Everlastin' Book 1 by Mickee Madden Read Free Book Online Page B

he chuckled, a hand
over his heart. “And here, darlin’, I was offerin’ to hold you
through the night.”
    “I know exactly what you
were offering,” Beth said, the heat of a blush rushing up her face.
“Thank you, again. I'm glad you're just across the
hall.”
    “Small comfort,
aye?”
    Taking her hand, Lachlan was
about to kiss the palm when she jerked it away.
    “Beth?”
    “Oh God, I'm sorry! Your
hand was so cold, it startled me. I'm sorry.”
    Lachlan's gaze lowered to
his hands. He flexed them, an unreadable expression shielding his
thoughts from her. Beth reached out and touched his arm. When he
looked up, she lowered the hand to her side.
    “This is so embarrassing.
I'm not usually this jittery.”
    A half smile tugged at one
corner of his mouth. “Strange land. Strange house. Strange mon. And
strange occurrences. I would say ye’re owed a bit o’ the jitters.
And I am cold. I
was ou’side. Tis rainin’.”
    Whatever Beth expected, it
was not to find herself being drawn into his arms, drawn into a
kiss that easily melted her fears. Even his lips were cold, but the
kiss was warm, heating with every passing second, lulling her into
a state of blissful security. It felt natural to be in his embrace,
mastered by his kisses, as if somewhere deep in her subconscious,
she'd fantasized about just such a man.
    When he ended the kiss, she
looked up at him with disappointment in her expressive
eyes.
    “I may no' be here when you
wake in the morn. I'll get back to you as soon as
possible.”
    “You're not going
away!”
    He smiled disarmingly and
brushed the back of a hand beneath her chin. “No, darlin’. I've
things to do abou' the place. I wouldna leave yer side for a moment
unless need be.”
    Beth nodded. “Hopefully,
Carlene and David will return early.”
    “Hard to say. Sleep, lass.
Tis been a long day for you.”
    “Certainly one I'll never
forget.”
    “One good thing abou'
Lannie's visit,” he said, a teasing lilt in his tone, his eyes
sparkling. “Now I know tis no' the moonlight tha' makes you
glow.”
    Again Beth blushed, and she
gave a light shove to his chest. “Good night, Lachlan.”
    “You sure this
time?”
    She nodded with a gleam of
mischief in her own eyes. “I think you've chased away the boogie
man.”
    “Might be, lass, I could
call him back.”
    “Ha-ha, cute. Good
night.”
    With a low laugh, he planted
a quick kiss on her cheek. “Dream o’ me, darlin’.”
    After the door closed behind
him, Beth got beneath the covers and lowered her head to the
pillows. Wrapped in a dreamy state, she stared unseeingly up at the
ceiling, unaware the candle on the mantel was nearly burned out.
Beyond the windows, she could hear a breeze swaying the tree tops,
branches scratching against the side of the house, against the
single-glassed panes.
    Her lips tingled in memory
of his kiss. The blood flowing through her veins was very
warm.
    Thick eyelashes lowered on
her flushed cheeks.
    “No...it wasn't the
moonlight,” she murmured with a faint smile. “Thank you, Lannie.
But next time, give me some warning.”
    Rolling onto her side, she
nested a cheek into one of the plump pillows. Sleep fell upon her
quickly.
    Unbeknown to her, the mist
returned, hovering by her bedside, watching, ever
vigilant.
    It had never been Lannie's
intention to frighten her.
    Quite the
opposite.

C hapter 3
     
    A restless night's sleep had
Beth up before the crack of dawn. She took a hot, leisurely soak in
the tub, dressed, and opted for a cup of tea for breakfast. After
fidgeting about the kitchen for some time, she took an apple from a
basket on one of the counters then left the house.
    Bright sunlight greeted her,
as well as several cries from the peacocks. The air was cooler than
it had been upon her arrival yesterday, a slight breeze frolicking
amid the manicured grounds. Everywhere she looked, the birds sat
perched, watching her, eyeing her as if wary of her presence. It
would always amaze her how