Visions of Vengeance: A Paranormal Romance (The Gypsy's Curse Book 2)

by Meg Anne

  The Druid was coming for them, and they’d just lost whatever head start they might have had.

  Lucas stood at the sink, staring out the small picture window into the night sky. His back was to her, his shoulders rigid as he cradled his wounded hand.

  “Let me,” she said softly.

  Lucas looked back over his shoulder, staring at her silently before turning all the way around to face her. His typically bright blue eyes were dull and his mouth was pulled down in a tight frown. He wasn’t even trying to hide his pain, which was a first for Lucas.

  Skye noted the first aid kit he’d pulled out but hadn’t opened. Picking it up, she rifled through the supplies, selecting some wound wash and gauze before reaching for his hand.

  “This whole thing is fucking pointless now,” he growled.

  “Why?” Holding his hand over the sink, she wiped away the blood as carefully as possible, then poured some of the antiseptic over the cuts. He winced, so she leaned down to blow on his skin in an effort to ease at least some of his pain. “You’re punishing yourself for something that isn't your fault.”

  “How exactly is this not my fault?” he snapped, his voice heavy with self-loathing. “I’m the jackass that painted the wards on the walls.”

  “How the hell were you supposed to know what was going to happen? I’m pretty sure out of the two of us, I’m the only one who can see the future.”

  To her delight, he grinned a little at her words.

  Skye spread some ointment onto the wounds, closed them both up with butterfly bandages, then wrapped his palm in gauze. “There, now you’re good as new.”

  “I’m pretty sure the rule is you’re supposed to kiss it to make it better.”

  She looked up from his hand to find his eyes glittering with a flicker of amusement.

  “Is that so?” she murmured, brushing the gentlest of kisses against the bandage. “How’s that?”

  Some of the shadows had fled from his eyes, and he seemed more like his usual self as he replied, “I guess that will have to do.” He checked out her handiwork and then folded his arms. “How are you holding up?”

  Skye shrugged. “I’m no worse than I was five minutes ago.”

  “That’s not saying much. Five minutes ago, our new buddy Giles was telling us how he sent a batshit crazy Druid to the Wasteland, and now said Druid is back for vengeance.”

  “True. I suppose the good news is that things can’t get much worse for us at the moment,” she mused, focusing on his face.

  He scowled. “Have you never seen a horror movie? You never say shit like that. It just tempts fate. For all we know that asshole could teleport in here and murder us at any moment.”

  It wasn’t funny—there was entirely too much truth in his words—but Skye laughed anyway.

  “Our imminent demise is amusing to you, Giovanni?” he asked with a lift of his brow.

  Skye shrugged and started fiddling with the frayed edge of the old sweatshirt she wore. “I’ve seen what’s waiting for us; it’s not exactly a surprise.”

  “I thought you were supposed to be optimistic?”

  “Optimistic?” She let out a harsh bark of laughter. “I never claimed to be. Pragmatic maybe… but I See death. There’s not much optimism in that.”

  Lucas’ attempt at levity fled, and his voice softened. “So what do you suggest we do then, if there’s no hope for us?”

  Skye swallowed, and her mouth went dry. She sucked in a breath and forced herself to meet his gaze. “We live while we still can.” Her heart thundered in her chest as she waited for him to catch the meaning behind her words. If they truly were destined to die, and all of this research was going to be for nothing, why the hell was she waiting to be with him? Tonight could very well be their last.

  Even if they could only be together once, did she really want to die having not tasted what Lucas MacConnell had to offer?

  His pupils flared, and his gaze heated. Lucas stepped forward, never looking away from her as his arms caged her against the opposite countertop. He leaned down toward her and pressed his mouth to her neck. Her head fell back, the hot press of his full lips on her skin sending shivers down her spine.

  “If we do this,” he whispered against her throat, “there’s no going back, Skye. This isn’t some casual fuck to me. I’m not going to be able to pretend this didn’t happen in the morning.” He punctuated each claim with another searing kiss against her skin.

  Skye’s heart stuttered at his words.

  “I want you, Skye. All of you. The only way this works is if we’re all in. So if you need more time, tell me now. If you’d rather wait—”

  “No,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “No more waiting.”

  Lucas pulled back just a fraction of an inch, his breath mingling with hers. Her eyes heavy, Skye looked up at him, already aching for the warmth of his body against hers. She sucked in another breath, the movement causing her chest to rub against his. The unexpected friction sent a jolt of electricity to her core.

  Whatever he saw in her eyes made him grin. “You with me, Giovanni?”

  Her legs weakened as he ran his hands down her arms, then took a step back, leaving the ball in her court.

  “Isn’t it obvious, Detective? I’ve been yours since we met.”

  Lucas’ answering smile was potent. He held out his uninjured hand, and Skye took it without any hesitation. Live or die, succeed or fail, Lucas MacConnell would be hers, for however long they had left.

  Chapter 16

  Skye

  Thoughts chased each other through her brain, each one more ridiculous than the last. It had been years since she’d been intimate with a man. Would she even remember what to do? What if it was terrible? What if he triggered another vision? Had she shaved?

  They were in Lucas’ room before she realized it, and she opened her mouth but he silenced her with a kiss before she could give voice to any of her inane concerns. Lucas bent down, sliding his hands up the sides of her jean-clad legs until they reached her hips. He gripped her and lifted.

  Skye gasped in surprise and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “The only thing I want you thinking about is how good I’m going to make you feel,” he whispered against her lips. She groaned as he rocked his hips into hers and anchored her against the back of the door.

  “Nothing’s coming between us while we’re in here, Skye. It’s just me and you.” His voice was warm like whiskey, and it had the same relaxing effect.

  Skye nodded and bit down on her lip. Lucas’ eyes dropped to track the movement. When they lifted back up to hers, they burned like blue fire. Skye threaded her hands through his hair and pulled his mouth to hers, needing to taste him again.

  Each kiss was more potent than the last. He licked at the seam of her lips, requesting entry. Her mouth opened beneath his, and Skye moaned low in her throat as his tongue slid against hers. The seductive thrusting of his tongue was echoed by the rocking of his hips against hers, and it wasn’t long at all before Skye writhed against him, desperate to be closer.

  Lucas pulled back with a chuckle. “No way in hell I’m rushing this, Skye.”

  There’s no other word for it. Skye pouted.

  Lucas grinned and nipped at her bottom lip. The sting of pain was quickly replaced by a wave of pleasure. He nibbled his way down her neck, kissing and licking as he went. Once he reached the hollow of her throat, he blew a gentle breath along the wet surface, causing her body to shudder against his. There wasn’t a single part of her that wasn’t affected by him. His words seduced her mind, while his body worked magic on hers.

  “Fuck, Lucas,” she moaned, pressing her aching core against his swollen length.

  Cupping her ass, he squeezed as he pressed back against her. “Tell me what you want, Skye.”

  “You,” she breathed as her eyes fluttered closed. “I just want you.”

  “You already have me.”

  If she wasn’t already in love with hi
m, those words would have sealed the deal.

  Lucas carried her effortlessly to the bed, kissing her the entire way. He stopped only to lower her down gently. Skye wouldn’t have cared if he tossed her, if it meant that his clothes were next. She reached for his belt buckle, and he slapped her hands away.

  Skye growled at him. “I want to feel you inside me.”

  Lucas’ smile wavered, and he groaned. “You’re not making this easy on me, love.”

  “I don’t want easy,” Skye said with a smile. “We’ve waited long enough.”

  Lucas closed his eyes like he was praying for strength.

  “Don’t you agree?” she asked, sitting up on her elbows.

  Lucas’ throat bobbed as he swallowed. Skye grinned; she’d just shifted the power between them. Loving that she was in control, for once, she shifted on the bed and crawled toward him. Once she reached the edge of the bed, she knelt in front of him.

  Lucas watched her with hooded eyes, his expression one of desire tinged with desperation. He was barely holding himself back.

  “Let me show you how easy it is,” Skye said, her voice a husky rumble she didn’t remotely recognize. She lifted the sweatshirt up and over her head in one smooth move, her hair falling down around her shoulders as her arms lowered.

  Lucas devoured her with his eyes, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

  “Touch me,” she demanded.

  Lucas shook his head once.

  “No?” she asked in surprise.

  “I’m enjoying the show far too much to interrupt.”

  Skye moved her fingers to the waistband of her jeans. She popped the button and was rewarded with a very noticeable twitch in Lucas’ pants. “If you won’t touch me, at least touch yourself.”

  Lucas’ hand was on his cock before she’d finished speaking. He squeezed his still-covered erection, and she pressed her legs together as heat rushed south. Who knew teasing him like this would be such a fucking turn on?

  Skye lowered the zipper of her jeans as slowly as humanly possible. The sound of the metal teeth unlocking was the only sound in the room. Lucas looked like he’d forgotten how to breathe as she shimmied out of her pants and dropped them on the floor beside her sweater. Now, only in her black bra and lace panties, Skye faced the still fully clothed Lucas.

  “Fuck, Skye.”

  “Yes, please,” she agreed easily.

  Lucas laughed, but it broke off on a groan as she quickly unclasped her bra and let it drop to the floor. He wasn’t laughing anymore. Lucas lunged, his mouth latching on to her swollen nipple as his uninjured hand cupped her other breast.

  “Oh,” she moaned, falling back against the bed. “Finally.”

  He bit down on her nipple, and Skye’s hips lifted off the bed and up into him.

  She had no idea foreplay could be like this. Equal parts playful and intense.

  “Like that?” he asked before swirling his tongue around the tip of her nipple.

  “Mmhmmm,” she groaned, incapable of forming words.

  “What about this?” he growled, pinching and rolling her other nipple in his hand.

  “Yes!” she panted, grinding her hips into his.

  Lucas continued to work her like a damn instrument, the sounds he drew from her his masterpiece. It no longer mattered which one of them were in control, just as long as he never stopped touching her.

  He released her breasts and turned his attention lower. Lucas grasped the tiny scrap of lace and tugged it down her legs, spreading them wide as he moved to stand between them.

  Fully naked and completely exposed, Skye should have felt vulnerable. But that wasn’t even close to what she felt right now. Lucas’ eyes raked down her body, the blue pools darkening until they were the deepest sapphire. Returning his gaze to her face, Lucas licked his lips and hummed. Skye’s heart pounded in response. No one had ever looked at her with a desire this intense before. Lucas looked hungry, like he hadn’t eaten in months and she was his first meal. He didn’t just want her; he was desperate to have her.

  “You are so fucking perfect, Skye.”

  She swallowed back the emotion the words caused. She hadn’t felt perfect a day in her life. More often than not she felt like the butt of the universe’s cruel joke, but with Lucas, she felt safe. And beautiful. And whole.

  Lucas stripped, and Skye stopped breathing. Golden skin with chiseled muscles and a deep fucking v that she couldn’t wait to lick. Her breath hitched at the sight of his impressive length jutting out.

  Skye licked her lips. “Please, Lucas. I need you.”

  His eyes had just reached hers, and at her confession, he moved to his knees on the bed. “Oh, baby. Not as much as I need you.” He dropped down to kiss her, his hand moving to stroke her core. “You’re so wet and ready for me.”

  Skye’s laugh was breathless. “You can’t be surprised.”

  Lucas grinned. “Just proud.” He slid a finger inside her, and her muscles clenched around him, loving the way it felt to be filled by him.

  “More,” she demanded.

  Lucas slid another finger inside and Skye moaned. He continued to thrust his fingers slowly in and out. Need spiraled through her. She was already so close and it felt like they’d just finally started.

  “Please, God, don’t stop.”

  “The name’s Lucas,” he whispered in her ear as he flexed his fingers and pressed hard against her inner wall.

  A moan ripped from her throat and small bursts of light started to go off behind her eyelids. So close.

  “I need—”

  Lucas shifted off of her, his absence punctuated by the cold air on her skin. She opened her eyes as he tore open a condom. When he kneeled between her legs again, she closed her eyes on a contented sigh.

  “Skye, baby, look at me.”

  She forced her eyes open. No matter what else happened, she’d never forget this moment for the rest of her life. However long that is. Lucas, illuminated by the light, his golden hair like a halo as he looked at her with a mix of lust and desire.

  He ran himself along the length of her, circling his hips and pressing into her opening. They both gasped as he started to thrust deeper.

  “Fuck, baby, you’re so tight. So fucking perfect.”

  His words were guttural, as if he wasn’t even fully capable of speech. He continued to slide in slowly until, with a final flex of his hips, he filled her completely.

  They stared at each other for a long moment, drawing it out before he shifted and slid out. Her whimper turned into a moan, and he slid back in.

  It was… perfect. She could hardly think. Everywhere he touched her was on fire, and she was poised on the brink. All she knew was that she needed more.

  “Lucas,” she whispered as he lifted her legs to adjust the angle so he could press against the small bud of nerves at her core. “Oh!”

  He continued to drive into her, each thrust setting off tiny explosions.

  “I want to hear you come apart. Come for me, Skye.”

  As if the words were all she’d been waiting for, Skye was flung off the edge, her back arching off the bed with the force of her orgasm. “Lucas!” she shouted, as her body clenched his. Her nails dug into his back as her orgasm continued to roll through her body.

  “Skye!” he moaned seconds later, shuddering as he joined her.

  Skye was barely aware of her body, detached and distant, like she floated somewhere above it. It wasn’t until Lucas shifted to kiss her that she came back to herself.

  His heart pounded against his chest where it pressed against hers. Idly she wondered if their hearts were actually beating in time, or if it just seemed that way.

  “Hi,” he whispered when her eyes fluttered back open.

  “Hey,” she said with a grin, her voice hoarse from moaning.

  He trailed a finger down the side of her face, brushing back the sweaty strands of hair that clung to her. “Whatcha thinking?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

&
nbsp; “How long you need until we can do that again.”

  Lucas let out a bark of laughter and pushed off of her. His dimples flashed and his eyes shined with mischievous delight. He pressed his hips into her, and she could feel him already swelling again. “Be careful what you wish for.”

  Skye grinned. “Bring it on, Detective.”

  Chapter 17

  Lizzie

  Lizzie stood on the back porch, staring up at the full moon. The sky was clear tonight, illuminating the entire porch with its bright white light. She shivered, although she wasn't sure whether that was due to the chill in the air, or Giles’ admissions.

  Skye and Lucas had disappeared somewhere, and James had walked Giles out to his car, which was parked down the road a ways. He had told them with quite a bit of irritation that he would be back in the morning to discuss the next move with them.

  Lizzie closed her eyes.

  Pop was dead.

  That meant that she and Lucas were the last living MacConnells. They had no other family.

  Lizzie wrapped her arms more tightly around herself and a tear streamed down her cheek. Even though they hadn’t seen him in years, there had been a comfort in knowing he was here in Scotland, a loving family member available for them to turn to if the need arose. But in the span of three minutes, that comfort had been ripped away from her. In its place, Lizzie was filled with a sense of grief she hadn’t experienced since their parents passed away.

  Pop was dead, and they hadn’t even known. Had the Druid killed him? Had he died alone in this house with no one to grieve for him?

  The lump in her throat grew to a dangerous size as her grief tore through her. She sobbed, her shoulders shaking as the pain from his death took root inside her. He may have been dead for years, but for her, the wound was fresh. Time was meaningless in the face of such loss.

  Before long, arms wrapped around her and James pulled her back against his hard chest, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.