Rowan shifted and leaned in, so close I could smell the blueberries on his breath. “Perhaps I have not found the woman I’m meant to be with.” He lifted his hand and brushed my hair behind my ear.
The light touch of his fingers sent goosebumps down my spine. I swallowed hard.
“Perhaps I’ve been waiting on someone,” he continued, his fingers stroking through the bottom of my hair, lightly tugging the waves on the ends.
“Rowan.”
“Hmm?”
I cleared my throat and sat up straighter. Rowan’s fingers released my hair, and he leaned away, picking up his fork like nothing had happened, like he hadn’t just stunned me into stupid silence. “Umm. If it’s possible, could you take me to the border of Donovan’s old land?”
Rowan speared a blueberry. “You meanyourland now?”
If I had my way, that was about to change. “I suppose. I’d like you to come with me. If you don’t mind.”
“Today?”
“I know how busy the Lords are, so I don’t need to go today. Whenever you are free is good.”
Rowan smiled and scooped the last of the oatmeal. “You will find, soon enough, that I am not like the other Lords. I do not participate in all the infighting or politics. It makes me unpopular with the other Lords, but my people adore me.” He winked to tell me he was mostly joking and rose to rinse his bowl. “Give me two hours, and we’ll go. Sounds good?”
I nodded, surprised by his flexibility. “Sure. It’s colder there, so bring a warm jacket.”
He patted his flat stomach. “I’m a bear, darling. I’ll keep you warm.”
I waved him away with a laugh. “Incorrigible flirt.”
Rowan winked and headed out of the room. I watched the play of muscles in his back until he turned the corner and disappeared.
“Get a grip,” I muttered to myself. Pursuing Rowan was a bad idea for a million different reasons.
But the longer I was here, the harder it was to remember those reasons.
True to his word,Rowan was ready right at the two-hour mark and met me outside on the patio. I pushed a travel mug of coffee I made him over.
“For me?”
I held my travel mug up and waved it around.
“We’ll take the truck. Got a jacket?”
I stood and picked up the one on the back of my chair.
“Good. Ready?”
I nodded and followed him over to the four-wheel drive. Snow covered the ground, crunching under the tires as Rowan pulled away. We’re about five hours away from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a beautiful spot right at the border between Rowan and Donovan’s—no,my—property.
“I put blankets in the back, assuming you’ll need to be on the ground.” He frowned and laughed at himself. “Which makes zero sense. You grow roots.”
I smiled. “It’s the thought that counts. But there’s something else you should know.”
He glanced at me. “Oh?”
“Sometimes, depending on how much power I expend, I do more than grow roots.” I patted the bag I still held on my lap. “I brought extra clothes, just in case.”
“It’s in the thirties there right now and you’re planning on getting naked?”
“Not on purpose. I might grow a barrier.”
