He snatched her wrist and pulled her into his arms. The heat of passion pulsated and shot tiny jolts throughout her whole body. Sage knew she wasn’t one to make herself so available, but something about Cade erased any residual trust issues. And it scared the crap out of her. She barely knew this guy, yet felt the oddest connection.
“I want you.” There. She said it.
“Ye are a wicked maiden.” His breath heaved with each punctuated word.
Wicked or not, reasoning evaporated and her body took over. Tex’s tail thumped the ground in rhythm with her rapid heartbeat. Time staggered with anticipation And then Cade’s lips met hers.
Chapter Two
Cade’s body felt liquefied, as if shimmering water cascaded into his veins and carried him into rolling rapids. Imaginings of Sage lying in his arms, crying out this name, flooded his mind. Defiantly dismissing the images, he relished the feel of their tongues and bodies discovering each other. He could not stop, and realized he did not wish to. She was a stranger, different from any woman he’d known. She cursed like a rough warrior, yet had the most innocent air about her. How could it be? He must stop this. Nevertheless, his heart knew it was too late the moment he’d awoken in the tree and saw her. When she’d told him to leave, tightness had filled his chest.
Hell’s teeth!
Sage was a kindred soul—the one he had always wanted but ceased to believe in due to failed attempts at love. Mayhap this was simply a dream. One he did not wish to wake from. Ever. Thoughts of a life with this woman shattered his fortress. He wanted her in every aspect: mind, body, and soul. All these thoughts spun in the few moments of their kiss. Their magical, jolting, melting, fascinating kiss.
She gasped when he pulled back. Her eyes wide and lips swollen from his kisses, this woman took his breath. Gods, she was beautiful. Did she think him too forward? He studied her expression, captured by those blue eyes, questioning her. Did she feel the same? Sage answered by twisting her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and drawing him back into another kiss. This time the visions were clear. The taste of her body sweet as he imagined, the luxury of a dream drawing him into the lullaby of comfort in her arms. Aye, this was a vision granted by fate. A dream of what was to come if their hearts were given free rein. He envisioned her in his arms, sunlight shining through the chamber window and filtering through the hangings on his canopied bed, highlighting each curve of her naked body. His hand tracing each part of her until she moaned his name. Professing his love as he took her fully upon silken covers.
The dream faded the scents and sounds of the woodland returning. He did not know how he came to be here, but somehow he felt it was to meet this woman. Whereabouts be damned, for now he would enjoy the softness of her body against his, relish the way she whimpered when he backed her against the tree. Her body trembled, which shook his whole world. Never had he felt so complete.
‘Twas as if magic pulsed in the air, cradling their bodies, sweeping them in its embrace.
Chapter Three
Sage slowly opened her eyes, ready to tell him how she felt, no matter the consequence. Damn all doubt, damn all sensibility. This was the connection she read about in romance books and always hoped was more than fictional dreams of the author. A chill blasted through her, shooting her eyes wide open. A cry of disbelief escaped her throat.
The nature reserve, the warmth of summer, the smell of the damp leaves on the ground, the sound of wildlife no longer surrounded them. Instead, she heard the clatter of...hooves? Was that a horse that just passed? Was she dreaming? Had she fallen in the woods and hit her head? That must be it. But that didn’t explain the cold—the bitter chill biting her skin was too real.
“What... Where... How...? Well, crap!” She couldn’t put a sentence together.
She scanned her surroundings. They stood at the mouth of an alley, the echoes of laughter fading on the other side of the lane. In front of her lay a village. Snow softened roughhewn buildings, breath froze in front of peoples’ faces and lingered in the air. A toothless man selling an assortment of trinkets from a cart looked up at her. A woman, dressed as if she came out of a storybook—a medieval fairytale—turned from the cart to see what caught his attention. The scenes flashed before her, none making sense. A man crossed the narrow, slushy street, his cape fluttering in the wind. She squinted through the flakes to watch him approach and caught his intense gaze. He didn’t take his eyes off her once. Why was he staring her like that?
“Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit.” She tugged Cade’s sleeve. “What just happened? Who the hell is he?” Despite the smile on his face, the man and his unflinching stare still looked menacing. “Tell me this isn’t real.”
“Fear not, he is my friend.” He ran his hand up her back. “And this is reality.”
Tears stung her eyes. She trembled violently as she stepped back. “No! Don’t tell me this is that damn Surrey place.”
“Aye. It is Surrey.”
“Shit. Oh hell, damn, and crap.”
Cade looked up as the man stopped in front of them. “Good morrow, my friend.”
“Greetings, Cade. Ah, I see ye found her.”
“I know not what ye speak of.” Cade glanced at her then back to the man. “We must talk.”
The tall, well-built stranger bowed before her and offered his cape. “Ye must be chilled. Come now, there is a fire blazing just over there.” He pointed down the lane.
Sage gritted her teeth to keep from chattering and shook her head. She wasn’t going anywhere but home.
The man wrapped the cape around her, concern apparent by his expression. “Do ye fare well?”
She nodded, though nothing was well.
“She is stunned. As am I,” Cade said. “What happened?”
The man didn’t answer, but instead leaned a bit closer to her, his friendly eyes observing her. “I know ‘tis quite a shock.”
“W-who are you?” It took all she had not to run. Bravery seemed the only option. The heat of confused tears burned her eyes and she blinked them back.
“I am Wren. We shall talk soon enough.” He grinned at Cade. “Welcome back. I was not certain it would work, but now that I see it has, my debt is paid. “
Before she or Cade could say a word, Wren strode away.
Questions shot like bottle rockets in her mind, each one overlapping the next then fizzing out without completion. Wasn’t certain what would work? Who the hell was that guy? And why the hell would he say—Oh never mind that cape guy. A thought splintered her senses.
“You’re a...” Her earlier deductions about where he was from sent her into overload. He wasn’t the victim of a prank or an alien, but a—dammit she was right! The most outlandish thought she dismissed in the woods was the only one that made sense now. “Holy shit!” She lowered her voice when several villagers looked her way. “You’re a damn time-traveler.”
“Oddly enough, ‘tis a fair deduction.”
“A fair deduction?” She slapped her forehead. “Doesn’t this freak you out?”
“Freak me out?” He lifted his hand then dropped it. “I am not sure what that means.”
“I’m not sure what anything means!” Her mind was reeling. The winter air stung her lungs with each staggered breath. “How did this happen?” She delivered what she hoped was a menacing squint, but she heard pleading in her voice. “Are you responsible for this?”
God
,
please
say
no
.
He frowned. “I do not know...” His eyes darted over her shoulder. “Wren!”
Sage turned to see Wren waving, a grin spread across his face. “Meet me come morn. For now, enjoy the gift.”
The woman by the cart looked directly at them, as did the old man she was conversing with. In fact, when Sage looked around, everyone seemed to be staring at them. Sage nudged Cade away from the breezy mouth of the alley and clutched Wren’s cape. At least it blocked some of the cold. “Take me home.”
The woman pointed their way. Now what? Cade muttered something when she started toward them. The older man stormed away, shouting over his shoulder, “Dare not bother Sir Cade. Get back to work!”
“Who is that?” Sage whispered.
“He owns the tavern.”
“The girl.” With each step closer, Sage could see just how beautiful she was. Long red hair, swaying in step with her panther-like sashay. Boobs—much bigger than hers—just about spilling over the neckline of her dress. Sage sidled closer to him. “She looks mad.”
“Nay, madness does not come into play here. That woman is a lost soul.” He smiled at Sage. “Let us get out of the cold.” He took her hand and started to turn away.
Sage looked over her shoulder. The woman hadn’t slowed her pace.
“Sir Cade! Wait!”
He sighed, stopped, and turned to face her. Even his scowl was sexy, Sage noted.
“I searched for ye at the celebration. Some say ye disappeared.” Her voice was exquisite. Soft and gentle. “Sweet man, ye were nowhere to be found.”
Sweet man? Sage raised her eyebrows at him.
“Aye, ‘twas with good reason ye did not find me. I was—“
“With me.” Sage put up her hands, as if warding her off. “And you need to step back. I have way too much to process without adding you to the mix.” Her voice cracked.
Don’t cry. Just focus on a way home
.
“Hm.” The woman’s smile didn’t reach her cold eyes as she ignored Sage’s request. She returned her attention to Cade. “Ye know well how I can pleasure ye.” She flipped back her braid, nearly slapping Sage in the process. “Much better than this harlot.”
Harlot? The volatile mix of jealousy, confusion, and fury boiled within Sage overwhelming her with urge to punch Ms. Big Booby-wench’s full, perfect lips. Maybe even knock out a tooth or two. Sic Tex on her. He’d probably lick her to death though. A stab of awareness, the only clarity of the day, exploded in her chest. Tex! Shit. Where was he? She turned from side to side, worry overriding her anger.
Cade wrapped his arm about her waist and pulled her close. “Dare not utter another word about Sage. Ye offered thy wares to many at the New Year’s celebration. Remember? So the harlot, my dear, is not the maiden beside me. ‘Tis ye.”
Sage noticed his twitching jaw and was sure he had stuff to sort out. But dammit, she didn’t care. She jerked on his sleeve. “W-where’s Tex?”
“I shall find him for ye.” Cade took her hand, gave a nod to the woman, and turned to leave. “God be with ye, Margery.”
“Dare not leave! I must tell ye...” The woman kept shouting, tendrils coming lose from her braid and framing her face. “I nay longer—” Margery stopped when Cade turned and rushed back toward her.
“Margery, cease thy screaming.” He looked pissed, but kept his voice low and even.
“My business at my father’s tavern... I intend to tell him I shan’t continue.”
“Humph.” Sage regretted her disdain immediately. She was the stranger here and though it killed her to admit it, these two had some kind of history. She mentally stepped back, her heart still tied to Cade.
“Ye know well why ye always sought me out. And paid extra coin.” Margery touched Cade’s cheek. “It was because you knew a good wife I would make.”
His mouth dropped open. “Wife?”
Unable to decide just what to do or say, she twined her fingers through Cade’s. He gave her hand gentle squeeze and smiled at her.
“Sage, forgive me for my rudeness. This is Margery.” He turned his back on Margery and whispered, “She works at the tavern.” He hesitated a moment then his words came out in a rush. “I was a customer of hers.”
A customer? Oh please let her be some kind of barmaid.
The red haired beauty tapped his shoulder. “May I ask who thy companion is? She is quite boyish. Did ye hire a new stable hand?”
That was it. Sage shrugged off her cape, but before she could act on her impulse to wrap Margery’s braid around her wrist. Cade shouted, making both her and Margery jump.
“You shan’t speak of Sage in such an ill manner!”
Margery’s green eyes filled with tears. “Oh Cade, I beg thee to understand why I say such things—and forgive me for my wicked tongue.”
He hesitated. “Margery, ye are an old friend. I have naught to forgive.” The tenderness in his voice ripped through Sage... until he motioned to her. “For ‘tis Sage’s forgiveness ye should beg for.”
Shit, why did she allow herself to be pulled into this drama? Cade seemed to read her distress and kissed her brow. It eased her worry somewhat, but she still wanted to escape from the confrontation. From everything but him.
Margery clutched her hands. “A stranger’s forgiveness is naught. ‘Tis thy mercy I need, Cade.” She spoke softly, earnestly. The chill that shot through Sage had nothing to do with the winter air. This woman loved Cade.
He shook his head at Margery. “Do ye not see? I am not one to judge. We had our time, and ‘twas simply business. I never professed anything more.” He took her hand. “But that business is at an end. Ye have chosen...”
“The life of a whore?” Margery looked up through her long lashes. “Ye think I chose that? Can ye not find it in thy heart to forget my actions with those men at the New Year celebration?”
Wow. She sure knew how to avoid an apology. Sage gritted her teeth.
Woo-sah, Sage
. She tried to calm herself to keep from going off, knowing her short lapse in judgment would only bring her to Margery’s level. She snatched up the cape. Cade took it from her and wrapped it about her shoulders.
Sage wanted to take Cade by the hand and drag him away. At the same time, she needed to see how he handled this situation. How he treated women, no matter who they were.
“Margery.” He closed his eyes a moment. “I was going to say ye have chosen
to change thy life
. I wish thee well. Take thy leave and live however ye wish, my friend.”
“Very well.” A smile brightened her face. “Then I shall live it with ye.”
In synchronized shock, Cade and Sage looked at each other, then back at her. It struck her funny.
No, don’t laugh. Not now
. He’d never understand. She didn’t even understand why she picked now to get tickled. This whole thing was unbelievable. What had she walked...er...traveled into? A big mess full of drama, that’s what. Was any of this even
real
?