Page 35 of The Temptation of Roan Island

“We didn’t want anyone to know yet,” I cut her off, crossing the room in three steps so I can take Pippa’s hand.

“Is that so?” Noah’s voice carries a hint of skepticism. “Pippa?”

I pull her toward me. “Please,” I whisper in her ear.

She resists just enough to stumble and fall against my chest.

“Pippa?” Noah repeats.

Her head tilts, and her glare pierces me, but I don’t look away. This may not have been the most calculated plan I’ve ever developed—far from it—but it could work to keep Anna at bay. If only Pippa goes along with it, except I’ve been an ass, and she might just throw me to the wolves. Goddess knows, I deserve it.

“Well…” She turns around to face the rest of the group. I keep my arms around her, holding her against my chest. “I can’t speak for Shemaiah, as his feelings are his own.”

“But you’re… courting?” Ruby asks.

My hand splays across Pippa’s stomach, pressing her body tighter against mine. She fits so perfectly. When the pulse in her neck increases—something my brothers and Ruby won’t miss—I wonder if she thinks so too.

“We’re exploring things,” Pippa acquiesces.

I release a slow sigh of relief. Thank the goddess.

Kay squeals with a happy little twitch from her seat and claps twice. Zarah watches Kay’s hands. Anna looks as though a storm cloud has ridden in on her brow. My brothers look at me with accurate skepticism while Ruby gets up from her place with a bright smile. They’re two seconds away from swarming us with more questions about our relationship, and I can’t let that happen.

“Give us a minute.” I tug Pippa backwards, reaching for the closest doorknob and pulling her into a… linen closet. It’ll do. I shut the door.

She turns to face me in the tight space, the rustle of our clothing, the connection of our bodies sparking under the pressure.

“What the hell, Shemaiah?” she whisper-yells. “You’re in love with me?”

“It’s not real,” I say, even quieter. The words catch in my throat. That’s the truth, so I’m not sure why I’m having a hard time saying it.

“I know that! I’m not naïve enough to think you’re in love with me.” There’s a note of self-deprecation in her tone that makes a growl threaten my chest.

Even without the light on, I can see her eyes burn with glossy fire. If she keeps this up, my siblings will hear her. Mavarri senses are much sharper than humans.

“Shhh!” I cover her mouth with my palm and lean close to her ear. “I panicked, okay?” Slowly, I slide my hand down her neck, feeling her throat work. Feeling her pulse pick up.

“Shemaiah Roan panicked?” She’s much quieter now, barely breathing the words.

“Yes.”

She tilts her head and squints like she’s trying to see through the dark, through my layers, to the heart of me. A pointless attempt. I can’t understand myself right now.

“Will you go along with it?” My touch glides over the curve of her shoulder and down her arm.

She sighs. “I think I already did.”

We’re standing so close I can feel her belly move with each breath, the shift of her hips, the rustle of fabric against fabric. Her scent engulfs me. I should step back, but we need to be close in order to speak quietly, and my feet stay firmly in place. “I owe you, Pippa. Name your price. It’s yours.”

“Take me to—” She closes her eyes, wrinkles her nose, and shakes her head. “Find my son. Just find my son, Shemaiah.”

16

PIPPA

Even though I can’t see Shemaiah in this tiny closet, I can feel him. It’s worse than the bathroom. After leaving his rooms earlier, I had to find a place to just breathe through the desire coursing through me. But now, there’s no escape. The heat of him makes me lose all sense. I promised myself I would never let myself feel this helpless need ever again. Especially not with a man outside my station, a man as emotionally unavailable as⁠—

“We’re agreed then?” Shemaiah asks, thankfully cutting off my thoughts, but leaning closer as he does. Probably so that I can hear his whispers, but the position has us so close it makes me lightheaded. Something hard presses against my belly. Oh gods.