Page 34 of The Last Knight

Without looking, she opened the door prepared to sign for a package. Instead, Marcus stood there, his hand up as if to knock.

“Aubrey.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Can we talk?”

It took several seconds for the fact that her ex stood at the door to sink in. The hesitation gave Marcus the impression he could enter, and he walked past her to stand in the front parlor.

“I’d forgotten how grand this house is,” Marcus said looking around the space. “It has always taken my breath. This was to be our home. Remember?”

The ability to speak finally happened and Aubrey took a breath. “What do you want Marcus? I thought I made it clear that I am not interested. You and I will not get back together.”

Looking her in the eyes, Marcus took a step toward her, and she took one back. “Aubrey, honestly. Everyone makes mistakes, and you of all people should understand. After all, wasn’t I a mistake? You were dating someone else when we met.”

“How dare you!” She couldn’t keep her tone even. “Unlike you, I was honest with Andrew and broke things off before agreeing to go out with you. You cheated on me. I have moved past it.”

There was a gleam of triumph in his expression. “So, you have forgiven me then?”

“Please leave and don’t return.”

“Aubrey…”

“She said leave.” Gunther walked into the room and came to stand next to Aubrey. His sheer size made the slender, five-foot-ten Marcus look like an adolescent by comparison.

Marcus’ mouth opened, but he recovered quickly, his eyes narrowing at Aubrey. “Does he know about us?”

To his credit, Gunther allowed her to speak, not doing more than standing by silently. At the same time, she could sense the irritation emanating from him.

“There is no us. There hasn’t been for over a year.” Aubrey looked up at Gunther. “Gunther, this is Marcus. He was my partner until he cheated on me.”

Gunther’s eyebrows shot up. “Then he is a fool.”

By the flare of his nostrils and lips pressed into a tight line, Marcus was furious. He was not so much of an idiot to challenge Gunther. “Is he your lover?”

Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Go home Marcus. Leave Linlithgow. There is no reason for you to be here.”

When Marcus hesitated, Gunther took a step forward and Marcus’ eyes widened. Not only was Gunther huge, but the jagged scar that ran down the side of his face made him look like a ruthless killer. With one hand, he grabbed the front of Marcus’ shirt lifting him from the ground effortlessly.

“Leave and do not bother her again.” He walked to the still-open front door and shoved Marcus out. Then he closed the door firmly. Keeping his back to her, Gunther let out a long breath.

When he turned, Aubrey lost her ability to breathe at the sight of a wide smile and dimples.

“I kept it at bay,” Gunther said, still grinning. “The darkness. It was not hard. I was able to do so easily.”

Aubrey couldn’t help it; she smiled back and allowed him to wrap his arms around her. Hugging her tightly, he spoke into her ear. “I will always protect you.”

Her entire body came to life at the feel of his against hers. If only they could remain like this, not breaking apart. She inhaled his scent, felt the softness of his hair against her cheek. The strength of his arms, enveloping her and the hard expanse of his chest. Being held by him was the most protected she’d ever felt. Even her father did not give her the safe harbor of Gunther’s embrace.

Recalling her promise to Erin and the others, she pushed away. “I have to head back downstairs and go through the last box.”

Gunther nodded at the implication she didn’t want him to go with her. “My presence is not welcome.”

She closed her eyes and tilted her head back. “I am torn between who you are and what you represent. I am attracted to you. If you were from here, we would probably be in my bed by now. But I promised the others, and so did you, that we would stay away from each other. And yet here we are.”

“I cannot stop thinking about you. Please do not send me away.” When he closed the distance between them and claimed her mouth, she was lost.

When she took his hand and pulled him to her bedroom, Audrey refused to think, to consider this could be the biggest mistake of her life. All she knew was that this man had claimed her entirely since the first time they’d met. He was to be hers, and consequences be damned. For the last months, she’d devoted her time and energy to the studio, to her friends and to this house. She’d always been the last priority. This time, she would not deny herself.

Once in her bedroom, she closed the door and turned to him.

Clashing against each other with unspoken knowledge that their time was limited, they kissed and tore at their clothing, removing and tossing the items aside. Some landed on furniture or the floor.