“Yes!”
“That’s what happens when I can’t shut out the feelings of others and their emotions start to take me over. It’s as if they’re invading me and turning me into something else.”
And they were turning him into something else. She’d seen him fighting those Savages with his flesh covered in red and black while fury emanated from every part of him. He’d battled through and survived injuries that would have downed another.
“You were more demon than man when we were fighting the Savages; is that what happens every time someone’s emotions take you over?” she asked.
“No. What happened during that fight was something entirely different than anything I’ve ever experienced before.”
He hoped never to experience it again; he’d only ever been that out of control once before, and he’d nearly destroyed eight people. This time, the Savages provided him an outlet for his brutality, but he might not be so fortunate the next time. However, he thought as he stroked Willow’s leg, he’d also never hadherto save him from the most malevolent parts of himself.
“Have you dealt with this your whole life?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Willow rested her hand on his chest. “So, if I ever tell you I’m fine…”
“I’ll know you’re lying.”
“That’s really annoying.” She’d meant it as teasing, but the troubled look in his eyes told her he hadn’t taken it that way. “I’m kidding. Well… mostly kidding. I’m sure there are times it will bereallyannoying, but there will be other times when it’s greatly appreciated. Nowonderyou’re so good in bed; you can sense what I like most, andthatis one of those greatlyappreciated times.”
He laughed as he kissed her forehead. “Maybe I’m just talented.”
“Oh, you’re very talented, but you also cheated.”
“I cheated?”
“Yep.”
She laughed when he rolled over to pin her beneath him. She ignored the bits of straw digging into her flesh as he pulled her hands over her head and held them there. When he kissed her, she lost herself to him again.
Chapter Fifty-One
The sun was startingto shine through the slats when Willow opened her eyes again. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but exhaustion eventually won out. The first trills of the birds rang out, and their tiny claws scraped against the roof as they landed there.
Declan’s body was warm against hers, but the pile of straw was nowhere near as comfortable now that she wasn’t immersed in the wonder of his body. She felt like the princess and the pea as every single piece of straw dug into her flesh. Running her fingers through his, she smiled when she saw the color no longer stained his hands.
“We have to go,” Declan said as he nuzzled her neck.
Willow rolled over to look at him and smiled as she rested her hand against his cheek. Only a hint of color remained around his eyes. “The color is almost gone. You’re coming back to me.”
“I’ve always been with you, and I always will be.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise.” Unable to trust herself to do anything more, she gave him a peck on the lips. “Let’s get out of here. A roll in the hay is nowhere near as much fun at the end of the night as it is in the beginning.”
“Of course, it is.”
She gave him an exasperated look. “I have straw poking me in my bits.”
The crooked smile he gave her caused her heart to do a strange little flip-flop that would have killed her if she were human.
“I could make it better for you by poking your bits with my bits,” he teased as his fingers danced up her thigh.
Willow playfully slapped his hand away. If he kept that up, they would never get out of this barn. “I’m also itchy.”
“I could scratch it for you,” he said as he rubbed her skin.
“You’re hopeless.”
