Silken Inferno

by Taige Crenshaw

  “You could have just said something.” Vaughn shoved his shoulder.

  “It wasn’t my place.” Christos shrugged.

  Vaughn looked back at Allure’s house. He thought of all their history. All they had gone through. Then of the last few months, and most recently the last few days. As his memories filled him, so did the realisation of what he had to do. In the next instant, he sensed the receding of Eve’s power. He shimmered, then came back to form before the window in Allure’s living room, which faced his home. The women sprawled around the room glared at him. He ignored them, locking gazes with Allure.

  “Pigs.” Megara waved a bottle of wine.

  “You can’t get drunk, so stop acting like you are,” Tempest said, pushing her in the shoulder.

  “Time to go, ladies.” Eve zapped everyone out. She walked over to Vaughn and whispered, “Grovel. All the research said to grovel and do ‘Please, baby, please’. And you need gifts to apologise too. Here.” She pressed something into his hand, then left.

  “Say it,” he demanded.

  “Is that all you have to say?” Allure sat forward.

  “My head is out of my ass,” Vaughn said.

  Allure’s lips twitched. She stood, meeting him in the centre of the room.

  “I can accept that you love Claude.”

  “Why?”

  “Because what you had is in the past. I’m your present and future.”

  “By Jove, I think he’s got it,” Allure whispered.

  “I’m a little hard-headed,” Vaughn said.

  “That’s okay. I am too.” Allure hugged him.

  He held her tight, inhaling her scent.

  “I love you, Vaughn.”

  His soul settled as he felt the truth behind her words.

  “I love you, Allure,” he returned.

  “I still want the wedding with all the frills. Yeah, I know we’re mated, but I want the ceremony once all this is done,” she said fiercely.

  “We will,” Vaughn promised.

  “Between now and then, I want to practise a lot for the honeymoon we’re going to take.” Allure licked the side of his neck.

  Vaughn moaned. “Anything you want.”

  “Inferno.”

  Vaughn blazed, kissing her, swallowing her moan as he slid into her with his silken inferno.

  Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:

  Blackstone Haven: Power of Instinct

  Taige Crenshaw

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  The usual rhythm of kneading did nothing to calm Ian McIntyre. He went through the motions, but something was off. He stiffened.

  “You really should lock your doors, Ian. Someone might just wander in.”

  At the sound of Sinai Blackstone’s voice, Ian gritted his teeth. He continued working, making Ianis B Special—the intricate desert that was his most popular seller. He listened as Sinai moved around the kitchen. For the last few months, he had become used to her coming by in the mornings before he opened or anyone else arrived. He didn’t need to see her to know she was making herself a cup of tea with a dollop of honey and a stick of cinnamon. Next, she would take a dish and help herself to the same pastry she had every day. The scrape of a plate reached his ears. Sinai came back into view.

  He took in her honey-skinned beauty. Her highly carved cheeks, full nose and round chin all blended together to create a minxish sexiness. A smug smile spread over her lush lips. She walked towards him with a graceful, sensual movement that seemed to create a beat that resonated in him. He clenched his fist as heat flooded low in his gut. Her fragrance of coconut and shea butter came to him over all the scents in the bakery. Her wild, kinky curls were pulled back into her usual braid, taming them. His cock hardened painfully. Then rage pulsed in his blood. She put down her tea and pastry, taking a seat on the stool across from him.

  Ian ignored her, bending his head to make pastries. After a few moments, not hearing her usual sound of pleasure as she ate and drank, he looked at her. There was an expression he couldn’t define on her face. It made him uncomfortable. It was as if she could see all that he was. That was not something he ever wanted. Especially from her. A stronger flash of annoyance filled him. Sinai blinked, her thick curly lashes fanning briefly over her amber eyes.

  “You’re not to blame for what happened with The Klionhs,” Sinai said softly.

  Ian’s fingers squished in the dough. He slowly released it and went over to the sink. Mechanically, he turned on the water and washed up. A hand gripped his arm. Ian studied the short nails and delicate-looking fingers. Raising his head, he narrowed his eyes. Sinai didn’t back down. She held onto his arm and turned him to face her. Ian turned off the faucet and let her move him. He leaned back against the counter. Sinai crowded close to him.

  “Whatever happened, that was—”

  “Stay the fuck out of it.” He cut her off, jerking his arm from her hold.

  Sinai’s amber eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer. Her scent filled his senses. Ian kept his control, refusing to let her see how she affected him.

  “Stop being a fucking ass and I will,” Sinai countered.

  Ian crossed his arms over his chest. “You act like we’re friends, Sinai. You hate my guts, and the feeling…well, you can guess how I feel.”

  Sinai turned away. Ian reached for her, but stopped himself. He didn’t have anything to say. He had been attracted to her since they were kids. They had grown up in Blackstone Haven together. Their families’ histories could be traced back for generations. Next to the Blackstones, his family was the next oldest in the town. Sinai and he had been friends, and close, but when they became teenagers, that had changed. Even as a teenager, he’d known they could never be together. Although he didn’t know all the details of her family’s legend, he knew enough to know that wanting her was an exercise in futility. He’d left for college, and then set out to build his life away from Blackstone Haven, and especially from Sinai.

  Yet the town called to him, and he returned to make his home in Blackstone Haven. He had known he had to keep her at a distance, for his own good. He chose to fight with her instead of giving in to his baser instinct. He would never admit it aloud, but he looked forward to their battle of wits. It was true they liked to bicker. Yet, in the last few months, it had grown more vicious than usual. Ian blamed The Klionhs. He figured it was due to whatever side effects the drug had. Knowing Dr Abrams, he wouldn’t have cared what happened because of his secretive experiments on Ian and the other members of Conundrum. Dr Abrams might have got rid of the nasty side effect of death, but this not-being-comfortable-in-his-own-skin feeling was getting to Ian. Sinai’s voice caught his attention.

  “I don’t hate you, Ian. It’s just—”

  He waited for her to finish. She didn’t, walking over to her tea and pastry. Sinai braced her hand on the table, her back stiff. Ian tightened his arms around his chest. He would not give in to the temptation and go to her. Sinai looked back, her amber eyes solemn.

  “Some things are best the way they are.” Sinai shrugged.

  Anger blasted through him. He trembled with it.

  “I don’t want you here, Sinai. You’re not welcome. Get out,” he said softly.

  Sinai drew in a harsh breath, and hurt flashed in her gaze. Then it was gone. Her expression blanked, and she looked him up and down coolly. She turned and walked away. Her gait was slow, not rhythmic. The door closed behind her softly and somehow feeling final. Ian took a step and picked up the huge bowl with the dough and pitched it across the room at the freezer door. It crashed into metal and left a dent. He gripped the edge of the table and growled low in his throat. His skin was sensitised, and a rippling sensation was just below the surface. Taking a few deep breaths, he fought for control.

  Pull it together, Ian. Come on, you can do this.

  After a few moments, he calmed, then straightened. On steady feet, he went to the mess. Bending, he hefted the bowl and put it in the sink nex
t to the freezer. He glanced up and stopped at the sight of his reflection. The hard lines of his face and expression seemed like they were those of a stranger. Turning in a swift motion, he kicked up and hit the freezer. It gave. Ian lowered his foot, dispassionately studying the hole in the door.

  “Fuck,” he said softly.

  Something flashed in front of him. Instinctively, he snatched at the air, one hand at a time. Sighing, he looked at the two bars of soap he held. It was Ilian Blackstone’s way of telling him to stop swearing. She was Sinai’s mother, but the Blackstone clan and his were close and saw each other as family. She did to him and the McIntyre clan the same as she would to her own kids and other family members when they swore. Ilian only heard if you swore. She didn’t hear anything else of your conversation unless you wanted her to. Sinai probably had her own bar of soap. At the thought of her, he flashed to her hurt expression and the look in her eyes. Ian clenched his fists, squashing the soap.

  “What the hell happened here?” Wesley McCarty asked.

  Ian ignored him and turned, putting the mushy soap in the sink. He could hear each of Wesley’s steps as he came closer.

  Wesley whistled, then said, “Wow. The bowl must be heavier than it looks to make that hole.”

  Ian looked at the bowl then turned. “Yeah. I had no idea.”

  Wesley’s ice blue eyes narrowed. Ian silently cursed. Wesley knew him well. A flash of white made him grab again. A hand met his. Ian glanced at Wesley as they both held an edge of the soap.

  Wesley looked surprised, then took a shuddering breath. “I’ll never get used to this increased speed.”

  Ian made a sound of agreement, relieved at the ready excuse. Wesley studied the hole in the fridge, then returned his attention to Ian.

  “The hole is because of the same thing as what I can do with a knife.” It wasn’t a question.

  He knew Wesley was referring to effects The Klionhs had on him so far—the increased speed and strength. Ian shrugged, not saying anything either way. Let Wesley believe what he chose.

  “I know I haven’t cursed, at least not today. So this must be for you.” Wesley raised an eyebrow, nodding at the soap.

  He let it go. Ian took it and put it in the sink with the others. Wesley chuckled and went to work. Water came as Wesley washed his hands, then it stopped. The sound of his getting another bowl with dough came, and then the thunk as he put it on the table. Ian glanced out the window. The area was just starting to bustle.

  “Where’s Sinai? Did she get a call?” Wesley asked.

  Ian turned and noted Wesley was gesturing to the untouched cup of tea and Ianis B Special. Sinai would never have left it unfinished. Although she was usually gone by the time Wesley arrived, he knew she came by each day. Ian walked over and picked up the cup and plate. Silently, he took them to the sink.

  “Ian, what did you do?” Wesley asked.

  “Nothing. What business is it of yours, anyway?”

  “I need to know how pissed off my woman is going to be later,” Wesley said.

  Ian rolled his eyes. Ever since Wesley had hooked up with Peyton, Sinai’s sister, a few months ago, he had been asking him the same thing on a daily basis. At first, he hadn’t thought anything of the question, just answered. But once it became daily, he’d asked why Wesley wanted to know, and then wished he hadn’t. He so did not need to know that when Sinai was really pissed, she complained to Peyton. Peyton then got upset, which in turn led to really good sex between her and Wesley. It was her way of working out her frustration. The only good thing was that Wesley blushed when he asked Ian. He enjoyed teasing him about it. Ian went to stand facing him.

  “Take some vitamins and drink lots of water,” Ian suggested.

  “Thank you,” Wesley whispered, his cheeks red and a smug smile on his face.

  “You know you’re sick, right?”

  “I don’t want to ever get well,” Wesley said as he made pastries.

  “Just don’t come in here late tomorrow,” Ian warned with a chuckle.

  “That only happened once. And since you aren’t paying me, I will do as I please,” Wesley said cheerfully.

  Ian sighed long and loud as he started to make pastries. Wesley was right—he came by in the mornings and helped him out at the bakery. They both knew he didn’t actually need the help, but Wesley did it so they could hang out. They were close friends, and these last few years they hadn’t had much chance to be around each other, between their busy schedule and Ian being in Blackstone.

  Now Conundrum had moved their base of operation here to Blackstone Haven, they had been able to spend more time together. They were finally finished constructing the main building of Conundrum, so Wesley would leave after lunch to go there to work. There was still work to do with the other buildings, which would be completed in the next month or so.

  Ian had an office there also, since he was still a partner in the company. He didn’t plan on using it. Pandora was trying to entice him to come back to work in the daily operations of the business, but he wasn’t going to let her. He was happy with his bakery and the little he did for Conundrum. Ian glanced at the clock, noting the time.

  “Ah…someone must be talking about sex again. Wes is blushing like a virgin,” a husky voice said.

  “And we know good and well he isn’t,” a deep voice replied.

  “There goes the blush again. We’ve got to figure out how he does that. I swear, he’s going to burn up one day,” another similar deep voice said.

  They were just in time. Ian’s lips twitched as he turned. Pandora Zahi, who had spoken first, walked over. She met his eyes, studied him, then squeezed his shoulder. He could feel her power soothing across his unsettled soul. She let go and then went to wash her hands. Sin Dubhán slapped Wesley on the shoulder then joined Pandora. His twin brother, Savage Dubhán, touched Wesley’s cheek. Wesley pushed his hand away. Savage shook his head and went to over to the others. Moments later, they joined them in making Ianis B Special. With the four of them working with him, it was like old times. The “five brains” were back together. It felt really good to have his friends with him again.

  Absently, Ian listened as they laughed and teased each other. It was a side that most people didn’t see of Pandora, Sin and Savage. He and Wesley were the friendliest of the group. The others were more standoffish. Ian picked up the tray of completed pastries and went to the oven. He reached straight out and opened the oven, then slid the platter in. Shutting the door, he glanced at his face in the shiny glass front. There was a grimness on his face he didn’t like. Hurt amber eyes filled his thoughts. Ian pushed the memories away and went back to work.

  Later in the day, Ian waved at Ethan Barons, who was busy prepping a cake for a wedding. Ethan acknowledged it and went back to his task. Ian studied the man as he worked with a steady hand. The design of the cake was impressive, and the flowers he was piping on by hand were perfect. Ian was pleased he had decided to hire him. He went to the swinging doors and pushed them open. He glanced at the tables beyond the counter and noted most of them were filled. The waiters and waitresses were bustling around, delivering orders. Looking down to the other end of the counter, he saw the line for the takeouts was moving at a steady pace.

  “Go home already.” The melodious voice sounded exasperated.

  Ian smiled and looked at Virginia Anderson, who walked over to him. He had known Virginia for years, and she had been married to his brother. A shaft of sorrow filled him. His brother had died, and Virginia had taken it hard.

  Ian had recently hired her as a manager when he decided to expand. He had bought the business next door, doubling the square footage of Sinfully McIntyre. Having seating in the bakery to make it a sit-down sort of dessert restaurant was paying off. And having another pastry chef made him able to take on more custom jobs. Virginia taking over managing the staff and front part of the business gave him time to bake and handle the behind-the-scenes details.

  “Go home, Ian. I’ve got this
.” She gave him a gentle push.

  “Who’s the boss?” Ian asked.

  “Out here, me,” Virginia replied calmly.

  Ian snorted. She was right. That was the one thing she insisted on. No micro-management from him, or else she would quit. He had agreed, and knowing her as well as he did, he knew she would not fail. Ian sighed and glanced around again. He didn’t want to go home.

  “Why don’t you go and apologise for being an ass?” Virginia asked.

  Ian gave her a look. Virginia was unfazed. He should have known she would find out what had happened between him and Sinai. The two of them were good friends.

  “I have nothing to apologise for,” Ian growled.

  He turned going to the door leading to the back.

  “Keep telling yourself that!” Virginia called.

  Ian ignored her and went into the kitchen. He stomped to the exit.

  “Hey. What’s got you pissed?” Ethan asked

  He didn’t answer going out of the door. Outside, he took a breath. The late May evening was nice, not too hot or cool. Ian headed to his car and got in. He drove on automatic pilot to his house.

  I don’t have anything to be sorry for. It’s better this way. Keeping Sinai at a distance was best for them both. Decisively, he got on his way.

  Days later, Ian glared at the clock, then went back to making deserts.

  “She’s doing this to irritate me. But she is not going to win. Damn her,” he growled.

  His hand flashed out, and he caught the soap. He flicked it into the full sink, then went back to stirring the batter. Irritated, he looked at the pile of soap in the sink.

  “It’s Sinai’s fault I’m cursing. Your fucking dau—” Ian snatched the soap, then threw it on the pile. “Your daughter is a pain in my ass.”

  He snatched the soap as it appeared and threw it with the others.