by Sidney Ayers
Eyes swirling and flashing, Rafe turned to meet her gaze. His jaw twitched and his fists clenched as a torrent of despair and frustration washed over his face. “My sister said something similar.”
His words hit like a surprise jab to her stomach. She drew her lips into a straight line and clasped her hands together. He felt guilty about allowing his sister to join the guard. She should’ve known. Casting her glance down to her tightly laced fingers, she heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry, Rafe. Your sister—”
Crooking his finger, he lifted her chin to meet his gaze, warm and inviting. “Don’t be.” With tender care, he lowered his lips to hers.
Tingles and sparks danced across their lips. Throwing her arms around his neck, she laced her fingers in his hair and drew him closer. With teasing nips and nibbles, their mouths melted together. She never wanted it to end.
Nothing felt so perfect. Amazement, mixed with desire, flooded her veins. Warmth emanated from her every pore, every strand of hair, everywhere. A feeling she’d felt before, but never so intense.
What was going on?
Who was she kidding? She knew exactly what was happening. No matter how hard she tried to deny it. His smile, although fleeting, sent her heart aflutter. His voice made her legs turn to mush and his kisses sent all sorts of energy coursing through her. And the sex, hot damn. Not only was it toe-curling, it was explosive and left her hungry for more. For five years, she’d been content without a man. But now, all she could think about was Rafe. She didn’t ask for this. Not now, with so much at stake.
His lips lingered before he pulled away. With a long tender trace along her cheek, he gazed down at her. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”
Sweetheart? Her heart thudded a wild beat. Gnawing her lip, she laced and unlaced her fingers. Should she tell him? What would he think? What would he say? She needed to show him she could be strong. She needed to show him she could fight.
“Nothing,” she replied, her tone nonchalant.
“Very well.” He punctuated his sentence with a kiss to her nose. Gaze swirling, His lip crooked up in a smile. “Your father warned me you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Her gaze remained indifferent as she crossed her arms. “Glad he hasn’t forgotten me in ten years.” She wouldn’t deny it. She was thrilled that her dad was still alive. Him being the Sexubi king and faking his death—not so thrilling. Confusion and anger simmered inside. Like she could just forgive him.
“Your father loves you. He had to do it to keep you safe.” His hand searched for hers, warmth guiding him like a beacon.
The fact that her dad, Lilu, whatever his name was, had shared more with Rafe didn’t make matters any better. Then again, she hadn’t been too receptive. A deep sigh pushed through her lips. “I know. I just need time.”
Nodding, Rafe took her in his arms. With a brush of a stubborn lock of hair, he smiled. A breath of sheer contentment flowed from her mouth as she snuggled closer to him. Who would’ve known such a rock-solid behemoth of a man could be so gentle.
“I’ve come up with a compromise.”
She glanced up at him with a bemused quirk. “A compromise for what?”
Hands gripping her shoulders, his gaze burned into hers. “You can fight.”
“Really?”
“Yes…” He scratched his chin, thought clouding his eyes.
Here comes the “but.”
“Spit it out.” She tossed a rogue lock of hair from her cheek.
“You can fight only if you’re in danger and your life depends on it.” With that, he reached for the book and pulled it open. Pointing to a long katana, he smiled. “This will be a good weapon to match your martial arts skills.”
Skills she didn’t have to train to acquire. Granted it wasn’t reading minds or poofing here and there, but coupled with the Latin, she couldn’t have asked for any better talents. “Sounds good. So where do I get one?”
“I’ll have Kalli get one for you.” Rafe flipped the page. “Hopefully it can be prepared in time.”
Her eyes widened. “Prepared?”
“Every weapon needs to be purified before we use it.” He flipped a few hundred pages. “Here. This is the ceremony.”
Looking down at the beautiful illustration, she took in its beauty. Holding a sword up with both hands, an angel floated above a rose-bedecked altar. Flanking the altar, several other angels held their arms high, their white gossamer floating gowns flowing around them. “Do I need to be there?”
“No,” he replied with a shake of his head. “The angels’ power is strong enough. Besides, it isn’t safe for you to travel to Limbo just yet.”
She gave him an acquiescent nod. He did have a point. “How long will it take?”
With a shrug, Rafe whipped his gaze around the room. “Where’s my jacket?”
“Over there,” she said, pointing toward the corner where the light had teetered just hours before.
A sly smile curved his lips. “Glad your lamp is still intact.” With that, he shuffled to the corner and grabbed the heap of leather off the floor. Rifling through the pockets, he pulled out the BlackBerry he’d used earlier.
“I still can’t get over the fact that demons need cell phones.” She stuck her hands in the pockets of her robe and lounged against the futon. “I would’ve thought you’d have more sophisticated communication methods.”
“Very few Paladins have telepathic skills. And on Earth, those skills are somewhat diminished.” He punched in a number and rested his thick body against the floor lamp, dwarfing it. With an irritated growl, he fumbled with the phone. “I don’t care for modern inventions, but they’re an unfortunate necessity.”
“Where would the world be without BlackBerrys?”
Rafe snorted. “BlackBerry? Is that what it’s called? There’s nothing sweet nor juicy about it at all.”
She snickered at Rafe’s attempt at a joke. Not a very good one, but she still gave him props for effort. “Yeah, I never knew why they called it that.”
After several attempts, Rafe blew a satisfied breath of air and put the phone to his ear. “Kalli. Have a katana sent here for Lucy.” In a second, his lighthearted tone flip-flopped to his customary stick-up-his-ass one. At least it wasn’t directed at her right now. Her heart skipped more than a few beats. She had it bad for him.
“We’re fine. Her mother—and father—are safe.”
Pacing the length of her living room, he shook his head. “We don’t have time to explain, just have the weapon ready.” As soon as the last word was out, he slammed his finger down on the end button. Stuffing the phone back into his jacket pocket, he gazed down at her. “You’ll have your sword soon.”
“Thanks, Rafe.” She slinked toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Brushing her lips across his cheek, she laced her fingers through his hair.
Lifting her chin with his thumb and forefinger, he shook his head. “No. Thank you, Lucy.” He brushed his lips against hers, taking slow tentative strokes. Sparks ignited between them, and she pressed closer. With a slow swirl, her tongue traced each spark. The mixture of their energy and the delicious peppermint spice sent her libido back into uncharted heights.
His hands roved across the silky lengths of her kimono to massage her ass. His hands moved with precision down her thighs. His desire, hard and heavy, pressed against his jeans as he ground his hips into hers. Her mind wandered back to the bedroom, where less than five minutes after they finished, he was up and ready to go again. This was all new to her, but undoubtedly welcome. The times she’d tried to initiate some post-coital coitus with Josh, he’d simply roll away and say he was too tired. Ugh! Talk about frustrating.
“Wow,” she managed to breathe his lips. Allowing her fingertips to trace along each contour of his sculpted pecs, she latched onto his lip and nibbled. Her fingers wandered lower, not that they needed much prompting, and scratched a path down the hard lines of his abdomen. Time to take those pants off again.
Th
en her phone rang.
“Bloody hell,” Rafe growled. “Your phone couldn’t have rung at a more inopportune time.” Raking a hand through his hair, he pulled himself from their embrace.
An irritated growl escaped her mouth. “I suppose I should get that. Demon infestation and all.”
Rafe offered a slow nod. “It could be your friend.”
Blowing out an exasperated breath, she jetted toward the gigantic purse of many colors and fished inside. Flipping open the receiver, she checked her missed calls. Serah it was. She hit the send button and listened as Lady Gaga crooned in her ear. Whoever invented ring-back tones should be shot. Then again, she wasn’t any better, with her Justin Timberlake ringtone.
“Hello?” Serah’s voice crackled on the other line. Stupid cell phone reception.
“Hey girl. You rang?”
“Yeah. Okay if Squeaky and I head on over? The storm’s let up.”
“Let me check with Rafe.”
Serah’s huff crackled through the phone. “What happened to the Lucy I used to know. The one who did stuff without asking?”
“Still here, goober. But I want you safe and not some crazy demon’s dinner.”
“Whatever, I have Squeaky here to protect me.”
“Whatever, my ass. These demons are powerful. Look at the blizzard that just rolled through here. Something tells me they aren’t done yet.”
“Fine, go ask Rafe.”
“Okay.” Covering the phone, she turned to Rafe, who pulled his T-shirt back on. She held back a sigh. There was no more time for play. “So Serah wants to come back here.”
Rafe shook his head. “It isn’t safe. Even Kalli is keeping vigil in the shop with your employees.”
“All right.” She put the phone back to her ear. “He says it’s still not safe.”
Serah’s long breath of air reverberated in her ear. “Fine, bye. Squeaky and I are going to watch The Godfather trilogy for the millionth time. Why can’t he have a fetish for historical sagas instead?”
“Sorry, girl. I’ll call you back when Rafe and I have more news.”
“Rafe and you,” she said, sarcasm dripping on each word.
She bit her lip to prevent herself from lashing out. It wasn’t like she wasn’t the only person who was stressed. Taking a deep breath, Lucy composed herself. “Look, I’m just as aggravated as you. I’m cooped up in this tiny house with your dusty box and only Rafe to keep me company.”
Serah snorted “Try spending the evening with a stupid primate and The Godfather movie marathon. At least you have a sexy man to keep you company. I have a fucking monkey!”
“But you love Squeaky. And, remember, he’s a chimp, not a monkey.”
“Kiss my ass.”
Her eyes rolled to the ceiling. “Whatever. Just wait a few more hours. Rafe says that once the solstice has passed, the threat lowers.”
“Fine. I suppose I can play Donnie Brasco or Prizzi’s Honor instead. That’ll keep him occupied for another three or four hours.” There was no masking the sarcasm in her voice.
“Good.”
“Are you sure I can’t come over? There’s something about Rafe I don’t like.”
Blowing out a breath, she adjusted the phone at her ear. “I know he comes off as standoffish, but he means well.” She smiled. “He’s very protective.”
“That’s what you think.” Serah clucked her tongue. “He’s hiding something. Has he done anything to you?”
Did she know they did it? Her mind reeled. She hoped not. “No. He’s been all right.”
“Only all right?” Her voice raised an octave. “I would’ve thought he’d be better than that.” Was that a lip smack? Then again, it shouldn’t surprise her. Besides shopping, Serah had one other weakness… the opposite sex.
“If anything happened between Rafe and me, you’d be the first to know.”
“Good.” The phone scratched a bit. “Squeaky! Stop. I’ll call back later.” The phone went dead.
Flipping the phone shut, she turned to Rafe. “That was weird.”
“Your friend seems strange in general.”
She shook her head. “Weirder than usual.”
With silver eyes blazing, Rafe strode toward her. His expression still stern, he raised her chin to meet his gaze. “She just found out her best friend is a sex demon. Give her a break.”
And just earlier, she’d said she didn’t trust him? Yet Rafe had just defended her. “Yeah, I will.”
Rafe smiled. “Good.” He reached down and took her hand in his. Bringing it up to his mouth, he let his lips brush across her fingertips. Tingles and sizzles raced through each finger down to her toes. He had a way with… everything.
“Thanks, Rafe. I know this isn’t how you planned on spending your winter solstice.”
Rafe chuckled and pulled her closer. “We don’t have seasons in Limbo.” He gazed down at her, his silver eyes sparking. “Regardless of my initial displeasure, there isn’t anywhere I’d rather be.”
“What about your sister?”
“Shh.” Rafe brought his fingers to her lips. “Her rescue is in capable hands. The Fore-Demons brought me here for a reason.”
“Yeah, and they brought Squeaky here for a reason. I’ve yet to learn why. The little guy seems more attached to Serah than you.”
He sucked in a deep breath. “I still don’t fully understand how the Fore-Demons work. But over the centuries I’ve learned not to question them.” A slow smile crept to his lips. “Enough chitchat. We need to clean up before Kalli arrives with the sword.”
“I suppose we can’t have her smelling us on each other,” she said with a shrug. Truth be told, she enjoyed the spicy scent he left on her. She didn’t want to wash it off at all.
A loud chuckle burst from his mouth, a sound that was becoming more frequent. “No, I just thought you would like to freshen up. Kalli’s pretty astute. She’ll know what we did, with or without showers.”
“Yeah, she is. I’m sure reading people’s minds helps somewhat.” Thank goodness she’d learned how to keep inquiring minds out.
“A little too much, I’m certain.” Rafe reached out and hauled her against him. The hardness of his chest against the soft roundness of her breasts caused her skin to sizzle. “One more kiss before you shower.” He took her lips with his, savage hunger filling both of them as tongues tangled and swirled against each other. His hands moved up and down her back, strong, demanding, and protective. Heat flamed between them, hotter than Hell itself. She never wanted it to end.
A gust of ice cold air swirled around. What the hell? A ball of cool blue energy floated in the air. Growling, Rafe pulled himself from the embrace.
“W-what’s going on?” she mumbled, pulling her flimsy robe to her body. It did little to protect her from the biting cold. There was only one explanation. Senses now fully acute, she charged toward the table, letting her robe fly behind her. Reaching out, she palmed the dagger and spun around, ready to slice.
Chapter 22
“Lucy! No.” But it was too late. She spun around, eyes blazing as she gripped the dagger, ready to strike.
Materializing next to him, in a pile of ice shards and swirling fog, Dominic swiped icicles from his hair and shoulders. “Did I arrive at a bad time?”
“Turn and drop your weapons.”
Lucy stood firm, her voice commanding. It took Rafael’s breath away.
“I guess I did,” Dominic muttered. “Why on earth do I feel compelled to obey? What in the hell is going on?”
With a slow swivel, Dominic turned around, his eyes widening. “Whoa! Is this your succubus?” he asked, flipping his coat back and extracting his ceremonial Paladin sword. He plunked it to the floor and pulled two daggers from his belt, letting them clang on top of the sword.
“Enough chitchat.” Lucy kept her tone even. With a flourish of her dagger, she kept it trained on Dominic. “I sense another sword.” At that, she gasped, her mouth forming a perfect O.
Her
royal powers had grown stronger. No doubt. “You’d do best to obey her, Nic.”
“Very well.” Reaching behind his back, inside his long black leather trench coat, Dominic pulled out a magnificent jade-sheathed katana. Trimmed with gold and encrusted with rubies, it was a treasure worthy of a king. How had Nic come across such an exquisite weapon? Kneeling down, with gentle care, he placed the weapon on the beige carpeted floor.
“Wow, someone’s watched one too many episodes of The Highlander.” Still gripping her dagger, Lucy glanced down at the katana. “Nice piece though.”
Rafael came to stand next to his friend and wrap his arm around his shoulder. “Lucy, it’s okay. He’s one of us. May I introduce Dominic Duvane, my commander?”
“Commander?” Dominic rolled his eyes. “I thought we were friends.” He took cautious steps toward Lucy and extended his hand in greeting. “So you’re the succubus?”
Lucy narrowed her eyes into a pensive gaze. “In the flesh, and you’re the one who’s supposed to rescue Rafe’s sister?”
Rafael winced at her biting tone. Poor Dominic didn’t know what he was getting into.
Dominic gulped. “Indeed, I am,” replied, extending his hand further.
Drawing her robe closed, Lucy gazed down at the proffered hand and back up at Dominic. “And why aren’t you out looking for her?”
“Oh, I do love your spark,” Dominic said with a friendly smile. “But I have news for Rafe and a gift for you.”
She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “A gift?”
A sheepish smile curved Dominic’s lips. “Kalli mentioned you needed a weapon and since I needed to speak with Rafe, I decided to deliver it myself.” His gaze lowered to the katana.
“That? Is my sword?”
Ah, now it made sense. A weapon worthy of a king—or a princess. There wasn’t any better weapon for Lucy. It was perfect, just like her.
Dominic grinned. “Indeed, it is, blessed by the Angel Gabriel himself.” He leaned closer to Rafael. “Even I have yet to have a weapon blessed by an archangel. We’ve more than just your sister to discuss.”