Kane's Reckoning. A Blackwood Series Novel

Emily

The moment should have felt awkward, much too intimate for two strangers that had just met.

But somehow, as I sat there, with my hand enfolded in his, all I could think was, it just felt… right.

As soon as the thought crept into my mind however, I immediately dismissed it. I was here to return the man’s painting. That was all. And it was best that I keep that in mind, no matter how incredibly hot he was. But that voice! Oh my God! It was even more incredible than it had been over the phone.

I let it wash over me, realizing in that moment I could happily listen to it all day.

His brogue was not quite as pronounced as Kenneth’s, but the deep, sinfully sexy tone was no less intoxicating, and as I sat before him, I wasn’t uncomfortable, exactly. Just a bit…unnerved.

He was a big man, and I had to admit, he had a very intimidating presence. But despite that, I didn’t feel threatened in any way, or at all uneasy. I probably should have, considering the way he towered over me, even in a sitting position. But honestly, I just couldn’t stop staring at him. He looked so much like William. It was absolutely chilling how much.

“Miss Snow?” Kane asked, and I looked up…way up… because, good Lord the man was tall, even kneeling beside me, … into his emerald-green eyes as he smiled down patiently into mine.

And damn the man. As if he knew where my thoughts had gone, a grin formed at the corners of his sexy as hell mouth. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

I smiled nervously, embarrassed that I’d been caught gawking. “No,” I answered. “I’m sorry. It’s just that…well, you just look so much like him.” When Kane raised a raven brow in question, I gave a tiny shake of my head. “Like William, I mean.” I explained. “The resemblance is truly uncanny.”

When he smiled down at me once again, my gaze zeroed in on the gentle creases beside his sensual mouth. “Well, he was a handsome devil,” he remarked, his grin deepening. “Or so I hear.”

I let out a laugh, then glanced over at the painting against the wall. “Yes, he was.” When Kane didn’t reply, I looked back and found him observing me curiously. A bit uncomfortable under his intent scrutiny, I dropped my gaze to our hands that were still joined. “I think I’m ok,” I said sheepishly, a little embarrassed at how much I was enjoying his touch. Raising my eyes to his once more, I took a moment to bask in the warmth of his gaze. “You can let me go now,” I murmured, as I attempted to pull my hand from his much larger one.

His eyes held mine for one more brief moment. “If I must,” he uttered, his tone low, and deep. 

Placing his hand behind my back, he stood and helped me from the couch, waiting until I was steady on my feet, then walked over to the painting leaning against the wall. Reaching down a hand, he slowly smoothed a palm over a corner of the polished wood. “It really is a beautiful piece,” I said quietly.

“Yes…yes it is,” he uttered in a hushed whisper. “Having it back here means a great deal to me.” The deep timbre of his melancholy tone drifted back to me, and I wondered at the raw emotion I heard in his voice. “More than you can possibly know.” When he turned to look at me over a wide shoulder, I was taken aback at the suspiciously glassy shine in his somber green eyes. “Thank you again for returning it to me.”

I nodded once to acknowledge his gratitude. I could see on his face how happy he was to have the painting back, and again, I wondered at this. I had no doubt that the portrait meant a great deal to him. It was part of his family history after all. But still, his strange behavior piqued my curiosity.

The room was quietly still as he turned once again to study the painting, and I was content to simply watch him. I couldn’t help it. I’d only just met the man, but he already completely fascinated me.

It wasn’t just his rugged good looks, although Lord knew the man was quite possibly the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life. But there was something else about him. Something that pulled at me. I’d never felt anything like it, and it had me on edge as I discreetly let my eyes travel down the long length of his wide back and narrow waist. The thickness of his thighs and muscular legs were outlined by the fit of his casual jeans, so naturally, I checked out his fine behind.

The man had an amazing ass, but he was so much more than just a handsome face and incredible physique. He was elegant in a masculine sort of way, with a sophistication about him that was obvious as soon as he entered a room. Obviously, he was highly intelligent, and intimidating to say the least, but observing him now, as he studied the painting, he had a certain vulnerability about him that intrigued me. More than I was comfortable with, if I were being honest with myself.

Lost in my thoughts, as well as the stellar view of his very impressive backside, he caught me completely off guard when he turned back to me, and I had to work fast to shift my attention.

Feigning a sudden interest in the exquisite embroidery on the settee, I smoothed a hand over the luxurious cloth. That’s all I needed, to be caught virtually eye fucking the man in his own home.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on why I was here, and when I felt relatively calmer, I turned to face him again with what I hoped was an innocent smile. When his luscious lips turned up in a smooth grin, however, I knew I was totally busted. To his credit though, he made no mention of my gawking. But then, he was probably used to the attention he received from women.

Turning back to look over the painting once again, his deep voice echoed in the quiet of the room. “Tell me Emily, have you made plans for the rest of the day?”

My head still felt a little foggy… because of my fainting spell, I told myself, and certainly not because of the six foot plus Scottish God standing not three feet away from me…. I tried to focus on what he was saying. “Um, no, not…not really,” I replied haltingly. “I was just planning to go back to the Inn and get myself settled, then find somewhere to eat.”

Kane nodded his head, his attention still focused on the painting in front of him. “Well then, if you’re not too fatigued, perhaps I might persuade you to join my assistant and I for dinner this evening,” he suggested.

If I were being honest with myself, I had to admit, it was appalling how much his offer exited me, how much I wanted to stay and enjoy this man’s company, and I considered his invite thoughtfully.

Well, what I hoped was thoughtfully. Outside, I calmly contemplated the gracious gesture. But inside… inside I was doin a little happy dance at the idea of spending more time with him.

Because the way I saw it, I had two choices here. One. I could go back to the Inn and have a lonely meal all by myself and spend the rest of the night fantasizing over the very handsome Mr. Blackwood. Or two…. I could stay for dinner, enjoy a good meal, and engage in some entertaining conversation with this charming piece of mouthwatering masculinity. And maybe learn more about the fascinating history of this amazing castle he lived in.

“Miss Snow?” he asked, interrupting my thoughts, and I realized that while I’d been contemplating my options, he’d turned and was now watching me curiously as he waited for an answer.

Mortified, thinking the man must think I’m a complete, bumbling idiot, I gave him what I hoped, again, was a coolly composed smile. “I would love to stay for dinner. Thank you.”

“Excellent,” he replied, the smile gracing his lips sending a little shiver thru my belly. Panty dropping, I believe is how Ev had so charmingly put it, and I wondered if he knew just how devastating it was. No doubt he did. I mean seriously, how could he not? He probably had women falling at his feet with just one wicked grin from those sinfully sexy lips and wasn’t that just an utterly depressing thought? I had to remind myself, again, that this man was off limits. But oh, the thoughts of what those lips could probably do would have me distracted all throughout dinner.

“I know you’ve come straight from the airport,” he went on. “If you’d like to freshen up, I could have Davina show you to a guest room,” he offered.

Grateful for the opportunity to be alone for a bit, to take a minute to pull myself together before facing him across a dinner table, I happily nodded. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”

Kane strode to a small desk in the corner. Picking up the phone, he pushed a button, speaking lowly into the mouthpiece. A moment later, the attractive Miss Ross once again appeared in the doorway. “Miss Snow will be joining us for dinner, Dove,” he told her. “Would you please show her to a guest room so she can freshen up?”

Her pleasant smile graciously in place, his assistant gave a quick nod of her head. “Of course. If you’ll just follow me, then,” she said, walking back to the door.

Kane turned back to me. “I’ll see you in a bit,” he said, his eyes boring into mine for just a moment longer than I was completely comfortable with. I was mesmerized. I couldn’t explain it. My breath began to come faster as his striking green eyes held mine, until finally, I managed to drag my eyes away.

And as I turned to follow Kane’s assistant out of the library, I swore I could feel the heat of his gaze on my back.

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Kane’s Reckoning

A Blackwood Series Novel

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