She would have thought immortal beings should have progressed to the point of not going to war, and yet it seemed they hadn’t. “So you and Benny are going in as just two crazy immortals and blowing things up. Everybody else has plausible deniability.” She’d heard the phrase on a Netflix television show.

“The King and the Realm dinnae know,” Adare murmured. “They have no clue.”

Well, that didn’t sound like a complete disaster, did it? “This just seems like a bad idea.” Her body was rioting with need, and her mind was fighting to stay in control.

His gaze dropped to her lips. “Sure, it’s a bad idea, but it’s all we’ve got. If we can take out Kurjan headquarters and many of their top soldiers, maybe we can avoid a final showdown, and you won’t have to worry about it. Nobody will. If I’m gone, Grace, in about a century, you could take the virus. Maybe mate again.”

Anger grabbed her tight. “I don’t need a sacrificial lamb, Highlander.” She pushed at his chest again to get off him.

He barked out a laugh. “I’m doing my job, little female. That’s all.” Still holding her in place with one hand tangled in her hair, he drew her inexorably toward him. “Though I wouldn’t mind a goodbye kiss.” With that, he pulled her down, and his mouth took hers.

Completely.

The kiss was hard and long, deep and seeking. Everything inside her quieted and then exploded, sparks flying throughout her body. She moaned and kissed him back, trying to keep up and feeling so much all at once that she just let go and let him lead.

Finally, he released her, his eyes completely dark silver, and desire stamped hard on his face. “That’s why, Grace. That’s why I’ve left you alone for five years.”

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Adare could still taste Grace on his tongue. Sweet like honey with the spice of passion mixed in. Turning away from her after their kiss the night before had nearly killed him, but finally she’d dropped into dreamland. He’d listened to her soft breathing for hours, wondering what they might’ve been like together.

The morning came, hard and snowy, as he stood with her on the front porch of Nick’s condo after having said goodbye to Simone and the girls, who had set out for the ski lodge. He kept Grace beneath the sprawling overhang, making sure she stayed dry as they waited. Clouds covered the sky, bringing a darkness to the day that matched his mood.

Nick walked outside and handed over a case. “You know how to use these?”

“Yes.” Adare set the explosives down carefully.