by Bonnie Vanak
Her people were of the earth, and being outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine gave her fleeting peace.
Dale didn’t come outside once. Keira didn’t see him at all. When she took a break and went into the kitchen for a drink of water, she saw a note in his crisp, flowing handwriting.
Went to the base for a meeting. Will be back for dinner. Save your appetite. I’ve got a surprise for later. My treat.
He signed it with a bold, slashing Dale.
When he returned home, carrying two large sacks of groceries, she was dressed in a nice dress, waiting. And deeply curious. She’d had so few surprises in life and those had not been very pleasant.
He dumped the sacks on the granite counter. “I’m cooking dinner for you.”
At her crestfallen expression, Dale laughed. “Cheer up. I may not be a gourmet chef, but I make mean Maryland crab cakes.”
“How mean? Do the crabs bite?”
“Very mean. Enough to tempt your palate.” He playfully tapped her nose and then guided her to the high stool by the breakfast bar. “Sit, and watch the master at work.”
“Should I get the first-aid kit handy, in case you slice your finger?”
He laughed, such a deep, hearty and unrestricted sound, it made her heart leap. Keira suspected this was the real Dale Curtis, the man who’d been lost inside his own soul.
As he mixed ingredients for a pie, they talked about their favorite desserts. Then he slipped the pie into the oven.
He started preparing dinner as she watched. “It’s nice having someone cook for me for a change. Although this is a great kitchen to work in.”
“I redid it after Kathy left. Remodeled the whole house.” Dale added crab to a bowl and began to beat in eggs. “She seldom spent time in the kitchen, but I needed a fresh start.”
“Who taught you to cook?”
“I did. Read books, watched television shows until I got it right. Since Kathy didn’t like to cook, I learned.”
She reached for the platter of cheese and fruit he’d set out and sipped the white wine he’d poured into her glass. “Cooking is like yoga. You get into the rhythm of things, it becomes like a mantra.”
Dale held up the bowl and gave her a solemn look. “Ooooom.”
Keira giggled.
“Not everything relates to positive and negative energy,” he added. “Sometimes you have to let go, have fun for the sake of fun.”
“I believe that, too. Embrace life with both hands because you never know how long you have.”
Dale set the bowl down and looked at her. “What are you afraid of, Keira?”
“I’m afraid your delicious dessert is going to burn if you don’t watch that oven,” she said lightly.
He turned and pulled the pie from the oven. Smoke curled in the air, and instead of crisp, brown crust, the pie looked burnt.
“Ah, well. Dessert is ruined.” He glanced up, his gray gaze twinkling with good humor. “But there are alternatives. Much better options.”
Heat spiraled through her at the sexual suggestiveness of that look. Keira hoped he meant more fruit and cheese, because she didn’t know if she could handle Dale Curtis in bed.
How could she have sex with this man? Surrender everything, engage her emotions, when they were so different?
Guilt suffused her. And what of him, and how badly she had hurt him?
He served dinner in the dining room, lighting two elegant tapers and turning off the lights. “I’m trying to be energy-efficient,” he said, smiling.
The crab was excellent, served with fresh green beans, the salad crisp, and Dale put her at ease with amusing stories of growing up during a time period when “children were seen and not heard, except if they had magick powers and made their wishes known.”
When he saw her glass was empty, he waved a hand, and the wine bottle rose into the air and refilled it. Keira jerked back, startled. She’d forgotten this particular power.
Dale watched her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to show off. Just that it’s been so long since I had my powers that I want to fully experience them.”
“No prob,” she said lightly, sipping the wine. “As long as you don’t use telekinesis to lift up my dress hem.”
He grinned. “I promise if I lift up your dress hem, it will be with my hands.”
His glance was warm and teasing. Keira polished off the wine, feeling more nervous than when she’d first come to his house to gain access.
Then, she’d been the one in control. But clearly he was now.
And clearly flirting with her, as well.
“You’re very pretty in a dress.”
Whoa, boy. “I like pants, as well.”
Dale’s expression turned serious. “I know I haven’t been easy on you, or nice. I still don’t believe in all this woo-woo crap....”
At her arched eyebrows, he sighed. “Well, not all of it. But you did something extraordinary yesterday, Keira. Thank you. Thanks for putting up with my bad moods and snarly attitude.”
“I’ll forgive you, if you cook dinner for me again. This was delicious.” She pushed back her plate and feigned a yawn. “But it’s getting late.”
Now his dark brows arched as he glanced at the grandfather clock ticking in the corner. “It’s nineteen-hundred.”
Only seven o’clock. Too early to plead sleep. But this was dangerous, growing close to Dale.
“I’ve had a long weekend,” she said, twisting her hands in her lap. His scent, delicious spices and wine, teased her wolf senses, awakening feelings she wanted to remain buried. Dale gave her a crooked smile, and she melted.
“Watch a movie with me. I’ll make the popcorn, and I promise not to burn it.”
Keira hesitated. Further involvement aside from professional interactions was a bad idea. But the idea of spending a cozy night, munching on popcorn and indulging in old movies, tempted her badly. She’d had so few treats.
I can resist him.
Then she looked into his gray eyes and saw the sexual chemistry flare.
“Only if you let me pick the movie.”
“Deal.” He stretched out a hand. “Let’s shake on it.”
His palm was strong, warm and calloused, the hand of a man accustomed to hard work, not pushing papers. Dale rested his hand a moment in her grip and then drew back. “Go into the den, pick out a movie and let me clean up.”
* * *
She’d chosen Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Total chick flick. Keira shook her head when he’d suggested Lawrence of Arabia. So he’d let her have her way. Big green eyes wide, she’d sighed happily as they settled on the sofa.
And then, halfway through, Keira fell asleep.
Dale regarded his housekeeper with tenderness. Should have been more considerate. She’d expended all her energy fighting his demons, and needed recharging, not movies and popcorn.
He’d let his libido and interest carry him away, thinking of his needs, not hers.
Removing the bowl of popcorn from her lap, he placed it on the table, switched off the flat screen. Then he lifted her into his arms, burying his nose into her hair. Fresh citrus and sunshine invaded his senses. She felt soft and warm.
Hunger bit him. Keira was wholesome and innocent, uncomplicated and assertive.
Yearning for Keira filled him. She smelled like citrus and sunshine, not old cigarette smoke and lost hopes, or money and ambition like Melissa.
Yearning for a house filled with laughter instead of silence, and munching on crisp popcorn on a Sunday night instead of a barstool and a burger.
Determination filled him. He was a navy SEAL and never quit. Not when he wanted something badly, and he wanted Keira.
Dale carried her into her room. He pulled off her shoes, tucked her between the sheets and kissed her forehead. “Sweet dreams,” he whispered.
He knew what his dreams would be of, and anticipated the night when they would turn real, Keira naked in his arms, reaching out to him in trust as they made love.
; * * *
For the next five nights, Dale pursued her with gentle persistence. Not overtly, always a gentleman, but his male interest remained keen.
He took her out to dinner at a restaurant his team assured him was clean of demons. He brought her fresh flowers, ones he picked up himself at a florist. And he insisted on spending every night after dinner either watching old movies or taking long walks around the neighborhood.
Keira kept him at arm’s length. She brought him to the basement and they set up an exercise studio where he lifted weights and she mediated. And each night, she did a short session on him with the crystals.
The other night, he took an amethyst she’d placed on his neck and spun it lazily in the air, using his telekinesis. Delighted, she watched and clapped like a child.
“Always like doing this with my marbles when I was a kid,” he’d told her, grinning.
Keira suspected he seldom showed his light, playful side to his men. The serious navy commander had a quirky sense of humor and charm.
I could fall in love with you, she’d thought, feeling despair chase away her joy.
When Saturday arrived, he apologized.
“I’ve got a black-tie ball to attend. I’ll have to take a rain check on our movie tonight.”
Keira sat on his bed, watching him adjust the tie. “I need a favor from you,” he told her. “The admiral is inspecting the new firestorm chamber on Tuesday. I want you to visit the compound, meet with him and assure him I’m cured.”
“It’ll cost you. An entire night of watching Doctor Zhivago.”
He shot her an inscrutable look. “How about a massage?”
“I’ve given you enough massages.”
“I was referring to you,” he murmured.
Warmth surged through her. Keira pushed aside rising desire. “You’re not cured,” she warned.
“I feel terrific.”
In his formal dress uniform, he looked distinguished and handsome. As he turned for inspection, her heart did another little flip-flop.
“You look amazing,” she told him.
His mouth curled in a wry smile. “It’s the uniform. Covers all the shortcomings.”
Keira went and straightened his tie. “You don’t have shortcomings.”
“Tell that to Melissa. She didn’t think so when she saw me in the hospital.” He snorted and shook his head. “Tonight, in this uniform, she’ll find me acceptable.”
“Is she a Mage, like you?”
“Melissa is a normal, ordinary human woman who knows nothing about the paranormal world.” He gave her an apologetic look. “I’d arranged earlier to take her to the ball because I needed an escort. It’s a formal obligation. Nothing more. There’s nothing between us.”
Cheered by this admission, she trailed her fingers over the gold buttons. “Does she know you feel this way?”
His gaze hardened. “Melissa cares about appearances. When she found out it was the premiere social event of the month, she sped over to the base to ask me. Much faster than when she visited at the hospital. After all the nights we spent together, I thought I meant more to her than an invitation into military social circles.”
Jealousy nipped her heels. This Melissa had known Dale intimately, had shared his bed, his life and everything normal in it. Melissa didn’t worry about demons pursuing her or spending endless days locked in a cold, dark cage. This Melissa never looked over her shoulder, wondering when everything would come crashing down.
“You should probably leave soon to pick her up, if you don’t want to be late.”
Dale seemed distracted. “She’s arriving here in a limo she hired for the night.”
“A limo? Like the prom? Should I get out the camera and take your photo?” she said lightly.
“Melissa insists on making a grand entrance. Appearances are important to her.”
“Sounds like she uses you to climb the social ladder.”
Their gazes caught in the mirror and met. Connection flared between them. Dale cupped her cheek. Keira shivered, relishing his palm upon her skin. Strong, capable, and yet tender.
“I’d rather stay home with you and watch Lawrence of Arabia, but this is a necessary social obligation.”
“Silly,” she whispered. “Lawrence of Arabia is about guys draped in sheets and sand. I prefer Gone with the Wind.”
Warmth curled through her veins as he stroked a thumb across her cheek. “Women in big skirts waving fans. Chick flick.”
“It’s a military classic. Typical macho film. Guys smoking cigars, battles and guns.”
Chuckling, he released her. “You’re very persuasive when you’re trying to get your own way.”
Only with you, she thought. With you, I’d do anything to get my way because then I could finally be free. Live a normal life. Maybe even find a way for us to make this something more.
Dale Curtis was honorable and strong, and had all the values she cherished. He had a playful side she found endearing. But his rigid code of honor did not easily forgive. Dale viewed life in shades of black and white, while she clung to the gray areas, struggling to find the light amid the darkness.
The doorbell chimed, and his expression hardened, a reflection of the military commander with duties and obligations.
Her chest felt tight as she followed him into the hallway.
Brimming with curiosity about this mysterious Melissa, Keira hovered at the upstairs landing, peeking through the stairway rails like a child peering down at her parents’ party.
A tall, thin woman swept inside. Blond hair pinned in an elaborate arrangement of curls, she was pretty, with bright red lipstick accenting a full, sensual mouth, but beneath the glittering beauty lurked something cold, like a hard diamond. Gold sparkled on her dress like shiny coins. Keira squinted.
Melissa put a possessive hand on Dale’s chest. “Like my gown, darling? I bought it especially for you, to match your uniform.”
She spun around, the shiny fabric floating outward.
Dale nodded, his expression remote and shuttered. He barely said a word. Too busy prattling about the ball and checking out her appearance in the hall mirror, Melissa didn’t notice. Anger stabbed Keira. The man deserved a nice night out, with good company. He deserved normalcy and a woman who pried her attention away from herself long enough to pay him a compliment about how handsome he looked, ask him how he was doing.
Maybe the woman needed a good reminder. Or a kick in the shins. Keira bounded down the stairs and stopped short, smiling at Melissa.
She stuck out a palm. “Hi, I’m Keira, Lieutenant Commander Curtis’s housekeeper. I’m glad he’s finally getting out to a party. He’s been working too hard lately and deserves a nice night out.”
The woman stared at her hand as if she held out a live cockroach. “It’s not a party. It’s a military ball. Not that a servant would understand the difference.”
Unfazed, Keira regarded her shark’s-tooth smile. “Sure, I get it. A ball. That’s why you need such a sparkly dress. Very shiny. You match the buttons on his uniform. Wow, so bright, everyone’s going to need sunglasses.”
The other woman sized her up like a prizefighter studying an opponent. The briefest amusement crossed Dale’s face.
“We should be going, Melissa,” he murmured.
As they turned to leave, a faint, but familiar scent drifted into Keira’s nostrils. Interesting. The same scent from the bar where she’d first seen Dale...
And Dale had no idea.
Then again, the cloying stench of Melissa’s perfume would fool most. Except a pure-blood wolf like me, she thought.
“Normal, ordinary woman, huh? She never told you what she was?”
A frown touched his face as he turned. “Keira...”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Really, Dale, we don’t have time for games. We’ll be late.”
“Sure hope they have bananas flambé at your little party. Or just plain bananas. That’ll make your date hoot with glee, Dale.” She gave a s
mall, knowing smile.
Melissa’s mouth pinched as she glared at Keira. “Watch your mouth, you impudent maid. You’re nothing but a lowly servant.”
She got in her face. “Actually, I’m a Luminaire. And you’re nothing more than a throwback to Charles Darwin’s origin of species. Except you smell better. Then again, all that perfume...”
Dale’s eyes widened as his nostrils flared. “Son of a...”
Turning to Melissa, he narrowed his eyes. “You’re a shifter.”
An uneasy smile touched the woman’s mouth. “I have a titch of cougar shifter. On my mother’s side.”
“And monkey on her father’s side.” Keira laced her hands around the newel post. “Chimpanzee, actually.”
“You know what I am,” Dale said slowly.
Melissa rolled her eyes. “Of course. You’re Lieutenant Commander Dale Curtis, commander of SEAL Team 21. You’re from upstate New York and your father founded Curtis Mark Industries. Your mother is known in all of New York society, all the Newport and Palm Beach social circles and all the Mage...”
The woman’s mouth dropped. “I mean, Maine. I meant to say Maine.”
“Mage,” he corrected quietly. “Primary Elemental Mage, to be exact.”
A haunted, almost sad look entered his eyes. Keira’s heart twisted. Dale valued honesty and all this time his girlfriend had been living a lie, trying to use him to gain access not to military social circles, but his family’s power.
Sympathy and guilt coiled in her stomach. She wanted Dale to have a good time and she’d wrecked his night. The woman had not meant Dale harm, only wanted to hide a secret from him.
How well she understood that need...
Dale checked his watch. “Forget it. Let’s go.”
Keira cleared her throat. “Actually, I could be wrong. There is more cougar there than I’d thought. Good for you for concealing your shifter abilities all this time, Melissa. That takes skill, and you blend so well with human society.”
But the woman didn’t take the peace offering. Her gaze hardened. “I don’t need compliments from you. A cheap, peace-loving hippie Luminaire who has no more power than a psi human.”