by Sharon Coady
“I’ve eaten later. Nine isn’t too bad.” Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he went to his bedroom, picked up his book, and continued reading. Reading had always helped him escape from his past, but now it was overwhelming him with information that Tegan seemed to believe but he wanted to laugh at. How could his uncle believe this crap and still be seen as respectable?
A memory from his childhood flashed in his mind, bits and pieces of his mother holding him and singing to him. A song he couldn’t quite remember, a haunting melody flowed through him. Warmth and love flowed with it. Why couldn’t he remember the words? And more importantly, why was it coming back to him now?
He closed the book, sat on the side of the bed, and dragged his hand down his face. Maybe it was a lullaby. He walked quickly down the steps and down the hallway to the kitchen. The smell of dinner assaulted his senses, making his stomach grumble loudly.
“I didn’t realize how hungry I was, that smells amazing.”
“Thank you. I hope you like it.” She fixed two plates, placing one in front of him. “Witches and druids worship life and all things in it. They are usually drawn together in their simplicity of loving all living things, respecting the energy of every living thing.”
He leaned forward in his seat as he scrutinized her face, seeing that she believed everything she was saying. Shaking his head, he decided to take the approach of believing what she said, even if it did sound like the talk of someone who should have been institutionalized. “Did my uncle believe he was one of these ‘druids’?” Easton couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice when he asked.
Tegan frowned slightly, apparently not amused by his tone or question before answering, “He was a man who loved things that were different, who loved learning and believing in many things.”
That sounded like his uncle did believe he was one. Next, she’ll be telling me I can fly off the roof with an umbrella. “Can I ask you something totally off subject?”
“Sure.”
“When I was upstairs reading, a memory came to me from when I was very young. My mother was holding me and she was singing to me. I couldn’t make out the words, but it was the most hauntingly beautiful melody. I’m just curious if it sounds familiar to you. It’ll drive me crazy if I can’t figure out what it is. It’s been on the tip of my tongue since it came to me.”
She smiled in a bemused sort of way, clearly thinking he was trying to change the subject. Maybe he was, because thinking about all of this witch and druid crap was starting to give him a headache.
“Let me hear it.” She folded her hands on her lap and cocked her head, waiting for him to go on.
He cleared his throat and tried to hum the melody from memory. As he hummed, the notes came back to him with a strange clarity, surprising even him.
The color drained from her face as her eyes widened. “I do know it. Are you sure that is the tune for what she sang to you?”
He nodded.
“Do you remember the words?”
“No. If I did, I’m sure I’d be able to figure out what the song was a little easier. I could’ve googled it.”
She stared at him with a slight frown. Tegan took his hand in hers, entwining her fingers with his. “The tune you hum is a protection spell. It hides your true self from others who would wish to harm you. It is a very powerful spell, one that is used to protect someone you love with all your heart.” Standing, she made her way around the table and kneeled down in front of him so she could look into his eyes. “Your mother was protecting you even then from the person still searching for you today, and I promise to continue that protection to the best of my ability.”
Easton felt icy fingers slither down his spine. This feeling, more than anything he’d heard or read that night, convinced him that maybe, just maybe, there was something more to life than he’d believed. Suddenly, Tegan didn’t seem so crazy. Hell, his uncle didn’t even seem too far off base now. Something told him, deep down in the hidden recesses of his mind that he needed to listen to Tegan, to trust that she wasn’t crazy and was actually more than he believed her to be.
Maybe there was a whole other world he was unaware of. It might even explain all those moments of feeling watched and different while I was growing up. Easton sat a little straighter, thinking of the desolate childhood he’d led and how he’d always blamed it on Thomas. He suddenly saw it for much more than that. A light clicked on in his brain and fear trickled through him once again.
“Tegan, I don’t think I want to be alone tonight,” he whispered.
“You will not be.” She stood and dropped her hands to her side.
Easton took her hand. “You misunderstood me. I want you to stay in my room with me.”
Tegan gave him a gentle smile before grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I am going to make sure everything is locked up tight, and I will join you shortly.”
Easton watched her go, the fear of the unknown still lingering. What have I gotten myself into? He made his way upstairs while she finished whatever she was doing. Easton realized he felt safe with her. He wasn’t sure why though. After all, it should have been him protecting her. That was the man’s role. However, if what she was saying was true, he’d just stepped into a whole other world in which the rules were completely different than what he was used to.
Chapter Nine
Easton paced around the bed, his heart racing in his chest. His nerves were on edge waiting for her to come to him. However, his nerves were humming for a completely different reason now that he was in his bedroom, knowing that she would be staying with him. The thoughts of druids and witches were fleeing his mind. Thoughts of her skin under his fingers and her breath mingling with his replaced them instead. Damn, that woman motivated him to do things he’d only dreamed of doing!
A soft knock at the door froze him in place. Get a grip you idiot, she’s going to know exactly what you have in mind if you don’t. “Come in.” His breath caught as the door opened slowly. “I’m glad…” He stopped as she made her way quickly to him and placed her finger softly over his lips.
“You know, I’ve thought about being with you again since the last moment I was with you. I have never felt so strongly about someone before. I truly believe you are the one for me. Knowing that, I promise to protect you with everything I have in me. Do you believe me?”
He took her in his arms and looked deep into her eyes. “Yes.” He did know it and he was really starting to believe it. He looked down into her eyes again. The feel of her body pressed so tightly to his own stirred him in ways he didn’t know was possible. This fact alone made him hold her tighter right before he kissed her sweetly. Pulling away, he whispered in her ear, “I want you. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you right here, right now.”
“I am yours then.” Her arms went around his neck as she pulled him down and captured his mouth with hers.
He heard her moan as he deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing with hers. He pulled her closer, feeling as if he couldn’t get her close enough. His hands roved down her back, and he cupped her ample bottom, moving her against the hardness of his erection.
“Feel what you do to me.” He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked them to his bed. They were both breathless from their kisses, their hands moving frantically over each other, touching, exploring. “We have too many clothes on. I need to feel you against me, skin to skin.”
She tugged at his t-shirt as he ripped open her blouse, buttons flying everywhere. Laughing, she looked at him through hooded eyes. “I think it might be better if we just undress. I do not know if I will ever find my buttons.”
They moved from the bed, their eyes never leaving each other as they shimmied their clothes off. Easton tugged his shirt over his head, letting it fall to the floor. Pulling his belt loose from his jeans, he pushed them off and stepped toward her. “You aren’t going fast enough,” he growled impatiently.
She hooked her fingers under the fa
bric of her panties and slid them over her hips. He took her hand as she stepped out of them, moving closer to him. As the last piece of clothing fell, their laughter died as they allowed their eyes to rove over each other. His breath caught as his eyes met hers again, and he saw the desire had turned her eyes a darker shade. In two strides, he was taking her into his arms, crushing her against him as he claimed her mouth.
They fell on the bed, breathless from kissing. His hands moved over her soft, subtle skin, eliciting a groan from her. He slid a hand down her stomach, stopping just shy of where his fingers really wanted to be. He looked at her face, loving the way she squirmed with desire for him. Smiling, he lightly touched her moist area, rubbing the sensitive point until she was bucking against his hand. He ached painfully now. Removing his hand, he positioned himself at her opening and slid into her silkiness, the heat of her encompassing him completely and making him ache even more. Easton moaned as she lifted her legs, allowing him to slide completely into her.
She gasped. “Please. Do not. Stop.” Tegan threw her head back and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him further into her core.
“You keep that up and I won’t last long.” He gasped as she increased her tempo. Easton reached under her, lifting her bottom. Her breaths were getting shallower and as he felt her tighten around him, he thrust himself into her hard, feeling his own release. Once her spasms stopped, he rolled over and pulled her close.
“That was way too fast. Great, but not the way I wanted to love you again. I promise the next time, I’ll take it slower.”
“You warned me but I could not stop. Feeling you inside of me was amazing and I wanted more.” She reached out and traced his jaw with her fingers. “You know, this just further proves to me that we belong together. You make me feel things that I have never felt before. Even now, I want you inside of me again.”
He pushed up onto his elbow, taking in her beauty and marveling at how she took his breath away. Why had he worried about being with her? He traced the back of his hand softly down her side and watched her shiver. Everything he believed about relationships drifted away, and he found himself wanting everything being with her seemed to promise.
Sighing contentedly, Easton laid back, cradling her against his chest. His thoughts switched back to the life he’d known before. “My life hasn’t been easy since my mother died. Looking back, I see she protected me with everything she had. I know she loved me, but I don’t understand why she was with Thomas. As an adult, I know now that he was not loving and kind to her either. I wonder why she didn’t go with my father. There are so many unanswered questions about my life.” He traced the soft swell of her breast with his hand.
“I will do everything I can to help you find the answers to your questions, my love. I am so sorry for what that man did to you.”
He felt the corners of his mouth turn up as he looked deep into her eyes. Seeing bits of his own soul there, he leaned down and kissed her softly. “Still staying with me tonight?”
Sighing she snuggled closer. “I will stay with you forever, if you will let me.”
As the room grew darker, Easton heard her breathing become slow and steady. He closed his eyes and drifted off, feeling safe for the first time in his existence.
A noise woke him. He lay still trying to get his bearings. Moonlight streamed through the window, not quite reaching the shadowed corners of the room. Tegan still slept beside him, snuggled against his chest, her breathing soft and even. He searched the room, trying to see into the shadows. Did something move or was it just his imagination? He waited and watched. No, nothing moved in the deep shadow. He was just jumpy and tired.
Just as Easton was drifting off, he heard the faint whisper of fabric. Opening his eyes, he saw something move in the shadows. This time he was sure of it. What the…? He tapped Tegan softly, hoping to wake her without startling her.
He watched as Tegan’s eyes opened but she lay perfectly still, apparently listening to the sounds of the room. Easton knew the moment she heard the rustle of fabric. From the look on her face, she was as startled as he was. Something was wrong. He could feel it.
“Is there something over in the corner?” he whispered in her ear. “There, deep in the shadows? I saw something move.”
She smiled. “It is safe. It is only my fat cat, Harry, rubbing up against the curtain,” she whispered. “Although, I am not entirely sure how he managed to find his way in here.”
“Are you sure?” he breathed out so quietly, he was surprised she was able to hear him. “How can you be sure?”
“Because I just can. Look.” She rolled over and turned on the lamp beside the bed. The darkness receded, and there in the corner sat a large, gray cat staring at them with its green eyes. “Come here, Harry. Let us make proper introductions.”
Harry crossed the room and pounced onto the bed. He moved to sit in between Tegan and Easton. Leaning back against her, he began to purr. A rough, deep sound unlike any cat Easton had ever heard before.
“Well Harry, you sure gave me a start.” He reached to pet the cat, but Harry leaned further against Tegan and stopped purring, laying his ears back flat against his head.
“Harry! Be nice. This is Easton, and he is going to be around a lot. You had better play nicely, or I will have to put you in another room.” She scratched his back and the purr returned. “Sorry about that. Harry can be a bit protective.” She bent down, touching her nose to Harry’s while scratching his fat sides. “He undoubtedly is up to no good, sneaking in here like he did.” Harry leaned forward and lifted his paw toward Easton. “He’s waiting for you to acknowledge him now.”
Feeling somewhat bemused, Easton put his hand out. Harry placed his paw in his hand as he cocked his little head, his eyes watching Easton. “Nice to meet you, Harry.” Removing his paw, Harry stood and moved to sit against him. He rubbed against Easton’s chest and arm as the rough purring started up again. Feeling even more amused at the cat’s imperial behavior, Easton scratched behind the cat’s ear and the purring increased. “I’ve never heard a cat purr so loudly or gruffly before. For that matter, I’ve never seen a cat this big. Where did you get him?” He laughed as the cat all but stood on his head, wanting more scratching.
“Oh, he found me. He’s… special,” she said hesitantly. She laughed at the antics Harry was pulling to get Easton to scratch him everywhere, causing Easton to smile himself. “Harry that is enough now. You do not want to wear out your first visit with him. Come here.”
Harry looked over at Tegan and curled up against Easton, closed his eyes, and started snoring. “It looks like not only has he accepted you, he has claimed you as well.” She shook her head. “Cuddling with you just became an issue.”
“Just move him.”
“Easier said than done. He is going to be mad.” She carefully picked up Harry and placed him at the bottom of the bed, talking to him softly as she smoothed his hair. He opened one eye and gave a soft mew. “You are fine right here. Go back to sleep.”
As she moved back into Easton’s open arms, he raised a brow. “What are you smiling at?”
“You. We have only been together a short time, but I already know that look. ” She nodded her head toward Harry. “We better wait until another time, my love. Trust me, we do not want to disturb his majesty.” She giggled when Easton gave her a lopsided grin.
“Just so you know, I’m not waiting past tomorrow morning. Harry won’t be allowed in here if he keeps getting in the way of our playtime.”
“Deal.” She snuggled closer. “Let us get some sleep now. We will talk about it more in the morning.”
Chapter Ten
Easton chuckled as Harry rubbed up against his back, his chainsaw purr breaking the peaceful morning silence. “You could wake the dead with that sound.”
Tegan pushed the covers off, picked Harry up, and started for the door with half his fat body hanging down from her arms.
“Where are you going?” He pushed up on his elbow
, watching her.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Did you not you promise me something this morning? I am putting him out the door.”
“While you’re doing that, I’ll be right back.” He slipped off the bed and hurried into the bathroom to take care of business. He chuckled when he heard Tegan talking to the silly cat again as if he understood her.
When he opened his bathroom door, he whistled when he saw her standing there with his T-shirt on. “I could get used to this.” Easton tugged her against him and backed her to the bed where he gently pushed her down after pulling his shirt off her. He crawled slowly up her body, trailing kisses along the way. Stopping to ravish one nipple with his tongue, she arched her back as his hand caressed her other breast. Taking his head in her hands, she held him against her as he tugged gently on the sensitive point. He smiled when she shivered again. She gasped, causing him to pull more of her into his mouth.
He moved down her body and positioned himself between her thighs. Watching her face, he gently pushed her legs farther apart, causing her to turn a delicate shade of pink. Oh how he loved the sight of her beautiful body. When he dipped his head and took her nub between his teeth, she moaned and twisted her body, giving him better access to what he most desired. His tongue explored lower, slipping in and out, causing her stomach to quiver with apparent need.
“What are you doing to me?” she moaned as he nibbled, licked, and sucked. He felt her tense and knew she was done when she grabbed his head, her hips bucking against his mouth as she called out his name. She fell back against the bed, opened her eyes, and smiled at him as he crawled up her body, positioned himself between her legs and entered her slowly.