by Karen Kelley
“Just don’t get any ideas.” Chance glared at the other man. “This one is taken.”
“Are they really your brothers?” Destiny asked.
“Not by blood, but by the bond that flows through each of us. And now through you.”
“It’s going to feel strange having a family. I’ve never really had one,” she admitted.
“Can you at least cook?” Hunter asked.
She smiled when she looked at him.
He blushed.
“I can’t even boil water.”
“Anybody up for Mama Paula’s?” Dillon asked.
Hunter was thoughtful for a moment until his stomach began to rumble. “Okay, but don’t embarrass me this time.” He glared at Ryder.
“Me? Embarrass you? You’re the one who ate four platters of pancakes.”
“They were good,” he defended himself. “But, you on the other hand, were practically having sex—” He quickly glanced toward Destiny, then cleared his throat. “You were flirting a heck of a lot with the new waitress. Made her all giggly until she almost dropped the platter of food.”
“You mean your third platter of food,” Dillon casually mentioned.
Hunter frowned. “I told you I was hungry. And even though Mama Paula keeps her restaurant nice and clean, I sure didn’t want to be eating off the damn—I mean dang—floor!”
Dillon and Ryder laughed, then looked toward Chance and Destiny. “You two coming?”
She looked at Chance. Silent communication passed between them.
“We’ll catch you later,” Chance told them.
The other three grasped hands, then closed their eyes. In an instant, they disappeared.
“Are they always like that?” she asked.
Chance sighed. “No, sometimes they’re worse.”
“I like them.”
“For all eternity?”
Could she love him for all eternity? He had his answer when she melted against him, then raised her face. He lowered his lips to hers. She felt so perfect, so right in his arms. He stroked her tongue as his hands caressed her back. The kiss ended, but he still held her close.
“I can and will love you for all eternity,” she said.
Chapter 28
“Now what do you want to do?” Destiny asked. “I mean, here we are in your penthouse apartment. All alone. Just the two of us.”
It was about time, too. They hadn’t had a moment alone in the last two weeks. Hunter, Dillon, and Ryder monopolized Destiny’s time. If he didn’t know better, he’d think they had never been around a female.
But she was his now. “I can think of a few things we can do,” he said as he slid the zipper down on the back of her dress.
Her light laugh floated around him as she stepped out of his arms, mischievously shaking her head.
Chance crossed his arms. “And just what do you have in mind?”
She put a finger to her lips. “Shh. Just follow me.” She turned on her heel and made her way toward the bedroom. Chance followed at a slower pace, wondering exactly what she was up to.
She stopped, then shimmied out of her dress. She wore a skimpy pink-and-black bra and thong, except she still had on her heels, and he was already hard just looking at her.
He drew in a sharp breath right before he jerked his T-shirt over his head and tossed it away. Damn, he already liked what she had planned.
For a moment, Destiny seemed to forget what she was doing as she stared at his bare chest. “You’ve really got some serious muscles.” She shook her head, then reached back and unfastened her bra, letting it drop to the floor.
Chance tried to swallow and couldn’t. He could only stare as she blew him a kiss and sauntered down the hall. He drew in a deep breath and caught the scent of the heady perfume she wore. The alluring aroma wrapped around him, hinting at a night of untold pleasure.
And there was a reason he was standing in the middle of his living room with his tongue hanging out?
He toed off his boots, kicking them out of his way. Next went his socks. His jeans and briefs came off at the same time.
“Here I come, baby,” he said under his breath as he hurried to the bedroom.
The door was closed. He grinned, but the door wouldn’t be closed for long. He pictured Destiny on the other side, lying on the bed, completely naked with her legs spread in invitation. One he planned to take her up on.
He opened the door and immediately heard the sound of a waterfall. He frowned. Had she left the water running in the bathroom? His frown deepened. She wasn’t in the bed waiting for him. In fact, he could barely see the bed. The whole room was cast in dark shadows.
“Dillon told me you loved the water. Especially swimming, no matter how cold it gets.” Her voice came from the shadows. Even though he searched with his eyes, he couldn’t make out her form.
“Dillon’s an asshole,” he grumbled.
She chuckled. “Rather than cold water, I thought I’d substitute the sound.”
“It’s nice. Now can we make love?”
“You do look as though you’re ready.” She sighed. “Very ready. Did I ever tell you how much I love your very thick, very long dick?”
His dick jerked in response to her words. “You’re killing me.”
“Nope, it’s too difficult to kill a nephilim.”
“You’re getting pretty close.”
Destiny chuckled as she snapped her fingers and half a dozen candles came to life. Then she stepped from the shadows. His torture had only begun. She wasn’t naked. No, she wore what amounted to a thin red scarf that she’d draped over her body, and a red and black necklace that sparkled as it captured the candlelight. The scarf hid absolutely nothing from his view, but was sexy as hell, casting shadows over her tempting curves.
She was fire and ice as she ambled nearer. Chance couldn’t take his eyes off her. She had her hands behind her back, which thrust her chest forward. Her nipples were taut, begging him to take them into his mouth.
When she was closer, Destiny unfastened the scarf and ran the silky material across his shoulders, over his chest, just brushing his dick. He shivered as the sensation she created rippled over him. Before he could get used to the scarf, she moved to a small, low table, so low it was practically on the floor. An assortment of colorful glass bottles were arranged neatly on top, along with a small warmer that had one bottle sitting inside.
He sniffed as another aroma tickled his nose. Chocolate? What had she plotted? He grinned. He might not be exactly sure what she was up to, but he had a feeling he’d like it. She stopped at the table, her back to him.
He’d liked watching her breasts bounce ever so slightly when she walked, and the thatch of curls between her legs was sweet to look upon. He didn’t mind whatever game she played, though. If she wanted to be the seducer, he was more than fine with it. As long as she didn’t take too long. His dick throbbed.
She spread her legs, then gave him a very saucy wink before bending at the waist and slowly leaning over to get the bottle out of the warmer.
Something close to a gurgle erupted from him. He had a clear view of her irresistible pussy and an incredible desire to kiss her in that very spot. She was torturing him.
“Destiny,” he croaked, not sure how much longer he could stand the pain of not touching her.
She straightened and turned. “Is something the matter?”
“You know exactly what my problem is.” He glanced down. “It’s pretty obvious.”
She chuckled as she moved back to stand in front of him. “I’ll make it all better. I promise.” She tilted the bottle and a drop of chocolate landed on her finger, then she raised her finger to his lips and lightly brushed the chocolate on.
He licked the chocolate, wanting to taste something entirely different and so much sweeter. He would let Destiny play her games a little longer, though.
“Some say chocolate works as an aphrodisiac,” she said, then raised the bottle and dribbled it over his chest.
&
nbsp; He sucked in a breath. The chocolate was thick and warm. It felt like fingers slowly caressing his chest, his abdomen.
Enough! He couldn’t stand any more! He had to have her.
“It works for me,” he said and grabbed her to him.
She laughed. “It hasn’t had time.”
“You’re the aphrodisiac.” He lowered his mouth to hers. She tasted sweet and hot, like chocolate. He ran his hands down her back, over the cheeks of her ass, drawing her closer. She moaned when her most intimate spot brushed against his dick. He nudged her and she opened her legs, rubbing against him. Chance loved the way she responded to his slightest touch.
When he ended the kiss, they were both panting. She rested her head on his chest.
“I’m trying to seduce you,” she finally told him.
“It’s working. Have your way with me.” He couldn’t keep the smile out of his voice.
She licked his chest and all his humor evaporated. “You taste good,” she told him. “And I’m hungry.”
Before she could get too deeply into her new game, he moved her to arm’s length and studied her with a critical eye. “And you have chocolate all over you from rubbing against me.” His expression turned wicked. “And I’m very hungry.” He scooped her into his arms. She screamed with delight as he carried her to their bed.
Rather than setting her gently on top, he climbed into bed with her still in his arms. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck when he purposefully swayed as though he might accidentally drop her. He liked her body pressed to his.
“You did that on purpose,” she accused.
“Guilty.”
“Have you no remorse?”
“None whatsoever.”
“Whatever shall I do with you?”
“I bet you’ll think of something,” he said as he laid her gently against the pillows.
“I’m sure I will.”
But talking stopped as he lowered his head to her breast and drew her tight nipple into his mouth. He rolled the sensitive nub around with his tongue, then gently tugged with his teeth. She gasped, squirming slightly beneath him, but it was enough of a movement that when she moved against his dick, he moaned.
Did she know what she did to him? He thought sometimes yes, sometimes no. But damn if he didn’t love each of her moves.
“Now,” she breathed. Her breath whispered over him, encircling him in love. “I can’t stand another second without you inside me.”
That was all the encouragement he needed. When he moved she opened her legs, and when he entered the heat of her body she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist and drew him in deeper.
He groaned as her moist heat caressed him when she tightened her inner muscles. He couldn’t stand waiting any more. Chance moved slowly at first. His strokes long and easy. Still wanting to draw out the moment.
“Now,” she said. “I need you now.”
“As much as I need you,” he told her. He moved faster. Harder. Stroking her body with each movement. The heat built inside him. He looked at her face. Her eyes were partially closed, her breathing rapid.
The most beautiful sight to him was a woman in the throes of passion, but when he loved that woman with all his heart, it was even more magnificent.
Her body tensed. She gasped. Trembles, like small earthquakes, rushed down her body.
Heat exploded around him. Blinding lights flashed before his eyes. He gritted his teeth, his orgasm shaking him to his very core.
When his world came back into focus, he rolled to his side, taking Destiny with him, holding her close.
“I never want to disappoint you,” she whispered.
Chance moved back enough so he could look into her face. “You never will,” he said in all sincerity. He pulled her close to him again, holding her tight.
Epilogue
“LeAnn shouldn’t be there,” Destiny argued, but Chance didn’t seem concerned at all. He could be so infuriating sometimes! After being together for a whole year, she still hadn’t figured out his way of thinking.
“The nephilim can’t always change things,” he told her with exasperating patience. “You know the rules. Sometimes we’re blocked and we can’t use our powers.”
She clamped her lips together and glared at him. “It sucks!” She was going to let him have it!
But before she could rant and rave more, he pulled her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. Her bluster immediately drained as his kiss weakened her knees. Her arms circled his neck.
Chance was everything to her, even though he could be so blasted exasperating at times, and she couldn’t seem to get enough of him. When he ended the kiss, her knees were so weak they barely held her up.
“Hmm, what was I saying?” she asked.
He lightly caressed her back. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Why do you always do that?” she asked, resting her head against his chest.
“Do what?”
“Make me forget what I was talking about.”
He stroked her back. “Want me to stop?” She heard the smile in his voice.
“No.”
“Good, because I wouldn’t.”
“I want to help LeAnn. I want her to be as happy as I am.” And why not help LeAnn? Apparently there wasn’t a hard and fast rule. Chance had helped the Dunlops. When they returned from Hawaii, she made sure Chance helped the couple find jobs. In no time they would have all their bills paid. It was the least Destiny could do since she’d used their apartment.
He even saw that Charles and Beulah were able to buy the best parcel of land for their money after they were married. It was just a small ranch, but Chance had stocked it with some of his own horses and cattle. They were as happy as two people could be.
“But LeAnn has everything she ever dreamed about,” Chance told her, drawing her away from her thoughts.
“Pffttt.” He wasn’t paying a bit of attention to her!
His chest rumbled with suppressed laughter.
Destiny leaned back, frowning up at him. “She’s not happy, you know. Even if she does have two songs in the top ten on the Billboard charts.”
“She’s an overnight success. A star. She’s been on most of the talk shows, her concerts have all sold out—”
“But that doesn’t mean she’s happy,” Destiny quietly interrupted him.
He didn’t meet her eyes.
There was something he wasn’t telling her. “What?”
“Duncan thinks he missed his opportunity with her. He’s constantly playing her songs. It’s pathetic to watch him. I might have given him a little push.”
“What do you mean? I thought that was breaking the rules.”
He shrugged. “More like bending them a little.
“I see.”
“See what?”
“Breaking the rules is a no-no, but it’s okay to bend them.”
“Sort of.”
She eyed him with more than a little trepidation. “What did you do?” she cautiously asked.
“Duncan was given a chance to go into a partnership with an old friend, so he sold his bar in Ft. Worth a few months ago. He’s opening a new one in Nashville. Tonight, in fact.” He waved his hand in an arc and a screen appeared in front of them.
She quirked an eyebrow.
“What? You think Vetis was the only one with powers?” He nodded toward the screen. “Watch.”
Destiny turned her attention to the screen in front of her. She watched as downtown Nashville came to life. Country and Western bars lined the street that appeared, along with stores selling everything from Elvis memorabilia to Stetson hats to Justin boots. It might have been sleazy except the storefronts all looked as though a person had stepped back in time. The bars were more like saloons out of the Old West.
Then Destiny saw the woman walking down the street. She was all alone and huddled beneath a long black coat with the collar turned up and she wore a black floppy hat. It was a good disguise, but Destiny immed
iately recognized her friend.
“It’s LeAnn,” she whispered.
“Shh, just watch,” Chance told her.
LeAnn walked timidly inside the bar. Destiny held her breath, then realized LeAnn didn’t know she was watching. Destiny’s heart swelled with pride. LeAnn was so beautiful, and so successful, that Destiny bubbled over with emotion. She felt like a proud mother.
It had hurt her to tell LeAnn she wouldn’t be traveling to Nashville with her. LeAnn tearfully said she understood when Destiny explained she couldn’t leave Chance. LeAnn remembered meeting him at the rodeo and admitted she would do exactly the same.
But LeAnn didn’t. She left Ft. Worth and Duncan behind.
Destiny promised not to meddle. Mingling with mortals was frowned upon. As much as she would have liked to stay in touch, she resigned herself to only occasional visits. But she sensed LeAnn’s sadness. Her loneliness.
“Look at her.” Destiny sniffed. “We need to help.”
“Just watch,” Chance told her again.
“Okay, okay, I’m watching.”
***
LeAnn wondered what the hell she was doing as she glanced nervously around before making her way inside one of the bars lining the street. She pulled her coat tighter to her body. The light was dim and the room more crowded than she expected for a Wednesday night. There was a sign out front that had Grand Opening plastered across it. Maybe she should’ve chosen another place. One that was quieter. She sighed. It wouldn’t matter; even in a crowd she felt all alone. She wished Destiny was with her.
No, she didn’t. Destiny was with Chance, and they were so in love. It wasn’t right for her to be so darn selfish. It still didn’t make LeAnn feel any less lonely. Her most loyal companion became the television, but if she had to flip through channels one more night, she knew she would start screaming like a crazy woman. How many reality shows could they come up with, anyway? It was ridiculous!
Her manager was like a mother hen. Oh, she trusted Barry’s judgment and all, but he was a little pushy. Okay, if she was truthful, he was a whole lot pushy. Drat, she knew he was just trying to protect her, but she was tired of feeling like he wrapped her in cotton and tucked her away after each performance.