AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I feel almost light-headed, and I can't stop grinning, not even when I crush her to me. "You're a miracle,gràidh."
Before she can say anything in response, I seal my lips over hers again and kiss the lass so thoroughly that we're both breathing hard by the time I pull away.
She breathes one word. "Casey."
"I asked Mrs. Abernathy. She'll take him while we're gone." I duck my head. "Where we're going, they don't allow pets. I'm sorry, I tried to find a pet-friendly place."
"It's okay. Casey loves Mrs. Abernathy."
"Gave her my key to your house. Was that all right?"
"Yes." Her lips find mine, and she thrusts her tongue into my mouth, rasping it over mine like she's starved for more. "Thank you for taking care of all the arrangements."
"Welcome. Shall we go?"
She grins. "Absolutely. Let's get on the road."
I brush kisses on her temple, her cheek, the corner of her mouth. "Got my bags in the car. Let's go grab yours, my sweet lass, and get on the road."
Her joy fizzles like a candle that's been snuffed out.
I graze a hand over her cheek. "Feeling unwell?"
"Uh-uh."
Slipping my hand around her nape, I draw her in for another kiss, determined to erase her worries with my lips and my tongue—and whatever other parts of me she wants. When I pull away, I'm not convinced I've done my job. "You still seem unhappy. Where did you go this morning?"
The words spilled out before I had time to think about them.
She opens her mouth as if to speak, but then her shoulders wilt and she shuts her eyes, exhaling a long breath. She stares at my chest. "I went to see Presley."
"The erse who's been harassing you? Why?"
Erica wraps her arms around me, burying her face against my chest.
I caress her hair, threading my fingers through it. "What happened?"
"Sure you wanna know?"
"Positive." I curl one arm around her, holding her close.
She turns her head to rest her cheek on my chest. "I thought I needed to confront him, to get some kind of closure. But he just made fun of me. Can't believe I was ever involved with him. Can't believe I actually thought he might—" She squeezes her eyes shut. "Guess I needed to believe he wasn't a total slimeball. But he is."
I enfold her in my arms and kiss the top of her head. "What did he do to you?"
"Today? Not much. He was sarcastic and dismissive."
"I meant in the past."
"Don't think you really want to hear about it."
Well, I haven't given her much reason to think I care enough to want to hear her story. I rest my chin on the top of her head, and when I speak, I'm surprised by my melancholy tone. "Whatever he did—and I won't push you to tell me, since I have no right to—but whatever he did, I hope it's over now. I hate seeing you like this."
"It is over. Way over." She wriggles out of my embrace, rubbing her arms. "Couldn't even get him to tell me why he keeps coming to my house." She slips her hands into mine, holding on tight. "Let's forget the serious talk. I want to go away with you and have fun."
"That I can give you."
Keeping hold of one of her hands, I lead her out of the house and across the lawns to her front door. We collect Erica's bags, piling into my hired Mercedes convertible. I'd put the top down so we could enjoy the fresh air and scenery.
