Winter's Warrior: Mark of the Monarch (Winter's Saga 4)

“Hey guys. How’d it go?”


“Great,” Creed grinned at Evan, his co-conspirator.

One glance at her little brother told her everything she needed to know. “Evan Winter! Why are you covered in black grease?”

“You already know, so why bother asking?” Evan smiled charmingly at his sister’s scowling face.

“Meg, do you need me to help with anything before your mom gets home?” Creed asked thoughtfully as he headed to the kitchen for a drink.

“No, I think we’re as ready as we’re going to be tonight, but thanks for the offer.” Meg grinned at Creed’s wide back.

“Then I’m going out to the barn for a while before everyone gets back,” He called over his shoulder with a wave.

“Oh yeah? Wait up, big man.” Meg quickly crossed off “modify Mom’s car” from her to-do list before tossing the pen down and leaping after Creed.





Chapter 36 M&C



“What are you doing?” Creed smirked over his shoulder at his dark-eyed beauty bouncing after him.

“What can I say? I’m a sucker for your company, Creed Young.”

Blushing, he held the back door open for her. She smiled widely as she walked past him, careful to only lightly brush her fingertips across his chest as she did.

“Oh come on, Meg,” Creed ran his huge hand through his straight hair, his face adorably pink.

“Don’t you want to be with me?” Meg feigned hurt feelings as she turned to stand inches away from the love of her life. She was having a hard time keeping her hands to herself, so she shoved them deep inside the pockets of her jeans.

“You know I love your company.” His voice was scratchy with the immediate emotions she brought out in him.

Meg nodded smugly, knowing full well how she made Creed’s heart pound like a racehorse. “Good, because I was kind of hoping you’d give me another lesson.” She started walking determinedly toward the barn.

Three of Creed’s long strides had him caught up with her. “Another lesson in what?”

“Hmm, how about archery this time?”

“Sure,” Creed’s husky voice was replaced with his normal, handsome bass. “Have you ever tried it?”

“Yeah, but the compound bow is tricky for me. The boys were trying to teach me; Alik was trying to be all bossy and Evan went on and on about the aerodynamics involved.” Meg rolled her eyes, remembering that day clearly. “I lost my patience and stormed out of the barn, choosing to go for a run instead. That was back when, um…” she hesitated. “Back when you were in Germany.”

“Mmm,” Creed grunted a hint of a smile on his lips. “And what makes you think I’ll be able to teach you?”

They stepped into the fresh hay-scented barn, sunlight dancing between the sparkling dust particles like God’s glitter.

Meg watched the way Creed’s shoulders rolled, big catlike as he walked toward the bows and arrows stored neatly against the far wall.

“Because I’ll hold still for you.” Meg’s voice quivered as the truth blurt from her freshly licked lips.

Creed looked over his shoulder at the raven-haired beauty. Her lids were heavy over shining dark pools of chocolate. He tore his eyes away from her sultry gaze only to land on her full mouth. She kept chewing on her bottom lip causing it to swell pink and perfect. It was all he could do to keep from sweeping her up into his arms and covering those delicious Cupid’s bow lips with passionate kisses.

Bow.

Bow.

Oh, right, Creed shook his head trying to clear it as he stood holding a bow and a quiver of arrows.

He cleared his throat, trying to loosen its grip so he could take more than a shallow breath.

“You’ll hold still for me?” He replayed her words aloud, peering at the girl with one brow raised out of curiosity.

Now it was Meg’s turn to blush. She felt the heat crawl up her throat and land at the tips of her ears. Self-consciously, she reached to her wrist to find the pony holder she kept there like a bracelet. She bowed her head while gathering all her dark ringlets low at the back of her head so her reddened ears would stay hidden.

Regaining her composure she clarified, “I mean I won’t run off all mad like I did when my brothers were trying to teach me.”

Creed sensed her struggle to maintain her poise and smiled inwardly at it. I may not be an empath, but I can almost hear her heart pounding and her breath quickening. I’m actually making her feel flustered! He wanted to whoop with joy, knowing the effect he was having on the girl of his dreams. There is nothing more amazing than knowing the rosy hue in her cheeks as she smiles up at me is only there because she loves me as completely as I love her.

“I would have thought you already knew how to shoot a bow,” Creed offered, trying to stay on subject.