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By the time they’d gotten the power back on and done another check on the animals it was after midnight, and Raven couldn’t decide if it was the cold or the exhaustion that was hitting her hardest. Mal, on the other hand, looked like he could do it all over again. They’d both shed their jackets and shoes at the door, and Raven was surprised to realize that under the oilskin jacket he’d only been wearing a long sleeved shirt that hugged his body and couldn’t have possibly kept him warm in the foul weather they’d been out in.
She handed him a large mug of hot cocoa and brimming with marshmallows. “Here, drink this, it’ll warm you up. I’d offer to drive you home, but I really am too tired to get behind the wheel, I’m more likely to wrap my truck around a tree than get you home safely.” She sat down at the kitchen table and wrapped her ice cold fingers around her own mug of cocoa.
“I can walk back, it’s not that far.” Malyk settled into the chair across from her, his long legs stretched out under the table. “But I appreciate the chance to warm up first. The weather here is mild, but the damp steals into your bones after a while.”
“You call that storm mild?” Raven asked as she glanced at the windows, still covered by a sheet of rainwater. “You should have told me you weren’t dressed to stay outside so long.” She flicked her eyes to his shirt. “You must have been freezing. If I had known, I would have insisted you go home.”
Malyk’s eyes widened, and then he laughed aloud. “Insisted? And what would you have done when I refused? I offered you my help, what sort of man would do that and then leave just because he was cold?” He gave her an intent look over the mug he had cradled in his large hands. “You were colder than I was, but you stayed out there doing what needed to be done. I was more concerned about you.”
“Those animals depend on me to keep them safe. I’m their last hope of refuge, if they aren’t safe here, I’ll either have to find another sanctuary for them somewhere, or I’ll have to put them down.” Raven shook her head. “I can deal with the cold, and the bills, and the licensing, if Carter and his men would just leave me the hell alone!”
Exhaustion had taxed her to the point she couldn’t keep her emotions in check anymore, and tears of anger and frustration sparkled in her eyes as she smacked a hand down on top of a pile of bills and notices that sat at the edge of the table.
Raven wasn’t even sure she’d blinked in the time it took Mal to leave his seat and crouch at her side, his hand resting on her thigh.
“Who is this Carter and why is he trying to hurt you and these animals? This is a sanctuary correct? A place of refuge? What does he want with it, with you? I know I said you didn’t have to tell me, but I really think you should.”
“He’s a developer, hotels, and resorts. He wants me to sell him this land so he can turn it into a luxury getaway, and he isn’t taking no for an answer.” She drew a long breath, getting her emotions back under a tight rein. “He has money and influence, and he’s willing to play dirty. Like what he did tonight with Topaz and Ares. If anyone found out that a cougar and a panther got out of their enclosures, there’d be an outcry and an investigation and likely a ton of bad press. It could force me to shut down, and then I’d have to sell.”
His hand on her thigh tightened slightly, and she could feel his tension ratchet up a notch. Reacting as if he was one of her cats, Raven lay a soothing hand on his shoulder, her fingers moving in slow circles over the solid curve of muscle beneath her hand.
“I should be the one comforting you,” Malyk pointed out and glanced at her hand where it rested against him. “No one is trying to make me sell my home.”
She started to withdraw her hand, but he reached up and took it in his, pressing a light kiss to her fingers. “I’d like to help you Raven. I’m not sure what I can do just yet, but you shouldn’t have to face this alone. You’re a good woman, and you need someone to stand with you.”
* * * *
Malyk couldn’t believe the words coming from his mouth. He was attracted to her, yes. And her soul was full of gentle emotions. Kindness and tenderness, a good heart full of—damn it. He recognized what it was that drew him to Raven, beyond her physical beauty that is. She was full of love and compassion, the energies he fed on, the source of life for daemons like him. She was everything his kind were driven to seek out, and everything he had chosen to steer clear of for more than two thousand years.
Even while his mind told him to let go of her hand, to go back to his seat, finish his drink and leave, he knew he wouldn’t do that. Not this time. He flipped her hand over, brushing his lips over her palm, then her wrist, inhaling the scent of soap that mixed with her own unique perfume. And then she snatched her hand away, breaking the spell.
“Whoa boy,” she told him, the hand he’d been kissing a moment ago curled back into her lap. “I’m not sure exactly what you’re offering here, but maybe you should go home. It’s getting late, and we’re both too tired to think straight right now.”
He shook his head. “I’m not so tired I don’t know what I’m offering you, Raven. You are alone, and you shouldn’t be. You need someone in your corner, someone to take care of you.”
She stiffened and the fingers he’d kissed clenched into a tighter fist as she clearly went into self-protection mode. “I take care of myself just fine,” she argued.
“Yes, you do. But that doesn’t mean you have to.” Malyk reached out with his thoughts and was amazed to realize she had managed to lock down her emotions so completely he couldn’t read her anymore. All the feelings she had for her sanctuary and its charges, her own frustration were gone.
“Who are you?” she demanded of him.
“My name is Malyk, my half-brother’s wife owns a house at the top of the hill, and I’m staying there for the winter while they are busy elsewhere. I don’t know a soul here, and I haven’t got a damned thing to do all day but think about things I’d rather not dwell on. Frankly, I’d rather take on a herd of rabid torka than face another day of bad daytime television and long walks alone. Helping you would give me something to look forward to.”
“‘What’s a torka?”
“Uh, it’s sort of like a big, angry pig.” He held a hand up about three feet from the floor. “Lousy temperament, worse smell.”
“Never heard of them.” He saw her relax slightly, but her eyes stayed watchful. “Never heard of a name like yours either. Malyk, it sounds eastern European.
Malyk just grinned and shook his head. “Torka aren’t from these parts, and neither am I. I’m a long way from home actually, but it’s not Eastern Europe.”
He tipped his head, his hand reaching out to wrap a few strands of her dark hair around his fingers. “Your name, is it because of your hair colour? Dark as a raven’s wing.”
“My name? I’m part of the Coast Salish First Nations, my people have been here for a very long time. My mother named me for one of our legends; Grandfather Raven, the creator.” She shrugged. “Apparently, she had some big plans for me. But instead, I ended up here, caretaker to a bunch of big cats and on the receiving end of some serious harassment by a complete bastard.”
He tugged at her hair, drawing her closer. When she swayed into him he kissed her, his lips barely grazing hers for a brief moment, heat sizzling between them at even that light touch. Malyk pulled back just enough to speak, “You are the creator of second chances for these animals, which is no small thing. And as for the complete bastard, he’s never met the likes of me.” Malyk gazed into her eyes. “Let me help you, Raven.”
He ignored the old arguments that flooded his mind as stared into the dark pools of her eyes. He’d come looking for a reason to keep living. If this was it, he’d take it gladly and worry about the consequences later. He’d long since learned that nothing lasts forever, but right now he’d risk all the future pain and problems just to keep this woman in his arms tonight.
Her body gave him his answer before she even said a word, her lips parting as she leaned into him just enough telegraph acceptance. He took her lips again, his kiss one part tenderness and three parts heat as he threaded his fingers through her hair and kissed her properly, his free arm wrapping around her waist and holding her tight against his body.
Please,” she whispered against his mouth, and it was his undoing.
Malyk felt the tiny shudder that coursed through her as she gave her agreement, the knowledge of what it had cost this proud, fierce woman to let him into her life touching him deeply, stirring thoughts and feelings he had not acknowledged in more years than he could count. Unwilling to face them, he lost himself in the scent and warmth of the woman he held and let the rest fade away.
His mouth melded to hers as he gently released her head and changed his grip, the arm around her waist sliding higher as his newly freed arm slid under her knees. He tugged her into his arms, lifting her as he stood and cradled her to his chest, his head bowed as he kissed her again and again and again.
“Hey!” she yelped in surprise, tensing as she broke their kiss and pointed to the floor. “Put me down!”
“Nuh uh.” He grinned, wicked humour lighting up his eyes. “I think it’s time we both got properly warmed up. You’re in charge of directions, milady Raven. Which way is the shower?”
“I said you could help me, not shower with me!” Raven glowered indignantly at him, her feet kicking out and hitting nothing but air.
“You need my help getting warmed up, so it counts,” he countered, barely managing to contain his laughter at her outrage. “If you don’t tell me where the bathroom is, I’m going to start wandering around and opening doors at random. There’s no telling what I might find if I start doing that.” Malyk leaned down and whispered near her ear, “How many bedrooms does this house have? I bet there're good odds I find one before I find the bathing room.”
“One kiss doesn’t mean you’re taking me to the bedroom, or the shower, or anywhere else for that matter. Put me down right the hell now, Mal!”
“We passed one kiss a while ago,” Malyk told her as he watched her expression for signs of fear. “But I promise you, I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to. So, if you really want me to put you down and go home, I’ll do so.”
She stilled and hurt blossomed in her dark eyes. “So if I don’t sleep with you, you’ll just put me down and leave, no more offers to help. Fine then, Malyk.” She pointed to the kitchen door. “Go.”
Her words cut him to the quick, and for a moment he was tempted to do just as she said and leave, but then understanding dawned and instead of leaving he pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her still wet hair. “No little bird, you misunderstood me. If you want me to go home, I will, but I will be back tomorrow to help you with the sanctuary, and Ares, and the complete bastard who is trying to hurt you. You have my word on that already; I will not go back on it.”
His lips wandered over her skin until they brushed her earlobe, his voice a soft murmur of breath. “My wanting to take you to bed has nothing to do with my offer to help you. If you don’t want this, don’t want me? Then I am man enough to accept it.” He chuckled softly. “Though I will not pretend I won’t be disappointed. It has been a while since I’ve felt the urge to carry a woman off to bed.”
Raven gave him a look of pure confusion. “Did you just call me a little bird?” She was stalling with her question as she tried to tamp down the hope and deeper, unnamed feelings his words and promises had set free deep in her heart.
“Out of all I said, you’re asking me about that?” Malyk lifted her higher against his chest and kissed her as best he could while laughing aloud. “Women will never cease to amaze me. Aye, I called you little bird. You are named for one, and you are little. It seemed natural.”
“I am not little!” I’m five foot eight for heaven’s sake, that’s above average height! And I’m far from skinny either. Which you should know since you still haven’t put me down.” She looked pointedly from him to the floor and back.
“You are little, and light as a feather. I could carry you all day.” He arched a brow, his lips hovering just over hers. “Now, am I putting you down and leaving, or are you going to show me the way to the shower?”
“Up the stairs, second door on the left,” she muttered, her eyes widening if surprised by her own response.
* * * *
She watched as heat flared in Malyk’s eyes until they resembled pools of molten gold. He raked a quick but searing kiss over her mouth, nearly bruising in its intensity as he turned and made for the stairs with long, determined strides.
He opened the door with a hip check that sent it flying, the resounding crash of it hitting the door stopper not really registering as he set Raven down on the counter with her feet dangling off the edge. Standing between her thighs, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, his tongue flicking at her lips, begging entrance into the sweet warmth of her mouth.
As she opened her mouth to him, her hands found his shirt tucked into the tops of his dark jeans and tugged it loose, craving skin to skin contact. She heard him hiss slightly as her chilled fingers reached under his shirt and brushed over warm flesh and a line of ridged muscle. His tongue explored her mouth, tangling with hers as a shuddering moan rose from her throat.
Something akin to a growl answered her moan and his teeth closed on her lower lip, nipping at it gently. He moved his hands from her cheeks to her hair, tugging her head back as he blazed a fiery trail of kisses down her jaw to her throat, his tongue laving at the pulse point that leapt and jumped beneath his mouth.
“Didn’t you say something about a shower?” Raven’s words were burred with need, dark eyes watching him through a veil of soot-black lashes.
“I got distracted.” He muttered against her skin, not lifting his head. “By Styx, you taste good. Like berries in sunshine.”
“The secret to that is in the shower.” She laughed and raked her nails lightly along his ribs. “My mother makes it, it’s like fruit preserves for your skin and hair.”
“I like it,” he growled again and licked her neck.
“Then get me in the shower, I’ll put more on.”
Mal lifted his head with reluctance, his lips quirked into a self-effacing grin. “Right, the shower. You just keep reminding me that’s where we are headed. You have no idea how distracting you are.”
“No one’s ever complained about it before.” Raven started tugging at his shirt, lifting up to his shoulders. As he grabbed it and skinned it over his head, she stared. “Wow.” Her fingers traced over the well-defined muscle of his stomach and chest. “I think you’re the distracting one, Mal.”
Mesmerized by the sculpted power in front of her, she leaned in and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to his skin.
“Cold hands!” he grumbled, though he made no move to evade her touch.
“That’s why we’re going to the shower.” She laughed at him, laying her chilled hands flat against the washboard ripples of his stomach.
The next moment his hands and then hers were on her sweater, tangling and getting in each other’s way as it was tugged up and over her head, blocking her vision. While she was still trying to tug it the rest of the way over her head so she could see, Raven felt his hands on her bra, and then with a sharp tear of fabric and the snap of elastic it was gone, and his hands were cupping her breasts. She got the sweater off just as his mouth found the tight nub of one nipple, drawing into a cave of scalding heat and suction that made her toes curl with pleasure. While his mouth was busy, she reached between them and began undoing his jeans, the hard ridge of his cock pressed firmly against the fabric.
Still sitting up on the counter, she hauled his jeans down as far as she could and freed him from the confines of denim and briefs. Her fingers curled around his thick girth, and he twitched in her hand.
“Still cold!” he grumbled, his teeth closing lightly on her breast in protest.
“Still not made it to the shower.” She laughed at him again and then squeaked in surprise as he hauled her into his arms and carried her to the tub.
He managed to shed his jeans on the way, kicking them off as he stepped in and leaned around her to turn on the water.
“Hey! I’m still half dressed!” she protested and started undoing her jeans quickly, nearly losing her balance as she tried to wriggle them off and shed her socks at the same time. Water streamed down on them, cold at first but heating rapidly, soaking her jeans and making them nearly impossible to remove.
“Allow me.” Malyk knelt down, his strong fingers stripping the wet denim down her legs and tossing the whole soaking mess into the sink across the room. Still kneeling, his leaned forward, his brow pressed to the soft curve of Raven’s stomach, his breath fanning over her wet skin. He groaned and nuzzled his face into her body, his tongue darting out to lave at her navel. “So beautiful.” His hands danced up the backs of her thighs, tracing whorls of tingling desire along her skin.
Raven drank in the image before her, the stunning hunk of man kneeling at her feet, his entire attitude one of reverent worship. Not even in her wildest fantasies had she ever imagined this. Her heart rose into her throat, and she buried her fingers into his pale hair, cradling his head next to her body. How the hell did this happen? Her fingers tightened in his hair, and she tugged his head back until he lifted his gaze to hers, letting her see the yearning in his eyes.
“Warm now?” he asked as he stood, letting his hands glide over her body as he got to his feet.
“Toasty.” She nodded, her fingers dropping from his hair to his shoulders as she stepped closer and stood on tiptoe to kiss him.
Strong arms wrapped around her and hauled her tight to his water slicked chest as his answering kiss stole the breath from her lungs. His mouth conquered hers, taking possession of her body and her senses. A groan of need vibrated up from his chest, one powerful thigh sliding between her legs to press against her mons, making her gasp.
She arched, cat-like against the pressure of his thigh, grinding herself over him. “Mal,” she moaned his name into his mouth, her entire body shivering as though she had a sudden fever. Her tongue entered his mouth, twined with his, dancing with the same thrust and rhythm as her hips as she arched herself again and again against his thigh.
They stayed that way for what felt like a perfect eternity, their bodies melded to each other. Finally, he tore his mouth from hers and took in a shuddering breath. Eyes like golden fire met hers, and he cupped her cheek with a calloused hand. “Let me take you to bed Raven.”
She nodded, unable to find the breath to speak. He pressed a last kiss to her swollen lips and reached past her again, shutting off the water before stepping out grabbing a towel. He held it up, and as she stepped onto the bathmat, he wrapped it around her with almost tender gentleness, drying her body and blotting the water from her hair. She took up another towel and did the same to him, their torrid passions tamped down as they each cared for the other.
When he lifted her back into his arms, she was pliant, warm and soft as she curled against his chest and pointed down the hall. “That way.”
