by Rae Rivers
She laughed but the sound turned into a choked gasp when he increased the frequency. Her orgasm came fast and packed the punch he’d hoped for, her muffled cries adding fuel to the desire burning inside him. Not waiting for her to recover, he placed one hand on either side of her waist. He lifted her; just enough so that he had access to her womanly core, and positioned himself directly behind her. While she was still reeling from the effect of her fierce climax, he pushed his hips forward and slid into her in one smooth, gentle movement.
He paused to lean forward so that his mouth was beside her ear. “Still only good for you?” he murmured and felt the shiver run through her.
“Maybe,” she breathed.
“You’re not very good for my ego.”
“You’re great for mine. Now stop the teasing and –”
Without waiting for her to finish, he pushed further into her, giving a wild animal-like growl of satisfaction. He filled her, and she took every inch of him, making beautiful sounds that spurred him on.
She was wet for him, so tight, and he dragged in a breath of air. God, she felt great. He’d had great sex in the past, but nothing he’d ever experienced, nothing, compared to sex with Kate.
He couldn’t get enough of her, couldn’t satisfy the craving. At least he’d finally had the balls to tell her.
Sort of.
He tightened his grip on her hips, holding her in place, and pumped his hips into her. Slow, rhythmic, sensational.
He felt her release before he heard her cries and soon followed with his own. With a final thrust into her, they fell over the edge together, moaning in unison.
They collapsed on the bed, panting for air and Kate groaned. “Wow, Bennett. How on earth you manage to sustain nights like these is beyond me. I’m exhausted.”
Declan smiled, thinking about the night they’d had, and moved beside her. She was still on her stomach in the same position, one arm on either side of her head, her fingers clutching the pillow. “Considering how many times you came for me, I’m not surprised.”
Her expression was a mixture of shyness and satisfaction. “I had no idea that it was even possible to have so many climaxes in one go.”
He laughed. Jokes aside, she was good for his ego. “The perks of being a Keeper. I can keep them coming if you’d like.”
A soft, lyrical laugh escaped her, a refreshing sound in the crisp morning. She turned around and tried to sit up, tugging at the sheet to cover her exposed body. Unable to resist, he cupped her breast. “I’ve been coming all night long. I think my body’s had enough,” she said with a saucy smile and slapped his hand away before tugging harder on the sheet.
“Honey, it’s way too late for modesty now.” Not when he’d licked, nipped and explored every inch of her.
She groaned and combed her fingers through her tangled hair, her frown easing. She looked dishevelled, flushed and very satisfied.
He kissed her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great.” She kissed his chest, running her fingers across his abdomen. “No regrets?”
He smiled, entwining their fingers. “No.” And he meant it.
“My mother would be spitting daggers if she saw us right now.”
“Thank God she can’t. That’d be weird.”
She smiled, but the mention of her mother had clearly shifted her mood. She settled herself against the array of pillows. “This world terrified her.”
“She had you to think of.”
“The funny thing is, everything she feared, that I feared, doesn’t seem so scary anymore.”
Her words tugged at something deep inside. It pleased him to hear her say them and he kissed her chin. “There was a time that Sienna was afraid too.”
An eyebrow lifted. “What made her change her mind?”
“The Brogan brothers pushed too far. People got hurt. They came for Archer.” And almost losing Archer had ripped open the band aid, igniting the fierce warrior witch inside. “Sienna embraced the powers she’d inherited from Rose and fought back. She saved our lives.”
“She loves you.”
He nodded, his lips curling into a small smile. “She has to. Every fibre of my being is connected to hers.”
Kate tapped his chest, a playful gleam entering her eyes. “Statements like that must have killed a few of your past relationships.”
“None that mattered,” he answered honestly, able to recall the death of many relationships in the past – although relationships was not quite the word he’d use to define the brief encounters. Until now. “Sienna has always come first.”
She didn’t comment and ran her fingers through her messy hair. “My hair looks as though it’s been ploughed through with a farm tool and I’m in desperate need of a shower.”
He grinned. “I love it. Let’s go.”
“Declan!”
“Words like plough, tool and shower have inspired all sorts of wicked thoughts.”
She laughed and pushed him away. “You’re insatiable!”
Still chuckling, he pulled her beneath him. “It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?”
A knock at the door made him groan but he was quick to climb out of bed. He tugged on his jeans, opening the door a few inches, using his body to shield the room behind him.
To shield Kate. She was in his bed, naked, a sight for his eyes only.
“Rise and shine, brother,” Ethan said, cocking a brow at Declan’s ragged appearance. Grinning like an idiot, Ethan glanced past his brother’s shoulder. “Fun night?”
More like mind blowing. Declan shifted, wedging himself in the door like a rock solid stopper from the scrutiny. “What do you want, Ethan?”
Ethan chuckled but his mood was quick to slide into business mode. “Get your ass dressed. We need you downstairs.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
Ethan frowned. “The harvest, man. Grapes are frozen solid. Time to go.”
Declan groaned. “Of all the days, Tara picks today?”
“Timing’s everything.” Ethan clapped his hands together. “Come on, chop chop. The town folk will be here within the hour.”
The harvest triggered a familiar adrenaline rush that clashed with a round of objections. Dammit. With the Blue Moon approaching, he wanted to keep Kate in his bed where he knew she’d be safe. Declan glanced over his shoulder, but she’d disappeared into the bathroom.
“Declan,” Ethan murmured, “we won’t let anything happen to her.”
Either his brother was a mind reader or Declan had grown hopeless at keeping his emotions separate from his face. But he refused to cover up his concern with macho crap. Not when it came to protecting Kate. He frowned, meeting Ethan’s gaze. Despite his confidence, Declan could see that his brother was worried. “The timing just sucks, brother.”
“We can keep her inside. We’ll arm the house and take turns to watch over her.”
“That might keep her safe for tonight but Harper won’t let her go,” Sienna said, walking toward them, a thick jacket clutched in one hand, a Grimoire in the other. She looked cool and confident, her gaze not wavering as she stopped beside them.
“His need for her might diminish once the moon passes,” Declan said, knowing it wouldn’t.
“That’s wishful thinking, Declan.”
“So what are you suggesting, Sienna?” He recognised the fire in her eyes, the subtle lift of a determined chin. His witch had something brewing.
“You can bet your ass that our grounds will be crawling with warlocks and witches tonight. And tomorrow and the day after. So instead of hiding Kate, I say we see this as an opportunity. Lora’s given me an idea.”
“Uh, uh, witchy. We’re surrounded by innocent people today. Our magic’s on a tight leash and Harper knows we’d never risk exposure. He’s not stupid.”
Her lips curled into a confident smirk, her shoulders rigid in quiet strength. “And neither are we.”
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
The mood was festive, despite
the long day of gruelling work in icy temperatures. At least the sun was out and the skies had cleared. The entire town had come to help with the harvest, an endless stream of people coming and going throughout the day. Everyone was kitted out in snow suits, supplied with endless coffee, and heaps of enthusiasm. It was fun, busy, but filled with a mutual purpose.
Kate added another bunch of frozen grapes to the basket beside her. The sun was setting, the estate basked in a glorious golden shimmer. She straightened, rolling her neck and shoulders.
“You okay?” Declan asked, coming up behind her. He handed her a bottle of water, scanning the vineyard. Strands of black hair peeked out from beneath the beanie he wore and a thin growth of black covered his jaw. God, the man oozed sexy in a way that rivalled all other men.
“I’m fine. Any sign of Harper yet?”
“Not yet, but he’ll show.”
She sipped the water and handed it back to him before removing her gloves. Flexing her fingers, she rubbed them together, surprised at how cold they were despite the warm material.
Declan took her hands in his, brows creasing. “You’re cold. You should come inside.”
“I’m fine, Declan. I’d rather be out here, busy.”
Knowing she was warlock bait didn’t do much to settle her nerves. At least here, outside, the work kept her mind off the fact that everything she’d been running from was about to culminate around her.
And something told her it wouldn’t be pretty.
He covered her hands with his and she grinned when she felt the heat wash over her. It trickled through her fingers, up her arms, warming parts of her that had only ever been touched by him.
“Better?” he asked, his lips curling into a smile.
God, she so wanted to kiss those lips. Instead, she nodded.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small, solid torch, holding it out to her. “Here, you may need this later when it’s dark.”
She smiled and slipped the torch into her pocket. “Thank you.”
He put the gloves back on, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze before swapping the full basket for an empty one.
They worked side by side for two more hours, engulfed in the merry chatter of their neighbours. It was hard not to forget about the impending gloom, the occasion as festive as it was hard work.
But they worked together, into the darkness, amidst the freezing cold, picking grapes to add to the growing baskets.
Dinner came and went in shifts, a steady stream of people moving across the vineyards.
When Declan eventually took her hand and headed to the coffee table, she had a hard time hiding her relief.
“How long does the harvest take?” Kate asked as they joined the queue.
“We’ll work throughout the night, maybe even tomorrow too. It depends on how fast everyone works. The cold doesn’t help.”
“What happens once the grapes are all picked?”
“They’re taken into the winery in town to be squeezed and pressed. Then it goes into the tanks where it ferments for a while.”
Watching him, Kate took the coffee someone pushed into her hand and with a grateful nod, she followed him outside.
Archer and Sienna were already there, sipping coffee and taking a breather of their own.
Sienna smiled and held up a chocolate. “If you’re going to be dragged through the wringer for us, you might as well enjoy it with a sugar rush.”
“That’s her standard excuse for bringing out the sweet stuff,” Declan said, grinning, and reached for the chocolate. He broke off a piece, handing the rest to Kate.
Smiling, she brought the paper cup to her lips. She froze, her mouth filled with a burning liquid that was definitely not coffee. Her lips and mouth began to sting as though she’d consumed a tiny hive of bees. Nausea pushed forward as her entire body objected to the foreign liquid. She whirled around and spat out the vile contents, erupting into a violent coughing fit.
Declan was there in a flash, taking her arm. “Kate? What’s wrong?”
“God, Kate, are you okay?” Sienna asked, putting a hand on her back.
Coughing, she swiped at her mouth. “Rose Thorn,” she choked, her stomach rolling in protest. “This isn’t coffee. It’s Rose Thorn.”
Declan growled, snatching the cup from her. He snapped off the lid and shook the remaining contents. “Did you see who gave you this?”
“No, we were talking.” Kate coughed and gulped the water Archer handed her, desperate to ease the sting.
Every Keeper instinct snapped forward as Declan and Archer surrounded the women, searching the vineyards. Senses alert, they emanated a warrior confidence and anger that had turned their bodies rigid.
“They’re here, aren’t they?” Kate said, her soft voice slicing the sudden tension.
Declan glanced at the near-full moon. “They’re restless, excited, and know their window of opportunity is shrinking.” He looked at Sienna. “Are you sure this will work, Sienna?”
“Of course,” Sienna replied.
Declan tossed the cup into a nearby bin. He wiped his hands and reached for Kate. “Because this is going to get ugly in a way that’ll make our battle with Warrick look like a kiddies’ field trip.”
The flames that burned in bins throughout the vineyards flared with gusto, an indication of the Keeper’s wrath.
And this time, his brothers didn’t stop him.
*****
Declan glanced at the thick clouds rolling across the sky, immediately recognising Ethan’s handiwork. Thunder rumbled and lightning flickered in the distance, strips of white flashes fighting for a place amongst the clouds.
It looked like a grey doom of fury creeping in.
He averted his gaze to Sienna, her expression masked in quiet anger. “You realise that if your witchy wheels come off tonight, we’re screwed?”
“My days of losing my witchy wheels are over,” she said with quiet confidence and took Kate’s arm. “Ready?”
Declan stepped forward, blocking their path. He hesitated, conflicted with the urge to protect Sienna and let her go. It was a constant inner battle that reared its head every time they were under attack. His entire being was programmed to keep her safe from danger, and it took a mammoth reminder that his powerful witch was quite capable of protecting herself.
But now there was Kate too and the inner conflict was at an all-time peak.
“We’ll be fine, Declan,” Kate said, touching his chest.
Her gentle touch fuelled his urge to toss her over his shoulder, Sienna too, and take them inside, out of harm’s way.
He took Kate’s hand, kissed her fingers, and released her with a brief nod, hoping like hell she’d be able to control her magic.
Or they were all toast.
Thunder rumbled, a loud crack of fury that drummed inside him and it wasn’t long after that the sky lit up in a flash of bright light.
Ethan.
He glanced at his brother, sensing his rage. Although Ethan appeared calm, his expression even, he gave off a silent fury that could be lethal if not controlled. They’d learnt long ago not to underestimate their youngest brother. Beneath his easy nature was a brutal warrior fiercely protective of everything his.
Especially his family.
“They’re here.” Ethan’s voice had them all turning around. He stood fixed to the spot, his gaze unwavering on a figure in the vineyard.
Harper Avery.
Bastard.
Harper’s warriors began drifting through the vineyards, dressed in their signature black cloaks and heavily circled eyes. Jonathan hadn’t been far off with his comment about them looking like the Grim Reapers.
“Everyone ready to take down these minions of darkness?” Declan grunted. There were nods all round. “Then let’s get this over with.”
“Declan, wait,” Kate said, grabbing his arm.
He frowned at the urgency in her tone. She stood rigid, her widened eyes flashing with horror, and gaped into the dist
ance. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his instincts flickering like a Christmas tree, and scanned the grounds. There was a flurry of movement as the warriors headed for Harper, combing through the vineyards like spiders out for a meal. In the tall trees in the distance, the silhouettes of jumpers leapt from tree to tree, rustling in the darkness.
“It’s Hazel,” Kate gasped. Her grip tightened and she pointed to the warriors circling Harper. “Oh, my God, Declan, they have Hazel!”
“Who’s Hazel?” Ethan grumbled, staring at the tall woman coming toward them. She had long black hair, mostly covered by the hood of her jacket. Judging by her spew of curses as the warriors dragged her forward, she wasn’t impressed by their harsh treatment.
The woman from New Orleans.
“What the hell’s she doing here?”
Kate tugged on his arm. “Please, Declan. We have to get her away from them before … ” She swallowed, inhaling quietly. “She’s been like a mother to me this past year. I have to talk to Harper, reason with him.”
“You’ll have better success with a mule.”
“Let me try. Please. They’ll hurt her. I want to talk to Harper first.”
He eyed the warriors, his brothers, and then fixed her with a frustrated glare. “Two minutes,” he grumbled. “Two minutes and then we’re ripping their heads off.”
CHAPTER FORTY
Seeing Hazel sandwiched between two warlocks as they joined Harper, remembering what they’d done to the witch in New Orleans, Kate felt a rollercoaster surge of emotions.
Hazel was conscious, bristling with nerves, her eyes riddled with worry.
Kate charged down the stairs, ignoring the quick snap of her name as Declan tried to stop her, and headed straight for Harper.
Harper had destroyed her mother, and now threatened her friend and the only link she had left to her old life.
Over her dead body.
“Kate!” Hazel gasped when she saw Kate. “I’m so sorry, they were following me.”
“What are you doing here?” Kate exclaimed, hating the fury that lined her words but dammit, Harper was pulling out all the trump cards he could muster and this one was a biggie.