Page 84 of Hearts of Briarwall

Her quickened breath matched his as he pressed her against the pillar, cradling her with his arms and hands, feeling every touch of her fingers sliding over his chest and around his waist like tendrils of flame.

“You,” he said between touches to her lips, “are so ... full offire.”

She drew in a shaky breath as he ran his mouth along her neck.

“And you draw me to you like Icarus to the sun.” He felt her shiver as he whispered in her ear.

She pulled away enough to meet his gaze, searching. “That didn’t end well,” she countered, a small crease between her brows.

He shook his head, watching her carefully, feeling the press of her hand over his pounding heart.

“Are you afraid?” she asked. “Of me?”

A chuckle escaped him. He kissed her forehead, closing his eyes and lingering, breathing her scent. “You, Lydia Wooding, are wonderfully and fearfully made.” He captured her gaze with his. “I would be a fool not to be afraid.”

She lowered her eyes.

“And,” he added, his voice rough, “I’d be a fool not to consider how bleak and cold my life would be without your heat.”

Lydia lifted her chin. At that moment, lightning flashed in the distance, followed immediately by a roll of thunder. She broke into a smile, and he matched it, both of them laughing. The rain had increased significantly, developing into a modest storm while they had been otherwise occupied.

He sobered at the depth of his feelings for her and pushed away the questions of his future, her future. Right now, they were hidden from the demands of the world, and she was warm and soft in his arms. He surrendered to his heart and poured that vulnerability into kissing Lydia senseless. Though it might have been the other way around.

“Hayes.”

Their lips parted at the very threatening male voice behind him. They searched one another’s faces, sharing a moment of breathless panic before Spencer swallowed. Slowly, they released their intimate embrace, and Spencer turned, trying to convey confidence. He kept Lydia’s hand in his.

“Hello, Andrew,” Lydia said, not sounding confident at all.

Chapter 16

Andrew glowered. Lydia had never seen her brother so menacing. So ... threatening. She could quite easily imagine steam rolling off him with the rainwater puddling on the stone floor at his feet.

“I ought to knock you senseless,” he rumbled, his brows low.

She blinked, then looked between her brother and the man standing next to her. He was speaking to Spencer as if he’d come face-to-face with his greatest enemy.

“I ought to thrash you within an inch of your life.”

Spencer raised his free hand in front of them both. “Andrew, this is not what you think it is.”

Andrew’s lip curled. “Lydia, away from him. Now.”

She shook her head. “No, Andrew, listen—”

“Now!”

She jumped.

Spencer’s hand shifted to her elbow, and he pulled her behind him a step. “Don’t you think you’ve caused enough of her tears today?”

“And what do you think this will do to her? Hm?” Andrew stepped toward them. “How long have you been wooing her money, Hayes? Is this your scheme? Meet the men in the clubs and the women in shadowed corners?”

She dared a glance at Spencer, who looked as if he’d just been slapped.

“You can’t be serious,” he said quietly.

“You already have Piedmont’s money. Better get your hands on Lydia’s, too, while you can.”

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