Brenna ended the kiss and tried to back away, but Killian never released his grip on her waist. He whispered, "Never be ashamed for wanting a male, Brenna."
With him so close, his hard muscles pressing against her front, she couldn't think. As long as his heat and scent surrounded her, she'd be ineffective at decision making, not to mention fulfilling her duties.
And no doubt, if she were alone with him again, she'd cave and welcome his attentions once more.
She needed to get away from Killian in order to help him properly.
She pushed again and he finally let her go. After staring at Killian for a second, she looked to Teagan. "I'm sorry, but I can't be his guard any longer. You'll have to find someone else."
Turning around, she rushed out of the room and then the cottage.
Her lips were still slightly swollen from Killian's kiss and she resisted the urge to touch them with her fingers. She'd been kissed before and she should be able to forget him.
And yet, she couldn't. If anything, she craved more.
Much like what had happened when she'd been newly arrived in the army, which meant she'd do anything for Killian's touch.
No. The memory reminded her of how desire could make her do stupid things. She wasn't about to repeat her mistakes.
Pushing her body harder, she ran toward her home on Glenlough, the wind against her cheeks helping to cool her body and reinforce what had to be done.
Killian wasn't meant to be hers.
Georgiana Todd was a much better option for him. Not only could the female possibly make Killian whole again, a mate-claim frenzy would also force Brenna to keep her distance from the male. It was the best solution for all.
And yet, the idea didn’t sit well in her stomach.
No. She wouldn’t let a feeling derail her life once more. Killian would kiss Georgiana, and Brenna would move on, end of story.
~~~
The door had barely closed behind Brenna when Teagan's voice garnered his attention. "You're a bastard, Killian." He met her gaze and she continued. "That female has fancied you for months, and here you are about to kiss your true mate, and you give her false hope. I should knock you out cold right now for how you're treating her."
He ignored the sting of Teagan's words. "You know nothing of my motives."
Teagan raised her brows. "Then enlighten me."
Running his fingers through his hair, he growled. "Do you think I want to kiss some nameless woman and possibly enter this frenzy mess, and end up impregnating a stranger? Believe me, given the choice, that is the last thing I want."
"And what do you want?"
"Does it matter? Things have already been set in motion, and if we change them, it will only make things worse."
She waved toward the door Brenna had exited. "I'm sure what you want matters to her. You can act the bastard all you like, but you soften when Brenna is nearby."
"So what? You've been going on about how I need my memories and my dragon. I finally agree to your plans and now I'm the bastard? Ever since I woke up like this, you've put me on this path. If anyone is at fault for hurting Brenna, it's you, Teagan."
As he stared into green eyes similar to his own, Killian wondered if Teagan would be truthful with him or simply dismiss him and claim she had leader duties to attend.
Not everything was her fault, after all. But he was too upset to be rational.
When she spoke, her voice was soft. "You're right. I just miss my brother, and I might have lost sight of everything else with the goal of getting him back."
He blinked. "Well, I wasn't expecting that."
"It's true. While Aaron is now one of the pillars of my life, you should be one, too. And yet, you're not truly here and it kills me."
At the sadness in her voice, Killian's anger faded. "I'm not this way by choice."