Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
I start to feel mortified, but he quickly lifts a hand to my cheek and locks eyes with me. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Alchera. Remember when you got to look inside my mind and how amazing it felt?”
I nod, hating that it’s not permanent and only something that happened because we were making love.
“That’s how it feels for me, and it’s important I know everything. I can protect you better that way.”
“It’s going to take some getting used to,” I mutter. My eyes narrow on him again. “And don’t you dare use my thoughts against me. They tend to be intrusive.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “I’ll never do anything that’s not in your best interest.”
When we’re done showering, I dry myself. Finding my clothes have dried during the night, I’m relieved and quickly get dressed.
Walking into the bedroom, I’m just in time to see Raighne fasten his belt, and my abdomen flutters at the sight.
A crooked smile forms on his face, telling me he knows what I’m thinking about.
“Get used to it,” I mutter, figuring there’s no use fighting our bond. “You’re hot, and I can’t help how I feel.”
He lets out a chuckle. Then closing the distance between us, he wraps his hand around the side of my neck and leans down to press a tender kiss to my mouth, sending a wave of tingles through me.
“I feel the same way about you,” he admits. “Especially when you’re wearing nothing but pink lace.”
My cheeks warm a little, but I’m too happy to feel awkward.
His eyes capture mine, and a serious expression tightens his features. “The next nine days are going to be rough, but I’ll be there every step of the way. Lean on me, and don’t bottle things up again. Okay?”
I nod but say, “I’m used to weathering storms alone, but I’ll try.”
The intense look in his eyes softens a little. “You’ll never be alone again. It’s you and me forever.”
“Forever’s a really long time,” I chuckle.
He shakes his head. “And still not long enough with you.”
My heart.
Once again I’m hit with amazement that Raighne feels the same way about me.
I wrap my arms around his waist and press my face to his chest, then whisper, “Thank you for loving me.”
Raighne engulfs me against his body, and I feel his breath in my hair as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m the one who should thank you. I was worried out of my fucking mind that I’d have to watch you build a life with another man.”
I shake my head and admit, “Since you walked into that classroom and sat down beside me, it’s been only you.” I tilt my head back so I can look up at him. We stare at each other for a few seconds before I say, “This feels surreal. Like a dream.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not, my little dreamer. ”
A knock at our door pops the intimate moment between us, and Raighne pulls away from me. He straightens the covers over the bed so whoever's here won’t see the tinge of blood on the sheets before he opens the door.
Brenna, Finian, and Jason look at us from where they’re standing in the corridor, then Finian asks, “Ready?”
“Yes,” Raighne answers.
I grab my bag and glance over the room to make sure I’m not forgetting anything.
Sucking in a deep breath, I brace myself for whatever might happen today, then I walk out of the room that will always hold a special place in my heart.
As the men go to the reception to settle the bill, Brenna’s eyes flit over me.
“You look much better,” she mentions. “Did you get a good night’s rest?”
I nod, struggling from grinning like an idiot. “Yeah. I feel good as new.”
The corner of her mouth lifts. “You accepted your bond with Raighne, didn’t you?”
My eyes widen. “Is it that obvious?”
She nods. “You look healthy, which can only mean he’s healed you completely.”
“Yep,” I murmur. “No more aches and pains.”
The men join us again, and we all pile into the station wagon. This time, Finian takes the front passenger seat, and I sit at the back between Raighne and Brenna.
When Raighne places his arm around my shoulders and tucks me close against his side, I don’t bother feeling uncomfortable with the public display of affection and lean against him.
“Where are we going?” Jason asks as he connects his phone to the car’s GPS.
“I think we need to go to Ireland. Can you Google a street name and a hospital?”
“Yeah. Give me the names,” he replies.
He checks the details, then nods. “It’s in Ireland. Dublin, to be exact.”
Not knowing how we’re going to get there, I mutter, “Well, that’s where we have to go.”
“Where is the nearest waterfall, Jason?” Finian asks.
Jason just stares at him, and it makes Brenna chuckle.