All the staff at the mansion were wonderful as well. They went out of their way to ease her fears, though at the same time some of what they shared made things scarier.
They had never even seen the man she was supposed to marry—he’d refused to come to any events in the area. He’d given lists of what he expected to have available at all times, but never shown up to see his will was obeyed.
He didn’t need to worry on that account. No one dared to take a chance the head of the Halcyon clan was one of the tyrant types who were whispered about in the bear community.
Lillie had the file Addie had sent her filled with all sorts of juicy gossip about the man. She’d refused to look at it. It was bad enough she was there to tell him goodbye. Nope. Details about Jamieson Halcyon could stay a mystery.
Lillie shot to her feet as the sweet young doorman who’d been so nice to her slipped through the doors.
“He’s gone upstairs.” Peter patted her shoulder kindly. “He looked a lot less fierce than I expected. Why don’t you stay here? We’ll make sure everything is fine.”
She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself in a hug. Summoning the courage she’d need in the next few moments.
Around her the smells of cooking helped center her, something simmering on the stove. A soothing rattle of pots and pans washed over her as Peter’s mom and another woman worked together, their voices low as they conversed.
Peter didn’t say anything more, but stood nearby and looked protective.
And then Jim walked in.
Lillie’s stomach fell all the way to her toes.
“Oh no. No.” Too many things slammed through her brain as she took in the shock of him being in exactly the wrong place. How had he…? Why…?
This was not good.
“What are you doing here?” She rushed forward, fisting her hands in his jacket and going up on her tiptoes to try to get in his face. “I told you I would be coming back. You can’t be here, not now. It’s not safe.”
The last thing she needed was the man she loved getting into a fight with the man she was supposed to marry.
A crease formed between Jim’s brows. “What do you mean, it’s not safe?”
She gave up on tugging him, instead pushing hard and attempting to shove him back toward the door. Maybe if she got him outside she could convince him to hide until she’d spoken with her betrothed.
“I have to talk to someone, and he’s not going to be happy with me. And I don’t want you here and getting in a fight, so please, go away.”
She should have known pushing him would be as successful as trying to move the Great Wall of China.
“Lillie. Stop trying to tip me over, and let’s see if you can make sense.”
“I don’t know how you managed to track me down,” she protested. “But I’m sure if you give me a while I can convince my fiancé to call it off—”
“Fiancé?”
Lillie squeezed her eyes together, slapping her hands over her ears. She didn’t want to hear or see what came next.
Strong fingers wrapped around her wrists and gently tugged her hands loose. Jim moved close enough heat passed between their bodies. He let go of one hand and pressed his fingers under her chin, tilting her face upward.
Only he didn’t say anything. He kept staring into her eyes, while he barked out an order at the staff. “All of you. Get out, now.”
“But, sir—”
“Out.” The word was said quietly, but with a force of nature behind the command.
Lillie wasn’t surprised to discover the staff had abandoned her. No matter how brave they were, she wouldn’t have disobeyed that tone of voice, either.
But this was Jim. Her Jim, and she knew he’d never do anything to harm her. She sighed heavily and tried to reason with the big beast. “Promise me you won’t get into a fight with him.”
His lips twitched. “With your fiancé, you mean?”
She dipped her chin as much as his fingers would allow.
Jim held a hand in the air, his expression going completely solemn. “I swear to not lay a hand on the man.”
Lillie let out the breath she’d been holding. “I still have no idea how you found me, but if you’ll just let me—”
He didn’t let her say another word. Instead, he kissed her, holding their lips in sensual contact while his right hand slipped to her back so he could crush their torsos together. Lillie gave up trying to push him away, instead clinging tight. Giving him back her caresses. After less than a day apart, she craved his touch.
She was dizzy by the time he let her come up for air.
Jim pressed his fingers over her lips when she would have protested. “I want to know every single detail I missed asking you about earlier, but first, let me make sure of something. Is your name Katherine Lileas Ruadh?”
Oh. My. Word.
The only way he would know that would be… And that would mean…