She gripped his hair and arched back into him, wrapping her legs harder around him so she could feel his hardness against her.
When he released her, she slid off the desk and trailed her lips and tongue down his chest and stomach until she reached his waist. Holding his gaze, she lowered to her knees and began to work on his belt.
His pants fell, and he sprang free, and Paislee leaned forward to press a kiss to the very tip of him. He groaned as she took him into her mouth his hands buried in her hair for a moment before pulling her back to her feet. He took her mouth again as he lifted her back onto his desk and removed the shorts she wore.
She leaned back onto his desk and wrapped her legs around him, so he moved closer. He watched her face as he buried himself deep into where she ached for him and had been aching since the moment she’d met him, she realized.
“Timothy,” she moaned as he drove her closer to the edge she’d never quite reached before. She reached for his head and caught a glimpse of her hand. Her skin was illuminated. It would have frightened her if Timothy hadn’t lifted her, so their foreheads were touching. When she was with him, the world could come apart at the seams, and she wouldn’t worry. He was her rock, her shield, and if need be her sword.
Just before they reached their release, he kissed her again, and Paislee couldn’t see anything but him.
“Paislee,” he groaned, and the room erupted with light just as he collapsed on top of her.
Their breathing was ragged, their bodies coated in sweat as they tried to regain control. Paislee had had sex before. She’d even enjoyed it a few times. But she had never experienced the mind-blowing, body shattering, raw and primal fuck that she’d just had with Timothy.
He had completely shattered her, and she would be picking up the pieces for a long time to come.
“Shit, I’m hurting you.” He stood, leaving her lying on her back on top of his desk. He looked down at her and growled low in his throat. “That’s a sight I could get used to.” He trailed his fingertips down between her breasts and to her navel, stopping just below it. “Are you hungry?” He pulled her to her feet, and she leaned against his chest, still having difficulty catching her breath.
“I could eat.”
“I’ll make us something.” He pulled her out into the hall and towards the kitchen.
“You can cook?”
He snorted. “I’ve been alive a long time, I picked up a few skills.”
Paislee grinned at the humor in his voice, it was nice to see him smile. She watched him, both of them completely nude, as he prepared pancakes, bacon, and eggs.
He moved smoothly in the kitchen, and the muscles in his body were relaxed. She wasn’t, however, she was already ready for another taste of him.
Her eyes narrowed on the scars that covered his body. The largest was a ragged scar that ran from just below his right shoulder, down to his stomach. He must have seen her eyeing it because he responded. “I’ve been in a lot of wars.”
“War?”
He nodded, his eyes darkening. “I craved death for a long time, sought it out whenever I could.”
“So, you fought in wars.”
“Yes, I fought in both world wars, after the latter, I came to Boston and started my company.”
She hopped off the counter and ran her fingers down the largest scar. “Did it hurt?”
“Yes.”
Her fingers brushed a healed gunshot wound in his abdomen. “This was the night I met you, wasn’t it?”
He nodded. “That one hurt like hell too.”
The jagged edges of the wound on his stomach felt rough under her fingertips. She wished she hadn’t been so shocked by his admission, she had wished for death more times than she could count. How horrible it must have been to be forced to live on while those you loved died around you. She had wondered that same question before, but it hadn’t truly sunk in until she witnessed the scars that marred his body.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For everything.” Her eyes filled as she continued to run her fingers over the canvas of pain that had been painted all over his body. “I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through.”
“Paislee,” his words were soft, and he tipped her face up to look at him. “For the first time in the last two hundred years I am glad to be alive. I may have been breathing, but it was you who brought me back to life.” He brushed his lips against hers, and pancakes forgotten, they lost themselves in each other.
Chapter 22
“So, this is supposed to protect me from Malcolm?” Paislee turned the cuff over in her palm. The metal was cool against her skin and sent a chill through her. She assumed that was due to the magic blocking capabilities rather than the temperature itself.
Timothy nodded. “It will keep you from being able to use your magic, so it’s up to you whether you choose to use it or not.”
“You’re sure it will keep him from being able to use the amulet on me?”
He nodded again. “You said he had to pull your arm out from behind the bars in order to use it on you before.”
“Yes, but this is just a cuff, wouldn’t it only protect part of me?”
“In theory, yes, but it’s the best we’ve got. We can’t line my apartment with iron or keep you in a lined box.”
She slipped the cuff onto her arm and shivered. “I can feel it.”
Timothy walked around his desk and rubbed his hands on her arms. “I only want to keep you safe.”
“I know.” She smiled up, and he brushed his lips against her forehead.
The buzzer went off on his desk, and he answered it, “What is it?”
“It’s Jake, Sir. I’m downstairs with those folders you asked for.”
“Come on up.” Timothy buzzed him up and kissed Paislee gently. “You had better go, it appears he has a thing for you, and I’m a jealous bastard. I might kill him if he looks at you as if you’re naked since I’ve seen you that way.”
Paislee smiled. “You got it. We wouldn’t want any blood on the carpet.” She turned to leave and purposely swayed her hips as she walked. A smile of satisfaction spread across her face when she heard him groan.
Timothy took a seat at his desk when Jake walked in. He studied his employee, the bags under his eyes showed additional stress, and it made Timothy wonder just what was going on in the young man's life. Though he supposed seeing the murdered remains of a coworker would cause anyone to appear drained.
“How are you doing?”
Jake seemed shocked by the question, and he looked up from the stack of files he was staring at in his hand. “I’m fine, why?”
“This is your first day back since Jess’s murder. I want to be sure you are operating at a hundred percent. If you need more time-”
“I’m fine.”
Timothy didn’t miss the subtle hints of irritation. He hadn’t meant to be so crass, but when it came down to it, he needed to be sure everything was moving smoothly.
“If that changes, be sure to let me know.”
Jake nodded and pushed the files across the desk. “Any particular reason you needed these?” he wondered.
“I am interested in finding an artifact that is said to have a lot of value. If we are able to acquire it, it could prove incredibly beneficial for the company.”
Accepting his answer, Jake moved on. “Well, I combed through and found all known artifacts dating back to 800 BC. There are twenty-two that are said to possess great power, although only four have any actual credibility as to granting something similar to immortality.”
Timothy opened the top folder and lifted the photograph of a bronze shield.
“That’s the Shield of Age. Ridiculous name but it’s said to collect the youth of those who mean to do the user harm. Basically, if you are in battle and are using that shield, it will suck the life out of whoever strikes against it.”
“That’s brutal.”
“Absolutely. It’s disappe
ared, but previous owners discredit the rumor.”
“Probably started by a general hoping to gain the upper hand by inciting fear in his enemies.”
Jake nodded in agreement and moved on. “The next item is a chalice that was rumored to at one point heal any who drank from it. It is believed to have been lost during the great storm of 1703 when the ship carrying it sank to the bottom of the ocean.”
“No recovery effort?”
“People have tried, but no one has ever found it.”
Timothy nodded and studied the next image. It was a painting of a gem-encrusted gold chalice, Celtic markings surrounding the base. It was beautiful, and a shame that it was rumored to be buried at the bottom of the sea.
“Next on the list is a pair of earrings that are believed to make the wearer alter whatever physical attribute they wish. So, if someone wanted to look twenty years younger, all they had to do was wish it.”
Timothy doubted Malcolm would ever wear a pair of earrings, but it was still worth looking into.
“Where are they now?” he wondered.
Jake pointed to a note in the file. “In a museum in France.”
So, they were safe for now. Of course, there was always the possibility that the ones in the museum were fakes. “The last item?” he asked as he put the photo away and lifted the last manila folder.
“An emerald crusted cuff. It’s believed to keep the wearer the same age for as long as they choose and shields them from any harm.”
Timothy’s jaw set as he stared down at the cuff. Why anyone would choose immortality was beyond him, but if he had to guess, that had to be what Malcolm was after. If only he could inform him, it wasn’t worth it. Timothy doubted the bastard would care.
“Where is it now?”
Jake shrugged. “Last known owner died two years ago, and it’s been missing ever since.”
Timothy nodded curtly. “So either they weren’t wearing it, or it doesn’t work. Thank you, Jake. Keep going back and see what you can find me. This is great.”
“If you could tell me what the item is, that would make the search easier.”
Timothy shot him a glare. “Keep looking for anything.”
Jake sighed. “You got it, boss.” He started to leave but turned back around. “How’s Paislee? Is she back yet?”
Timothy ground his teeth together. “She’s fine, got back just this morning. She’s napping right now,” he added sharply. “Please get back to the office and let me know if you find anything.”
“Sure thing. Can you tell her I asked about her?”
“Do I look like a messenger?”
“No, Sir, I just-”
“I will tell her you said hello. Please leave.”
“Thank you.” Jake turned and left quickly, and Timothy pinched the bridge of his nose. His phone rang, and he answered without checking the ID.
“McGinley.”
“Hey boss, Zeke is starting to come around and is asking to speak with you.”
“Has he been staying clean?”
“According to the staff he’s been doing well.”
“Good.” He was glad to hear it, maybe soon he could tell Paislee and let her decide whether she wanted to see her brother again or not. But he wanted to see for himself that Zeke was doing well before he got her hopes up.
“Thanks, Ashton. Let them know I’ll come by Wednesday.”
“You got it.”
Timothy ended the call and looked up to see Paislee standing in the doorway.
“I saw Jake leave, so I thought it was safe to come out.” She stepped into the office, and Timothy’s body tensed. How did she still have this effect on him?
“He said to tell you hi.”
“That was nice of him.”
“Nice isn’t the word I would use for it.”
Paislee grinned. “You jealous?”
“I told you not ten minutes ago I was.”
“Why?” She moved closer to his desk.
“Because, you are mine,” he said it simply, and his words slammed into Paislee’s chest. She never thought she would enjoy being claimed by anyone. Not since Malcolm had repeatedly told her, she belonged to him over the years.
But when Timothy said it, it made her heart yearn for more.
She stepped around and sat on the edge of his desk. “You have nothing to worry about.”
A smile spread across his face, illuminating it. “I certainly hope not.”
They stared at each other for a moment before Paislee broke the silence, “So where are you going on Wednesday?”
“I need to talk to someone.”
“Who?”
“Aren’t you full of questions this morning.”
“Can’t help it, I’m bored.”
His eyes darkened. “Perhaps I can help with that?”
“Perhaps you can.”
His mouth was nearly on hers when his phone rang. “Rain check?”
“Absolutely.”
“McGinley,” he answered.
* * *
Paislee set the book she had been reading aside and picked up Garth from the floor. Stroking the orange tabby, she strolled to the large picture window and looked over the city. How long would she have to stay hidden away? How long would it take before she could watch Malcolm leave this world- permanently?
She’d be lying if she didn’t admit she was becoming incredibly restless. Before Timothy, she’d felt like she had been working towards something. She had made daily trips to the library, and anywhere else she thought she’d find something to help her move forward with her plan.
Now though it seemed as if she were simply sitting around waiting for Malcolm to make his next move, and who knew how long that would take.
Never one to stay in the same place for long, Paislee knew it was only a matter of time before she needed to move forward. Even if it meant leaving what she’d found behind.
Chapter 23
He saw her step to the window and bit back a growl. How he wanted to wipe that smug look she wore on her face off. She believed she was untouchable. Well that was a lie, wasn’t it? He could touch her if he wanted. Watch how she bled when he cut her.
His hand clenched the binoculars. Hell, he had a rifle. If he wanted to, he could take the shot now. That glass barricade was nothing compared to the round he could fire her way.
He’d been so close and somehow that bastard McGinley was keeping her just out of reach. Soon he would have her within his grasp though, soon enough she would no longer have the protection of the antiquities dealer.
When she stepped away from the window, he started to lower his binoculars until he caught sight of the woman watching the apartment building angrily from the street. Well, isn’t this interesting? Perhaps he could make his move sooner rather than later.
Chapter 24
“Feel like going away with me?”
Paislee lifted her head from where she lay on Timothy’s shoulder. “What do you mean away?”
“I need to go check something out in France.”
“An artifact?”
He nodded. “I think that perhaps Malcolm is trying to locate something that offers him immortality.”
She sat up. “Seriously? Why do you think that?”
He put a hand behind his head. “I had Ashton look into his movements over the past few months. Nearly every trip he has been on has been to locations where it was rumored certain artifacts might be located.”
“Artifacts that grant immortality.”
“Yes.”
“Because there are actually items out there that can do that?”
He eyed her, partially amused. “Paislee, you are in bed with a man who is over two hundred years old, and you have magic of your own. How can you not believe there are items out there that are capable of keeping someone alive?”
She considered and then shrugged. “We are people though, we are both here because of magic of some kind or another. An item is not alive, it just is there. It’s mad
e by man, not created by God.”
He raised an eyebrow. “So you believe in God?”
“You don’t?”
“I didn’t say that. I was just surprised to hear you say it.”
“Look, just because I’ve been through a lot and think it’s really shitty that it happened to me, doesn’t mean I don’t believe we weren’t created by something more powerful than us.”
He put up his free hand in mock surrender. “Easy, I wasn’t attacking you. As far as the artifacts, some were said to have been spelled by witches, others cursed. It’s all a matter of perspective.”
“I suppose. But why would he want immortality?”
“Because those who have never suffered through it don’t understand the nightmare it brings.”
“So, you think one of these items is in France?”
“Possibly, there are a pair of earrings located in a museum that can offer the wearer the ability to alter their appearance. I have my reservations as to whether they are legitimate or not, but it's still worth checking out.”
“When do you want to go?”
“Tomorrow. We can bring the cat.”
“Seriously?” She couldn’t hide the smile from her face.
“Seriously. Ashton is coming with us, and I don’t want to leave Garth in the hands of anyone else”
She leaned down and pressed her lips to his. “Have I told you that you're amazing?”
“Not lately, but I know.” He grinned, and she laid back down.
* * *
They arrived at the airport at seven thirty in the morning and Paislee couldn’t have been more exhausted. Nightmares had kept her up nearly all night, and the lack of sleep had made her cranky.
Garth meowed from his carrier, and she absent-mindedly stuck her finger through the slats to pet him. She was excited to visit France for the first time, but something was nagging at her.
Why hadn’t they just rounded up a group of people and stormed Malcolm’s house? Just go in and kill him before he had a chance to get his hands on anything that would potentially make him harder to kill?
Collateral Damage_A Tethered Novel Page 17