“I’m serious, nothing’s wrong,” I said.
He gave me a skeptical look. “I can’t keep my hands off you, and I won’t apologize for that. But I have zero expectations, okay?”
I nodded, internally kicking myself for being so inexperienced.
Ethan brought his lips back to mine, and this time I didn’t hesitate. I brought my hands up to his shoulders and positioned myself so my knees were on either side of his hips. Our bodies melded together perfectly. I sucked in a breath when he slid his fingers under the hem of the gown and skimmed the backs of my knees.
“Can we take this off?” he asked, between kisses.
I froze and Ethan pulled back this time. “You can keep your underwear on. I just want to feel you.”
The way he said it caused my heart to jolt. I leaned back and let him pull the silky material up and over my head. He tossed it to the side, eyes never leaving mine. His hands slid up the backs of my thighs and I pulled his mouth back to mine. His hands came up to unbutton his shirt and I pushed them away so I could do them myself.
I felt his lips curve into a smile against mine, and in one motion, he flipped us so I was on my back and he hovered over me. I placed my hands on his chest to pull the shirt down over his shoulders. His skin felt as smooth and perfect as I’d always imagined it would. I whimpered, making me want to turn away, but I could tell Ethan liked it by the way his hands tightened on my hips.
His lips slid down my cheek to my neck and he trailed feather-light kisses down to my shoulder. “You are so incredibly beautiful,” he whispered into my neck.
I shivered and tried to regain normal, steady breaths.
“Do you know how many times I’ve imagined the way your body would feel against mine?” he said, easing off of me and lying on his side.
I tried to speak, but couldn’t.
He shook his head and draped his arm over my bare stomach. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know.”
I licked my lips. “It’s…been the same for me,” I said softly.
He smiled down at me and kissed my temple. “You’re worth the wait.”
We talked some more, not about anything important or life-threatening. Just little things. Then he tucked me under the covers in just my bra and undies, kissing me again until I was dizzy.
When he pulled back, he smiled down at me and kissed my nose. “Get some rest,” he said.
I sighed and rolled onto my side. He chuckled and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me back against him. Before long I was lulled to sleep by the sound of his steady breathing.
While we were eating breakfast the next morning, we heard raised voices in the hallway. Saoirse stood and gestured to the guards standing by the door. They opened the double doors and two of Niamh’s guards, Niall and Bláithín, whom I’d met in Thunder Bay, pointed their weapons at Samantha and Ciarán.
Saoirse gave her most serene smile to the company, an enormously powerful gesture. Without a word, both of Niamh’s guards lowered their weapons and bowed their heads. Ciarán did the same.
I met Samantha’s eyes. What happened? I asked in my thoughts.
Her eyes widened. We were just coming in to have breakfast and these two freaked when they saw us. That’s all I know.
“Welcome, Niall and Bláithín. Is everything okay out here?” Saoirse said in her honey-smooth voice.
Niall sucked in a breath. “Ciarán was in Thunder Bay. He was one of the blood-drainers,” he said.
Ciarán slid a contemptuous glance at Niall. “That’s where you’re wrong, old friend. I didn’t harm a single human in Thunder Bay. I want no part of that.”
Saoirse’s calm expression didn’t falter as she walked toward them. “It’s the truth, Niall. I can confirm it.”
Niall tucked his shoulder-length chestnut hair behind one ear and continued to stare at Ciarán. “I apologize, my lady,” he said.
“No apology necessary,” she said. “You were just trying to protect us. Come, join us at the table.”
When they were all seated, Bláithín spoke. “We have come to ask for a favor on behalf of Aodhan and Niamh.”
Saoirse nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
Bláithín licked her lips and glanced quickly at Ciarán and Samantha. “Aodhan has put Aoife’s entire household to work. He has the healers restoring the trees and any of the wild creatures who were affected by the iron pollution. The others are removing the dead trees and planting new ones. He would like to ask if you could send any other healers to assist them.”
Saoirse beamed at this. “Of course. I will send my most gifted healers immediately.” She frowned for a second and looked at Liam. “Eithne is in the human realm?”