Nate's Fated Mate(12)

"Oh stop yer fretting. I've only had a sip or two so stop worrying about me. Talk to Sheena," Angus ordered. "She's the reason I called ya here." 

Nate stooped down until he could look into her face. "Sheena, you need to go to bed and sleep this off."

"No. I'm not tired yet." Sheena pointed to the vials again. "Angus and Erin are not clones."

Nate sighed and straightened. "No. They're not clones. I told you that earlier. How many times are we going to have to cover this subject?"

Sheena made a sound in her throat. It was nearly a growl when it escaped. "As many times as it takes for you to tell me what I fucking want to know. They look like my parents. They even act like my parents. But they're not my parents, Nate. And they're not clones. What the fuck are they?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Nate said softly.

Sheena threw out her arms, one hand nearly hitting him. "I might if someone would explain it to me."

Nate turned his head to Angus. "Is this why you called me?"

Angus nodded. "Yes. She was wearing on my resolve. I like both the girls, which means I don't like lying or keeping things from them."

Nate stooped down to Sheena again and rubbed his forehead. He was shocked when she grabbed his hand and pulled it away.

"You cause yourself anxiety by keeping secrets you should never keep. And will you please tell me why you make my panties wet every time I look at you? This is bullshit, Nate. It's been a hundred years. It shouldn't still be happening."

Nate burst out laughing at the lightning bolt of joy that shot through him. Then his face flushed with guilt. He glanced at Angus who smirked as he pretended to stare at the ceiling.

He turned back to Sheena who now had a death grip on his arm. "Would it make you feel better if I said you still have the same affect on me?"

Sheena nodded. "Yes, I think it would. My stomach has been all knotted up just wondering about it since I arrived. Doesn't mean I don't hate you though. I need to be honest here."

Nate laughed again. "Understood. Can I take you to bed now?"

"Why not? I'm drunk enough to sleep with nearly anyone."

Nate nodded. "Well aware of that."

"It's Angus's fault," Sheena said.

"My fault? Did I pour the ale down yer throat, lass?" Angus asked, while trying not to laugh and failing.

Sheena giggled and put a hand on her chest. "No, but you gave me Erin's to finish. Then I also drank Bri's. I think I might hate myself tomorrow."

Nate turned to frown at Angus. "Why did you let her drink all that ale? It takes forever for her to feel the first drink, but when it catches up, she's totally wasted."

Angus frowned back. "Sheena was miserable, that's why. Now she isn't because she finally got to say to ya what was on her fecking mind. Courage is usually reason enough to imbibe, don't ya think?"

"How do you know Sheena was miserable?" Nate demanded. He felt Sheena lean forward to run her hand down his jaw. His gaze immediately went back to her.

"Not a single man ever made me forget you. And I tried really hard Nate. I tried really hard."

Nate sighed and stood. He held out a hand to Sheena while he glared at Angus. "I can't believe you let her get this vulnerable."

Angus huffed. "And I can't believe ya were fecking stupid enough to let her go in the first place. She's a pill to talk to alright, but nothing so contrary that a few good beddings wouldn't sweeten right up. If ya want, I could give ya some pointers on how to make yer Sheena a happy woman."

"I have nearly a hundred years more experience with women than you do, you big blow hard."



       
         
       
        

Angus chuckled at the insult, glad to know Nate's calm had a limit. "I kept one woman extremely happy for over thirty years and she died smiling. Can ya top that, Admiral? I don't think so. So I believe I'll just stand by my offer to help ya."

Nate glared at a laughing Angus while pulled a wavering Sheena to her feet. He had to put his arms around her to hold her upright. Next thing he realized Sheena was folded against him, her arms coming around him to hug. Groaning at how good it felt to hold her again, he finally noticed tears were streaming down her face.

"What's wrong, honey?" he asked.

Sheena shook her head. "I'm a smart person, but I'm so stupid about you …  so stupid. I can't believe I still want a man who's in love with a stupid airship. If a hundred years apart isn't going to change these longings I have for you, what the hell will?"