He stood, and she did so at the exact moment. They faced each other, the moonlight falling over her face like water. It made her blue eyes glisten and sparkle. His gaze glided over her face, the skin of her cheeks, her pert nose, to her full lips. His eyes lingered there like a starving man. “Talk,” he told himself. “Do something with your lips before they do something they shouldn’t.”
“Sage let you come with me. She must trust me.”
Willow laughed softly, and it sounded like the jingles of a bell. “Sage doesn’t let me do anything. I wanted to come.”
“Why?”
“To make sure you weren’t going to bleed to death.” Her voice was soft and enticing. “Why else?”
“Maybe you wanted to see if I was as good a kisser as before.”
Her eyebrows rose, but her focus dipped to his lips. “You weren’t that good before.”
“I’ve had more practice.”
“So have I.”
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. A jolt of electricity shot through him as if he had been struck with a bolt from heaven. He half expected her to pull away. He half expected her to slap him. What he hadn’t expected was when she dropped the cloth and reached up to entwine her arms around his neck. He hadn’t expected her to open her mouth to his exploration. What he hadn’t expected was her to kiss him back.
He tugged her closer, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. She tasted of honey and ale. She was so hot, her body firm, fitting against his snuggly. His blood pounded in his ears, the tempo increasing as her tongue warred with his. He slid his hand behind the nape of her neck, angling his mouth to get more of her, to deepen the kiss.
Her hands fell over his chest, warm palms resting against his bare skin.
Fire burned through his body. She was all he had ever wanted. His mind screamed at him to stop, but his body desired more. So much more. And it was so easy to listen to his body. His hand moved over her shoulder, easing her chemise lower down her arm.
She didn’t pull away, but he felt her distance herself. Her kiss grew colder, her lips thinned.
“You’re just going to leave,” she whispered against his lips.
Her words were like a bucket of cold water. He looked into her eyes. He was surprised to find anger glimmering like diamonds in her orbs. He had received many responses from his kisses but never anger. “I have to,” he replied helplessly.
“And yet you would makeloveto me before you go,” she said through clenched teeth. Her words were like cuts to his heart.
He stepped away from her. “It wouldn’t be like that.”
“No? Then how would it be?” she demanded.
She was right. He had wanted her. Having sex with her wasn’t a good idea. Kissing her wasn’t a good idea, but it was something he had wanted to do for a long time. He was glad she had stopped him before it had gone further.
Her jaw clenched, and she pulled back.
Christian stared at her. He didn’t want to depart this way, but maybe it was for the best. He grabbed his tunic and yanked it over his head. Then he strapped on his belt. When he turned back to Willow, her armor was donned and tied closed. She squeezed out the wet cloth over the fire. The flames sizzled and died. She stomped out the rest of the embers with her booted foot before lifting her gaze to him.
Christian opened his mouth…to what? To thank her? To try to explain? To profess his love? He closed his mouth and took a step back. What could he say to her? Everything seemed trite. She was hidden in the dark now, except for her brilliant locks. Wisps had come loose and hung in perfect waves about her shoulders, framing her in sparkling light. He would remember her like that.
He turned and moved off through the forest.
She had done a great job of binding his cut. And he would be thankful for that. But now, he had to lead the bounty hunter away from her. He wished he had never run into her.
And yet, he was very glad he had.
Willow watched him walk away until he was a shadow amongst shadows. Part of her was sad to see him leave. Part of her wanted him to come back. But she knew he would not return of his own accord. She knew she could never let him into her life and risk the pain of him leaving again.
But she could keep part of him with her.
She reached inside her armor and pulled out a pouch. A slight victorious grin spread across her lips. It had been the only thing worthwhile among Christian’s belongings. What could be inside the sack that Christian would die defending?
