Alec by Lily Baldwin

Author:Lily Baldwin [Baldwin, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2017-05-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty One

Joanie slowly stretched, savoring the warmth and restfulness that filled her limbs. She had never slept better. It had been a night without fear that someone might come through the door with fist raised or tongue ready to sting. She opened her eyes and saw Alec sitting in front of the open window, his feet crossed and resting on the ledge while he crunched down on an apple.

“Good morrow,” he said without looking at her. She realized as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed that he saw her even though his eyes gazed out beyond the ledge. He knew she had risen, because he would have felt her awaken. He saw in ways others could not.

“Good morrow,” she answered, reaching her arms heavenward. He turned then and met her gaze. Somehow, he looked different, warmer, like a patch of earth that had thawed in the sunshine. She realized he was younger than she had thought. He could not have been older than five and twenty. He held his body with such ease that she could not help but smile. And then something happened that made her gasp, her heart nigh full to bursting. The corners of his lips rose like the sun, and a smile spread across his face, making her knees weak. She did not trust herself to stand.

“Come,” he said, still smiling. “Break your fast, for we’ve much to accomplish before we set out. I wish to be on the road before noon.”

Blushing, she glanced down at her lap while she waited for her heart to stop racing. After a few moments, she dared to look up. Smiling, too, she accepted his hand and sat next to him by the window.

“Where did this come from?” she said, accepting the rosy apple he offered.

“Last night, Betty left a tray outside our door,” he said, pointing to the table.

She glimpsed rolls and cheese. Her stomach growled at the sight. Bringing the apple to her lips, she took a big bite. While she chewed, she peered out the window at the street below and breathed in the crisp morning air. From above, she enjoyed the sight of children playing and people milling with purposeful strides over the frost-covered road.

Feeling a slight pressure on her shoulder, she looked up at Alec who now stood behind her, gently pushing her shoulders away from her ears.

“Yer body needs to learn to not always be guarding itself.” With his hands on her shoulders, she felt tall. She straightened her spine and grew longer, but when he removed his hands, her shoulders instinctively shot up around her ears.

“We’ll work on that,” he said, his lips upturned.

She looked up at him, mesmerized by the warmth in his eyes. Slowly, he lowered his head, bringing his lips a breath away from hers. Her stomach fluttered. Her heart pounded. And then he closed his eyes and kissed her. She trembled beneath his gentle touch. The apple rolled from her hand forgotten to the floor as she closed her eyes and felt the heat of his touch pulse through her.

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