by Joss Ware
Someone had to have seen the woman go. Simon would take his time to speak with everyone in this little town, then set off to find her. And let Sage and Theo head back to Envy.
But they’d moved off to the side, and Simon, still shimmering invisibly, found himself drawn toward them. He hated himself for doing it…he knew it was an invasion, he knew it was repulsive, like looking in the panty drawer of a friend’s sister…but something compelled him.
Silent, he eased nearer as Theo and Sage stopped beneath a large oak.
As he came closer, he heard Sage explaining what had happened with Ian Marck—some of the details even he hadn’t heard.
“Where’s Marck now?” Theo asked.
Sage looked down. “Simon took care of him. He’s dead.” Simon watched her face, but he couldn’t see her expression.
“Bastard.”
Sage looked back up. “Don’t say that,” she said, her voice sharp, her eyes steely. “He’s a good man. Just a little…lost.” Now her words turned sad. Simon’s heart stopped and he nearly lost his concentration, grabbing it back just before he turned opaque again. She still cared about him?
How could she?
“How can you defend the man? He kidnapped Jade, he kidnapped you—”
“Oh. I thought you were talking about Simon.” Sage gave a little laugh.
Theo shook his head, and though Simon couldn’t see his face, he recognized the sag of his shoulders. “It’s not going to work, is it? You and me?”
No. Simon shook his head, silently, invisibly. Don’t give up on her, vato.
But Sage was shaking her head, now looking up at Theo. “It’s Simon. He’s the one. I’m sorry, Theo, I’m so sorry, but I think I’ve known it…well, for a long time. Since before FC.”
Before FC? Before she knew about my ability?
Theo shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. “I’d like to take a few shots at the guy, you need to know that, Sage. But I’m not going to stand in your way, though…I don’t even know where he went.”
Sage nodded slowly. “I think he’s gone.”
Theo moved to pull her into his arms, but Sage stepped back. “I need a few minutes, okay? Then…we can head back to Envy. And I’ll figure out what to do then.”
Reluctance in every movement, Theo turned and started back toward Wyatt and Quent, who’d been talking to other members of the settlement. Simon recognized the expression on Theo’s face—the agony and pain, trying to be subdued…but when it was that deep, it’s fucking hard.
Then, suddenly, Sage was there, right next to him. “Don’t you ever do that again,” she was saying, pointing and shaking her finger at him. Sort of.
She was off by about a foot, aiming toward the tree, but in the general vicinity of the height of his face. “Dammit, Simon, show yourself. Right now.”
He couldn’t hold it any longer, and shimmered back into himself. “Sage,” he began, trying to think of a way to excuse his horrible invasion, “I—”
“Just be quiet.” She glared up at him, tears sparkling in her aqua blue eyes.
That did it. The tears. He couldn’t stop himself and the next thing he knew, she was in his arms, and he was kissing that beautiful, freckled mouth that had driven him crazy since he first saw her.
She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back just as breathlessly, just as hungrily. “Simon, please…don’t leave,” she said, pulling away just long enough for that entreaty.
“I can’t believe you want me to stay…after all…after everything,” he said, searching her eyes. The tears had gone, and what he saw there gave him hope. Warmth and love.
“You heard what I told Theo,” she said, a bit of that accusation back again. “It’s you. It’s only going to be you.” She stroked his hair. “I think I fell in love with you when you asked me to go into the Beretta with you. Because you trusted me and you gave me credit for…”
“For your brains. You’re a damn smart woman, Sage. Not to mention the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met.” He closed his eyes for a minute, resting his forehead against hers. “I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of,” he said quietly, and felt her tense, ready to reply. “Let me finish,” he said quickly. “You’ll never know half of it. But…the fact that you trust me and believe in me, even though you know about my past…I couldn’t ask for any better blessing.”
“Simon.” She said his name so sweetly it hurt. “I know the man you are—trustworthy, brave, fierce, and honest. That’s who you are to me.”
He shook his head in amazement. “I love you.”
She smiled. “I know that. I just didn’t understand why you felt the need to hide it. Did you not think I could follow my own heart?”
“Maybe I was being a little too rigid,” he said.
“Rigid? How about ridiculous?” She smiled up at him, with such love in her eyes that he wondered how he could ever have been so stupid as to think he could live without her.
Joy and delight overwhelmed him and he tugged her close for another kiss, just to feel the warmth and softness of her body…for real. Without the guilt. Without being watched.
But then, they were.
“Hey. Yo.” Wyatt’s sharp call interrupted whatever might have happened next. “Guess what.”
Simon, feeling a little awkward as his arm slipped around Sage’s waist, nevertheless sucked it up, and they turned to face the other men. He met Theo’s eyes head-on in masculine understanding. “Yeah?”
“Truth’s gone. Someone saw her get into a truck with a man. Big guy, blondish hair.”
“Fuck.” Should have hit the chavala harder, dammit. “Was he forcing her?”
Wyatt shook his head. “No, as a matter of fact, according to the witness, she was the one in control. Apparently, she had a gun and was pointing it at him, forcing him into the vehicle…because she didn’t know how to drive it. And apparently he did.”
Simon almost laughed. Almost. “The guy?”
Wyatt nodded. “Yeah, he was moving a little slowly—had a big bump on the side of his head, blood on his shirt. Someone saw him come out of one of those trailers over there, sort of staggering a bit, and the woman must have found him by the truck. The witness didn’t get too close, of course, but said Truth was ordering him into the vehicle. Then they drove off.”
Now Simon couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Serve him right, being stuck with her.”
“Who? What are you talking about?” Sage asked, but there was suspicion in her eyes. She turned on him. “You didn’t really kill Ian Marck, did you?”
What could he say? He shook his head. “Couldn’t do it. That part of my life is over,” he replied, fully aware that everyone could hear. But he didn’t care that they heard, that they knew, that his past was exposed.
Because she loved him…had loved him even when she thought the worst of him. And that was all he needed.
Wyatt was still chuckling. “So Remington Truth kidnapped Ian Marck at gunpoint?”
“Yeah, but I’m still wondering where they got the truck,” Simon said. “I’ve got my keys, and Marck’s keys.”
Theo looked at Quent, who looked at Wyatt, who patted his jeans pocket. Then his other, and then the back pockets.
“Fuck,” was all he said.
EPILOGUE
City of Envy
Two Days Later
“So,” Sage said, sitting up as Simon came into the room. She patted the bed next to her and watched as he stripped off his T-shirt and jeans. She never tired of watching him, eyeing those fluid muscles and sleek movements.
“So…what?” he asked, standing next to the bed.
“Sorry,” she said. “Lost my train of thought for a minute there.” She smiled and the look he gave her was enough to melt her into a puddle of butter. “You and Theo…talk? Everything okay?”
He shrugged. “It’s not going to be pretty for a while, but he’s a reasonable guy. He’ll get used to things.”
“Did you talk?”
> He frowned at her. “Talk? Men don’t talk. We went a few rounds—”
“A few rounds?” Sage gaped, her eyes wide. “You fought?”
“Not like that. We played basketball. Shot some hoops. Not very politely, but at least no one got hurt. Well, much.”
“What?”
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. He needed to get it out of his system, and I know how to take care of myself. Both of us are still walking. Now…what was it you said about being distracted?” He slid onto the bed, leaning forward to kiss her.
Sage kissed him back, long and thoroughly, glad at last to have a bed without a camera tracing their every move.
“God, you taste so good,” he said, his hand moving to slide down her arm and around to pull her closer.
“Any news about Remington Truth and Ian Marck?” she asked, pulling back just a bit. Her hand traced the muscles of his pecs, smooth and warm and solid. They shifted beneath her fingers as he tilted back a bit to look at her.
“Not yet. Quent is studying some things from her house, slowly, you know, because of the memories, and Wyatt’s keeping an eye on the dog for the time being. When and if Dantès goes after his mistress, he’ll have company. But for now,” he said, “I’m really not interested in anything but this…right…here.”
She sighed and arched into him, the warmth of his mouth on her, sleek and tender, licking, nibbling, sucking…
“Simon,” she said, shivering deep inside. “I’m curious…Will you try something out for me?”
“Does it involve our two naked bodies?” he murmured into her breast, his voice vibrating against her nipple.
“Most definitely,” she sighed.
“Then, yes.” He looked up at her, hot and curious.
“You know that shivery feeling you get—or at least, I get it—when we turn invisible?” she said, smoothing her hand down his bicep, a little shy about asking…but too curious not to. “Well, I was thinking…what would it feel like if you did that…while we were kissing. And stuff.”
His eyes widened with delight and lust. “Let’s find out.” He bent forward, and as his mouth covered hers, she felt the wave of warmth and desire she always felt…and then the little sparkly, shimmery sensation on top of it.
The blast of sensation took her by surprise, and suddenly Simon reappeared in front of her. He too looked wide-eyed and shocked, but then a very naughty smile curved his beautiful lips. “Let’s try that again…I don’t know how long I’ll be able to concentrate, because you blow my mind…but I’m all for it.”
“It’ll be great discipline for you,” she suggested impishly. And leaned up to kiss him, and reached down to curl her fingers around him.
The beautiful feeling settled over her, shivery and sparkly, and they slipped off into a hot maelstrom of love, and passion…and invisible shimmers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are so many people to thank for their support for this book and the series as a whole.
As always, thanks to my agent, Marcy Posner, and my editor, Erika Tsang, for believing in this series and helping me to get it off the ground. Also much appreciation to everyone at Avon and HarperCollins for everything from the zombie brains to the fabulous covers and the all-around support. Thank you all!
A big hug to Tim Gleason for his continued computer expertise. Here’s hoping there aren’t too many mistakes! (Which, of course, are all mine.)
Thanks to Kati Dancy for letting me steal the name of her blog—and for all her support on and off the Internet. Also, big thanks to Kate Garrabrant, the gals at RNTV, SciFi Guy, and all the other bloggers who’ve supported this series from the beginning.
Deep gratitude to Tammy Kearly and Holli Bertram for being my stalwart critique partners, and also to Jana DeLeon for being an early reader as well. As always, huge hugs to my mentor, Robyn Carr, for her unfailing support and advice.
The biggest hugs ever to Nalini Singh, Kathryn Smith, and Jeaniene Frost for the best endorsements a gal could ask for, and for all your support and help.
And, finally, much love and many big, squishy hugs to my husband and children—thank you for understanding when the deadlines loom, and for all those plot-discussions around the dinner table. I couldn’t do it without you!
About the Author
JOSS WARE has a degree in English and an MBA from the University of Michigan. After more than fifteen years in sales and marketing, she owned her own business and worked in a variety of roles for two startup companies. She’s traveled to London, Paris, and Tahiti, and currently resides with her family near Ann Arbor, where she writes full-time.
Joss loves to hear from her readers, and encourages them to visit her website for updates and sneak peeks of future Envy books.
www.joss-ware.com
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Romances by Joss Ware
EMBRACE THE NIGHT ETERNAL
BEYOND THE NIGHT
Forthcoming
ABANDON THE NIGHT
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
EMBRACE THE NIGHT ETERNAL. Copyright © 2010 by Joss Ware. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
EPub Edition © January 2010 ISBN: 978-0-06-196941-6
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