by T. M. Cromer
“Please stop. You’re embarrassing us both,” she whispered, unable to take another excruciating second of their conversation. Whatever game he now played was flaying her nerves.
Knox stepped closer. He cupped the side of her face and directed her head up so she would meet his gaze. “I l—”
The door of her shop flew open.
Hearing a shocked gasp caused Spring to pull away from Knox and turn toward the entry. With matching expressions of disbelief, Winnie and Tommy stood stock-still in the doorway.
“I’m sorry, sister. He showed up early, and I thought you’d be finished up in here.”
“What the hell is with you Thorne sisters and those damned Carlyles? It’s like you’re all suckers for punishment.” Tommy’s anger was palpable. He glowered from his position by the entrance, his hands balled into fists and hurt radiating from him.
Spring could only feel sorry for him.
Knox, on the other hand, took exception to Tommy’s attitude and stepped forward, ready to do battle.
“Tommy, it’s not what it looks like.” Spring edged around Knox and gave him a wide berth. “I—”
Any remaining words were strangled off as Knox spun her about and wrapped an arm around her waist. His lips cut off Spring’s protest, and she forgot why she’d protested to begin with. Her body melted against his as his arm tightened and the fingers of his other hand wove through her hair to cradle the base of her skull. When the kiss ended, she was breathless and left longing for more. As she struggled to inhale oxygen, her chest came in contact with Knox’s with each draw of air. The friction made her breasts ache with her want.
“Not what it looks like, my ass,” Tommy snapped. “You’re nothing but a two-timing bitch!”
One second, Knox was supporting Spring and her weak knees, and the next, his fist had connected with Tommy’s unsuspecting face.
Knox shook Tommy like a terrier with a rat. “Apologize. Now.”
The sisters stood in shocked amazement; neither had expected the ugly turn of events. But a secret part of Spring—the part that had never put to rest her infatuation for Knox—was thrilled by his aggressive defense of her honor.
Tommy’s “I’m sorry” was grudgingly given, and to prevent further bloodshed, she accepted with grace. She placed a hand on Knox’s arm to encourage him to release his hold on Tommy. “It must’ve been a shock for you to see Knox kiss me, but I swear there is nothing between us.”
The disbelieving snorts of the other three occupants of the room brought on Spring’s frown.
“It’s true!” she exclaimed hotly.
“Give it up, sweetheart. No one believes you. You don’t even believe yourself.”
Knox’s amusement at her predicament grated on Spring’s last nerve. “Believe this!”
Putting all her weight behind her swing, she socked him in the gut. Knox’s pained grunt gave her a small measure of satisfaction, as did the dropped jaws of Tommy and Winnie.
With a flick of her hair over her shoulder, Spring sailed out the shop door. She only made it fifteen feet when Knox scooped her into a fireman’s carry. Her outraged screech echoed around the yard and was met with a sharp slap on the ass. The only thing that kept her from teleporting was the fact that Tommy was surely watching from the porch of her business.
“I swear to the Goddess, I am going to bury you neck deep in quicksand if you don’t put me down, Knox Carlyle,” she snarled and pounded on his back.
“Oh, sweetheart, save your empty threats for someone who might actually believe them.”
* * *
Knox grinned, but only because Spring couldn’t see his face. Her body was stiff with outrage. Oddly enough, it turned him on. It seemed he could be as contrary as Spring. The feel of her breasts as they rubbed against his upper back with each step fed his fantasies of ravishment.
Of its own volition, his hand traveled the length of her jean-clad thigh to cup her ass. The slight meep she emitted turned his grin into a self-satisfied smile. The little liar could say she felt nothing, but her physical reaction to him told a different story.
Instead of heading into the house, he took them into the empty barn where Summer’s sanctuary used to be housed. Along the far wall was a stack of hay which suited his needs perfectly. He set her on her butt at eye level. “It’s time we got a few things straight, sweetheart.”
“Like the fact that I’m going to—”
He kissed her. It was the best way to shut down her empty threats. Or wipe her mind of any not-so-empty threats. But as their tongues collided and their hands reached to draw each other close, Knox was the one whose mind was wiped of thought. All he could do was give over to the sensation. It seemed Spring might be innocent when it came to the actual sexual deed, but at kissing, she was an expert.
The realization brought him up short, and he jerked away to glare down at her. “Who have you been kissing? I want a list of names.”
“What?”
Her frown would’ve been adorable if he wasn’t so furious at the idea of another man touching her.
“How many men have you kissed?”
Understanding dawned in her eyes, and a wicked gleam brightened the green of her irises. She leaned back on her palms and smirked. “Who said I stopped at kissing?”
Fury—black and all-consuming—flooded him. “That’s all you’d better have done. Anything more and I’ll kill someone.”
She tightened her thighs around his hips where he stood between them. Maintaining eye contact, she edged up the hem of her sweater and drew it over her head. The tank top underneath showed she was braless. Within a second, the last barrier to her skin was gone.
Knox’s rage morphed into a raging desire as his attention was caught by her high, firm breasts. Spring took his hands and placed them over the creamy mounds. His reaction was instinctive as he cupped and caressed the nipples there. As he lowered his head to capture her rosy areola, she fisted a hand in his hair and jerked him back.
“This is where I stop.”
The little tease! She knew exactly what she was doing to him; working him into a frenzy and calling a halt was close to driving him insane.
“You’re playing with fire, sweetheart,” he growled and tightened his hold.
She gasped and dropped her head back. “Some guys kiss me here.” She indicated the base of her neck.
“Like this?” Knox placed a delicate kiss on her silky skin.
“Mmm.”
“Or perhaps like this?” He grazed his teeth along her column of her creamy throat and nipped the skin there.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Maybe they even do this.” Knox latched on and sucked. He knew it would mark her as his, but he didn’t care. As a matter of fact, he loved the idea that the world would know he was staking his claim.
He pulled back and gazed into her desire-filled eyes. “When you’re ready to acknowledge what we have, we’ll continue this.”
Knox left her and teleported home. He imagined he could hear her outraged scream, and smiled despite torturing himself in the process. At some point, he’d have to deal with her displeasure. But today wasn’t that day. Or so he thought until two minutes later when he witnessed the plants in his room shrivel and brown. The spiteful little witch!
She’d given him various exotic potted plants as presents when they were still children. He’d had kept them all these years as a reminder of Spring’s sweetness.
He looked to where he felt the strongest magical pull. She had to be scrying to know if he had plants in his bedroom. With a wink and a cocky grin, he walked the perimeter of his room and restored each one to life with a simple spell she’d taught him in exchange for her horse-riding lessons. When he was done, he clapped his hands together to obliterate her scrying mirror. See if she liked having the tables turned!
6
Spring had just found a spell to restore the family’s antique scrying mirror when Alastair stepped into the attic. She squirmed at the sight
of his lifted brow. While she’d never believe he’d stoop to spying on her, the man had an uncanny knack for knowing things.
“Uncle. To what do I owe the pleasure of today’s visit?”
He flashed a half-smile at her formality. “Do I need a reason to visit my beloved niece?”
“Yes.”
At Alastair’s deep bark of laughter, Spring bit back a giggle. Although rarely used, Alastair Thorne’s laugh made everyone around him want to join in. It was hard to believe she’d feared him once. All too soon he turned serious.
“I suspect you know well my reason for popping in today. Thor’s Hammer. We need to speak with your young man and devise a plan. I have the coordinates of the artifact.”
“Uh…” How could she tell him that she and Knox were in the middle of a war?
Alastair narrowed his shrewd eyes and took in the mirror. “Hmm. His handiwork?”
“Yes.”
“What did you do?”
“Why is this my fault?” Sure, she’d peeked into Knox’s bedroom, but it was only to get even for his stunt in the barn. In her defense, she had no idea he was a metal element. But either way, Knox had absolutely no right to destroy their antique mirror.
“Because despite your righteous, wide-eyed expression, you can be a little she-devil at times, and the boy doesn’t strike me as someone who bends mirrors in half all willy-nilly.”
With a scowl at the twisted up mirror, she said, “He’s not a boy. And he’s quickly becoming a pain in my ass.”
Something akin to cackling exploded from Alastair.
“It’s not funny, uncle. You did this. You brought him into my life again. I was ready to move on.”
“No, you weren’t, child,” he countered softly. His voice was filled with so much sympathy it made Spring’s stomach hurt. “You love him. You always have. And while I understand his perceived rejection stung, Knox had his reasons.”
“What reasons?” She desperately wanted to know. Perhaps if she could understand those reasons, she could move beyond the humiliation of the past. Because at the moment, each of those memories was too difficult to swallow.
“Those are for him to reveal. But he’s always had your best interests at heart.”
“I don’t believe you. Or him.” She swiped at a tear that escaped down her cheek. “It’s a game to you both. You only want the artifacts, and he wants to prove I’m the naive child he always accuses me of being.”
Alastair shook his blond head and ran his hand over the mirror to restore it to its original form. “Look, dear heart. What do you see?”
Knox had regenerated all the plants in his room to healthy once more. As they watched, he brushed a fingertip over a leaf of the last one and smiled.
“I see him obsessing over plants. So what?”
“Look closer. Do you remember giving him those same plants?”
Shock made her eyes bug. Long forgotten memories of bringing him the occasional gift flooded her mind. She studied the foliage of each pot. They were the same ones she’d given him! “He kept them? Why?”
“Because they were from you, Spring.” Alastair clasped her hand and squeezed. “From a precocious little girl who wore her heart on her sleeve. I’ll tell you a little secret that few people know.”
Her head whipped up. “What?”
“Carlyles only love once as well. They fall just as hard as the Thornes, but they are more stubborn than our clan by far. A little dumber, too.”
Spring hugged her uncle. She was helpless not to because he’d given her the most exquisite gift of all: understanding and the knowledge that Knox loved her in return.
“Should I make him suffer?”
“Absolutely. But not too much. Despite looking like a Greek god, the boy’s ego is fragile.”
She laughed and rested her cheek against the area of his heart. “I was raised to believe you were a bad person. I’m glad you’re not. I love you, Uncle.”
The heart next to her ear picked up its pace, and the rumble of his deep voice was echoed in his wide chest. “I’m sorry to hear you feared me, dear girl.”
“Oh, I was really more fascinated by you.” She pulled back to gaze up at his sad face. “You are a legend in this family. Your power. The mystery surrounding your death at Lin’s hands. Your resurrection. But I’ve learned you’re human like the rest of us, and I like you more for it.”
The dark emotion never left his eyes, but he smiled all the same. “I like you, too. Now, call Carlyle and get him here. We need to discuss your trip.”
“I don’t have his number.”
“Stop stalling. I know you’ve read the grimoire from front to back. You can call without ever having to dial a number.”
“How do you always know when I’m lying?” she asked, curious despite herself.
“Your right nostril twitches.”
Her hand flew to her nose. “It does not!”
“No, but if I tell you the truth, then you’ll find a way to disguise it, and I’ll lose the advantage.”
Laughter bubbled up and out. “Fine, but promise me, when this is all done, you will take me on a grand shopping expedition in Paris.”
“Deal.”
Spring gathered her magic to her and called her familiar for the added boost. Her raven landed on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek.
“Hello, Mr. Black. I need an assist.”
The bird answered with a caw.
“Thank you.”
Concentrating on Knox, she pushed a telepathic wave in his general direction. “Knox, I need you to come to the Thorne attic.”
His response was instantaneous, and when he arrived, his expression was not happy. “What the fuck was that?” He glowered down at her. “How did you get in my head?”
“Simmer down, son. Spring didn’t have your phone number, and I needed you here.” Alastair stepped forward and lifted the raven from her shoulder. Spring recognized the protective move for what it was.
“I wasn’t in your head,” she explained, certain she’d be upset if the situations were reversed. The idea of anyone having access to her thoughts was terrifying. “It was a telepathic call with a boost from Mr. Black. I couldn’t hear your thoughts.”
Knox stared at her as if to gauge her truthfulness. Whatever he saw in her clear-eyed return stare made him nod and look away. When she met her uncle’s gaze, he winked.
“Okay, kids, let’s get down to business.” Alastair lifted his arm to give the old bird a boost toward its perch. From his pocket he pulled two amulets with the Thorne Family crest: a raven surrounded by the five elements with the words Honor Reigns in Latin below. One he gave to Spring, and the other he gave to Knox. “There is a spell on these amulets blessed by Isis herself. They’ve been in our family for generations, so don’t lose them.”
Spring slipped hers over her head and immediately felt the ancient magic associated with the piece. “Wow! It’s like an electrical charge.”
“Exactly.”
“What does the spell extend to?” Knox asked, studying the disc at the end of the chain.
“It’s more of an early warning system to let you know should things go wrong. Preston and I have worked together in hopes of counteracting the Lin’s Blockers and added that little boost, so if you need to teleport, you’ll be able to.” Alastair paused, then added, “In full disclosure, there was no way to test against the Blockers. It could be hit or miss. However, the crowning touch is the cloaking ability it offers. No need for a spell. Use your thumb to trace an X on the back of the disc, and it will give you invisibility with the added bonus of soundproofing. More than that, and it’s up to the two of you to use your wits.” Alastair gave Spring a pointed look. “Keep the tanzanite necklace Winnie gave you on you at all times. It allows us to psychically communicate if necessary.”
A slight shiver danced along Spring’s skin. She frowned, nodded, and sent up a silent prayer in hopes she wouldn’t need to use it. “Understood.”
“There are o
nly four days left before Lin is scheduled to retrieve his prize.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle Alastair. I’ll get it for you.” Her mother’s life depended on it, and Spring had no intention of failing the mother she hardly remembered but loved dearly.
“We will get it,” Knox corrected.
“Fine. We will get it. Whatever.” She’d done it now; committed to Knox accompanying her to South America. A small part of her thrilled to the idea of spending time with him, but the other part—her bruised ego—was vehemently opposed. “Does tomorrow work for you?”
“Yes.”
“There is no time difference, so be ready to leave at nine a.m. sharp.” Spring spun on her heel to leave.
“When did you get so bossy?” Knox asked, amusement laced his voice.
“I’ve always been bossy. I used to hide it better,” she quipped over her shoulder.
* * *
Knox shook his head and laughed as Spring left the attic.
“She’s a little spitfire. You’re going to have a merry chase on your hands, son.”
Knox started at Alastair’s words. He’d forgotten the man’s presence. “Yeah, but she’s worth it.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement and that you’ve come to your senses.”
“Me, too. Now all we need to do is convince Spring.”
“That will be easier than you think.” Alastair frowned and changed the topic of conversation. “Something doesn’t feel right about this trip. It could be the ease of finding the Mjölnir amulet, or it could be that we know Lin will be there. But either way, something is off.”
“I feel it, too. How sure are you about your source?”
“He’s never steered me wrong, but there is always a first time. It’s not like I’ve never been betrayed before.”
“By my father,” Knox stated dully. On the night he witnessed Zhu Lin murder his father, Robert Knox had set Alastair up. And although he’d never learned the specifics, Knox did know his father’s scheme had backfired and cost him his life. “I’m sorry he did what he did. But I owe you my life for getting me out of there that night.”