The Heart of Andros

by Jade Oliver

  I wonder when, not if, it will grow into something more. Since Toby explained to me how to look between the lines to notice how Jasper feels, I have been paying attention when he looks at me. He gazes at me with curious confusion but every now and then his eyes flash with a brightness that shows how much he wants to know more, or darken with what I now know is desire. As if he longs to hold me as Thad or Toby do and I want him to as well. I know it’s coming soon.

  Thad finally apologized. He was so sweet and regretful for what I thought was happening. The day he taught me how to do the laundry, despite being tedious, was surprisingly fun, but I think it’s because it was just us. Things, especially feelings, feel like they move faster here, but we are basically isolated from anyone else. From any outside influences. It’s like speed dating but over a few days. I suppose it’s why I felt so comfortable with sleeping with him so soon. With Thad it feels natural. The pull between us is instantaneous and combustible. Making love to him is so emotional yet intense.

  Now, I have to figure out sleeping with two men. Maybe three, if things move forward with Jasper like I hope they will. Do we make a schedule? Do we all sleep in the same bed? I don’t want to sleep without having Thad or Toby beside me giving me their warmth. I’m not sure how the men feel about having sex with me with the other in the room, if I go from one bedroom to the next, or if we would all want to see if it can work with them both loving me at the same time. No matter what, I know everything will work out. Things might be new and different, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

  In two days, we go back into town for the final fitting on my welcoming ball dress. Wish me luck diary, I know Ursula will be lurking, in some capacity, and find a way to interfere as always!

  Twenty-Six

  June 20th, 1785

  Thad

  We’re in town for Adair’s final dress fitting but have decided to use the opportunity as an excuse to take care of some of our own business. My voice is firm as I look straight into Toby’s eyes. “Toby, search for anything that might prove useful to use against Vanessa. Talk to who you need to talk to but do not give anything away. Charm them.” We’ve already discussed the plan, but I want to make sure he understands exactly what needs to be done. None of us can afford for this to go wrong. If Vanessa finds out, not only will we be in trouble but our lives will become even more of a living hell.

  Toby looks likes he wants to say something. Not sure what it could be about, but I have learned he and Adair both like to talk. Must be a trait future people have. No time for pretense, I ask him, “What?”

  “Thad. I just want to say thanks, mate. You’ve been an upstanding guy for Adair and me. I’m going to do this right — not just for you but for Adair too. She needs us. All of us.” Toby’s gut instincts have been eerily spot on in most situations.

  “Well, let’s get moving while we have a reason to be here in town and Vanessa and her army are busy with other stuff.” I turn and walk away. He knows what to do and we both need to get it done, the sooner the better. That woman needs to stay away from Adair.

  In the process of heading back to Adair and Jasper there is a commotion. Around the corner of the pub I spy two men, of course Vanessa’s, holding someone hostage, or trying to, in the alley. The man struggles and fights. This is not what we need. Why the bloody hell did one of the villagers have to get drunk at the pub and cause a stir? They know better.

  Since most of the people listen to me I need to stop this before it gets out of hand. Even though I don’t need the attention, it’s better than this situation causing issues and drawing Ursula this way. Shite. Now Adair has me calling Vanessa that name. But after hearing Adair describe who this Ursula person is, it fits.

  As I walk closer, it becomes apparent he is not from the island. He’s a stranger, and he’s winning this fight. He hits one of the men with enough force that the man is knocked out and falls to the ground. My stomach clenches and the hair on my neck stands at attention because strangers do not just show up on the island. Now, here is a third person in a month and he is easily defeating two large men at once.

  The stranger knees the remaining man in the gut then punches a blow that knocks him out just as I arrive. He must hear me because he turns and looks at me without displaying any fear. He is as tall as I am, if not a little taller, and as thick. After watching him fight, I bet he’s a soldier of some sort. He moves like I do, calculated and ready. He prepares for me, his balance shifting and adjusting in case he must fight me too.

  I don’t want to agitate him, but I need to finish this quickly. “Sir, may I ask who you are? I don’t recognize you from the island.” My tone remains calm and even to not provoke him. He lifts his right eyebrow at me and smirks. Dammit. He’s not going to make this easy.

  “What’s it to you? These men attacked me. I’m going to be on my way now.” He watches my reaction, then turns to leave. Like hell he’s going anywhere. I can’t leave him to roam the island. Dammit, I feel like a wet nurse having to watch the kids while the adults play.

  My sigh is loud enough for him to hear me. “No. You’re going to come with me. You’re a stranger to the island and you can’t just wander around unsupervised. I don’t know or trust you.” He sees I’m ready in case he wants to cause trouble.

  “Look, man, I don’t know who you are, and quite frankly, I don’t give a shit. I’m looking for someone, and I will find her. Then and only then will I leave your little island. Okay?” His voice vibrates with irritation.

  Maybe if he tells me who I can help. Although, I have a bad feeling about who the she is that he’s talking about. “Who is she? I know everyone on the island and maybe I can help you find her.”

  He lifts his eyebrow again, and snarls, “No dude. I am not going to tell you her name, describe her, or anything else. Now, fuck off.” I wasn’t one hundred percent sure before, but I am now. His mannerisms and language are different, definitely from the future, and I know exactly who he’s searching for. Shite. This is not a complication we needed. First Vanessa and now Brax coming here, which means there must be a way back and Adair and Toby could return to their time. My brain freezes with that thought and my heart cracks.

  During our silent standoff I debate what to say or do. While I have a feeling of who he is, I’m still not sure if he’s a friend or an enemy. Until I do, he is not getting close to her. No one is touching or harming my woman. He gives me another arrogant glance before he turns around and starts to walk off. Fucking hell.

  “Stop. I think I may know of whom you speak. Describe her to me and I will take you to her. But before I do, you will have to explain to me who you are and why you want to find her. And how you came to be here.” My tone is firm, and my body stance lets him know that I won’t back down. His eyes betrayed him as I spoke that allowed me to gage his feelings. If I’m correct, he will give in. He knows I can make it easier and quicker to find her.

  He contemplates as he watches me and assesses me for weakness. Too bad you won’t find it. Finally, he replies, “All right, only because I need to find her. But, if you betray or hurt either me or her, especially her, I will find a way to kill you.”

  I smirk at him because I know he is in no position to threaten me. He describes Adair. His words confirm who he is and why he’s here, and if I didn’t fear my little bird’s wrath he’d already be missing his two front teeth for making her cry.

  “Come on, pretty boy, let’s go find the others. They’re going to be thrilled to see you here, Brax.” He gives me a strange look at the use of his name. I laugh heartily at the thought of the other guys finally getting to meet the guy who hurt our girl. My main worry is for Adair, but she has us now. Brax’s presence might challenge her but she’ll get through it.

  Adair

  I giggle as Jasper and I escape the evil witch’s presence. She descended on us as soon as Thad left, and tried to intimidate me, again. But my verbal sparring from the twenty-first century is way above eighteenth century sarcasm. The witc
h has never watched a marathon of Gilmore Girls. Luckily she was called away before the argument got too heated, although she promised to come back.

  Damn, I hate that woman! She is such a menace to my guys. It’s killing Thad that he might not be able to keep me safe from her. For someone like Thad to not be able to save his loved one… let’s just say it’s a wonder he hasn’t lost it and killed the woman yet.

  Jasper tightens his hand on mine and brings me out of my thoughts. I want to be happy tonight, so no more thinking of her. Right now, with Thad and Toby out scouting for information, I have some alone time with Jasper and I mean to use it well. We have become good friends over the last month — like peas and carrots. However, along with friendship comes hugs, a stroke of flesh here and there, and cuddles. Damn, Jasper gives the best cuddles! His hugs have me so freaking turned on by him and I am determined to get my way.

  I know he wants me. I’ve seen him watch me, seen him become hard for me, and I know what the little touches mean. But Jasper has been patient, allowing me time to figure things out with Toby and then Thad, before we progress our relationship as well. My feelings for Jasper developed easily and rapidly because of how sweet, caring, and kind he is.

  Jasper leads us away from the prying eyes of the others and into an empty corner of the pub where there is a small table with a single chair. No one can see us over here, and for that I am grateful. He sets our cups of island wine on the lone table but doesn’t sit in the chair. He turns, faces me, and smiles. His smile is so gorgeous. It lights up his light greenish-blue eyes and face. He looks so relaxed and carefree.

  “Adair, that was wonderful. I’ve never seen Vanessa speechless before.” Somehow, his smile gets bigger. Suddenly, he pulls me against him, eyes sparkling with merriment. My arms lie on his strong muscled shoulders and wrap loosely around his neck as he laughs and lifts me from the ground, spinning us around in circles. I can’t help but join him and let out a full laugh, enjoying this side of him. He’s never been this carefree, especially in public. He’s usually quiet and observant, only speaking when needed. The people here tend to look down on any man of his age not in a committed relationship with a woman.

  Jasper stops and pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you for tonight. If Thad and Toby would have seen it I don’t think they would’ve held back their laughter when you told her to ‘Talk to the hand’ then shoved your hand in her face.” He lets out this big belly laugh, holding his sides. He reminds me of a little kid, and I’m so glad I could give him this moment.

  He notices me staring at him and his laughter dies down, his caramel skin tone starts to turn a ruddy pink. Smile slowly fading, it turns into a neutral expression and his eyes dim.

  Why does he look so sad all of a sudden?

  “Jasper, what’s wrong?” I ask softly.

  He reaches up and cups my face between his large hands. “Adair, what do you want from me? Do you want me as a best friend or a lover? Do you want me like you want Toby and Thad? I know you accept our relationship, but Thad refuses to touch me without you there. He says he can’t treat you as that other sod did.”

  Jasper’s voice implores me to answer him honestly, but his tense shoulders and tightened grip tells me any answer will not be okay. I don’t know the answer to this yet because I’ve just defined my feelings for Thad and I still have lingering feelings for Brax to deal with. But I know I don’t want to lose Jasper because I need him too, and so does Thad. So, I finally give in to something I have been wanting to do for several days and kiss him.

  He tastes so good. I love the smell and taste of oranges now.

  I push him against the wall, my body falls into his, and I thrust my tongue into his mouth. He closes his eyes, places his hands on my hips, and squeezes. Standing on my tiptoes, I rub against him slowly while moaning into his mouth as our tongues duel.

  Damn any emotional hang ups, I should have kissed him a long time ago. The man can kiss.

  Without breaking apart, I let go of one shoulder, run my hand down his chest and across his abs, but stop before I get to his hardness. Explore time is for later, now is not the time nor place.

  Jasper and I both hear a noise behind us and freeze at the same time. His eyes pop open and widen in confusion as he peeks over my shoulder. I back away slowly and remove my mouth from his, and he glances down at me with hunger and laughter reflecting in his eyes. A small smile upon my face, I reach up to kiss his cheek. My stomach plummets to the ground when I turn.

  What the actual fuck?

  Twenty-Seven

  June 20th, 1785

  Brax

  My yearning to see her is immense because I need to verify that she’s unharmed and safe. After Thad confirmed who I was, he told me she’s doing well and is well cared for. But it's not the same, being told versus being able to see myself. It took a day here before I knew for sure she was here. But the where was impossible to find out, until now. It’s been over two months since I’ve seen her. Held her. Laughed with her. Fuck. I’m torturing myself again reliving our time together.

  Thad begins walking to a rustic pub and I quietly follow behind him with some reservations. Who is he to Adair? His body language tells me he knows her intimately. He knows my name, and the sneer in his voice when he said it makes me wary of the reception I will get when I see her again. But I’m too overwhelmed with the need to see her to care. To know what she’s been doing and why she’s here.

  “Thad, I know you say she is okay. But do you know how she got here?”

  Without looking back at me, he answers, “I believe the same way you did.”

  The man of many words. I try to hold in my sarcasm because I doubt it will help me get the answers I want. “Yes, I figured that. But do you know… well, what she is doing here? How did you find her? Is someone with her? Do you know where she is from?” The questions just spill out of me before I can stop them.

  He lets out a grunt and turns around to face me. “Look, why don’t you ask her when you see her? Afraid she won’t speak to you?” He gives me another smirk. A smirk that tells me he knows what happened between her and me. Dammit.

  Weary, I feel my anger, at least for the moment, deflate. “I think she will, eventually. I’m actually unsure of what she’ll do. She has a fiery nature that she too often hides.”

  “You can say her name. Personally, I call her little bird and Toby calls her my love. But I bet you have only ever called her Adair.” Those words make my anger surge forward again. The bastard. He knows just what to say to piss me off.

  “Care to mention anything else? You smug bastard.” I don’t care if he hears the anger in my tone. I’m itching for a fight. My emotions start to get the better of me, anger at myself, fear for Adair, and disappointment that she may have moved on too much. Not knowing what I'm up against, or who, or if I even can win her back, has me on edge. But it appears that I have competition from at least two men.

  He gives me a perplexed look. “I most certainly am not a bastard. My parents were lawfully married.”

  What the hell? “I mean it as an insult. Like ‘you’re an asshole.’ Do you know that one? You should because you are.”

  He narrows his eyes but answers. “Yes, I do. And to answer your question, you also have Jasper. He has slowly won her heart too. Perhaps you’re too late, perhaps not. Regardless, you should’ve never left her. I will never understand how you could leave such a woman. You should fear us men less and the woman more. She will decide your fate, we just get to destroy you if she complies. Care to ponder what I wish for?” He turns around and begins to walk again before I can respond. If Adair will listen to me I’ll try to explain my reasoning to her. But I refuse to explain to him that I thought it was for the best, or that I know how stupid I was for thinking it.

  “And who the hell is Jasper?” I demand as we enter the pub. We walk inside and around the corner when I run into Thad as he stops abruptly. What the hell is happening now? I walk around to his side to see relief and hunger on his
face that causes me to follow his gaze across the room.

  “That is Jasper,” he remarks softly.

  My heart rate rises instantly when I see her. Relief floods my system, but it’s quickly replaced by jealousy and arousal. She is pressed tightly against another man, her body keeps him in place against the wall. He holds and caresses her hips as she kisses him passionately and moans. She is, no was, mine. I’m angry at myself for letting her go, no matter the fucking circumstances. Even so, I also want to walk behind her and join them. Lean down and nuzzle her neck, lick and suck on it while I reach around and pinch her nipples. I feel my cock start to swell, tightening my pants. Just a day here showed me how this place works, and I know that in this culture the women control their relationships and the men must share. I begin to walk towards her, but someone clears their throat which stops me.

  I turn my head sideways to look at Thad. His expression, a snarky smile that doesn’t reach his hardened eyes, conveys my stupidity. Shit! What was I thinking? That I could just walk up to her. And what? Be with her again? Move her men to the side so I can be with her like nothing is wrong? Like I didn’t betray her trust when I left? Dammit. I am not usually so stupid. But to see her again, hear her moan, overrides my good sense.

  I hear a feminine gasp that brings me out of my musings. A gasp I’ve heard before. I turn to look at her once more. “Adair.”

  Adair

  The sight of Brax is a shock to my system. But when I hear his voice. See the look on his face. A look of jealousy, hunger, and longing, I become speechless.