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Raven woke slowly, exhaustion and aching muscles easing themselves into her awareness as she came up out of the comforting cocoon of sleep. What the hell had she done last night? Run a marathon? Too many Irish coffees? It took another minute or two for the details to come back to her. Power outage, animals loose, late night—Malyk.
Oh damn, how could I forget him?
She rolled over and found herself staring into a pair of golden brown eyes.
“Good morning.” He smiled at her before leaning in the few inches separating them and kissed her in greeting.
“Hi.” A heated blush crept up her cheeks as she was hit with an eyeful of stunning male perfection. How the hell had, he ended up in her bed again? The blankets were lying over his hips, leaving his chest and stomach bare. Every inch of him looked as though he’d been chiseled from marble by a master artisan. His hair was even paler now it was dry, so blonde it seemed white rather than gold. All in all, it was a hell of a view to wake up to.
She sat up and bit back a groan as the muscles she’d abused last night protested loudly. The next moment she felt his hands gently pushing her back down onto the bed, his fingers already kneading at the knots in her shoulders.
“Roll over for me, I can help with this.” As she did as he asked, he started a gentle massage that felt amazing, warmth and comfort seeping into her muscles and easing her aches. He worked his way very slowly down her back, his touch lingering and so warm it nearly put her back to sleep.
Raven closed her eyes again; relieved to know he’d not vanished while she’d slept. She’d woken up before and found her lover already gone, an experience that had always left her feeling used and hurt. This time, not only was he not gone, he was giving her a massage. Things were definitely looking up. His fingers found a tender spot, and she groaned, one eye cracking open to watch him working over her.
“Not that this isn’t the best wake up ever, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least offer you coffee to start your morning.”
“We can have coffee later.” He kept working down her back, his hands leaving soothing warmth behind wherever they had touched. “It’s my fault you’re aching and sore, so it’s only fair I do something to fix it first.”
“Your fault?” She laughed and turned her head to look at him properly. “I don’t remember you being alone in the shower last night, or the bed, or out there in the rain in the middle of the night getting things running again. For which I really am grateful. If you hadn’t come by when you did, I’m not sure what would have happened with Ares. He could have been hurt, or hurt someone.”
Malyk’s hands paused in their massage, his brow marked with a frown of concern. “You and I, what happened, that wasn’t because you were grateful to me for my help was it?”
“No!” Raven shook her head as best she could, considering she had her head on a pillow. “That was, well it was amazing, and reckless, and had nothing to do with anything apart from the fact I wanted you to stay.”
“Good.” He restarted the massage, the warmth of his touch intensifying again. “Last night was special for me too. I’m glad I was able to help, and gladder still you let me stay with you.” His hands drifted lower, curved over her buttocks as he kept working the kinks out of her muscles.
“I can give you a ride home later after I’ve seen to the animals. I’m sure you want to change clothes and shower and all that. Then, if you want, you are welcome to come back with me, maybe spend the day?” She cringed, hoping he didn’t think she was clingy.
“I would like a ride home to change, aye. Then I am coming back with you.” His tone brooked no argument. “You shouldn’t be alone to deal with this, so I think I should bring my things here and stay.”
“Stay? Here?” With me?” Raven tried to sit up and found herself stopped by a pair of warm hands.
His hands kept up their gentle movements, moving down to her thighs as he spoke. “Yes, little bird. I want to stay here, with you. Someone snuck onto your land last night and caused you problems. What if next time they broke into this house? You’re not safe alone so I will keep you safe.”
“Uh, for how long?” she asked, unsure what she wanted his answer to be. The longer he stayed, the harder it was going to be when he did leave.
“Until no one is threatening or harassing you any longer,” he answered firmly and then added in a quieter voice. “Or until you ask me to leave. I will not force myself on you Raven, when you wish me to go, you only have to say.”
Raven’s heart leapt and she started laughing, her mirth filling the room as Malyk watched her in bemusement. “Let me get this straight. The most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on appears and bewitches one of my most dangerous cats, spends the night making love to me and then offers to stay with me as my protector for as long as I need him to.” She lifted her arm and laid a warm hand on Malyk’s cheek. “I got hit on the head last night didn’t I? This is all a dream, it has to be. Things like this don’t happen to me.”
“You did not get hit on the head. Nor are you dreaming. I have many talents, but dream walking isn’t among them. You are very much awake.” Heat kindled in his eyes as he stared down at her and he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly. “How long do we have before every creature in your care starts demanding your attention?”
“Not long enough for what you’re thinking of,” she answered with laughter in her voice and a flicker of regret in her eyes.
For a moment Raven could have sworn that the gorgeous man in bed with her was going to sulk, a look of pure, childish rebellion on his face. Then he was up and out of bed, and she was left staring at the finest ass she had ever seen.
“My clothes are still in the bathroom.” He shot her a wicked grin as he caught her staring. “If I can’t have you now, then the sooner we’re done the morning chores, the sooner I can get you back to bed.”
* * * *
With that Malyk left her bedroom, part of him wondering at the lightness of his spirit this morning. He’d laughed more since last night than he had in ages and his body was still aching for the woman he’d left in the other room. If he’d had his way they’d be there still making love to her, and he’d keep her there until he was sated, perhaps a week or so. This vacation idea of Alistair and Keri’s had definitely been a good one.
His gaze fell on the crumpled mess of his clothes, still lying on the bathroom floor. Instead of picking them up he made a casting off gesture with his hand, and the clothes vanished. He closed his eyes and opened them a moment later to confirm he was now clothed in garments that were identical to the ones he’d zapped away. There were definitely advantages to being a creature of magic, especially when the alternative was to wear wet, wrinkled clothing.
He dallied in the bathroom, knowing if he returned too soon Raven would wonder how he changed so quickly. As he waited his thoughts were all of the beautiful woman in the other room. He’d used his powers last night to heal Ares, and again this morning to ease her aching muscles, and it had felt good to use his abilities to help others. All his years of solitude had made him forget the simple joys of helping others. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Maybe they’re right. I’ve been alone too long.”
When he returned to the bedroom Raven was still in bed, her pillow mashed over her head as she heard him enter.
“I should likely tell you right now, I’m not a morning person,” she told him, her voice muffled by the pillow.
“Why don’t I make coffee and you go grab a shower,” he offered as she peeked out from beneath the edge of the pillow.
“Brilliant thinking. Massages and now coffee. I may decide to keep you, Mal.”
Her eyes widened as though she were surprised by the words she had just spoken, then they went wider still as he looked into her dark eyes and found himself telling her, “I may decide to let you.”
* * * *
By the time she joined him downstairs, she was feeling back to normal. This was her home, her sanctuary, and no matter how cute his butt was, no man was going to throw her off her stride again. I am going to get a grip. She entered the kitchen and promptly forgot her entire pep talk. He was standing barefoot in her kitchen, looking far too good for a man who was wearing yesterday’s clothes.
Okay, maybe he’s hot enough to throw her off stride a little, she conceded as she watched him pour two mugs of coffee and then add an obscene amount of milk and sugar to one of them.
“I wasn’t sure how you took yours, so I left it black,” he commented before even turning around.
“How’d you know I was here?” Raven asked, surprised. She knew she moved quietly, a trait she’d had since she was a little girl. More than once people had accused her of sneaking around like one of her cats.
Mal just shrugged and offered her, her coffee. “I’ve got good hearing.”
“I take mine black, saves me time in the morning.” She wrapped her hands around the mug and sighed as the freshly brewed fragrance hit her nose. “I really don’t function well until after I’ve had at least one cup. I promise I’ll be awake soon.”
A strong arm wrapped around her waist and she felt herself drawn back against a warm, solid chest. “No need to rush on my account. This is the best morning I’ve had since I got here.” His breath tickled her neck as he buried his face into her hair. “You really do smell good, like honey and summer berries. I like it.”
“Trust a man to like a woman who smells like desert. “ She quipped and then leaned back into his warmth; basking in the comfort of his presence for a few minutes in contented silence before finally asking him, “How long are you staying at your brother’s house?”
“They’re gone for the winter and thought I needed a change of pace, so I’m here until spring I guess. My sister-in-law and my mother started conspiring and the next thing I know, I’m being told I’m going on vacation to some island I’ve never heard off.” He nuzzled her earlobe. “I will have to thank them when I see them next, best vacation I’ve ever been on.”
“So you’re just kicking back for a few months? No job? No commitments?” she asked, curious to know more about him.
Malyk hesitated before answering. “I don’t have a job per se, no, but I do have duties and responsibilities. I guess you could say I’m on a leave of absence from all that for now. My mother’s mate is a powerful man and I answer to him and help him where I can.”
“So you work for your stepfather, who sounds like he’s a rich man.” She stiffened slightly. “Are you rich too?”
He lowered his voice to a soothing tone, “Would it matter to you if I said I was?”
Raven nodded and took a sip of her coffee before answering. “It might. I don’t tend to get along well with people who don’t appreciate the value of what they have. Most of my rescues come from rich families where someone thought it would be trendy or fun to own an exotic animal. They spend a fortune to get one, but then spend nothing caring for it or trying to keep it safe. Then something new catches their interest, and the cat is abandoned in favour of whatever shiny new thing their owners have found to spend their money on.”
A faint rumble of resentment passed through Malyk’s chest and into her back. “You insult me.”
“Well if I insulted you, the odds are good you’re not the sort of person I’m talking about. Trust me, they’re much harder to insult than that, I’ve tried.”
His low laughter made her toes curl, and her heart beat a little faster. “I just bet you did. Now if you are done insulting me for having a wealthy and powerful stepfather, I think you need to drink your coffee. I hear someone coming up the driveway.”
“I don’t hear—” Raven tipped her head and then sighed as the purr of an engine could be heard. “You’re right, we’re about to have company. And unless I miss my guess, that’s going to be Carter with his latest offer. He always seems to show up right after something goes wrong around here.”
She turned and laid a hand on Malyk’s chest. “Promise me you won’t do anything to get yourself in trouble. There’s no proof he’s doing any of this, so as tempted as you may be to do something rash, please behave.”
Malyk sighed as if she had made the most unreasonable request in the world. “Alright, I’ll behave. I suppose if you can restrain yourself after all he’s done, I should too.”
She downed several gulps of hot coffee and set the rest aside. “Now, let’s go meet our morning guest, shall we? I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled to meet you.” Mischief gleamed in her eyes as she gestured for Malyk to follow her, and when he threaded his fingers through hers possessively she just squeezed his fingers, grateful for his support.
By the time they got to the front door, they could both hear the crunch of gravel underfoot, and Raven opened the door as a thin, weedy looking man was about to knock. Looking startled, he stepped backward as he caught sight of Malyk looming just behind Raven.
“Good morning Mr. Carter, what can I do for you today?” Raven greeted him while trying to squelch the laughter that bubbled up in her chest as she saw his reaction to Mal.
“Good morning Ms. Thorne. Was a nasty storm last night, I just wanted to check up on you and make sure you and your critters had made it through the night unscathed.”
“Oh we’re just fine, thank you. Everyone snug in their enclosures and happy as can be given the weather. Malyk was kind enough to give me a hand with some faulty fuses last night, but it was nothing five minutes of tinkering didn’t fix.” She kept her voice light as she lied through her teeth. She was not giving this man clue one that last night had nearly been a catastrophe.
“Well that was right neighbourly of him, wasn’t it? Just where are you located there, Mister...
Malyk was it?”
“Here,” Malyk answered firmly and released Raven’s hand to slide a possessive arm around her waist. “For the foreseeable future, I will be residing here with Raven.”
“Mal is going to help me out around the sanctuary Mr. Carter. You were right, it was a lot for me to handle alone, and I’m grateful he’s agreed to stay with me and lend a hand.”
Carter frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “I take it this means you’ve not changed your mind on my last offer then?”
“It was very generous Mr. Carter, but no, I haven’t changed my mind. This is my home, and as I have explained to you many times before, I have no interest in leaving.”
“That’s really unfortunate to hear Ms. Thorne, really unfortunate. I thought you’d would come round to the way of things by now.” Carter shrugged. “I’m headed back stateside this afternoon, but if you change your mind, you just give me a call. You have my number.”
He nodded to Malyk. “Nice meeting you sir, I hope you’re not allergic to cats.” He chuckled at his own joke and turned to go. “Dangerous animals you’re going to be working with here, plenty of ways for someone to get hurt. I surely hope nothing untoward happens. You two take care now.”
Raven had to grip Malyk’s arm and hold tight to stop him from going after Carter as she felt his rage spark at the implications of his words.
“He threatened you!” Malyk growled in fury as they watched the car vanish around a curve in the driveway.
“No Mal, he threatened us both. I’m so sorry. Now I’ve gotten you messed up in all this. I should have sent you home.”
“I am not going anywhere, woman.” He turned her around and stared down at her intently. “You may send me home when it is safe to do so. Clearly, it is not safe yet, so I am staying.”
“Woman?” Raven gaped up at him and spluttered. “Did you just— you didn’t!”
“I did.” Mal grinned and kissed her, his arms still holding her close. “You’re a woman. I’m quite certain of it after last night.”
“I’d be mad at you for that, but given that you just made that creep slink away with his tail between his legs, I have to forgive you. That’s the fastest visit he’s ever made!”
“It’s the last visit he’s going to make. He threatened you Raven. And someone let Ares out last night. He will not set foot on this property again, or I will not promise to behave.”
“Alright, Mal. I’ll file a complaint about him today.” She checked her watch. “The local RCMP detachment doesn’t open until 9am, so we have time to get the animals seen to before I call. Then I’ll make us breakfast while they come out and take a statement. Sound acceptable?”
“Paperwork!” Mal sounded disgusted. “Why is it every civilization eventually reaches a point where every issue must be dealt with by paperwork and bureaucracy? It’s one of the mysteries of the universe.”
“Known a lot of civilizations have you?” Raven teased as she eased herself out of his arms and started to lead him back to the kitchen and their coffees. “Let’s go finish our coffee and head outside. I want to introduce you to the rest of my menagerie.”
Malyk turned and locked the front door before joining Raven in the kitchen. “That man means to do you harm, I know it,” he muttered as he picked up his coffee mug, a storm cloud of dark emotions playing over his face.
Raven toasted him with her mug. “Well for him to do that, he has to go through you. I have to confess I’m very glad you’re here Mal. For a lot of reasons.”
His lips curved up into a sensuous smile that banished his stormy expression, and it was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. Butterflies filled her, and her heart raced again as he let his golden gaze rake over her. “I’m very glad I’m here too.”
