“This is the way we know the story. He was taken into another world but his spirit still resides here, to protect future generations of children from dying as tragically as he did.”
“That makes quite a touching ending to the story too, but I like my version better,” she told him as she stepped inside the cave. “He felt trapped, and he went off to pursue what he loved.”
Liam felt mesmerized by this woman and her odd perspective on things. What if she were right and his great-uncle had decided to run away and start over? If only there were any way to find out, but there wasn’t. Suddenly his words poured out.
“Vince and I never wanted this kind of life. We never wanted to work seven days a week and turn into the man our father used to be. We would come to this cave and plan on running away, living on the land, maybe even becoming cowboys. Anything seemed better than this.”
“I’m so sorry, Liam, for all the responsibility heaped on your shoulders.”
“I don’t need sympathy, Whitney. That was just a foolish thought from when we were younger.”
“It obviously matters to you if you’re telling me this now.”
“Just learning of my brother’s death is probably playing with the way I see things. I’m sure I’ll be back to my normal self in no time,” he told her.
“I rather like this guy who’s not so normal.”
She shivered.
“I’m sorry for keeping you out here for so long in this weather.”
“I’m okay, really,” she said. “I want to enjoy this peace and quiet for a few more moments.”
He looked down at her red nose and open expression, and he couldn’t help himself. He had to taste her lips again.
So he wrapped his arms around her waist and watched as awareness flashed through her eyes. He bent forward and finally their lips connected. He’d meant it to be short and sweet, just a simple touch, just something to ease the ache. But as soon as his mouth met hers, he lost control.
Her tongue was soft and wet against his lips. She darted it out, more like a question than a demand. He answered her in the only way he knew how, and oh how he enjoyed the contours of her mouth. He wished these thick layers of clothing weren’t between them, because he wanted to feel her skin, all of it, with no barriers. She clung to his shoulders as he cupped her backside and drew her against him.
He deepened the kiss, sliding farther inside the warm recesses of her mouth and moving his fingers desperately through the silky strands of her hair. He’d only wanted one simple kiss, to prove he was in control. He was being proven wrong.
She seemed to pull herself together much more quickly than he could have, and she started resisting. He didn’t get the message at first — their mouths remained locked together. But Whitney finally pulled free.
“Let go of me,” she said breathlessly. “Please. NOW.”
He looked into her flushed face and groaned. Her eyes were dilated in passion and she was breathing heavily. It would be so easy to seduce her into continuing, but he wasn’t about to force her. Still, he had to say something in his frustration.
“I don’t know why we keep stopping.”
“Because this can’t go anywhere. That shouldn’t have happened again,” she told him. She turned and, once more, ran away from him.
He wanted to chase her, but she was right. This couldn’t possibly go anywhere. It would be for the best if he forgot about her, forgot about this feeling inside him, and simply carried out his plans.
Chapter Fifteen
Liam put his head in his hands, and though he fought it, he gave out a deep sigh.
“Is everything all right, son?” Frederick asked as he entered the room.
“Yes. I just …” Liam just bailed out with a sentence fragment. What could he say? Nothing. There was no rational solution. “It’s nothing. Too much work,” he lied.
Two days had passed since he’d shared that kiss with Whitney in the cave. After that, she’d taken pains to avoid him, and his body had burned with need for her. The need extended beyond mere lust, though, beyond the hope for a simple exchange of bodily pleasure. The needs tormenting him were to talk to her, share with her, learn about her.
And those sorry needs weren’t getting met.
“I see,” his father said in a knowing voice, one that immediately grated on Liam’s nerves.
It was time to change the subject. “Did you want me for something, Father?” Liam spoke far more sharply than he should have, but he didn’t want Frederick intruding into his personal life.
“No, not really. I was just checking in with you. Whitney has a caller in the main hall,” Frederick said offhandedly.