The Witch's Stone by Dawn Brown Read Free Book Online

confrontation in the pub, should she really be turning away anyone who might be on her side, even remotely? 
    With the thought nagging at the back of her brain, she opened the door. Inside, the air was warm and fragrant with whatever Joan was making for dinner.
    Hillary climbed the stairs to her room, but the banging and shuffling from behind the door across the hall stopped her. Caid would likely be leaving tomorrow. She should apologize for being so rude now, in case she didn’t get the chance later.
    She knocked twice, and with a muffled curse, the door swung inward, Caid’s lean frame filling the opening. Behind him, his wrinkled suit lay in a heap on the floor. He'd changed into a faded pair of blue jeans and black T-shirt. His suitcase lay open on the bed as if he were in the midst of packing.
    "What is it?" he snapped.
    Hillary took an involuntary step back. Gone was the mildly bemused humor that usually made up his expression, instead his features were taut with anger. His eyes, the color of the ocean, stormed with emotion.
    "Um…I just…um…I wanted to apologize for snapping at you this afternoon."
    His straight brows rose doubtfully and he folded his arms over his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. "You do?"
    "Yes. I was embarrassed, but that's really no excuse for being so rude. Especially when you were only trying to help."
    "Aye, I was. Tell me, Hillary, what's brought about this sudden change of heart?"   
    Was he making fun of her? "After I had some time to consider the situation from your perspective, I found my behavior, well, lacking. I figured you'd be leaving tomorrow and wanted a chance to tell you I was sorry."
    "That's very kind.” His mouth twisted into a smirk. “I'm starting to believe my father had the right about you, after all."
    "I beg your pardon?"
    "Tell me how far would you be willing to go to get a look at those journals?"
    She shook her head. "I don't know why I bothered."
    As she started to turn away, he shot his hand out and locked his fingers around her wrist. A tiny jolt raced up her arm. "I do. And you still havenae answered my question. So let's see just how far ye’re willing to go."
    He lowered his head and before she could say anything else, his mouth closed over hers.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
Chapter Six
     
    For a moment, coherent thought fled. Caid’s lips, warm and firm, and the small pool of heat forming in her lower belly were all that penetrated her limited awareness.
    His free hand cupped her cheek, slid into her hair and cradled the back of her head. With his teeth, he nipped at her lower lip. He stepped forward, pressing himself against her length, sending a shiver through her body. She started to lift her arm, to wrap it around his neck, but the weight of his hand, still clamped around her wrist, stopped her.
    Panic burst inside her like a silvery flare.
    She shoved him back with her free hand. "Are you drunk ?"
    Caid smiled. "Further than I thought, but no’ as far as I would have liked."
    "You're certifiable."
    "You kissed me back."
    "A momentary lapse in judgment, I assure you." She just wished she could do something to stop the heat climbing her neck and spreading into her cheeks. "Are you always so difficult? I came to apologize."
    "You came to make another try for yer precious journals."
    "That is offensive on so many levels. But ignoring that, your theory doesn't hold water."
    "Really? Enlighten me." His tone and indulgent smile grated on her nerves.
    "Frankly, you and your father don't seem terribly close. Somehow, I don't think you have much influence there."
    He frowned. "But it's mine."
    Why did she feel like she was missing out on a chunk of this conversation? "The journals?"
    "All of it. The house, the journals, all of it." He paled a little as he spoke.
    "But Bristol said your father--"
    "Aye, he thought so, too. Guess you were nice to the wrong Douglas."
    "That's why you thought I apologized? Because I found out you inherited