Ensnared (Knights of Brethren #3)(25)

With the pad of my thumb, I brushed her lip again. Then before I could rationalize what I was doing, I cupped her cheek. My other hand was already circling around the back of her neck, drawing her closer. In the same instant, I lowered my mouth to hers.

As our lips meshed, she released a murmuring. I paused, unwilling to continue if she objected in the slightest. In that brief instant, her hands slid up my chest, and her fingers dug into my tunic all while she pressed her mouth more fully against mine.

Her return kiss was the permission I needed to keep going. I released the latch on the longing I’d tried to keep shuttered away, and I melded my lips to hers. Time and space ceased to exist. All that mattered was this woman in my arms and the passion we shared.

As I deepened the kiss, she murmured again, and this time I knew it to be her pleasure. The sound, though soft, barreled into me, tied me up, and rendered me her prisoner. I was hers and could never belong to anyone else.

Why had I waited so long for this? Why had I ever resisted?

The squeak of hinges interrupted my haze, and bright sunlight spilled over me.

“Found you!” came a girlish voice.

Mikaela broke the kiss and shoved against me, releasing me and scrambling away from me in one swift motion.

I wanted to cling to her, wanted to groan out my frustration and need, wanted to slam the door shut and keep on kissing.

But Mikaela was already sidling past me.

Rikissa and Renate were both standing in the open doorway peering up at us.

“Do you have a hurt, Mikaela?” Renate asked, her eyes wide as she took in Mikaela’s flushed face.

“No, love. I’m just fine.” Her voice was breathless as she stepped outside.

No doubt about it. I’d made her feel something toward me. And I wanted to do it again.

“Then why was Uncle Gunnar kissing you if you don’t have a hurt—”

Mikaela cupped a hand over the little girl’s mouth. “Shhh. . . .”

Following Mikaela out of the shed, I couldn’t hold back a smile. “Actually, Mikaela does have a hurt, and I’m guessing it will need tending again. Soon.”

The girls glanced between the two of us.

Mikaela shook her head, avoiding eye contact with me. “Don’t listen to Uncle Gunnar. He’s just being silly—” Her attention locked in on someone standing at the edge of the gardens near the keep.

Frans.

He held himself rigidly, and the dark scowl above eyes radiating with pain said it all: he’d witnessed our kissing.

Wearing his blacksmith apron and holding tools in both hands, it was clear he’d come from the forge. But for what purpose? Had he followed me after I’d said farewell to Torvald? Had he suspected I’d been on a mission to find Mikaela?

What had my mission been in the first place? Hadn’t I planned to tell her I would give her the money for the bride price regardless of whether she loved Frans? What had happened to my good intentions?

I held back a sigh, reality rushing in and rattling me. I’d been a fool to give leave to my impulsiveness. I thought I’d gotten better over recent years in learning self-control and being a stronger and better man.

Apparently, I was still weak when it came to Mikaela.

She released Renate and straightened, watching Frans with ever-widening eyes. What was she thinking? That she’d made a mistake in kissing me? That she’d hurt Frans? That now he wouldn’t marry her?

I wanted to remind her again that Frans wasn’t right for her. But I honestly couldn’t think of any man who would be right for Mikaela. Except me.

My stomach churned with unease. I was being selfish. As usual. And I was undermining Mikaela’s happiness and future with a good man. Frans might not be perfect for her. But he was the best option. It had been easy to see how much he loved her and that he’d do anything for her. They would live out their days working at Likness and finding happiness together. Who was I to stand in the way of that?

Frans stared at her but a moment longer before spinning and stomping away.

She didn’t make a move to follow him even as her gaze trailed him until he rounded the castle and moved out of sight.

“Is Frans angry with you, Mikaela?” Rikissa asked.

Mikaela reached out and smoothed back the girl’s flyaway blond strands, her fingers trembling. “Yes, I’ve caused him grief.”

“I am to blame.” I combed my hand through my hair, half wishing I could just pull it out. What was wrong with me that I was interfering with Mikaela and Frans? The only thing I truly wanted for her was that she be happy and stable and secure. Since it couldn’t be with me, I had to ensure she found that with Frans.

“I acted without thinking.” I turned what I hoped were apologetic eyes upon Mikaela. “And I shouldn’t have—”

“Don’t say it.” Her tone dropped to a dangerous decibel.

If Frans had seen us kissing, who else had? I glanced around. No one else was present except Rikissa and Renate. I would have to figure out a way to bribe them into staying silent about what they’d seen.

“Renate’s turn to count.” Mikaela’s voice was strained with forced cheerfulness. “Go on now, and the two of you play a round without me so I can finish speaking with your uncle.”

“Is he going to kiss your hurt again?” Rikissa asked.

“No.” Mikaela couldn’t get the word out fast enough.