Arran shifts in his seat and stretches his arm out on the back of the couch, his hand settling casually on my shoulder like it’s the most natural thing. “I stopped tracking birthdays a long time ago and count centuries only. But I was thirty-two on the day I was turned. ”
I grin. “So we’re technically the same age then. Nice to know.”
Arran tips his chin up. “I’m over four hundred now, I think.”
“Okay, grandpa. You win,” I say, poking his very firm chest.
Arran’s fingers wrap around my hand and he pulls me forward, his other arm guiding me until I’m straddling his lap. “Oh, darling. That’s a word you’re never going to call me again.”
“Or what?” I ask, grinding down lightly on him.
“There will be consequences,” Arran warns, his big hands palming my ass and holding me in place.
Oh fuck, I like the sound of consequences a little bit too much. I want to push every single one of Arran’s buttons and see how he’ll respond. I want to play and explore and find out what happens when I get into trouble.
I wrap my hands around his shirt laces and pull them toward me. “How do you feel about ‘daddy’?”
Arran shakes his head, a reprimand lying in its wake, but underneath me, he’s growing deliciously hard. “Try again.”
A charged silence builds between us. Time itself suspends as we breathe each other in, waiting for the other to move, to strike the match that’ll set the fire burning inside us free.
It would be so easy to lean forward and press my lips to Arran’s, to guide his hand inside my pants, to—
“No. We can’t fuck in this cottage. If Bodin gets home and it smells like another male in here he might lose it with those new-dad protective instincts.”
Arran loosens his hold on me. “Aye. I apologize.”
“Please don’t. This was very much the distraction I craved. Ten points to you.” I scoot sideways and slide back onto the couch. “Like we said before, we can continue everything later. For now, though, let’s keep it family friendly and focus on getting things ready for the Terral family.”
Standing up, I quirk my head at Arran. “Do you still know how to cook?”
“I don’t think so.”
“No worries. I’ll find something for you to do.” I hold my hand out toward him and Arran takes it easily, letting me lead him to the kitchen.
Why does this feel so easy? Why is my heart beating so fast? Why did Arran have to have such an incredibly meaningful backstory? And most importantly, why do I want to know more about him?
Chapter 11
Arran
The rest of the night, Audrey cooks. Dish after dish makes its way onto the kitchen table as she works to keep her mind distracted and her hands busy while she entertains me with stories of her and Tilly’s youth.
I assist Audrey whenever she requests, remaining present and washing plates, bowls, and utensils as she directs. But I can’t deny the innate desire to brush my fingers across the small of her back, or let my hand linger on hers whenever she passes me something.
There’s an unquenched thirst for Audrey, and the fact I haven’t yet tasted her on my tongue or brought her to climax—multipletimes—bothers me more than I dare say.
But I can’t think of doing any of that yet, not while Audrey’s worries are so big. Once we know Tilly and the babies are out of harm’s way and I can finally take Audrey back home again, I’m going to take my time and truly show Audrey how good I can make it for her.
I walk over to the kitchen window to check on the moon’s progression, concern weaving through me upon seeing it closer to the western horizon than expected. Morning will be here soon and I’ll need to get back to the safety of my castle before then.
Audrey comes up behind me and wiggles herself in under my arm to also look at the moon. I don’t know why I enjoy the gesture as much as I do, but it feels comfortable, almost natural, and unlike anything I’ve experienced in a couple of centuries.
“Tell me what we’re looking at,” Audrey says as I drape my arm around her shoulders and pull her against me.
“Sunrise isn’t far off.”
Audrey reaches up and curls a hand around my forearm resting across her chest. “In that case, let’s finish up here and head back.”
