Without a glance at Lori or any consideration of the customers, she ran from behind the counter and threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Luke!”
He held her tight, as if he would absorb her into himself. She would have gladly have given her breath to stay in his embrace, to feel him holding her forever.
“My God, lass,” he rumbled.
She pulled back and stared up at him. “You came back.”
A grin tipped one corner of his mouth. “Aye.”
She tried to gauge his expression. He looked… hopeful. For what? She couldn’t guess.
“What is it?” She took a step back when he released her. “This isn’t about the—”
“Nay,” he chuckled. “I didn’t come back for the gold.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“I came back for you.”
Oh, she wanted to believe him. She swallowed hard. “Luke, I—”
“Marry me, Brianna.” He pulled her to him again and touched his forehead to hers. “Come home with me.”
She opened her mouth to answer, to shout out “yes!” Suddenly she stilled. “What of Violet?”
“She’s welcome. If you think she can travel.”
She knew he meant a time jump, and this afternoon the child would see Doctor Noble again.
“She goes to the hospital today, Luke. Then we’ll know for sure.”
He arched one auburn brow and she welcomed the charm that drew her closer.
Her pulse raced and his pull touched her soul.
“I still be needin’ an answer, lass.”
“Yes!” she cried.
Then she kissed him, right there in the coffee shop.
“It’s about time!” Lori called. “Bree’s been moonin’ over you for days.”
Brianna’s cheeks heated but she flashed a smile at her friend. She faced Luke again.
“I love you, Luke,” she said. “After you left…” She shook her head.
“Aye, lass,” he said. “I missed you. I love you, too.”
He kissed her this time, a heated caress that curled her toes in her shoes. When he released her, she gazed into his eyes. The love was there, green fire that she would happily feel forever. The honor was also there, the honor she knew to be a part of him.
God, she loved him.
She turned and hurried over to Lori. “I… Lori, could you…?”
“Tell Mr. S you’re leavin’?” Lori asked with a grin. “Sure, hon.”
Brianna reached up on tiptoe and hugged Lori. “Thank you, Lori. You’ve been a good friend.”
Lori sniffled and waved a hand in the air. “Go, Bree.”
Brianna untied her apron for the last time and grabbed her purse from the back room. She found Luke waiting by the front door, his body thrumming with impatience.
His eyes were dark, his face set, and she felt a rush of awareness. She easily caught his eagerness.
“Come, lass,” he said.
He took her hand and she felt a jolt. They stepped out into the bright afternoon together, the sounds and sights of the busy street lost as he grabbed her to him again.
He kissed her until she was limp. “Now?”
Her body screamed for him as her heart had a moment ago. “God, yes. We just—
oh! Violet and Mrs. Henning…”
Luke laughed. “My flat, then. ‘Tis blessedly empty.”
They hurried to his apartment building, unable to keep from touching each other even as they waited for the elevator. Once inside, he lifted her and she sat on the brass rail bracketing the glass walls. He pressed against her, his jeans rasping against hers as she arched against the window behind her. His mouth trailed over her cheek, her throat, as he began to lift her T-shirt.
* * *
The bell dinged and Luke lifted his head. Brianna was still lost, her eyes closed as she breathed in through parted lips. He’d nearly taken her in the glass-framed elevator!
Control, Luke. Just for a few more minutes.
He got her into his apartment and banged the door shut behind him. She stood there, one hand pressed against her belly as she glanced around the place. Set against the
drab walls and furnishings, she was as bright as the morning sun over the dell. Her shirt was wrinkled, her hair mussed, her mouth rosy from his kisses. Aye, he loved her.
“Brianna,” he rasped.
She faced him fully, her blue eyes wide. Passion was there. Lust, love, and everything that should be between a man and his mate. Then, she smiled.
The next instant she was in his arms, moving beneath him on the dull beige couch as he peeled off her T-shirt, her jeans. Leaning away from her, he pulled his shirt up and over his head. She let out a little purr and he felt it straight to his groin. Leaning up on her elbows, she watched him. She wore another of those silky garments beneath, outlining her nipples through the soft pink fabric. His mouth went dry.
He lowered himself on top of her, rubbing his chest against hers. She arched and held his head close, stroking her fingers through his hair. He gave her what he craved as he moved his mouth to her breast. Nipping her through the silk, he heard her gasp. Her fingers grabbed his hair again and Luke slipped the garment over her head to puddle on the floor. Daylight streamed through the large window behind the couch, touching her flesh as he longed to, as he would. He lowered his head and took one sweet nipple in his mouth.
“Luke!” Brianna wriggled beneath him. “God, Luke!”
He continued to taste her, to nibble and tease until she was pulling his hair. “Aye, Brianna.” He reached between them, touched her silky drawers to feel her damp against his fingers. Trembling, he stroked and felt her passion grow. He’d tasted her before, brought her to her release against his tongue as he’d held her safe in his arms. Today he would feel her throb around his shaft, feel her come apart with him as far inside her as he could be.
He took off his jeans, pausing to drop a kiss on her belly, and then stretched on
top of her. The wet silk of her drawers pulled and caressed him, drove him nearly to climax. He heard a soft tear as he removed her panties and soon he was there, at that place he’d longed to be since he’d first seen her. She was pure. He would hurt her. Damn.
“Brianna?”
She opened her eyes and smiled. He nearly spent himself right then, on her belly as before.
“Yes, Luke.” She licked her lips. “Please.”
In one thrust, he entered her. She cried out, but he couldn’t stop, couldn’t slow as the blood rushed in his ears. It was like the time jump, all swirling lights and pulsing sound. There was no deafening silence, no suspension of sight and sound now. Now there was only more. More pleasure and more love than he could have imagined.
“Ah, lass…” He reached between them again, stroking where their bodies joined until he began to feel her pulsing around him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she sobbed against his throat as she found her release. The lamp beside the couch fell over, its bulb breaking with a pop. The curtains fluttered and the TV flashed on, blinking through channels as Brianna sobbed his name.
He let go, released the control he’d held with a thin thread. His climax seemed to go on forever. He moved, shook, and held her close until he thought his heart would burst. Then she touched his face and his heart didn’t burst. Nay, it swelled.
He stared down at her. “I love you, Brianna.”
Tears spiked the lashes that framed those deep blue eyes. “I love you, Luke.”
Chapter 23
Brianna couldn’t believe what had happened. Luke’s big body was still stretched on top of her, his green eyes compelling as he brought his lips to hers. He’d begun to move against her, inside her, and she winced.
He kissed her brow. “Did I hurt you?”
God, he was hard against her and she couldn’t imagine a sweeter pleasure.
“No, Luke.” She placed her hands behind his neck and drew him down to her.
“Just a bit before, that’s all.”
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He grinned and she felt his charm. He grabbed the remote and with a click turned off the TV. Then he took her there again, moving as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Blue sparks showed beneath her lids as she neared her second release. She shattered and he growled her name as he came inside of her.
Brianna opened her eyes and glanced around the little apartment. “At least nothing broke that time.”
Luke’s laugh rumbled from where his head lay in the crook of her neck. “Aye.
For we’re going to do this quite a bit from now on.”
After a few more minutes spent snuggling on the short couch, they rose and dressed.
“We’ll just go and pick up Violet.” Brianna tucked her T-shirt into her jeans. She spun to face Luke. “Oh! What will I tell Mrs. Henning?”
“The lady who watched the sprite?” He grinned again and she felt a flutter in her breast. “Use a touch of glimmer on her.”
They soon arrived at her house, the place that wouldn’t be her and Violet’s for much longer. Brianna stopped on the porch, her hand on the doorknob, her mind on the coming meeting with Luke’s family. Surely, they blamed her for their Uncle’s condition;
there was no way for her to escape that. Luke understood. He was Luke, after all. And she knew his heart was hers as sure as hers was his. His family would be a different matter.
Luke placed his hand on her shoulder and she faced him. “’Twill be all right, lass.
My family will understand.”
How could he read her thoughts? She leaned against the door. “But your uncle, Luke. He’s so ill. And it’s all my fault.”
“‘Tis true.” He smiled and kissed her. “’Twas Uncle Seamus who told me to come bring you home.”
He reached around and turned the knob, and they entered the house. Violet
perched on the couch, a smile on her rosy face. “Luke!” She ran to them and threw her arms around Luke’s waist. “I knew you’d be back. Grandmother said so.”
Luke glanced at Brianna who just shrugged. He scooped Violet into his arms.
“What say you to a visit to my Ireland, sprite?”
Violet looked at Brianna, her eyes clear and bright. “Can we, Brianna?”
Brianna winked at Luke and nodded. “Aye.”
* * *
Luke held tight to Brianna, who in turn got a close grip on Violet. The doctor had declared the child fit for travel. Only this morning the fine Dr. Noble had said a reluctant farewell to Violet and Brianna. Luke hadn’t missed the doctor’s eyes lingering on Luke’s lass. True, he’d saved the sprite with his medicine. Brianna was Luke’s. And she saved him with her love.
He told himself that Daniel had jumped with him in safety. ‘Twas true, Luke hadn’t been aware of the imp’s presence at the time. He prayed he could keep the Pixies safe.
The little sprite closed her eyes, bracing herself for the jump. Brianna kissed the child’s cheek and stared at Luke for a long moment.
“I trust you, Luke,” she said as she closed her eyes.
Luke swallowed thickly. He clutched the amber. “Hold on.”
The world spun away and for one heart-stopping stretch of time he heard, and felt, nothing. Was Brianna still in his arms? Was the sprite still safe?
He landed flat on his back with Brianna and Violet sprawled over him. Thank you, Lord.
“Oh, my,” he heard Brianna sigh.
“That was brilliant!” Violet squealed in his ear.
He opened his eyes and saw the afternoon sun was low in the sky. Violet’s
beaming face was the next thing he saw. She looked nothing like the pale, wan thing he’d first glimpsed through Brianna’s window. Nay, she was bright, perky, and full of Pixie magic.
He turned his head to find Brianna gazing around at the trees around them. Her sister disentangled herself and bounced to her feet. Brianna shifted and Luke took the moment to keep her close.
“Luke, let me up,” Brianna said.
He held on tight until she at last looked at him. Knowledge shone in her eyes and she gave him a slow smile. His body stirred and he brought his mouth to hers. She was his. He wished for a moment that they could stay just as they were, locked in each other’s arms with nothing to face more serious than if it were going to rain in the next few hours.
He brought his lips to hers.
“This be your Pixie?” Luke heard Patrick ask.
Brianna gasped as she braced herself against his chest. They both looked at
Patrick, whose scowl was as dark as the afternoon was bright.
“Hello, Patrick,” Luke said.
Brianna stood, busily straightening her hair and clothes as her cheeks flushed pink. Violet stared up at Patrick, her eyes round.
“You’re Luke’s brother?” Violet asked.
“Aye.” Patrick began to scowl in the sprite’s direction but, apparently, he couldn’t keep a smile from tugging at one corner of his mouth. “You be the Pixie’s sister?”
“Uh huh!” Violet gave a giggled. “And yours, soon.”
Patrick’s smile was gone in that instant. “What?” He turned toward Luke. “Luke, you’re not marryin’ the Pixie who—”
“Aye,” Luke cut in. He got to his feet. “Brianna, may I present my brother Patrick?”
Brianna inclined her head and Patrick grudgingly bowed in return. Before Patrick could open his mouth once more, Luke held up one hand.
“Pray, send for Father Lanigan,” he instructed. “He’s to meet us at the chapel at sunset.”
Patrick’s mouth dropped open. “You don’t mean to marry her?”
Luke shut his brother’s mouth with one glare.
“Fine.” Patrick gave a curt nod and stalked from the clearing.
“Well.” Luke let out a breath. “That was pleasant.”
Brianna said nothing but he saw the determination on her face. Her cheeks were pale but he didn’t miss the sparkle in her eyes. She wouldn’t let Patrick’s boorish behavior sway her heart. Lord, he loved the lass!
“Do come on, Brianna,” Violet said, trembling with excitement. She tugged
Brianna’s hand. “Come on!”
Luke took Brianna’s other hand in his.
She held herself away from him, once more brushing her hands over her hair and jeans. “Luke, I need to take a shower, or… or a bath, I guess. And I can’t marry you in my jeans!”
Aye, ‘twould not serve for her to be uncomfortable. And while he thought she looked more than fine in her future clothes, he suspected she wouldn’t appreciate his masculine opinion just now. Lord knew she would look wonderful in a dress, too.
“Patrick!” Luke called.
His brother stiffened and turned, his hands in fists at his sides. “What, pray?” he growled.
Luke knew he wouldn’t step closer; he hadn’t lost the fury clear on his face.
“Send Mrs. O’Grady to my cottage,” Luke shouted.
Patrick grumbled something Luke was happy to miss and once more stalked
away. Luke turned to Brianna and once more took her hand in his.
“Come, lass,” Luke said. “You can bathe at my cottage. And I’m sure Mrs.
O’Grady can arrange something for you to wear.”
* * *
Brianna arched one brow at him. She said nothing as he and Violet all but pulled her toward the dell. The place was as if out of a fairytale, which seemed fitting to Brianna. Braunach lived here, and the structures she saw dotting the landscape as they hurried by reflected their pride and workmanship. The cottages were quaint, squat in their lovely yards, with spring flowers dressing the windows and front porches.
“Oh, Brianna!” Violet said. “It’s so pretty here!”
Luke winked at Violet and looked at Brianna.
She smiled. “Yes it is, love.”
“You’ll not mind living here, lass?” Luke asked. “Here with me?”
His words made her heart thump, deep and low. If Violet hadn’t held her other hand, Br
ianna would have thrown her arms around Luke’s neck and kissed him senseless.
Live here with him? She’d live anywhere with him!
“Your dell is lovely, Luke,” she said.
Luke grinned and waved her and Violet ahead of him. “My cottage, lass.”
There where the trees parted was the prettiest house she’d ever seen. Thatched roof straight and tight, windows peeking from thick half-timbered walls. There were no flowers near the front door, but a bachelor’s home wouldn’t have them. It was bright and shiny as the sun on the Cornish coast, though.
“It’s brilliant!” Violet said.
Brianna caught the look of pride on Luke’s face. This was his home. It would be her home, as well. Suddenly she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
Luke opened the arched door and waved Brianna and Violet in ahead of him. The place wasn’t large, just an open room which served as a gathering room. It was furnished simply, no real decorative touches here either. Brianna looked around the space. Simple dressings for the windows wouldn’t detract from the mullioned panes and the rough-hewn mantle above the stone fireplace would be well served with some flowers, maybe some candles. She smiled to herself. She wasn’t even Luke’s wife yet and she was already redecorating his house.
“What do you think, lass?” Luke asked.
“Luke, this place is just—”
“Hello, Master Luke!” someone called from outside.
Luke turned to the doorway and ushered in a stout woman with a round, smiling face. “Hello, Mrs. O’Grady.”
The woman looked at Brianna. “Oh, this must be your bride, sir.”
Luke’s brows shot up. “Patrick told you?”
“Aye.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. O’Grady,” Brianna said. “And this is my sister, Violet.”
“Hello, Violet.” Mrs. O’Grady ran a hand over Violet’s hair. “What a pretty little sprite.”
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