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“Hey, you two. Take it home...” Fleur called out laughingly, and when Rick focused more carefully, he could make out two figures. Zombie superheroes, the tallest of whom had his cloak wrapped around the smaller one’s shoulders, were busy smudging each other’s face paint.
“Fabulous party, Fleur. Goodnight.” Maggie’s voice emanated from the smaller zombie, as she led Alex from the shadows. Rick and Alex exchanged a gruff “See you at work” and Fleur closed the library doors behind them.
“I’ll just check there’s no one else here and lock up.” Fleur flipped on the overhead lights, and suddenly the artistry of the decorations became apparent. Floating cobwebs, a few torn and painted sheets and cleverly placed lighting were all that she’d needed to turn the library into a place of shadows.
“I’ll go and check the gallery...” Rick decided to make himself useful. Maybe Fleur wouldn’t want to go up there. She’d already faced enough of her fears tonight.
“Wait... I’ll come with you.”
Rick waited for her to finish her inspection of the ground floor and then held out his arm. “May I escort you, ma’am?”
The narrow stairs didn’t allow them to walk together, and instead Rick held her hand, letting her follow him. They walked together up and down the rows of bookshelves, making sure that no one was hidden there. Fleur’s grip on his hand seemed a little tighter each time they neared the open gallery, but that was all. Another small step, which together with all the others was enough to climb a mountain.
“So you’re not going to be able to tuck Ellie in tonight?”
“No. Apparently it’s bad form for parents to drop in on a sleepover. And she’s four now, and a warrior, so that makes her completely grown up.”
“All the same, you must feel it.” Fleur looked up at him.
“Yeah, I feel it. But tomorrow night she’ll be wanting her story, and I’ll get to tuck her in.” Rick squeezed her hand, glad that this had mattered enough to Fleur to mention it.
They made the full circuit, reaching the second staircase. Rick drew her back into the shelter of the space between the shelves.
“I’m so proud of you. Brave warrior...”
She smiled up at him, her body nestling close to his. “Every warrior needs a guide.”
He’d promised himself that he wouldn’t do this. But actions spoke louder than words. Everything that they’d both done tonight had led up to this moment.
He hesitated, in an agony of indecision. Then Fleur reached up, her fingers skimming his cheek.
“I can’t help it, Rick...”
“Neither can I...”
He kissed her, feeling the pent-up longing explode in his chest. Fleur’s response matched his, bold and passionate, each of them fighting for dominance. Her final surrender was so sweet it took his breath away. Fleur wanted it all, the same way he did. The thought left him breathless.
“You can keep your head...” She smiled up at him.
“I can...what?”
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“Didn’t you know? Moon Warriors have a history of beheading a man whose kiss disappoints them.” Mischief flashed in her eyes.
“Ah. You might have mentioned that before I took the risk.”
“You were never in any danger.”
He was in danger. Of losing his head and his heart. But it seemed impossible now that they should part. That Rick should take her home and then go back to his own cold bed. And if this kind of passion lent an element of danger, the possibility of a bond that wouldn’t be easy to break, he could find safety in the knowledge that Fleur was leaving the island soon. They both knew the score. Two ships passing in the night, both knowing that, however sweet tonight might be, it wouldn’t last.
He tipped her chin up with his finger. “Will you come back to the lighthouse with me? I may not be able to stop Mr. Hyde from making an appearance...”
Fleur kissed him again. The kind of kiss that would make any man cast off his everyday appearance and turn into something else. A creature that was hers alone.
“I’ll take the risk, Doctor...”
* * *
