Kane's Reckoning. A Blackwood Series Novel.

Excerpt from

Kane’s Reckoning

A Blackwood Series Novel

Available on Amazon

Kane

I stood in the doorway of my library, studying the enchanting creature standing at my piano.

Having seen her photos, I thought I’d prepared myself to see her face to face. But as my heart pounded, I realized that had been too much to hope for.

As I took a moment to drink in her beauty, I attempted to calm my racing heart. “Do you play?”

With a squeaking yelp, she whirled around, her mouth falling open with a small breath of surprise before she looked down at the piano. “Oh, no… no, I don’t,” she replied, then looked back at me. “I’m guessing you do?”

“On occasion,” I smiled, recalling how Emmaline had loved listening to me play for her. It was one of my fondest memories. Straightening from the door, I walked into the room to where she stood, then held out my hand. “Miss Snow, I presume?”

Seemingly a bit dazed, she looked up… way up, because she was a wee tiny thing…. into my eyes, before raising her hand. “Yes.” she murmured. “I’m Emily.”

As our palms met, I felt a sudden jolt run thru my entire body. It was like static electricity, only much, much stronger, and although I had expected the rush, what I hadn’t expected, was the magnitude of energy that pulsed thru my palm when she took my hand.

Apparently, Emily felt it as well. With a gasp, her eyes widened, and she turned pale as a ghost. And with just that simplest touch, Emily Snow collapsed right before my eyes.

Startled, I quickly caught her before she fell to the floor, lifting her fully into my arms and striding to the settee. Gently laying her down, I sat beside her as I tried to calm my racing heart.

Bloody hell! What the hell had just happened?

I took a moment to get my rattled senses under control, then got up and went to the small bar. Grabbing a cut crystal glass, I filled it to the rim with the fine brandy I kept on hand, then took a healthy swallow before refilling it and going back to the settee. Placing the glass on the side table within easy reach, I sat down beside her again, then studied the woman lying motionless before me. Her breathing was calm, her color returning, but she was out for sure. She’d had a shock.

As had I. But the jolt of awareness that had shot right thru me when I’d taken her hand…. well, that I had not been expecting. Evidently, she hadn’t either.

Resting an arm across the back of the couch, I studied her features as I patiently waited for her to come to. She really was a bonnie lass. Sable eyebrows arched above the subtle curve of her eyes, and long, silky soft lashes lay against the creaminess of her cheeks. Her long brown hair was lightly tousled from her unexpected tumble into my arms, and as I moved to brush a silky strand behind her ear, she opened her drowsy eyes. Stroking my thumb over the creaminess of her cheek, I smiled down into the depths of her bonnie, too blue eyes. “Welcome back, lass,” I said softly.

With a quiet groan, she put a hand to her forehead, “What happened?” she asked, still looking a bit out of sorts. 

I put a hand to her velvet cheek. “You fainted.”

She stared up at me, confused. “Fainted? That’s impossible. I’ve never fainted before in my life.”

I felt the shiver that ran thru her as my thumb stroked over her cheek. Curious, I thought to myself. Very curious. “Well then,” I replied with a devilish grin, “I’m grateful that your first time was with me. It’s not often a woman so bonnie falls so sweetly into my arms.”

Gripping the back of the sofa, she attempted to sit up, and I quickly took her arm to steady her. “Whoa now. Nice and slow, love. You took quite a tumble. You’ll likely still be a bit muddle headed.”

Holding my arm for support, she sat up fully. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized, shaking her head. “I don’t know what happened.” Raising her palm to her forehead once again, she closed her eyes. “I’m so embarrassed.”

I gently pulled her shaking hand away. “Dinna fash yerself, love,” I murmured. When she opened her eyes, I bent to gaze into them solemnly. “I tend to have that effect on the lassies.”

Startled, she just stared back at me, and my lips curved into a smile. “A wee joke,” I murmured.

With a small laugh, she shook her head, obviously as relieved as I was that the tension had at last been broken. “Now then,” I said, “how about we try this again?” Reaching between the small space between us, I extended my hand. “Kane Blackwood,” I introduced myself.

She looked down at my offering doubtfully, then back up at me, obviously recalling her previous reaction to my touch, then hesitantly placed her hand in mine. “Emily Snow,” she murmured softly

It was then that I saw the faint white mark in her wrist. The same exact mark I had on my own. And as I sat there, staring at the pale, thin line, my heart skipped a beat as I tried to calm my racing heart.

Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly, then looked into her wide blue eyes, then placed my other hand on top of hers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you… Emily Snow.”

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Kane's Reckoning

A Blackwood Series Novel

Available on Amazon