Watcher United

by J. L. Madore

  Okay. That didn’t totally surprise him, but it still made him want to puke. “What if we throw it all on the line and we don’t work? I’m frustrating as hell and you outclass me on practically every front. I know you hate it when I say it, but you do deserve better. What if you realize it, and—”

  She stopped his rambling with a quick kiss. “You are a warrior who faces unspoken horrors to save those who never know they’ve been saved. Surely you’re brave enough to date the mother of your child.”

  “What if I mess it up for him?”

  She tugged on his wrists and he shifted to sit beside her. “I don’t expect you to suddenly become a perfect male. You have flaws, for certain, but you also have a big heart.”

  “Yeah, but after two thousand years, it’s gotten really dark in my big heart. Darker than I think you understand.”

  She pressed her ear to his chest and smiled against his T-shirt. “Sounds strong and healthy to me. Perhaps, to rid yourself of the darkness, you simply need to allow more light to enter.”

  “Easier said than done, angel.”

  She yawned, her shoulders lifting in a gentle shrug. “I see how Austin brightens Zander’s darkness, how Cassi eases Kyrian’s soul, how Ronnie makes Danel laugh until tears stream from his face, and how Storme can lay a simple touch on Phoenix’s hand and center his life once more. Love and lightness can replace darkness. If you give it a chance, perhaps Zane and I could do that for you.”

  He blinked, his insides warring. “How do I do that?”

  She placed another chaste kiss on his lips and then went over to slip into the sheets on her side of the bed. “We’re immortals, Warrior. We’ve got time to figure it out.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Thea marveled at how one heartfelt talk and a few quiet days and nights could coalesce into new directions—both personally and professionally. With the drop in daemon activity on the blustery winter streets, the warriors gathered in their man cave each evening to work out the allegiances of each Otherworld species and race. The rebellion had spurred some discontents into action but largely, the Darkworld citizens wanted no part of making the Watchers their enemy.

  When confronted with the idea of an Otherworld Council, the Djinn Master had responded with optimistic reserve. The Watchers hoped to capitalize on that and make inroads with other Darkworld races while they had the time over the winter.

  Seth’s actions had opened the door to communications. Because of him, the death of the Djinn boy, Taid, might serve some greater purpose.

  As well as making her a new friend.

  “More tea, Jhaia?” Thea gestured to the tray on the kitchen counter of the little cottage. Established as the receiving house for Otherworld guests to the property, the racetrack gatehouse had been exterminated of mice, remodeled, and overhauled with security measures.

  Once Austin and Ronnie gave it their stamp of approval for country charm, she seized the opportunity to invite the Djinn boy’s mother over to meet Zane. Despite the concern of the males of the household, if she were a female grieving the loss of her child and could somehow connect to new hope in his memory, that it is what she would want.

  The Djinn Master’s sister, Jhaia, was lovely and they had enjoyed the past hours getting to know one another.

  “I’ve had my fill, thank you.” She adjusted the silk banding of Zane’s blanket next to his cheek and smiled. “My brother wants me back before the roads start to ice. Please extend my thanks to the Sumerian and his wife for their efforts. And do send along that recipe if she’s willing to part with it.”

  “Of course. I shall ask her.”

  Jhaia rounded the wooden table and offered Zane back to her. “And thank you for this afternoon. Your son is a charmer. Much like his father, from what I gather.”

  Thea rolled her eyes. There was no getting away from it. Seth had that effect on women, whether he tried to or not. It was something she accepted but had yet to get used to.

  When Jhaia and her escorts left, Thea stacked the dishes into the tea tray, covered them with a dishcloth, and Tanek carried them out to the truck. By the time he returned, she had Zane bundled in his little seat, ready for the short ride up the lane to the main house.

  “That seemed to go well,” the warrior said.

  She agreed, but really, why wouldn’t it? “People aren’t so different. Most only wish to live a good, long life and love their children. I wanted to show her that her son’s gift would always be cherished.”

  Tanek parked at the old racetrack loading dock located just off the kitchen. He helped her inside with Zane and the dishes, and then went to park the truck in the garage.

  Storme and Ronnie waited in the kitchen when they arrived and descended the moment they were free of their coats. Ronnie took the baby and Storme went straight for the tea tray.

  “Which cup was hers?” she said, removing the towel.

  “The one with the rosebud pattern.”

  Storme took the delicate cup, gave it a gentle swirl, and flipped it upside down on its saucer. The art of interpreting the clustered grounds of tea intrigued her. That a member of the household possessed that ability was truly exciting.

  After a moment or two, Storme tipped the cup back and peered inside. Shifting it toward the light, she looked this way and that.

  “So?” Seth said, joining them. Her massive warrior bent to kiss first her lips, then their son on the forehead. “You getting anything duplicitous off her?”

  Storme shook her head. “There’s nothing here beyond the genuine interest in building a connection with Zane. You see here, that archway, that’s a symbol for a coming together, and paired with this open circle there with the dot in it . . . that’s new beginnings, energy, power.”

  Thea leaned in to see as well. Honestly, it just looked like a bunch of grounds clumped to the bottom of a dirty cup to her. “Will you do mine, Storme?”

  Storme set down the Djinn mother’s cup and went back to the tea tray. Repeating the process of swirl and flip, they waited once more. “Do you have a specific question or anything you’d like to know? For the last one, I asked the goddess about intention. What would you like to focus on for yours?”

  Thea thought about that. She and Seth were getting closer each day and she didn’t want to jinx that. Zane was healthy and strong, so nothing there. “Oh, I know.”

  “Don’t tell me, just focus on the question.”

  Thea did as instructed, leaning in to see what her tea leaves had to say.

  “Wow,” Storme said, her brows raising.

  Seth frowned. “Wow what?”

  Storme pointed into the cup. “You better rest up, angel, because the goddess has big things in store for you. See that thing that looks like a wheel, that’s inevitable change. And the linked chain coming off it implies responsibility.”

  “What are the stars?” she asked, pleased to see something this time around.

  “Stars are good fortune and success. This is a great reading, Thea. You’ve got great things coming your way.”

  Thea looked up at Seth, more excited than she likely should be, considering she was getting life advice from old tea grounds. Her question was about which direction to take in her professional life. She had an idea, but wasn’t sure whether to bring it up now or wait until Zane was older.

  Either way, good fortune and success couldn’t be bad.

  The snowball hit Seth smack in the side of the face. He blinked, both hands full with the massive fir tree he was dragging back to the Navigator. He turned, but Thea ducked behind the next row of trees on the tree farm. “You realize a calculated strike will only bring you a heap of trouble, right, angel? The minute my hands are free, you’re toast.”

  Thea squealed, and the sound did something to his insides.

  He gave the trunk a heave-ho and got moving once again. The sound of her boots crunched in the snow off to the left and he ducked the next projectile. “You’re living on the edge now. Consider this your final warning.
”

  When the next snowball clipped his wing, he dropped the tree and took chase. She didn’t know who she was dealing with. To take on a protector of the Otherworld? She didn’t have a chance. He drew a deep breath, his beast enlivened by the chase. “There’s no escape, angel. I’m a skilled hunter.”

  The icy impact to the back of his neck brought on another round of female squeals. He tore through the rows, breathing in her scent as it transformed from delight to something more.

  Something that clawed at his insides.

  Damn, it only took a thought and a soft breeze, and he was right back to envisioning them naked. The past few nights had been great, no question. They’d taken things slow, were building something solid. He’d had more fun during their make out sessions than in all his sexual encounters combined.

  But his control was wearing thin.

  The growl that ripped from his chest spoke of a hunger too long ignored. In a lifetime, when he hadn’t gone more than a few days without sexual relief, being deprived weeks and months was agony.

  He considered it a form of penance.

  A flash of purple had him launching to the right. Thea’s winter coat stood out against the glare of sun and snow, making her visible any time she broke cover of the trees.

  He caught her in a flying tackle and took her to the ground. Mid-air, he caged her against his body and rolled to ensure she landed safely sprawled over him, while he took the impact of the ground.

  With her wrapped in his arms, her scent bombarded his senses in a lusty gust and he honestly didn’t feel a thing. “You should never run from a predator,” he said, tightening his hold on her as she squirmed. “It only brings out the beast.”

  Thea’s pupils dilated, and she bit her bottom lip. “Perhaps I enjoy the beastly side of you.”

  She did?

  Before this dating thing, she pretty much said he was a man-whore dog. He’d been playing it all sorts of supportive—patient boyfriend to show her he could be more than what he was, that he could partner without expecting sex, that she meant more to him than just another hot fuck.

  Had he misinterpreted or were they there now?

  He lowered his lips and left them hovering just above her mouth. “Remember what I said back in the loft about respecting you for knowing what you want and going for it?”

  She swallowed, dipping her chin in a gentle nod.

  “Now is your chance to do that again.”

  She wriggled against him, rubbing over his cock as she adjusted position.

  He gritted his teeth, using all his strength to restrain himself. “Your pace, angel. I don’t want to fuck anything up, so you get to call all the shots here.”

  Her mouth was heaven. The moment she claimed his lips, he shuddered from head to toe. How could simple kisses bring him so much pleasure? He gripped the back of her neck and held her where he wanted her, groaning as her arousal flared.

  The power of his beastly side surged triumphant as it always did. He was a goner. He faced that fact days ago. No matter how much he loved his bachelorhood and didn’t want love or anything to change his life, it happened all the same.

  Thea happened.

  This. This was what Zander, Danel, and Phoenix had been going on about. This was how they’d ended up both lost and also found.

  “Get a room,” someone yelled as footsteps tromped past.

  Seth growled, his eyes flashing white as he glared toward the source of interruption.

  Thea chuckled, catching her breath. “Perhaps moving this to a private space is good advice. Somewhere warm, where we might feel more apt to remove our clothes?”

  Hells-to-the-yes!

  His first thought was to dematerialize home and get on that, but the tree farm had surveillance cameras everywhere and exposure was still a sensitive subject. Also, his brothers would notice if they didn’t come back with the stupid tree.

  Damn. He had them on their feet and heading back the way they’d come in no time. “Hold that thought, angel.”

  Devoured. That’s how Thea felt each time Seth unleashed himself upon her. The man had a way with his lips that hit her straight between her quivering thighs. One look. One touch. One kiss, and she was a damp, heaving bundle of heightened nerves. This sensation was what she’d craved the past months.

  This was Seth.

  Standing at the end of their bed, he paused and pulled back from their kiss, his fingers locked on the hem of her sweater. “You’re sure we’re ready? I need you to be sure, angel, because this is too important to me to rush.”

  “Sharing our bodies won’t ruin anything. Have a little faith, Warrior. You believe in us, don’t you?”

  She’d grown used to the growl that filled the room. Seth’s beast spoke for him whenever things grew intense, which they did—often.

  “I believe in us,” he said, in a voice not his own. “I believe in our family.” He pulled her tight to his chest, crushing her within his steel frame. Her whole body flushed, and she melted against him.

  She wanted his hands on her . . . his lips . . . his length. She wanted all of him, everywhere. Her entire body flared to life, a slick heat awaiting him at her core.

  Warm breath washed her neck as a wanton fire ignited inside her. He tilted his head and brushed his lips along the line of her jaw. “There are so many things I want to share with you, to show you, to do to you . . . things that will drive us both to insanity with the pleasure of them.”

  She fought to breathe.

  “My head’s been buzzing for months, my body aching and yet finding no relief. It only ever eases when I’m with you. It’s been you all along, I was just too stupid and stubborn to see it.”

  “You are pretty hardheaded.”

  He laughed. “No argument, but it is me, you want, right? Not Phoenix. Not just a male to ease your suffering. It has to be me, right?”

  She froze. Didn’t he know that?

  Not for the first time, she imagined Seth as a boy in ancient Egypt, fending for himself and his brother. He grew up knowing his mother didn’t love them, and his father never cared enough to take part in their life.

  Somewhere inside this massive warrior, Seth remained that young boy, afraid to trust, hoping someone would see the value of everything he hid from the world but at the same time, expecting they never would.

  They’d made great strides over the past weeks and months.

  And still, they had a long way to go.

  Something inside her clicked, and she finally understood. He needed her, yes, but he needed her to need him even more desperately. They shared something combustible. It ignited that first night and had been smoldering on a slow burn ever since. But more than that, they shared a longing to belong, to be loved, to have a safe place.

  “It’s you, Seth. You, the father of my son, the male who rescued me from Hell. You who laid with me, and worried with me while our child was missing. It has always been you, even before my heart knew it.”

  “Thank fuck,” he whispered, the tension in his shoulders easing as he leaned forward. “I am so blessed.”

  She heard the strain in his words, knew he was fighting for restraint. Part of her relished the power to affect him. The other part of her quivered like a foolish girl. Then, he looked at her, his eyes flared with heat, and she didn’t feel foolish at all.

  She felt wanted.

  She felt sexy.

  She felt bold and hungry and so, so, desperate for him.

  Closing her eyes, the glorious spice of his arousal spun in her head. “It’s definitely you. You and this family is what I want now and for eternity.”

  Her words barely passed her lips before Seth moved, fast and sure, pulling her heavy sweater up to free her breasts. They were sensitive. He’d seen her wince as Zane latched on to feed. He cupped beneath the weighted mounds, leaving her nipples in peace. “Are you too sore, angel? I mean, is your body ready for this?”

  Thea swallowed. “I’m fine. I do have a particular ache I was hoping
you might be able to help me with.”

  “Anything to ease you, angel.” Lowering her onto the bed, he shifted until their bodies aligned. With so much contact, his world was both intensely focused and, at the same time, wildly out of control.

  Like a kid in a candy store, he wanted everything at once. Every taste, every pleasure, every treat his mouth had watered for. Despite his beast’s need to ravage her, the man wanted to honor her—love her.

  Dropping his hand from her neck, he skimmed a hand over her belly. A slight fullness from housing their son within remained. His fingers found the tissue pierced by the violence of her ordeal. The scars were a vile offense. Kyrian assured him that they would continue to heal and fade with time.

  He didn’t want her to think they made her any less beautiful.

  Shifting lower on the mattress, he pressed his lips to her suffering, worshipping her body. With deliberate slowness, he paid homage to her wounds.

  He spanned her silky skin, his forced restraint killing him.

  Heat curled up his spine and his balls ached, about to explode. The sweet scent of her arousal filled his head. It was all he could do to breathe. The smell of her hunger almost had him going off before they were even getting started.

  Fuuuuck. He fought the warning tremors of his release building inside him. He didn’t want to rush this, but if he didn’t get inside her soon, he honestly might die.

  “You good, angel? You with me?”

  The answering moan confirmed what he knew.

  They had finally gotten onto the same page and he was reading her loud and clear. Greedy fingers tugged at his shirt and he lifted his torso, so she could strip it off. Next went his pants. “You have me at a disadvantage here, angel. I’m naked and you’ve got way too much covering you up.”

  Thea tilted her head back and arched off the bed to give him access. The undulation of her body was so erotic it blew the circuits of his brain. As he evened the birthday suit playing field, she nipped her bottom lip and he almost shot off early.

  Her face, so beautifully expressive, telegraphed exactly how much she enjoyed it when he stripped her down.