Page 15

G abby wasn’t sure how she managed to make it through the rest of the conversation with Gus, knowing Cassian was right over there . How long had he been standing there? Why hadn’t he made himself known?

And why wasn’t he joining them now?

Gus continued to talk about the llamas. But to be honest, Gabby wouldn’t have been able to respond; most of her attention had been on the little half-wall behind her, where she knew Cassian lurked.

It was a stall for one of the zebras, and whenever she made an excuse to turn in that direction, she couldn’t see him.

Which, as far as she was concerned, was proof he was there.

The man was a spy, was he not?

Besides, she could feel him there .

When Gus straightened away from the llama stall and turned to her, the lad opened his mouth for a moment, then closed it, a strangely determined expression on his face that forced her to focus on him .

And a good thing she did.

Because without warning, the lad threw his arms around her stomach and hugged her hard . Her breath burst from her in a sort of surprised laugh as she patted his head, but before she could utter a word, he had turned away and was running from the animal barn.

A hug?

It was one thing to hug Gus, and quite another to receive a hug from him.

And it hadn’t evoked a response from Cassian at all. He was still watching, was he not?

As Gus ran off, she turned to the zebra stalls.

Cautiously, she picked her way toward them, peering over the top of first one, then the other.

Where was he? Would he have left after that moment they’d shared—when he’d admitted that he loved his son and would never drag him away from this safe space?

Gabby was relieved she’d guessed correctly.

Turning away from the stalls, she opened her mouth to whisper his name, only to feel a strong grip around her wrist. The word turned to a gasp and she whirled around at the same moment he tugged…

And Gabby slammed into a hard chest.

For the third time in as many meetings .

The realization made her lips twitch. “Oh, hello,” she whispered up at him. “We keep meeting this way.”

“Ye said ye werenae clumsy,” he accused, a sparkle of teasing in his bright blue eyes.

“To be fair, this one is your fault.”

Still, Gabby made no effort to push herself away, and Cassian’s other hand, which had landed on her upper back to steady her, didn’t drop away.

In fact it slid down her spine, his strong touch sending fiery shivers to her core as his fingers tightened momentarily around her wrist.

His gaze was skimming her face, as if looking for something, but his expression remained serious. “Gabby, I…”

Her pulse hammered in her ears, and only then did she realize she was holding her breath. Damn. How to breathe without letting him know she’d been holding her breath? Better take it slowly. Just one breath at a time. Better start soon, though, before you pass out .

Yes.

Good idea.

She slowly exhaled, trying to be casual, nonchalant. Nothing to see here. Just normal exhaling, I have actually done this before, happens all the time .

Yes, yes, fine, but what about the inhaling ? That was rather more important, wasn’t it?

Not time for that yet. We are still focused on the exhaling .

Going to need to inhale soon .

“Thank you, Gabby.”

She sucked in a gasp.

His eyes widened, and Gabby hurried to exhale again— Good work, very casual, you definitely seem as if you have been breathing on your own for years like a big girl— and inhale again.

“For what?” she whispered, when she was fairly certain she wouldn’t choke.

“For believing in me. For believing I want what’s best for Gus.”

Well…he’d told her that, had he not, yesterday in the library? Her gaze lowered, accidentally—purely accident!—landing on his lips.

“You love him,” she whispered, the certainty warming her heart.

“Aye, but I havenae been the best at showing him. He…” Cassian’s hold on her loosened, but she found her fingers wrapping around the lapel on his jacket, unwilling to let him go even when he blew out a breath and looked away. “He doesnae ken it.”

“I think, if you assured him you were not going to take him away from the only home he truly remembers, he would understand the truth.”

Cassian’s eyes closed briefly. “Aye, ye’re right. I’ve been so focused on…on pushing , I suppose. Pushing myself to heal, pushing our future, pushing forward. I thought I kenned what was best for both of us.”

Remembering Gus’s story of how this man had rescued a dog no one else had wanted, had seen the value in the creature, Gabby tugged his lapel until he turned to stare down at her.

“You love him, so you want the best for him. But he is already halfway to adulthood, and likely has his own opinions about what is best. You could speak with him about it. Explain that you are concerned with his safety and future.”

Slowly, one side of Cassian’s tempting lips curled. “Ye’re verra smart when it comes to bairns. Ye’re certain ye have nae children of yer own?”

Flushing at the compliment, Gabby’s gaze dropped to his lips once more.

“I do not, but I do have twin cousins who are fifteen years younger than me. Us. We helped raise them.” How much of her history had Cassian overheard?

“And I realized that raising children is really a bit like taking care of animals—they need food and shelter, but to thrive, they require affection.”

He hadn’t moved. “Aye,” he rasped. “Gus has been lucky to have gotten it from his mother and her uncle and aunt.”

Gabby’s gaze flicked back up in surprise. “And from you.”

His head shake was almost imperceptible, as if he didn’t want to—couldn’t—drop her gaze. “I havenae been around enough to prove that. Not to him.” A deep breath, deep enough that Gabby felt her nipples pebble in response to the way his chest pressed against hers. “I want to, though.”

Unconsciously, her tongue flicked out against her lower lip. “I want that too,” she whispered.

Cassian breathed, “What do ye want, Gabby?”

What were they talking about? Her gaze dropped back to his lips. “Kiss me,” she murmured .

With a low growl, Cassian obediently complied.

His hold on her tightened and his lips lowered to hers.

Gabby's heart threatened to pound free from her chest—could he feel it?—as his mouth brushed against hers. The first touch was gentle, almost hesitant, but it sent a jolt of electricity through her. Amazing how his lips could be so soft, but still so firm. He tasted of tea and mint and… more .

Stop being so analytical and enjoy your first kiss, you ninny!

Gabby had never known kissing could be like this; such intensity and focus…but somehow not frantic.

Not hurried.

Luxuriating.

His free hand cupped the back of her head, fingers threading into her bun, holding her in place.

It was a dominant gesture, yet not forceful.

Instead it felt protective, as if he were cradling something precious.

Gabby melted into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed as she let herself be led by his undoubted experience.

Cassian deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing the seam of her lips, coaxing her to open for him. She complied with a soft sigh, her hands clutching at his jacket for support as her knees weakened.

Between them she could feel his hardness, pressed roughly against her hip, and unconsciously rocked her hips forward to cradle it, desperate to capture the pleasure zinging through her core.

His tongue swept into her mouth, worshipping, exploring, teaching. He tasted every corner, every hidden place, as if it were a temptation to be savored, a dish he wanted to memorize.

Gabby's response to Cassian's expert kiss was instinctual, her body pressing even closer to his as her lips parted further, inviting him to deepen the connection.

Her hands, clutching at his jacket, felt the firm muscles of his chest beneath the fabric and she marveled at the strength and heat emanating from him.

His tongue tangled with hers in a dance that was both exploratory and possessive, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine.

Oh, this was too much…

The sensation was overwhelming, a heady mix of desire and wonder.

Between Gabby’s legs, her core pulsed with a surprising need.

Not unknown—no, not at all. After all, she was a twenty-eight-year-old woman with a firm grasp of biology, reproduction, and desire.

She’d most definitely experimented over the years, using her fingers, a few household objects, and a purloined copy of A Harlot’s Guide to the Forbidden and Delightful Arts .

But she’d never been kissed.

Had never realized that a simple touching of mouths could evoke this kind of sensation.

And to think, all these years, she’d assumed the kisses her aunt and uncle shared were merely to demonstrate calm affection!

Was it possible their kisses had evoked these kinds of feelings?

Why are you thinking of Rourke and Sophia when you should be focused on Cassian ?

She whimpered against his lips, and when the man growled again, she felt it thrum throughout her body.

Cassian's grip on her tightened, his arm wrapping around her waist to pull her even closer, as if he couldn't get enough of her. The kiss became more intense, more urgent, each stroke of his tongue against hers stoking a fire within her that stole her breath.

She didn't want to break away, not even to breathe. Breathing was officially overrated. She wanted to stay lost in this moment, in the sensation of his lips against hers, his body pressed against her own?—

His hand in her hair shifted, fingers tangling in the strands and gently tugging, sending a rush of pleasure over her scalp. She could feel Cassian’s careful control, and wondered what she could do to break it, to urge him harder faster deeper .

She wanted this.

For the first time in her life, she wanted this .

She wanted a man more than she wanted her career, her studies, her accolades. She wanted a man more than she wanted her next breath.

No, not a man.

Cassian.