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But this, what I felt or could feel with Banner, was something on an entirely different level.
It was real and genuine and could become something monumental. I wanted to see how far we could take it, how much it would grow. So I lifted my hand and placed it over his, which was still cupping my face.
I gave him a small smile, loving the way his eyes flashed blue at that.
“Okay, Banner. Show me. Show me everything.”
9
Luna
When I’d agreed to go to the Highlands with Banner, it hadn’t been an irrational decision. Yes, it had been a spur of the moment, but when I’d told him yes it was because I truly wanted this.
I’d wanted an adventure of a lifetime. Wasn’t this it?
When I’d told Adryan my plans, his controlling side had once again made itself known. But I was going to do this, and there was nothing he could say or do to stop me. And although he’d conceded to my wishes, I knew Adryan followed us. I felt him at times. He was good at that, being stealthy, a tracker. He knew how to stay hidden, even from the Otherworld, even from Lycans, who could scent their enemies miles away.
We’d been traveling for the last several days, and I knew they were going at a snail’s pace for me. I had no doubt they would have made much better time if Banner didn’t insist on stopping every few hours to rest. But Cian and Odhran didn’t complain. They did whatever Banner wanted, and apparently my big and burly protective mate knew that traveling was wearing me down, even if I refused to complain.
My bottom was numb, my thighs sore from straddling a horse for hours at a time all night, but I wouldn’t have changed anything.
We’d just stopped at the end of the evening, right before the sun rose, and Banner helped me off his steed. I winced as my thigh muscles screamed temporarily. Banner was right beside me, his hand wrapped around my waist.
“Ahhh, sweet lass.” He pulled me close, and I let him, loving the feel of his body, his heat, and the smell of him drowning out everything else. “I’m sorry. The trip is a brutish one. We should be home by tomorrow before dawn.”
The other two wolves traveling with us—his soldiers in a Lycan group called the Guard—had been silent companions. And I was thankful, because being chatty was the last thing I wanted right now in this brand-new experience.
I supposed if you were as old as Banner, you had to form bonds with those closest to you, ones you can trust with your very life. And it was very clear he felt that way toward these two males.
We were on the last leg of our journey and had stopped for the day before we finished the remaining trip as soon as the sun set. We’d eaten, Odhran and Cian hunting a handful of rabbits. I’d sat with shocked eyes and a hand over my mouth as I watched them skin and roast the carcasses over a fire. They’d spoken amongst themselves about how “the hunting was better in the Highlands,” but all I could do was sit silently next to Banner and let him comfort me with a big hand smoothing up and down my back.
I felt weak, especially compared to these three massively strong males, but the truth was I’d been sheltered much of my life. I’d never seen gore and survival and death.
But I’d pushed it all aside and shown my respect to the males who’d gotten us dinner. After we’d eaten, they’d built me an enclosure from their blankets to protect me from the sun. Which was where I was currently.
I wasn’t surprised by Banner’s protectiveness over me, how he’d all but demanded all available blankets and anything that could be used to block out the sun be used to protect his “wee lass.” We were mates, after all, and instinctively, he would be driven to make sure I was safe at all costs.
I had been surprised when Cian and Odhran had seemed just as intent on making sure I was safeguarded, not just against the sun, but also being guards for our surroundings.
I was currently on my back and staring above me at the dark wool blankets that made my temporary shelter. Banner had fussed incessantly about finding a cavern for me because it would provide even more adequate shelter, but I’d assured him this was fine. Besides, I knew they’d already taken more time than normal during this trip with me in tow.
Besides, I’d never felt safer than when I was with Banner, which was saying something since I had a hulking, overprotective brother.
I could hear the low rumble of Cian and Odhran speaking in Gaelic just on the other side of the blankets.
I could hear footsteps, twigs breaking, and leaves crunching under heavy boots and knew Banner was back from whatever recognizance he’d been doing of the perimeter. A few deep words were exchanged, more retreating footsteps, and then there was silence aside from the intermittent sound of Banner breathing on the other side of the “door.”
Banner had assured me—as he did every time we stopped for the day—that he’d be right outside the entrance to stand guard. I didn’t think he’d slept in days, yet he never seemed winded, and when I caught him staring at me, there was this almost dazed, wonder-filled look on his face.
The more I thought about Banner, the more days that passed, and the more time we spent together, had my arousal growing even higher. It seemed like my body had a mind of its own where this alpha Lycan was concerned.
I wanted Banner, and I wanted him now no matter what.
I closed my eyes and bit my lip, trying to hold in the moan that would’ve spilled from my lips at the image of Banner today riding all strong and proud on his steed. I’d looked over my shoulder at him, seen how he’d been slightly sweaty, his dark hair sticking to his temples, his profile so masculine I’d felt it in every part of my body. And he’d smelled so good, spicy and dark, all clean male sweat.
I thought about how it had felt to be pressed against him, my back to his chest as we rode atop his massive black steed. My body had been pressed so tightly against his that I had felt every single muscle that made up his arms and torso. He’d kept one hand on the reins and had the other one pressed to my abdomen, his palm so big I swore it spanned me from hip bone to hip bone.
I felt my pulse between my thighs, and although I shouldn’t have done it, I slipped my hand underneath the blanket that covered me, pulled up my skirting, and let my fingers slide between my legs.
