“You’re cold,” he said, though he knew better, and pressed his hand against hers to hold it there against his cheek for a moment longer before he stood. “I will get a fire going.”
She did not want him to leave her side, but then she was too frightened for him to stay. This spark between them was growing stronger and she was not sure what to do about it. Not now, not here in Driochmor.
Her fingers absently stroked the little creature sleeping curled against her skirts, it having moved there as soon as she sat. It helped calm her thoughts, though Kaelan wouldn’t leave them.
She watched as he gathered several fallen branches nearby and built a small fire beneath the sheltering roots. Shadows flickered softly across his face once flames finally caught, and once more she found herself wondering about the man who was growing less a stranger and far more than a friend to her.
Everything about him contradicted itself.
He could appear fierce enough to frighten grown men into retreat one moment, then unexpectedly gentle the next. He carried secrets she sensed instinctively and wondered if she should fear, yet every time he touched her, calm spread through her so deeply she could scarcely remember why she remained wary at all. Or she was shocked by the pleasure she felt. And that troubled her more than she wished to admit.
Kaelan felt her watching him. He felt more than her eyes on him. He felt her desire for him that she had yet to understand, and it stirred instincts and desires he held tightly restrained for her sake alone. The bond between them strengthened steadily with every passing hour she spent near him.
In time, she would understand it, and he was eager for her to do so, but not yet.
Bria was glad he returned to sit beside her and close. His nearness brought her comfort, so odd, since she was the one who gave comfort to others.
Warmth drifted from him immediately, wrapping around her far more effectively than the fire, yet she shivered.
“You are still cold,” he said.
She attempted a dismissive shrug. “The night grows colder.”
Kaelan removed his cloak without hesitation, shifted close enough for their bodies to touch and swung his cloak around them both. Then his arm went around her waist to draw her snug against him and bring his cloak tighter around them.
Bria drew a slow breath as his scent surrounded her once more, something earthy and wild that now felt dangerously familiar.
“You continue doing that,” she murmured softly.
“Doing what?”
“Taking care of me before I realize I need it.”
His gaze held hers steadily in the flickering firelight.
“I know you and what you need.”
His words caught her unprepared but just for a moment. “You don’t know me. You couldn’t possibly. We barely know each other.”
“You know that’s not true. You’ve felt it from the very first.”
Bria stared at him speechless, not sure what to say since he was right. She continued to stare.
The firelight danced across his face, softening none of the strength there, yet making him all the more appealing. The forest around them faded strangely into silence until all she truly sensed was him beside her. He watched her as if in wait.
Her pulse quickened when his hand lifted slowly to brush loose strands of hair back from her face. His touch remained gentle, though the heat in his eyes stirred a different warmth in her.
“You should not look at me that way,” she whispered.
“And how do I look at you?”
As though I matter too much.The words nearly escaped her.
Instead, she said softly, “As though you know?—”
“Your deepest desires,” he said, his words a strong, yet soft whisper that faintly touched her lips.
Before she could speak, though words failed her again, his hand settled lightly against the side of her neck as his head dipped down and he kissed her. Not with fierce hunger but slower, deeper, with intention of lingering, if she should welcome it.
