Unlocking Adeline (Skeleton Key) by J.D. Hollyfield, Skeleton Key

and my body is beginning to feel funny. No longer able to see anything, I hear a bunch of commotion. The room clearly has erupted into a panic, as I throw my hands out trying to block any further attack. Suddenly, I begin to feel dizzy on my feet. I stumble back, unable to catch my balance. “What in the… ba babb ba,” I begin to babble. Just as I shake my head, trying to make some sense of what just happened, my knees give in and I collapse. I don’t hit the ground, though. I’m caught instantly, warm arms entrapping me. I look up, my vision still blurry, to the stormy eyes of Locke. “Where ha—have you been?” My teeth begin to chatter. The room has suddenly turned into a freezer and my body feels like a human icicle.
    “Shhhh… Don’t talk. It will wear off soon,” he soothes me, taking me away from all the commotion.
    “Wh—what just happ—ened.”
    “Ye were dosed with a wee bit of magic,” he says, taking the last steps and reaching the second floor.
    Magic? “I’m be—being serious,” I say, snuggling my nose into his chest. The scent of him so addicting I want to shoot it into my blood stream.
    “Pevoeral powder. It’s meant to freeze a human. To a normal-blooded human ye would have turned into an iced statue instantly. Since ye have Wren blood running through ye, it’s just going to make ye a bit chilly for a while.”
    My teeth are still chattering. “Magic? Yeah, okay . I’m not some gullible girl, you know. You don’t have to lie and make up stories.” I don’t even know if he can understand me with my face smashed into his gorgeous body. I hope he blames the possible drugging on why I’m about two seconds away from sucking on his shirt. We finally make it into my room; I hear Ellie squeal and him ordering her to leave. He sits us down by the fire, with me still trapped in his arms, while the heat begins to thaw my skin.
    “I would never lie to ye,” he murmurs, brushing his knuckles along my now warming cheek. I lift my face out of his armpit to get a good look at him. It may be the first time I’ve ever seen Locke not look so fierce. Gentle possibly. His eyebrows are creased with concern, while his voice has a comforting tone to it.
    “Why did that voodoo lady try and freeze me?” I stutter.
    “I cannot answer that. But she will be taken into custody. Questioned for her actions. As Princess of Wren, ye will be asked to testify on her actions. State claim on what ye want to happen to her.” Yeah, What? I want nothing to do with that. As I’m pondering how in God’s name I would face that woman again, I notice Locke has begun stroking his hands down my body. The feel of his fingers digging into my skin, feeling each curve, thaws my body faster than the fire before us. I close my eyes, relishing in his touch, wishing for things I know shouldn’t even be crossing my mind. “What are you doing?” I whisper, snuggling more into this cradled hold on me. If he admits to me that he wants me, I’m going to approve. I’m going to allow him to search me all over.
    “I’m looking for the key ye took.”
    Oh, that big ole jerk !
    Man, I am so stupid. His words register and I push away from him, separating us. I get to my feet, wobbly at first, but manage to stand on my own. I thought he wanted me. And how did he even see me snatch that! I put some space between us by walking toward my bed.
    “How dare you accuse me of stealing,” I scold him as I back closer to the bed. He gets up, matching each step of mine, closing in the space between us.
    “Dare I what? Is it not true that ye stole that key right from under my brother’s nose?”
    Damn! “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Sticking my chin up and feigning innocence.
    “So ye lie, then?”
    “Pffft, no! Why would I take a key? And where would I even put it? Up my dress?” Shut up, Addie. Rule Number one. Don’t admit where it is!
    I watch his eyebrows rise just a tad. “So what is it yer saying, then?