Page 130 of Anywhere

“Whadd’ya be wantin’ ta know?”

Rhys lifted his shoulder casually and seemed like a he was lounging in the sun. How did he look so darn calm while I was a twisted mess inside?

“Tell me wha’ it be like. Tell me about da people or ya sista. Tell me whadeva ya be wantin’ ta share.”

“Me be thinkin’ ya will be findin’ it borin’. It no like here,” I said.

Rhys reached out and ran his thumb gently across my cheek. I sighed, and little sparks soared where he touched. It made me wonder how someone so powerful could be so gentle.

“Ya dinnie give yerself enough credit, Eley. Din’t ever be sellin’, yerself short. It be a straight shot to feelin’ like yer lesser than another. Even though this be a no’ so popular opinion among da top in da Factions, I be a firm believer dat no one lad or lass be more or less den another.”

For reasons I couldn’t explain, my eyes pricked with tears that I fought hard to keep back. “Ya are who ya are, Eley, and dat is a person who I’ma keen ta get to know.

Does dat make sense ta ya, luv?”

He wiped away the lone tear that I couldn’t contain. I watched in fascination as he brought his thumb to his mouth and licked the tiny droplet off.

“Even yer tears be as sweet as ya are.”

“I like dat,” I said, and he smirked. It lit up his whole face.

“Ya like me tastin’ yer tears?” he asked cheekily.

I smiled at him, and a little of the tension inside of me disappeared. “Naw, although I be kinda likin’ dat, too.” It was strangely sexy and sweet and made my body shiver. “I’ma likin’ da fact dat ya call me Eley. I’za never had meself anotha name. Da coven gave me my name, an’ me likes it, but da way ya say it makes me feel like it be special. Me dinnie ‘ave a second name like ya and Rook do. I be just Elewyen.”

“Ya are special, and when we go for da union ritual, ya get Rook’s second name. Ya get ta be an Adair.” He smiled, and I blushed.

“Woulda be okay if me chose ta take da name McGregor instead?” Rhy’s eyes widened, and I quickly carried on. “I no mean ta hurt Rook, but when da names play along me tongue it is da McGregor name dat calls ta me.”

Rhys smiled wide like I said something special. “I’ll speak ta Rook, and we’ll make yer wish work.”

There was a long pause, and it took all my control not to look away from his eyes.

“I’ma sorry dat ya all be livin’ like out dere like dat. Scared of us and dose who live in da villages. It no’ right, an’ I no be much betta. I din’t give da covens much thought until ya came along. I be thinkin’ like everyone else dat I’d march around and hunt ya down and bring ya back.” He bit his lip. “It be a terrible way ta find da person yer ta love.”

Just when I thought I understood the depths of his kindness, he surprised me. He was genuine. He was sharp steel when needed, but he ruled his heart with a kindness that drew me in and left me wanting more.

Without another thought, I leaned forward and kissed his lips. I tried to fight the spell that drew the three of us together, but the battle was lost the moment I chose to stay. My heart was tumbling down a hill, and there was no stopping it.

Rhys moaned as the magic flowing between us became insistent and moved to our joined lips. I had no idea where the bravery came from, but I deepened the kiss, parched for more of him. Rhys tasted like dark cherries and the rich scotch he liked to drink. He was addictive. Rook was all-consuming, but Rhys was a treat I couldn’t stop wanting more. He ran his hand through my hair and gripped a handful. I shifted closer to his body, needing to feel more of him.

My body was alive with the connection and desire I now understood. The ache between my legs was as delicious as the man himself, and a carefree abandon was in my soul.

“I be thinkin’ dat I wanna do more den talk,” I said, breaking the kiss long enough to get the words out before kissing him again.

Wrapping my leg around his, I realized he wasn’t wearing anything as his peen pressed into my stomach.

Rhys broke the kiss and growled, sending a fresh wave of heat rippling through my body.

“Fuck, Eley. We cannie ‘ave sex yet, but yer temptin’ me beyond measure.”

“I’ma sowry,” I said, but didn’t really mean it, and kissed his chest.

The rules of the triad and the ritual were a distant memory as I touched him and ran my hands over his hard muscles. The little groans he made as I nipped at his skin encouraged me and drove me to explore more.

“Harder, Eley. Ya can bite me harder. It be what I love,” he said.

Even though I was sure it hurt, I bit harder into the muscle of his chest, and he shuddered. The fist holding my hair pulled back on my head until I was forced to let go, and I stared into the grey eyes that seemed wild with the same emotions I was feeling.