53

Cedric and I were walking back along the docks when Lachlan came out to meet us. After what Cedric and I talked about, it was hard to keep the heat out of my cheeks watching him walk towards us. He was very much an attractive man, with his strong physique and dark features set on a handsome tanned face, and now that I was trying to stay open to the bond for Val’s sake, it’s harder to bury down the natural reactions my body has to him.

“Lira,” he said my name with such affection that I lost the battle of trying to keep a blush off my face, “I was just coming to find you.”

“She’s been here with me,” Cedric smirks, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, making Val growl slightly in protest. “We were just enjoying a lovely stroll along the water’s edge if you would like to join us.”

Lachlan could barely hide his disapproval, because of both Cedric’s suggestion and of his arm around my shoulder. The pestering bond is making it impossible to feel at ease in this situation. I don’t want to d