“We’ve finished eating,” Garren said. He took the tray from her and set it on the table then began stacking the dishes on it. “Everything was delicious, as always. Thank you for bringing it up.”
“I’m so glad you liked the chicken. It’s a new recipe.”
“Oh yes,” Sophia said. “It was really good.”
Sophia stood and watched Bernadette clear the table. The cook moved so quickly, it was difficult to believe she was as old as she looked. And she didn’t leave room for Sophia to help, either.
“We had a phone call a few minutes ago.” Bernadette took the silverware and stuck it on the tray. “It seems that Mr. Arturo Beck won’t be coming to the inn till tomorrow. He sent his apologies.”
“Why isn’t he coming tonight?” Sophia scooted her chair under the table. “Did something happen?”
“He sounded okay.” Bernadette shrugged. “All he said was he needed to pick up some things in town and the stores were mostly closed, so he’s getting a hotel room and will drive up here tomorrow.”
Her eyes are so blue.
“Well, that’s not the news we’d expected.” Garren shot Sophia a glance. “But it gives us more time to check out the papers we brought down from the attic. So I think it’s a good thing.”
“Hope you two find what you’re looking for.” Bernadette picked up the laden tray like it was made of air. “See you in the morning. After I finish the dishes, I’m calling it a night.”
“Night,” Garren said. “Sleep well.”
“Thank you, mast…er, Mister Garren.” She headed to the doorway, then stopped and turned. “You remember what tomorrow is, right?” she whispered.
“Samhain.”
“And the anniversary—” Her eyes were wide.
“Yes, I’m aware of the anniversary. It’s going to be okay. Night, Bernadette.”
“I hope you’re right. Night.” She took a step and then stopped. “I hope there are no shenanigans. We don’t need any bad press up here at Blackbird Inn.” She spun on her heel as if the heavy tray weighed ounces and headed down the hall.
Sophia turned to Garren. “Does everyone know tomorrow is the anniversary?”
“Bernadette has worked here a long time. Of course she knows.” He moved close and put his arm on her shoulder. “Are you getting spooked with all the talk of Alexandra’s disappearance? It was a long time ago, you know.”
She shook her head, though her body betrayed her. The job was supposed to be straightforward, not full of ghost stories and disappearances and handsome innkeepers with secrets. “No, but I agree. No shenanigans.”
“Trust me, any kind of trouble is the last thing I want. And with Mr. Beck here, I’d imagine we’ll be working day and night anyway. No time for shenanigans.”
“Good.” She sighed.
“Follow me, the library is over here.” Garren walked toward the other side of the parlor then slid the oak pocket door open. “It’s warm inside. I already have a fire going.”
She headed to the room. Garren was such a puzzle. He could be mysterious and downright unnerving with his talk of ghosts one second, and sweet and empathetic the next. Who was the real man? The man who hung on her every word and gesture like it was a gift? Or the brooding man who talked to himself when he thought no one was around?
Time would tell. But she only had a couple more days at most.
The library lived up to its name, though it wasn’t huge by any standard. Wall-to-wall shelves filled with books and tchotchkes, a round table with two chairs and the box they’d brought from the attic, and a green velvet plush couch. The fireplace was tinier than the one downstairs, but it was perfect for the smaller room, and provided the only light at the moment. Two large windows filled one wall, framed by heavy dark drapes.
“This is a cozy room.” She sat on the sofa and straightened her dress. “Lots of books.”
He nodded. “I spend a lot of time in here.”
“You like to read, still?”
“Yes, very much.” He sat beside her. “Don’t you?”
“Oh yes.”
They sat in silence. Awkward. Her heart thudded. Why was she nervous around him? He’d done nothing to make her anxious. Even all his talk of ghosts hadn’t bothered her that much. Maybe it was the way he drank her in when he looked at her. Like she was the only woman he’d ever seen. The only woman he wanted to be with.
But why would he want me?
No denying it, she felt special when she was around him. Rarely did a man give her his undivided attention.
“Sophia?” He scooted closer to her.
“Yeah?” She gulped at the softness in his voice.
“Can I ask you something?”
Her heart raced. “Of…course. Ask me anything.” Had she really said that? She crossed her hands in her lap. This wasn’t Truth or Dare. How complicated a question could it be?
He fiddled with the green piping on the couch cushion for a few moments then looked at her. She met his gaze and stared. His pupils dilated and he leaned in.
“I hope this doesn’t sound too weird.”
Too late. “Go ahead. Ask me anything.” Her voice wavered as she spoke.
He took a deep breath. “Okay, here goes.” Another deep breath. “Do you feel a kind of…bond? Between us?” He put his palm on her cheek and turned her head. “Do you?”
She looked into his eyes, deep blue in the mostly dark room. She swallowed hard. Did she feel a bond? Is that why she dreamt about him soon after she met him? Yes. She nodded. She felt something. Maybe it was just lust, but whatever it was she liked it.
“I do, too. I’ve felt it since you got to the inn. I’m not sure why, but I feel like you’ve brought a light to this dreary place. You’ve made it alive again. Made me feel.”
She ducked her head as her cheeks heated.
“Don’t be shy,” he whispered. “I know it seems sudden, and we haven’t known each other long, but I really do feel like you belong here. Even if it’s only for a weekend, I want you to know that you’ve brightened my life with your smile.”
She fidgeted. “Thank you.” It’s all she could figure to say. She knew he was a little backward with the social graces, but she had no doubt he meant what he said.
Every word of it.
And that confused her.
He smiled and leaned toward her, his lips brushing hers like a spark of electricity that lit her from within. A shiver rippled down her spine. Did she want this? Did she want Garren? More than anything at the moment. Mr. Beck wasn’t arriving till morning and she and Garren had all night to go over the papers. What was the harm in seeing where things would go?
She put her arms around his neck and he reached for her, tugging her close and pressing his mouth to hers. She let her lips part and welcomed his tongue. Her body responded with a flush. He kissed with strong, firm strokes and her mind went blank except for the desire to feel his touch.
Everywhere.
He sat back and looked at her, his eyes heavy with desire. “Will you do me a favor?”
“If I can.”
He smiled. “Please take your hair down. It’s so sexy when it frames your beautiful face.”
“I can do that,” she whispered. She unclipped the barrette holding her hair in place and shook her head to release the long red strands, wavy from being up in a knot. She’d barely done so when Garren pulled her to him.
“You’re so lovely. I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited to hold you—it’s like you fit a missing piece inside me that I didn’t even know I had.” His eyes sparkled. “Do I sound stupid? I feel so…awkward, yet I need to tell you.”
She shook her head and ran her thumb over his clean-shaven cheek. “Not stupid at all.”
He kissed her again, with so much passion she couldn’t respond quickly enough. She wanted him, all of him. Her panties dampened as he ran his hand over her back. He wasn’t shy. He found the dress zipper and tugged it down, then slipped his hand inside. When he rubbed t
he bare skin of her back, every nerve ending stood at alert, tingling under his light touch.
Screaming for more.
She moaned and kissed him harder, using her tongue to convey how much she wanted him. When was the last time she’d felt such blazing desire? She couldn’t remember.
She was ready to lose herself in him.
He nipped at her jawbone, then kissed her neck from her ear to her collarbone. She laid her head back and lost herself in the dizzying sensation. When he moved to kiss the hollow of her neck, she squirmed. “Oh, that…feels…good.”
He pulled back. “Let’s go to my bedroom so I can treat you like the queen you are.”
Unable to open her eyes to respond, she nodded.
Chapter 7
Garren’s bedroom was more luxurious than any room she’d seen in the inn. Two floor-to-ceiling windows framed with long white drapes on one wall and massive dark wood furniture around the perimeter. In the center of the room stood a large ornately carved bed with posts that reached almost to the baroque plastered ceiling, where a crystal chandelier hung. The room looked like something out of an old Hollywood movie.
The bed was covered in soft pillows—all white—and a matching duvet with gold flowers embroidered in swirling patterns. With the contrast to the dark wood, the bed looked like a spotlighted stage.
He shut the door and turned to her. She trembled as his thumbs glided under the fabric at her shoulders and slid the dress off into a puddle on the floor. She stepped out of the dress, then bent to remove her platform shoes. Garren picked up her dress and set it on the chair.
A cool breeze circled the room and she held herself and shivered as she watched Garren kick off his shoes and begin unbuttoning his shirt.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” He unbuttoned the last button then paused. “I have to know for sure.”
“Yes-s.” She shuddered. “I’m s-sure.”
“You’re cold again.” He drew her into his arms and the touch of his body against her bare skin made her jump like she’d been jolted with an electric shock.
She squeezed him and he rubbed her back, flicking her bra clasp with one hand then pulling her bra away and tossing it onto one of the plush chairs. She whimpered as his mouth found her nipples. First one, then the other, sucking and squeezing until she forgot she was cold. Her chest tingled and she arched her back so he would have better access.
He kissed each nipple again then looked at her. “You are so beautiful, Sophia.” He picked her up and carried her to the bed. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you standing in the inn’s foyer. I can’t believe you want me.”
“Please. Hurry.” She laid back and waited.
“You don’t have to ask twice.” He dropped his shirt onto the chair then unclasped his pants. Breath caught in her throat as he took his pants off, and then his underwear. It was dim in the room but she could still see how much he wanted her. She closed her eyes.
Yes, oh yes, she wanted this. Why had it taken her so long to admit it?
He was on her in a second, his mouth everywhere. Her neck, her chest—his hands following along, rubbing and kneading her flesh till it was pliant and warm. He lay beside her and ran his fingers down her abdomen and chills raced over her skin. When he slid his fingers into her panties, she gasped.
“You’re so wet.” He stroked her, slipping two fingers inside.
“I want you, Garren,” she panted. “Now.”
He pulled his fingers out. “Take off your panties. I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” She tugged her panties off and dropped them on the floor beside the bed.
A rip of foil and she knew. Condom.
Smart man.
He slid into the bed and moved over her, holding himself up on his arms. “I’ll give you what you want, quick this time. But tonight after we look over the paperwork, I’m going to fuck you like you deserve.”
She panted and nodded. If he kept talking to her like that, there’d be no reason to touch her.
Positioning himself at her entrance, he pushed in. Sophia moaned as he filled and stretched her. She tugged him closer. Pleasure spiraled between her legs and she let go.
Feels so good.
He grunted as he moved in and out of her. She spread her legs and begged him to go deeper, harder.
“I want to possess every bit of you.” He held himself up on his arms and looked at her. “I can’t believe this is happening.” She yanked him down again and thrust her hips to meet his advances.
“So good,” she sighed. So good.
He continued to thrust and she felt him stiffen even more as his cock slid into her faster.
“Come for me.” He grasped her hair and held on as he pushed into her.
Vibrations tore through her and she fell into pleasure, her muscles contracting as she saw stars. Oh God. Oh God.
Garren doubled his efforts, holding her hair as he moved. She held his ass and yanked him toward her. Hard. He stopped and threw his head back as he came. She held on, wishing she could capture the groans and the moment forever.
Sophia read one journal while Garren read the other. He’d given her a black T-shirt to wear—her dress was still crumpled on the chair in his bedroom. Too bad they had to finish up the research, or they’d be in bed enjoying each other some more. She smiled.
I can’t focus. She sighed. Garren was a perfect lover. Even after one time, she knew. So attentive. Like he was made to please her and her alone. Reading the papers and journals was the last thing she wanted to be doing. And what would Mr. Beck do if he found out she was having sex with a client?
Garren is worth losing my job over.
He leaned against her shoulder. “Find anything yet?”
“No, but I’m still reading.” She stroked his hair, loose from its ponytail. In a way, she didn’t want to find the answers. Finding the answers meant her job at Blackbird Inn was done. She’d have to leave.
“We’ve got to find something.” He stared at the page. “And soon.”
“We will. I feel it. There has to be something to help us.”
“I hope you’re right.” Garren flipped the page and tensed.
“Me too.” She sat up. “What is it? Did you find something?”
“Listen to this,” he said. “‘The demon has gone. His mistress is trapped in the well. From now till eternity, the family must guard against her escape.’”
The only sound in the room was the crackling fire and the thrumming of her heart.
“What does that mean?” Every hair on her arm stood. “What is your great-grandmother talking about?”
“I’m not sure, but my grandmother always told me I would be the inn’s guardian. But surely, this isn’t what she meant.” He flipped the page. “Wait, there’s more. This is written right after Alexandra’s disappearance.” He traced the words with his finger as he read, “‘Take heed on Samhain that the demon isn’t near. He will stop at nothing to free his mate.’”
A cold chill raced through the room and the fire dimmed but didn’t go out.
Sophia shuddered. “I don’t like all the talk about demons. Do you think she is referring to Alexandra as the demon’s mistress? Maybe all of this is talking in code so the police wouldn’t be able to relate what happened.”
“I don’t know.” Garren stood and paced. “I’ve never heard any of this before. Like I told you, my grandmother didn’t ever want to talk about Alexandra.”
“Do you think Alexandra fell into the well and your great-grandmother knew about it but covered it up to protect the inn?” She set the journal down. “And maybe your grandmother hid the information, too. And they left the journals for you to find.”
“I wish I knew.” He scowled. “‘He will send someone to take her place. Beware of witches. They will help him unknowingly.’” He paused. “‘If the gate is opened again, someone must enter or Blackbird Inn will exist no more. Take heed on Samhain.’”
“I really don
’t like the sound of all this.” Sophia stood and walked to the fireplace. Why did everything have to be so cryptic? The orange flames danced and licked at the logs and provided steady warmth. She rubbed her arms.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have scheduled our meeting this week.” He stood behind her and put his hands on her shoulders and massaged her. “It could’ve waited another few days.”
The warmth from his fingers relaxed her and she leaned back on him. All the talk of demons had set her on edge, but Garren knew how to calm her. He massaged the demons away. She closed her eyes. “We had to do it now. Can’t wait till another time. The state—”
“The state can wait. This wasn’t a good idea.”
His hands turned cold and he moved away. Sophia turned as Garren opened the heavy drapes and peered outside.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Thinking.”
“There aren’t really any demons, are there?”
“Not here. Not yet.” He placed his hand on the windowpane. “But I’ve got a feeling that’s going to change really soon.”
A gust of frigid air filled the room and Sophia coughed. The fire went out. Not slowly, but like a switch had been flipped.
“Garren!” Adrenaline pumped through her.
His back was to her—she could see his silhouette against the window. The sky beyond was dusky blue, the clouds racing by at supernatural speed. The moon unveiled, near full, its white light casting a spotlight onto Garren.
Gold chains, attached to his feet and hands, materialized as the moonlight touched him. The chains made no sound as he moved. He turned, and his irises glowed golden.
Sophia screamed and backed away, her hands to her mouth.
“What is it?” Garren moved toward her. “What’s wrong?”
She kept backing until she hit the wall, Garren in pursuit. How could this be? The gold chains traveled along the floor and out of the room, the cuffs around his wrists and ankles.
She pointed and Garren followed her gaze.
“I should have told you,” he said, arms outstretched. “But I didn’t think you’d be able to see them.”
“You knew?”
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