by Mia McKimmy
The comment earned her a sexy grin. “Oh, I definitely plan on showing you those. But I probably need to cook first. With the night I have planned, we’re going to need to keep up our strength.
“Mmm,” Riana moaned against his neck. “Sounds as delicious as you smell. I’ll run home and take a quick shower, then be right over.”
Cy kissed the tip of her nose. “Okay, I’ll start the salads and pour the wine. See you shortly.”
Riana showered quickly, anxious to spend time with Cy. He and Miles had been out on rotation last night, and she’d missed him terribly. He must have missed her too. During that whole conversation earlier, she sensed his excitement, but with a hint of anxiety.
When she reached his apartment, she found him on the balcony turning their steaks. A kitchen towel hung from the back pocket of his jeans. Jeans that covered the best looking butt she had ever seen. “Hey, handsome, where’s your chef’s hat?”
He turned and smiled, pulling her into his arms. “I knew I forgot something.”
“I bet you would be extremely sexy wearing a chef’s hat.”
“I don’t think anyone could look sexy in one of those.” He buried his face in her neck and inhaled. “Wild lavender. My favorite scent in the world.”
Riana’s head leaned back, offering him better access. She moaned as his mouth moved lower and his tongue lapped across the cleavage above her V-neck tee. “You’re going to burn the steaks.” Her voice came out low and needful.
“I don’t care. I’d much rather have you.” He pushed her shirt up and pulled her taut nipple into the heat of his mouth.
“If you keep this up, you’d better turn off the grill.”
Cy kissed his way up her neck, and playfully nipped her chin with his teeth. “I suppose we do need nourishment. But we will continue this later.” His eyes flashed with the promise of sinful things. He turned to check the steaks. “How do you like yours cooked?”
“A little pink in the center.”
“These are almost ready then.”
“I’ll get some plates.” As she turned to leave, Cy popped his towel at her rear. She jumped and burst into laughter.
Riana went inside and pulled the salads from the fridge. She’d never been so happy in her life. In her wildest dreams, she would’ve never imagined feeling this way about someone in such a short time. Over the last few weeks, they’d spent every spare minute together. Except when she was in class or he was out hunting feeders.
He’d even volunteered to teach some of her history classes, but it proved to be too distracting. Neither of them could take being in the same room and not able to touch. Most nights he took her to the gym to spar. He finally admitted those sessions were the result of his insecurity about her ability to protect herself if the need arose.
They only had a little over a week before she’d have to go back to her life, and her job at the hospital. She didn’t want to think about him not being only a few feet away. She pushed the thought from her mind, determined to enjoy the time she had left with them both living at the compound.
When they finished their meal, Riana leaned back in her chair and took a sip of red wine. “That was delicious. I’m impressed. You are quite the cook.”
As soon as she took the last sip of wine, Cy jumped up from the table. “Let’s go down to the lake. I need to work off this meal.”
Riana’s brows rose. “Okay.”
What’s going on with him tonight?
“You seem a little anxious. Is everything all right?”
“Everything is great.” Cy left the room. He returned a moment later with two of his hoodies. He helped her slip her arms into one, and then put the other on himself.
They left his apartment and strolled hand in hand down the trail to the lake. Cy took a red canoe from the racks and dragged it to the bank. She climbed inside and sat on the far end. Once he settled on the other end, he pushed off with the paddle.
Colorful leaves drifted to the ground in the cool, fall breeze. The heavy forest of the surrounding mountains infused the air with evergreen. As beautiful as the scenery was, it had nothing on watching Cy’s muscles bunch beneath his jacket as he rowed them across the lake. She squirmed, wanting to move closer and run her hands over their firmness. But every time she moved the boat protested with an unsteady motion. So for now, she forced herself to be content watching.
Once they were in the middle of the lake, Cy stopped paddling and laid the oar inside the canoe. It rocked precariously as he stood and ran his hand inside the front pocket of his jeans.
Riana grabbed on to the sides of the boat with both hands. “What are you doing?”
He flashed a gorgeous smile that reached his eyes. They sparkled like the bluest lagoon of the South Pacific. “You’ll see,” he said, keeping his hand closed around whatever he’d removed from the pocket.
He eased forward to the bench directly in front of her, and then lowered his knees onto the seat. He hesitated and gazed into her eyes as if he were trying to read her emotions, which were somewhere between stunned and confused.
“Riana, I love you more than life itself. I never realized how empty my existence was until I met you. And I don’t want to spend another minute without you in my life. Will you do me the huge honor of becoming my wife?” He opened a black velvet box, revealing the most beautiful diamond and ruby ring she’d ever seen.
Her eyes widened and filled with tears. “Oh, Cy. I love you too!” She bolted forward into his arms. As their bodies collided, the canoe made a hard shift to one side.
Riana's scream echoed off the mountains as they left the boat and hit the icy water. She kicked and splashed a moment before realizing her feet could touched bottom.
Cy reached and pulled her to him. “Was that a yes?”
She wrapped her legs around his waist and arms around his neck. “Yes! Yes! Most definitely, yes!” Her teeth chattered, but she couldn’t tell if it was from adrenaline, or being submerged in icy water.
Cy’s lips covered hers, and all of his happiness and love was manifested in that one kiss.
He held her to him for a moment. “That didn’t go exactly as I had planned,” he said, humor in his voice.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking about anything other than getting to you.” Riana stilled as panic hit. “Oh God, my ring!” Please tell me it’s not on the bottom of the lake.”
Riana’s heart dropped as a blank expression crossed Cy’s face, quickly followed by a grin. He opened his hand and revealed her beautiful ring.
She laughed and slapped his shoulder. “Cy, that’s not funny.”
“Baby, the ring doesn’t matter. You do. If you said you’d marry me, I would’ve bought ten rings.”
“I don’t want another ring. I want this one.”
She beamed a smile as he slid the ring onto her finger, and then held her hand out to admire its beauty. A huge princess-cut diamond, encircled by rubies, and inlaid diamonds around the band.
Riana framed his face in her hands. “Nothing would make me happier than spending the rest of my life in your arms. Just not here. This has to be the coldest water in the world.”
“The lake is spring-fed from the mountains. Come on, let’s get home and out of these wet clothes.”
When they got back to his apartment, they headed straight into the bathroom and shed their wet clothes on the floor.
“You want to run some hot water in the Jacuzzi?” Cy asked. “I’ll take our clothes and toss them in the machine before they leave puddles.”
Riana ran the water and lit some candles around the tub, and then dimmed the lights. She moaned as she lowered herself into the warm water.
As Cy came back into the bathroom, Riana opened her eyes and burst into laughter. He stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a chef’s hat. The candle-light glistened across the hard muscles of his abs, and her fingers ached to touch him.
Her eyes move lower and met up with his massive erection. She inhaled a sharp breath. “
Ooh, chef, is all that for me?”
“Yes ma’am, it most definitely is,” Cy said, using his best southern drawl. “Would you like it served on a silver serving tray, my queen?”
“Oh, no,” Riana drawled. “I like it just the way it is.”
Cy jerked the hat from his head and crawled into the warm water, and into her open arms.
Chapter 19
Oz opened the door for Analae as they entered ‘The Chocolate Fetish.’ They’d had dinner in Asheville, and stopped by to pick up dessert to take home.
“Wait until you taste the truffles here,” Oz said. “They’re huge and will literally melt in your mouth.”
Analae smiled up at him. “If that’s not an exaggeration, we’ll have to share one. I’m still full from dinner.”
“Oh, we will. If we ate one each, we wouldn’t be able to move.”
Analae laughed. The sound soothed him deep inside, something he’d missed terribly over the years. She planned to stay at his place tonight. Over the last few weeks they’d spent most nights together, rekindling a love that had never faded for either of them.
Since there had been no more killings or signs of Vind in Asheville or the surrounding towns, he felt secure taking her out for the evening. Excitement about Cy’s planned proposal tonight had them both in a good mood. Cy was like his own son. He couldn’t be more pleased at the thought of him becoming his son-in-law.
Oz and Riana had talked a few times during the past weeks. She seemed to be warming to him. But she was still angry with Analae over her betrayal. It didn’t stop Analae from wanting to be there in the morning to sneak a peek at their daughter’s happiness.
They left the dessert shop and headed for the car, stopping along the way to listen to several street musicians.
“Where are those drums coming from?” Analae asked.
“That’s the Friday night drum circle at Prichard Park. Every weekend, weather permitting, people show up with bongos, tambourines, cowbells, whatever they can find to keep the beat and join in. It’s like a big street party, and actually a lot of fun. I have a couple of bongos at home. We’ll come down next weekend if you want.”
Analae stopped and gave him a questioning glare. “Who are you? And what have you done with Oz?”
Oz raised his brows and a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “What, you don’t think I can keep a beat?”
A burst of laughter escaped Analae. “It’s not that I think you can’t. It’s just not something I ever thought I’d see.”
“I guess I’ll have to prove it then.” He placed his hand at her back, and maneuvered her down the street and through the crowd gathered around the circle. Once they reached the center, Oz lifted her up onto one of the large rocks around the edge so she would have a better view. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.” Analae nodded instead of shouting over the loud drums.
Oz wove through the crowd of content faces. The rhythm pulsed through them like an invisible string, allowing complete strangers to connect on a primitive level. Humans had been able to connect to Earth’s vibrations since their creation. Only a small percentage could connect to the vibration of the numerous crystals and gems pulled from Earth’s core. If they all could, humans would be a much happier species.
In the center of the circle, fifty or more people drummed while others either watched or danced. A young man with long, blonde dreads to his waist stood next to Oz. He tapped the guy on the shoulder. When he looked into Oz’s eyes, he entered his mind.
“I’ll hold your bongos while you dance with that pretty brunette.”
The guy smiled and handed over the bongos. An expression of pure delight covered his face as he grabbed the scantily dressed girl and started dancing.
Oz grasped the bongo between his powerful legs and joined in. As his head bobbed with the beat, his eyes found Analae’s smiling face through the crowd. The contagious beat had her body moving and feet tapping against the rock in rhythm with the drums. He’d never seen her so relaxed and carefree. Like her, he’d buried himself in work to block out the misery of being alone. His heart soared to feel this happy, and see it returned on Analae’s face.
Oz’s cell vibrated against his hip. He stopped drumming and checked the caller ID. He gave the boy his bongos and made his way over to Analae. “Miles called,” he yelled over the noise. “I need to call him back. He and Kam are on rotation and might have a problem.”
By the time they made it away from the drum circle, his phone rang again. “What’s up, Miles?”
“We’re on Page Avenue. And you’ll never guess who I’m looking at?”
“I don’t know, Miles. Who are you looking at?” he echoed in a flat tone.
“It’s Vind. He’s walking around here like he owns the place. I thought you would want in on this.”
Oz stopped dead in his tracks. “Are you sure it’s him?”
“Oh yeah, it’s him alright. I’d know that prick anywhere.”
“How many are with him?”
“That’s the weird part. He appears to be alone.”
“Miles, there’s someone with him. You know he’s not here without his entourage of protection. This must be a trap.”
Miles released a loud sigh. “Might be, but there’s no one with him at the moment.”
“Call Declan’s patrol and get them positioned around the area. Analae is with me and I need to take her to the car. We’re parked off Haywood, so I’ll only be a minute. Whatever you do, don’t let him out of your sight. And don’t call Cy.”
“I know. Cy’s off limits tonight.”
Oz hung up and looked at Analae’s anxious face.
“Has something happened?”
“Not yet, but it’s about to. Miles and Kam spotted Vind one street over. I need to get over there.”
When they reached the car, Oz unlocked the door and handed Analae the keys. “Take the car and go back to my place. Do not stop for anyone. I’ll be there soon as I can.” He kissed her quickly and closed the door, only to jerk it open again and push the door locks.
He stepped onto the street and glanced back at her through the window. He instantly wished he hadn’t. The fear on her face took his breath.
Fear of you dying is what pushed her away. Shut up, he told the voice in his head. Her misery for the last twenty five years made her stronger than her fears. He kissed the tip of his fingers and held his hand out toward her. Her returning smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Please be careful,” she mouthed.
“I will, honey, try not to worry.”
Oz walked down Page Avenue and caught up with Miles and Kam. “Where is he?”
Miles jerked his head in the direction of his gaze. “He’s three buildings down, propped against the wall like he’s waiting for someone.”
“Do you think he’s seen you?”
“No. If he had, he would’ve transported out of here. He’s been in the same spot since I called you.”
“He just slipped between the buildings,” Kam announced.
“You two stay behind him. I’m going back over to Haywood and head him off from the alley.”
Oz moved between the buildings, and then transported to the other end of the alley. He stepped behind a dumpster and waited. Moments later footsteps echoed off the buildings and headed his way.
Every warning bell in Oz went off. Something wasn’t right. He’d led this war long enough to know it wasn’t normal for Vind to be this careless. He’d evaded them at every turn. Now, he was walking right into their hands.
As Vind got even with the dumpster, Oz moved forward with lightning speed and buried his fist in his gut. The force of the punch raised Vind three feet into the air and slammed him into the building across the ally. As Vind hit the ground, Oz landed on top of him with a dagger to his throat.
“I’m unarmed!” Vind took deep gulps of air, trying to inflate his lungs.
Miles and Kam appeared beside them.
Kam squatted and looked Vind in the
face. “Well, riddle me this, Joker? What are you doing in our town, alone and unarmed? You should know that’s bad for your health.” Kam’s tone held a threat of bad things to come. The guy had watched way too many Batman telethons.
Oz put anti-transport cuffs on Vind and jerked him to his feet.
Vind’s gaze darted between the three of them. “I demand to see my mother.”
Miles responded with a scoffing laugh. “Do you think we give a crap what you demand? No one knows we’ve captured you. We can do whatever we want. I vote we save everyone some trouble and kill you, right here, right now.”
“I’m with Miles,” Kam added.
Vind looked at Oz. “Would you inform dumb and dumber over there that I’m a royal. And, it is an instant death sentence for anyone who kills someone of royal blood without an order from the queen and the Royal Council.”
Oz shook his head, heat flooding his face. “No, I don’t think I will.”
Vind’s head tilted toward him. “Now Oz, we both know you’re a boy scout and must do everything by the book. Besides, my people know exactly where I am. I’m meeting them here. If you care anything for the humans in this town, you will let me go.”
“Not a chance, asshole. I can call in enough Protectors to keep this town safe.” As the words left his mouth, Oz’s gut continued to nag him that this was a set-up. “We need to finish this at the compound. Kam, go find Declan and notify the others to start searching for whoever’s with Vind. Miles, you come with me.”
Oz and Miles transported Vind out of the alley. Once they were inside the compound, they took him to the cells and locked him in.
Miles glared at Vind with disgust. “I still think we need to kill him.”
“Trust me,” Oz growled. “He’ll get what’s coming to him.”
Chapter 20
Cy woke to his phone ringing. Riana lay asleep in his arms. He looked at the dim light peeking around the curtains. It was barely dawn. Who’d be calling this early? He didn’t want to wake her. They’d only been asleep for a couple of hours. Last night was everything an engagement should be, and more. Well, except for the unexpected dip into freezing lake water.