“How very medieval.”
“You have no idea,” I breathed out. “When my grandparents were exiled—”
“Why were they exiled?” he interrupted.
“My grandfather fancied himself the ‘true king,’ and tried to stage a coup to overthrow Kaspar’s father in Iceland. He failed. But when they landed on Scottish soil, he presented himself as king, and those who followed him from Iceland didn’t dispute it, so Kade was the natural heir.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry to derail you there.” Arric smiled. “Continue.”
“Well, they sailed here and Abela discovered she was pregnant again. That’s when she ran. She managed to hide from my grandfather, but it was at the cost of her health. It’s why she looks so much older than all of us. She will more than likely die much like humans do, and that’s because she refuses to be connected to her mate.”
“So, was your grandmother mated to a human man?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. She was just angry my grandfather had an affair with another woman. Cauld Ane women cannot bind men, so her true mate couldn’t be human. My grandparents are currently imprisoned on an island in Micronesia.”
“So, you’re saying I’ll grow old if I refuse to bind you.”
“Aye.”
He sighed, sinking deeper into the chair. “I don’t like that, Isla.”
I pulled away from him, standing with a scowl. “Well, I’m sorry the thought of being bound to me—”
“Baby, settle,” he ordered, reaching out, grabbing my hand, and tugging me onto his lap. “That’s not what I’m saying.”
I huffed. “Then what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want this to be my choice.” He linked his fingers with mine. “I want to know that when you and I fall in love that it’s because we chose to do that.”
“You said ‘when,’” I rasped.
“Well, yeah. I think we have staying power, baby. I want to explore this. We’re two really fuckin’ hot young people and I can’t wait to bury my dick inside of you.”
I shivered. “Romantic,” I droned.
He grinned. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life, and I feel more for you than I ever have for anyone. I believe, in time, this could be something permanent. I’m just not willing to say it won’t be my choice when it happens.”
I smirked. “We’ll see.”
“We will see, baby.” He slid his hand to my neck. “Now, kiss me.”
“Bossy,” I growled, even as I lowered my mouth to his.
His tongue slipped inside my mouth as his hand cupped my breast, his thumb whispering over my already sensitive nipple. He intensified the kiss as he stood, lifting me with him, and laying me on the large chaise by the window, stretching out beside me.
Slipping his hand under my shirt, he tugged the cups of my bra down and rolled one nipple between his fingers, then the other. I could barely breathe, the sensations of pleasure swamping me.
I lifted his T-shirt, running my hands up his back, feeling his muscles contract under my touch. Just as things were progressing deliciously, Arric broke the kiss with a groan, dropping his forehead to mine. “Fuck.”
I stroked his face. “Yeah.”
He kissed me quickly before righting my clothes and sliding off the chair. “I need to go, baby, or I won’t be able to.”
I nodded, sitting up with a sigh. “Okay.”
