“Ever since Rhys and Gwyn brought Bran and me to Tremayne House, you’ve been a wonderful sister,” Cade said. “You took responsibility for the whole tribe of foster children even when we were older than you. I didn’t question that then, but I’ve come to realize how remarkable you were.”
He felt her shrug. “That was because my gift for healing minds was so useful helping new brothers and sisters recover from the harsh treatment they’d received. Gwyn and Rhys encouraged me to help anyone who needed it.”
“I remember when Cameron first arrived, he was so terrified that he vanished somewhere into the house for two days.” Cade smiled reminiscently. “Bran and I wondered if he’d escaped back to the streets until you found him and healed him so well that he dared to come out and join the rest of the family.”
“I always knew where Cam was, but I thought it best that no one hunted him down before he was ready,” she explained. “When I sensed that he was beginning to relax, I went to his hiding place with cream cakes.”
Cade laughed. “Very like coaxing a frightened kitten to come out from under the furniture!”
“Exactly. Cream cakes are the perfect bait for pets and children.” There was a smile in Tam’s voice. “Of course I ate my share, too.”
Turning serious, Cade said, “What you did for me changed my life. Is that why you felt so much my sister that you could never imagine me as anything but a brother?”
There was a long silence in which he was very aware of her heart beating where he held her against his chest. That great loving heart had given him the warmth and acceptance that guided him to sanity, but he recognized now what a vast responsibility it had been for a very young girl. Then he’d half believed that she was an angel.
“You may be right,” she said at last. “Being the eldest sister of the Tribe of Tremayne was my role and I’ve always been proud of that. But I’m beginning to understand that seeing myself that way was . . . limiting.”
“Earlier you said that our situation has changed, and how you must change, too,” he said, choosing his words with care. “Are you saying that perhaps you might no longer see me only as a brother and therefore forbidden?”
After another long silence, she said, “Shall we find out?”
He felt her head tilting back and he opened his mouth to speak, though he wasn’t sure what he would say. Then her lips touched his in a questioning butterfly kiss.
He froze as lightning sparked through his veins. The passion he’d controlled for so long simmered and burned, but he knew it would be disastrous to let it run wild. As he savored the delicate pressure of their lips, his hands stroked down her back, delighting in the feel of smooth muscle over strong bones, of intoxicating feminine strength.
She gave a soft sigh and her mouth opened under his. Gently the kiss deepened and his caresses lengthened. His Tamsyn, the wise, kind girl who had held his heart since they were children.
He sensed that she was responding to him in a wholly female way, but cautiously because she was moving into what was unknown territory. His right hand moved to cup her breast, irresistibly soft and tempting under the flannel fabric.
She caught her breath and became very still. He grew equally still and moved his hand away from her breast, wondering if even this slow pace was too quick for her.
Breaking the lingering kiss, she said breathlessly, “I do want to change but I fear it will be very slowly. Can you bear that?”
He gave a husky laugh. “I can bear anything as long as we’re moving in the same direction. All the choices are yours, my dear girl. Just tell me what you want.”
Shyly she said, “Will you share the bed with me tonight? Just holding each other?”
“That would be my pleasure and delight, Tam,” he whispered into her hair, knowing it would also be a great challenge to his self-control, but no matter. Whatever it might cost him, the self-denial would be worth it.
CHAPTER25
Tamsyn moved to the far side of the bed so Cade could slide in beside her. By unspoken agreement, they rolled toward each other into a warm mutual embrace. She felt her muscles slowly relax so she molded herself bonelessly against him, her head on his shoulder. His familiar scent and breathing soothed her. She gave a slow sigh of relief and pleasure. “I always feel so safe with you,” she murmured.
He gave a soft chuckle. “But you’re the one who rescued me, not the other way around.”
“It’s the merest accident that you needed rescuing this time.” She cupped his cheek with one hand, enjoying the prickle of his dark whiskers. “You’ve always been a protector, even when you were a small child and guided Bran safely to London.”
“We worked together,” he pointed out. “Bran supplied the idea and the confidence while I figured out how to steal rides on coaches and find food and shelter. Low-quality food and shelter, but they kept us alive.”
“As I said, you’re a protector. As the oldest male member of the Tribe of Tremayne, you always protected us from those who dislike anyone who is gifted.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “It has been my responsibility to look after my younger brothers and sisters.”
“Not just your responsibility, but your calling,” she said. “It’s why you’re such a good agent for the Home Office. That work gives you a chance to protect the whole of Britain.”
He chuckled. “That’s too vast an undertaking for one man!”
“True, but you’ve always done your best.”
