colored eyes that would one day soon be forever changed if fate decided to cut us a break. They took me in, from very top to very bottom, right back up to my eyes. But Im certainly glad I have them.
Excuse me, sir, an assured voice cal ed out from the barn doors, a loud clearing of the throat fol owing.
And our bubble of privacy wed conjured up was popped. Nothing like a dark-suited, buzz-cut guard to kil the mood.
Wil iam didnt hide his look of extreme annoyance when he turned to him, but he left both arms twisted around me. Yes?
I thought I should let you know we had to take down your, eh . . . picnic? He said it like he had no clue what to cal it.
Why? Wil iam asked, making a one syl able reply sound like a threat.
The guard shifted. A few members of the Council arrived this evening and, wel . . . the poor man looked like he would have been more comfortable if he was on fire. Eyebrows were raised . . .
Wil iam cut him off with the raising of his hand. No need for further explanations, James. Al you had to say was the Council. I can fil in the blanks. Storm clouds rol ed through Wil iams eyes, but it passed quickly. Shrugging it off, he said, Thats alright, I can play their game one more night. Once were Betrothed tomorrow, they cant tel us we cant have a candlelight dinner for al to see if we desire so.
James nodded his head. Good evening then, sir. Wel be outside waiting.
Theyl be waiting awhile, Wil iam breathed in my ear as I felt the smile lift up the corners of his mouth. Have you met my soon-to-be Betrothed, James? Wil iam cal ed out to the guard making as fast of a retreat as he could without looking rude.
Sir? he paused, swal owing.
Wil iam motioned at me, standing tal er. This is Bryn Dawson. Wel , save for a few formalities, Bryn Hayward.
I gave James a smile, pul ed wider than was introduction-customary due to the man beside me verbalizing my upcoming name change. The awkward look James gave me confirmed he wasnt ignorant of the rumors swirling about regarding my upcoming Betrothal. Pleasure to meet you, maam. Best of luck to you tomorrow night. There was something purposeful about his words, tel ing that it wasnt just Wil iam and me who wanted to see us end up together tomorrow night.
You too, James, I said softly, trying to send my silent appreciation. And thanks. Were going to need it.
James smile was sad as he ducked out of the barn.
Ive always liked to think of myself as a man who creates my own luck, Wil iam said softly, picking up right where we left off, pre-James. His eyes gazed at my neck, his mouth taking their place.
My eyes closed, James a distant memory. I hope youve been creating an extra big batch, because you know as wel as I do things never go the way we hope they wil .
This wil , his words hummed across my neck, igniting a new set of chil s.
Wil iam was so confident, so assured, that his and my name were sitting side by side on that list of Betrothals. There wasnt a hint of doubt I could find in his words or his voice or his demeanor. If it were up to Wil iam, wed be promised forever tomorrow night.
But it wasnt up to Wil iam. It was up to seven men, his father included, who were as cold, unyielding, and ancient as a glacier. If Wil iam and I being together didnt align with their plan, then tough; I didnt put it past them that theyd pair Patrick and me without raising a single brow.
So whats the plan for the rest of the night? I asked as I leaned back from him, sure Id explode into a flaming bal of sexual frustration if his lips slid against my skin one more mil imeter. Since you know the Council wil be watching us wherever we go from here.
Then maybe we should stay right here, he suggested, dead serious.
I took a purposeful look around the hay bales, feed bags, and dirt floor. I curled my nose to bring home the point. Here?
A moment. He raised his index finger for me to stay and jogged to a vacant stal in the front of the barn. There was an explosion of sounds, shifting, moving, bursting, and scraping and then it fel silent.
Wil iam ushered out of the stal , the tilt of his brow at just the right angle for me to know he was up to something. He bowed, sweeping his hand from me towards the stal . Your stal for two, Miss Dawson.
I kept his gaze as I crossed the space between us. I gave him a confused look which he met with an assured one before I took a step in the stable. Whoa, I muttered, taking in the stable hed transformed into what could have been a cozy room in a rustic cabin. Blankets were spread al over and around the entire area, a good six inches deep. A strand of frosted white globe lights crisscrossed above us, which suddenly glowed like soft orbs in the night sky when the lights overhead clicked off.
You are a master at improvisation, I said, stil awed from his resourcefulness.
More like an opportunist, he said, coming up behind me. Did you real y think Id let them ruin tonight for us?
I smiled. Have I mentioned before that I love you?
Only a few mil ion times. He nuzzled my neck, pul ing me down to the blanketed ground. But its a few tril ion too few, so keep on keepin on, love.
You wont hear me complain. Ever.
He reclined onto his back, pul ing me down next to him until every inch of my length ran against him. You are an opportunist, I teased, burying my head in the curve of his neck.
Have you seen my woman? he said with exaggerated seriousness. Darn right Im an opportunist.
I hope you never wake up one day and real y see what the woman you love looks like, I said, only somewhat teasing.
And I hope you one day wake up and realize how crazy you are, he tossed back, shifting us so he was looking me in the eyes. His face took a turn to the serious. So what are you not tel ing me about Paul?
I waited too long to answer, so I knew he wouldnt accept my answer without further investigation. Nothing, I said, my voice high with imitation innocence.
His expression confirmed he wasnt the least bit convinced by my reassurances. Did he try to touch you? he asked, his voice in control, but his eyes werent.
Not . . . exactly, I answered, looking to the side.
His eyes sealed into slits. He did try to kiss you again, didnt he? So help me Il ” What? I interrupted. Did you not hear me the first time? Paul did not try to kiss me tonight, I said, drawing out each word. Although I was certain, had I given Paul a microscopic level of hope, he would have.
What did he do then? Wil iam asked slowly, making an effort to keep the lid on the fury bubbling up in him.
Promise you wont beat him to a bloody Immortal pulp? I asked.
Absolutely not, he answered. But I do promise if you tel me, I wont go hunt him down right now based solely on the conclusions Ive jumped to from your hesitancy to tel me what he did. Wil iams eyes softened some when I glared at him. I think ˜bloody pulp would be a good look for a man who is incessant about trying to steal away another mans reason for living, dont you?
Patrick was right, you have gotten al territorial, I said. Dont you trust me to be alone with another man?
You, he said, tapping the end of my nose, I trust implicitly. Its him, or any man for that matter”my father and brothers exempt”I havent got a bit of trust in.
Nothing like twisting the knife deeper into my side. I dont know what Wil iam would have done if hed been privy to the rumors of Patrick and me being matched tomorrow night, but it certainly gave me an understanding of why they said the threat comes from where you least expect it. It wasnt other men, Paul included, Wil iam had to worry about losing me to. It was his own brother.
Please tel me, he said, nudging me with his forehead. Al this pent up adrenaline needs to be released into something physical before I combust from it.
Something physical?
He shrugged. Pummeling Paul or”his eyebrows peaked”an old-fashioned rol in the hay ought to fit the bil , too.
I grumbled, al too aware that whatever distraction I sent his way or amount of time that went by, he wouldnt give up on pul ing the answer from me. He was relentless. Okay, so dont freak out,”his head shook in disagreement”dont really freak out, I edited, blowing out a loud burst of air. So I was, eh, trying on some new . . . lingerie, I said, like I was guilty by this admission alone.
His pupils widened. I dont know how this relates to Paul”at least it better not relate to him”but keep painting this picture for me. Im liking where youre going with it.
I couldnt control the grimace before it broke free. Wel . . .
This story does involve Paul, he growled.
I rubbed my hands over his chest in slow, calming circles. Extra calming circles. He might have seen me modeling it while I was walking around Joseph and Coras that Id assumed was empty of people and perverts, I threw in for good measure.
Thats it, he said, matter-of-fact. Im going to kil him. He pushed against me to stand up, but I not so gently shoved him back down, placing myself on top of him. His eyes went from stormy to dreamy in two seconds time and his hands had no problem finding their places to affix. So maybe I had this distraction thing down; I just had to pul out the real y big guns when the occasion arose.
Youd have to move from this position to kil him, you know, I said, lowering my voice a few notes.
Your powers of sexual persuasion could crush the axis of the world, I swear, he said, looking like Paul was long forgotten.
Why, thank you very much, I giggled, placing a tame kiss over his mouth. Stil planning on going somewhere?
I can always kil Paul tomorrow, he answered.
Good thing Paul was leaving tonight, because I only partial y doubted Wil iams threat. Good choice.
His hands ran up my back, creeping inside Josephs bulky sweatshirt. You wouldnt happen to have that lingerie on under these sexy P.J.s would you? His fingers traced up my back, winding up over my backbone.
Those hands of his could ignite me with the most PG rated of touches; I couldnt even imagine how Id feel when they did anything more.
Wouldnt you like to know? I teased, sliding my hands up to hook over his shoulders.
I cant imagine ever wanting to know anything more. His smile was tilted in mischief.
If I was certain youd make good use of the lingerie if I told you, I would, but since I know you wont,”at least not until you make an honest woman of me”Im not going to tel you, I said, leaning away from him.
He knew Id cal ed it for what we both knew it was. I am an insufferable prude, arent I?
Absolutely insufferable, I said solemnly.
One day soon Il be forever cured of it, so watch out, he said, winking.
My heart did jumping-jacks, but I was happy to play along with this only form of fore-play hed al ow. Good thing Ive stocked up on an eternitys supply of lingerie.