J. RoBB - The Lost

Ross was the first to recover. “Of course you can’t. Why is that a problem?”

Cullen shrugged. “I was hoping to give Aidan a tour of the property. But now there’s no telling how long I’ll be tied up.” He paused before adding, “Would you mind filling in for me, Ross?”

“Not at all.”

Cullen caught Aidan’s hands. “I hope you don’t mind, my dear. I assure you Ross will be every bit as thorough a guide as I would be.”

“Of course he will. We’ll be fine, Cullen. But I’m sorry you can’t be with us.”

“Can’t be helped. Well, then.” He turned away. “I’ve asked Sean to bring the car around. I’ll probably be gone most of the day.”

He winked at Bridget before calling over his shoulder, “I hope you two can make the best of it.”

“We’ll do what we can to salvage the day.” Ross watched him walk to the door.

When Cullen was gone, Bridget wiped her hands down her apron, looking flustered as always. “I hope you don’t mind, but Kathleen decided to make omelets and toast with country ham, in order to give you both time to tour the property. She said she’d be happy to make you anything more, if you’d like.”

Aidan was busy pouring coffee into two cups. “The breakfast Kathleen already made sounds perfect, Bridget. It’s as though she read my mind.”

The old woman coughed.

Aidan took a seat at the table, and Ross sat beside her. They were careful to avoid touching, sitting stiffly and looking extremely uncomfortable.

“And you, Ross?” The old woman paused beside him. “Would you be wanting anything else?”

“Not a thing. Thank you, Bridget.”

Aidan looked over. “Where’s Charity this morning?”

“Himself gave her the weekend off.” Humming a little tune, the housekeeper walked from the room, returning with their breakfast. That done, she didn’t reappear until Aidan and Ross had finished eating.

As she cleared the table, Bridget glanced out the window. “If you’re hoping to give the lass a tour of the property, you might think about doing it as soon as possible, before the rain rolls in.”

“Rain?” Ross looked up. “There’s not a cloud in the sky.”

“Not yet. But trust me. ’Twill rain.”

Ross stood and held Aidan’s chair. “I’d planned on riding this morning. How do you feel about seeing the countryside on horseback?”

“Oh, could we?” Aidan couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice. “I haven’t been on a horse since I was a kid.”

As the two hurried away, Bridget watched with a dreamy smile on her lips before returning to her chores.

“It’s all so beautiful, Ross.” Aidan reined in her mount at the top of a hill and stared down at the scene below.

The sprawling mansion resembled a castle, with its tur reted roofs sparkling in the sunlight. Around it were the graceful arboretum, green fields of sheep and cattle, and even a bee farm on a nearby incline. “I don’t know how you can ever bear to leave this place for even a day.”

“It is lovely, isn’t it?” Ross brought his horse beside hers. “I once accused Cullen of being a magician. When he first started the renovation, the lodge lay in ruins, the river polluted from an old factory and the fields around it were fallow. The village of Glinkilly was so poor there seemed no hope of ever bringing it back to life. And yet here it is, all of it looking like a sparkling jewel.”

He looked up at the clouds beginning to roll in. “Looks like the storm Bridget predicted. It’s coming in fast. We’d better get back to the stable.”

“I’ll race you.” Aidan shot him a grin before nudging her mount into a run.

Ross gave a shout of laughter and joined in the race.

By the time they’d turned the horses into their stalls and stepped from the stable, they were feeling the first raindrops.

“Just in time.” Ross caught her arm. “I don’t think we can make it up to the big house.”

They turned and raced through the rain to his cottage.

Once inside, they heard the rumble of thunder. Minutes later the skies opened up and the storm began in earnest.

They stood together by the windows, witnessing the wind whip the trees into a frenzied dance.

For long minutes they stood watching, each achingly aware of the other. As the minutes ticked by and the storm grew in intensity, Aidan turned toward the door, rubbing her arms.

“I think I’ll brave the rain and return to the house.”

“Don’t go.” The words were torn from his throat.

“Ross, if I stay…”

He crossed to her in quick strides and gathered her close.

“I’m sorry.” Ross pressed his mouth to a tangle of hair at her temple.

“What… what are you sorry about?”

“This. I thought I could fight it, but it’s too much, Aidan. I want you too much. There’s something deeper, stronger here than just my will.”

She gave a long, deep sigh. “I know. I feel it, too.”

He stared down at her, his eyes so fierce she actually shivered. And then his mouth was on hers, and she was lost in the kiss.

When they came up for air, she touched a finger to his lips. “I’ve tried fighting, but the truth is I want you, Ross.”

It was true. She had to have this man. She was actually trembling with need for him.

“I want you, too, Aidan.”

And then there was no need for words as they came together in a storm of passion. With each touch of his lips, his tongue, his clever fingers, she felt herself growing hotter and hotter until she was engulfed in fire.

Because her legs had turned to rubber, she clutched at his waist for support, and would have surely fallen if he hadn’t held her firmly against the cool wood of the door.

His hands found the zipper of her dress, and he slid it from her shoulders. It pooled at their feet as his clever fingers dispensed with the lace that covered her breasts.

She hadn’t known how desperately she’d wanted his hands on her. His mouth followed, taking her even higher.

When he lifted his head to catch a breath, she used that moment to tear at his shirt. She heard the buttons pop and roll across the floor as she flung it aside and reached for the fasteners at his waist.

With his help his clothes soon joined hers on the floor around them. In one quick motion her bikini panties were stripped aside.

Now they were free to feast. And did.

She ran her hands over the muscled contours of his chest and shoulders, then followed with her mouth, and thrilled to his low growl of pleasure.

“The bed.” She managed the words despite a throat constricted with need.

“Too far.” He lifted her, his mouth still feasting on hers, until he bumped into the overstuffed sofa.

He drew her down before stretching out beside her. At last free of any restraint, they came together in a firestorm of desire that rocked them both.

She shuddered as his hands and lips moved over her, taking her on a wild, dizzying ride that had her head spinning, her mind going blank.

“I knew,” he whispered against her ear. “The first time I saw you, I knew that you’d be here with me.”

“Though I tried to deny it, I knew…” Before she could finish, his mouth covered hers in a kiss so heated, she could feel her bones melting.

No one had ever excited her like this. The darkness, the danger of this man had the heat growing until it threatened to choke her.

Desperate, she twined her arms around his neck, dragging his head down for a long, drugging kiss.

Against his mouth she whispered, “I want you, Ross. Now.”

“And I want you.” He lifted his head. “Look at me, Aidan.” His voice was rough with need.

Through the heat of passion that clouded her vision, she struggled to focus. His eyes were hot and fierce, and remained steady on hers as he entered her and began to move.