Page 75 of The Warlock's Kiss

“Did you…have a wife?” she asked.

The question jarred him from that brief sense of serenity with its unexpectedness. He looked her over briefly; there was a new tension in her posture, and one of her hands had caught the fabric of her skirt, knuckles paling as she squeezed. Was she jealous at the very thought of him having had a spouse?

That notion gave him a strange sense of satisfaction; it meant she might’ve felt as possessive of him as he did of her.

“No wife. I’ve had fleeting relations with women over the years, but none of them ever awoke anything in me like you have.”

A flush spread along her skin, and her lips fell into a small, contrite frown. “I’m sorry. I…I know it’s stupid to be jealous. You’re…old.” She winced. “That sounded worse than I meant it to. But what I mean is, I can’t expect you to have never been with anyone else, and it’s sad that you never had anyone meaningful in your life—despite my being so relieved by your answer. I know that’s wrong…”

“Nonsense,” he said, shaking his head. “The only reason I haven’t asked about your past romances is to spare myself a bout of jealous rage.”

Adalynn laughed. “Maybe I shouldn’t feel so bad, if you feel the same way.”

He gritted his teeth, struggling to keep his lips from curling into a sneer; now that he’d said it aloud, he couldn’t help but wonder who she’d been with. She was lovely, and kind, and a joy to be near—he had no doubt she’d had many men interested in her, and he hated them all. Herefusedto ask. She was with Merrick now, until whatever end they reached, and that was enough. She was his.

Danny joined them shortly after. Water dripped from his hair and glistened on his skin, and his feet and legs were covered in sand. He plopped onto the blanket between Merrick and Adalynn. “That was amazing.”

“I would appreciate it if you could avoid dripping lake water all over the food,” Merrick said.

“I’d eat it anyway.” Danny flashed Merrick a grin. As though to prove his point, he snatched up a chunk of bread with his wet hands and shoved it into his mouth.

Conversation dwindled as they all ate, each seemingly content to enjoy the food. Merrick took his time to relish the flavors; he’d been eating much more than he normally would have because he’d been sharing so many meals with Adalynn and Daniel, and though he wasn’t hungry now, he had no problem with delighting in the taste of their bounty.

Once they’d eaten their fill, Danny ran his hand through his damp, floppy hair, shoving it back, and leapt to his feet. As he ran toward the lake, he called over his shoulder, “Come on, guys! Join me.”

Adalynn chuckled and packed the leftover food.

“The boy is nothing if not enthusiastic,” Merrick said.

“I hope he never changes.” She closed the last wicker basket, turned her face toward Merrick, and smiled wide. “Shall we?”

Before Merrick could answer, Adalynn got to her feet, tugged up her skirt—baring her feet, ankles, and lower shins—kicked off her slippers, and ran toward the water.

A smile crept to Merrick’s lips as he watched her. Despite his age, he’d neverfeltold, but being around her…it made him feel young in the best ways. When was the last time he’d gone for a swim just for the fun of it? When was the last time he’d loosened up andenjoyedhimself?

He couldn’t recall many occasions like this—at least not before Adalynn had come into his life.

Merrick pushed himself to his feet and strolled along the trail she’d blazed through the sand, approaching the water’s edge with as much leisure as he’d taken in eating the bit of food he’d consumed—though his full attention remained on Adalynn.

Adalynn stopped at the beginning of the dock and reached behind her, awkwardly unfastening the ties of her dress. To Merrick’s surprise, she shoved the dress down once the ties were loosened. The whole of her tantalizing body—apart from the skin covered by navy-blue bra and black panties—was exposed to him in the bright summer sun.

That was more than enough to pour heat into Merrick’s veins and reawaken that too-familiar ache in his groin. He gritted his teeth. Once again, he knew that, were it not for Danny’s presence, he’d be unable to keep himself off her.

“Come on, Addy!” Danny yelled from the water.

“I’m coming!” Adalynn stepped out of the dress and padded down the dock. Her steps picked up speed; she was running, brown hair streaming behind her, by the time she neared the end of the dock. She leapt off the edge and disappeared into the water below with a splash.

Merrick maintained his slow pace as he stepped onto the dock and walked to the end. With Adalynn almost naked, he couldn’t guarantee his own restraint once he was in the water…so perhaps, this time, it was best to avoid the situation and stay on dry land.

Her head broke the surface, and she swept her hair out of her face as she treaded water. “Woo! Oh my God, this feel sogood.” She closed her eyes and titled her head back. Refracted sunlight sparkled in the water droplets on her skin.

Danny swam to the dock, grabbed hold of the edge, and looked up at Merrick. “Let’s go Merrick. Get in here!”

Adalynn opened her eyes and moved toward them. “Come in with us.”

Merrick turned his palms upward and lifted his hands slightly. “I’m not dressed for swimming.”

“Neither were we.”

---