She bit back the sudden urge to snap at him for his lack of manners but instead sat down to eat.
She pointed her fork at him. “You know, my brother Guiles is much like you. He is temperamental and brooding. It suits his choice of profession, him being an artist and all.”
Kieran’s brows pinched together, but he continued eating without responding.
Wendy continued, undeterred. “I suppose your morose personality fits your profession as well. I can’t imagine that you have to engage a demon in pleasant conversation during a fight.”
“Morose?” Kieran asked, an eyebrow raised.
Wendy smiled at him sweetly, enjoying his irritation. “Yes, you are very morose. Grumpy, gloomy, that sort of thing.” She shrugged and took another bite of food.
Kieran got up to get a second helping and sat back at the table. He’d served himself another two slices of meatloaf and a pile of mashed potatoes.
Wendy studied his plate. “You don’t like peas?” He glanced at her blankly but then got up and scooped peas on top of the mashed potatoes and sat back down.
Wendy couldn’t stand eating in silence, so she began asking Kieran questions.
“Why does Cyn call you Kit?”
He raised an eyebrow and one corner of his mouth lifted. “When I was a lad, I couldn’t pronounce my name. I’d say my name was ‘Kitten’ when asked.”
“Can I call you Kit?”
The bland look he gave her was a clear no.
“Besides Cyn, did you have any other brothers or sisters?”
“An older brother, Malcolm. He was the laird of our clan when I left,” Kieran replied, his eyes never leaving his plate. At least he liked her cooking.
“What about your parents?”
He grumbled but answered her. “My parents died when I was about twelve. Malcolm and his wife Lizzie raised Cyn and me.” This time he raised his eyes and met hers. “What about you? Family? Ever been married?”
Wendy smiled, glad to have a conversation, although she suspected that he had turned the topic away from himself on purpose. “Just my brother Guiles and I. Guiles now lives in Savannah. My parents live near Dublin.” She took a breath. She’d never even been in love, not until him. But she couldn’t tell him that. Not yet. “I’ve never been married. I had a couple long-term relationships but never serious enough to consider marriage.”
He continued eating, not looking up. Silent.
Wendy drank her wine and poured a bit more. As much as she tried to hide it, he made her nervous and anxious. The man had walls so thick she wondered how he could move with so much finesse. The heaviness around him was a heartbreaking testament to whatever had happened in his past, the unfortunate event that had caused him to build the safeguard.
At the same time, she ached to touch him. Recalling their closeness, his heated touch back at her apartment, made her hand tremble. What causes him to be so protective of his emotions?
As if sensing her train of thought, his somber gaze met hers. Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed.
Noticing that he’d finished eating, she stood, grabbing their plates to take them to the sink. Kieran’s hand on her forearm stopped her.
“Thank you. Dinner was very good.”
“Oh. You’re welcome.” Wendy was at a loss for words, not expecting his touch, or his thanks. She moved away and put the plates down on the counter. “You should get some rest. I’ll clean up. It gives me something to do.”
He carried the glasses to the sink but didn’t move away. To stand so close and not touch him was unbearable. She reached out slowly and touched his chest. He didn’t step away. The hardness of him astonished her. With caution, she moved her hand up to his jaw, her gaze never wavering from his penetrating clear eyes.
Heat surged from his intense gaze. He leaned toward her as if to say something. Without thinking, she lifted onto her toes and touched her lips to his. The soft kiss lasted but a moment, yet it was long enough for her to close her eyes at the feel of his lips on hers.
Kieran jerked backward, stumbling a couple steps. He stared at her with an expression that she could only describe as terror. It was fleeting before he resumed his aloof look. Then, he stormed from the room.
She would get to the bottom of this. Was her kissing him that terrible of a thing? Wendy ran after him, not stopping when his bedroom door almost slammed in her face, missing her only because she blocked the door with her foot and followed him inside.
The dimness of his bedroom made her take some time to allow her eyes to adjust. Kieran didn’t seem to have a problem. He went directly to the bathroom and shut the door.
Hearing water running, she huffed and sat on the bed. The man took a shower every time he was rattled. How strange.
Finally, after a few minutes, she wondered if he was really taking a shower. She leaned on the door, putting her ear to it. The sound of his heavy breathing surprised her, the sound louder then softer. He was in there pacing!
Not sure what to do, she knocked. “Kieran, I need to talk to you! Are you all right?”
No answer.
“Look, I’m not leaving until you tell me you’re okay. If I broke some Protector rule by kissing you, then just tell me. Shit.”
Caught off guard, she stumbled back when the door jerked open. Stormy eyes met hers for a split second. Without a word, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed.
Wendy gasped when they fell into the bed together, Kieran’s hot breath on her neck as he nuzzled his face into her throat. His lips traced kisses across her skin. He cupped her butt and lifted her into him.
With a moan, she dug her fingers into his hair and began to trace her tongue on the soft skin of his throat.
His hands roamed over her, each touch strong, yet gentle. When he jerked her blouse up and began to caress her breasts, she wanted to cry. How long had she waited for this moment? Longed to be with him? Barely pulling away, he removed her shirt and then her bra. When his mouth found her nipple, she arched, urging him on.
“Oh!” Wendy gasped when he cupped her between her legs. She ran her hands under his shirt, caressing his back.
His tongue twirled round and round her taut nipple, each time sending a wave of pure ecstasy through her. He nipped at it and then moved to the other one, repeating the same delicious actions. When he pushed her pants off, she was totally bare to him.
He pushed up, and his somber gaze studied her languidly.
Wendy watched his face while his eyes roamed over her body so boldly. It aroused her to see how much her nudity affected him. His normally clear green eyes darkened to a forest green. His breath came in small pants.
She reached for the bottom of his T-shirt and pulled it up over his head. He rolled to the edge of the bed and pulled his pants off. Then, he lay on his side next to her, not moving. They each studied the other’s body for a long while.
The lines of Kieran’s body were a work of art. His muscular broad chest, lightly covered by a dusting of blond hair, was perfect. His stomach was ripped, his hips narrow. When her gaze fell upon his thickness, it twitched, letting her know he was aware of her perusal. Kieran was definitely well endowed.
Wendy reached for him, her fingers tracing slowly down his chest. She leaned into him, her mouth trailing behind her hand. She savored the taste of his skin.
When he fell back onto the bed, she circled his nipple with her tongue, enjoying the muscles flexing under her mouth and hands. With her hands on his hips, she held him in place as she trailed her tongue down his torso. He grunted and fisted his hands onto the bed covering, obviously holding himself back from taking control.
She wrapped her fingers around his erection and caressed the head of it with her thumb. A loud moan escaped from deep within Kieran’s throat, and he threw his head back. She kissed the tip before allowing her tongue to glide over it.
This was her one chance to experience being with him. Lord knew, the man was skittish. Hell, he’d probably take her back to Fallon’s
afterward. She was going to enjoy every minute of making love to Kieran. He bucked into her mouth, and she tasted a drop of him. He was close to coming. She suckled him while slipping her fingers under to caress his sack. His entire body trembled in response.
When his hands steadied her shoulders, a sign to slow down, she released him from her mouth and looked up to him with a wicked smile.
“What do you want, Kieran? Tell me, and I’ll do it.”
The smolder in his gaze took her aback. “Just being here right now is more than enough.”
Allowing his body to confirm his words, he pulled her up to his chest and held her in place, his arms wrapped around her. He ground into her core, making sounds of pleasure in her ear. Frantic to taste his lips on hers, she tried to turn her head, but he turned away, effectively evading her kisses.
When his rigid member rubbed against her core, she became unable to form coherent thoughts. She pulled at his hips, wanting him inside her.
“Kieran, I want you. Inside me. Now.”
Kieran rolled so they both lay on their sides; he pulled her leg over his hip and pushed into her, filling her.
He began to move in and out of her, each movement slow and steady, each thrust bringing her closer to the brink.
Wendy drew back away from his throat. “I want to look at you, Kieran,” she gasped when he grabbed her bottom and surged deeper. Locking gazes with her, he continued pumping into her, faster and faster.
His eyes were hooded, his lips parted, and he gasped for breath. The muscles of his neck and shoulders constricted as he took them closer and closer to culmination.
Wendy thrashed wildly as she neared her release. She screamed and began to convulse when an orgasm rocked her to the core.
Shuddering in the aftermath, she barely felt him lower her back onto the bed while still moving in and out of her. His pace quickened, and his soft grunts beckoned her to come again with him.
“Oh, God, Kieran,” Wendy gasped, instinctively knowing he was about to crest. She wrapped her legs around his thighs, urging him onward. With a primal growl, Kieran shuddered and expelled himself into her. She climaxed a second time, her scream intermingled with his. His heated seed filled her as he gave a final thrust and then fell on her, his heavy breathing in her ear. He remained on top of her, his arms securely around her.
Kieran’s face was turned away from her, and when she tried to move away, his arm tightened around her waist. Letting out a sigh, she relaxed into him and closed her eyes, soaking in the intimacy of the moment.
Wendy pulled her fingers through Kieran’s tresses, stroking his silky hair absently. He laid half on top of her, his body limp, his face still turned away.
Then, he tensed.
“This should have never happened. It was a mistake.” His voice came across tight, restrained. Although the pillow muffled the words, they were clear enough for Wendy to note the bitterness in the words.
Hurt and resentment surged through her, and she sat straight up and threw his arm off. “Don’t you dare take this moment away from me!” Wendy screamed, hating the choking sounds she made. “Maybe to you it meant nothing to be with me, but don’t you think for a minute you can turn this into something meaningless for me!”
She jumped from the bed and began to grab her discarded clothing, shoving his leg aside to get her underwear. “You are such a jerk, Kieran,” she told him, slapping the back of his leg. “I don’t even know what to think right now.”
Without bothering to look at him, she jammed her clothes on in case Jake might have returned. She did not want him to see her storm out of Kieran’s bedroom half-naked. Of course, if he was there, he’d probably heard her shrieks during lovemaking.
Kieran rolled to his side and watched her, as usual his face devoid of expression. She glared at him once she finished dressing and waited for him to say something. He glanced away momentarily before looking at her again. “I apologize.”
“Don’t. Just forget it, Kieran.” Wendy slammed the door behind her and rushed to her bedroom. The house was empty. Thank God, there were no witnesses to her humiliating experience.
In her room, she went directly to the bed and laid down on it. Closing her eyes, she could smell Kieran on her skin; still feel his touch, the image of the look on his face while he was joined with her still very fresh. Why did he have to make that comment? Was he so intent on keeping everyone away from him that he felt the need to hurt her right after sharing such an intimate moment?
Except for not kissing him, she’d felt a connection with him. It was probably her imagination, a pathetic attempt to give the experience more credence than it deserved. All because she’d been foolish enough to fall in love with the man from the moment she’d met him. Now what? Pretend nothing happened? Could she do that?
“Ugh.” Wendy rolled onto her stomach and closed her eyes. What would her mother tell her to do right now?
I’ll ask her. She got up and went to clean the kitchen while she phoned her mother.
Wendy’s call to Ireland did make her feel better. By the time she ended the phone call, the kitchen was clean, and Jake had arrived. She’d asked for her mother’s advice, leaving out the steamy parts. Mostly asking what to do after she’d had an amazing time with a guy, and he immediately said he’d made a mistake. Her mother’s advice was “Tell him he’s probably right. He’s not worth any more of your emotional time. Ignore that anything happened between you and let him squirm.” Her mother had ended with “What a jerk!” to which Wendy readily had agreed.
After sleeping for only a couple of hours, he woke not only to smell her in his bed, but the pictures of her face and her body assaulted him. Not able to remain in there, he left his room.
Once in the kitchen, Kieran drank coffee while skimming his messages. Reluctantly, he went in search of Wendy and Jake. The bank would only be open for a couple more hours, so they had to leave.
A chess piece fell to the floor as Wendy punctuated something in a story she was in the middle of telling Jake, hitting the table with her fist. “So the lady slams this huge bag full of crumpled money and coins on the counter and demands I count it for her.” Her hands flew up over her head dramatically. “There were like twenty people waiting in line behind her.”
Jake’s eyes met his momentarily, acknowledging his entrance, but he returned his attention to Wendy without making a move to stand.
Kieran cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll tell you what happened next later,” Wendy told Jake, getting up, flashing them both a smile and dashing from the room. “Let me grab my purse real quick.” The fresh lavender scent of her recently washed hair caught Kieran’s attention. She’d showered and changed into a short green dress. Her sandals clacked noisily on the wood floors as she hurried away. He noticed her ankle was still bandaged.
Both men watched her leave, the sight of her bare legs quite fetching. Kieran held back a possessive urge to punch Jake for looking at them.
On the way to the bank, Kieran drove, and Wendy sat in the passenger seat. Although not as chatty as usual, she made comments to Jake about the Atlanta landmarks they passed. Jake encouraged her by asking questions and paying close attention. The man practically drooled every time Wendy looked over her shoulder at him.
Whatever anger she’d had toward Kieran earlier seemed to have dissipated. Instead of relief at not having to deal with her hurt feelings, he was disappointed at how easy she’d let it go.
Wendy intrigued him. She’d informed him of her feelings and then allowed him to have his own. After that, she dropped it, it seemed, no questioning, no tearful reproaches. Unfortunately, it made him want to know even more about what she felt and thought.
“So, Kieran,” Wendy got his attention. “Just to give you a heads up, Marlene, the bank manager, is going to be the one that will probably escort us to the safety deposit box area. She’s a total cougar, so be prepared.”
Glancing at her, their eyes met for a moment. Wendy’s
expectant, wide look only gave him the impression that she was waiting for his reply to her comment, nothing more. He didn’t see any hurt or sadness, not even her usual subtle flirty look. Her lips curved mischievously, giving her a wood sprite appearance. Just glancing at her lips, his heart skipped, and the instant heat made him hard. If not for Jake in the backseat, Kieran was sure he would have pulled the car over and would not have been able to stop himself from having her one more time.
He nodded, acknowledging her comment, and she returned her attention out the window.
The transaction at the Georgia Bank and Trust was quick and efficient, given that Wendy had worked there. Several of the tellers eyed Kieran with curious stares as Wendy introduced him as a friend.
As Wendy predicted, Marlene, the office manager, slipped him her phone number while Wendy had her back turned.
Heading back to the house, she insisted that he drive past her apartment. In the parking lot, she looked at the building for a few minutes, not speaking a word.
“Do you want to go inside?” Jake asked her. He leaned forward and placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it before letting her go. Kieran clenched his jaw and gripped the steering wheel while looking straight ahead as they waited for Wendy’s answer.
“No. I guess I just miss being home,” Wendy replied, her voice flat. The sad undertones in her voice almost made him reach for her hand.
Once they arrived back at the house, Jake went to the living room, giving them space so that Kieran could study the jewelry.
Wendy withdrew a purple velvet jewelry roll from her bag and placed it on the table. Her hand shook as she unrolled it, her eyes downcast, her lips pressed together. For some reason, seeing the pieces affected her. He watched sadness and melancholy roll across her features as she reached inside a pocket and pulled out a large golden locket.
Surrender: Immortal Protectors, Book 2 Page 10
