The steady heart beat beneath her ear woke her from her dreams and she opened her eyes. Looking around the room, she found the sun rising outside and the fire almost dead. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Aedan and found him watching her. The shame hit and she tore her eyes away from him. Quietly she freed herself from his hold and slid out of the warm bed.

She pulled her clothes back on and walked over to the closet. Pulling the two doors open, she found a new pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt waiting for her. She grabbed new clothes and left the room. Shutting the door behind her, she walked down the hall to the bathroom and closed herself in. Flipping the lock, she walked over to the shower and started the water.

Quietly she removed her dirty clothes and stepped beneath the water. Closing her eyes, she let the water wash over her and her mind returned to the previous night. She had used Aedan to calm the restlessness in her and yet it had been perfect. They had been clumsy the last time they had given into their desires. Seven years had passed since that first night and now each touch revealed their grown knowledge and wants.

Aine shuttered at the pleasure the man had stirred in her and shoved her fingers through her wet hair. She had felt something warm within her as the man held her and now she couldn't get his touch or kiss out of her head. Shutting the water off, she stepped out of the shower and dug out a towel. Wrapping it around her, she wrung her hair out and shoved her fingers through it. Faint bruises crept over her shoulders and she could feel his hands holding tightly to her.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and dressed in her clean clothes. She towel dried her hair and hung the towel up. Unlocking the door, she stepped into the hall and closed the door. Sunlight poured through the hall windows and she approached the enormous window. All the nights she had spent here the curtains were drawn but now they were pulled back and the sun was claiming this empty manor.

Closing her eyes, she let the sun warm her face and sooth her. The peace she had felt sleeping with Aedan holding her returned. She opened her eyes and left the window. Quietly she returned to her room and found Aedan fastening his jeans. He looked up when she closed the door and moved to the other side of the bed.

She caught the light shining into her room and resting on his sun kissed skin. His body was far more muscular than she remembered. She sat down and pulled on her boots. She worked the laces up and tied the boots. Quietly she walked around the bed and approached her dresser.

She grabbed her hair tie and pulled her hair back. The man watched her in the mirror and she met his gaze. He sat on the bed and she turned around slowly. His eyes were burning brightly and she crossed the room. Silently she took a seat next to him and he looked out the window.

"Did I offend you?"

"No."

He looked down at her. "Then explain your abrupt departure when you woke."

She took a deep breath and looked up into his face. Telling him that she had gone to him for her own needs would crush him. She was enjoying his company even though she didn't say a word. She caught his eyes narrowing and tightened her jaw.

"I used you last night."

He met her stern gaze. "I know."

"You knew?"

Aedan got to his feet and walked to the window. He looked over the vast lands and shoved his hand through his hair.

"This place is Coyle's. I knew when you came back last night that you had been remembering him."

"Then why?"

He looked back at her. "Because you didn't roll away when I held you."

She looked down at her hands. He crossed the room and knelt in front of her. He took her hands and she looked at him.

"I know Coyle meant something to you but at one time I meant something as well. Last night I felt that pull harder than I have ever felt it and I know you felt it. It's why you wanted me to help chase the memories away and it's why you slept by me all night long."

Aine listened to the words and felt the shame slowly slipping away. The man was telling the truth. She had felt a yearning grow for him and being next to him had left her at peace.

"I don't like using you."

He smirked and said "You'll stop."

She took a deep breath and glanced at the sun. It was moving higher into the sky and she sighed. She had a lot of work to do before she could rest again.

"What is it?"

She turned back to him and said "I have work to do."

He helped her up and she stepped back slowly. She slid her eyes over his frame and did one circle around him.

"What?"

"You need new clothes."

He shrugged and she rolled her eyes. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him out of the bedroom and walked down the hall. He followed when she released his hand. Quietly he watched her navigate through the large manor and enter the north wing. Aine stopped at the last door and wrapped her hand around the handle.

She took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Aedan watched her enter and stopped at the doorway. The room had blood on the bed and torn material on the floor. He saw half of an arrow lying on the floor and ruined clothes on the stained bed. A door opened with a groan and he jumped.

He looked over to the closet and found the woman quietly going through the clothes.

"Aine."

She pulled out a blue shirt and black jeans. He watched her close the door and turn around.

"Aine, I won't wear his clothes. It's not fair to you."

She crossed the room and said "You need clothes and these will just go to waste if they aren't worn."

She forced him to take them and stepped past him. He watched her walk down the hall and pulled the door closed. Quietly he followed her back to her room and she waited by the window as he tried the clothes on. They fit perfectly on him and he looked in the mirror.

"You look good."

He turned back to her. "I don't have to do this."

She crossed the room and slid her hand over his chest. The shirt cooled her hand and she looked up at him.

"Just take the clothes. I am stronger than you think."

He caught her hand and lifted her chin. His lips brushed hers and she let the gentle kiss ease her mind. He looked down into her brown eyes and she rubbed her hand along his jaw.

"I have to go do work. Come if you want."

He smirked and walked over to the bed. Sitting down, he pulled on his boots and laced them up. Standing up, he found her waiting at the door and he followed her into the hall. They walked down the hall and descended the stairs. Stepping onto the first floor, he opened the door and let Aine out.

She led him out of the courtyard and to the woods. Birds fluttered about and sang their morning songs. They followed the old path deep into the woods and stopped at the lake. She gave a single whistle and Belenus and Breck appeared across the water. Belenus charged into the water and swam over to them.

Aine watched Breck disappear back into the woods and rubbed the pup's ear. He licked her hand and darted off toward the coast.

"He knows what to do?"

She nodded. "He's known since we started this job."

Quietly they followed the wolf through the woods and reached the beach at noon. Belenus ran down the coast to the boat and started barking. She shook her head and waded out to the tie down posts. Aedan helped the wolf into the boat and untied one side of the boat. Aine tossed the other rope onto the deck and pulled herself on board.

Aedan climbed up behind her and she started the engine up. He watched her handle the controls and sat on a bench by the motor. Belenus rested at the stern and she backed the boat away from the coast line. They moved into deeper water and she pulled out a pair of sunglasses. Slipping them on, she put the boat into drive and increased the knots.

___________________________________________________________

The water rocked gently and she killed the engine. Turning off the steering light, she rolled her shoulders and walked around to the bow. Belenus rested on his side and she knelt down beside him. Rubbing his ear, she walked down into the cabin and found Aedan heating up some food. He poured the soup into mugs and handed her one.

She took the warm mug and climbed back onto the deck. She walked to the rear and sat down. Leaning against the wall, she stared up at the bright sky and took a sip from her mug.

"I've never seen so many stars."

She smirked and watched the blonde man approach. He took a seat next to her and leaned back. She drank some of her soup and let the warmth loosen her muscles.

"It's quiet out here."

He looked down at her and asked "Cold?"

She shook her head and drank more of the soup. He chuckled and drank some of his own soup. Quietly they sat together and drank their warm soup. A cold breeze ran over his neck and sent a chill down his spine. He glanced at Aine and found her still watching the stars.

"It's cooling off."

She looked at him and said "It always does."

He stood up and took their empty mugs down into the cabin. She watched him disappear and looked up at the sky. The boat rocked her gently and she felt her eyes drifting closed. She use to spend nights sleeping on deck with Belenus by her but they had been in the warmer regions. Slowly she became aware of a blanket being draped over her and opened her eyes.

Aedan looked back at her and asked "Want to sleep down below where it's warm?"

She sighed and nodded. He helped her up and wrapped her in the blanket. Quietly they walked down into the cabin and shut the door. She sat down on the bed and laid the blanket out. Untying her boots, she left them on the floor and pulled her hair loose.

She ran her fingers through her blonde locks and glanced at the quiet man. He removed his boots and looked up at her. Quietly she slid against the wall and he crossed the room. She watched him stretch out next to her and felt his arm slip around her waist. She rested in his side and her head fit in the crook of his neck.

He pulled the blanket up around them and looked down at her. She slid an arm across his chest and he caught her hand. She looked up at him and brushed a gentle kiss over his lips. He felt the warmth fill him and watched her close her eyes. Smirking, he rested his head on hers and drifted to sleep with the rocking waves.