by T. M. Cromer
“Reincarnation?” Knox’s arm tightened around Spring as he continued to build the elements in his opposite hand. “I’ve never thought about it.”
“You chose her over me.” Her dark eyes burned with fire when Serqet looked at Spring. “When I would’ve given you the entire world, you married her,” she spat. Her face contorted with the fury boiling inside her.
The unease churning in his gut flared into full-blown fear. He doubted he was a match for a goddess, even one who’d been stripped of most of her magic as Serqet had been. If she had the ability to teleport from the Otherworld, then she wasn’t powerless.
“You tried to curse us.” Spring’s voice rasped in the silence that ensued after Serqet’s revelation. “I saw it… just now…” she murmured to Knox.
He didn’t dare look down. He sensed if he took his attention from the goddess for even a second, she’d strike.
“Yes. And my beloved sister betrayed me to save you. She continues to betray me to save you.” Serqet gave a slight shake of her head as if to rid herself of a pesky fly. “No matter what obstacles I set in your path, no matter whom I employ to do you harm, you prevail. Robert Knox, Zhu Lin, Marianne Carlyle, Don Carlos Esteban, Tommy Tomlinson—”
Spring gasped.
“Oh, yes. Your sweet friend Tommy was one of mine.”
“Was?” Knox didn’t care for her use of past tense, but if it took one more of her psychotic players off the field, he wouldn’t complain.
“Yes. Poor Mr. Tomlinson suffered a tragic end for failing to complete the task he was assigned.”
“What task was that?” Spring sat up with great care, placing her hand on the ground. Knox assumed it was for show, a pretense of her shakiness. In reality, she was preparing herself to use her earth element if need be. He silently applauded her quick thinking.
“Shooting you both in the alley, of course.”
Knox was tired of the back and forth. Tired of the drama and explanations. Tired of her attempts on their lives. “So you used a non-witch for your own ends and failed. Not surprising considering who he was up against. What now? You’re here to do the deed yourself?”
“No. Nothing so mundane as that. I only want to witness your expression as I tell you that the day will come when I end your life. Or your lover’s life. One shall die, and the other shall suffer the realization that it was his or her fault.”
The ground rumbled beneath them, and the trees swayed in response. It was a clear indication of Spring’s simmering anger. “Why would it be our fault? Any blame lies on your shoulders, you hateful bitch! Not ours.”
“Be careful of your tone, girl. I still wield some power.”
“Not much if what I’ve read is true,” Spring taunted.
“Spring.” Knox hoped his warning got through. This was what Isis had been trying to tell Spring. Her impulsiveness would be her downfall.
Serqet studied them both for a long moment. Her attention focused on him. “Because I hold a remnant of affection for you, I will give you the choice. Leave with me now, be my consort, and I will spare both your lives.”
The ground shook again. Knox’s hand tightened on Spring’s hip. Really, there was no choice. He’d go with Serqet and spare Spring’s life if he had to. But Isis’s warning came back to him; Serqet could not be trusted to keep her word.
“We’ll take our chances.” Both women gasped at his statement. “We’re stronger together. And if I only have five minutes with Spring, I’d still prefer to spend them with her than a lifetime with you.”
An emotion akin to pain flashed in Serqet’s dark eyes before she looked away. “So be it.” Without another word, she disappeared through a rift in space.
Knox half expected a surprise attack. He glanced uneasily around them.
“No one else is here,” Spring assured him. “The plants would put off a vibration, remember?”
“Let’s get out of here. I’m under orders from Isis to show you what it’s like to be truly loved.”
Spring knelt before him and pressed her lips to his. “I already am truly loved. Anything else you show me is icing on a cake.”
As they walked, hand-in-hand, toward Thorne Manor, he pulled her to a stop. “I wanted to show you something the other day. Are you interested in seeing it now?”
A wicked smile flashed on her lovely face. “Is this a case of you show me yours and I’ll show you mine?”
“That comes later when I can have you to myself for hours without interruption.”
Spring snorted, and asked, “What is it that you want to show me?”
“It’s something I’ve created with you in mind. If you hate it, we can change whatever you want.”
“I’m intrigued. Lead the way.”
They detoured through the woods, using a lesser worn path. The plants parted for them to pass.
“This seems shady as hell. Are you taking me out to murder me? You really want that hot goddess, don’t you?”
He laughed at Spring’s silliness. With a move that would make Gene Kelly proud, he whirled her toward him and dipped her like the suavest of dancers. “There will never be a day when I won’t want you. And one day, when we are old and gray, I’ll still be chasing you around the bedroom as fast as my walker will allow me to go.”
“You’ve said that to me before.”
He stared down into her flushed face. “Before Cartagena.”
“Yes. It was in the playback Isis provided for me.”
Straightening, he smoothed back her mussed hair. “I suppose we should talk about the before.”
“No. There’s no need. I’m not that woman anymore. The me standing before you is different, more adult, I think. Can you separate the two?”
“I don’t know. You’re so much like her, the before-you-now persona. Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate the two.”
A troubled light entered her eyes. “Is it me you love or a memory, Knox?”
He’d thought about this a lot in the months they’d been separated as she’d recovered from her ordeal. Since Spring’s reawakening, Knox had come to the conclusion that she was no different, regardless of the memory loss. “You can’t see you’re still one and the same. Just because the memories and feelings have disappeared, doesn’t mean they didn’t happen. Your actions, your personality, your thought process, your beautiful soul… it’s all the same. It’s what makes you you.” He traced a finger along her perfect nose. “Can’t you see I’m crazy about both who you were and who you are now?”
“I love you, Knox. It was a bolt out of the blue, but your soul calls to mine in a way I can’t describe. This feeling—this need—to be near you, to touch you, bask in your warmth, I can’t shake it, and I don’t know that I want to.” She caressed his scarred cheek and sighed. “Maybe the reincarnation excuse makes sense, but either way, I don’t want you to feel obligated to love who I am now if the old Spring is who you really want.”
The words he wished to say backed up in his throat. How did he tell her she was his everything? She always had been and always would be his reason for existing. He went for honesty.
“Obligated? There is no obligation when it comes to you, sweetheart. All I feel is pure love. Take what you feel and multiply it by a million—a trillion—and you might be able to understand the scope of my feelings for you.” He leaned in and brushed her lips with his. “I’ve adored you since we were children. Before that if Serqet is to be believed. There is no room in my heart for another, not in regard to this type of all-consuming love.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “You are my everything, Spring Thorne, and you always will be.”
29
When Knox’s lips closed over hers, Spring gave into the kiss and matched his passion with a fire of her own. His palms cradled her face as his tongue explored the deep recesses of her mouth. The spark he ignited when he kissed her could be felt throughout her body. It wasn’t much different than the way her cells fired up for teleportation. Heat consumed her, and all she desired w
as to be with him. She wanted to explore his glorious body with her fingertips, lips, and body.
His jagged, harsh breathing echoed around them as he pulled back. “Come on.”
Placing her hand inside his larger one, she allowed him to lead her to the destination he’d had in mind when they started their short journey from the glen. When they stepped from the path onto the sizable, sprawling lawn, she halted to take in the view.
Perched on a hillside was a dazzling house. The charcoal gray exterior was trimmed in white with a coral-colored front door and matching sidelights. The wide, wrap-around porch boasted pale gray planks with large tropical-colored area rugs. Teal light fixtures hung down over the sitting area and lent an intimate setting to the porch furniture. With the sun lowering behind the building, the sight was spectacular.
Already, she was in love with the place. “This is your home?”
“I’m hoping it will be ours.”
“I don’t understand.” With effort, she tore her gaze from the beautiful view before her and faced him. “This isn’t yours?”
“This property was willed to me from my grandfather. All the grandchildren have land set aside for them. Marianne was never allowed to touch it. Just as any children of mine will have land for their home should they wish it. The Carlyle trust is extensive.”
“I’d say so, but I still don’t understand. Did you create this?”
“The night of our first meeting in the garden, when you said you were feeling stifled, I intended to show you the land. To give it to you if that’s what you desired.” He brushed a hand down the length of her back and wrapped an arm around her waist. He turned her back toward the house. “Then when I returned home that night, I had the idea to create this. I kept your shop decor in mind when I decorated. There are skylights in all the rooms and a four-story conservatory off the back for any plants or trees you choose to grow.” He cleared his throat. “It’s not my intent to pressure you. It’s here if you want it. But if you choose to stay at Thorne Manor, that’s okay too.”
She stared at the landscape with its beautiful house in slack-jawed wonder. He’d made this for her? Because she’d said she didn’t feel like she fit in? “Oh, Knox!” Tears burned behind her lids and her nose filled. She was about to cry the big ugly, but she couldn’t help it. To feel so loved, so treasured…
The first sob hit and mingled with a snorting laugh at the horror crowding his face.
“You don’t have to live here. If you hate it, I can create something else. Or not.”
Knox babbled as he held her; each assurance designed to stop her emotional breakdown. If Spring could’ve told him it was perfect, she would’ve. As it was, all she could do was cry. It was the first time she’d allowed herself to completely break down since her life had turned topsy-turvy.
“Please don’t cry.” His whisper was ragged and tortured. “I can’t bear it.”
“I-I can’t seem t-to help myself,” she hiccupped.
“I’ll take you home.”
“I am h-home.”
“What?” His expression was something between hope and disbelief.
“I am home,” she repeated, her voice firmer. “I’m sure I’m going to love the interior if it is anything like the outside.”
Relief flooded his features, and his wide grin flashed. “You had me freaked the fuck out for a minute there.”
“Show me our place.”
He scooped her up and teleported the distance to the porch. “Open.” When the door flew back on its hinges, he stepped over the threshold, and Spring got her first glimpse of the interior. It was, to put it simply, incredible. She couldn’t have conjured a more perfect home for herself if she had a lifetime to think about it. Knox had provided her exactly what she needed.
“It’s incredible.”
“It’s also protected with the strongest wards in existence. I wanted you to feel safe.”
She placed her palm over his heart and was surprised to feel the rapid rate of the hard thudding. “Are you nervous?”
“Maybe a little.”
Spring kissed his chin. “Let me down. I want to explore.”
Taking her time, she strolled through each of the downstairs rooms. The kitchen, dining room, and living room all ran the length of the right side of the house. The open floor plan was her favorite. “Did you make it this large for family gatherings?”
“I did. I figured when you were ready, you’d host girls’ nights or dinners.”
The large red island was topped with a white and silver quartz. She smiled as she poked through the pale gray floor-to-ceiling cabinets of the pantry. “It’s pretty sparse.”
“I figured you could conjure what you wanted. I’m not much of a cook, and I wasn’t sure about you. Winnie might have some suggestions as to the best pots and pans or bakeware.”
Spring whirled in his direction. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“Come see the upstairs. I want to see if you like your bedroom.”
“My bedroom? Not ours?”
“I’d love it to be ours. I just didn’t want to presume.”
“If that’s what you want, I do, too.”
“Sweetheart, it’s most definitely what I want,” he said feelingly.
She laughed and grabbed his hand. “Show me.”
They raced up the steps and into the master suite. The space was easily twice the size of her current bedroom. Knox had created a reading nook and replicated her French design. The blacks, grays, and pinks were bold and yet subtly done so as not to overpower the room. The pale rose chaise took up one corner of the sitting area, while a charcoal-gray leather club chair and ottoman took up the other. The space was feminine yet the distinct masculine touches set it off perfectly. They could each read or recline without giving up their personal comfort. “I love that the wood has the same matching pattern on both pieces. And the dark rose pillow ties in with the chair. It seems you’ve thought of everything.”
“I can change the design if you’d rather have—”
She cut him off with her fingers over his lips and a light laugh. “Stop! I love it. Really.”
The twinkle in his eyes warned her of his intent. When he sucked her fingers into his mouth, she watched in fascination. “That’s so unsanitary.”
His eyes flared wide. “I just realized something. Your OCD tendencies are gone.”
“I had OCD?”
“Big time.”
She frowned her confusion. “That seems an odd thing to have disappear.”
“It was kind of cute. For someone who loved gardening, you wiped or washed your hands constantly, even between plantings.”
“You’re weird for thinking it was cute, you know that?”
“Maybe, but you love me anyway.”
“I do,” she laughed.
“I like the way that sounds.”
Again, she laughed as he drew her close. “Wait a minute! How do you know how often I washed my hands?”
He froze.
“You’re so busted! You spied on me didn’t you?”
“I already told you, I did—for your protection.” His uncomfortableness with the conversation was apparent in the stiffening of his body.
A little devil perched on her shoulder and encouraged her to tease him. “So, you watched me wash my hands. Did you watch me wash anything else? My legs?” She tip-toed her fingers up his chest, stopping to lightly pinch his nipple. “My breasts?”
“It was for your protection,” he repeated, color high and lips compressed in a straight line. “I didn’t invade your privacy.”
His indignation was adorable.
Spring leaned in and lightly pressed her lips to the column of his throat. She stretched to whisper in his ear. “I like the idea of you watching me. Imagining your hands where mine traveled.”
Knox pulled away slightly to check her level of honesty. He offered up a half-grin. “I never did, but I can from here on out.”
“I’m cool with that,�
� she laughed.
“Let’s get froggy,” he murmured against her lips.
She sprung off the floor and wrapped her legs around his hips. “I feel as if I’ve waited a lifetime for you to ask. Don’t pull back this time.”
“Never.”
“Do we take our clothes off the old-fashioned way or—”
Knox didn’t wait for her to finish. With a snap of his fingers, they were both naked.
“Okay, then,” she laughed.
“It gives me more time to concentrate on what’s important.” His breath against her throat sent a delighted shiver up her spine.
Spring dropped her head to the side to allow him greater access to her throat. The softness of his lips as they skimmed the column of her neck caused her legs to tighten around him in response. She rubbed her breasts against the bared expanse of his muscled chest. “I’ve wanted to do this from the moment I saw you.”
He groaned. “Why the hell didn’t you say so? I’d have been happy to oblige that night and any time thereafter.”
A happy laugh bubbled up.
Knox created a small distance between them and met her gaze.
“What’s the matter?” His seriousness triggered her concern.
“I’m afraid I’m dreaming. That grief sent me over the edge in Colombia, and none of this is real.”
“Oh, Knox.” The sheer amount of love she experienced, combined with the overwhelming desire to soothe him, made it difficult to swallow. She stared at him, helpless to speak. Wordlessly, she leaned forward and kissed him. Not the soul-searing kiss of passion, but the tender love-filled type of kiss that promised everything. When she could manage it, she said, “I love you, and I’m not going anywhere. I think we’ve proved that we would move heaven and hell to be together, don’t you?”
“My early life was hell. That hell revisited me from time to time in the form of my mother and the problems she created. But you have always been the light in the darkness, leading me on. I would lay down my life for you, Spring.”
His words required no response, or at least none that wasn’t physical in nature. Her arms tightened, and she pulled his head down to hers. This kiss spoke not only of her love, but of her desire. “Take me to bed, Studly.”