by Selena Kitt
“No,” Jules told him, her heart aching, thinking about Kai and his long-gone mate, Nia. Out of the mouths of babes. “I think Frodo would want you to be happy.”
“Can I, Mom?” Evan looked at his mother, who was still dabbing at tears.
“Of course,” Carolyn agreed. “And this time, he’ll be an inside cat.”
“Definitely.” Jules gave a little shudder when she remembered what happened to the first one. Carolyn said, after reporting what had happened with their kitten, Sheriff Kline told her he’d had a number of similar cases in the past month or so. Jules couldn’t help but think it was related to the cemetery vandals. Whoever it was, she just hoped they caught them soon.
She didn’t even have time to process the weirdness of Evan’s new “imaginary friend”—although it did give her pause, knowing she’d recently seen visions of her own parents, and then Stuart—before a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and she went to answer it.
Her heart leapt when she saw Kai standing on the porch.
“Can we talk?” He looked good enough to eat, dressed casually in jeans and a button-down chambray shirt, wearing the boots she’d bought him just for trips out to the ranch. She’d seen him from a distance several times that day, but having him standing there in front of her, seeing the dark circles under his eyes—ones that matched her own, she’d had a hell of a time covering them with makeup—made her throat close up with emotion.
She wanted to throw her arms around him, kiss him, tell him how sorry she was, but she didn’t.
“Hey Evan,” Jules called over her shoulder. “Why don’t you and your mom go see if you can find a kitty out in the barn? They like to sleep in the loft.”
“Okay!” Evan agreed happily.
“Hey there, Evan,” Kai said, taking a step back as Evan raced out the door and down the porch. “And Carolyn.”
Carolyn murmured a quick hello and goodbye as she followed Evan toward the barn, thanking Jules again over her shoulder.
“Come on in.” Jules held the door open and Kai strode into the kitchen. She shut the door behind him.
“Evan’s ready for a new kitten, huh?” Kai asked.
“He was worried Frodo would be mad at him if he got a new one,” she told him, going over to the sink. She washed Evan’s glass, just to have something to do with her hands. And so she didn’t have to look at Kai, because if she did, she’d buckle and pathetically throw herself at him. “I told him I thought Frodo would just want him to be happy, and if another kitty made him happy, well… then that would be okay.”
“Very practical.” Kai’s voice was close, right behind her.
She felt his hand, fingertips lightly brushing her hair over her shoulder.
“I believe this is yours.” Kai slipped something around her neck and she looked down, seeing her necklace hanging there as he fastened the clasp behind her neck. “I got a new chain for it. Sterling. Something a little sturdier.”
“Thank you.” The silver chain was braided, much thicker than the one it had been on originally.
She turned and there he was, his eyes full of hurt and love, so inseparable it made her want to cry.
“You have my heart, you know,” he told her, looking at the jewel hanging around her neck, not meeting her eyes. “You always have.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, fingering her necklace. She’d missed it and hadn’t realized how used to wearing it she’d become. “I shouldn’t have said that, about Nia. I had no right to judge you like that. You did what you thought was right.”
“No, Jules, I’m sorry.” He shook his head, looking so forlorn, she longed to take him in her arms. “I never should have done this to you. I knew, going into it, how this would end. You didn’t. It was unfair to you. I can’t ask you to be with a man you can’t grow old with. I’m not who you thought I was.”
“No,” she agreed, reaching a tentative hand out to take his. She knew, the instant they touched, there would be no going back. “You’re much more.”
“Jules…” He swallowed, shaking his dark head, not meeting her eyes. “You were right to leave me. I can’t give you what you need.”
“You already have.” She took his other hand. “And you don’t get to decide for me. You got that? This is my life—and if I want to spend it growing old and getting wrinkly next to a hot former-dragon shifter who’ll always have a gorgeous bod, well… that’s my prerogative, isn’t it?”
He looked up at her, stunned, then he burst out laughing.
“Kai, you didn’t let Nia decide.” Jules slipped her arms around his neck, pressing close, feeling his body stiffen at her touch. “You took that away from her. You decided for her. That’s what bothered me, you silly man. That’s why I got so mad.”
His eyes searched hers, hopeful, but didn’t say anything.
“I love you, Kai.” There was no denying it. She didn’t even care anymore how much time they had or hadn’t spent “getting to know each other.” Because her heart knew this man, inside and out. She was his, and he was hers. “I will love you until I die. Whether I spend the rest of my time here on this planet with or without you, nothing can change that.”
He let out a breath, sliding his arms around her waist. She felt his body relax a little, giving in to her.
“And I will love you for all of eternity,” he whispered, breathing her in.
His mouth moved to hers and she kissed him back, feeling as if she’d kissed him a thousand times before like this, and yet it always felt like the first time. Her body came alive the instant she was in his arms. No other man had ever made her feel this way and she knew what she’d told him was true. She would love him, just like this, until she couldn’t love anymore. No matter what happened, no matter how much time and space separated them. He was and always would be the only one who fit all her curves and edges, an absolutely perfect match.
“You promise you’re not going to trade me in for two twenties when I’m forty?” she joked when they parted. The light had come back to his eyes and that made her ineffably happy.
“You’re more than enough, thanks.” He chuckled. “I don’t think I could handle two of you perplexing creatures.”
“You make me so happy.” She touched her lips to his again, feeling his hands move to the small of her back, pressing her close. Their mouths moved together, tongues twining, her body instantly responding to him. She couldn’t have turned it off if she wanted to. It was like the moon drawing in the tide—something gravitational, bigger than both of them.
“There’s a whole world going on out there and I don’t care,” Kai murmured as they parted, his hands sliding down her jeans, cupping her behind. “I just want to take you to bed, right now, and forget anything else exists.”
“We could lock the door,” she mused. Jules had sung the national anthem and the polo tournament was underway now—an exhibition match. They could hear occasional cheers, even from here. Everyone was involved, watching the game.
He groaned when she slipped a thigh between his. “Temptress.”
“It’s your fault,” she chided, feeling how hard he was through his jeans. “If you weren’t so damned sexy…”
“Me?” He snorted, looking down at her in her riding gear. “I saw you out there on the field with that riding crop and my mouth went dry. I think you need a spanking.”
“Ooo I think you may be right.” She grinned. “I’ve been ever so naughty…”
“You’re killing me,” he growled, grabbing her ass in both hands and lifting her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. He was carrying her toward the bedroom when a knock sounded on the door. He stopped, rolling his eyes, and Jules put a finger to her mouth in a shushing gesture.
“Jules?” It was Barb. Her blonde hair looked almost white in the sunlight as she glimpsed her through the transom window in the kitchen door. “Is Kai in there? I hate to interrupt but… uh… they need him down at the field.”
Damnit.
Their ey
es met and Jules sighed, sliding her legs down slowly and Kai let her go with a groan so she could go answer the door.
“Is he in there?” Barb asked, glancing behind Jules and brightening. “There you are! I thought I might find you here.”
Kai scowled. “Someone better be bleeding or on fire.”
“One of the players, actually.” Barb wiggled her fingers from the porch at him in hello. “Broke his arm, I think. Says he wants to keep playing, but…”
“Goddamnit.” Kai strode toward the door and stopped, going back to put an arm around Jules and kiss her. It was hard and fast, but thorough, and he left her breathless when he let her go.
“Cheer up, at least it’s not a horse,” she called as he stalked out the door. “If it was a horse, we’d have to put him down.”
She heard him snort a laugh, but he was already jogging out toward the field.
“Well, looks like you’ve patched things up.” Barb’s light blue eyes were dancing with glee.
“You can say ‘I told you so’ anytime.” Jules couldn’t help returning her smile, opening the door a little wider. She saw Carolyn out near the barn, but didn’t spot Evan. “Might as well get it over with. Do you want to come in?”
“I just came looking for Kai,” she said, glancing behind her and brightening again. “Oh, look, there’s Nigel! I wanted you two to meet. Nigel!”
Jules looked over and almost didn’t recognize the old man out of his funeral director suit. Strange to see him in khakis and a polo shirt. He looked like someone’s grandfather. And probably was, Jules thought, glancing at the big, brawny guy beside him with all the tattoos and piercings.
“Nigel, come meet Jules!” Barb shaded her eyes, waving him over.
“We’ve actually already met,” Jules told her softly and she saw Barb’s face fall.
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” Barb cringed. “I forgot. I mean, I didn’t forget, but…”
“It’s okay.” Jules put on a smile as the old man came up the porch steps, the big young man following. “Hello Mr. Abaddon, it’s good to see you again.”
He gave a little formal bow over her hand as he shook it and she saw his gaze linger at her throat. She touched her necklace, glancing down, so glad to see it there again. Sweet Kai.
“It’s good to see you, too, Miss Monroe.” Nigel looked back as the shadow of the big man eclipsed him on the porch. “This is my grandson, Will.”
“Hi Will,” Jules said. He just nodded and gave her a little shrug, clearly not very talkative. She noticed an earpiece and figured he was probably listening to his iPod.
“I just wanted you to meet our biggest donor,” Barb told her, beaming at Nigel. “He’s just gone out of his way to pull this thing together with me. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.”
“Oh?” Jules looked at him, surprised. “I had no idea.”
“Well, he offered to help, and I was so swamped, I just couldn’t turn him down.”
“It’s the least I could do.” Nigel gave a crooked, yellow smile. “I’m new to the community, and I thought it would be the best way to get to know all my neighbors.”
“He even offered to help me call all our shifter relatives to invite them,” Barb told her. “Had Will over here making calls, too.”
“There are more shifters here than I’ve ever seen in once place,” Jules admitted. “I had no idea shifters liked polo.”
“They don’t.” Barb laughed. “They like parties. And we’re throwing a big one tomorrow out at the campground. I’ve had the kids planning for weeks.”
“Ah, bait and switch.” Jules laughed, too. “Works every time.”
“Barb!” Tristan Wolfe had come after his wife and Barb glanced over her shoulder at him. “Let’s go—the kids are saving our seats.”
“Coming!” she called. Barb leaned over to give Jules a kiss on the cheek and whispered, “I’m so happy for you and Kai, I could just burst.”
“Me too,” Jules admitted, unable to keep the grin from her face as Barb went down the porch steps to meet her husband.
“Miss Monroe, could I trouble you for a glass of water?” Nigel asked politely from under his hat. It was a fedora and looked kind of silly on him. “This heat has made me parched.”
“Of course, come on in.”
Nigel and Will stepped into the kitchen and Jules went to the sink, getting a glass out of the cupboard.
“Do you want anything, Will?” Jules asked as she filled the glass with water.
“Nah.” The big guy grunted.
As she turned, she noticed the back door was slightly ajar. Wind must have blown it open, she thought, as she handed Nigel his glass of water. He thanked her and she went to close the back door, glancing around before locking it, but she didn’t see anyone.
“So, if I’m to believe the gossip around town, I hear you and Kai Payne are courting?” Nigel inquired, finishing his water.
Jules blushed. Did everyone know? Of course, this was Blue Creek. Everyone knew everything about everyone else.
“We’re… dating. Yes,” she admitted.
“That is a beautiful necklace, my dear,” he remarked, putting his empty glass on the table. “May I look at it?”
“Oh.” She glanced down at the red stone hanging on its brand new chain. “Sure. It was my mother’s. And her mother’s before that. It’s been passed down for… I don’t know how many generations.”
The old man took a step closer, squinting as he picked the jewel up off her chest, turning it back and forth in the light from the kitchen window. His fingers were cold and she suppressed a shiver. His breath smelled rotten, fetid and she held her own as he inspected her necklace.
“Truly lovely. Rare, I think. What is it? A ruby?”
“I don’t actually know.” She picked up the water glass—any excuse to step away from him. “When I had it appraised, the jeweler said he’d never seen anything like it.”
“Yes.” The old man nodded sagely, reaching out to grasp her wrist as she turned to head toward the sink. His grip was surprisingly strong. “That’s because it hasn’t existed in a thousand years.”
Jules stared at him, his words refusing to sink into her brain. How would he know about her necklace?
“Change of plans. Will, get the car,” Nigel ordered, taking something out of his pocket. Jules looked at it but didn’t understand. It was just a little vial. He uncorked it with one hand and she shrank back, trying to pull away, but he held her fast.
“Damned thing’s been under my nose this whole time.” Nigel’s gaze lingered on the jewel around her neck. Then his eyes met hers and she saw the steel in them. “I think I’ll take you, too. Could be useful.”
“Let me go,” Jules cried, trying to pry her wrist from his vise-like grip.
“Go to sleep, dear.” The old man tipped the vial just slightly, and Jules shrank back when she got a whiff of his noxious breath as he blew some sort of powder in her face.
“What—?” was all she managed to get out before the room started spinning.
The last thing she remembered was hearing a shattering sound as the glass slipped out of her hand before everything went dark.
CHAPTER NINE—Kai/Jules
KAI
“Evan, this is very important.” Kai did his best to keep his cool. It was no use scaring the kid—he was already scared enough. “So let me just go over this with you again, okay?”
The redhead nodded, sniffling, then wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
“Hand me a Kleenex, would you?” Kai glanced up at Barb, who took a napkin off Jules’s kitchen table and handed it over.
Kai gave it to the kid, who blew his nose as Kai spoke.
“You went into the pantry to get cookies, right?”
“I’m sowwy!” Evan howled again, looking over at his mother sitting at the other end of the table. “I know I wasn’t s’posed to.”
“It’s okay,” Kai told him, sighing again. “I don’t care about the cook
ies. You can have the whole damned bag if you want, kid. I just need to know what happened to Jules.”
Evan’s eyes got big when Kai swore. “You said a bad word.”
Kai rubbed his forehead and tried again. “You were in the pantry and you heard Jules talking?”
“The bad man,” Evan agreed, a tremble in his voice. “He swore, too.”
“What did he look like? Do you remember? Was he young? Old? Short? Tall?”
“I couldn’t see nothin’.” Evan sighed, exasperated. “I tole you a’ready. He said he liked Jules’s necklace. And he told her to go to sleep. Then the glass broke. And they all left.”
Kai blinked at him, trying to figure out the puzzle. “Was Jules awake?”
Evan shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t see—”
“Didn’t see nothing… right,” Kai finished, rubbing his chin. “You didn’t recognize their voices?”
The little boy shook his head, looking somber. Then he brightened. “They drove away in a big, long car.”
He spread his arms to show him. Big. Long.
“A limousine?” Barb chimed in, glancing back at Tristan, who had his arms around her waist. Her whole family was there, crammed into Jules’s kitchen. They’d been attempting to sniff her out for hours, trying to find her on the ranch, but they’d told him her scent was all over the place. It was impossible. And there were too many people. Thankfully, the festivities had finally ended and now most of the crowd was gone. The sun had started to set, giving the kitchen and everyone in it an orange glow.
Just when Kai thought he was going to go mad, Carolyn had brought Evan to him, hoping what he’d overheard could help.
Evan shrugged, wrinkling his nose at Barb’s comment. Clearly he’d never seen a limousine before. Kai slipped his phone out of his pocket, pulling up Google search. Maybe if he showed him one…
“It had curtains in the windows.” Evan said, his eyes all squinty, like he was concentrating hard. “In the back. Oh! Like the one when we went to Stuart’s bury place! Remember, Mom?”
The kid looked at his mother and she nodded her head at him, encouraging. Kai saw tears in her eyes, worry etched on her face. They were all worried about Jules, but Kai was going absolutely insane.