Chapter 20 - Uncertainty Shakes the Heart

Avril stood still wrapped in Baines Arms. It was all happening too fast. Her whole world kept spinning like she was on a carnival ride that she just couldn't get off. She felt so angry at herself. Because despite her outward resistance to Baine, she wanted to lean into him. He felt familiar to her, and she was in a big world she knew very little about. She just didn't know how to proceed. She had a plan yes, but it was subject to change. Avril had started her revenge, planted the evidence, started to work her way into riches, and most importantly she had a place to stay, food to eat, and warmth. Bain was an issue though, she doubted after the conversation they had that he would leave after their last encounter. She had slipped up and shown him her desire for him, her quickly budding feelings for him. She was scared of spring, afraid to be broken and left to winter's barren coldness in the wake of her heartbreak. But as she looked into the ruby red of Baines eyes something inside her cried at the thought of never seeing him again. She saw her reflection in his eyes that shown with hope but shadowed by fear and trepidation. "Haah" She sighed deeply, and her features softened. Caving gently into Baines embrace she said to him "I'm insane to trust you. I'm taking a leap of faith on a man I barely know." Avril shoved her head down into Baines chest, her ears flicking back and forth. When suddenly one of Baines rough hands shot up, before gently caressing one ear softly with a callused finger. Avril shivered at the feeling. No one but your lover touched your ears as far as Avril knew from Beltane's memories. Avril held still, shivering from the heat of his touch. Emboldened by Avril's lack of reaction, Bain took his palm and gently stroked an ear, eliciting a feline purr from Avrils throat. Avril gasped and tried to pull back, but found Bain had yet to relinquish his grip on her miniscule waist. Looking up her eyes widened at the look of lust and hunger in Baines eyes. His hand reached for her chin and as he tilted her head towards him he said to her "I just want one kiss, please?" Avril shook her head slightly, eyes widening even more. But Bain saw the hunger in her eyes as well. Leaning down gently, he waited for her to draw back. When she didn't a roguish smile lit his face and he gently set his lips on hers, seeing her close her eyes he slowly swiped her bottom lip. The gasp he earned was more than enough time to slide his tongue into her mouth and gently stroke hers. A moan was elicited, and Avril leaned forwards. Her head tilted slightly and she entwined her tongue with his. Bain felt taught, as she slowly leaned closer and when he felt he might snap, he pulled back slowly. As soon as he left her lips he regreted it. But he knew if she had touched his lips one second longer, he would ravish her on the bed they so casually stood next to. Avril whimpered as he pulled back, chasing after his warmth. Looking down at her, Bain saw her half hooded eyes filled with want and need. As she looked up at him her eyes clearing Avril realized what she had done, and flushed with embarrassment. Instead of pulling away or looking down shyly, she lunged toward him. Something snapped when Bain had kissed her, and now she understood what he meant when he said they were mates. Fated to be together. Finally understanding that she couldn't protect herself from love, because it was already there. That want to be with someone, knowing they are the right person for you down to your very core. Something Avril had never experienced before. She reached up, and pulling Bain back sown, she melded her lips to his. This kiss a fiery one that held Avrils passion in it. Bain met Avril's passion with an overwhelming amount of intensity. As the two became wrapped in each other their magic seeped out of them, weaving around each other. Bain slowly slid his hand down Avrils face toward her waist. Pulling her in closer his hands began to move of their own accord. The leather leggings and tunic she wore impeded his progress as he slowly slid his hands around her body. Avril's hands began to move in sync with Baines, her hands roving down his shaped ass, and muscled abs she could feel under his tunic. Bain groaned low into her ear making her shudder as her ear twitched. Avrils delicate fingers slid to the draw strings of his shirt. Loosening them, her hand swept across his chest, feeling the rough hair that grew, and the brawn of his chest. A purr rose in her throat as she caressed him, their mouths meshed together, his hands slowly roving her small waist and delicate collarbones. Suddenly Avril felt air rush around her and Bain was far out of reach, leaving her stumbling and grasping at the wall to maintain her upright position. Looking at Bain, her face twisted with confusion. Then realizing their state of undress, sheepishly looked down straightening her clothes. Looking up again, she turned an even brighter shade of red seeing Baines crooked smile, and teasing glint in his eyes. "I won't say you know I'm right, because that would just be rubbing salt in the wound." Bain said, trying not to chuckle. Avril looked at Bain, and asked quietly "where do we go from here?" "Well, a first good step would be to introduce your newly found mate to your family." Avril scrunched her nose, looking down at the floor she contemplated if he could handle her family or not. She thought he might be able to, but they were a handful. As much as Avril hated to admit it, she knew she couldn't leave Bain. After what just happened, she knew she wouldn't be able to resist seeking him out again. Uncertain and flustered at the revelation she looked up. Her voice small, she said "They are a lot to handle, are you sure you are ready for that? Are you sure your not going to want to back out? Because once you've met them there's no going back..." Bain looked at her worried face, and smiling gently he reassured her "I know, I'm ready for a rowdy boisterous crowd, that has millions of questions, is overprotective as hell, and are going to try and stake me in my sleep for taking their precious jewel from them." Avril looked into Bains eyes and a smile that set the room aglow spread across her face. "If your sure then?" "Yes, I've never been more certain about anything." Avril shook her head at the crazy man taking on her and her family all in one day. Straightening out her clothes again, and taking a brush to her hair before they left through the window. She couldn't very well take him out of her bedroom through the door. Imagine the look on the guards faces when they realized someone had been able to sneak in, let alone mother and fathers faces if they realized it. As Bain and Avril headed towards the front entrance, Bain gently grasped her hand, and holding it, they walked together to the entrance of her and her families house. She didn't know what the next few hours were going to look like, but she knew she was going to be exhausted by the time it was all said and done.