by A. C. James
“Well,” Felicity said, slowly. “She met someone...”
Nathan looked relieved. “Oh, well, you know Cyn. I’m sure she’ll throw him over quite soon, right?”
Felicity grimaced. “Not exactly. This time, she’s really stuck on him. She can’t even leave his side, that’s how struck she is.”
She tried sounding breezy, thankful at least one part of the story wasn’t a lie. Stuck was exactly what Cyn was at the moment.
Nathan’s face fell. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Felicity said, not willing to meet his eyes. “So we need to support her and try to be happy for her, really. If you care about her it’s the right thing to do.”
Nathan sighed. “You know I’ve loved her since I first laid eyes on her. Are you telling me I have no chance?”
“Nathan, I don’t think it’s going to happen between the two of you.”
“Well, when do you think I’d have a bloody chance? She runs away from most blokes, but I swear to you, I’d do anything I could to make ‘er happy!”
“I know,” Felicity said, knowing he’d live up to his word. “But you know how she is, she’s always been flighty.”
“You mean she won’t ever commit to me,” he said flatly.
The waitress appeared, cheerily ignorant of the stormy atmosphere. Nathan dismissed her with a curt wave, and Felicity was envious as she scampered away. The guilt tightening her chest was immense. Nathan was such a trusted and loyal friend. She hated hurting him. Part of her almost resented how Cyn managed to keep his attention. Felicity wasn’t jealous, but she wished Cyn would keep the charm to a minimum around someone so vulnerable. Then again, it wasn’t really her fault. She’d always attracted men without trying. And Cyn had her reasons for holding men at arm’s length.
“Nathan, she’s always thought of you as a friend. I know that’s hard to hear. Let’s just have a good lunch,” Felicity said in the kindest tone she could muster. “My treat, okay? I’ll tell you all about the local ‘colour’ of the Aran Islands.”
Nathan sighed in defeat, accepting Felicity’s peace offering of pad Thai noodles with tofu. By the time they parted, she’d cheered him up at least a little. She knew, though, that he still thought Cyn would do what she’d always done and run from commitment. He’d always held out hope Cyn would eventually take him out of the friend zone. And she dreaded his inevitable realization that Cyn would be off-limits...forever.
Chapter Six
“We’re almost there, love,” Fallon said, as he led the way up a grassy hill.
Behind him, Cyn was trying hard to keep up. “I’ve heard that one before,” she grumbled under her breath.
Fallon chuckled despite himself. Even though the events of the morning prior were quite unpleasant, he was powerfully drawn to her and her bewitching curves. Her charming wit, and her smile, and her mouth...Fallon’s stallion pranced anxiously, tossing its mane. Fallon smiled to himself. She may not be ours forever, but she’s ours right now. He wouldn’t scare her away by telling her how his heart had whispered she was the one he’d been waiting for. She would figure it out when she was ready.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Fallon said, setting down his load.
He’d been carrying a large basket containing freshly baked bread, all kinds of fruit, aged cheese, and wine—along with some surprise chocolates for dessert—and this spot looked as beautiful as his mate. He’d appealed to Cyn for some company, and then suggested a picnic, hoping she’d take the bait. To his surprise, she accepted almost immediately, with some line about being cooped up. Fallon chose not to make anything of that remark, and packed a luxurious spread for the two of them.
“This is quite lovely,” Cyn murmured as she took in the lush scenery of the Realm.
They’d been walking all morning, and found themselves in a wooded glade. A stream was trickling through the woods somewhere behind them, and the air felt fresh and inspiring.
Fallon grinned. “I enjoy it.”
Cyn smiled at him, and a now-familiar warmth flared through his body. His stallion whinnied, pleased at her happiness.
“It’s a rum change from London, that’s for sure,” Cyn said, gazing off into the trees. “I never thought of myself as a nature-lover, but there’s something bloody calming about it.”
Fallon couldn’t agree more. “There is.”
He reached into the basket and unfolded a velvet blanket, spreading it out on the grass.
“My lady?” Gesturing to Cyn, he lent her his arm to help her sit. Touching her skin sparked tingles across his hand, and Fallon’s pulse raced at the memories from last night. She will be ours again. We shall take her right here in the glade. Fallon couldn’t deny his stallion. He wanted her in the worst way. It was going to be difficult to keep his hands off her.
“Thank you,” Cyn said quietly.
Her eyes threatened to ensnare him. He was determined to woo her without succumbing to her immense charm, but he couldn’t help it... she looked so beautiful. Because she was unwilling to slip into her clothes from the previous day’s adventure, he’d given her some leather cording, a sewing needle, and some thread. A few hours later, he’d been amazed, because she’d transformed a silk sheet into an elegant wrap dress that looked both casual and sexy. He’d never imagined she had a crafty side. She’d explained it was a trick she’d picked up on photo shoots—just a few stiches here and there for short-term needs. But I want her around for the long term. His stallion nodded in agreement.
“Thank you for accompanying me, love.” Fallon handed her a goblet and pulled a skin of wine from the basket. “Would you care for a libation?”
Cyn laughed and held out her glass. “I got so pissed the other night that I really shouldn’t, but it seems a shame. You’ve really outdone yourself.”
She’d started out chuckling, but ended up sounding serious. She was holding out the glass, but it seemed like she was leaning away. A flash of emotion flickered through her eyes.
“It’s some of the best I could find on such short notice,” Fallon said, in a thinly veiled attempt to make Cyn laugh again. She seemed so distant. His stallion hung its head.
Cyn flourished a dazzling smile, her previous expression hidden beneath it. “Well, I appreciate you going the extra mile.”
Her smile reminded him of the persona she seemed to adopt with everyone. Fallon didn’t enjoy the empty feeling it left him with. He poured them both wine from the skin and carefully handed Cyn a glass, desperate to feel her touch again. He’d seen a glimpse of the real woman underneath that playful act last night, and he desperately wanted to reach that side of her again.
“Anything for you,” he said lightly.
More than you’ll ever know. But he couldn’t say that.
“So...” Cyn began, stretching out on the velvet throw.
His eyes wandered up and down her curves, flaunted so magnificently in her ‘dress.’
“Did you have any ulterior motives for bringing me out here?” she asked.
Fallon chuckled, determined to beat her at her own flirtatious game. “Maybe. I guess you’ll have to find out. You may want to watch that I eat the same things you do,” he said archly, raising an eyebrow.
Cyn’s look of feigned surprise was almost too adorable for Fallon to bear. “Don’t be barking mad. I know you’d never do that.”
He ached to kiss her, pull her close, and protect her from everything. He needed her like he’d never needed a woman before. Perhaps it should scare him, the almost obsessive drive to possess her, but his life belonged to her. He wasn’t sure if it was crazy-brave or terribly foolish—either way she’d stolen his heart. He’d loved her from the very first moment, and a woman deserves a man who will look at her everyday like it’s the first time. He vowed he would be that man for her, even if she didn’t know it yet.
“Don’t be so sure of yourself. I have a reputation,” Fallon said wickedly.
“I’ve heard,” Cyn said dryly. She rolled over on the thro
w and propped herself up on her elbow. “But Tomas could’ve said more, y’know.”
Fallon winced, hating the reminder of their situation, even though she’d been half-kidding. His earlier anger had evaporated and he longed for a repeat of last night. His stallion made it hard to think around the woman. He’d give anything to smell her musk and taste her delicious skin again. And make her ours, once more. His stallion pawed at the ground, captivated by her.
“I know, and I feel absolutely awful, you must believe that. I never, ever would have deceived you. You...you are too wonderful for that sort of thing, and I deeply regret not making sure you were aware of the consequences.”
Fallon paused. It was unlike him to be so open with his emotions. Cyn studied him intently, not smiling but not cross. He appreciated how she listened. It showed an obvious intelligence behind her carefree persona.
“It was partly my fault, too,” she said, biting her lower lip.
Fallon’s chest gave a lurch. It was so difficult to be serious when all he wanted to do was worship every inch of her perfect, curvy body, and make her feel desired, safe, and loved. He swallowed nervously.
“No, love,” Fallon said softly. “Not your fault.” Then he leaned in and gently caressed her cheek. “Not your fault, but mine.”
Cyn licked her lips, glancing down before meeting his gaze. “I want you to show me something.”
He couldn’t take it anymore. His stallion anxiously pawed the ground and nickered. “What, love?”
“Well, I’d like to see you shift. I want to see your stallion.”
His stallion grew attentive. Fallon was encouraged that Cyn wanted to know him. “Aye.”
Cyn sat up on the blanket, completely mesmerized as he stood. In the clearing, he quietly disrobed and summoned his stallion, who was already pushing to the surface. Her eyes darkened with desire as they raked over his naked form. His skin stretched as his bones cracked, and he winced. Hair began to sprout from his arms and legs as they elongated, and hooves transformed his hands and feet. The hair on his head became a long, black mane. Cyn got to her feet and tentatively approached him.
She held out a hand, and he nuzzled her palm. “Beautiful.”
His stallion pranced around in delight. Yes, we must keep her safe. Keep her with us at all cost, his beast insisted. Fallon backed away from her and shifted into his human form. He had to be close to her, no matter what. He had to touch her now, before she was gone forever. Fallon walked to her, leaned forward, and gently kissed her. He savoured her warm, wine-scented mouth against his. As before, an electric charge bolted through his body, setting his stallion on fire. She was the only person he ever wanted to kiss again, and he wanted to kiss her over and over and over...
“Fallon, wait—” Cyn said, pulling away.
Fallon’s heart was thudding as he looked worriedly into her eyes.
“Love, what is it?” Fallon asked, inches away. Her soft breath feathered across his face. Her eyes were so close he could see himself reflected in each beautiful orb. Nodding, Cyn leaned forward, closing the distance between them. Fallon groaned gently into her mouth, closing his eyes in pleasure. She will be ours once again.
FALLON’S KISS WAS DELICIOUS and magical, but Cyn couldn’t help pulling away at first. Her heart was pounding so fast from seeing him shift. Slowly, the adrenaline faded. Instead she was buoyed by their walk and the wine. Fallon’s sexiness and kindness made her wonder if maybe she was missing something by sharing her nights wherever and with whomever she fancied. While Cyn more often went for ‘bad boys,’ there was something irresistible about Fallon’s charm, from the way he smiled at her to the way he’d poured their wine. It was like he already knew everything about her, and he was delighted by it all.
The kiss sent tremors through Cyn’s world, rocking her body with tiny, shattering quakes. Her nipples tingled, already reacting to the soft, warm touch of Fallon’s tongue caressing her own. Gently, Cyn reached up and pushed a hand through Fallon’s slightly-longer-than-normal locks, tugging at his brown hair. She purred into his open mouth, and his groan encouraged her to tug harder, using her other hand to trace patterns on the back of his neck with her nails.
“Mmmmm, aye, like that, love,” Fallon moaned, gently nibbling on Cyn’s full lower lip.
The sensation sent bolts of electricity through her body. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. She was very aware of how naked she was under the bedsheet ‘dress’ she’d cleverly fashioned that morning. It was even more erotic because Fallon was already nude.
“You like that, do you?” she teased, digging her fingernails into his soft flesh.
Fallon closed his eyes, tilting his head back, and she took the opportunity to plant small kisses all over his neck and collarbone. When he opened his eyes it was as if she could see his hungry stallion reflected in those amber pools. He pushed her back to the blanket, where they landed in a passionate heap.
It wasn’t like the night before, which had been hurried and more lustful than passionately tender. Instead, Cyn wanted to take her time with Fallon, to know every inch of his body, and to learn what gave him the most pleasure. It occurred to her how unusual this was for her, but that thought couldn’t hold her attention with a gorgeous, muscular man in her arms.
“I love it,” Fallon whispered, dipping his head to give Cyn a deep kiss.
As his tongue probed her mouth, she became putty in his hands. She gently licked at him with her own, purring. Between her legs was the damp evidence of her desire. Her back brushed against the softness of the velvet throw. Looks like I get my outdoor romp after all. He caressed her curves through the material, paying special attention to the swell of her breasts. Fallon rolled one of her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, making Cyn gasp with mingled pleasure and pain. She arched her back to give him better access to her sensitive chest. Fallon growled low in his throat, stroking down her neck with his free hand before moving on to her other breast.
Fallon pulled back, gazing into Cyn’s eyes as he plucked and played with her nipples, making her squirm and moan. The sensations were so deliciously good that she was panting, begging for him to touch the sensitive area between her legs. As he pleasured her he stared straight at her face, not looking away. She gasped as he slipped his hand inside her dress.
“You’re so beautiful,” Fallon murmured. “I can’t take my eyes off of you.”
Cyn blushed. As a model, she was used to being hit on, but she wasn’t used to having someone compliment her so earnestly. Or being pleasured without the expectation of returning the favour. She could barely comprehend that someone would want to love her body so thoroughly.
“That feels so good,” she said.
Fallon smiled. “I’ve never watched anything more fascinating, love.”
Cyn felt so vulnerable and exposed, because this seemed less about shagging than making love. And while Cyn never would have admitted her feelings to anyone, she couldn’t deny them to herself any longer. At least not right at that moment, when a dishy man was playing with her nipples and making her wet. Cyn gazed up, biting her lip. It pulled Fallon’s attention toward her mouth, and he leaned down to kiss her, still trying to wriggle his hand into the sewn bedsheet.
“How am I supposed to remove this garment?” he asked quietly in her ear, tugging at part of the sheet.
Cyn giggled, sitting up slowly. Her long hair tumbled down her back in waves, and she reached up to unpin part of her dress by the shoulders. Gently, she let the sheet fall, exposing her full breasts and taut nipples. A breeze blew, chilling Cyn in the most delicious way, but she lay back down on the velvet, inviting him in. Instead of getting back on top of her, however, Fallon positioned himself next to her, shielding her nakedness with his body.
“What’re you doing?” she whispered, pulling him close for a kiss.
Fallon’s body was so hard and strong against her own, and the memory of him slamming into her, again and again, sent a sweet convulsion through her sex.<
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“I’m protecting you. We’re not yet mated, but you are mine and mine alone to touch, taste, and see.”
It wasn’t a silly thing to hear when it came out gruff, commanding, and totally alpha-hot. Cyn had brushed off so many guys in the past because she didn’t need protecting. But with Fallon, she felt safe, even though she had no bloody idea how to make it work when she didn’t want to give up her career or independence. She pushed the thought aside as he wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back. She enfolded her body around him, fitting one of his legs between hers. Fallon used his knee to urge her legs further apart, letting his hand wander softly down her frame.
“And I’m going to see and explore every inch of you,” he said.
Her intake of breath was almost audible, and the air between them grew more serious. Cyn was breathless as she took in his beautiful, well-defined chest, admiring his muscles and the sleek way he moved without a shirt. He never tore his eyes away from her. Without breaking his gaze, she stood. Posing in her white shift, she looked statuesque. Fallon regarded her hungrily. She winked at him and slowly unwrapped the remainder of the sheet from her hips, letting it pool around her on the ground. She let him stare at her for what seemed like an eternity.
“Do you like what you see?”
“Aye.” His voice was husky.
Cyn sat back down and wrapped her body around his. Fallon nudged her legs apart, getting up on all fours and nuzzling her neck. Cyn shivered. Somehow, his touch and kisses were even hotter when they were being so open and sincere with one another.
“I’m going to taste you now, love,” Fallon said. He ran a hand over Cyn’s hardened nipples, down her belly, and paused in her trim patch of pubic hair.
He tugged at it gently, and Cyn moaned. The wetness of her arousal marked her thighs with a slippery slope of desire. Fallon’s hand hovered above her, close enough that she could feel its heat. Her throat went dry, and her heart was racing. She parted her legs further.
