before the sun was due to set again. She hadn’t expected to sleep all day, but the run must have taken more out of her than she’d first thought.
Now she was wide awake and restless as the memories of the night before played over in her mind. More specifically memories tormented her with the closeness and intimacy she’d shared with Kiyo.
She knew it would be reckless to drag her feelings into the open, but Niamh wasn’t sure how much longer she could pretend that all she felt was friendship. Was it only a few days ago she’d made that impressively cold speech about them not being friends and being all about the mission?
Stuck in a lodge with him for one night, and all that floated out the window. She wanted him too badly.
And she knew he wanted her.
Stubborn wolf.
Getting quietly out of bed, Niamh pulled on a T-shirt that was barely long enough to cover her arse. She slipped out of the patio doors that connected her bedroom to the deck that ran along that entire side of the lodge.
She peeked into the living room but could only see Kiyo’s long legs dangling over the sofa edge. Niamh shook her head. Stubborn wolf. He could’ve had the bed.
Feeling only a slight tickle of the cold, Niamh sat down on the wooden lounger and drew her legs up to her chest, pulling the T-shirt down over her knees. The cool air caressed her thighs, kissed her calves, and tickled her feet. She flexed her toes, drinking in the late-afternoon sun flooding the pond and the tops of the trees. Imagining how lush and green this place must be in the summer, she almost wished they could stay for a few months so she could witness it.
There was so much peace and privacy. They could never run wild like they had last night while living in a city. It wasn’t just the closeness with Kiyo Niamh had enjoyed. She’d loved being able to expend massive amounts of energy. But also to let all her worries go and just enjoy the moment. Almost like a child at play.
Melancholy filled Niamh as she rested her chin on her knees. She’d never be able to live in a place like this. An enemy would find her eventually. That’s why she and Ronan were always on the run, always moving.
Niamh wondered what Ronan would think of Kiyo.
He’d hate him, she thought decisively.
Not because of anything he’d know about Kiyo. He’d hate him purely for having Niamh’s attention.
Her chest ached at that, but she could think such things about her brother without feeling guilty anymore.
Wabisabi, Kiyo said the Japanese called it. The appreciation of beauty in the imperfect things. Ronan was like everyone, human or otherwise. He hadn’t been perfect. He’d been very flawed. And Niamh knew he didn’t want her to love anyone other than him. Not just because he didn’t want anyone to take her from the lifestyle he strangely enjoyed but because she was the only family he had. And he loved her. He was afraid of losing her like he’d lost their mam. It wasn’t a healthy way to love. Niamh knew that. But she could forgive him because he had forgiven her plenty in return.
At the end of all things, Ronan had died trying to protect her.
He’d died for the most beautiful part of his imperfect love.
“Niamh?”
She gasped, swiping a hand over cheeks she didn’t even know were wet until Kiyo’s voice broke through her musings. Her eyes flew to the doorway to the living room. He stood there, still half-bloody-naked but this time in black pajama bottoms.
His brow was furrowed in concern. “What’s wrong?”
The last of her guilt had just floated away into the mountains of Japan. And it was all because of the wisdom of the immortal standing in front of her. She gave him a small smile. “Nothing. Everything’s fine. Better than fine.”
“You sure?” He strode onto the deck, making hardly any noise in his bare feet. For such a tall man, he could certainly move like a ghost.
Niamh watched him falter as his eyes dropped to her legs. Specifically the top of her outer thigh where she knew her underwear was probably visible.
Heat prickled along her skin as he halted next to the lounger, his legs almost touching hers. His dark gaze glittered in the sunlight and if she wasn’t mistaken, his breathing was uneven.
She wanted him to scoop her into his arms again and take her back