by Rivi Jacks
I shake my head at his bossiness. Where does he think I’m likely to go?
As we pass one of the tables that I suspect seats supernatural, they all turn to look at us. Actually, I feel as if they’re staring at me. One of the men nods at Clea. “Mrs. Hunt.” I hear him acknowledge softly. I see Clea nod in reply. They know each other?
As soon as we enter the ladies room, Clea checks to see that we’re alone. “I’ve been chomping at the bit all day, excited to finally meet you,” she says as we wash our hands. “Lucas has been incredibly happy since meeting you, and I wanted to say thank you.” Our eyes meet in the mirror. She’s striking in appearance. Short, glossy red curls surround her face; with dark sooty lashes setting off eyes that are a tawny color; close to the color of the brandy that Lucas drinks. She’s tall and slim but curvy. Her dress is a deep color of jade green that just adds to her vividness. “There’s been something else I’ve been curious about.” She gives me a sideways look. “I… heard that Lucas gave you his mark, but I had to see for myself.”
I look at her in surprise, and for a moment I think she means my hickey, but it’s fading well and nicely covered with concealer. So—it’s the other, and I wonder how long this “mark thing” is supposed to last. It has been quite some time since I had Lucas’ blood and it wasn’t much at that. A drop of blood on his lip shared in a kiss, and supposedly every supernatural I encounter sees some type of claim Lucas has placed on me.
“He has never had anyone like you in his life, and it’s a real pleasure to see him like this.” I dry my hands a little curious at her words. “I’d just about despaired of him ever finding anyone. He’s always been so lonely.”
“I don’t think he’s been that alone. I’ve met a couple of the women he’s dated.”
“Lonely and alone are two different things and those women meant nothing to him. You on the other hand— I could tell right off that you were different. Of course, getting information out of Lucas is like trying to pull teeth from a horse. But Taylor filled me in on a lot of it.”
Taylor! “Do you know—” I’m beginning to think Taylor knows everyone. No wonder he and Sawyer get along so well. I wonder why Taylor didn’t fill me in on things. Well, I guess that answers my question about what he thinks of me.
“Everyone knows Taylor, at least in the supernatural world.”
Since she’s being so candid, I decide I will be too. “The thing is—Lucas never said a word about you before he came on this trip.” I catch her surprised expression.
“Nothing?”
“Nope. Nada.”
“The ass!”
I smile. “I think we’re going to get along just fine.”
“Oh, sweetie, we’re going to be good friends.”
I smile. I hope so. “How long have you known Lucas?”
She studies me a moment. “About sixty years.”
I exhale sharply. “Sixty years?”
“Sofie,” —she sounds amused— “sixty years to a vampire is like—sixty days.”
“And… you’re a vampire,” I state.
“Has Lucas not told you anything at all?” she asks, clearly exasperated.
“He said you work for him and that you dated, before deciding you would be better as friends.”
“Ha! He would tell you that. Let me guess, he was trying to cover his ass when you questioned him about me.”
I laugh. “You know him well.”
“Somewhat. We’d better head back. I see how Lucas looks at you, and I do know him well enough to know he’ll be beating down the door any moment now.” As we head out, she says, “I really like your dress by the way.”
“Thank you. I like yours too. It looks great with your hair.”
“Alan loves me in this color.”
“How long have you been married?” I ask as we step into the hallway.
“Ten years.”
“So—like ten minutes?”
Clea Hunt has a deep, rich laugh. “Yes. You and I are going to be good friends.”
“Mrs. Hunt.” We turn to see the gentleman who spoke to Clea earlier. He’s not a very tall man, but he emits an aura of power. Fiftyish, slightly balding, with a pleasant smile. “I am sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if I might speak with Santiago.” I notice his slight accent as his gaze settles on me.
I glance at Clea, catching the friendly smile she gives him. “Mr. Chastain, Lucas is here for pleasure tonight, not business, but I will tell him you need to speak with him.”
He bows slightly. “Very good. Thank you.” His eyes dart to me again before he walks away.
As we cross the dining room, I notice we’re garnering quite a few glances from several of the tables, but I only have eyes for the table where the unbelievably sexy, dark-haired Caballero stands. Isn’t that the Spanish word for knight? I know that is what he is. A knight, in every sense of the word. Lucas fights to protect the world, supernatural and human alike, with a code of conduct that is honorable. And he’s waiting with outstretched hand—for me. How is that possible? We make eye contact as I walk toward him. When he looks at me the way he is, I forget to breathe, so it’s no wonder I reach his side, breathless.
“My sweet,” his voice has that soft velvet quality that makes my stomach muscles clench as he pulls me close. He kisses my temple. “I was just about ready to come look for you.”
I laugh softly. “I was with Clea, Lucas.”
“Yes, but you weren’t with me.” His gaze holds mine with meaning, and then he pulls my chair out, stroking the length of my neck with the back of his fingers before he sits beside me.
Our waiter asks if we are now ready, and I realize he’s been waiting for our return to serve the meal. Alan and I are having the sautéed trout filet, and Lucas and Clea are having steak so rare, it’s still mooing. I’m careful not to look at his plate as Lucas cuts into the blood oozing meat.
I look up and catch Alan’s amused expression. “Disgusting, isn’t it?” he teasingly asks. I was suspicious when he ordered the trout and now intrigued with the confirmation that he is not a vampire. I wonder how that works in his and Clea’s marriage.
I huff a short laugh and sneak a peek at Lucas, finding him watching me. He arrogantly pops a piece of steak in his mouth. I snort softly.
“It’s delicious,” Clea murmurs. “Here—have a piece.” She plops a large bloody piece onto her husband’s plate, which promptly leeches blood into his cream sauce. Alan looks at her with mock horror.
I giggle at their antics, and the mood is set for the rest of the meal. It’s an extremely pleasurable evening, and by the time I finish my dessert, the house specialty of Russian cream with fresh raspberries, I’m overly full.
“Are you ready to get back to our room, my sweet?”
Clea speaks up immediately. “No! It’s early, let’s go dancing.”
“Sofie and I have early morning plans, Clea,” Lucas says. Ah… his surprise. I look up at him.
“Come on, Lucas, the evening’s young,” Clea cajoles. “Let’s go for a couple of hours, and you will still be able to get your beauty sleep.”
“Not tonight, Clea. It’s late, and we still have to drive to the lodge.”
“You should have stayed in town where we’re at,” she says.
“Do the rooms have large windows? Sofie likes big picture windows.”
I choke on my drink of water, and Lucas chuckles under his breath.
“Clea, Lucas has gone to a lot of trouble to plan tomorrow. We’ll go out another time,” Alan says. Clea pouts prettily.
He’s gone to a lot of trouble? What the hell does he have planned?
As we retrieve our coats from the coat check, a small group is checking their coats in. The older, gray-haired man looks up in surprise.
“Lucas,” he greets in a heavy accent. The attractive younger woman at his side smiles seductively and then looks at me with curiosity. Oh no! Another lover?
“Racine. Lena,” Lucas says pleasantly then glances down at me.
Another man steps forward. “Lucas,” he says warmly, his voice also heavily accented. He immediately looks at me. “This must be the reason you had to leave our meeting last night; the situation you had to take care of,” he says, his eyes twinkling.
What?
“This is Sofie. Sofie, this is Otto Racine—” Lucas nods toward the older man— “and his wife, Lena.” I nod politely. “And this is Jonas Weber.” The younger man smiles broadly. “You all know Clea and Alan Hunt.” They all exchange pleasantries.
Finally, Lucas says, “I’ll speak with you next week, Racine, Jonas.” He nods at the woman. “Have a pleasant evening and enjoy your meal.” With his hand on the small of my back, Lucas guides me out the door.
“Did you have a good time, my sweet?” Lucas asks as we drive back to the lodge.
“I had a great time, Lucas.” He smiles. “I really like Clea and Alan.”
“I knew you and Clea would get along.”
“I think we will. Who were the people you spoke to on the way out of the restaurant?”
He glances my way again. “Otto Racine is a very powerful man in the supernatural world. Jonas Weber is his brother-in-law.”
“Brother of Mr. Racine’s wife?”
Lucas hesitates before answering. “Yes, he is.”
“They’re who you had the important meeting with.”
He smiles indulgently. “Yes.”
I study him a moment, but he keeps his eyes on the road. “Did you… date her?”
He looks at me then and grins widely. “Why, are you jealous?”
“Did you buy her clothes?”
He laughs. “No, I never bought Lena Weber clothes. I told you, I’ve never bought another woman clothes.”
I turn in the seat, tucking a leg under me. “Did you ever… kidnap her?” This is fun. As long as he keeps saying “No.”
He grunts. “Not only did I never kidnap her—I never wanted to.”
“So—you’re finally admitting that you did kidnap me.”
“Something I’ve wanted to do since the first moment I saw you.” He glances at me again. I’m a little taken aback by how fierce his gaze is, and my breath catches.
“Good.” I turn to face the front. “Then I’m not jealous.”
We pull up to the entrance of the lodge, and Ryan Hayes is waiting. As he opens the door of the SUV for me, we make eye contact, and I think I see a bit of amusement there.
“Miss Reece.”
“Mr. Hayes.”
Lucas walks around the front of the Range Rover. “Ryan, we won’t need you or Mateo until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Yes, sir. Have a good night.”
I look back as Lucas leads me inside. “Good night,” I say. Ryan Hayes gives me a slight smile. Hopefully, he’s forgiven me.
“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing in the morning?” I ask and immediately yawn. Geez, this mountain air is getting to me. Lucas smiles as we turn down the hall to our room. “Everyone but me knows about it.” When he doesn’t respond, I frown. “Is it a hiking trip?” He pulls me possessively to his side as we pass another couple. I think it’s the same couple we saw in the hall earlier that afternoon during my getaway antics. The woman glances up and briefly, meets my eyes.
Lucas unlocks our room door, closing and locking it behind us. Kicking off my heels, I yawn again. “Lucas, I want to know what we’re doing in the morning.” I turn to discover him right at my back. I swallow deeply when he grips my wrists, pulling them behind me.
“Is that right?”
“Yes,” I breathe. “You never know, I might not like it.”
He laughs a low, throaty sound. “Oh, you’ll like it.” His mouth comes down on mine, his kiss hot and demanding. I moan softly as he takes both my wrists into one of his large hands and slowly unzips my dress. “I love this dress on you,” he growls in my ear. “And off you.”
“Thank you, I love—ahhh!” I cry out when he pinches my nipple. Outlining the shell of my ear with his tongue, he bites the lobe, and I shiver against him. My knees are on the verge of buckling when he kisses his way down my neck to the pulse point where he bites the sensitive spot, and I cry out again. I want him. Right now. “Lucas!” I gasp.
“Shhh.” He licks and sucks the tortured side of my neck. “God, you taste good,” he moans as he pushes my dress off my shoulders, and releasing my hands, it pools on the floor at our feet. His eyes burn my skin as they roam over me, filling me with need. “I like this bra. I can see your areolas,” he says hoarsely.
Geez, has a word ever sounded sexier? My nipples harden and elongate further as he presses his lips to the soft swell of my breasts. My head falls back, and I moan as his tongue dips into the cup, licking my nipple. Standing on tip-toe, I reach up to bury my hands in his hair, leaning in to kiss his neck, nipping and sucking.
“Sofie,” he moans.
I bite the side of his neck, and he growls. Gripping my arms, he pulls them from around his neck and laughs hoarsely. “You need to sleep. I need to sleep.”
I make a whiney sound. “I don’t want to sleep.”
He grips my chin and gives me a quick kiss. “Get ready for bed.”
I frown at his back as he heads for the bathroom. He’s not my boss—or my father. I’m not sure why he thinks he can order me around as he does everyone else.
When he comes back to the bedroom area, I’m sitting on the bed. His eyebrow lifts as he gives me a quick glance before crossing to the closet.
“Tell me what my surprise is, and I’ll go to bed.”
He grins as he tosses me one of his t-shirts. “I should have ordered you something to sleep in when I ordered your clothes earlier.”
“I like sleeping in your t-shirt.”
“Good. Put it on.”
“After you tell me what my surprise is.”
Lucas grins as he steps out of his slacks. “You’re ready to bargain are you?”
“If—I must.” Lucas wears boxer briefs, the ones that display his package in all its glory, and I’m a little distracted as he stands before me.
The sudden ringing of his cell phone startles me. He reaches for it from the bedside table and frowns.
“Is it Max?”
He glances up to meet my gaze and then back down at his phone. “No. I need to take this, though.”
He crosses the room, and I sigh as I grab up his t-shirt and head for the bathroom. I hear him talking in a hushed tone in between brushing my teeth and washing my face. By the time I finish and head back to the bed, I can’t stop yawning. I slide in under the bed covers and curl up on my side. If I can just let my mind drift and not focus on any one thing—like the fact that I’m now wondering if Max has found anything out about the Kihn.
I feel the bed move as Lucas climbs between the sheets and then he’s reaching for me, pulling me against the front his body. I turn in his arms.
“Would Max call tonight if he had news about the Kihn?”
Lucas rolls to his back. “Yes, if it was news that wouldn’t keep until the morning.” I sigh, and he pulls me against his side. “Sofie, don’t worry. If there were unusual Kihn activity, such as a large group moving into the area, we would have already known about it.”
“How?” I rise up and prop my head on my hand. “How do you keep track of the Kihn?”
“The same way any army keeps tabs on the opposing forces.”
“I’m worried,” I murmur.
He turns his head to look at me. “Is there something you need to tell me about your
dream?” His gaze holds mine, and I swallow deeply. Now’s the perfect opportunity to tell him— I slowly shake my head.
He holds my gaze for several moments, and then I lie back down to rest my head on his shoulder.
“You know that you can tell me anything,” he says softly. I nod a lump forming in my throat. Eventually, he says, “Okay, then no need to worry.” He reaches over to turn off the light. “Sleep, my sweet,” he says, tucking my head under his chin. “We need our rest; hot air balloons lift off early.”
Hot air balloons!
“We’re going up in a hot air balloon?” I sit up in the bed, and Lucas laughs, pulling me back down, my back to his front, wrapping his arms around me.
“Sleep.”
“I can’t sleep now, I’m too excited.” Maybe it’s not all excitement; some of it could be apprehension. Balloons look so romantic, peaceful even, floating around in the sky. But they don’t usually hand out parachutes, and I really don’t care for heights. I wriggle against his hold, and hearing the sharp hiss through his teeth, I smile and wriggle again.
“Sofie!” he growls in my ear. “I haven’t rested in days—several days. Add that to my hunger for you, and you are in serious peril.” He rolls me over, looming above me. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
My eyes widen as I look up into his face. The bathroom light is still on with the door only partially closed leaving enough dim light that I can still make out his features. “I—maybe.”
He sighs deeply. “I told you earlier, I need very little blood to survive. I can usually go an inordinate length of time without feeling hunger. But right now,” —he growls again— “I am so hungry for you; it’s taking all my willpower to stay in control.”
I hold perfectly still not sure if I should even breathe. With caution, I turn on my side, moving carefully against him as I pull the covers to my chin.
He wants to bite me. Right now.
I must be sick because something about him biting me—