Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
L ong after Gwen and the others had slipped away to bed and the house fell into a hushed, breath-held silence, Sabrina sat alone in the library. A storm brewed within her—a thousand frantic thoughts, restless and relentless. How could she leave now, when so much was left undone? Self-preservation felt shamefully selfish, a betrayal. But lately, she feared she’d become more of a hindrance than a help.
And then there was Gavin.
Even now, as she tried to focus on the ancient spells spread out before her, his face, his voice, intruded on her every thought. She read and re-read the same page, words blurring, their meaning slipping through her mind like smoke. The late hour, the endless days of research—she told herself that was why she couldn’t concentrate. Yet a prickling sense of urgency tugged at her, as if she’d overlooked something critical, something hidden between the lines she’d scanned a hundred times.
“Sabrina?”
Gavin’s deep voice sliced through the quiet, low and dark, sending a pulse of heat through her that pooled dangerously low. Her breath hitched as his presence filled the room, unsettling the stillness with an intensity that made her grip the edge of the book. Slowly, she looked up, meeting his gaze in the shadowed doorway. His eyes held hers with an unreadable, almost primal intensity, the kind that stripped away all defenses, leaving her bare.
A shiver ran down her spine, but she fought to keep her composure, ignoring the traitorous thrum of her pulse. He was close, too close, and yet she ached for him to come closer still. She tried to speak, to make light of his presence, but her voice caught, betraying her.
In the silence, unspoken words hung heavy between them—questions she was too afraid to ask, desires she could barely admit to herself. But there was no escaping the way her body reacted to him, every inch of her attuned to his presence, every breath a little too shallow.
And as he took a step closer, his gaze unwavering, she realized that maybe she didn’t want to escape.
“Come with bed. You need to leave that for tomorrow.”
He held out his hand and instinctively she knew they would be going to the same bed. Her mind whirled with the implications of what going with him meant.
As if compelled by something outside her body, she stood and went to him, and took his hand, their gazes never straying. The dimness of the late hour surrounded them like a cloak, cocooning them in a world away from anything and anyone else.
Somehow, she would have to find the strength to be near him but not make love. The fact that her body hummed with anticipation didn’t matter.
They entered his bedroom and Sabrina hesitated, unsure how to proceed. Would they kiss goodnight and then go to bed, each of them relegated to opposite sides.
“I have fought hard to stay away from you, but I cannot. Another night without touching you would be torture.” Gavin watched her, his eyes boring into hers. “Are you afraid of me?”
“I am not afraid.”
Her breath hitched as he reached for her, his fingers brushing her cheek, lingering just long enough to send a thrill through her before his mouth captured hers. The kiss was electric—a heady blend of unspoken longing and raw desire. She clutched his shoulders, letting herself fall into the kiss, as his lips moved over hers, gentle yet possessive, tasting and claiming in equal measure.
He felt perfect—every inch of him, strong and unyielding, a firm contrast to her softer curves. The press of his body against hers left her weak, trembling, as though her entire world had narrowed down to this single, intoxicating moment. She tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, needing the warmth of him, the solidness that seemed to anchor her in a way nothing else ever had.
In Gavin’s arms, she felt as though she’d stepped into another world, a world where time slipped away, where nothing else mattered but this shared breath, this heartbeat thrumming in perfect sync with his own. The ancient divide between them—a lifetime, an era—vanished, swept away by the undeniable pull between them, as if they had been waiting for this reunion across centuries.
In that moment, she knew nothing else, only him—his warmth, his strength, and the consuming certainty that whatever boundaries lay between them, they were meant to be here, together, as if made for one another.
“I need ye, Sabrina,” His hoarse voice vibrated against her ear.
Something inside her snapped. If she slept with him, if he were able to make love, there was no possible way she’d be able to walk away.
“I can’t.” Backing up and holding her hands up, she stumbled toward the doorway. “I am leaving, and this is not going to change it. I just can’t do this.”
Chest heaving from their kiss, hair disheveled, he looked like a god. The only obvious sign that her words affected him was the muscle in his jaw flexing. “I understand.”
Sabrina ran from the room and down the stairs, desperate to find a place to be alone. Once in her bedroom, she closed the door and locked it.
Was she wrong?
Her work had always been the most important thing in her life. She’d sacrificed so much over the years, fought hard and clawed her way to become one of the most sought-after fashion photographers in the industry. If she were to choose Gavin, it would mean adjusting. It wouldn’t be fair to expect him to understand her world, her having to constantly travel and work for days on end during assignments.
No, it wasn’t possible. She couldn’t do it. No matter how much she loved him, there was no comparison between years of work and a relationship of only a pair of weeks.
TWO WEEKS LATER
The photo shoot wasn’t going well. The client changed their mind yet again, wanting muscular models instead of slim ones. After numerous delays, they were behind schedule and Sabrina’s frustration seemed to reflect in the models.
Neck tense, Sabrina waited for the male model to situate himself on top of a block of ice while Tammie tried to hide the clear mats that kept his bare back and rump, from touching the ice. The muscular male lay back allowing one arm to drape down the side of the ice, his other arm, over his head.
“Turn towards me just a bit, then arch your back and throw your head back. I want an expression of ecstasy,” Sabrina called out to him. When he did as she instructed, she saw Gavin’s face.
She blinked rapidly behind the camera and the model’s face returned. Shaken, she took a deep breath before continuing. She couldn’t keep him on the ice very long. She took a few more shots.
“That should do it,” Sabrina said, stretching her neck.
Tammie chewed gum, blew out a big pink bubble and popped it before speaking. “We are not. The last model is waiting ”
“Who? There were only five.” Sabrina noticed Tammy bit her bottom lip.
“He got here about an hour ago. Said the client sent him. That they wanted him in the campaign.”
“No one told me,” Sabrina muttered, pulling her phone out to notice that indeed there was a text from the liaison insisting on a sixth model.
That’s when she spotted him walking toward them wearing only a towel around his midsection. Tyler Reynolds, her ex. The man who’d broken her heart.
He spotted her and waved.
“Oh yes, wonderful to see you too,” Sabrina muttered under her breath and waved back. Inwardly, she prepared herself to have a professional interaction. She’d chosen her career over Gavin and something like running into her ex, the man she was once engaged to, should be a walk in the park.
“Hello.” Tyler approached, his lips curved into his familiar charming smile, his eyes sparkling. She noticed his brown hair was longer now. Although he remained as handsome as she remembered.
“How are you?” Tyler asked, his gaze scanning her face.
“Good. No time to chat. Better get to it,” Sabrina stated, matter-of-factly. “Ice melts quickly.” She motioned to the ice block that had been wrapped with insulation blankets after the last model.
“Right,” he replied and turned to the set assistants who clasped exquisite watches on his wrists. He went to the ice block and waited for Tammie to give direction on the poses.
Once she informed him of the first pose, Tyler dropped the towel and without a bit of hesitancy began posing. He was an expert, brought emotion and sensuality to every pose.
Sabrina realized that no matter how perfect the poses were and how sensual Tyler was, he didn’t affect her like he once had. All she saw was how the shots would look to the client. Tyler definitely brought the entire campaign to life.
Once they were done, she motioned for him to get down and dress. “You did great.”
Tyler gave her a quizzical look as he tugged on the robe that Tammie held out.
Can I take you for a drink?” Tyler asked, tying the velvety belt around his waist.
She considered saying no. It was probably best, but a part of her was curious to know if she was truly over him.
“I have to speak to the staff, then we can go.”
“I’ll get dressed.” He walked back the way he’d come.
They ended up having drinks and dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant. Sabrina ordered an espresso martini, savoring the flavor as they waited for their order to begin arriving.
Tyler drank club soda. Most models didn’t drink alcohol while on a shoot.
“You seem different,” he told her, studying her face.
“In what way?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, relaxed maybe. Are things well with you?”
Sabrina nodded taking another sip before speaking. “My work centers me. It helps me think clearer. I am booked through next year. Everything is perfect.”
“So things really haven’t changed.” His statement was flat, and she must have given him a disbelieving look because he continued quickly. “Don’t get me wrong, what you have built is admirable. And I know how hard you work. I could never compete with it.”
Tyler’s words made Sabrina’s breath catch. “Is that what you thought? Because I loved you, Tyler. You were very important to me.”
He shook his head sadly. “I believe in your own way you did. But you never made allowances for us. I got tired of attending important events alone. You stood me up for my sister’s wedding, instead accepting a last-minute job. On your birthday when I planned a trip together, you cancelled and flew to an island to do a shoot, not thinking about inviting me and that perhaps we could stay there. I lost all the money I spent on flights and the resort and when I told you, you laughed it off. Then you left me a check on the counter the next morning. Never apologized.”
Sabrina couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He’d never once complained, had not told her how he felt. But he shouldn’t have had to.
“I am so sorry.” The appeal of the food that arrived was lost as her stomach clenched at realizing how selfish she’d been.
He looked past her to the street. “I needed to get it off my chest. When you seemed blindsided by my decision to break up, I couldn’t believe it. We were so disconnected that I kept expecting you to call things off.”
“My heart broke,” Sabrina said. “I wish you would have said something.”
“I wanted to. I tried to. Every time we planned to do stuff, I was hopeful. With every cancellation I finally got to the point I gave up.”
“We did stuff,” Sabrina countered. “Went to parties and met friends at the bar.”
“You mean your client parties?” He gave her an incredulous look. “When was the last time we met friends at the bar? I met my friends at the bar, and you popped in after a shoot if it was convenient.”
“I was building my business. I thought you understood.”
Tyler nodded. “I did. I really was proud of you and what you had accomplished. But I wanted to feel as if I was part of your life, not an afterthought.”
She opened her mouth to tell him she’d needed someone supportive, but then realized how many times Tyler had brought her food, helped carry equipment and even stood in when her models canceled. He had done more than most men would have.
“I am truly sorry. Perhaps if you would have given me a bit more time.”
“Going to my sister’s wedding alone, that was the straw that broke it for me. Then you got the Ken West campaign. Knowing you were about to lose yourself in work again, I decided it was the best time for me to break things off.”
Sabrina drank the rest of her martini, unable to form words. What he said was true. She’d been horrible to him. How had she been so blind. “I thought you were as passionate about my shoots as I was. You were involved in many of them.”
“I became lost in all of it. Even wondering if I was in them because of my own merit or because of you.”
“Damn it, Tyler. Why didn’t you say something while this was happening?” Sabrina exclaimed, then lowering her voice when people at other tables looked over. “I would have pivoted, made allowances.”
“Would you have?” Tyler sipped from his glass, his gaze warming. “I don’t hold anything against you, but I feel it is important that you know everything I didn’t get the chance to explain. We all learn from past mistakes. I learned to speak up and perhaps you won’t lose another important person.”
They barely touched their food, both giving up and hugging good-bye.
“Tyler, I wish you the best. Thank you for telling me all of this,” Sabrina said, giving him another hug.
The drive to her home was short, the entire time Tyler’s words repeating over and over in her head. Hearing his side of it now, she understood Tyler’s decision. In his place she would have done the same.
She pulled out her keys to the front door hoping Tammie was home. Usually, after a shoot, her sister would linger with the staff to go discuss the shoot over drinks or dinner.
As soon as she entered her condo, her cell sounded. It was Gwen.
“Sabrina come back to Scotland immediately.”
Her heart stopped. “What happened.”
“We need your help with this. There’s been very little progress. Please come and bring Tammie with you. Since you left we haven’t been able to do anything about the others. Liam is refusing to allow John to help free him. Neither Padriag nor Niall have felt anything.”
“How is Gavin?” She held her breath waiting for her sister’s reply.
“Quiet, reserved, heartbroken. He understands that you are not obligated to be with him. But knowing it doesn’t make things easier.”
Sabrina was on the verge of tears. So many emotions in a matter of hours were taking their toll.
“Is he still working at the stables?”
“Oh yes. That part does distract him and keeps him busy. He’s been working with Fiona’s horses. She’s back.” Gwen groaned. “Only for a few days and already annoying me. With her around it’s hard to work.”
“Fiona is there?” Her voice pitched. “What the hell is she doing there?”
Gwen let out another annoyed huff. “Her competition is this weekend. She’s staying in one of the cottages, keeping her distance from me. But definitely has her sights on Gavin.”
A sensation of burning from the inside out made Sabrina grunt with anger. “She’d best stay away from him, or I’ll yank every strand of hair from her head.”
“Hey, you’re the one who left,” Gwen stated the obvious with a soft chuckle. “Whatever you decide about you and Gavin, I sincerely need for you and Tammie to come as soon as possible.”
“I planned to return next week. We have to talk about this wedding of yours.”
Tristan had insisted that he and Gwen marry, despite them trying to convince him that times were different, and it was perfectly acceptable to continue as it was. He insisted that as laird, any children that came to be could not be born out of wedlock. Gwen had given up trying to explain birth control to him.
“Have you at least made some headway in what to wear?” Sabrina asked, trying to keep from asking more questions such as how much time exactly were Gavin and Fiona spending together.
“Yes. I got a beautiful emerald green calf-length dress, it matches Tristan’s eyes.” Gwen sighed dramatically making Sabrina smile.
She thought of a recent conversation with their mother. “Mom is happy you’re getting married, although she did express her fear that Tristan is a bit too old for you.”
Both laughed.
“He is just a bit,” Gwen replied with a chuckle. “She is annoyed that I will be living in Scotland, of course.”
Sabrina laughed. “I am looking forward to returning. I am bringing Tammie with me, since I have an upcoming shoot in Scotland, no excuses will be accepted. I will finish up here and fly there within a couple days.”
After they hung up, Sabrina began reviewing the pictures from her photo shoot. They were good, extremely good. Her picky client would be hard pressed to find fault with her idea for the males posing on ice, for their “Iceman” men’s clear watch line.
She studied the one with the last model. Tyler stretched atop the ice, his head flung back as if in throes of ecstasy, one arm over his head, the other draping down the side of the block, hand fisted.
She’d posed him the entire time picturing Gavin and how he looked when she’d made love to him. He’d flung an arm over his head, his hips thrusting upward, his head back, a primal growl escaping his lips.
She took a deep breath. How she missed him.
“Hello?” Tammie called walking in. “Tell me everything. How did your drinks with Tyler go?”
Her expression must have been readable because Tammie gave her a concerned look. “Not good then?”
Sabrina smiled. “I am glad we talked. He told me things I would have never understood. I know now why he broke things off and to be honest with you, I don’t blame him one bit. I wish he would have told me at the time, when things were progressively getting worse. But we can’t undo the past.”
“I’m glad you talked to him then,” Tammie said, giving her a bright smile before eyeing the computer screen. “So how do they look? I was thoroughly enjoying having to assist the models today. Those ice poses were hot.” She fanned her face with both hands dramatically.
Leaning closer, Tammie peeked at the computer screen over Sabrina’s shoulder. “Wow, that one is super hot.”
“And he’s married. I wonder how his wife deals with such a hot husband,” Sabrina remarked.
“I suppose you can find out.” Tammie said giving her a knowing look. “When are you going back to Scotland?”
“In a couple days. I have to work nonstop on these and turn them in. You will come with me because we have a shoot there.”
“I thought you delayed it. Darn it. I went out again with Gerard, one of the models, for drinks and a nibble. We made a date for next weekend.”
Sabrina recalled Gerard, a nice guy, one of the few models who wasn’t arrogant or overly demanding. This could be problematic if Tammie was meant for one of the men in the enchantment. “Are you serious about him?”
Tammie shrugged. “Too soon to tell. It’s only been a couple of dates.” She changed the subject, in her usual exuberant way. “Although, I can’t wait to go to Scotland. Maybe I will get to meet the knights in shining armor. I bet they’re even more attractive than any of your models.”
Sabrina laughed. “They are very good-looking men. Tristan is tall, dark and ruggedly handsome, and he loves Gwen, which makes him even more attractive. You’ll love him.”
“Tell me about your knight, Gavin.”
This time she sobered, her gaze flickering back to Tyler’s picture. “Gavin is beyond words. Tall, golden, and stunning. The best thing about him is that he is just as beautiful on the inside. He scares the shit out of me.”
Tammie wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed Sabrina’s temple. “You’re in love aren’t you?”
She could only nod as unexplained tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Damn it.” She wiped them away. “I am so in love, I can’t see straight.”
“Aw,” Tammie hugging her tight. “I know he has to be super special for you to love him.”
Tammie went to the kitchen and pulled a can of carbonated water from the refrigerator. “I don’t want to fall in love with one of them. I prefer a regular guy, like Gerard.”
“Only you would call a male model ‘a regular guy,’” Sabrina said with a chuckle. “He is one of the most exclusive and not to mention handsome models working today.
“Of the three men left, I would say Padriag is more your vibe. He’s the youngest, easy-going and cute,” Sabrina told her.
“Hmm,” Tammie said noncommittally. “What about the other one, Niall?”
“I don’t know what Niall looks like. According to Gwen he is muscular, tall, dark and super good looking, but also very somber. He is reluctant to leave the enchantment, for some reason.”
Tammie wrinkled her nose. “Well, if I was his enchantress, he would be leaving the enchantment. I wouldn’t give him a choice. If he wants to die that bad, he can die in Scotland, in the real world.”
She tapped her foot. “I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. He has no choice, if I have to drag him kicking and screaming out of the enchantment, I will. Both my sisters’ happiness hinge on that man being out of there. I know neither Gavin nor Tristan will be completely happy until they are all free.”
A combination of Niall and Tammie would be interesting. Sabrina had a hard time picturing it. If Tammie was, indeed, the somber man’s enchantress, Niall had no idea what was heading his way. If ever he dreamed his enchantress would be meek and mild, agreeable to letting him have his way, he’d be blindsided by the blonde with piercing aqua blue eyes that stood before her now, hands on her hips, eyebrows drawn together, plump lips pursed in thought.
Niall MacTavish wouldn’t have a fighting chance.
There was no doubt about that.