“He sounds like he is a good man.”
“He is. He and Carissa are very much in love.”
“I am glad she found someone.” Chloe heard the truth in his voice, and it eased some of the jealousy she was trying to ignore.
Chloe pushed back in her chair as Wade knelt in front of her. The kindness in his eyes was strange to see given that she could still feel the anger that surrounded him.
“I am so sorry Chloe.” He reached for her hand, and she gave it to him. “I wish he wasn’t dead so that I could kill him myself. I swear to you that I will never let another man put his hands on you. You and Fergus will be safe as long as I live.”
Chloe felt her breath catch when Wade gently touched her face. Her lips parted slightly, and every bad memory seemed to fade as she looked into his eyes. She saw him look down at her mouth and his own lips parted. Butterflies filled her stomach, and without thinking about it, she leaned toward him slightly.
Just as their mouths were nearly an inch apart, she heard her door open, and she shot back in her chair.
“Momma!” Fergus giggled and came running into the room.
“What is it, Fergus?” She asked him as she stood. Wade stayed kneeling on the ground for a moment and then followed her.
“I found a secret room!”
“Ye’ did?”
He nodded excited and gripped her hand. “Come on, I’ll show you! You should come as well, Mister!” He said and grabbed Wade’s hand with his other.
“Let’s see then.” Wade smiled and followed the little boy.
Fergus drug them along to one of the tapestries Wade had passed earlier.
“See!” He exclaimed and pushed the tapestry aside.
“That is awesome!” Wade said excited and reached for the door. “Should we look inside?” He asked Fergus who nodded quickly.
“Maybe there will be a dragon!”
“Oh man, that would be something!” Wade responded.
Chloe watched, amused, as Wade was so kind to her little Fergus. He wasn’t mocking nor bored with his expressions. She could see he was just as excited as Fergus was to see what was behind the door.
“Can we open it, momma?”
“I don’t see why not. But we should be quiet just in case it is a dragon.” She put her finger to her lips, and Fergus smiled widely.
The pushed the door open, and it slid silently across the stone floor. Chloe didn’t miss the fact that Wade let himself in first, making it so that he could protect them if anything were in the dark hallway. She knew there wasn’t, she had spent her entire childhood exploring this castle and knew all of its secrets.
They followed the slim hallway and just as she remembered, it exited into the kitchen.
“They used this tunnel to make the trips to the main chamber and the kitchen shorter.” She whispered to Wade, not wanting to crush her son’s imagination with the truth. She could see that he was currently daydreaming of the soldiers that surely hid in this secret hall from the enemy.
“Can we look for more?” Fergus asked hopefully.
“I think it’s time for bed.” Chloe smiled and lifted him into her arms.
“Night little man.” Wade ruffled Fergus’s hair.
“Night Mister Wade.”
“Just Wade.”
Fergus grinned. “Wade.”
Chloe’s heart danced when her eyes met Wade’s. Telling him her story hadn’t brought disgust to his eyes, it hadn’t even brought pity into them. It had done nothing to curb her feelings for him. If anything it had actually caused her to care for him more. She had almost kissed him! For the first time in her life, she wondered what it would be like to be with him. To allow herself to let her guards down and love.
Wade watched them leave. How is it that he hadn’t even been here a full day, and he had already almost kissed his hostess! He scolded himself, she had been vulnerable. But she had almost kissed him as well, hadn’t she? He remembered the way her lips had parted, and she had leaned toward him.
She had been through so much, though. Her story had made him so incredibly angry. Carrick McLoughlin was dead now, he reminded himself. He couldn’t hurt her or Fergus anymore, and Wade wouldn’t let anyone else hurt them, ever. Not even twenty-four hours after meeting her, and Wade was already falling for the Irish beauty.
Chapter Six
“So the day we met you told me that you were a detective, what is that?” Chloe asked as they lay in the grass and watched Fergus play.
It had been two weeks since he had arrived in Ireland, on her land and he had begun to think of her and Fergus as his family. Carissa had sent word back that they would be coming as soon as they could, but Wade was grateful she was taking her time. It gave him more time to get to know the two people he had begun to care for more than anyone.
Chloe didn’t know it, but each night after they had gone to bed, Wade walked the castle ensuring no one was there that shouldn’t have been.
“I solve crimes. If someone is hurt or is killed, I look for the bastard who did it.”
“That is honorable work.”
Wade nodded. It was, but truth be told, he didn’t miss it. He missed nothing of his old life, well except maybe running water. And pizza.
“What caused you to become a detective?” She wondered.
“I always wanted to help people. I had a little sister, and I honestly believed that if I became a cop, then I could protect her. Maybe no one would mess with her because of who I was.”
“Where is she now?”
Wade’s jaw tightened. “She was killed.”
Chloe touched his hand gently. “I’m so sorry, Wade. Did they find out who did it?”
“Her boyfriend. The man she was seeing.” He clarified unsure if she knew the term.
“That is terrible. What did you do?”
“I almost killed him. My partner stopped me. He is spending the rest of his life behind bars.”
“Good.”
He wondered if she knew her hand was still on his. He sat as still as he possibly could, relishing in the warmth of their skin touching. The feel of her pushed all of his bad memories away, and he believed that if he could just hold on long enough, then maybe he could erase hers as well.
Not all of them, though, he noted as he watched Fergus play. As horrible as what had happened to her was, Fergus came from it. He knew that she would never regret that no matter how painful it had been.
He turned his hand over underneath hers, but before she could pull hers away, he laced his fingers through hers and looked into her eyes. He saw the same attraction he felt reflected on her face, and he felt the hope blossoming in his heart.
Chloe looked down at their joined hands. She felt the connection and the butterflies stirred in her stomach again. She was dangerously close to acting on her feelings, so she pulled her hand carefully out of his. She wanted so badly to ask him to take her to bed, to show her that men could be kind. But she believed that would be a bad idea. She knew she would get attached, and who knew how long he was here for? What if he wanted to find a way to return to his own time? Or go back with Carissa to Castle McKinley?
“Wade!” Wade turned his head at the sound of his name.
“Carissa!” He yelled and jumped to his feet. He pulled her in for a big hug and then smiled at her daughter, Gabby. “Hi, sweetheart.”
She smiled but shied away into the arms of the man that held her.
“You must be Garrett.” Wade held his hand out. “Chloe has told me a lot of good things about you. It is nice to meet you.”
“Carissa has told me of you as well, Detective. I am grateful for everything you did for her and our daughter.” He shook his hand, and Wade knew he would get along with Garrett McKinley. The second he had referred to Gabby as ‘theirs’ had sealed that. It’s how he thought of Fergus, although he couldn’t tell Chloe that just yet.
“How did you get here?” Carissa asked as she took a seat next to Chloe on the ground.
; Wade watched as Gabby ran to play with Fergus.
“Mrs. Kinley.”
Carissa laughed. “She sent me here too.”
“She told me. I was at your house because, ” he hesitated, should he tell her? He decided honesty was best. “I was worried that I might have missed something or that you and Gabby may have come back. We found Parker.”
“He was missing?” She asked cautiously.
Wade nodded. “We thought he had taken you two, or worse and so we were searching, but there was no trace. Ashleigh reported you guys missing when you didn’t show for dinner.”
“How is she?” Carissa’s face saddened slightly.
“Worried, but she’s okay.”
“I wish I could let her know I’m okay. Why did Mrs. Kinley send you here?”
“She told me that she would send me to you and that I had to protect Chloe.”
“Protect Chloe? Are you in danger?” Garrett tensed and looked around them.
“We haven’t seen anything yet,” Wade responded. “Mrs. Kinley told me that she didn’t know she was in danger, but that I needed to protect her.” Wade couldn’t help it if the ‘I’ in that came out a little more pronounced than he had planned.
Garrett nodded seeming to understand the undertones in Wade’s response. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“We will.”
“So you found Parker,” Carissa said putting the conversation back on track.
“Yes, he was killed.”
“What?” Shock crossed over Carissa’s face. “How?”
“I honestly couldn’t tell you. We hadn’t figured it out before I was sent here.”
“Is it bad that I am not sad?” Carissa asked them.
“Not at all,” Chloe answered. “He would have killed you given the chance.”
“True.” Carissa agreed. “Well I’m glad I got to see you again Wade, I never had the chance to thank you.”
“Thank me, for what?”
“For trying to save us. You pushed for me to re-file the charges and although I refused, I know you still watched out for us.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Carissa.” He saw that for the first time since he had met her, Carissa looked genuinely happy. There were no dark circles under her now clear eyes.
“I do, you are a good man Wade Cahill.”
Garrett cleared his throat, and Carissa laughed. Wade didn’t think he had ever heard her laugh before.
“You are a wonderful man as well Laird McKinley.” She kissed him loudly.
Wade watched Chloe blush. How he wished he could pull her into his arms and kiss her full lips.
“Will you be staying with us?” Chloe asked as they walked back to the castle.
“If that wouldn’t be too much trouble? I am exhausted these days and don’t want to take another trip just yet.”
“Are you carrying?” Chloe asked, her eyes widening.
Carissa grinned. “I am. Only about two months by my guess.”
“That’s fantastic! Congratulations!” Chloe exclaimed, and Wade smiled. He wondered if she knew how much of her own future dreams she gave away.
“You will absolutely be staying with us, as long as you need.”
“Thank you, Chloe, you have always been so kind.”
Chloe smiled softly. “How’s Leon?”
“Leon?” Wade wondered.
“He is second in command at Castle McKinley and head of my guard. He was injured two months ago, when the late McLoughlin kidnapped he and Carissa. Chloe healed him.” He turned back to Chloe. “He healed perfectly, we left him to run things while we were away.”
“Glad to hear he is doing well.” Chloe offered and smiled inside at the jealousy she had heard in Wade’s voice.
They sat and ate dinner much like friends do, and then watched the children play together. Once Carissa couldn’t keep her eyes open anymore, she and Garrett took Gabby and retired to their guest room.
Chloe put the exhausted Fergus to bed, aware that Wade watched her from the doorway the entire time.
“He tires himself out doesn’t he?” He asked amused.
“He does. Has ever since he started walking. He will go until he falls asleep where he stands if I let him.” She kissed him softly and closed the door gently behind her.
With her room just across the hall from Fergus’, she turned to say goodnight to Wade. The look in his eyes had her catching her breath.
“You have to know how I feel about you.”
“Wade, I-”
“I know you’ve been through a lot Chloe. I know it must be hard on you to even think about me that way, but I need to know, is there even a chance you might feel the same way?”
He looked scared, Chloe noted. The expression in his eyes told her that she could break him if she answered wrong. She had noticed the way he had looked at her, sure. But she could never have guessed he would have developed such strong feelings. What did she have to offer him? He was a man who had probably been with a lot of women and was experienced. She had only been with one man and that hadn’t been consensual. She knew absolutely nothing.
“Please Chloe.” He begged her. “Just tell me.”
She smiled and cupped his face gently. He leaned into her palm and sighed as if her touch were the only thing that could cure whatever ailed him.
“I care very much for you, Wade. But I don’t have anything to offer you.”
Wade felt the jab at his heart. He knew he was in love with her, it was something he could no longer deny admitting. He had hoped that she would have felt the same, believed that she did even if she refused to admit it.
“You’re wrong.” He said and pulled away from her.
Chloe felt her heart break when her hand fell away, and she watched Wade leave. What had she done? He had possibly been her future, and she had pushed him away out of fear.
“Wade.” She said just barely loud enough to make him stop and turn around. “I do feel the same, I’m just afraid.”
She watched as Wade began to walk back toward her. “You don’t need to be afraid of me, Chloe. I will never hurt you or Fergus.”
“It’s not you that I’m afraid of. It’s what I feel for you. I have never given myself to anyone before.” She whispered and looked down at her gown. She smoothed invisible creases not wanting to look into his eyes.
She felt his finger on her chin as he lifted her face and when she looked into his eyes, she knew things would never be the same for them.
“Let me show you what it’s like to have a man love you the way you deserve to be loved, Chloe.”
Chloe nodded and felt the tug of lust in her belly. She closed her eyes as Wade leaned down slowly. When his lips gently touched hers, she felt her world change. He was so kind, moved so slowly that she wished he would pick up the pace. She parted her lips on a soft moan and gasped when his tongue touched hers. The second it did, the pace of the kiss changed. He backed her against the door, and after fumbling for the latch, he pushed it open and lifted her into his arms.
He set her gently on her bed and stepped back to look at her. “You are so damn perfect Chloe.”
Chloe stood, doing her best to look confident, and began slowly removing her dress. Her fingers fumbled with the laces, but if he noticed Wade didn’t say anything. He watched her, patiently and she heard his breath catch when she dropped her gown to the floor.
“Oh, Chloe.” He groaned and moved toward her. He took her mouth again. His tongue danced with hers, and his fingers skimmed the sides of her bare body.
Desperate to feel him as well, Chloe undid the belt around his tunic and pulled it over his head. She ran her fingers through the light brushing of hair over his chest. Her hand stopped when it reached his heart, and she felt the steady beat under her palm.
She could feel the taut muscles beneath his skin and knew he was doing his best to hold back and not scare her. What an amazing man her Wade Cahill was.
Chloe arched back and moaned when his hands
gently massaged her breasts. She felt the jolt when he lightly pinched her peaks and the surge of pleasure that soared through her nearly knocked her to her knees.
Wade lifted her and laid her back onto the bed and then covered her with his body. She gripped his hair and pulled him back down to her mouth. This time, she took control of the kiss. She pushed him past the slow savor and urged him to move faster.
When his hand cupped her between her legs, she gasped. The light touch caused whatever was building inside of her to grow more intense, and she arched up into him wanting more.
“Chloe, I’m trying to go slow.” He chuckled softly. “You push up into me like that, and this is going to be over far too quickly.”
Wade bent his head and took one of the peaks of her breasts into his mouth. He pulled at it gently and began moving his fingers against her. The pressure continued building, and just when Chloe wasn’t sure she could take anymore, she felt herself explode. She cried out at the pleasure and Wade took her mouth again before he climbed off the bed and removed his pants.
When he was nude and stood in front of her, Chloe very nearly panicked. He was huge. She had never seen a man completely naked before, and the sight of him had her body heating in anticipation.
“Are you okay?” He asked her as he knelt in front of her. “We can stop now if you want. Take this slower.”
Chloe placed her hands on his shoulders. She knew that if she told him no if she asked him to stop he would. She lifted her hands and leaned back on the bed.
“I want you.” She whispered to him, and he smiled.
Wade covered her body with his own, and she cried out when she felt him begin to push slowly into her. He took her mouth and slid the rest of the way inside of her, before pausing to give her body time to adjust to him.
“Oh.” She said, surprised. She had expected pain, roughness and instead, she felt as if they were made of silk the way they glided gently together. There had been a mild ache at first, but as her body expanded to fit him, she felt it replaced quickly with pleasure.
Their Own Time: A Trio of Time Travel Romance Novelette's Page 10
