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With that, gods, yes. He wanted her to reconsider, to take him to her bed. He wanted to put himself into her so deep and so often he became a part of her, flesh of her flesh, bone of her bone.
He wanted more than that.
“With your life here on the island,” he said.
Her chin firmed. “I am content. I am doing work I love with children I am coming to care for.”
She would always, he thought, make the best of any situation. She was by turns
fierce and determined, pragmatic and kind. Conn had chosen her well for her role as teacher of Sanctuary’s children. Griff had chosen well.
The thought depressed him.
“And that is enough for you.” His tone made the statement not quite a question.
Emma did not answer.
Griff tried again. “You said once you dreamed of a home and family of your own.”
“I dream about seals.”
His breath stopped. “What?”
She gave an embarrassed half laugh. “I’ve been dreaming about North Devon. Not the farm, or my family. But walking the sea cliffs where I grew up, watching the seals on the beach below. Isn’t that strange?”
“Not so strange, given that you spend your nights under a sealskin.” His sealskin. Did she ever dream of him?
“Is that what the fur on my bed is?” Her face clouded. “Poor seal.”
“It gave its pelt to keep you warm.”
“Yes.” She sighed. “But they are such beautiful creatures.”
“Emma.” He paused, searching for words, for reasons that would convince her. “Conn is well pleased with your work. The children like you. If a ship comes—when a ship comes—you do not have to leave.”
She regarded him steadily with her big blue eyes. “Would that be enough for you?” she asked, echoing him. “If I stayed for the sake of Lord Conn and the children?”
It had to be.
Among the children of the sea, alliances and affections were fleeting. Selkies might mate, but few pairings sustained for centuries.
Yet Emma, in the way of her kind, sought assurances. Commitment.
So Griff told the truth.
“I want you to stay,” he said. “I miss you. One time only we had, and I cannot stop thinking about you. I have not had another woman since that night.”
Her eyes narrowed, and he wondered if truthfulness was perhaps a mistake. Human ways were different. Emma was different.
“I do not want another woman ever,” he added carefully. “Only you.”
She tipped her head to one side. “Griff, are you…courting me?”
He held her gaze. “If that’s what it takes to have you, aye.”
“Well, then.” Her smile danced across her face like sunlight on the sea. His heart turned over in his chest. “I suppose I will stay.”
SIX
