Read Tales from Opa: Three Tales of Tir na n'Og Page 41

  Part of her wished it could be true, even while she steeled herself against that vain hope. "Galen, let's not fool ourselves. When my job here is done, I'll be moving on. That's just the way it is."

  "But is it what you want?" He held her eyes as if he seriously expected an answer.

  "Galen…" she whispered, realizing she had none to give. At the moment, there was nothing she wanted more than to never leave his bed, his side. But it was not a choice. Her throat closed. Damn the Fey and their games.

  As if he felt her distress, he shifted moods, smiling playfully as he gathered up a handful of her hair. "Shall I tell you what I want? I want more of you, before you must leave and I must go to work.”

  Despite herself, she giggled. "You'll wear yourself out, and then your men will wonder why you keep falling asleep during drill."

  He grinned, pushing her onto her back as he leaned over her. "Oh no, my sweet, I promise I'll be even more eager for you tomorrow night."

  Her smile faded. " Galen, I don't know if I'll be…."

  "You will. You must. Or I will burst like a seedpod in autumn."

  She laughed and pushed at him; it was like pushing the walls of his house. "I admire your stamina. But I can't promise anything. My time is not my own."

  He paused, then rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him. "Come tomorrow evening. We'll have dinner, and all night to be together." His smile widened. "I have a surprise for you, something I would like you to share with me. But you must be with me by sunset. Will you promise?"

  She sighed. "Galen…."

  "Promise?"

  She licked her lips, knowing she could offer no guarantees. To silence him, she kissed him softly at first, then more deeply, moving slowly against him until his interest shifted to the pleasures at hand.