Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(75)

I brought my eyes to his and we both moved at once, rushing toward each other until he picked me up and swung me around. I tipped my head back and laughed at the clear night sky as Calder buried his face in my neck, his smile growing bigger against my skin.
After a minute he set me on my feet. Calder brought his hand up to my cheek as I leaned into it, closing my eyes.
"Are you okay?" I whispered finally. "I was so worried. Your legs . . ." I couldn't help it. Tears welled in my eyes at the memory of watching him endure such horrendous pain.
Calder shook his head and used his thumb to brush away the one tear that escaped. "My legs are fine, Eden. I promise you." He leaned back and looked down at me, smiling a small smile. "It's my heart that hurts from missing you."
I laughed out a small half-laugh, half-sob. "I miss you, too. So much. I thought I would die watching you suffer."
Calder leaned forward and took my face in his hands. "Shh, it's over now."
I nodded my head, but the floodgates had opened and now tears were running down my cheeks.
"I didn't worry about you because I know how strong you are."
I shook my head. "Look at me. I'm not that strong."
Calder smiled. "Yes, you are. You're stronger than any man I've ever met. In fact," he raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes, "maybe you really are a man."
I laughed, a strangled sound in the midst of my tears. "Stop trying to make me laugh. I feel like crying right now."
He grinned, but his eyes moved over my features. "Wait, no, you're way too pretty to be a man. But maybe I need to investigate this theory further." He leaned in and kissed me gently, sweeping his tongue over my lips. "Mmm . . . and you taste far too sweet to be a man," he whispered, leaning away from me, his eyes darkening.
I closed my eyes, my tears stopping, and a smile making the corners of my mouth tilt up very slightly. "You're trying to distract me."
Calder raised an eyebrow. "And," he picked up a piece of my hair and brought it to his nose, closing his eyes, "you smell better than most men."
I laughed. It felt good.
He smiled and then leaned in again and kissed me. We explored each other's mouths for long minutes, both sighing in pleasure.
Calder brought his hands down to my breasts and cupped them gently. He broke away from my mouth, trailing his lips down my throat as I leaned my head back. "No," he said, "it's conclusive. Definitely not a man."
I laughed softly again, ending it on a sigh. "Anyway," I said, willing to play his game now, "all women are as strong as men. We just have to be quiet about it so your delicate egos don't get bruised."
Calder grinned against my skin. "You're probably right about that," he murmured.
"Hmm hmm," I sighed, shivers breaking out over my skin as he continued to nuzzle and lick my throat. "I'm glad you realize it."
Calder smiled, brushing a piece of hair off my cheek. "The sleeping powder—"
"I put it in Hector's tea. It was easy. He was falling asleep in his chair twenty minutes later. Mother Miriam walked him up to bed."
Calder nodded. "I asked Mother Willa for a little more of the powder she gave me for pain."
I couldn't help the sadness that swept through me again. "The pain—"
Calder put a finger to my lips, smiling gently. "Let's not waste any of our time talking about that. We have so little. We can't risk this again. I just had to see you one last time before we're apart again for a little while. We can't waste one second."
I nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll try," I whispered.
I looked around at all the flickering candles. "It's so beautiful," I said. "Thank you. I love candlelight."
Calder smiled. "I can't give you much right now, Morning Glory. But candlelight, that's one thing I can provide in spades," he said, laughing a small laugh.
I smiled and then went serious. "Will anyone be looking for you?"
He shook his head. "No. Not for now, I don't think. I'm sleeping in the sick tent and Xander switched places with me for tonight. In the dark, no one will be able to tell, even if they do look in on me."
I furrowed my brow. We were risking so much for this one night. "Okay."
"How'd you get out of the house?" he asked.
"I climbed out my window and walked along the roof until I got to the big tree on the side of the lodge."
Calder leaned back, looking shocked. "Eden, that was dangerous. I thought with the sleeping powder, you could sneak out the front door."