Chapter Fourteen
Willow’s world was pulled out from beneath her. Her chest squeezed, and she could hardly breathe.
Christian was kissing another woman.
She hurriedly retraced her steps around the corner but suddenly halted as she came face-to-face with an older woman. She couldn’t breathe. She felt the world tilting and whirling around her. Had the older female said something? She fought desperately to keep the devastation from her face.
“Willow,” Christian called, hurrying up behind her.
Trapped. Caged. Her heart pounded. She rubbed her hands on her leather armor, trying desperately to get control of herself.
He had kissed that other woman.
The image was soldered into her mind. Christian with his hands on the woman’s waist, her arms about his shoulders, and their lips pressed together. She swallowed in a dry throat. “I should leave,” she managed to say, but her voice was thick and strained.
“Willow.” Christian stepped up beside her.
She couldn’t look at him. She stared at the older woman before her. Her kind, understanding eyes were filled with sympathy.
Willow hated that. She focused on the pity and attempted to push aside the painful feelings of seeing Christian with another woman. He had made it clear that he was immune to Willow’s charms. He made no pretense of that. Then why had he kissed Willow? Did he give away intimate kisses so freely?
“You should stay for the evening meal,” the older woman said.
“Yes,” Christian answered quickly. “We should.”
He wanted to remain with that younger woman he was kissing. Another slash to her heart. Willow clenched her teeth. “No,” Willow said harshly. “I have to find my sister.” It was the only thing important to her. Focus on Sage. Focus on the pity. Focus on anything other than Christian. She whirled and headed for the front of the building.
“Willow,” Christian said, following her. “She means nothing to me.”
“Christian!” the younger woman’s voice called.
Willow’s throat closed at the feminine call, but she continued to the horse.
“Willow,” he said and grasped her wrist, preventing her from mounting. “It’s not what you think.”
She tore her wrist free. “I think it best we take two horses. Find another.”
“Let me explain.”
“You don’t need to explain to me. You don’t owe me anything. We are just traveling companions.”
“We’re more than that. We’re friends.”
“Friends?” she snapped. “We’re not friends. Friends don’t kiss friends. Friends don’tleavefriends.” The old wound was open and oozing. All the hurt surfaced from so long ago.
“Leave?” he asked. And then realization dawned on his face, and his voice softened. “I had to go. I couldn’t stay.”
“You didn’t even say goodbye.” Tears stung her eyes, and she held up her hand, shaking her head. “That’s in the past. We’ll find Sage, and you can leave again. You’re good at that. Ask her.” She jerked her chin at the woman he had kissed. The young woman stood beside the house, wringing her hands with a worried look. Willow mounted the horse.
Christian grabbed the reins. “You’re not going without me.”
“You’re not getting on this horse,” Willow stated.
“Fine.” He turned to the young woman. “Bea, bring me the mare. I’ll return it later.”
“You’re going?” Bea asked, and her face twisted in agony.
“Yes,” Christian said resolutely, staring at Willow.
