“Oh.” She looked down at her rumpled clothes, and then back out of the window at the snow again. “I’m not really dressed for camping. In fact, I’ve never actually camped before in my life.”
Mica smiled at her expression. “There’s a first time for everything.”
She sighed heavily. “It beats the alternative.”
Caleb tilted his head. “What alternative?”
“Roasting on a stake at the inquisition center.” She shuddered. “This will be a blast in comparison.”
Caleb chuckled softly. “It won’t be so bad. We’ll stop off at a truck stop and get a hot meal and a shower before we head to the caverns.”
“A hot shower,” she replied wistfully. “I can’t wait. If only I had some clean clothes to change into.”
Mica nodded. “New clothes suitable for the outdoors are on the list of supplies.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” She was suddenly in a hurry. The prospect of a hot shower and clean clothes seemed to be too much to resist.
Mica chuckled softly at her change in attitude. “We’re waiting on you to get out of the car.”
* * *
With the shopping complete and the van loaded down with supplies, Mica drove to a truck stop and parked. “You two go and get a table. I’ll join you shortly.”
She cocked her head to the side, staring at him curiously. “Where do you go?”
“Not far.” He shrugged, grinning slyly. “I look for a willing donor, and when I find one, I’m all set.”
Her eyes rounded. “How do you find someone willing to volunteer for that?”
“They don’t know they’re volunteering. In fact, they have no memory of the encounter at all.”
Placing her hands on her hips, she narrowed her eyes at that statement. “I don’t believe that.” She locked eyes with him in a challenge. “If I had an encounter with you, I know I’d remember it.”
His grin was flirtatious. “Do you want to put that to the test?”
Caleb ran in between them. “Nonononono.” He put his hands up between them to keep them apart. “This is a crowded parking lot.” He looked frantically around to see if anyone observed them. “You both are attracting too much attention. If our plan is to work, we can’t attract attention.”
Mica laughed. “I don’t think it’s other people’s attention you’re worried about, buddy.”
Caleb glared at him, snatching Desiree’s arm to steer her toward the truck stop. She yanked her arm away, irritated with both. “Wait a minute. What is it with you two?”
Caleb’s eyes widened. “Nothing, come on.” He reached for her arm again, and she ducked out of the way.
She frowned, anger edging her voice. “I don’t believe you.” She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. “This rivalry between you two has got to stop. We are all stuck out here together. I can’t have you two at each other’s throats.”
Caleb rolled his eyes impatiently. “We’re not fighting.”
She glared at him in disbelief, and then she looked over at Mica. He threw up his hands, smiling. She shook her head in exasperation. “Please, please, please, try to get along with each other.” She abruptly turned and walked into the truck stop on her own.
* * *
Mica watched her leave. The smile never left his face. He nudged Caleb with his elbow to draw his attention away from Desiree. “She’s smarter than you give her credit for.”
He glared over at his friend. “When we started out on this trip, you said you didn’t want anything to do with the witch.”
His smile grew. “I’ve changed my mind.”
Caleb smiled back slyly. “We’ll just have to make this a friendly competition.”
“All right, a friendly competition.” Mica nodded. “But Desiree can’t know anything about it, or she won’t speak to either of us. In the end, it will be all her decision.”
“Her decision.” Caleb nodded. “I agree. I would wish you luck, my friend, but I want all the luck for myself.”
Mica laughed, slapping him on the back. “We’re keeping this friendly. I’ll return shortly, no cheating.”
Caleb grinned. “All’s fair.”
“Agreed.” Mica took off.
***
Caleb walked into the truck stop, grinning; he sat down across from her at the table. She looked up with suspicion. “What are you grinning about?”
“Who, me?” His eyes opened wide. “I just have an overall cheerful disposition.” Reaching across the table, he tried to take her hand.
“Right,” she remarked, pulling her hand back. “What were you two talking about for so long out there?”
His grin was cocky as he shrugged. “We were just making up like you suggested.”
“Good.” She glared at him a few seconds longer, and then she picked up the menu. She stared at the print without actually seeing the words. “A good friend is hard to find. I didn’t want to mess things up between you two.”
“We’re all good.” Caleb picked up his menu.
* * *
Mica joined them as they finished eating. “What did I miss?” He directed his question to Desiree as he sat down next to her.
She smiled up at him. “Not a thing.”
He gave Caleb a level stare. “Good.” Caleb shrugged, smirking back.
She looked between the two, narrowing her eyes in speculation. “Caleb said you two made up.”
Mica smiled. “We did.”
Pursing her lips, she glanced between the two again in conjecture, blowing out a breath. “Good, now that that’s all settled, I’m ready for a hot shower and clean clothes.”
Caleb chuckled. “That’s something I think we can all agree with.”
* * *
Filing into the truck stop, Mica paid for the showers.
Desiree opened the door to her bathroom, smiling in anticipation. Stripping out of her clothes, she threw them in the trash, the clothes soiled beyond salvation. She turned the shower on, getting it good and hot. Stepping under the streaming water, she luxuriated in the feel of it kneading her sore muscles, taking her time, washing away all the grime from that prison. After a while, she felt like herself again.
She brushed and blow-dried her hair and applied a little makeup. The swelling had finally gone down from her lips. She put on her new clothes, feeling fresh, which improved her attitude immensely. She felt lucky to be alive. That had been a narrow escape.
She walked down the hall smiling to herself. Rounding the corner, she found Mica and Caleb pacing the floor. She laughed. “What’s wrong?”
“We thought you might have gotten nabbed again it took you so long,” Caleb complained.
“I’m sorry I worried you.” She smiled, closing her eyes briefly in memory. “The shower felt so good I didn’t want to get out. I didn’t know we were in that big of a hurry.”
“We’re not. I just think Caleb’s tired. He’s been up all day and it’s late.”
“I’m ready to go now. Next time, I’ll try not to take so long.”
Caleb sighed. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I guess I am tired. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
They arrived at the Forbidden Caverns just after midnight and unloaded the Express Van in front of the cavern. Caleb drove the van around the corner, hiding it in the bushes.
Mica lit the lanterns; all carried an armful of supplies deep into the cavern. Desiree busied herself inflating the battery-operated air mattresses while Mica and Caleb went back for the remainder of the supplies. She had all three mattresses set up in three separate shallow caves for privacy. Taking the lawn chairs out of the bags, she set them up in the main cavern, and had just finished when the guys came back.
She stood up, smiling. “Camping isn’t so bad.” She crossed her arms, rubbing her hands on her arms briskly to stave off the chill of the cave. “Now what?”
Mica stopped to stand next to her. “We wait. If Hargrove is going to make a move, he’ll do it in a day or
two.”
She nodded, bending down to rummage through the supplies. “Did one of you bring in my notebook and pen from the van?”
Caleb nodded. “I put it in your bag.”
“Thanks, I plan to start working on that spell while we wait.” She stood back up, glancing at Caleb and noticing his droopy eyelids. “Caleb, you look exhausted. Go get some sleep. I put your bag in the last cave over there.”
“Thanks, I am tired.” He stretched, yawning. “I still feel like I’m riding. I’ll see y’all in the morning. Goodnight.” He walked slowly to his air mattress.
She smiled. “Goodnight, Caleb.”
“Goodnight, buddy, thanks for tagging along.”
Caleb threw his hand up in acknowledgement, falling onto the air mattress. Mica shook his head, laughing. He turned to walk out of the cavern.
She looked all around and then noticed Mica making a quick exit. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to run a short patrol. I’ll be back in a little while.”
She did not want him to leave her by herself. “Do you mind if I tag along?” He turned back around, and she smiled at him expectantly. “Caleb’s tired and I don’t want to make too much noise and keep him awake.”
He grinned at her eagerness. “You’re welcome to tag along.”
The smile on her face broadened. “Thanks, I don’t want to make a nuisance out of myself. If I’m intruding, just say so, and I’ll understand.”
He laughed. “I would tell you no if I felt that way. Stop trying to analyze things and come on.”
She turned, rushing back into the main cavern. “Okay, I’ll grab the lantern.”
He reached out, grabbing her arm to stop her. “You can use the lantern part of the way through the cavern, but when we get close to the mouth of the cave, you’ll need to leave it behind. If there happens to be someone out there, we don’t want to alert them to our presence.”
She bit her bottom lip, glancing over at the lantern, and then back at him. She shrugged. “I forgot you can see in the dark.” She looked past him into the inky blackness, shuddering. Tilting her head, she looked into his eyes. “I’ll leave it behind if you promise not to let me fall on my face.”
“I promise I won’t let you fall.” He held out his hand. “Hold onto my hand and I’ll lead the way out of here.”
She gave into the impulse, timidly placing her small hand in his. A warm, tingling sensation traveled up her arm at the contact. Catching her breath in surprise, she looked into his eyes. Smiling, he entwined his fingers in hers, leading the way through the cave.
Once rounding the corner, they were in total darkness. She felt a moment of panic as the walls felt like they were moving in on her. She had a death grip on his fingers, shuffling her feet to make her way. Her heart raced and she felt like she was going to have a full-blown panic attack. Mica turned around, gripping her shoulders. “I can hear your heart racing and smell your fear,” he stated calmly. “Do you want to turn back?”
Her legs threatened to give way to the trembling. Her unseeing eyes darted frantically around. “No.” Her voice quivered weakly. “I still want to go outside.”
“Close your eyes.”
“What good is that going to do?” Her voice panicked. “I can’t see anything anyway.”
He chuckled “I can see. Do you trust me?” She nodded her head. “Okay, then close your eyes.” She closed her eyes, but the trembling continued. “I’m going to pick you up and carry you out of here. Don’t fight me.”
She blinked hard. A few tears coursed down her cheeks. “You must think I’m a big baby.. I never knew I was afraid of the dark.”
“I don’t think you’re a baby.” He bent down toward her. “Put your arms around my neck, and I’ll carry you.”
She did not even think about it. Her fear took over. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tight. He lifted her up as if she did not weigh a thing, and she held on with a death grip.
His touch was gentle as he cradled her in his arms. “I’ve got you. You can relax.” She placed her cheek against his chest and he carried her swiftly through the cave.
Soon, she felt the ice-cold night breeze on her face, and she opened her eyes. It was still dark, but the full moon illuminated enough that she could see his face. His eyes glowed in the moonlight. Gazing into them, she saw the raw hunger smoldering just below the surface. Catching her breath, her lips parted, her fear forgotten. She gave into the compulsion and reached her trembling fingers out to caress his face. Her thumb traced the curve of his bottom lip, her eyes following the path her fingers were taking; she licked her lips in anticipation.
She saw his eyes darken, and he suddenly tensed. She felt his body grow hard with his intensifying gaze. He let go of her legs, allowing her to slide down his body, pulling her closer into his arms.
Trembling with an intense need, her knees threatened to give way. She’d never felt a yearning this strong in her life. Every nerve ending ached for his caress…his touch. “Mica…please,” she whispered softly. Slipping her hands up under his shirt, she ran her fingers over his rock hard abdomen up to his chest, his skin quivering everywhere she touched. Brushing her hips against his, she felt the hard evidence that he wanted her as much as she had to have him. Want was gone; she needed him with an intensity that bordered on pain.
***
He meant to kiss her gently, but the moment their lips touched, good intentions were forgotten. His mouth covered hers in a searing kiss that buckled her knees. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip until she opened up to him and allowed his tongue to slide into her mouth. He tasted her sweetness, her aroused scent fueling his senses. Inching his hand up under her shirt, he lightly ran his fingers across her bare back and around the front to cup her ample breast, running his thumb over her beaded nipple through the lace of her bra. He splayed his fingers over the firm, yet soft flesh, longing to remove the rest of the fabric so he could gaze at her perfection.
He tore his mouth away from hers to look into her eyes. “Desiree…” His voice was soft, deep, and husky, conveying his wants…his needs…somehow, seeking permission.
***
Her name crossed his lips like a caress, and she opened her eyes, gazing deeply into his. She had never craved the touch of another as she did for him. Disbelief flitted across her mind that he could possibly want, crave, desire her. Yet, she could see the truth of the passion and yearning she felt reflected back to her in his eyes. “Yes.” She whispered her response. That one word hung in the air, left open to interpret everything.
He lifted her chin with his finger, kissing the tip of her nose. “You are full of surprises.” His tone was husky and strained. Stepping away from her, he took her hand.
Her eyes flew up to his, confused. “Mica…” Her voice was barely a whisper, leaving the unasked question hanging in the air.
“We will finish this.” His voice was a soft caress.
She closed her eyes at the promise, and heat coursed through her veins.
He placed his finger under her chin, and she opened her eyes to look into his. “Take a good look around you.” She pulled her eyes away from his to look around. A fresh blanket of snow coated everything. Turning her head, she glanced back over her shoulder toward the cavern. “We can’t take this back inside for the same reasons you wanted to come outside in the first place.”
She tilted her head, gazing into his eyes again, letting her shoulders sag in defeat. “Caleb.”
“Yeah, Caleb.” He looked away. “He’s really fond of you.”
“I’m fond of him, too. I think he’s great.” She chewed on her bottom lip, looking at the ground. “But I only think of him as a good friend.”
He pulled her back to him, wrapping her in his arms. “He wants to be more than a friend.”
“I was afraid of that.” Leaning her head back, she looked up into his eyes. “What about you? What do you want?”
“What do I want? I’m still trying to
figure that out.” She looked away and he held her tighter. “Hear me out before you get upset.” She held her chin up stubbornly, tilting her head to glare into his eyes. “When Drake summoned me to go after you, I was angry. I’ve told you this before, but I don’t take orders very well. Since I didn’t have much of a choice, I was going to break you out of that place and take you right back to Drake and dump you on his doorstep. I told Caleb that when I asked him to tag along.”
Tears pooled on her bottom lashes. “Why didn’t you do just that?” Her bottom lip quivered, and she swallowed hard. “Why go through all this trouble if I’m such a bother?”
He wiped a stray tear away with his fingertips. “I didn’t do that because from the time you knocked out that guard with your magic in anger, I felt an attraction to you,” he remarked softly. “Desiree, I’m a loner. I don’t have the desire to be around too many others. In fact, I usually go through great lengths to push others away. I have never cared what other people thought about me. They didn’t matter to me at all. I tried to walk away at that restaurant. For the first time, it bothered me what someone else might think. It bothered me that you might think less of me. Your opinion of me mattered to me then. It matters to me now. Those thoughts and feelings are alien to me. For the last three hundred years, I thought I knew what I wanted. Now, I’m not so sure anymore.”
She stepped out of his arms, turning away from him. “I’m sorry.”
“What do you have to be sorry for?”
“Disrupting your life, and for putting you through so much trouble. And for making you doubt yourself.”
Courting the Darkness Page 6