And then there was Isla.
As much as I refused to admit it, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, if I tried to walk away from her, my soul would die.
I reached Isla, now doubled over on her knees, and despite the fact she might be dangerous, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her onto my lap. She calmed immediately, her face burrowing into my neck.
My skin burned as my tats lit up, but I kept hold of Isla, despite the pain.
She let out a quiet gasp, then slid her palm to my chest, just over my heart and the pain and glow ceased. “Is that how you always feel when I’m near?” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“I’m so sorry,” she rasped, guiding my head down to kiss her.
I took her mouth with a desperation I’d never felt before and the burning started again. This time hotter than before, but I didn’t care. I had to be near her even if it meant I burned.
“This can’t be happening,” Isla said, breaking our kiss. “It can’t be you. It just can’t.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? What can’t be me?”
“Arric, I’m sorry,” Isla said, tears filling her eyes. “I know you’re processing a lot of new information right now, but I’m kind of going through some things as well and it would probably be best if we stayed as far away from each other as possible.”
“Of all the confusing shit I’ve encountered since I’ve come here, you take the cake,” I said.
“Did you just call me shit cake?” she asked, fisting her hands at her side.
“If the frosting fits, lady.”
“How dare you speak to me like that, you creep.”
“Creep? How do you figure? You’re the one who keeps throwing yourself at me and then pushing me away. ‘Kiss me. Don’t kiss me.’ Make up your mind,” I growled.
Isla’s face reddened, then she burst into tears. “My mindismade up, so let me be perfectly clear. I never want to see you again. Do you hear me, Arric? You need to get the hell out of Scotland. Out of Europe, off of the fucking planet for all I care!”
She stormed off and I was left feeling heartbroken, desolate, and alone. How could a woman who was a virtual stranger have such a hold on me?
* * *
Isla
God, this was worse than anything I could imagine. Arric Mann could not possibly be my mate. No. Nope. No way in hell. Nothing in my head was prepared to accept this information but my heart knew it as absolute fact. I couldn’t breathe. My whole being yearned for him.
It had to be a mistake. My feelings must be wrong. I was, after all, only hours into my twenty-fifth birthday. Maybe my calibration is off. Who knows, but there’s no way I could be fated to spend the rest of my days with Arric Mann.
I was too spun up to ride, but I still needed some alone time before I went back to the house, so decided to give Hershey a good grooming. I was beyond angry and hurt by my encounter with Arric and I didn’t know if I could deal with this for much longer.
“There’s no way that… that… crude…Americanis my mate,” I hissed as I brushed Hershey down.
Hershey blew air through his lips and glanced back at me.
“You’re right! He’s a total dick. And he can go right back to Arkansas or Alabama or whatever place he’s from.”
Even though we hadn’t ridden, I was surprised to see him favoring his injured leg again. I made a mental note to talk to our staff vet right away.
“What are you doing to hurt yourself, boy? Hmm?” I slid the brush over his rump and
“Isla?”
I peeked out of Hershey’s stall and let out a quiet squeak. “Oh my god, Andi, what are you doing here?”
