“But we can’t—”
In one long stride he spanned the space between them, and his lips crashed into hers once more. He was like a ray of intense sunlight searing into her, burning her up, sending heat deep inside. She was instantly on fire, her protest scorched into ashes.
This time she couldn’t hold back a small cry of pleasure, which he captured hungrily, as if it was the fuel he needed for life itself.
Before she could wrap her arms around him, he ended the kiss abruptly. “No more apologies,” he whispered again.
She could only nod mutely, too lost to remember where she was and what was going on in the world around her. All that existed in that moment was Kiernan.
He stepped backward, latched on to the door, and then tossed it open.
Outside, Bellamy and Zaira stood nearby. She was staring at her shoes, toeing the gravel and twisting her hands in her skirt. Leaning against the shed, Bellamy just grinned, almost slyly, as if he’d planned the reunion himself.
It was obvious the two had heard the passionate kissing. And perhaps Zaira had been right to protest their being alone together.
Alannah almost sighed. It was too late to change whathad happened. But there couldn’t be a next time. No more kisses with Kiernan.
She straightened her shoulders, glad the darkness of the night would hide her swollen lips and flushed face—at least she hoped it did.
Kiernan stepped out of the shed first, and she followed him. As he closed the door, he reached for the reins of his stallion that he’d left standing in the middle of the alley. “Alannah is going home with me.” His whisper punctuated the uncomfortable silence.
Was he taking her to Torin? Alannah’s heart thudded with a burst of hope. She could hardly believe her brother wasn’t dead, and the need to see him flooded her—the need to find out for herself how he was faring.
When Kiernan reached for her hand and guided her to the horse, just the touch of his fingers against hers sent off an avalanche of desire.
“You can’t,” Zaira whispered, “not until you’re married.”
Did Zaira think she intended to sleep with Kiernan tonight? “Mind you, I have no intention of—of...”
Zaira was leveling a stern gaze at her brother. “Kiernan?”
He hoisted Alannah up to the saddle. “She’ll stay in your room.”
“And I’ll be there too,” Zaira spoke firmly.
“Da is there.” Kiernan finished situating Alannah. “You have to go back to Oakland.”
“But—”
“We don’t want Shaw to suspect anything.”
Zaira fell silent.
“I’ll take Zaira home.” Bellamy pushed away from the shed.
“I can go back on my own, Bellamy.” Zaira glared at him. “I don’t need a nursemaid again.”
“Is that a fact?” Bellamy started toward the stable.
“Aye.”
Bellamy threw a comment over his shoulder. “If you stopped acting like a wee child, maybe I would believe you.”
Alannah could only watch the strange interaction between the two. Bellamy was normally a relaxed fellow. Why was Zaira able to ruffle him so easily?
Kiernan thrust his foot into the stirrup and climbed up behind Alannah. The moment he settled into the saddle with his body against hers, all coherent thought fled. When he reached around her for the reins, boxing her in, she had the urge to rest herself against his chest, lean her head on his shoulder, and bask in his closeness.
But she couldn’t. She had to stay strong. Had to do this for Kiernan.
