An excuse. A piss-poor one at that, but I couldn’t very well say I didn’t want to be caught up in this. In him.
“It must have been an ordeal for you if you’re rejecting me already,” he said, his voice solemn. “You wound me, Darling.”
“No, it wasn’t—” I cut myself off as I leaned back to look at him. Reagan was grinning. I hummed. “I should have known.”
He chuckled low. “I know it wasn’t unpleasant for you. I remember you vividly from last night. I have the mostexquisitememories in my head.”
My voice was breathy, my body betraying me as Reagan’s hands continued to roam up and down my back. My desire flooded my body once more. “You’d better enjoy those then.”
He toyed with a strand of my hair, his grin fading as he seemed to take in my words. “Is that really what you want? Because I’m certain I’ll want to relive those memories again.”
Honesty. Raw and alarming. I wondered what harm it would do to let him steal my sanity for another night. Or several others. And let myself get swept up in the avalanche my need for him had become.
“I think it is a mistake. In a few months, I won’t even be able to remember you.” I stared at him, my eyes half-lidded. “To even know you exist.”
Reagan claimed my mouth, his hands gripping my bottom as he pulled me on top of him. And,gods, I went along with it, no argument. “I asked what you want. Answer me.”
“You know,” I murmured, my hands resting on his chest. “I want this.”
“Sotakeit. Take what you want,” he urged, cupping my hand that lay against his chest, holding it firmly, the other hand gripping the side of my hair. “The months ahead will wait.”
“Reagan...” I started, his given name almost slipping out instead. My claim on him. “It’ll be worse then. And what do you expect? That we keep it a secret from the staff? Or shall we tell them and your entire estate, too?”
The thought of Gwinifer and Erica pulled at the edges of my mind. The look on Gwin’s face.How long has it been since Erica returned to the human lands? Gwin still visits her.
His gaze narrowed, eyes still bleary from a deep sleep. “They saw plenty at the Rite.”
“They only saw us dance.”
“My people have greater concerns than who I take to my bed. Besides, I don’t want to keep it a secret.” His chin lifted, one hand trailing up my thigh, his mouth almost touching mine. “I told you in Erisea that Ichose you.”
“What is even the point?” I exhaled, something drawn tight in my chest. “We can only be fools for letting this happen just to have itwiped out of my head in a few months.”
“We’ll not be fools.”
“Iwill.”
“Fine. Then I’ll be a fool as well.” His voice was low, albeit a little riled up. “If anything, I’m an even bigger fool, because you’ll leave and forget about me, and I’ll remember. But if this is all I get, a few months with you, then I’ll take it, Jane. I’ll take five more months. A week more. Five minutes more. Any time you’ll give me, for as long as we have.”
His sleep-rough voice sent a thrill skittering over my skin. I lifted my hands to that sensuous face, cupping the sharp planes of his cheeks as I studied it, my heartbeat an uneven staccato in my chest. He was completely serious.
“Jane, the point is that you wantthis.” His voice was steady, intent. “And I’m damnnear losing my mind with how badly I want you. I can’t focus, can’t even think when you’re near me.And the truth is, ever since I kissed you, I knew I would have you. And you could own me if you chose to.”
I shook my head, taking in his dishevelled dark hair and those brimming ice-blue eyes. I wanted him.
“All right,” I whispered. “For as long as we have.”
He tried not to smile, but by now, I could see through the facade.
“You’re belligerent this morning,” he said, sounding delighted. He tilted his chin, capturing my mouth, a hand sliding beneath my nightgown. “Maybe I can help with that.”
Maybe he was right. Maybe I was worrying too soon. Maybe tomorrow’s problems wouldn’t come. In the months ahead, this was likely to fall apart.
His fingers trailed up my leg, sliding to the inside of my thigh, and my own voice echoed in my head in response,It’s a fool’s hope.
???
“There were no casualties, just minor injuries,” Cerridwen informed us over breakfast.
