Chapter Fourteen

Business as Usual, Until Heat Sizzles

“But what?”

“What you experienced at the castle with a few benevolent spirits is nothing compared to…”

“Oh, I’ve already gone up against Baltizar. He doesn’t scare me,” she said with more bravado than she felt.

“He should.” Tristian smirked glancing at her leg. “We all know how your last meeting ended.” Pausing he nodded toward her. “Sorry, that was uncalled for. We don’t want him to get to you under any circumstances. Especially after you embrace the power he inadvertently transferred to you and I’ve restored your own power.”

“Are you going to Gale’s with me?”

“Nope. Unless you encounter problems. You can handle it. But I want a report as soon as you leave her shop.”

“I’m not one of your employee’s to be ordered around like—”

Tristian cut her off. “If you want to stay alive, you’ll listen, and do exactly as I say. I’ve no intention of putting myself or anyone else in unnecessary danger because you have a death wish.”

“I don’t.”

“Good. I don’t have to tell you there’s a lot more at stake here than the last time you battled with him. Surprise is what we want on our side. By the time we engage him, he’ll have no idea what hit him.”

“He can’t get out. Can he?” She steeled her expression, but inside she was a ball of nerves.

“Not under his own power—at this time. Things change, we want to be prepared. We have a plan. What hours do you work?”

“Usually two in the afternoon until close. Unless someone calls off and I have to cover.”

“All right. We’ll meet at eleven during the week and work on your mind cloaking until it’s second nature. Eventually, you’ll be privy to—well never mind. We’ll start Friday. If something changes, I’ll let you know. I want you to afford me the same courtesy. If he continues to invade your dreams, I want to know immediately. His means of entry has been cut off for now. But he’s smart and devious. We’ll not make the mistake of underestimating him. He’ll find another way. By that time, I hope to have you solid in your ability to keep your mind impenetrable whether you’re awake, asleep, or unconscious.”

The last part of his statement bothered her, but she didn’t want to know what Tristian expected. Maybe she should, but for now she had all she could handle. “My amulet will strengthen my abilities.”

“But if it gets ripped off—I don’t want you compromised. It’s best if you rely on the magic you wield to keep the shields up and protect yourself.”

A soft knock sounded on the door. Hannah stuck her head in. “Ma and I are headed home. Da will be here a bit longer to lock up and count the till. Ma wanted to know when you planned to leave. If it’ll be a while, we can take Storm home with us.”

“Nope, we’re finished here for now.” He paused eyebrow raised. “Who’s Storm?”

“My pup.”

“Okay. Have a good night.” He shoved up from the chair, walked to Hannah, and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Let’s go. I’ll escort you and Mary home.”

Hannah smiled up at him clearly besot with her husband. She wondered if such happiness would ever come her way.

Tristian opened the door. They slipped out leaving the door ajar.

“Ready to go?”

“More than. Tim doesn’t need your help?”

“Nope.” He waited for her to clear the door, then closed, locked it, and pocketed the key.

“I bet poor Storm is tired of being cooped up all day.”

“She can run in the back yard at my place. The fence is puppy proof. New surroundings will keep her busy while we move your stuff in.”

She’d nearly forgotten she wouldn’t be going to her cottage. Why did she feel like her independence was slipping backward instead of moving forward? Giving herself a little shake, she followed Gavin down the hall into the main pub. It’s not forever, only for the time being.

After bidding goodnight to everyone, Gavin helped her into the truck. Dare she hope Gale could restore the strength in her leg? She smiled for a moment. Walking with a limp made her whole body hurt, making her job difficult by the end of the night.

The ride home was quiet except for Storm’s continual commentary in various whines and whimpers begging to be let out of the crate. She couldn’t blame the little girl. It’d been a long day for everyone.

“We’re here,” Gavin sang out. “If you want to take Storm around back, the gate is on the left side. I’ll stow your gear in the house and join you two out back.” He took the pup out of the crate, held her while she clipped on the leash, then set the antsy ball of fur on the ground.

“Fair enough.” She picked her way across the front lawn, opened the gate, and let Storm loose. She raced around the yard, barking, yipping, and sniffing, coming back to check in every couple of minutes. The length of time between returns became longer as the pup became familiar with Gavin’s yard. She pulled a squeaky toy out of her bag and tossed it. Storm barked with delight and promptly pounced on the toy. The pup began squeaking it, oblivious to anything else.

How nice to have no cares in the world and have someone to take care of you. But not long ago you were homeless, not knowing where your next meal would come from. I changed all that. She called Storm over and was shocked when the pup actually bounded toward her. Picking her up, she hugged the warm, wiggling furball to her. “I’ll always take care of you.” She rubbed her cheek on the soft tawny fur and put the pup on the ground. Legs already going before her paws hit the ground, she thundered off to attack her toy again. Squeaking echoed all over the yard as Storm raced around.

“I see it didn’t take long for the pup to make herself at home.”

She jumped, letting out a low squeal and whirled around looking for the person belonging to the intruding voice. She relaxed at seeing Gavin standing here. “I didn’t hear you come out.”

“I didn’t. After putting all your stuff in the house, I went back to the truck to make sure it was locked up and walked around here from the front. Didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s such a beautiful night.” He grabbed a couple chairs from the patio and moved them to where she stood. “We can sit here and watch the pup wear herself out. Then we can all get a good night’s sleep.”

“I hope so. Won’t your neighbors complain about the noise Storm is making?” She craned her neck and noticed there weren’t any other houses around. A barn type structure stood off in the distance, washed in silver from the moonlight, but that was all. “Don’t you think the half-moon looks like a canned half peach?”

“What?” Gavin peered at her, an incredulous expression spreading over his face.

She giggled. “Well?”

“Never thought about it.” He tilted his head back to get a better look. “Aye, it kinda does.” Reaching over he cupped her chin in his hand gazing into her eyes. “Tough day.”

She nodded leaning into him. “There were good parts to the day also.”

He bent closer to her, brushing his lips over hers almost as if asking for her approval. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Not wanting it to ever end. Feeling safe and secure was a luxury she’d rarely experienced since childhood.

Gavin slipped his arms around her and scooped her into his lap without breaking the kiss. His excitement was obvious as she settled into his lap. She didn’t care. Turning she straddled him, pressing her breasts against his chest while her center felt the heat of his arousal through her jeans. Reaching between them, she undid the button of his jeans and pulled the zipper as far down as their position allowed.

His tongue traced the outside of her lips before slipping inside to tease in a sinuous dance with hers. His flavor spun into her as he kissed and licked down the side of her neck to the juncture of her shoulder. He breathed a kiss at the hollow of her throat before moving to the neckline of her sweater. He snaked his tongue as low as her shirt would permit, his breathing increased. “Stand for a second.” He braced his hand on one side of the chair, raised himself up, yanked his jeans below his knees, and settled back on the chair.

“You have too many clothes on,” he rasped, pulling her down on him, stretching the neck of her top so he could nuzzle and lick between her breasts. His hand burrowed under the shirt, flipped open the back of her bra, allowing her firm mounds to spill out. Lifting her top, he buried his face in her breasts. “Much better,” he murmured, sucking first one nipple then the other, the vibration of his words sending jolts of lust though her.

She arched against his mouth. A soft moan escaped her lips. He tugged at the waistband of her jeans, unbuttoned them, pulled the zipper down, and slid his hand inside. “Too tight.” He grasped her around the waist and lifted her up. “Take them off,” he ordered.

She kicked her shoes off, pulled her knees to her chest, and pulled the pants off one leg. Before she could get the other off, he positioned her over him, moved her underwear aside, slid a long, thick finger inside, and curled it to her sweet spot. She muffled a scream, writhing against him, while waves of ecstasy crashed over her. When she stilled, he ripped her panties off. He groaned as he pushed inside her, burying himself to the hilt. She rested her feet on the ground, easing off him and slamming back down.

If he’d not enjoyed the pleasures of other women, he won’t last long. And she knew in her heart that he hadn’t. Her lips curved into a wicked smile. She lifted up and ground down on him. He groaned her name and grabbed her around the waist with both hands holding her down on him until his climax subsided. Putting a hand on both sides of her face, he brought her lips to his, kissing her hungrily before moving back to her breasts. He scraped each nipple with his teeth before soothing with his tongue and then sucking.

“You always were a breast man.” She snickered.

“You got that right.” He hummed against her nipple. “But I’m not through with you until I’ve tasted every inch of you.” He licked his lips as his gaze slid downward.

Desire ignited inside her. She wasn’t sure if he’d ever gone completely limp. But he was filling her again. She spread wider for him, reveling in the sensation. She’d miss the intimacy, his touch, and his masculine scent. If things were going to go south, she was going to ride him without any thought of consequences. If things didn’t, she’d face the music when the time came.

Storm barked and growled somewhere in the back of the yard. Gavin turned his head to where the sound was coming from and cursed. She followed his gaze. “You little shit!” Sometime during their interlude, Storm had stolen her jeans. The pup had them in her mouth shaking her head from side to side, her paws placed on the material she was tugging and ripping the clothing.

“So much for play time.” She attempted to get to her feet.

He held her thighs securely. “Oh, no you don’t. I’ll buy you a new pair of jeans.”