Jeff unconsciously went into a defensive posture as LM walked away.
If he turns around.
If he tries to run to her room.
Jeff clenched his fists.
LM kept walking and turned the corner.
Jeff watched and waited, quietly counting.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
If he comes back…
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten.
Eleven.
Twelve.
If he comes near her again…
Thirteen.
Fourteen.
Fifteen.
Sixteen.
Seventeen.
Eighteen.
But what if I’m overreacting?
Jeff stopped counting.
No. He was sitting outside her door. He was clearly up to no good.
He might have been the one who stole her in the first place.
I’d be a fool to trust someone like him.
A shapeshifter.
A fey.
Everyone knows that fey cannot be trusted.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
But I used to say that same thing about vampires.
I used to believe it about Raven.
And now?
Now.
Jeff relaxed his posture.
Things are quite different now.
***
Raven returned to Missy’s side. “I am here.”
She lay still with her eyes closed.
He took her hand. “Missy, I wish I could lie beside you.” He cleared his throat. “Not that I wish to behave inappropriately. Far from it. I merely—”
Her fingers twitched.
An idea clicked in his head. “Miss Addleston, could you do me a favor?”
“Yes?”
“Could you please go to the library and borrow some books for me?”
“I don’t know if they’re open this late, but sure! What did you have in mind?”
He studied Missy’s expression, watching for any subtle changes. “I leave that to your discretion. All I ask is that they be romantic books that are suitable for a young woman’s ears.”
***
Barbara smiled gently. “I understand.”
Ambrose moved closer to her. “I’ll come with you.”
He looked so hopeful and eager and endearing Barbara couldn’t resist anymore.
She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a kiss.
And it was like jumping feet first into a raging inferno. Her skin burned and prickled. Yet, somehow it felt so good. Especially when he returned her kiss.
It’s been so long.
Far too long.
I wanted this.
I needed this so much.
She moved her hands against the sides of his face.
Her heart raced.
His skin was so warm.
She wanted to feel more of it.
He spread his hands on the sides of her face. His fingers were so long, so beautiful feeling.
Fire and electricity shot through her body.
I want him.
I can’t.
I can’t.
I can’t!
Barbara broke away from him. “Umm.”
He looked at her with open longing.
She was pretty sure she was looking at him the same way. “Umm.”
He released her face and took a step back. “I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“Losing control. You kissed me and I didn’t want to pull away. I knew I should have. I knew I—-”
“Don’t beat yourself up, kitten. I kissed you. Don’t forget that. Besides, I think we both needed that.”
“Ha! Brat.”
She giggled.
***
I love that sound.
I love her.
I want to touch her again.
I want to kiss her again.
He looked at her shirt’s cowl-neck, at her neck’s exposed skin.
I want to…
I want her to…
The muscles in his arms twitched. His fingers ached. His heart beat fast and wild.
Does she feel this way too?
“You should go without me, Barbara. After that kiss, I don’t think we should be left unchaperoned.”
She blushed. “I agree. Don’t worry, kitten. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Be safe, Barbara.”
ambroseandelsie 