Summoned and Stolen (Summoned Series Romances) by Susan Hayes Read Free Book Online

eyes stared into hers, passion and something deeper glowing into their sapphire depths. Her heart recognized it and gave it a name, loneliness. This handsome warrior was just as alone as she was. Her arms twined around his neck as she kissed him back, letting everything else go. For this moment they didn’t have to be alone. She banished her fears of what was to come and embraced the now. More than anything else, Lily wanted to feel alive again, alive and free to make her own choices.
    Her choice was simple. She wanted Kel.
    As much as Kel wanted to abandon common sense and take what Lily was offering, this wasn’t the time. He wanted to be certain it wasn’t the damned torc that was making her so eager to give herself to him. If he took advantage and found out later that she hadn’t truly been willing, he’d have to live with that for the rest of his life. The thought acted the same as a bucket of ice water dumped over his head, and he pulled away from her before he was tempted to kiss her again.
    “Did I do something wrong?” Lily’s pretty eyes were clouded with confusion and uncertainty and it felt damned unpleasant to know that he had put that look on her face.
    “Nay, little one. You did everything right. And when you’re free of Camford’s influence, I hope you will do me the pleasure of repeating everything we just did. Next time I promise you, I won’t be stopping.”
    When she nodded slowly he couldn’t help but tangle his fingers in the soft length of her hair and brush a tender kiss to her brow. “I just need know that it’s your choice, Lily, that’s all.”
    She smiled then, and the light came back to her eyes as she turned her head to nuzzle his palm. “You see? You are a good man.”
    “Tell anyone that and I will take great pleasure in turning you over my knee, little one.” He grumbled at her even as he felt his lips turn up into a grin. She was going to ruin his hard earned reputation.
    It struck Lily that Kel was a completely different man when he smiled. Now she could tell without a doubt that his dour warrior persona was the mask, hiding his devil-may-care smile. There was something familiar about him when he was smiling, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She had the sense she’d met him before, but that was impossible, he’d never been to Rockland’s court. “You should smile more often. It suits you.”
    “When we’re clear of this place and you are free of Camford’s control, then I’ll smile.” Kel gave her hair a gentle tug and then stood up, and Lily couldn’t help but stare at the scars that crisscrossed his body.
    “I’m no expert at warfare, but isn’t the point of armor to avoid getting wounded?”
    Kel chuckled and nodded. “Aye. But not every enemy is decent enough to give you time to get your armor on before they attack. Some of these I got from friends and men I was training. If you come home to Viren with me, you’ll see for yourself.”
    “You wish for me to see your home?” Lily asked as she rose to join him.
    “Aye, I wish for you to come home with me, if that’s what you want.” He handed her his shirt and retrieved his chainmail, putting it back on and tucking it into his pants as best he could. “Hand me my shirt, little one.”
    Lily had been momentarily confused by what Kel was doing, but now she understood. He was going to suffer the discomfort of having chainmail against his bare skin so that he could wear the shirt overtop and make it appear he wasn’t wearing armor at all. It would not fool anyone for long, but it might last just long enough to give him an advantage. She helped him redress, leaving his shirt untucked and his pants only partially laced.
    “So, do you?” Kel asked as he splashed a fair measure of wine down the front of his shirt.
    “Do I what?” she asked, distracted enough by what he was doing to alter his appearance that she didn’t catch his meaning.
    “Do you want to come home to Viren with