Free Night Angel (Angel Haven) by Annette Miller

told you about true love.”
    “Do you think he’s right?” she whispered. “Could we be soul mates?”
    “Anything’s possible.”
    She gazed at him. Even if she didn’t know about his ties to the fairy realm, she would’ve thought him magical. The wild blue-black hair, the hardness and perfection of his body, and those blue eyes that held a hint of something otherworldly. He smiled at her again, as if guessing her thoughts. She ran her hand over the planes of his chest and down his arm. He was always so warm, like he generated his own heat.
    What would happen , she thought, if I kissed him, right here, right now? I know what the guardian said, but no man has the right to look this tempting. Somebody, anybody, give me strength.
    Before her thoughts ran away with her, she asked, “What will we do when this is over?”
    “Whatever’s necessary.” He looked out the door. “You’d better get back. He’ll be looking for you.”
    Karen nodded, not trusting her weak voice any longer. Before she could stop herself, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of him in her arms. “Please be safe.”
    He pressed his cheek to the top of her head, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist. “They haven’t stopped me yet. Now, go.”
    Karen could feel her body tremble and awaken at his touch. The world felt alive when she was with him and she knew in that instant that he held her, she wanted him with as intensity that was building the longer he held her. She didn’t want to let him go and sensed he felt the same. She forced herself to step back. “Will I see you soon?”
    “Of course. We’re on the same property.” He grinned at her. “I’ll try to talk to you again.”
    He laid his hand on her cheek and moved a little closer to her. “You make me want to break all the rules I’m bound to,” he whispered. “I can’t wait for this to be over.”
    “Me, too,” she said. She leaned into his caress, wishing he could do more as her body began aching for him in rather intimate places. She finally pulled away and held on to the wall for a minute to make her knees stop quivering. She stumbled out the door, turning to get another look at him.
    A blackbird sitting on the roof of the shed grabbed her attention. Its call seemed to laugh at her, mocking her. It stared directly at her for a few more seconds before taking flight. She watched it go, then ran back to where Bradford had left her, taking great gulps of air to try to steady herself as the french doors opened.
    Bradford came out, smiling. “That was tedious. I hate to tell you this, but I have to go to New York City tomorrow and deal with a company crisis. Do you want to come with me?”
    “I think I’ll stay here. It’ll give me and Edna a chance to have a girls’ day.” Karen leaned into him. “And I’d like to explore the woods. Would you mind?”
    “Not a bit.” They headed back toward the gardens. “The woods have identifiable trails. The teachers from the town bring the children here for nature walks. As long as you stay on the marked paths, you should be fine.” He paused. “Will the two of you be all right?”
    “Sure,” she said. “We’ve got a whole house full of servants to help us. We’ll be fine.” And I’ve got a guardian and a sexy, southern man. I’ll be A-okay.
    ****
    “What has happened today to make you smile so?” the guardian asked when he arrived. He came closer to the balcony, part of his body visible through the foliage.
    She could feel the familiar burning on her cheeks as she remembered her day. “I got to see some horses,” she stammered.
    “Is that all?” His tone indicated he knew more of her day.
    “I talked to Randall today.” She stopped and chewed her lip. How much more should she say?
    “You can tell me anything, remember?” He reached out from the shadows to take her hand. “Randall has already told me a bit of what happened in the wood