“INTERESTING,” FIONA MUSED as she read out loud from the ancestral book that Kade had confiscated from their mother.
“What?” Kade asked. He sat in the great room of his ancestral home with Sam on his lap. It had been two days since her full conversion and was the first day she felt “normal.” They still had much to talk about with regards to the Council and other decisions weighing heavy on his mind, but Sam had insisted they take some time to process all the information before revisiting the discussion.
For now, his mother was securely settled in a small home in Edinburgh to await her appeal to the Council. The rest of the family was gathered around the large fireplace and they had already put a dent in several bottles of his finest from the wine cellar.
“If one mate is an empath,” she read, “they can communicate telepathically even without touching.”
“Aye,” Kade confirmed. “We found that out by accident.”
Sam grinned. “You weren’t quite prepared to have someone read your thoughts, were you?”
He chuckled. “Not in the least.”
“What I don’t understand is how I was able to do it as a human,” Sam mused.
Fiona stared at the book. “It says here that some of the natural gifts humans have are similar to what we experience as Cauld Ane’s. For instance, the gifts of discernment and prophecy fall into the empath category.” She glanced at Connall. “That means you’ll be able to speak thoughts with your mate when you find her.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m so jealous.”
“How come?” Sam asked.
“Angus and I can speak if we’re touching and we know if one or the other is upset, but I can’t talk to him across the room, let alone across an ocean.”
“Would you rather your mate be an empath or a healer?” Brodie asked.
Angus raised an eyebrow. “Yes, which one, Fi?”
Fiona sighed. “I love that you’re a healer, sweetheart. Don’t get me wrong… I just wish I had sexier abilities.”
“Like?” Connall prodded.
“I’d love to be able to make things fly around the room like Brodie.”
“No you wouldn’t,” Brodie said quietly.
“What are your abilities now?” Sam asked.
“I haven’t really thought about it. According to the book, my abilities are closer to human than Cauld Ane, so until I have gone through the conversion, mine won’t fully manifest.”
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens, eh, Fi,” Connall said.
She snorted. “I just hope it’s not psychometry… it’s so boring. I want something sexy. Like being able to start a fire with my mind.”
“Payton has psychometry,” Brodie said. “And there’s nothing boring about her.”
Kade stiffened. Brodie tended to be a little defensive when it came to Payton.
“What’s psychometry?” Sam asked.
“The ability to know something about someone by touching an object they own,” Fiona explained. “Pay says she doesn’t really get much when she does it.”
“Or, it could be she just doesn’t gossip,” Brodie pointed out.
Fiona rolled her eyes. “Calm down, big brother. I’m not saying Payton’s not perfect.”
Brodie stared at her, a mixture of irritation and amusement on his face.
“Now, if I could just figure mine out,” she continued.
“Keep reading,” Kade directed. “You might find out something more. And I personally think your ability to learn and retain information’s pretty amazing.”
Fiona grinned. “Thanks, Kade.”
Sam kissed his cheek. I hope we can excuse ourselves soon. I want to see what else my new body can do… preferably naked.
Kade glanced at Sam, whose face was passive.
Minx.
She grinned.
“You two really should get a room,” Fiona complained.
Sam blushed and Kade turned a warning glance on his sister.
“Sorry,” she said, and leaned against Angus.
“Now that I’m settled, Fi, you and Angus are free,” Kade said.
“I know,” she said.
“What’s the matter?” Connall asked.
Fiona shuddered. “I just don’t know exactly what’s going to happen to me.”
Angus kissed her temple. “There’s no rush.”
Fiona snorted. “We’ve been waiting a long time. I don’t want my fear to stop us from finally bonding.”
“It’s not really that bad,” Samantha said. “In the moment, it’s painful, but I have a feeling the change will go easier on you. You’re already halfway there.”
Fiona’s face lit up. “Oh, Sam! Yes. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Kade smiled at Sam. She was simply perfect.
I am not.
He kissed her fingertips and focused on his sister. “So, the question is, when and where do you want the party to be?”
Fiona leaned forward and raised an eyebrow. “After the bonding, I want an actual ceremony. Not just the parson writing in the book. I want to be married at Old High and I want you to pay for it.”
“Fi!” Angus admonished. “I am quite capable of paying for our wedding.”
She squeezed his knee. “That’s not the point. My brother is the reason we’ve had to wait so long, and I’d like him to make it up to me.”
Kade chuckled. “It’s the least I can do.”
Fiona smiled. “Good. I’ll find out when the church is free and we’ll go from there.”
Sam yawned and laid her head on Kade’s shoulder.
“Tired, love?”
She nodded. “Absolutely pooped.”
“I think I should get Sam upstairs,” Kade said.
“Oh, yes.” Fiona sighed. “I’m sorry, Sam. I’ve monopolized Kade’s time, and you must be exhausted.”
“Nonsense,” Sam said. “This was an important conversation.”
“And now it’s done.” Kade stood with Sam in his arms and gently set her on the ground. “Good night, all.”
Sam hugged Fiona and then Kade led her upstairs. Once inside their bedroom, he closed and locked the door. Sam giggled and clapped her hands. “I seriously thought we were going to be stuck down there all night.”
“I thought you were tired,” he said.
Sam snorted. “Not in the slightest. I just wanted you all to myself. Now, let’s talk about your shirt.”
He glanced down at his fitted T-shirt. “What about it?”
“Why is it still on?” she asked as she slipped the buttons on her own, revealing a piece of lingerie he’d purchased for her weeks ago.
He yanked his shirt off and rushed her. She was so shocked, she let out a squeal and started giggling uncontrollably as he dropped her on the bed and began to tickle her.
Her face, free from pain and full of joy, was more of a turn-on than her removing her clothing. He leaned down and kissed her, quickly divesting her of the rest of her clothes.
Kade settled his mouth on hers and tore her clothes off, before kissing his way down her body and settling between her legs. He sucked her clit into his mouth, his tongue swirling as he added pressure with each pass he made. He slid his fingers inside of her body and she shivered, whimpering when she lost his touch.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Kade promised and finished removing his clothes before he climbed back up her body. Linking his fingers with hers and holding them over her head, he pushed into her, and she sighed as she wrapped her legs around him and arched up. He slammed into her over and over again and it was sweeter than it had been, more emotional, and she didn’t think she could love him more.
“Kade, she… ahhh…” She came undone and Kade kissed her, releasing one of her hands to stroke her neck as they climaxed, anchoring her to him as he rolled them to the side.
His hand cupped her bottom and he kissed her temple. “God, I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She shifted so she was straddling him and cupped his face. “But I’m not done.”
“I better take care of that, then.” He slid his hand between her legs and thumbed her clit. She dropped her head back and rocked against him. “Grab the headboard, Sam.”
She did as she was told and he slid down so his face was between her legs, lifting his head up so his mouth covered her core. She pressed her body down, but he gripped her hips and anchored her where he wanted her, his tongue sliding in deeper and deeper.
“So wet,” he rasped, and sucked her clit.
She licked her lips and hummed in agreement…her body couldn’t get enough of his mouth.
He slid out from under her, shifting me so she was on all fours. “Cheek to the mattress, love.”
She obliged immediately and he lifted her hips, kissing the area just above the rise of her bottom. His cock slid inside of her, slowly at first, and then faster and faster.
“Kade,” she breathed out.
“Hold tight, love.”
She grabbed the edge of the mattress and he slammed into her, harder and harder. “I’m—”
“Don’t come,” he ordered.
“I have—”
“Hold it,” he growled.
She bit her lip and tried to keep her orgasm at bay, but she failed and exploded around him, screaming his name into the pillow as she collapsed onto the mattress. Kade rolled them to our sides again, staying connected as he continued to move, his hand sliding between her legs and cupping her pussy as he worked her clit. “Can’t. Get. Enough.”
She nodded, considering she didn’t have breath to speak.
While one hand worked her clit, his other rolled her nipple into a tight bud and he slammed into her, building yet another orgasm.
“Come, baby,” he whispered, and she let go.
Kade held her tight as they caught their breath and she closed her eyes unable to focus. “I loved everything we just did there, sire.”
Kade chuckled, kissing her gently. “I could tell, wench.” He climbed off the bed and headed to the bathroom, returning with a warm washcloth and cleaning her up.
Slipping back under the covers, he pulled her onto his chest.
“I love you so much it hurts sometimes,” she whispered. “You know?”
“Aye, love. I know.” He kissed her gently. “I feel the same way.”
She yawned and snuggled close to him. “Best life ever.”
“Aye.” He smiled. “Sleep now, Samantha.”
She did.
* * *
A strange buzzing interrupted Samantha’s dream. By the time she realized it was her cell phone, the buzzing stopped. Snuggling closer to Kade, she thought to ignore it and find out who called in the morning, but then it began again. She rubbed her eyes and focused on the screen. It was her father.
“Daddy? What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry to call so early, button. Can you come home?”
“Yes.” She sat up, her blood running cold. “What’s happened?”
Kade stirred next to her.
“There’s been an incident and your brother’s been shot,” her father said.
“Shot? What kind of incident?”
“We think it was a robbery attempt at the Abercorn store. He managed to get to his panic room and call the cops.”
Kade sat up and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back to his chest.
Her pulse started to slow. “Is he okay?”
“He’s in a private room now,” her father said. “The surgeon was able to repair the damage and he says he’ll make a full recovery. The injury wasn’t life-threatening.”
“In a private room? Already? When did this happen?”
“Yesterday.
“Daddy, why didn’t you call me earlier?”
“I’m sorry, honey. He made me promise not to.”
Sam let out an uncharacteristic curse. “And you listened to him? Who the hell does he think he is?”
Kade gave her a gentle squeeze and kissed her shoulder.
“I know.” Her father sighed. “I’m sorry.”
Sam squeezed her eyes shut. “Is Mom okay?”
“She’s better now that he’s fine, but she’d really like you to come home for a week or so if at all possible.”
“Of course I’ll come. But if Dalton really is perfectly fine when I get there, I’m going to kill him.”
Her father chuckled. “I’ll let you.”
“I’ll get the first flight I can.”
“Good. Call me when you’re set and I’ll pick you up.”
“Thanks. Bye, Daddy.” She hung up.
“What happened?” Kade asked.
“My stupid idiot moron of a brother went and got himself shot and made my parents promise not to call me,” she snapped.
Kade stayed quiet as she pulled out of his arms and stomped around the bedroom, opening drawers and pulling out random clothing.
“Knowing him, he probably tried to be the big macho hero and stop the robbery at his store.” She let out an anguished groan. “He could have been killed. Over his damn, precious, piece-of-crap cars!”
Kade slid from the bed and stopped her from pulling on a pair of sweatpants. “Those are mine, love.”
Sam burst into angry tears. “He could have been killed, Kade.”
“Come here.” He pulled her close. “I’ve got you.”
“He doesn’t think! He’s the most selfish, arrogant, egotistical…” Her sob stopped her tirade. “He could have died.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Kade stroked her back.
They stood in the middle of the room, Kade rubbing her back and Sam waffling between tears and lobbing unflattering adjectives toward her brother. Her emotions were so strong, it took several minutes for Kade to calm her.
“Sorry.” Pulling away from him, she grimaced. “I’ve gotten you all wet.”
“I don’t mind in the least.” Kade chuckled and wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. “How’s your mum?”
“Daddy said she’s doing better now, but wants me to come home.” She found a pair of her sweatpants and pulled them on. “Can you help me book a flight?”
“Of course.” He retrieved his cell phone from the side table and dialed a number. “Hi, Russell. Sorry to wake you. Can you organize a flight to Hilton Head, Savannah, please? Aye, the States. Thanks.”
“We could have waited until morning, honey,” she said.
“You need to get home.” He made his way to the closet, returning with two suitcases.
“What are you doing?” Sam asked. “I don’t need two.”
“I’m going with you,” he said as he laid the bags on the bed.
Samantha couldn’t stop another quiet sob.
Kade rushed to comfort her. “Don’t you want me to come?”
“No. I mean, yes. I just didn’t want to ask. You’re so busy.”
“Och, love. I’m never too busy for you.”
“But there’s all the Council stuff and your mom.”
He lifted her chin. “No one is more important than you.”
His phone rang and he answered it while keeping an arm firmly around her. “Hi, Russell. Excellent. Aye, we’ll be ready.” He hung up and kissed Sam’s head. “Wheels up at nine. How about we get a few more hours of sleep, hmm?”
“It’ll never happen.”
“Let’s try,” he suggested and climbed back into the bed.
Samantha gratefully slid into his safe embrace and kissed his neck. “I can’t get close enough.”
“I know, sweetheart. Quiet your heart. I’ve got you.”
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
* * *
Kade heard his phone buzz, but turned it off before it could wake Samantha. She didn’t need to wake up for another hour. Easing out of the bed, he stepped into the dressing room and dialed Connall.
“I hear you’re taking a trip,” Connall said without greeting Kade.
“Aye. Her brother’s been shot. I’m taking her home.”
“What happened?”
“Something about a robbery, but it’s not sitting well with me, Con. Find out what really happened, hmm?”
“Aye,” Connall said. “I also think we’re going to need to sort out Ármann sooner than later. I know we have Mum to deal with, but I think he takes precedence.”
Kade pinched the bridge of his nose. “I agree. Just give me a few days.”
“Okay. Don’t worry about anything here or at the office. I’ll call you as soon as we find anything on Sam’s brother, and I’ll also sort out the Iceland details.”
“What about your horses?”
“Max is taking care of those interests for the time being.”
“Thanks.”
“Tell Sam we’re praying for her brother.”
Samantha’s scream filtered into the room.
“I will. Gotta go.” He rushed into the bedroom, set his phone on the side table, and climbed into bed with her. “Bad dream?”
She nodded. Her breathing was heavy and her face was in her hands. “Waking up without you doesn’t help.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. Come here.”
She settled herself onto his chest. “I don’t think he got shot because of a robbery.”
Kade raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”
“Just a weird feeling. I could be wrong.”
“We’ll know more soon.” Kade stroked her cheek. “Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll finish packing?”
Samantha reluctantly left him, grabbing an apple on the way to the bathroom. She was hungry again and this time she couldn’t ignore it.
Once showered, she dressed in a soft T-shirt, comfortable sweats, and shoes. Forgoing makeup, she pulled her damp hair into a ponytail. At this point, she didn’t care who she met on the plane, she just wanted to get home. She glanced at Kade pulling on a clean shirt. “What time’s the flight again?”
“Nine.” He looked at his watch. “The car will be here soon.”
Sam glanced at her watch and frowned. It was just after eight. “Cutting it a bit close, don’t you think? Aren’t we supposed to be there like two hours ahead or something like that?”
He shook his head. “We’ve got plenty of time.”
“Well, I’m ready.”
“Good. Would you like to eat more now or on the plane?”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “I get a choice, huh?”
“You make me sound like an ogre.”
“When it comes to forcing food in my mouth, you are a bit Shrek-like.”
“Your metabolism has tripled, love. You have to eat twice as much as you used to or you could get sick.”
“I know, honey. And I appreciate you looking out for me.” She looped her hands around his neck. “But the apple helped, so I’d rather wait.”
“You’re lucky you’re cute.”
“Oh, really?”
He patted her bottom. “Yes, I cannot seem to resist you.”
“Kiss me, then.”
He obliged.
Kade’s phone buzzed and Sam reluctantly broke the kiss and followed him downstairs. He set her bag next to his in the foyer just as a large man dressed in a suit and tie walked through the door.
“Sam, this is Tavish,” Kade said.
The man bowed.
Sam gave him a nervous smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Thank you, m’lady.” Tavish reached for Kade’s bag. “Are you ready?”
Kade nodded and waited for Sam to precede him out the door. He held the car door open for her and she slid inside, leaning heavily against him when he sat next to her. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her as close as the seatbelt would allow. “I talked to the attending.”
She glanced up at him. “Dr. Selliken?”
“Yes. You know her?”
“I do. I attended one of her guest lectures. She’s notoriously tight-lipped. How did you manage a conversation?”
“I have my ways.”
“I know you do.” Sam smiled. “What did she say?”
“That your brother sustained a flesh wound to his bicep and bruised his shoulder in his attempt to avoid the bullet. He has to wear a sling for a couple of weeks, but otherwise, he’ll make a full recovery.”
“Did she say when he’ll be released?”
“Tomorrow.”
“He really is the luckiest man alive.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
As Tavish drove them to the airport, Sam let the comfort Kade offered seep into her. She was relieved that her brother was going to be fine, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
Within minutes, Kade broke contact and squeezed her hand. “We’re here.”
Sam glanced outside. “This doesn’t look like an airport… well, not a big one anyway.”
Kade grinned and climbed from the car. He leaned in and reached for her. “I have a bit of a surprise, love.”
She took his hand and slid from the car. “What did you do?”
“We’re not flying commercial.”
She bit back a groan. “You have your own freaking plane, don’t you?”
“Aye.” He nodded at the jet in front of them. “That’s one of ours.”
“One of yours?”
“We have the family jet and the company jet.”
She shook her head. “Kade. I can’t fly in a small plane. They crash.”
“They do not.” He laid his hands on her shoulders. “I will make sure you’re calm without pills. Do you trust me?”
“It’s not you I have an issue with.”
“Let’s board, and then you can see how you feel, okay? One step at a time, love.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“Yes, you can. Come on.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the plane.
Sam swallowed and shuffled behind him in an effort to delay the inevitable.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, um…
“Samantha,” Kade admonished with a chuckle. “You are not going to die… at least not in a plane crash.”
“Get out of my brain.”
“Lynyrd Skynyrd, really?” he asked.
“You can blame my brother for that one.” Sam bit her lip. “He used to sing “Sweet Home Savannah” instead of Alabama whenever I was having a bad day.”
“Good brother.”
Sam snorted. “You haven’t heard him sing.”
He laughed, and before she knew what was happening, she was climbing the stairs and entering the cabin of his private jet. As her gaze swept the space, she couldn’t stop an appreciative hum.
Large leather chairs that looked more like recliners filled the interior and a young woman dressed in something out of a fifties flight attendant magazine stood holding a tray with assorted pastries.
“Welcome m’lady,” she said.
“Thank you.”
Sam felt Kade’s gentle push on her lower back. “There’s a nice bathroom in the back and a couple of beds as well. You won’t even know you’re in the air.”
She frowned at him over her shoulder. “Yes, I will.”
He chuckled again. “Well, you won’t care.”
She turned to face him and laid her hands on his chest. “I don’t know about this.”
“I know you’re scared, love. But I’ve flown all over the world in this plane. Nothing has ever gone wrong.”
“There’s always a first time.”
“Do you want to meet my pilot?”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
He chuckled. “I think it would be a good idea.”
“Are you saying I should meet him now because there’s a chance I won’t be able to meet him later, because we’ll be dead?”
Kade laughed. “Och, love, you are adorable.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll be happy to meet him… after we arrive safely.”
He raised an eyebrow. “So that’s a yes, then?”
“What kind of a woman would I be if I turned down the chance to fly home in a private Learjet?”
“A crazy one.” He grinned. “I’ll speak with Russell quickly. Have some breakfast.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
He nodded and disappeared into the cockpit.