Page 13 of Wind and Water
As his fingers meet my cheek, my skin heats. “Do you always hear your soul?”
“Only when I listen, which is rare.” His gaze is intense and sends a thrill through me.
“If I could hear that, I would waste away, spending all my time listening.” I already miss the music.
“I can teach you to hear your soul.” His pupils are wide as he stares at me like I’m more than the woman he’s assigned to bring home.
“I finally got them.” Momma steps off the sidewalk into the grassy area where we’re sitting. She’s waving the tickets in her hand. “We need to get a move on. The tour starts in fifteen minutes. I swear the lines in that place were a mile long. I thought we’d have to wait for the afternoon tour.”
The moment gone, I laugh, as does Liam.
Momma looks at her phone, where she’s tracking us on her map of Edinburgh, and we dutifully follow her the few blocks to the distillery.
Even though it was only a mile from our rental, we had to hail a taxi because Momma was three sheets to the wind after two shots of whiskey and a cocktail on an empty stomach. I could have used the walk since I feel a touch of a buzz from the morning tour. Meanwhile, one wouldn’t know Liam had the same, as he easily lifts Momma from the cab and carries her up the steps to the rental.
I get the door and run to the kitchen for some water. “Momma, you need to drink this down or you’ll be sorry when you wake up.”
Liam carries her to the bed, and I manage to get her to drink the water before she passes out. I refill the glass and leave it on the bedside table. Liam uses magic to gently lift Momma and move the blankets out from under her. Then he tucks her in as if she were his own.
My heart does a bumpity bump. “We should let her sleep it off. She’s put a shame on Texas women today. Most of us can hold our liquor.”
“Your cheeks are pink, as is the tip of your nose.” Liam gets two glasses and fills them with water. Handing one to me, he grins.
“Do you know how handsome you are when you smile? Is that why you’re so stingy with them?” I take the water and drink half of it down before placing the glass on the coffee table and flopping on the couch.
He lifts my feet, then sits with them on his lap. “Elves are well-made by nature, and so I’ve never thought about my looks.” He stares at me. “I won’t deny that it gives me pleasure to hear you say such things. I’m a soldier and rarely have occasion for levity. I’m also the son of the rightful queen, and I take that duty seriously.”
“Being a son is a duty? I’ve always thought of my mother as a blessing.” It makes me sad to think his experience was something else.
“Where is your father?” His eyebrows draw together, making him look stern.
I sit up and pull my feet out of his lap. “He left before I was born. I never met him, and Momma hardly ever brings him up. I know he lives in Louisiana and works on oil rigs. They were only married for a year.”
For a military man, he shows more emotions than he thinks. His eyes fill with anger and sorrow, and his lips pull into a thin line. “He lost a grand life, in my opinion. Birdie is a treasure, as are you.”
“Thank you.” I ease forward and cup his cheek. “I’m going to kiss you.”
His gaze shifts from my mouth to my eyes.
Scooching closer, I press my leg to his thigh, then tilt my head and press my lips to his. A flash of warmth smothers my entire body from just the kiss. I gasp.
Liam cups my head, brushes his thumb over my cheekbone, and makes love to my mouth. A long groan erupts from deep in his chest.
Sliding my tongue along his, I am on fire. I would crawl inside his skin if I could, just to be closer to him.
With one arm, he pulls me across his lap so that I’m facing him with my knees on either side of his hips. Leaning back, he takes me with him. He caresses from my upper back to the top of my jeans, then his fingers slip under my shirt and trace a path back the way they came.
I press my hips forward until I feel the hard ridge of his shaft straining against his jeans. My pussy aches for more of him and less material between us. Still, I’m hesitant to rush this kiss, which is rocking my world.
Breaking the kiss, he breathes fast and ragged. “You and I have a destiny, and I’m not sure this is part of that path. As much as I enjoy and desire you, Wren, I wouldn’t wish to compromise you when you’re not clearheaded.”
This is the first time a man has stopped sex with me over my state of sobriety. I’m not sure if I should be upset or flattered. “So, if I were sober as a judge, you’d say yes?”
He pushes my curls back and groans as his cock jerks. Clearly, that part of him is as disappointed as I am. He closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them, he is resolved. “I’ll wait and see if you’d make such an offer without half a head.”
Sitting up so that my breasts are at his eye level, I say, “Momma says a drunk man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts.”
He heaves a short laugh and pulls me into a tight hug. “That may be true, but wanting something and acting on it are two different things, sweet Wren. I’m a man with a mission that includes taking you to an elven portal and into a world filled with danger. I’d hate to think our acts of passion would alter your decision making.”
