Page 52 of Awakened By Time
Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist as well-muscled arms stacked kindling and wood in the hearth. His strong hands adeptly used the flint to spark the fire to life. Brenna couldn’t help herself. She imagined those strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close as his lips found hers. She mentally shook herself. It wouldn’t do for Zeke to catch her staring so longingly at him.
“There. That should do it,” Zeke said. He stood and watched the flames for a moment before brushing his hands off and turning to Brenna with a warm smile. “I was hoping you’d be here,” he said.
“Why?” she asked, sounding more irritable than she meant to.
If he was bothered by her response, he didn’t show it. “I’ve missed you. We spent a lot of time together on our way here and I…”
“And ye what?” she interrupted.
“And I missed you.”
“Ye said that already.”
“I guess I did,” he chuckled.
Brenna removed her cloak, hanging it on a hook by the door. She was determined not to let her feelings show. What good would it do her? She’d only end up looking the fool for having feelings for a man who loved another. She sat in one of the chairs by the fire, staring into it. She had to say something, but what. She cleared her throat. “Are ye enjoying yer visit?”
“It’s been great so far. I’m learning a lot from the men. I’ll be able to take that knowledge back with me when I go home. I can take what I’ve learned and teach it to my students.”
“Tell me about San Francisco,” she said, enjoying the deep timbre of his voice. “I’d like to know more about the place where ye live.”
“It’s a beautiful place, filled with many amazing things that you’d have to see to believe. I’m sure Helene could tell you all about it, or even Sara for that matter.”
“Is San Francisco a big castle?” she asked.
“No. It’s a city filled with tall buildings, steep hills and thousands of people. It’s pretty perfect.”
Brenna tried to imagine a city that large. “And yer the laird of this place?”
“No. I’m not a laird. I’m just an ordinary person. I only said that to impress your father because I didn’t know how to explain to him who I really am.”
“So, ye lied,” she noted. “Have ye lied to me about anything else?” She watched Zeke as he appeared a bit uncomfortable with this lie he’d told, but she realized he hadn’t done it to hurt anyone.
“No. I don’t usually make it a practice to lie. I try to be as truthful as possible.” He gazed deeply into her eyes. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Brenna.”
Feeling herself falling into the depths of his sky blue eyes, she looked away. “I should see if Sara needs any help.” She rose and went into the kitchen. Sara wasn’t there. Where could she have gone?
“She’s nae here,” she called to Zeke.
“She said she needed some vegetables. Maybe she’s in the root cellar. She’ll be right back,” he assured her.
Sara had left her here all alone with Zeke. She’d remain in the kitchen to avoid being alone with him. Cups were sitting on the table in the kitchen and she filled them all with boiling water and tea.
“Do you need any help?” Zeke asked, standing right behind her. So close she could feel his presence. He placed his hands on her shoulders and she felt the same sensation she’d felt when he kissed her. It traveled from his hands right to her core. The urgent longing she felt made her unsteady on her feet. His hands gripped her to keep her from falling. “You should sit down.”
“I’m fine. Dinnae worry about me.” Her words were soft, when she’d meant them to be strong. What could she do? She was hopeless when it came to him. She tried to remember that he wasn’t touching her because he felt anything at all for her. He was only being the kind man that he was. It had nothing at all to do with her. He’d do the same for anyone. But would they be breathless at his touch, as she was?
He turned her to face him, lifting her chin with one crooked finger. She held her breath, eyes focused on his lips and he got closer still. He meant to kiss her. She waited in breathless anticipation. His lips softly brushed hers and she quivered at his touch. He held her face gently between his hands, gazing into her eyes. He bowed his head ready to kiss her again.
“Hey, you two,” Sara said as she bounded through the door.
Zeke stepped back away from her. “Hey, Sara,” he said.
“I’m sorry. Did I interrupt something…” They both shook their heads, no. “because it looks like I interrupted something.”
“Nae. Ye didnae.” She ran her fingertips across her lips, sorry Sara had returned so soon. “I had something in me eye. Zeke was trying to help.”
“Right.” It was obvious Sara didn’t believe her. She raised an eyebrow and shook her head. “I’d go back out, but it’s pouring out there.” She shook the rain from her cloak and walked towards them. “I helped myself to some carrots,” Sara said. “Zeke, we should go. This storm is only going to get worse. Unless you want to stay. I can walk back by myself.”