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“I’ll be waiting ... outside.”
He almost argued that she should stay in the warmth of the cottage until he returned and then thought better of it.
“Until later,” he said, and turned, hurrying out, not looking back, not wanting to see the passion that had turned her lovely lavender eyes a dark purple and ready to explode with passion.
Tara was still trying to regain her breath. She had never known a kiss like that. Not even with Rory, whom she had loved beyond reason, had she felt the swell of passion so quickly consume her as she had with Reeve. If Reeve had lingered, she feared she would have surrendered not only to him but to her own carnal need.
She was playing with danger here, a danger that could devastate not merely her but many. She had time to see if things continued on in a good fashion. Time to make certain no one got hurt. Time to make certain no one would come retrieve her. But if she recklessly continued on in such a selfish fashion, it could prove disastrous.
Tara dropped back on the pillow and tucked herself beneath the soft green wool blanket. She hadn’t realized how tired she was until her head rested on the pillow, and another yawn escaped. She hadn’t slept enough last night, and she had had a busy day. Whatever did she expect?
She would close her eyes for a brief nap and be up and waiting outside when Reeve returned. She would not think of the kiss. Her fingers must not have heard her command, for they drifted to her lips, and she thought she felt them pulse.
Reeve had made her pulse all over. It had trickled through her whole body as he had kissed her. The rhythmic pulse had been like a tingling sensation prickling across every inch of her until her skin had turned to gooseflesh. And she had wanted more, so much more.
Her fingers drifted from her lips down to her nipples, and she gasped when she felt how rigid they were. She was in trouble, terrible trouble, for she not only wanted Reeve to feast on her lips, she wanted his mouth on her ...
She sighed, shaking her head.Stop! You cannot do this. You cannot!
She repeated her warning silently over and over and over until she finally drifted off to sleep.
Reeve approached Tara’s cottage with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Both grew when he saw that she wasn’t waiting outside for him. His first thought was that her absence signaled an invitation. She wanted him to come inside, wanted them to continue what they had started.
“Nonsense,” he warned himself, though he hesitated to knock and open the door when he reached it.
He shook his head, clearing his wicked thoughts, and gave a tap before slowly opening the door and calling out her name. “Tara?”
Once inside, the door closed, he realized she hadn’t woken yet. He went over to the bed and saw that she slept soundly. She wasn’t snoring, though a soft continuous sound emanated from her. She was in a deep sleep, and he couldn’t bring himself to wake her.
He tucked the blanket around her and, with disappointment, left her alone.
Reeve was quiet at supper, which wasn’t his way. Usually, he joined right in the chatter and the good-natured teasing, but not tonight. Tonight he couldn’t help but watch Duncan and Mercy. They were a perfect match, though Reeve had warned Duncan against falling in love, the four brothers having been raised and trained to place the mission of the true king reclaiming the throne before all else.
But Mercy had understood, had even placed her own life in danger so that Duncan could do what needed to be done. She had not only trusted him, she had trusted their love. Reeve had often wondered if their being shackled together for a length of time had helped them find that love.
“If you won’t admit that you’re falling in love, at least admit you’re pining for the woman,” Duncan teased.
“I’ll admit nothing, but I will beat you senseless,” Reeve said with a smug grin.
“Now there’s my brother,” Duncan said with a nod. “I thought we had lost him to—”
“Don’t dare say it,” Reeve warned.
“Afraid of love?” Bryce asked.
“Are you?” Reeve shot back.
“Deathly afraid.” Bryce chuckled.
“Smart man,” Carmag said.
“I’m not in love,” Reeve said though it sounded hollow to his own ears.
“Time will tell,” Mara said with a motherly pat to his arm.
Reeve rolled his eyes, and begged, “I need a mission. Send me on mission.”
“That’s a good idea,” Mara said. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
