Not that I was imagining how he might throw me over his shoulder.
Okay, so maybe I was.
Definitelywas.
When I couldn’t force my feet to move, he let out a chuckle and stepped out into the hallway. His door creaked shut, and the lock clicked softly in the heavy silence. Soon, he was before me, softly pressing me back into the safety of my own room. He followed me inside and closed the door to shut out the world, the Hunters, and the distant Academy’s eyes that were so intent on making sure we stayed apart.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, staring up at him as my heartbeat raced at a speed that could rival a train.
“Coming to see you, which is exactly what you wanted, darling.” He arched an eyebrow as his gaze caressed my bare thighs. “Or are you going to tell me there was another reason you were sneaking into the hallway in the middle of the night? Don’t tell me you were going to pay Shea a visit. I might not be jealous of your affection for Kael and the others, but I can’t bear the thought of another Summer’s hands on you, even a woman’s.”
I swallowed hard, my heartbeat flickering against the vein in my neck. “I thought you weren’t allowed to be alone with me.”
His lips twisted into a wicked smile. “I’m not. Sometimes, it’s fun to do the things we’re not supposed to do.”
A thrill of excitement went down my spine. “What else are you not supposed to do?”
Liam dropped his forehead to mine and breathed deeply through his flared nostrils. “I’m definitely not supposed to do this.”
I leaned in closer, resting a timid hand against his smooth, muscular chest. “And I doubt I’m allowed to do this.”
“Most definitely not.” His voice went rough and deep, and then he slid his fingers into my loose braid, tangling his hand in the twisted strands of my long, blonde hair. “Touching you is most definitely off-limits.”
My heart rattled in my chest, and I pressed up onto my toes, breathing in the sweet summer scent of him. “And kissing me? Is that off-limits?”
A low growl rumbled from Liam’s throat, and his grip around my hair tightened. “Don’t tempt me, Norah.”
“Why not?” I breathed. “You want to kiss me. I want to kiss you. Hell, I want to do far more than that. And no one is around but us.”
“You heard what Shea said. Giving in to this will only lead to heartache, and hurting you is the last thing I want to do.”
“Maybe it doesn’t have to hurt,” I whispered.
He sucked in a deep breath through his nose, his eyes flickering with that impossible heat. A heat that I could barely resist anymore. “I can’t help but notice you aren’t wearing any pants. Or your ring.”
That stupid Barmbrack Ring again. Wrinkling my nose, I shook my head. “I didn’t know I was supposed to be wearing it.”
He let out a low chuckle. “That’s what you do with a ring, darling.”
“Hmm.” I cocked my head, my lips spreading into a teasing smile. “I thought you didn’t believe in that whole barmbrack thing.”
Slowly, Liam loosened his grip on my hair and trailed his fingers along the back of my neck. Goosebumps tiptoed after him, and my fingers ached with the need to reach out and return his touch. He slid his forehead against mine. Our noses brushed. Our lips were so close that the scent of fresh, sweet summer filled my head.
And then the door swung open. Because of course it did.
Liam and I sprang apart, only to find Shea leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest. She shook her head and laughed. “You two are impossible.”
“Please don’t tell Alwyn,” I said, tugging the thin whispery material of my shirt in a lame attempt to cover my very bare legs.
She arched an eyebrow. “Maybe you should have thought of that before you let your hormones control you. Sorry, Liam. You won’t be returning to the Academy after this.”
* * *
When dawn broke through the morning clouds, I changed back into my usual training attire and the deep red Summer cloak. I’d gotten approximately zero sleep, too dismayed by Shea’s words. I practically sleep-walked out my door. The rest of our party was already awake and downstairs by the stable, getting the horses ready for the second stage of our journey. Liam was waiting for me by his green-skinned horse, murmuring soft words into her flickering ears.
He gave her a heavy pat and beamed at me when I approached.
My feet slowed as I approached him. “You look strangely happy for someone who found out he’s to be banished from the Academy after this trip.”
