washed over him.
“I’m sorry.” A blush colored her cheeks. “It’s my biggest flaw, pushing people to do things they’re not ready for, but I thought your signals were so clear.”
“My signals?” Her way of speech was damned annoying at times.
“I thought you wanted to, you know…” She cleared her throat. “There’s an attraction between us. I’ve never felt something so strong before…” The tendons in her neck worked as she swallowed. “Forget it. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part.”
The embarrassed sadness on her face caused his heart to lurch. “No. I felt it too.”
Her bright smile returned. “Will I see you again? You also need to explain that imminent death thing.”
To ignore the hope and longing reflected in her face would be criminal. He had no strength to deny her. “Tonight. I will come tonight and give you everything you need, verbal or otherwise.” He fled like the coward he was.
Chapter Five
Ava flopped onto her back. She gathered the quilt in her fists while trying hard not to scream from sheer frustration. Once Sam fled the scene this morning as if the hounds of hell were after him, she’d had no choice but to return to the house where Mrs. Altier rushed her into the parlor. After a round of questioning in which Ava gave up nothing that had transpired between her and him, she’d stomped upstairs to her room and refused to come out, which was fine since she’d eventually fallen asleep and hadn’t awoken until late in the afternoon. Even her wolf remained quiet.
Grudgingly accepting a dinner tray later in the evening but refusing Mrs. Altier’s company, Ava lit an oil lamp and turned the burning wick down so soft, shadows danced in the faint light. She struggled out of the hated period clothing and into the slightly more tolerable voluminous nightclothes. The only redeeming quality about the thin cotton garment was the dainty embroidery along the cuffs, neck, and hem as well as the soft, handmade lace. Maybe 1899 did have its finer points after all. The decadent slip of the fabric over her skin did huge things for her confidence. Hell, not squeezing herself into the corset seemed like a little piece of heaven.
You need to eat and keep up your strength. He’s coming for us soon. I can smell him on the wind.
“Oh, you decide to come out of hiding now?” Ava thought about ignoring the beast inside, then chucked the idea as stupid. There was no ignoring. The wolf would always be with her.
I wasn’t hiding. I needed to know how you felt about Sam.
That was a scary thought. “What did you find out? You were gone so long, it must have been deep down.” In spite of her urge to defy the wolf, Ava grabbed her fork and took a few bites of the fragrant pot roast Mrs. Altier had made.
You bury your feelings well, but I know the truth. You like Sam. You feel a bond you can’t explain, and that terrifies you.
“Maybe.”
He’s the sort of man lifetimes are built around with love and children.
“Yeah, right. I’m not the mommy sort of woman.”
Stranger things have happened.
“Why should I try for more when he’s already said he’ll die soon? If it’s true, we can’t have a real relationship outside of a quick jump in the sack.” Heat tickled between her legs as she thought of sex with the handsome phoenix. Remembering his strong jaw and hard chest made her shiver. No wonder heroines in novels were always swooning. Hanging out with hunks while wearing a corset wasn’t a great combination. “Besides, if I can’t find a way back home, you and I are stuck here, in this time. Don’t you think that’s more important to deal with instead of looking for a happily ever after?”
What makes you think it can’t be found here? Happiness doesn’t have to be fifty years. Reproach crept into the telepathic response. Do you enjoy being in his company?
Ava set the fork down on the plate. “He makes me feel protected, almost cherished, I guess.” She
“I’m sorry.” A blush colored her cheeks. “It’s my biggest flaw, pushing people to do things they’re not ready for, but I thought your signals were so clear.”
“My signals?” Her way of speech was damned annoying at times.
“I thought you wanted to, you know…” She cleared her throat. “There’s an attraction between us. I’ve never felt something so strong before…” The tendons in her neck worked as she swallowed. “Forget it. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part.”
The embarrassed sadness on her face caused his heart to lurch. “No. I felt it too.”
Her bright smile returned. “Will I see you again? You also need to explain that imminent death thing.”
To ignore the hope and longing reflected in her face would be criminal. He had no strength to deny her. “Tonight. I will come tonight and give you everything you need, verbal or otherwise.” He fled like the coward he was.
Chapter Five
Ava flopped onto her back. She gathered the quilt in her fists while trying hard not to scream from sheer frustration. Once Sam fled the scene this morning as if the hounds of hell were after him, she’d had no choice but to return to the house where Mrs. Altier rushed her into the parlor. After a round of questioning in which Ava gave up nothing that had transpired between her and him, she’d stomped upstairs to her room and refused to come out, which was fine since she’d eventually fallen asleep and hadn’t awoken until late in the afternoon. Even her wolf remained quiet.
Grudgingly accepting a dinner tray later in the evening but refusing Mrs. Altier’s company, Ava lit an oil lamp and turned the burning wick down so soft, shadows danced in the faint light. She struggled out of the hated period clothing and into the slightly more tolerable voluminous nightclothes. The only redeeming quality about the thin cotton garment was the dainty embroidery along the cuffs, neck, and hem as well as the soft, handmade lace. Maybe 1899 did have its finer points after all. The decadent slip of the fabric over her skin did huge things for her confidence. Hell, not squeezing herself into the corset seemed like a little piece of heaven.
You need to eat and keep up your strength. He’s coming for us soon. I can smell him on the wind.
“Oh, you decide to come out of hiding now?” Ava thought about ignoring the beast inside, then chucked the idea as stupid. There was no ignoring. The wolf would always be with her.
I wasn’t hiding. I needed to know how you felt about Sam.
That was a scary thought. “What did you find out? You were gone so long, it must have been deep down.” In spite of her urge to defy the wolf, Ava grabbed her fork and took a few bites of the fragrant pot roast Mrs. Altier had made.
You bury your feelings well, but I know the truth. You like Sam. You feel a bond you can’t explain, and that terrifies you.
“Maybe.”
He’s the sort of man lifetimes are built around with love and children.
“Yeah, right. I’m not the mommy sort of woman.”
Stranger things have happened.
“Why should I try for more when he’s already said he’ll die soon? If it’s true, we can’t have a real relationship outside of a quick jump in the sack.” Heat tickled between her legs as she thought of sex with the handsome phoenix. Remembering his strong jaw and hard chest made her shiver. No wonder heroines in novels were always swooning. Hanging out with hunks while wearing a corset wasn’t a great combination. “Besides, if I can’t find a way back home, you and I are stuck here, in this time. Don’t you think that’s more important to deal with instead of looking for a happily ever after?”
What makes you think it can’t be found here? Happiness doesn’t have to be fifty years. Reproach crept into the telepathic response. Do you enjoy being in his company?
Ava set the fork down on the plate. “He makes me feel protected, almost cherished, I guess.” She
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