Page 29 of Loched in Love

“Thank you,” I tell him, and bid Elena walk in front of me.

A grin pulls at my lips when she lets out a gasp, and I rush forward to see why. The open space between the cars is only a few feet with intricate railings on both sides for safety, but the deafening sound of the tracks along with the exhilarating whip of the wind in the face is intense.

“Trains are marvelous,” I shout as my hair flutters and swirls with the air current.

I meet her gaze just ahead where she stands in front of the suite doors waiting, a sheer look of exuberance there as if she shares my delight.

The trees whir past in the inky expanse, except for the lights twinkling in the distance I assume are houses or towns.

“Ready?” I shout over the wind as I make it to her.

When she gives me a nod, I push to slide the door open and we both step inside our new room for the time being.

“Wow, look how beautiful.”

Watching her reaction, it’s impossible to turn away. She freezes, seemingly going still at the sheer scale of luxury, and a smile tugs at my lips. I watch as her hand rises to touch there in disbelief as she finally walks inside.

A shaky burst of laughter bubbles out of her when she notices the chilled champagne sitting on the nearby table, and her face lights up with joy at the extravagant surroundings, making me wonder how she’ll react to seeing my home for the first time.

The small cabin room, the most luxurious the railway line possesses, is fit for a king. Scents of fresh linen and amber waft through the space lending a quietly calming effect. A beige colored couch is situated on the right wall with a small beige and burgundy table and chair sitting opposite, along with a large double bed that takes up the back of the room.

The wall sconces are lit low to give a cozy and comfortable feel, helped by the glossy, dark toned walls.

“Well, I’m too tired for more champagne, but oh my gosh this is lovely.”

“Yes, it is,” I murmur, unable to look away from her as she reaches out to touch some other frippery.

She lets out another yawn, and I point out what looks to be the loo behind the door that she may have missed on the way inside. “Why don’t you grab a change of clothes and get to bed, aye? The lavvie is just through there.”

What feels like ages later, I move to sit up in the bed when I hear the door open, Elena finally emerging wearing a t-shirt.

My gaze widens when I catch a glimpse of her naked thighs, thick, luscious, and pale, but quickly slam down the thread of my salacious thoughts. She’s tired and the last thing she needs is me acting like a horny bastard.

“So when the railway company mentioned double beds it looks like they meant a double bed,” she says.

“Don’t fash yourself, I can sleep atop the covers, and there’s an extra blanket just there if I catch a chill,” I tell her. I point at the ivory colored throw that’s draped across the end of the bed.

Her gaze bounces around the room landing everywhere but on me, and I realize she may be feeling nervous. I swing my legs over the edge of the mattress, the pads of my feet pressing into the cold hardwood of the floor as I get up from the bed. “You get comfortable. I’ll be back in a wee bittie.”

I make myself scarce and let her acquaint herself with the room, stepping inside the private bathroom to change out of my denim jeans and shirt, into a soft gray t-shirt and matching cotton pants to sleep.

When I get back to the bedroom, I find her looking like a sprite cocooned in the soft bed with the sheets pulled to her chin.

Moving to dim the sconce on the wall nearest me, I turn to her. “Do you want any of the lights on when you sleep?”

“No, I usually sleep in pitch black with no lights on at all.”

Switching the sconces off one by one, I plunge the room into darkness before getting back into the soft bed, careful to not disturb her or her personal space, and become acutely aware of how near she is.

My head touches the soft cotton of my pillow and a wave of comfort and peace comes over me so swiftly, chills cover my body from head to toe, raising the hair on my scalp.

My heartbeat picks up erratically at the thought of how long I’ve waited for her and now here she is, within my reach and trusting enough of me for this much closeness. Gratitude and an overwhelming sense of adoration pours through my being when she sighs happily. Gods be good, I’ll continue to have good fortune, and she’ll grow to appreciate my nearness in kind.

Given time, perhaps she could learn to feel as strongly for me as I already do for her. Her kindness, and obvious want to help along with the way she stood up for me even against Vlad says a lot about who she is as a person.

Because of who and what she is to me, I’m already intensely loyal to her by fault, but her quiet acceptance of the supernatural and the intelligence behind her gaze drive me to distraction. I can tell I’ll never tire of hearing her speak about anything.

So far she’s given me everything I could ever hope for or desire from a new mate.