Page 74 of The Scald Crow
I studied the bristles casting shadows over his chin, the jugular vein pulsating beneath the collar of his button-down shirt, and his eyes gleaming too bright.
“And seducing me? Is that part of your plan?” I heard the lunacy of my words and wondered if I was indeed mad, if somewhere between here and there, I had tipped over the edge, and he was fool enough to join the crazy train. I clamped my lips together, squashing the heated sensations racing over me. Why was I so attracted to him?
“Is this our first fight?” He played with my fingers, one at a time. His game had an unmistakably erotic undertone.
“You didn’t answer my question.” I planted my fingers against his, opening his palm. His hand was so much bigger than mine.
“You’ve raised the bar. Visiting my dreams, holding me under your spell. I wonder sometimes if you are a witch. But then, when I look into your silvery eyes, I see the truth. I am a mere mortal. Could I ever be enough for you?” He closed his fingers, swallowing my hand.
“What do you want, Colm? Tell me the truth.” My skin tingled from head to toe.
“I’ve told you,mo grhá. I want you, and only you.” He leaned close, his breath tickling my ear. “Your sweet delight will be mine.” The laughter returned to his voice, and the shadows walked away.
“My sweet delight? No one’s ever said that before. You’re quite the charmer, O’Donnell.” My heart soared. My mouth watered.
“You’re a greedy wench. You visit my dreams and take what you desire.” He dropped his head and kissed my knuckles.
“I can touch you and not see the future.” I shifted on the bench, imagining what my first time would be like. I gazed at his long, thick fingers, imagining what he had in store for me.
“You’re wearing your mother’s bracelet.” He didn’t grasp my meaning. Instead, he turned my wrist.
“Look. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. All of this.” I pulled away. “I don’t ‘connect’ with other people. Not like this.”
“But you have, Calla. How long have you been here? A week? You’re part of the community. You belong. Even more than I do, it seems.” His smile sent liquid heat fluttering over me.
The server placed our beverages before us and left behind napkin-wrapped cutlery.
“I don’t know what you want from me.” Playing dumb was not one of my strong suits, but I raised my eyebrows and gave it a go.
“Are you enjoying my company?” He stretched his long legs under the table.
“Maybe.” I broke the seal, opened the napkin, and set out the utensils, refusing to commit.
“I want to be with you, Calla Rioghain Sweet, for the rest of my days.” He said my given name with a full-on Irish lilt.
“Hmm, sounds like you’re asking for another play date.” That touching thing proved addictive. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything. My life is an open book, dog-eared and stained but always open.” His grin touched my soul.
“Do you think Ciarán is with the Other Crowd?” I watched him through my eyelashes.
“It’s a possibility. Ciarán was always one for the craic.” He wrapped his hand around the back of his neck.
“How does that make you feel?” I whispered low so that he had to crane his neck to hear. I wanted the truth. I wanted him to think.
“What do you mean?” He shifted in his seat and flinched for the first time.
“You mourned him. Your family mourned him. Saoirse still mourns for him. What if he left voluntarily?” I bit into my lower lip and waited for his response.
“He might be trapped and unable to leave. If you believe the tales, those freed from the Otherworld soon fade away. The Faerie King keeps their souls.” He teased me with a smile, but his eyes held sadness.
“Would you forgive him? If he did?” I refused to dive into that rabbit hole. God only knew what awaited me on the other side. The afterlife, perhaps? How often had the three horsemen come my way?
“He’s my brother.” His voice remained steady, yet the muscle tick in his jaw told me otherwise.
“I have one more question.” Should I leave that one alone or go in for the kill? I grinned.
“Just one?” His gaze robbed me of courage. Not.
