Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy, #3)(37)

He held his face an inch from mine. “This is our home tonight. Anywhere with you is my home.”

Love for him lit every corner of my soul. I held myself up with my arms around his neck, giving him a soft kiss. “Take me inside,” I whispered. The scent of sweet and spicy citrus filled my nose.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Inside, I drew a deep breath as he set me on my feet and closed the door. I said a silent prayer that no whisperers would find us this night, and I vowed to myself not to spend our time together worrying. I would focus on Kai and let him distract me.

The cabin was exquisite. Everything from floor to ceiling was natural stone and wood beams. It had a rustic atmosphere, with the added luxury of modern amenities.

We walked into the single room with its steepled roof, and I covered my mouth to stifle an excited squeal. The bed. The bed! I’d never seen anything like it. The headboard was part of an enormous tree, and the branches jutted out high over the top of the king-size bed like a canopy. I ran to it and jumped into the fluffy comforter made of soft fall colors.

“This is so awesome!” I bounced on my knees, grabbing a silky brown pillow with turquoise trim and squeezing it. Kaidan stood against the wall with his hands in his pockets, looking amused.

I leaped off the bed and grabbed his hand, pulling him to the bathroom, where I clapped my hands at the sight of an oversized claw-foot tub. A sliding door caught my attention next and I opened it, walking out and gasping.

“An outdoor shower!” I said. The area was enclosed by stone walls for privacy, but open to the darkening sky.

Kaidan stood in the doorway. “I’m having flashbacks of the sixteen-year-old girl I took on a road trip who got excited over every little thing.”

I blushed and he stepped out onto the stones, cupping my cheek and then sliding his hand into my hair. “It’s adorable, luv,” he whispered. And then he kissed me.

My heart started pounding as his lips moved against mine. For the first time ever we wouldn’t have to be careful or hold back, and it sent a nervous jolt to my core. I didn’t know what to do. I knew how he made me feel, like we could never be close enough, but I didn’t know how to channel those instincts.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

I shook my head, feeling foolish. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Anna?” He stayed close, not taking his hands off me.

“Hm?”

“Have you ever felt as if you were fumbling around awkwardly when we’re together?”

“Um . . .” I thought about it. “I guess not.”

“Exactly. Some things come naturally, so don’t overthink it. I’m going to take care of you.”

Oh, my. Major chills.

“But,” I whispered, “I want to take care of you, too. You have to show me what to do.”

His smile was wickedly sexy. “I’m not as hard to please as you might imagine. But don’t worry—I’ll show you anything you want.”

I swallowed a dry lump in my throat.

“Also . . .” He cleared his throat and sounded serious now. “Two days ago when Father told me he was sending me to seek you out . . . I went to the doctor first. Just in case anything were to happen with us—not that I thought it would, but I just wanted to be sure.”

“Oh,” I said as it dawned on me and I thought of Marna. “To make sure you’re really . . .”

“Sterile, yes. And I am.”

The thought of getting pregnant hadn’t crossed my mind. Even after everything with poor Marna and Jay. I was grateful he’d thought of it.

“Thank you,” I whispered. My knees were trembling. Seriously, I could not get my body under control. Those bedroom eyes were short-circuiting my functioning abilities.

“Anna . . .” Uh-oh. His voice was low and gravelly.

“Hmm?” I cleared my throat.

“Remember when I told you I wanted to introduce myself to every freckle on your body?”

Mesmerized, I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“Well, it’s time.”

I couldn’t breathe. Kaidan closed his eyes and inhaled. When he opened them again, they were half-lidded, and a rumble came from the back of his throat.

“You smell so damn good.”

He grasped my hand and led me back through the bathroom to the main room. Blood rushed through my body. I stared at his strong back and shoulders. My husband. The boy who’d stood at the summit, ready to die for me when my life was threatened.

He let go of my hand and went to his bag.

“I asked Marna to pick up a few things for us—some clothes for tomorrow, food and whatnot. She said she downloaded mood music as a gift. I’m a bit frightened.” He pulled out a music dock and set it up, clicking an MP3 player into place and pushing Play. A popular romantic song came on.

Kaidan made a face. “Country music?”

“I love this song!” I laughed when he groaned.

“Maybe we should listen to my playlist instead.” He reached into his pocket, but I shook my head, not in the mood for heavy metal.

“Come on, Kai . . . my freckles are getting impatient.”

He straightened, standing tall, and his eyes crashed into mine as his badge spun and pulsed. My heart banged at my own bravery, then stumbled inside my ribs as he came closer, bringing with him a cloud of incredible earthy, citrusy pheromones.