I knew the expression on Luch’s face, and my cheeks heated.
“That’s right, I forgot. How silly of me.”
“Uh-huh.” Sophie laughed and got up, putting Lady Lola on the ground. The dogs immediately gave chase to each other, racing around the room, and Lachlan came over to wrap his arm around Sophie’s waist.
“I’m glad we did this. See you at Sunday dinner one of these weeks?”
“Definitely. If I’m not on nights,” Luch said. We quickly said our goodbyes and Sophie winked at me as Luch almost dragged me out of the castle. Before we’d even made it halfway home he had my back pressed to a tree, my arms over my head, and was kissing the delicate skin of my neck.
“You were thinking about this, weren’t you?” Luch’s breath was hot against my skin, and desire ran warm and liquid through me.
“It’s hard not to.” I smiled and turned my face to his kiss. “You look cute playing pool.”
“Just cute?” Luch asked, affronted.
“Devastatingly handsome,” I amended, arching myself forward so my body brushed against his.
“It’s hard for me to focus on others when you’re in the room. I just want to scoop you up and whisk you away.” Luch trailed kisses across my cheek and nibbled at the delicate lobe of my ear. “Mine. All mine.”
Heat flashed at his words. I’d never thought I’d be someone who responded to a man’s possessiveness, but from Luch? It was intoxicating. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was a doctor, and could maintain a singular focus with such precision, but when he switched over to “it’s go time” mode, I’d never felt so seen or enjoyed in my life. We could be having a simple conversation about a book we read, relaxing after a long day, and the instant Luch shifted into his desire for me, I knew I’d be his entire focus until he’d made sure I’d found my pleasure, over and over, before he’d take his.
His careful attention made me feel … treasured.
Important.
Cared for.
Respected.
I hadn’t even known that I needed or wanted that from a man, but being with Luch was such a far cry from being with the, well,boythat my last boyfriend had been, that I really had no comparison.
A dog howled, a small sound in the night, but Luch whipped his head up, his attention diverted. He dropped my arms and I straightened, surprised.
“Is everything?—”
“Shhh,” Luch said, his ear tilted to the night sky.
That was odd. It took a lot to break Luch’s focus, even though it was probably for the best. It wasn’t like the man could ravish me against a tree in the garden of MacAlpine Castle. Surely, they had cameras around here? Flushing, I stepped away from the tree and back out onto the pavement. I could only imagine what that would look like if Archie reviewed the camera footage.
The waters of Loch Mirren remained calm, but I no longer trusted them, not after the night where I’d seen the Kelpies in real life. Since then, I skirted the loch, often taking the long way back to my flat to avoid walking along the shores. Unless Luch was with me, of course.
He always made me feel safe.
“Sorry, it must be nothing.” Luch shook his head and then took my hand, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted was to have such a nice night end with a battle on the Loch Mirren shores.
“That’s quite all right. I mean, it’s good to be cautious,isn’t it?” I’d told Luch about my encounter with the Kelpies, and ever since then, he either dropped me off at my place, or he walked with me if I went anywhere at night. I appreciated the protectiveness, even though it didn’t make sense in the long run.
What we needed to do, as an Order, was to ban the Kelpies from Loren Brae.
I still hadn’t told Luch about the Order of Caledonia, as he was still coming to grips with the idea of me being a healer.
One step at a time.
Day by day, we’d ease into this relationship, and maybe, if Luch was really as solid as I was beginning to feel he was, we’d navigate this unusual town together.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Faelan
