She pulled back, gasping for air. “Calum. No. We shouldn’t do this.”
It took him a moment to adjust to the sudden halt. His body pulsed with disappointment, now cold from the sudden absence of her flesh touching his.
“Why not?” he managed to say, somehow without a grunt.
“Because.” Her chest rose and fell with her escalated breaths. “Because. It will complicate things.”
Aye, it was true, to some extent. He was supposed to be taking care of her, not seducing her. “It doesn’t have to.”
She turned her head and pursed her lips. “I know. But it is for me. I don’t belong here. I’m in a strange land.”
He was a knob. “You’re right.” He clenched his hands into fists under the water. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
She touched his cheek and gave him an imploring glance. “I wanted you to.”
She dropped her hand, and the warmth on his skin disappeared with the lack of her touch.
With a more determined expression, she added, “But I need to focus on getting home.”
He unclenched his fists, trying to breathe through the sexual frustration. “Of course. That’s why we’re here.”
“Oh, stop that,” she said, nudging his shoulder.
“Stop what?”
“You’re turning all—dark and broody.”
Her words surprised him, making him bark out with laughter. “More like sexually frustrated. Swimming with a beautiful woman, being teased by a brief touch, a small taste…”
She turned sheepish. “Not that it’s any easier for me.”
His ears perked. “No?”
“No,” she admitted. “Although, I shouldn’t, I’ve been thinking about being with you. But, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
He forced a smile to lighten the mood. “A proper fankle, wouldn’t you say?”
“Indeed.” She smiled back. Then she dove under the water and emerged several feet ahead.
Resisting the urge to swim after her, he shoved his needs aside. Instead, he swam with stiff strokes, encouraging the cool water to wash away his frustration.
Back on shore, Arielle suppressed a sigh. Calum had a way of testing every fiber of resistance. How was she supposed to behave when he lay next to her on the sand, wet and chiseled like a god from the sea? Every tanned inch of muscle visible beyond his blue kilt was finely sculpted and glistening under the sun.
She’d fantasized about him. And yet, she stopped it. Ach. What was wrong with her?
Being alone with him, naked with only the water separating them, had been too tempting. It was hardly a barrier. How could she not want to deepen the kiss, wrap her legs around his body, and beg him to take her right there?
Her rationalization was true. Getting involved with Calum would complicate matters. Sleeping with her companion who’d been protecting her should not be on her agenda. She owed it to him to focus on getting home, and getting out of his life as soon as possible.
Arielle concentrated on other things. The patterns the clouds made overhead, the sound of the waves as they approached and left the shore, the scent of the marine life—anything to distract herself from Calum.
She stole another peek at him.
Ach, it was too tempting.
He was too close. All she had to do was reach over to him and touch his skin, run her fingers over his rock-hard muscle, roll on top of his body and press her lips to his…
She stood up abruptly. “I’m going for a walk.”
He straightened, eying her with a surprised look. “Where to?”
“Just along the shore. Don’t worry. I won’t stray too far.” After all, that’s what had landed her in trouble to begin with.
“I’ll come with you.” He pulled himself to his feet.
“No, Calum,” she insisted. “I need to be alone for a few minutes.” I need to get some space before I reach out and touch you…
He squared his jaw, showing his discomfort with her decision.
“I’ll stay close,” she said.
He nodded, while his body stiffened.
She walked to the shore, skirting around broken seashells, and toeing the water. She inhaled the salty ocean air, the taste coated her tongue. Although the scent had calmed her in the past, it failed to this time. Calum was too close, distracting her thoughts.
She looked back over her shoulder. Calum watched her. He was so concerned with her safety.
Was he like this with other women? Was his reaction simply a gargoyle thing?
Or was it because of how vulnerable she was in this world?
Continuing to walk along the ocean edge, she resisted the urge to steal another glance at him. Clearly, her thoughts were scrambled around him. Not only did she depend on him; she’d developed an attraction to him that was proving difficult to ignore.
He could kiss. Amazing, toe-curling kisses…
After several more minutes, Calum called to her. “Arielle.” When she turned back, he was running toward her—chest muscles rippling under the midday sun.
Why torture her that way?
“Mason contacted me. He told us to come back to the treehouse.”
Mason? Treehouse? What was he talking about?
It took a moment to follow the conversation since she’d been too caught up in how Calum’s muscles contracted when he ran. “Oh, right.”
As they walked, side by side, up the beach, she moved her hand closer to his. Then she pulled back Sending him mixed signals wasn’t a good idea.
Sending mixed signals to herself wasn’t a good idea, either.
Calum took deep breaths, trying to center himself. His head was about to explode with all the conflicting thoughts that had slipped through it over the last several hours. Something had shifted in his relationship with Arielle, confusing him. Yet, her presence at his side was also calming.
The things she did to his brain—and body.
They didn’t say much as they trekked through the long grasses, so he used the comfortable silence to focus on the evening scene around them. The chirr of insects and small animals hiding among the blades of grass. The scents of earth and heather. The slow, endless climb of moss over clusters of rocks. By the time they reached the tree house, his heart rate had steadied.
Mason rested in stone form on his perch, soaking up energy from the sun. When he sensed Calum and Arielle approaching, he shifted to human form.
“Kayla, they’re here.”
Kayla bounced back outside from the doorway in the treehouse. Although carrying a child, she moved as sprightly as a fairy. She held two glasses of a green liquid, which didn’t smell enticing, and offered them.
Calum waved his hand away. “No, thanks.”
“It’s full of nutrients,” she said. “I’ve been drinking one every day. It’s good for the baby.”
Arielle accepted a glass and took a sip. “It tastes — healthy.”
Kayla laughed. “Mason had a few more choice words to describe it.”
Mason came up behind Kayla, wrapping his arms around her from behind and splaying his big hands over her belly. “You’re going to be an excellent mother.”
“I need all the strength I can gather, growing a child who is half-gargoyle. My appetite is ravenous. The baby needs so much. I feel like all I’m doing is eating.”
“We can’t wait to meet him. Or her,” Calum added.
“Since I’ll likely never know,” Arielle said, “Congratulations in advance.”
Right. She’d be long gone—wherever she ended up.
“Well, there’s good news,” Kayla began. “And some not so great news.”
“What is it, Kayla?” Calum asked.
“Always good news first,” she said. “I told the witches about what happened. They think they can brew a potion strong enough to open the portal.”
Arielle clasped her hands. “To be able to see my family again…” Her shoulders sagged and she cocked her head. “What’s the not so great news?”
Calum narrowed his eyes. “How much time?”
Kayla waved her hand. “The longer we let it brew, the greater its potency. Since we’re talking about enough magic to generate opening a portal to another realm, were talking four of five days at least.”
Calum opened his mouth to protest. Then he stopped. What was the problem? He was no longer in a rush to move on with his life. Spending time with Arielle was far from the burden. Images flooded his mind of the time they’d spent exploring the island, talking, kissing…
Four or five more days of that would be welcome. More than welcome. He thought of all the kissing they could do — as well as other things.
Yet, there was one problem. Always was, wasn’t there?
“We have a show scheduled tomorrow night,” Calum said. “I’ll have to tell the others we need to reschedule.”
“No, Calum,” Arielle said.
“Why not?”
“I’ve interfered in your life enough, already—as well as all your brothers’. Go on, and do what you must do.”
Calum shook his head. “Oh, no no no. I’m not leaving you here.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“If I’m going anywhere, you’re coming with me.”
Chapter 8
Buoyancy swept through Arielle’s chest, leaving her tingling. Her mind buzzed, lighting up with sparks of curiosity about the concert. Since Calum had told her about his band, she’d tried to envision it.
When she pictured them in a crowded room, a darker thought crept in—there could be more complications.
“I can give you a pendant to mask your scent,” Kayla said.
“Perfect,” Calum said.
Once they left Mason and Kayla, she asked Calum, “You sure this is a good idea?” she asked.
He jutted his jaw. “The other gargoyles are on watch in the area. We’d be going to a city far from any trouble.”
“That’s not exactly what I mean. I feel safe around you.” She quickly added, “And your brothers, of course.”
“Then what is it?”
“You might be distracted, on the lookout for threats.”
“I’d be far more concerned if I couldn’t see you. If you’re in the same room as me, I know you’re safe.”
Arielle’s heart swelled. His concern made her feel cherished.
“I find it difficult to turn down an adventure.” She gave him a sly smile.
“I promise it will be a memorable one.” He flashed an irresistible grin, one with a hint of mischief. “I love performing for a crowd. I want to perform for you.”
She arched a brow in a flirtatious manner. “Sounds even more enticing.”
He shrugged. “The more I think of it, the more I like the idea. Besides, only humans come to our shows. Or that’s been the case as far as I can tell. Humans won’t pose a threat to your kind, would they?”
“Not in the sense that they’d be lured by my magic,” she said. “They wouldn’t recognize nor know what to do with it.”
“Brilliant.” He took her hand and rubbed her palm. “Come with me.”
She bit her lip while she debated it.
“Why are you hesitant?”
“I hate being a burden to you.”
His eyes widened with incredulity. “Arielle, is that what you think?”
She shrugged. “What other explanation is there?”
“Far from a burden. In fact,” He paused, turning his gaze to the distance before turning back to her. He cupped her face. “Spending time with you has been incredible, the best in a long time.”
Her breathing turned ragged. His words reached a place deep inside her. Was it possible he felt more for her than she knew? More than a physical attraction? Not knowing how to respond, she let out a soft sigh.
“Come with me. The distraction would be good for both of us. I’d rather do something than sit around waiting and going mad.”
Exploring another place with Calum. Getting a glimpse into his world. How could she resist? It spoke to her call for adventure—exactly what she’d lacked in her realm with the same existence and the same pegasi, day after day.
“I’d love to go.”
The next night, Arielle sat at a table in a dimly lit club with a witch, a wolf, and a gargoyle. Kayla, Raina, and Mairi, all of whom had insisted on accompanying Arielle. She had a knife fastened to her leg, on Calum’s insistence. The club smelled as if they’d painted the walls with beer and was as dark and confining as a coffin. But, she’d never experienced anything like this in her realm, so she tried to keep an open mind.
They had pints in front of them, except for Kayla, who sprinkled some herbs into a glass of cranberry juice.
“I appreciate you coming along,” Arielle said. “But did you come because you wanted to see them play—or because Calum put you up to it?”
“What makes you say that?” Raina asked.
Arielle hadn’t known Raina long, and couldn’t get a read on her yet. “He can be somewhat—protective.” Arielle laughed. “No, that’s an understatement. He is overprotective.”
“Ah, that notorious gargoyle instinct kicking in,” Raina said with a smile. “We all know what that’s like. Especially you, Mairi.”
“Trust me, I know what it’s like on both ends,” Mairi said. “Being on the receiving end is quite nice. But when you’re the one feeling the pull, it can be—difficult. All consuming.”
“I’ve never seen it with Calum before,” Kayla pointed out. “He must have developed strong feelings for you.”
Could that be true?
Or was Calum experiencing what Mairi had described, mere gargoyle instinct? Arielle hadn’t given him much downtime since they’d met. He’d been constantly vigilant.
“Did he convince you to keep an eye on me?” Arielle asked them once again, since none of them had directly answered her question.
Arielle touched the blue stone pendant Kayla had given her to wear to mask Arielle’s scent, helping her to blend in with humans. Hopefully, it worked on dragons, and whatever other supernatural beings that could pose a threat.
“No,” Kayla insisted. “Calum mentioned you were coming, so we thought we’d make it a girls’ night out.”
Kayla exchanged a glance with Raina. She was a terrible liar. At least, she’d tried to make her feel welcome.
“I come to watch them play as often as possible,” Kayla added. “In fact, that’s how we met—I fell for Mason while watching him play.”
“Calum mentioned that,” Arielle said.
“They were quite spectacular.” Kayla lowered her voice. “When they played on the island, they didn’t hold anything back. Not like now, when they have to masquerade as humans.”
Her curiosity rose. “What were they like?”
“Incredible to watch. The crowd would gather around the stage where the brothers loomed in stone form. As the sun set, they’d make wee movements. A finger twitch. A foot inching forward. Just enough to make the audience clamor with anticipation. Then they’d shift to human form, taking their instruments, and begin playing. Calum bounced all over the stage. He still does that, like nothing can ever contain his energy. At the end of the show, they’d put down their instruments, spread their wings, and shoot into the sky.”
Arielle listened, stunned. “It does sound like quite the spectacle.”
Kayla leaned back in her chair. “And now, look at the four of us out to watch them play. You couldn’t find more different women—species that is. But I’m glad to be here with all of you. I like seeing the brothers happy.”
She said it like Arielle and Calum were a couple. That wasn’t possible considering their limited time together. Still, it made her feel good to think she made Calum happy. Much better than feeling out of place in her realm. At least this realm had thrills. Sure, there was danger, but Calum made her feel
safe.
“I’m not with Calum,” she clarified. “He’s just helping me get back home.”
The three women exchanged glances once again, clearly not believing Arielle.
“We see the way he looks at you,” Raina said.
“And you at him,” Mairi added with knowing glint in her eye.
“And we heard about a hot kiss the other night,” Kayla said.
Arielle’s cheeks burned. They’d done so in clear view of the other gargoyles. She took a sip. Luckily, the stage lights blared on, taking the attention off her. How would she have explained the kiss, the growing attraction, which was pointless since it couldn’t go anywhere?
“Gavin is still a confirmed bachelor,” Raina said.
Arielle exhaled, glad to have the focus shifted off her.
“Can you picture him ever settling down with one woman?” Kayla’s eyes widened.
“Please. No.” Raina rolled her eyes. “He’s with a different one—or two—every night. Doubt his cock ever reaches room temperature.”
Kayla burst out with a laugh and swatted Raina’s arm. “Raina, that’s awful!” She lifted her juice to her lips. Before she took a sip, she said, “And true.”
Arielle laughed, as well. Since Gavin had scoped out many women as soon as he entered the club, it was easy to believe.
“I’ve noticed Calum is different around you,” Raina said.
“How?”
“Intense. More grown up.”
Arielle tilted her head, considering what Raina said.
“He’s the baby of the family and he acts that role. Carefree, playful. Lachlan has mentioned how Calum never missed the opportunity to play a practical joke. But with you, he’s maturing. You’re good for him.”
Could that be true?
“Here they come,” Kayla said. “Let’s move up.”
Arielle followed them to push their way closer to the stage.
“Plus,” Mairi added, “Bryce says they play better when they see us.”
“Ha.” Raina laughed. “Like peacocks showing off their pretty tails.”
Under the spotlights, the brothers strode onto the stage, raising their arms in greeting. The crowd, especially the women, cheered as they stepped up to their instruments. It was clear to see why—they were quite the vision in their kilts with their muscular chests glistening under the spotlights.
Knights of Stone: Calum: A gargoyle and pegasus shifter paranormal romance (Highland Gargoyles Book 5) Page 7
