She stepped off the chair, wincing a bit.
“You’re sore,” he observed, contrite. “I was too rough with you.”
“You were just fine with me,” she corrected. “A little soreness is nothing. Really.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. Rubbing his cheek against her hair, he simply held her.
“You deserve to be cherished. Not taken so roughly.”
“I happen to like the way you took me.” She pulled back and grinned at him. “Really, Kaelen, you made me feel cherished, desired. Don’t regret what we had.”
“I don’t,” he assured and kissed her full lips. “I just regret that you hurt.”
“It’s just a little reminder of a lovely experience. Now, I need to find some food. It may end up being sandwiches. I seriously need a trip to the grocery store.”
He kissed her again, sinking into the lush softness of her mouth. Running a hand down her back, he pulled her against his hardness. He wanted her again with an intensity that shocked him. He couldn’t get enough of her. He slid his tongue between her lips to dance with hers. With a shudder, he trailed his lips down and nuzzled her neck. Her scent surrounded him.
“Hmmm,” she murmured low in her throat and pressed against him. “You feel good.”
“Next time,” he promised, the intoxicating taste of her on his lips. “Will be slow. Slow, tender, and maddening.”
She trembled against him and exhaled slowly. “I’ll hold you to that. Well, let’s throw some sandwiches together and heat up some soup.”
They made quick work of assembling the meal and carried two loaded trays out into the living room.
“Nothing fantastic, but it’ll fill your bellies.”
The group sat on the floor around the large square coffee table in front of the fireplace. Kaelen noted the roaring fire and guessed they’d used magic despite his warning. Rhys confirmed this by winking at him.
After eating in silence for several minutes, Leilen asked, “Abagail, did you grow up here?”
“No, I grew up in the city, but we came here often. My favourite place. My mom knew that and left it to me when she died.”
Her sadness and grief palpable, Kaelen covered her hand with his. “It must be a great comfort while grieving.”
“It is. My brothers would prefer I sold it and moved back to the city, but I find myself wanting to stay here. The hustle of the city was getting to me, I suppose.”
“Do you have a large family?” Rhys questioned.
“There were four of us kids. I’m the lone girl. My older brothers, Tom and Robert, are married. My younger brother, Will, died in the car crash with my mother and stepfather.” She worried her lip with her teeth before continuing, “It’s been a little over a year and I still expect him to call and say ‘Abby girl, you’re working too hard. Let’s take us a vacation.’”
Dermet frowned. “We seem to keep bringing up things that grieve you.”
“Oh no,” Abagail protested. “It doesn’t hurt quite so bad anymore. I mean, I don’t think the hurt will ever completely go away, but it’s good to remember them instead of avoiding the subject.”
“Excellent attitude to have,” Leilen agreed.
“What do you do for a living? I noticed the piano and the other instruments; are you a musician?” Rhys asked.
Kaelen bit back a chuckle. They were interrogating her! Though he was learning quite a bit about his mate so he could hardly argue. He leaned back against the sofa and listened.
“I used to be. I used to tour and record, but now I stick with composing. I find I’m a much more solitary person than I used to be. And I can work from home. Even in my pyjamas if I want.” She chuckled.
“And you can play all those?” Leilen indicated the instruments lined up along the wall and on shelves.
Abagail nodded and took a sip of wine. “Yep, I loved music forever and it came naturally to me. So I make a living doing it.”
The phone shrilled loudly, interrupting the camaraderie.
With a quick smile at the men, Abagail stood and crossed the room to answer it.
“She’s delightful, Kaelen. Practical and very sweet,” Rhys observed.
Kaelen nodded, but his attention focused on his mate. Though her back was to him, he could see how rigid she stood. Whoever was on the phone was not a welcome distraction apparently. He listened to her end of the conversation.
“We’ve been over this. No. I said, no. If that was what Mom wanted she would have told me or left the property to all of us. If Robert has a problem with it, he can call me himself. No. I’m not going to argue with you about this. I have company; I need to go. What? Friends. I do happen to have a few. I’m hanging up now. Goodbye.”
She disconnected, but stood there for several moments before returning to the group with a strained smile.
“Sorry about that.”
“Not a problem. Are you all right?” Kaelen draped his arm around her.
“Yeah. Just a family disagreement. It’s nothing. So,” she signalled a change of topic. “Have you all been friends long?”
“Most of our lives,” Rhys answered.
Kaelen rubbed Abagail’s tense shoulders as his friends regaled her with carefully edited versions of their childhood exploits. Gradually she relaxed and leaned into him as she laughed at their antics and arguments over what had really happened. Nearly an hour had passed when she straightened away from him.
“Guys, as much as I want to stay up and talk more, I’m can barely keep my eyes open.” She stifled a yawn behind her hand. “You’re more than welcome to bunk here instead of heading out this late. The couch pulls out and the bed’s open upstairs since I’m in with…” she trailed off.
Her face pinkened as she stood. “Um, anyways, there’s the bed upstairs, too. Goodnight. It was nice to meet you, Rhys, Leilen, and Dermet.” Her flush deepened when all three kissed both her cheeks in turn, murmuring their goodnights.
“I’ll be right back,” Kaelen said, standing and following her into the bedroom.
She flopped on the bed and grimaced. “Sorry. I pretty much announced that we’re sleeping together.”
“If they hadn’t figured that out already, they aren’t as smart as I give them credit for. Now lie down. You need sleep.”
With a chuckle she climbed under the blankets. “Man, I’m tired. I had a good time, Kaelen. You have nice friends.”
“I’m glad you like them. I’ll go get them on their way and be back.”
He pulled the blankets up to her chin and stared at her face for a moment. Her eyes drifted closed and her breathing slowed. Straightening, he turned to leave. Her voice, soft and trembling, stopped him.
“I thought you might want to go with them. Now that you’re well.”
He turned back, sat on the edge of the bed, and cupped her face. “Abagail.” He waited until she opened her green eyes before asking, “Do you want me to leave?
“No,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to leave.”
Relief swept through him, stealing his breath momentarily. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, kissing her gently. “I don’t want to leave. I’ll stay as long as you’ll have me.”
Chapter Six
Abagail left Kaelen sound asleep in the morning and showered. After taking another look at the dismal contents of her fridge, she jotted a quick note to her lover and headed to the grocery store.
Soon she found herself in the produce aisle, pondering what kind of fruit Kaelen preferred. Maybe she should have waited until he was awake and could’ve come with her. Oh well, she could always make another trip later. She put her usual purchases in the cart.
As she shopped, she began to plan an intimate dinner. Candlelight. The perfect music. Maybe she could talk him into a little dancing that could lead to a bit more than dancing. She’d enjoyed the evening with Kaelen’s friends. She liked them a lot and had learned so much about him, but now she just wanted to be alone with
him. Geez, now she was grinning like an idiot. What was it about that man? She just wanted to be with him. She’d spent the last several months burying herself in a solitary life. It had been the only way she found contentment. Being alone and submerging herself in her music.
She hardly thought of music when she was with Kaelen. No, she just thought about getting him naked. Lovely thoughts, admittedly, but she really did need to focus some on work. Otherwise she’d be getting some irate phone calls. And not from her sister-in-law.
God, she thought of him before her music. What was that? Her music had always, always, come first. Men had been a distant afterthought. Shaking her head, she thought of her brother. Will had always said when love struck, she’d experience a reprioritising that would knock her on her ass. She chuckled until it hit her. Love.
Was she in love with Kaelen? Oh, God, she’d fallen for a man she’d known for little more than twenty-four hours. What in hell was she going to do? She wouldn’t be bringing it up to him anytime soon, that much was certain. She just couldn’t process it, let alone talk about it. Besides, even she knew the quickest way to make a man run for the hills was to mention the L-word too soon. No, she’d just tuck it away and not think about it. Go on with everyday life. Yeah right. First things first, though, she had to shut her gaping mouth and get out of the ice cream aisle.
As she turned, she caught a glimpse of black leather floating around the corner of the aisle. Like the tails of a long coat. Abagail rolled her eyes; even kids away from the city were probably into that gothic look. Chuckling at the fashion trends of the young and angst-ridden, she made her way to the check out and was soon loading her groceries into her trunk.
She’d just dropped the last bag in when the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Someone was watching her. Unease rippled through her as she felt the heat of the gaze. Cautiously she looked around. Nothing. The store was pretty dead this time of morning. One of the main reasons she shopped at this time.
“You’re getting paranoid, girl,” she muttered to herself.
Still uneasy, she shut the trunk, pushed the cart into the corral and got in her car. Pulling towards the exit, she caught a movement of black out of the corner of her eye. She hit the brakes and turned. Oh God.
Tawny hair lifted off his shoulders in the wind. Black pants sculpted his legs up to narrow hips. His black T-shirt clung sensuously to his chest. And a long black leather coat billowed behind him, carried on the wind. She couldn’t make out the colour of his eyes, but she knew they were light golden brown. Burnished gold.
It was the man from her dream.
He stood amidst a group trees flanking the lot. Unmoving, he simply stared at her. Shaking, she shrieked when the owner of a car behind her laid on their horn. Waving a hand in apology, she drove to the exit. Before turning onto the road, she chanced a glance back. He was gone.
Shit, did she imagine him? Was she going nuts? She began the short drive home, questions steamrolling through her head.
Why had she dreamt of this man? Had she seen him around town before? That had to be it. What did he want? A chilling thought lodged in her mind. Was he stalking her? Though she’d been away from public life for some time, the possibility still could present itself. Over and over, she wracked her brain, trying to remember if she’d seen the man at any other time, at some function, around town or in the city.
Questions still unanswered, she pulled in front of the house. Relief flooded her when she saw Kaelen sitting on the porch steps. He smiled broadly as he stood and walked to her door. Jumping out of the car, she launched herself into his arms and held on tight.
He hummed deep in his throat as he pulled her close. “What’s the matter? What’s troubling you?”
She shook her head and burrowed closer to him. “I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s get the groceries in.”
He pushed her away from him slightly and peered into her eyes. She had the feeling he saw all, could read her every thought and fear.
“You are troubled. You need to tell me what’s wrong.”
“Okay, okay, I will. Let’s get this stuff in and then we’ll talk.” She forced a smile when a frown marred his gorgeous face. “I just need to think for minute, all right?”
“All right.”
Together, they unloaded the trunk and carted the bags into the kitchen. Silently, they put the food away, and she gradually relaxed. Kaelen’s presence had a lot to do with that. He reassured her without saying a word. Just a light touch of hands. A long sweep of his palm down the length of her back. The soft, but tantalising brush of his arm against her breast as he reached around her.
She poured them both soft drinks and led the way into the living room. Sitting on the sofa next to him, she thought of where to begin.
“What bothered you so much, Abagail?”
She smiled at the concerned frown on his lips. “It’s probably nothing. I’m sure I’m overreacting, but I had a strange feeling that someone was watching me when I was at the store.” She gave a short laugh. “That’s sounds so crazy, I know, but it isn’t unusual for someone in the line of work I was in to be stalked. Then when I saw that man…”
Kaelen grabbed her hand, held it in his warmth. “What man?”
“Well, that’s the really crazy part. He was the man from my dream. The one I told you about. I must have seen him before, and that’s why I dreamt of him.” She shook her head. “I know I’m being paranoid, but I’m glad that I had the new security system installed when I moved in.”
Kaelen’s face lost all colour and his grip tightened around her hand. “Did he approach you? Threaten you? Harm you?”
“No, nothing like that. It was just majorly creepy. You think I’m way off, don’t you? I know, I just can’t shake this odd feeling.”
“Of course I don’t think that,” he assured and leaned forward to kiss her. “I just don’t like you feeling unsafe.”
“Should I call the police? I don’t know what—” The phone interrupted her. She rose and crossed the room to answer. “If that’s Darla, I’m going to smack her upside the head next time we’re in the same room. Hello?”
“Abby! Glad I caught you. I was thinking of you and thought I’d call. How’s the work coming? Should I expect some pieces soon?”
Abagail smiled. Tom Murdock. Her agent and manager. “Hey there, good to hear your voice. Soon, bud, you’ll have some pieces soon. Promise. How are you?”
“I’d be better if you told me you were ready to start touring again.” His voice sounded hopeful.
She sighed at the expected nudge. “We’ve been over this. That part of my career is over.” She jumped when a hand fell on her shoulder. “Hold on a sec.” Covering the mouthpiece, she turned to Kaelen.
“I’m going to take a look outside, see if there’s anything out of the ordinary.”
Her stomach dropped. “Do you think it’s necessary?”
“Better to be safe. I won’t be long.” He moved in to kiss her, long and soft. “Don’t leave the house, all right?”
“I won’t,” she promised. “Be careful.”
“Always.”
She watched as he walked outside. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before returning to her call and directing her attention to more pleasant things.
“Hey, Tom. Let me tell you about this amazing melody I’m working on.”
* * * * *
Kaelen strode through the woods, senses alert, searching for any traces of his cousin and power. Nothing. He stopped, stood completely still and focused every cell in his body on the earth around him. He could discern no disturbances. Damn it, he didn’t trust his returning powers. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake. Not with Abagail.
“Rhys, I need you.”
Wind whirled around him, lifting leaves up into wild swirls. The fresh, intoxicatingly earthy smell of his homeland surrounded him as colours pulsated around him. With a large flash, his friend stood before him.
“What’s wrong?” h
e asked without preamble.
“Darrick. Abagail saw him when she was at the store this morning.”
“What? Did he harm her?”
“No. He didn’t approach her.”
“So he shows a small amount of sense and self-control.”
“It won’t last,” Kaelen predicted. “Abagail is fine, but she’s understandably worried and uneasy. If he tries to harm her…”
“He’ll fail,” Rhys stated firmly. “None of us would allow your mate to fall victim to him.”
Kaelen acknowledged his friend’s vow with a nod.
“I’ve put in motion the plan we discussed. Though Darrick isn’t giving us much time to prepare.”
“It will be tonight.”
“Kaelen, don’t act in haste.”
“Tonight, Rhys. I want this ended.”
After a moment’s silence, his friend nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements and inform the others.”
“Good. I’ve scanned the area for his presence or evidence of power and found nothing. But I don’t trust my powers yet.”
Without a word, Rhys stepped away. He closed his eyes and raised his arms. Turning in a circle, he radiated power. Kaelen absorbed the immense heat surrounding Rhys. How he missed this. The power. The joy of magic.
“I feel nothing. He hasn’t been here.”
“Thank you, my friend. I need to get back to Abagail. Contact me when all is in place.”
“Have you told her yet?”
“No, I plan to now.” Kaelen swore in the tongue of the Fey. “I’m going to lose her.”
“You don’t know that,” Rhys protested. “I believe you are giving her too little credit. She will accept who and what you are, I’m sure of it.”
“She may accept me, but I will still lose her.”
“You’re not making sense.”
“The conditions for my return are that she accepts who and what I am. Just because she does that doesn’t mean she’ll accept a life with me.”
Kaelen knew this and dread built up inside him.
“If that’s the case, what will you do?”
“I’ll return and fulfil my duties and responsibilities to my people.” He cringed at the dull sound of his voice. The thought of life without Abagail pained him to no end. He had to shut down to even contemplate it.
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