Bound by Light (8 page)

Sydney giggled. “I think it’s a big
possibility. It’s a great song.”

“Aye, love, ’tis.” He rose to his feet and
held out his hand. “Dance with me.”

“Here?”

“Why not? We’re alone. No one will see
us.”

She settled her hand in his. “So, twerking
is on the table, then?”

“You can twerk on a table?”

“Honey, I can twerk upside down if
required.”

Thane let out a roar of laughter as he
pulled her to her feet. “Bloody hell, sweetheart, you’re
funny.”

Sydney grinned and slid into his arms. He
held her close and danced her around the room as the music played
quietly.

Þú verður að vera min að eilífu.

“What does that mean?” she asked, a shiver
sliding down her spine.

He leaned back slightly and smiled. “You
will be mine forever.”

“You’re so sure of that, huh?”

Thane pulled her close again and kissed her
hair. “Hopeful.”

“You need to stop being sweet, Thane. You’ll
ruin your reputation.”

He chuckled. “It’ll be our secret.”

“What language was that?”

“Icelandic.”

“You speak Icelandic?”

“A little,” he said. “It’s part of my
heritage.”

“Wow, that’s really cool.” She wove her
fingers into his hair and stroked his neck. “Our heritage is all of
the English-speaking variety. I wish I spoke another language.”

“Stick with me, baby, and I’ll translate the
world for you.”

“Would that be the whole world, or just the
world as I know it?”

“Whatever you want, Sydney. I’ll make it
happen.”

“Big words, mister movie star.”

He chuckled. “Aye, lass, but true all the
same.”

She closed her eyes, letting him hold her as
they swayed gently to the music.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?” he
whispered.

She smiled up at him. “Back atya.”

He stared at her for several seconds before
leaning forward with a grin. As his lips covered hers, she gripped
his waist, opening her mouth. She sighed as he stroked her neck and
deepened the kiss. To say he rocked her world was an
understatement.

The clearing of a throat and then a voice
saying, “I apologize,” interrupted them.

Thane broke their connection but kept an arm
around her waist. “No worries,” he said, and guided Sydney back to
the table.

Even though her stomach rumbled, she was
disappointed their moment was broken. She wanted to keep dancing
and kissing...but mostly kissing. Good Lord, he could kiss.

They didn’t speak as the server set their
food in front of them, but Thane kept hold of her hand and ran his
thumb gently over her knuckles.

“Is there anything else I can get you?” the
server asked.

“No. This is great,” Thane said. “Thank
you.”

“Very good, sir.” He turned and walked out
the door.

Thane stood with a grin. “Before we
eat...one more kiss.”

Sydney raised her head and Thane kissed her
gently. “You’re really good at that,” she said.

He chuckled and took his seat again. “Back
atya.”

“So, what’s your story?” she asked as they
ate.

“That’s one I’d rather wait to tell
you.”

“Oh? How come?”

“Because it’s long and in-depth and somewhat
hard to believe.”

“Well, now I’m even more intrigued.”

He smiled. “Let’s get to know each other
better, love, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

“Wait.” She frowned. “Are you a
criminal?”

“No,” he stressed. “Nothing nefarious,
sweetheart.”

“Are you sure?”

“Aye, love, I’m sure.” He smiled. “What did
your uncle find?”

“What do you mean?”

“When he did the background check.”

She cocked her head. “How did you know about
his background check?”

“I didn’t until you just told me.”

Sydney gasped. “Seriously? Crap. I need to
be better about that.”

“Honestly, I figured he’d do one. I
would.”

She sipped her wine. “He didn’t find
anything.”

He smiled.

“But you knew that already, didn’t you?” she
challenged.

“Yes. He wouldn’t have been so agreeable if
he’d found anything.”

Sydney sighed. “I don’t know if I’ll ever
get used to all this cloak and dagger stuff.”

“I suppose it would feel a bit like that.”
He squeezed her hand. “But you understand it’s a safety issue,
right?”

“I get why
you’d
need security...
women wanting to rip your clothes off and everything...  but
I’m just a girl from California who has no enemies...or admirers.”
She grimaced. “At least, I don’t think I do.”

“I’m sure you don’t,” he agreed. “But this
is something you’re going to have to get used to, especially being
with me.”

“I have to get used to it,” she said rather
than asked.

“Aye.”

“Which means you think we’ll be together
long enough for me
to
get used to it.”

Thane grinned. “Aye, lass, I do.”

She shook her head. “You’re really
intense.”

“Am I?” he asked, but he was still
grinning.

“You know you are.”

“Am I frightening you?”

“Honestly?” Sydney rolled her eyes. “No.
Which is weird, but I feel a connection to you that seems to defy
logic.”

“Aye, lass, it does.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And you know
why.”

Thane grinned. “Aye, lass, I do.”

“Are you going to explain?”

He nodded. “But not here.”

“Hmm, that sounds very mysterious. Are you
an international spy?”

“Shhh, keep your voice down,” he whispered,
a cheeky grin on his face. “They’ll find me.”

Sydney giggled. “We wouldn’t want that.”

“No, no, we wouldn’t.” He linked his fingers
with hers. “I’ll explain everything in time. Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” She squeezed his hand. “As strange as
that is, I do.”

“It’s not strange.”

“Crap!” she whispered when she caught sight
of her watch. “I’m afraid I have to get home. I am Cinderella after
all.”

“Right,” Thane said. “Sorry, love.”

“No, it’s okay. I appreciate you humoring my
uncle, even if I feel like a teen on prom night. I hate having a
curfew.”

“It won’t be forever.” Thane stood and
helped Sydney with her jacket. He smiled and leaned down for a
quick kiss. “Tomorrow I’ll take you up in the Eye.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Terrified of heights,” she admitted. “I’m
happy to skip that attraction.”

He chuckled. “No problem. We’ll find
something else to do.”

“Lucy wants me to meet her new man. Want to
double?”

“That might work. We’ll talk about it
tomorrow.”

Sydney nodded and followed him out of the
restaurant. They were met by paparazzi and fans, but Thane made
quick work of getting into the waiting car, and then they were off.
The driver pulled up to her home twenty minutes later and Thane
walked her to the door.

“I hate that we’re cutting this short, but
if you need me, call me.”

She giggled. “I think I can survive a night
without hearing your voice.”

“Okay, maybe I’ll call you, then.”

“Silly man.” Sydney kissed him gently. “I’ll
see you tomorrow.”

Thane nodded and Sydney let herself inside,
locking the door behind her. She waved out the side window and
Thane headed to the car. As soon as he was inside, she climbed the
stairs to her bedroom and flopped onto the bed. She was in love. As
stupid as that sounded, it was true. She was in trouble.

CHAPTER SIX

S
YDNEY?

Sydney sat straight up, a chill running down
her spine. “What?”

She’d been teetering on the edge of
wakefulness and sleep, so close to falling over the side and
passing out, but then she heard a voice.

Were you sleeping?

She squeaked and sat up on her knees.
“Hello?”

Don’t be frightened, lass.

“I’m hearing voices and you’re telling me
not to be frightened?”

Technically, it’s just one voice.

“Oh my word,” she breathed. “Who are you?
No, don’t answer that. Holy crap, I’m talking to myself.”

A masculine chuckle sounded in her mind.
No, love, you’re talking to
me
.

Sydney closed her eyes and took several deep
breaths.
Please don’t kill me, freaky Jason
.

I quite liked that movie.

Thane?

Aye, lass.

“Stop,” she hissed. “Just stop.”

“Sid? You okay?” Lucy called, and
knocked.

“Yeah, sorry. Must have had a bad
dream.”

Lucy pushed open the door. “Mum and Dad just
got home. Do you want to join us for a movie?”

“I’m actually really tired. Rain check?”

“Of course.” Lucy smiled. “Good night.”

“’Night,” Sydney said, and flopped back onto
the pillows as Lucy pulled the door closed.

I didn’t mean to frighten you, love.

Says the man who keeps talking to me
in my head!

Well, now that you’ve got the hang of
it…

Oh, stop!

Close your eyes
, he said.

She reached for her cell phone and dialed
his number.

He picked up immediately. “Hi.”

“How are you doing that?” she demanded.

“It’s part of my heritage, I guess you could
say.”

“What kind of heritage allows you to speak
telepathically?” she whispered.

“That’ll take a little longer to
explain.”

Sydney sighed. “This is impossible.”

“I know, love.”
Now, close your
eyes.

No.
Even as she thought her denial,
she did as he requested. She wasn’t afraid anymore.

Are your eyes closed?

She smiled.
Nope.

Take a deep breath.

Why?

Just do it.

She wrinkled her nose.
Bossy.

Aye, lass, I can be. Now, take a deep
breath.

Sydney drew air deep into her lungs.

Let it go.

She let out a quiet groan as she did.
Now
I’m going to have that song stuck in my head.

Sorry, love.

Why do I feel the need to build a snowman
now?

Sounds like fun.

She smiled.
It does, doesn’t it? I never
got to experience snow unless I drove for hours to find it.
Her
heart started to race, but within seconds she was calm again.
“You’re doing that, aren’t you?” she asked out loud, still
connected to his call.

“Aye, lass. I’m going to hang up, but you
can call me back if this is overwhelming, okay?”

“Ah...okay.” She lowered her cell phone
after he disconnected.

You okay?

She nodded.
Why? How?

I’ll save the how for when I see you
again.

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m insane,”
she whispered, although, she felt perfectly at ease.

You’re not, love.

Why am I not freaking out right now?

It’s our connection. It’s a lot to take in,
but I promise you’ll understand everything in time.

She grabbed her phone and dialed his number
again. “This is a little too crazy,” she said when he answered.

Thane chuckled. “I understand. Thanks for
trying.”

“Is this an Icelandic thing?”

“Aye. We are an ancient people who have a
few abilities that surpass humans.”

She gasped. “Are you saying you’re not
human?” she whispered frantically.

“I’m not going to have this conversation
with you until we’re face to face. I don’t want you freaking out on
me.”

“It’s a little late for that, Thane.”

He sighed. “Just give me until
tomorrow.”

“You keep asking for time, Thane, but you’re
only giving me partial information. I feel like I’m trapped in a
bizarre vampire novel, and let me tell you something, buddy, just
because you tell me something’s true doesn’t mean I’m going to
believe you.” She squeezed her eyes shut.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I know this is
frustrating, but my hands are a wee bit tied since all my proof’s
at home.”

“Well then, you may want to figure out a way
to untie them, because I don’t feel comfortable moving forward with
this relationship until you can provide me with cold hard facts.
None of this makes any sense.”

“Are you saying you won’t see me until that
happens?”

“Why do you sound surprised?” She
frowned.

“Because I am,” he snapped.

“Don’t get irritated with me, Thane Allen.
You’re the one trying to tell me you’re a vampire.”

“I’m not a bloody vampire, Sydney.”

She rubbed her forehead. “Are you
immortal?”

“How did you get to immortal?” he
challenged. “I said I had abilities. I said nothing about
immortality.”

“I don’t know, honestly.” She blinked back
frustrated tears. “It just came to mind. Are you?”

“Immortal, no, but I do live much longer
than humans.”

“You’re crazy!”

“I don’t want to fight with you,
sweetheart.” He let out a long breath. “Especially when we can’t
make up properly and in person.”

“I don’t want to fight either, but you’re
kind of driving me nuts.”

“Come home with me.”

“Excuse me?”

“This weekend,” he said. “Come home with me.
I’ll talk to your uncle and figure out the logistics, but if you
do, I can show you everything.”

“Where is home?” she asked.

“Edinburgh.”

“Alone with you?” she clarified. “I’m not
that kind of girl, Thane.” She couldn’t keep the smile from her
face at her jab.

“I know that, love. You can stay with Niall
and Charlotte if you feel more comfortable. They live very close to
me.”

She forced down her excitement at the
prospect. A whole weekend with him, without the prying eyes of her
uncle’s security was enticing. Not to mention, fangirls nowhere
near them.

“Sydney?” he pressed.