As Regin and Chase made their way back to meet the others, she studied him under her lashes.
Before, he'd been intriguing to her, attractive, even sexy. This morning, he was devastating.
His wet hair whipped over those lean cheeks. His camo pants clung to his sculpted legs and ass, until her claws curled painful y. Had his steely-eyed gaze always been so breathtaking?
Their activities last night had certainly agreed with the man. Chase seemed to have grown overnight-and shed a couple of decades' worth of tension. The stiffness in his back and neck was absent. Now that his lips weren't pressed into a grim line, she could see his even, white teeth, making her fantasize about what his smile would look like.
She doubted even Chase knew. The man didn't have a single laugh line anywhere on his face, not even a hint of one.
As they neared the others, she asked, "Don't you want your sweater?"
His expression darkened. "Do you want me to wear it?"
She frowned. "I don't care either way."
He smoothed a braid from her face. "Then I'd rather it keep you warm."
When they rejoined the group, almost as one, their gazes locked on his bare, scarred chest.
Brandr looked troubled but sympathetic. Thad gaped, while Natalya winced. Lothaire didn't bother hiding his derision.
Chase jammed his shoulders back, chin raised, and her heart gave a pang. Beautiful Aidan had never had to back down before anyone, had never been embarrassed a day in his life.
But maybe Chase deserved this scrutiny and more from the people he'd hurt. Walk away from him. Let him feel this alone.
Yet her hand decided to reach for Chase's, and her stupid fingers felt the need to lace with his.
The look he gave her as he tightened his grasp was one she'd never seen from him before.
Tenderness.
Brandr broke the silence. "Come on, then, let's get moving. We need to cover a lot of ground today."
As the others set off, she tried to make light of the situation. Because Chase was clutching her hand-like a lifeline. "Did the big bad Blademan just have a funny feeling in his chest?"
His gaze pinned hers, and he rasped one word. "Aye."
Chapter FORTY-EIGHT
What a difference a day can make, Declan thought as the six of them climbed a mountain trail.
In that short time, he'd gone from the lowest low to the highest high.
Yes, they were on the run for their lives, beleaguered by a squal , but he felt a hundred pounds lighter.
For the last several hours, he'd led Regin through gusting winds and biting rain, blocking both for her. And each time he'd glanced over his shoulder to check on her, her eyes had flickered-with definite interest.
Chest swel ed with pride, he realized he might have a shot at more.
When the group took a break before a particularly steep ascent, he squired her back the way they'd come. Out of sight of the others, he leaned down to kiss her damp neck. The lass let him. "Been needing to do that since we left the stream." He nuzzled her ear. "Have you thought about my offer?"
She pulled back. "Offer? It sounded more like a decree. So, in this imaginary world, where we're a couple and all my all ies are safe and sound-and there is no curse that's about to kil you-what do we do with our time?"
"You wanted to all y before. We could be partners, split bounties. I'd still get to hunt Neos and Cerunnos. Slay some Horde vampires, right?"
"You'd let me go into battle with you? Not afraid I'd get hurt?"
"I've seen you fight. I pity anything that crosses you. You're the most capable female I've ever known. Besides, I'd never let you be hurt."
"Uh-huh. And didn't you tell me that we'd find a place to put down roots? Be informed that I've already got one. Lucia and I have always planned to live in adjacent houses on some seashore. How would you like a Valkyrie for a neighbor?"
"You will no' scare me away so easily as that. For more of what you gave me at the stream, I'll reside in Val Hal 's attic." He leaned in to murmur, "I now ken the appeal of your little claws. I've got your marks across my arse."
"That a problem?"
"I'll be ireful if I go a day without them," he said gravely. "Besides, a seaside home sounds about right. I told you I like the mountains-and the shore. I grew up on the Irish coast, you know."
"And how would you be with my family?"
"Scarce." At her raised chin, he said, "I can manage with them. And I already have an in with your sister Nix. She sent me a message a week ago."
"What? How?"
"I'd bugged your car. She sent me a message through the damn bug."
"What'd she say?"
"That I should question Lothaire, and that she'd see me soon."
Regin had been sensing a Valkyrie presence for two days now. Was it Nix on the island? "And?"
"And a bunch of other gibberish."
"Nix doesn't speak gibberish. Everything she says is for a reason."
"She told me my middle name would be regret." Chase held her gaze. "Your sister was right. I'm going to spend the rest of my life makin' everything up to you."
"Whoa, Chase, you're acting like I'm a done deal. And I'm the furthest thing from it."
"You've given me your terms, and I'm goin' to prevail."
"Let me know when you puzzle out how to get around a thousand-year-old curse. I'll be curious to see."
He opened his mouth to reply, but Brandr cal ed out, "Hey, Chase, we need to decide on the best way up. Preferably taking the path less mined with unexploded incendiaries."
"Aye, then." To her, Chase said, "We'l continue this discussion later." He took her hand, leading her back. After chucking her under the chin, he jogged off to confer with Brandr.
Natalya joined her directly. "I've been waiting to talk for hours. But I didn't want to interrupt Chase-as he seized on any opportunity to touch you. Assisting a Valkyrie over a downed sapling? How romantic."
"What'd you want to talk about?"
"Just to commend you on your revenge last night. It must have been fiendish. Of course, I can only imagine since there wasn't a mark on Chase this morning, only residual bliss."
"He heals fast! I whaled on his face. Must've been thirty hits."
Natalya's lips quirked. "You're glowing like a Lite-Brite."
"Shut it, fairy."
"I don't know what kind of upskirt mojo you've got going on, but that man is different."
Regin gazed over at him as he pointed out something to Brandr. Chase's demeanor was still gruff, but the strain around his eyes was diminished.