A Night of Forever (4 page)

“There are things that many women miss if they don’t
marry,” he whispered, continuing their conversation as if they
hadn’t been near to certain ruin.

Her conscience told her not to ask. Unfortunately
she’d always had a difficult time listening to her conscience.
“Such as?”

“This.” His lips met hers in an uncompromising kiss,
a possessive kiss that took control of her mind, her senses, her
body. A kiss that terrified and thrilled her all at once.

Stunned, she latched onto the lapels of his jacket,
afraid her knees would give out. His fingers tightened around her
arms in an almost unbearable grip. She had the feeling he was
trying to hold back, be gentle. She knew she should push him away,
even as she slid her hands up his chest intending to. But then he
captured her hands, and she sank more fully into his hard chest,
allowing Aidan to support her. When his tongue slid across her
bottom lip she thought she’d die.

A tremble, hot and cold, washed over her. The roar
of blood, of need, of desire, pounding through her body drowned out
any noise but for the frantic thump of her heart. He released her
hands but wasn’t done…oh no. Aidan boldly cupped her arse and drew
her hips hard to his. Mary Ellen gasped, but the sound of surprise
was lost against his mouth. Never had anyone touched her this way!
She didn’t understand the aching need twisting low in her gut.
Didn’t understand the little voice that taunted her, urging her to
get closer, ever closer. The nervousness she felt returned. He was
too sure, and she was too far gone. There...edging its way through
her foggy desire was the terrifying realization that she just might
let him have her completely.

Frantic, Mary Ellen tore her mouth from his.
“No.”

With as much strength as she possessed, she shoved
him away and pushed aside the curtains. What had she been thinking?
Because of one passionate kiss she might have ruined every dream
she’d ever had! She ducked under his arm and raced across the
room.

“Mary Ellen,” Aidan called, but she ignored him.

With trembling hands she gripped the knob and tore
open the door, but luck was not her friend. Instead of escaping
Mary Ellen ran directly into Elizabeth. Startled, she drew
back.

“Why, Mary Ellen.” The woman gave her a sly smile.
“You look quite flushed. Whatever are you running from? Or should I
say whoever?”

“Nothing.” She gripped the handle and started to
pull the door closed. With Aidan’s kiss still stinging her lips,
she lied. “No one.”

But the woman shoved her way around Mary Ellen and
surged into the room. Resisting the urge to groan, Mary Ellen
prayed Aidan had the good sense to hide. She turned. The only
hiding place in the room was exposed, the drapes were thrown back,
the room empty. No one was there. How very odd. Tentatively, Mary
Ellen stepped inside, following Elizabeth, who was determined to
see her ruined. The girl turned toward her, suspicion written
plainly across her fair face.

Mary Ellen forced herself to smile. “Like I said,
nothing.”

She hadn’t a clue where Aidan was, she only thanked
God that he’d disappeared.

“Darling?” Meg suddenly appeared in the doorway like
a guardian angel. She’d never been so happy to see her sister.
“We’ve all been caught.” She strolled into the room, saving Mary
Ellen from Elizabeth’s spite. “Shall we return to the parlor?”

“Of course,” Elizabeth said with an overly cheerful
smile, as if she hadn’t just been planning Mary Ellen’s demise.

Close, she’d been so bloody close to being ruined
forever. She must take care in the future. She had been given a
reprieve, and she had a feeling she would not be so lucky next
time.

Meg slipped her arm through Mary Ellen’s and led her
toward the hall. “It looks like you’re the winner.”

Mary Ellen gave her sister a tight smile.
“Indeed.”

She might have won this round, but she had a
terrible feeling the games had only just started.

Why he’d kissed her, Aidan hadn’t a clue.

Perhaps because he was a man, she a woman, and they
had been enclosed in a bedchamber…alone. Whether he was merely man
or animal, it was only natural something should have happened.
Wasn’t it?

Or maybe he just couldn’t help himself any longer.
The beast had taken over and the temptation was too great. He raked
his hands through his hair, his footsteps quickening, as if he
could outrun his problem.

Or maybe, just maybe, he was merely a selfish
bastard.

Aye, most likely he was a selfish bastard. He’d
thought kissing Mary Ellen would ease the ache that constantly
pulsed beneath his skin. But tasting her had only made his need
worse. So much worse. The cool breeze and long walk through the
countryside hadn’t calmed his troubling emotions and that kiss
hadn’t lessened his attraction. He was losing control. Hell, he
hadn’t lost control since he was a lad. What was it about her? What
made her different from any other woman he’d come across? If only
he knew, he might be able to cure himself of his feelings.

Not ready yet to head inside, he followed the trail
into the woods near the back of the property, the leaves crunching
underfoot, releasing an earthy scent. He was determined to outrun
his demons, but he could not outrun the beast for it burrowed deep
within. The animal was a part of him…his blood, his bones, his
soul.

A low fog hovered in the woods, giving the early
morning an eerie, depressing glow that matched his mood. “Perfect,”
he muttered.

The path forked and he paused, relenting. He didn’t
bloody well know where he was going, or what he would do when he
got there. He didn’t care, he only needed to escape…if merely for a
moment. When he’d arrived at the estate he’d had a plan…visit with
Grayson a month or so until the country cottage he’d purchased was
made livable. Then he’d retire into a quiet life.

He hadn’t expected Mary Ellen. She’d invaded his
mind, wreaked havoc with his well-laid plan for docility. At night
he dreamt of her. During the day he sought her out. He swore he
could sense when she was near. Even now he heard her name whispered
on the fog.

Mary Ellen.

He headed left and further into the woods,
determined to outrun the woman, his need, the demon. Instead of
evading her he wasn’t the least bit surprised when he entered a
clearing and saw her sitting upon a large boulder, a book in her
lap. At first he thought her a mirage, but no. Hell, deep down he’d
known she was here and the animal within had led the way.

Blood roared to his ears. He couldn’t seem to focus
on anything but her. He saw the slight rise and fall of her chest
as she breathed. The pulse beat in the side of her neck. The auburn
curl that brushed against the woolen shoulder of her gray gown. He
closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Her scent whispered toward
him.

Mary Ellen.

“Following me again, Mr. Callaghan?”

If only she knew the truth. He opened his eyes.
“Merely out for a stroll, Miss James.”

She slid him a wary glance. “Do you have nothing
better to do than spy on me? Silly parlor games to play? Perhaps
Miss Palmer has a suggestion.”

He started slowly toward her, afraid of scaring her
away, desperately needing to be near her. “Dare I believe you sound
jealous?”

“Of that silly ninny?” She released a quick laugh
and slammed her book shut with a thud that belied her dismissive
words. “Absolutely not.” She slipped from the rock. “I’m only
surprised that you find her so…intriguing.”

He leaned against a tree and folded his arms across
his chest, greatly amused by the way she feigned indifference.
“Intriguing? Yes, she is rather interesting.”

Mary Ellen released a delicate snort. “I have more
important things to do than discuss the merits, or lack, of Miss
Palmer.”

“But she is ever so interesting.” If he was smart he
would allow her to leave. Instead, he moved toward her, blocking
her exit. Close, so very close to her warm body. “Why, just the
other day she drew me into a rather titillating discussion on
whether her dress was mauve or rose. It was utterly
fascinating.”

Mary Ellen jerked her head toward him. She might
have been indifferent to his charm, but he knew how to pull her in.
The surprise in her eyes quickly gave way to mirth. “True. Only
yesterday she cornered me to let me know that my hair should fall
to the left, as that is all the fashion nowadays.”

Humor and wit were the ways to get to Mary Ellen.
Aidan reached out and took the curls that lay upon her right
shoulder. He just couldn’t help himself. Her smile fell, her breath
catching. For a long moment they merely stared at each
other…remembering the kiss. Remembering how the other had tasted,
remembering the scent of attraction that flowed around them.

A cool breeze swept through the room, rustling the
leaves, her skirts and her hair. Mary Ellen shivered. He let the
silky strands slip from his fingers and released his hold. She was
not his to have. She was too frail…too human, and he was… Hell, he
was too much of a monster.

She stepped back, her cheeks flushing. “Once again
you overstep your bounds.”

And once again she baited him and he just couldn’t
help himself. He’d kept silent far too long. “Do I?”

Her eyes sparked with ire. “What are you
implying?”

He saw the way she looked at him. He could smell the
desire on her even now. She wanted him as much as he wanted her and
that was what taunted him most of all. But how could he possibly
explain? “I imply nothing at all.” He bowed low and turned,
determined to be rid of her once and for all. “I shall leave you to
your reading.”

“Oh no.” She started after him, the leaves crunching
underfoot warned of her arrival. “I insist you tell me.” When he
didn’t pause, she actually reached out, latching onto his wrist.
Her bare fingers pressed into his skin and he froze.

He lowered his gaze to her hand. Her simple touch
sent his heart racing, his skin afire. The beast cried out,
screaming and clawing its way to the surface. “Don’t,” he
hissed.

The look upon his face must have been startling
indeed for she quickly drew back. Hell, he hadn’t meant to frighten
her. Never wanted to scare her, but perhaps it was best that she
understood now before it was too late. Yet, as he realized that the
look in her eyes mirrored the look he’d seen in his fiancé’s those
years ago…his chest felt tight and the monster abated. He assumed
there was a reason Meg hadn’t told her sister the truth…because
they didn’t think Mary Ellen could be trusted. And if her own
sister couldn’t trust her…

Damn it all, why the hell couldn’t he fall for his
own kind?

“You shouldn’t have touched me,” he snapped. “You
have no idea…”

A low rumble of thunder shook the forest, giving him
pause. An eerie sound, almost as if a warning from the heavens. The
thunder faded and the world grew entirely too quiet, too still.
Slowly, ever so slowly he scanned the dark woods surrounding
them.

“What?” she said, glaring up at him. “Do go on.
Please don’t stop on my account. I believe you were going to
explain why my touch is so repulsive.”

Good God, the woman just wouldn’t let him be. He
started to turn away, intending to get as far away from her as
possible when he heard an unmistakable howl, a sound that lifted
the fine hairs on the back of his neck.

This time when Mary Ellen clenched his wrist it was
out of fear, not anger. “What was that?”

He knew exactly what it was, but he sure as hell
couldn’t tell her the truth. Her wide eyes and pale face sent his
heart lurching into his throat. Oh God, she was frail, so damn
frail, anything could happen to her. Frantic, he jerked his gaze
toward the woods. Yellow eyes peered at him through the trees…
glowing, piercing eyes.

“Shite.” He jerked his gaze back toward Mary Ellen.
“Go.”

“What?”

“Go! Run!” He shoved her toward the trail, hiding
her behind him.

“No! I won’t leave you!”

“Damn it, Mary Ellen, don’t be a bloody martyr.
Go!”

The wolf would go after the weakest prey…Mary Ellen.
He knew she wouldn’t escape unless he stopped the dog completely.
Aidan moved toward the middle of the clearing. The animal would
have to kill him first. Branches rattled, parting, the dog growled
as he stepped into the clearing. Quickly Aidan weighed his options.
Glowing eyes, black wolf larger than most, hungry…he could sense
the animal about to pounce. But he wasn’t looking at Aidan, no he
was focused on Mary Ellen who stood across the clearing staring at
the wolf in horror.

“Hell.” Without thought to consequences, Aidan raced
toward Mary Ellen, so fast she didn’t notice him until he was
wrapping an arm around her waist and jerking her behind the large
boulder where she’d been sitting only moments ago. They fell to the
ground with a thud that sent a cloud of dust into the air.

Mary Ellen’s cry resounded in his ear, part surprise
and part pain. He was crushing her. He rolled away and got to his
feet just as he saw the streak of black fur leap over the rock.
Aidan jumped at the same time, hitting the beast and taking the dog
down. The animal landed atop him, all snarling muzzle and twisting
limbs. Damn it all, he should have taken Grayson’s advice and fed.
As it was he was so weak he could barely fight the dog. The animal
threw back his head, snapping his large mouth at Aidan’s throat.
This was no young pup…but a seasoned warrior. He could only pray
the dog was not hunting in a pack.

“Mary Ellen, damn you, run!”

Aidan flipped the dog onto its back, shoving the
animal’s muzzle to the side. It was a fight of life and death,
Aidan knew it and the wolf knew it. Neither would relent. The
strongest would win. Vaguely he was aware of Mary Ellen struggling
to her feet. He could only hope she had sense enough to flee. It
would certainly make his work easier if he didn’t have to worry
about her.