Hanna and the Hitman - Honey Phillips Page 0,51

and shuddered.

“Perhaps we should leave our outdoor adventures for another time,” he suggested.

“I think that’s a good idea.”

“Don’t worry, saachi. I’m sure I can satisfy your desire for adventure from inside the house.” As he swept her up in his arms and carried her inside, she was quite sure that he could.

Once again, Aidon awoke as soon as the sun crept above the horizon. Today the light wasn’t blocked by leaves and shutters but flooded into his bedroom through the wide glass walls. Hanna was nestled against his chest, breathing softly, and he was filled with unexpected contentment. Normally he spent his time on Pardor pacing angrily at the necessity for his return or taking to the forest to practice his hunting skills. This morning he felt neither restless nor angry.

He breathed in Hanna’s lush scent and looked out over the river. An usan vine suddenly erupted from the water on the other shore, snatching up a small creature who had made the mistake of wandering into reach. The vine disappeared beneath the water, and the morning was quiet once more. This was Pardor, harsh and dangerous for the unwary, but it was the place where he had grown up, and for the first time since he’d left, he allowed himself to admit that perhaps it had not been all bad.

His conversation with his grandfather the previous morning played through his mind. For a brief moment, they had talked almost cordially as they’d discussed the village. He still couldn’t believe that his grandfather was no longer chief. For as long as he could remember, the old man had ruled the village with a firm hand. And Ralard as chief? Even though Aidon had called him an idiot, they had been friends once—they had gone on their first hunt together, and they had been allowed to spend their first night alone in the jungle together. Aidon’s inability to shift had finally forced a wedge between them. But how much of that had been his fault? he wondered for the first time. He had been so sensitive about what he saw as his failure that perhaps he had seen insult when none was intended.

“You look very serious.” Hanna’s soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

“I was just thinking about the past.”

“Bad thoughts?”

“New thoughts,” he said slowly.

“Do you want to talk about them?”

“No. I can think of far more interesting ways to occupy my time.” He bent his head and kissed her, delighting in her immediate response. This kissing was addictive. He loved the way she opened to him, loved the way her soft, little tongue played shyly with his, loved…

He froze. The mating bond had overwhelmed him—the heat and need driving him to claim her—but this was the first time he had truly realized how much more was involved than his instincts. He loved her. He loved her curious mind and her tempting body. He loved the way she changed color when she was embarrassed. He loved that even when she was afraid, she always found the courage to do what needed to be done.

She looked up at him, her face showing only concern—concern for him. He couldn’t tell her. His feelings made no difference. She still wouldn’t be safe on Pardor, and she was no more equipped for the life of an assassin than the delicate flower she resembled. He opened his mouth to change the subject, but instead, he found himself blurting out a version of the truth.

“I…care for you, Hanna.” He would have closed his eyes in despair, but he couldn’t tear them away from her face. Tears swam in those enormous blue eyes. “I don’t mean to upset you. I know it doesn’t change anything.”

“It changes everything.”

“No, saachi, it doesn’t. As soon as I can leave Pardor, I’m still going to take you to Sherae, where you’ll be safe.”

“But we’re not leaving yet?”

“No.”

“Then we’ll just have to take advantage of the time we have.” She reached up and stroked his face, the way she did so often. “I’m happy here with you, Aidon.”

The words settled over him like a healing rain. He could feel the warmth of them filling all the empty places in his heart. Unable to speak, all he could do was bend his head and kiss her, trying to show her with his mouth and with his hands how much he loved her.

The kiss grew increasingly frantic, and she was touching him just as eagerly. Her nipples were like tiny pebbles against his chest, and when he