Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(42)
Author: Donna Grant

 

Elias ran a hand over his face as he wondered what kind of actions he would’ve taken in Bronwyn’s place. “If Beth was so integral to the plan, Sydney must have been searching for her.”

 

“I had time to get back here and get her set up while he searched the city, but he came to Skye almost immediately. I convinced him that I hadn’t spoken to her since the funeral. He bought it, barely, but I knew he’d return.”

 

“You shared your story with me for a reason. Because you trust me.”

 

She grabbed her plate and brought it to the sink without responding.

 

He followed her movements as she shifted about the kitchen cleaning. “You’re no’ alone anymore.”

 

“I’ve been alone from the moment of my birth,” she replied.

 

He took his plate and walked to the sink, stopping beside her. “You’re no’ alone now.”

 

She stopped what she was doing and looked at him. “I told you so you’d understand exactly what was going on here. Because I want to ensure you leave and forget this noble idea you have of helping me.”

 

“Liar.”

 

Her eyes flared at his comment. “Excuse me?”

 

“You told me because you wanted to share it. You needed to unburden yourself. And because you knew I’d understand.”

 

“You flatter yourself,” she bit out.

 

Elias shook his head. “You know I’m right.”

 

She faced him, fury burning so brightly in her eyes that they turned gold. “You’re certainly full of yourself. I think it’s time you left.”

 

“I remember, you know,” he said, ignoring her. “It was autumn. It had rained during the night. I stood with some friends as you walked to the school. I saw the group of girls talking about you, pointing and giggling. One of them tripped you. I have a particular hatred for bullies. I’ve been on the receiving end myself. I remember the way you looked at me when I helped you to your feet. I’ve never seen eyes like yours before—or since. I intended to give the girls a piece of my mind, but my anger melted away when I touched you. The same way you steadied me the other morning.”

 

Elias couldn’t look away from her. Those stunning eyes of hers shifted colors right before him. The green became more dominant now as her breathing changed, becoming harsher, quicker. His gaze dropped to her mouth as her lips parted. She leaned toward him. Their fingers brushed once. He craved to feel her against him, and it was everything he could do not to reach for her and bring her softness against him. To drown in her tumultuous eyes.

 

His body flared to life, throbbing with a hunger only she could slake. The desire was thick, scalding him as it rushed through his veins. Blood rushed to his cock, hardening him nearly to the point of pain. He was past the point of needing Bronwyn. She was the very air he breathed, the light that gave him life.

 

She turned away from him and rested her hands on the counter. “Thank you for dinner. I can clean by myself.”

 

And with that, he was summarily dismissed.

 

Elias stood there for another handful of seconds, trying to rein in the desire that threatened to consume him. Finally, he took a step back. Because to be so close to her was to invite madness. He glanced around the kitchen, trying to find a reason to stay. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one. He strode out of the room, the swinging door thumping behind him as he alternated between anger and disbelief. She wanted him. There was no denying what he saw. Why then had she turned away? But he knew. Just as he knew why she tried to repulse him so he’d leave.

 

Once in the corridor, he halted. Nothing about the evening had gone as he’d hoped, but he and Bronwyn had made progress. Whether he’d gotten through to her at all remained to be seen. She was stubborn, but more than that, she guarded herself prudently. She had lost so much, and she refused to open herself to more. He understood that because for a very long time, he had done the same.

 

The mobile phone in his pocket vibrated. He pulled it out and saw the text from Sabertooth.

 

Messages sent to both sisters.

 

Elias sighed. At least his siblings knew he was okay for the moment. He still wanted to talk to them, but that would have to wait. He started toward the parlor when he drew up once more. That was Bronwyn’s room. He needed to give her some space. While he’d prefer to sleep in the same room, it was enough for now that they were in the same house.

 

He looked up. There were rooms aplenty, but they would be far from Bronwyn. Even if he offered to keep the fire lit in a bedroom for her, he didn’t think she’d take him up on that offer. Which meant he would stay on the ground floor with her.

 

Elias considered his many options and decided on the library. It was across the corridor but still close enough to Bronwyn. Plus, he’d always had a love for being surrounded by books. Many of them were gone, but he was sure he could find something that interested him in the long hours that awaited him.

 

He walked to the library door and opened it. The drapes were tightly closed, but the fire Sabryn had created earlier still raged, shedding a warm glow on the room. He removed the sheets from the furniture and piled them in a corner, wincing only slightly from the pain in his ribs. They felt better since the chant they’d used on Bronwyn. He wondered if it was powerful enough to have also begun healing in him. If he ever got the chance to ask a MacLeod Druid, he would.

 

The sofa didn’t convert to a bed, but it wouldn’t be the first time he’d slept on a couch that was too small to accommodate his height. At least he could lay flat. Mostly. His feet would have to rest over the arm, but it was better than sitting in a chair and waking up with another crick in his neck.

 

 

 

 

 

“Scott!” Elodie called.

 

He raced into the room. “What is it?”

 

She glanced at him and motioned to her mobile screen. “An email from Elias.”

 

“Really? Filip and I have had no luck finding his vehicle on Skye. Is he still here?”

 

Elodie handed her phone to him and anxiously waited for him to read it. She was tapping her toe impatiently by the time he looked up. “Well?” she asked.

 

“He’s taking a chance in corresponding,” Scott said carefully.

 

Elodie blew out a breath and fought for calm. “He wanted to let me know he’s safe.”

 

“Let’s hope he was smart about keeping his location secret. The authorities will try to trace this.”

 

She accepted her phone back. “How are you coming along with talking to George?”