All Fired Up

by Kristen Painter

  She put her purchases away then started the washer. Snickers sat in front of the fire so she turned it on before wiring up the TV. The cable was disconnected, but she’d found her portable CD player earlier. She set it up in the bathroom and turned the faucet to fill the tub. Twisting her hair up into a knot on the way, she realized she had nothing to secure it with. She settled on the chopsticks from Thai’d Up but her newly-straight hair wasn’t as easy to manage as her curls had been. After the third try, her hair stayed put. She went back to the living room to find something to play while she bathed.

  A box marked CDs held just that. She pulled out an Alison Krauss album she hadn’t listened to in a while. After rummaging for a few candles she’d spotted earlier, she grabbed a towel from the stack someone had been using as packing material.

  Snickers left the hearth to take up his usual spot on the edge of the tub. He eyed the rising water level with his usual level of interest.

  She dumped in half the box of Mr. Bubble she’d bought at the store. A glassy mound of foam swelled from beneath the rushing spigot.

  She soaked in water hot enough to pinken her skin. The soothing music and flickering candles eased her sore muscles. The sandman whispered her name. Her eyelids drooped. But her weariness went beyond the boundaries of her body. She was tired of being heartsick.

  From his spot on the bathmat, Snickers’ head popped up, ears swiveling. He tensed, eyes wide.

  “Don’t tell me. Mouse alert?” Time to get out of the tub anyway. The sheets still needed to go in the dryer. Maybe she’d just sleep on the mattress.

  Tail switching, Snickers crouched low and worked his shoulders up and down in an effort to get just the right purchase before launching his attack. The great striped predator stalking his prey. She grinned, shaking her head at his antics.

  Just as abruptly as it had begun, the hunt was forgotten. Snickers sat up, chirped then trotted out the door.

  She dried off before wrapping herself in the towel then unplugged the tub and followed after Snickers, muttering to herself. “Must be nice. Eat, sleep, play. No bills, no worries. I wish I could have a cat’s life.”

  “I can arrange that.”

  Calleigh screamed, clutching her towel. The voice was familiar but it registered too late.

  Scratching Snickers under the chin, Alrik crouched amongst the boxes in the living room. He wore the same outfit he’d been in when she’d watched him disappear into flames. Glazed in the light of the glowing fire, he looked more myth than man.

  “You came back.” She stomped down the whoosh of pleasure in her belly.

  He patted Snickers on the head and unfolded to a standing position. “I told you I would, fair eyes. Today is the end of the third day. You must decide to keep this change or go back to your life as it was.”

  With everything that had happened, that detail had slipped her mind. The idea that she might want to keep her life this way struck her as ludicrous. “Keep this change? Are you serious? This life sucks! He married me for my money and he’s screwing my best friend. Ex-best friend. I thought that wasn’t supposed to happen again. Do you have any idea what it feels like to be so…so…betrayed?”

  Alrik’s eyes went a deeper shade of blue. “Aye, I do. And I am sorry your change went as it did.”

  Sorry? It was all his fault this had happened to her. Well, it wasn’t all his fault, but she felt like being mad at someone besides herself. Miffed, she snapped back. “You do what? Know what it’s like to be betrayed? Know what it’s like to have your heart broken? Somehow I doubt a man like you really understands that. Just get me back to my regularly miserable life, please.”

  He yanked the ivory sweater over his head and tossed it to the ground. With his fist he pounded the scar over his heart. “I know betrayal. I know the pain of a lover’s blade plunging into my chest. I know the sound of her laughter as my life’s blood puddled at my feet.” His voice dropped to a rasp. “But that was naught compared to watching my family’s slaughter.”

  She pulled the towel a little tighter. “I didn’t know,” she whispered.

  He dropped his gaze to the floor and pressed the heel of his palm to his forehead. “Forgive me.” He raked his hand through his hair. “It is not your place to bear my burden. I am sorry.”

  He held out a hand. “Come, I will erase this change.”

  “I’m okay here.” His words made her troubles seem so small. She wanted to soothe him but she didn’t begin to know how.

  “You must come through the flames with me this time.”

  Flames? “I don’t want to.”

  “There is no other way.” He picked his sweater off the floor and shrugged it back on. “It will not hurt. I promise.”

  She took a step forward. “I’m not dressed.”

  “That matters not.” He reached out to her again. “I will not let you be hurt. I have promised that already.”

  The kiss. He’d promised when he’d kissed her. Pricked by the memory, she dipped her head. She didn’t want to look at him. Didn’t want to be reminded of how wonderful it felt to be held in those strong arms or the spicy sweet taste of him. He was just a fantasy and the thought tortured her now that she knew she’d never have a man like him in real life.

  “Calleigh lass, the time to return grows short. You must come now or this change will remain. Do you want that?” His voice was reassuring but firm.

  “No.” She shook her head. She definitely did not want that. “What do I have to do?”

  Wings of fire unfurled behind him as he opened his arms to her. “Come to me.”

  She stepped into his arms. Mercy, he smelled good. Up close, the feathers of flame gave off a soft, pulsing heat. “You promise this isn’t going to burn me?”

  His wings began closing around her. He smoothed a stray hair back over her ear. “Aye, you have my word. We must go.”

  Gazing into his eyes, she believed him. “Okay. I’m ready.”

  The wings covered them completely, but did not touch her. All she could see was Alrik, awash in the orange-red glow of the fire. Gusts of heat whirled around them, swirling up from their feet. A rushing sound filled her ears. There was a sudden sense of movement. She gasped and put her hands against his chest to brace herself.

  Even through the weave of his sweater, she could feel his skin burning under her fingertips. He smiled softly, dancing flames reflected in his eyes. “Do not be afraid, fair eyes.”

  The fire surged, brightening. Something liquid rose over her bare feet and up past her ankles. She looked down. Flames engulfed her calves and licked up toward her knees.

  Chapter Ten

  Calleigh shuddered with fear and twisted away. “I can’t do this.”

  “You can. You are a strong woman.” Alrik wrapped his arms around her and snugged her against him. “Hold on to me.”

  Closing her eyes, she buried her face into his chest. Fear iced her veins as the liquid heat spiraled higher and covered her whole body. She inhaled and held on tighter. Then darkness settled over her shut lids. A chill tickled her skin.

  “All is as it was,” he said without letting go.

  She opened her eyes and glanced around. The fire was gone. So were the stacked boxes. Everything was just as it had been the night of her uncle’s birthday party. Her coat still lay across the couch.

  She made no move to break free of Alrik’s embrace. In her three days as Mrs. Volk, Brad had never held her this tenderly. Alrik’s warmth felt good, now that the swirling flames had disappeared. So what if he was a fantasy, he was still better than anything going on in her real life.

  He tipped her face up to his with a finger beneath her chin. “I promised I would not hurt you.”

  The aroma of cinnamon made her smile. She lost herself for a moment in his blue eyes. Oh my, he was beautiful. “You kept your promise very well. Is it really Sunday night again?”

  “Aye. And you never answered my question.”

  “What question?” She wrinkled her brow, t
rying to recall.

  “I asked to be rewarded for behaving myself at your family’s house.” He grinned with a little boy’s pride. Her stomach quivered like she’d drunk a cup of bees. Why couldn’t he be real?

  “So you did.” She swallowed. “I take it I’m not married anymore?”

  “Nay.” He shook his head, his smile just as bright.

  “And I have my inheritance back?”

  “All is as it was.”

  Relief surged through her along with the need to celebrate. But what she wanted wasn’t a party. Grabbing hold of the same courage she’d used to face Brad’s infidelity, she laced her fingers into Alrik’s dark-gold locks and pulled his face to hers.

  Then she kissed him like she’d been wanting to. Long and hard. Slow and deep. With meaning.

  Without hesitation, he kissed back, crushing her against his decadently muscled body. As wonderful as being wrapped in his strong arms felt, nothing compared to the paradise of kissing him. He tasted like gingersnaps with hot cocoa; warm and sweet and spicy. She wanted more.

  Unlike the first time they’d kissed, Calleigh felt free. The bonds Brad once had around her heart fell away completely. He faded to the recesses of her memory while Alrik moved to the forefront. She wanted to be held and kissed by this fantasy man even though she knew he wouldn’t be around for long. She just needed to feel wanted. Desired. Beautiful.

  His fingers splayed against the small of her back. A low moan vibrated from his throat, teasing her lips. With his other hand, he loosed the chopsticks from her hair.

  Curls tickled her cheeks. Calleigh pulled back. “My hair! It’s curly again!”

  He didn’t let her far out of his embrace. “Aye. Your curls become you.” He twisted a single curl around his finger.

  “Really? You like it this way?”

  “Very much.” He caught a few more of her curls, held them to his nose and inhaled. “I love the scent of your hair.”

  “Thanks.” Wow. He kissed like a rock star, and he liked the wild mess of curls she’d been born with. Heat traveled upwards from her toes. She glanced down. The towel was gone and her party outfit was back. “I should probably change.”

  “You said you would make hot chocolate.” His hands settled on her hips like that was where he usually put them. Fine with her.

  “Good memory.” How great would it be to kiss him after he’d had hot chocolate? “I’ll make us some, just as soon as I change.”

  Several minutes later, Alrik leaned against the countertop, watching her stir a pot of the promised hot chocolate. She wore soft plaid pants and a T-shirt that did nothing to hide the tempting sway of her unfettered breasts. He shifted and looked elsewhere but the roundness of her backside only aggravated the tightening of his groin. He concentrated on her lush lips instead.

  She had kissed him. Bold and determined, she had taken his mouth without asking. The thrill of knowing she desired him throbbed in his belly. He shifted again out of necessity.

  She adjusted something on the stove before turning to look at him. “So explain this to me. Everything that happened during those three days now didn’t happen?”

  He quickly clasped his hands in front of his groin. “Aye. You are the only mortal who will remember what occurred on those days.”

  She turned back to the stove and gave the pot one more stir.

  The delicious smell of the chocolate made his mouth water. Or perhaps it was the curve of her bottom. Or the taste of her that lingered on his lips. He would have more of her, Freya be damned.

  Calleigh took two mugs and a saucer from one of the cabinets. Into the dish she poured a little milk, then set it on the floor.

  Snickers left his spot by Alrik’s feet and scampered to the saucer chirping.

  “Cats like milk.” That much he knew.

  “Yes, they do, but it’s a rare treat.” She bent to pet the cat. “It’s not really good for his tummy to have it all the time.”

  Rumpling the fur on the cat’s head, she looked up. “Does Snickers remember what happened?”

  “I do not think so.”

  “I hope not.” She stood, ladled the hot chocolate into the mugs and handed him one, her face serious. “Where were you during all of this?”

  He leaned back against the counter, mulling his response.

  “I mean, did you have any idea what was happening?” She tapped a nail against her mug. Tink, tink, tink.

  Again, he hesitated, aware of how the wrong answer might upset her.

  She waited, watching him while she sipped her drink.

  “I was in Valhalla.” He studied the dark liquid in his mug. “I knew some of what was happening—“

  “Then why didn’t you come back sooner? It wasn’t exactly a fun experience.” Her down-turned mouth and troubled eyes wounded him. She must think he had stayed away on purpose. He swallowed the mouthful of hot chocolate he had just drunk.

  “I could not return any sooner than I did.” Inwardly, he cursed Freya. After demanding he share her bed, the goddess had striped him bare as further punishment. Despite her powerful attempts to seduce him into taking her, he had not touched her. In fact, the only pleasure he had received was seeing Freya’s fury at his lack of response. Thinking of Dagny had kept his body flaccid.

  She took another sip before responding. “Is that some Phoenix rule? Do you have to stay away for all three days?”

  “It is customary but not a rule.”

  A curve of chocolate curled from the corner of her lips. Her pink tongue darted out to lick the smudge away and he cursed his inability to do it for her. He wanted to taste her again. Soon.

  “Do you have to leave?” The look in her gold-flecked eyes warmed him more than the hot drink.

  “I am not going anywhere. I will be here until your three changes are made.”

  “I mean when I make the next change. Can’t you stay with me?”

  No one had ever asked that of him before. “You want me to stay?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Please.”

  Freya would be sorely displeased. He could barely contain his pleasure at the thought. Smiling broadly, he nodded. “I think I could, if you demanded it of me.”

  The words gave him pause. Never had he revealed to any of his charges the power they held over him. But Calleigh was unlike any of the charges he had been assigned to before. “I…I must do as my charge wishes.”

  “Is that why you made me ask for…” She blushed, the color of late summer roses staining her cheeks.

  He took the mug from her hand and set it on the counter behind him before pulling her close. “Are the words so hard?”

  She spread her fingers on his chest and stared at her hands. “You know what I was going to say.”

  Her touch lit small fires on his skin. “But I want to hear you say it. Please.”

  Quietly and without looking at him, she asked again. “Is that why you made me ask for a kiss?”

  “Aye. I am bound not to interfere.”

  “And a kiss is interfering?” She canted her head up, finally meeting his gaze.

  A more beautiful face, he could not imagine. “To the goddess, it is.”

  “I know you work for her, but it doesn’t seem like you really like her.”

  He frowned. Without lying, there was no good way to respond.

  She laughed softly. “It’s okay, you don’t have to like her just because she’s your boss. I know all about that. I don’t like my boss either. That’s why I’m quitting on Monday, after I report him to his superiors.”

  “What happened?”

  Frowning, she answered. “He put his hand on my butt.”

  Alrik snorted in disgust. “Freya is no better.”

  Laughter filled his ears.

  “You mean the goddess has the hots for you? And you’re complaining about it? Since when does a man not jump at the chance to get—”

  “I am not some rutting beast that beds every willing female.” Was that what she thought of him? H
e pushed her away, chafed by the remark.

  “Really? It didn’t take you long to come after me, and trust me, men don’t look at me the way you do unless they’re after one thing.”

  He crossed his arms and met her defiant gaze. “You are right about your mouth getting you into trouble.”

  “What? Why? Did I get too close to the truth?”

  Pushing off the counter, he stormed out of the kitchen and sank onto the living room couch. He stared out the windows, ignoring the sounds of her footsteps coming after him. The scar above his heart pulsed like a warning. Women were more bothersome than they were worth.

  “Look, I know men have needs and all that. Just be up front about it, okay?” She sat next to him, her arm propped on the back of the couch, her head on her hand.

  He held his tongue to keep from saying something he would only regret later.

  “Ohhh…I see. You’re mad at me, is that it?” She did nothing to hide her smile.

  “Aye. I am not speaking to you.” He could play that game as well.

  “But you just spoke to me.”

  He turned his head toward the fireplace and closed his eyes. The Viking in him wanted to take her to bed and show her just what his needs were. His role as Phoenix made that not only unwise, but impossible without her direct request. The lack of power grated almost as much as being under the thumb of not one woman but two, although Calleigh was much preferable to the goddess. If only his charge would demand his presence in her bed chamber.

  “No more talking to me, huh? Okay. The silent treatment it is.” The tone of her voice was light, jesting. She was not taking him seriously.

  A warm fingertip traced the line of his jaw. He inhaled at the unexpected touch. Yearning rippled over his skin from that one spot.

  "Your skin is so smooth. Don't you ever shave? Or is that another perk of being a Phoenix?"

  He kept his eyes and mouth closed and his focus elsewhere. She would soon learn the strength of a Viking’s will.