Her senses were on red alert. Her body clamored for his attention, but it was his choice of words that kept her from giving in to temptation. “When, or if, we choose to indulge in any kind of relationship, you most certainly will not take advantage of me. That I can promise you. We’re partners, remember?” She meant to leave the conversation at that particular stopping point, but she never had been good at leaving things alone. With a small sigh, she gave in to that which she had been curious about since she met him.
Before she could change her mind, Hannah pulled his face to hers and kissed him. The mere joining of their lips created pinwheels of colors within her mind.
Just as things became interesting, she smiled against his mouth, and then gently pushed him away. Damn. Hannah willed her body to settle down. “I would hate to shove you into something you’re not mentally ready for. However, if you should change your mind, let me know.”
She turned onto her side with her back to him. If that kiss didn’t melt some of the icy reserve he kept around his feelings, she didn’t know what would.
Chapter Nine
Cave floors don’t lend themselves to a restful sleep. For that matter, neither did a snoring partner. With a huff of irritation, Hannah shifted positions, but Edwin’s slumber wasn’t disturbed. Poking him in the ribs until he rolled over, she snagged her bag then crawled to the entrance of the cave. At least the rain was letting up. “Edwin?”
The only sound that rang through the cave was loud snoring.
One would think a bounty hunter would be a light sleeper. With a sigh, she fumbled in her bag, smiling when her fingers brushed against the cool glass of the magical jar. She pulled it out then said, “Donella, Roosevelt, Narcissa, I summon thee to me.”
The cave came alive with the brief shower of multi-colored sparks as the fairy trio shot out of the jar. It was as if Hannah held a Roman candle in the palm of her hand. “Good evening.” She smiled as the fairy folk acclimated themselves to their new surroundings. “I hope you haven’t been too uncomfortable in that jar.”
“We were doing just fine until you decided to butt your gigantic nose into our business,” Narcissa retorted as she paced.
“Excuse me for checking on you.” She winked at Roosevelt. “What about you two? Are you doing all right?”
Roosevelt bowed, then found a comfortable spot on the abandoned bag and sat down. “I have no complaints with the accommodations.” A grin lit his face as he ran a slender hand through the green Mohawk. “Donella and I have a lot in common.”
“That’s great! What about you, Narcissa? Do you enjoy spending time with your companions?” Hannah leaned her back against the wall of the cave and eyed the fairy in the dying light.
Narcissa shrugged and her slim blue-veined shoulders drooped. “They’re okay, but you must know they’re shacking up together. Do you realize how detrimental that is for my state of mind?” She glared. “It’s demoralizing.”
“I can appreciate how you would feel slighted and unwanted.” Hannah crossed her legs and examined the scuffed tips of her sneakers. “I mean, you are much prettier than Donella but yet Roosevelt chose her as a mate.”
“I didn’t want him anyway.” Narcissa paced in front of the cave entry and shot a look of loathing at Roosevelt.
“Oh, then the night you tried to seduce him away from me was just an illusion?” Donella asked. She flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder.
“I can have my pick of men. I don’t need yours.” Narcissa perched on a rock and braided her hair. “You don’t need to lord it over me.”
Hannah cleared her throat. “Play nice, girls, or I’ll put you back in the jar.” Looking at Donella, she stifled a grin when the fairy joined Roosevelt on the bag. “Narcissa, would it make your life easier if I could locate another male?”
“Maybe.” She slid a cunning glance Hannah’s way as she finished her task. “Have you grown tired of the vampire? I’d be happy to take him off your hands.”
Edwin’s snoring reassured Hannah he still drifted in slumber land. She glared at the cheeky fairy. “The bounty hunter is off limits, do you understand? I’m asking you if you would like me to find you a mate. If you continue to give me attitude, I’ll leave you to your loneliness.”
Narcissa pouted. “Fine. At least make sure he has hair.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Hannah turned to Roosevelt. “Is there anything else you require?”
He had the good grace to appear embarrassed as he withdrew his hand from the bodice of Donella’s dress. “The only issue I have is with the goblin. His bathing habits are infrequent at best. Every time we attempt to get into a game of poker he knocks over the table.”
“My best advice to you would be to ignore the goblin.” Hannah encompassed the three fairies in her gaze. “Do any of you wish to be released?”
The trio looked at each other then in unison, they shook their heads.
“No one?”
Roosevelt spoke first. “I have nothing to go back to. My village fell in the sweep when I was visiting friends. Rumor has it they were kidnapped by a demon lord, but I guess we’ll never know for certain.”
That made sense. Marilyn had alluded to that same thing. “Let me talk to Edwin. Maybe we can help.”
“I would appreciate that.” He frowned. “Why do you wish to help me? Humans are not helpful in the magical world.”
“Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of doubts. I believe violence against any race is wrong.” She tapped the brass lid against her lips then smiled. “Time to go.” She said the words of the binding spell and marveled again at the colorful sparks of their glamour when they shot into the magical jar.
Tired, she crawled back to Edwin and lay beside him. “How long have you been listening?” She’d been aware he was awake because his snoring had become sporadic.
“Long enough to see my theory about you confirmed.”
Hannah frowned when he pressed her flush against his body. “And that theory is?” Him nibbling a path along her jaw distracted her.
“That you are a compassionate individual. You will put your personal agenda aside to help those who cannot help themselves.”
“You’re wrong.” She ran her hands under his t-shirt and tangled her fingers in his thick mat of black chest hair, glad the warmth on her cold fingers. “I don’t have a personal agenda.” She shivered as he unbuttoned her shirt and the cool air washed over her bare skin.
Edwin caressed her stomach. “I am sorry to hear you say that. I would have been interested in testing your ability for self-restraint.”
His breath whispered over her chilled skin. She fought the urge to crawl into his lap. “Feel free to test me.” She wriggled her hips against his in an effort to encourage him.
“I think not.”
Hannah sighed with frustration. He pressed his lips to hers then pulled the shirt closed, but not before he grazed her hardened nipples with his fingertips. “Why not?” She gasped and clutched at his t-shirt, desperation thick in her voice.
“I would not want to push you into something you are not ready for.” He swatted her rear end. “Catch up on your sleep, spatzi. We have much ground to cover.” Edwin turned away, settling his head on his duffle bag.
She made a sound of annoyance as she savagely buttoned the shirt. “Touché, Mr. Mason.”
Hannah didn’t go back to sleep that night.
*****
“You really should try some of these berries, Edwin. They’re extraordinarily sweet.” Hannah popped another blackberry into her mouth and gloried that the juicy burst of flavor could taste so good. Of course, cooked shoe leather would probably hit the spot after being so hungry. She didn’t even mind the humidity.
That troublesome companion had crept back into her world as soon as the rain left during the early evening hours. During a ramble for food, Edwin had located the wild blackberry bushes. She ate her fill before they continued in their search for Horace the Black.
“A
s I have told you on the four previous occasions you asked me, I do not require organic nourishment at this time. When I find myself experiencing hunger pangs, you will be the first person I notify.” He plunged ahead of her, savagely lashing out at ferns and weeds along the path with a stalwart stick. “Trust me on this. If I become hungry, it would behoove you to hide.”
Curls of alarm swirled through her stomach. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
“I would have no idea. Your mind does not work in a very logical manner.” Another angry thrust at a stand of bracken followed the comment.
She coughed when a piece of berry lodged in her throat. “You would seriously feed on me without my permission?” A shiver wracked her body as he remained silent. “I thought you said you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“You will not come to harm by my hand.” His sigh was one of exasperation. “My intent was to prod you to be less flippant about our quest. If it serves to remind you I am, in essence, a vampire, then that is not a bad thing.”
“Fine. I got your message, loud and clear.”
“I am also compelled to tell you sarcasm does not affect me.”
Hannah grinned and quickly ate the remaining few berries. It didn’t even bother her that she had spent four consecutive days and nights in the same clothes, let alone the same undergarments. It must have been because she had succeeded in rattling Edwin out of his stiff complacency with life with one simple kiss.
She skipped along the path after him. Granted, it hadn’t been a simple kiss. In fact, if she hadn’t broken it off in the early stages of the bone-melting contact, she would probably be living out the rest of her existence as a puddle of goo. Not to mention his retaliation embrace. If nothing else, the vamp had a knack for sensual teasing.
Gently probing Edwin’s mind, Hannah was assaulted by swirling colors of gray anger, dark blues of confusion, and even a black cloud of depression.
Obviously, the man was upset about something. He had set up a heavy-duty guard that prevented her from going any further into his mind. She was fine with that. Everyone had their limits. He could shut her out of his mind all he liked, but that didn’t change the fact she ruffled his feathers.
“Geez, Edwin, I’m gonna have to start calling you Mr. Cranky Pants if this sulky bad mood of yours continues.” Hannah motored up to him and slipped her hand into his. She hung on tight when he tried to pull away. “It’s almost as if you need to release some sort of pent-up tension. Maybe you should have sex. I’ve heard it will clear the mind and help relieve the terrible anxiety that must have you wound tighter than a drum. In fact, sex is all the fairy population can talk about.” She snickered. She enjoyed baiting him. The death grip on her hand was the only response she got.
Maybe she should push the envelope. “I would gladly sacrifice myself for the cause, but oh, that’s right! You’ve already told me you’re not interested in me romantically. You’ve made it abundantly clear you’re not interested in a sexual relationship of any kind. Why was that again? Right, you need to keep yourself pure because of your work and some misguided sense of chivalry. So, outside of a few kisses, I guess you’re up the creek.”
A strangled sort of sound came from him that she interpreted as annoyance. She grinned. She succeeded in her goal to annoy him. “Enough, Hannah. Enough!” He stopped suddenly, threw his stick into the underbrush, and turned to her with a crazed expression on his face. “You know the reason why I cannot indulge in my baser instincts. I trusted that information to you in the hopes you would respect my wishes.”
Sudden trepidation tingled over her skin. “I’m so sorry. I was only teasing you, trying to cajole you into a better mood.” Her stomach dropped to the region of her knees with shame. She could only imagine how he must feel. “Please believe me when I tell you I never meant—” She stumbled to a halt at his laughter. The dimple in his cheek winked with the force of his mirth.
“You are truly a remarkable woman!” He wiped at the sweat on his forehead then engulfed her in a hug. “It is difficult for me to remain angry at you.”
Hannah pulled back in surprise. “So that whole frustrated tension thing was just an act? You weren’t affected in any way by our kiss yesterday?” Now she was upset. She’d behaved like an idiot in front of him for nothing. And the fact he might find her to be one was embarrassing.
“You are wrong, Hannah. I was very much affected by your little show of power.” He drew her close to him once again, and with his hands at her waist held her flush against naughty bits. “However, I must warn you. If you insist on playing with fire, sooner or later you will be burned.”
She didn’t have a chance to react before he brought his lips crashing down on hers with such force she had no choice but to submit under his assault. He manipulated her mouth until she parted her lips. Hannah fenced with his tongue, let him investigate every inch of her mouth and she gasped for breath. She twined her fingers in the silky strands of his black hair, gratified to know it was as soft and thick as she’d first thought.
Intense beats of need consumed her body. Erotic images flooded her mind with shimmered brilliance that fed the flames of desire building in her chest. She gasped. Every nerve ending tingled with awareness that almost burned her skin as he continued to plunder her mouth. She pressed her body against his, craving a new level of closeness and groaned against his lips as his arousal made its presence known against her stomach.
When you set your full attention on something, you certainly leave no room for error. Her eyes fluttered open when she realized he had pulled away.
He regarded her, amusement sparkled in his eyes, now a midnight blue. “Consider that your first and only warning, spatzi. The next time you start something, do have a care, and make certain you can finish the task. I find an unfinished job to be a very inefficient use of time.” He winked.
Hannah’s jaw dropped open. Could it be he was developing a sense of humor after all? She stared mutely after him. If Edwin can kiss like that without even trying, what else can he do?
*****
Two hours later and shortly after midnight, they stopped for a brief rest to consume the last of their water. Edwin knew a brief moment of sadness when he emptied his bottle. If they did not find their quarry soon, they would need to abandon their quest in order to search for fresh water. He hesitated to broach the subject with Hannah.
“Are we close to this Horace the Black fellow?”
He glanced at his companion. She wore his borrowed handkerchief over her hair, a few red wisps escaped near the back. Tiredness showed in her eyes but not enough to dull the vibrant green color. His admiration grew. She was doing remarkably well under the circumstances.
You’re beautiful. The emotion behind the thought took him by surprise.
What a lie! I look like a reject from Survivor, and I’d gladly cut off my right leg for a pair of clean underwear.
He grinned. “Patience.” Edwin glanced around at the silent trees and muted forest floor. “We are close.” With a forefinger, he lifted her chin so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “I promise to get you out of the forest and into a hotel room as soon as I can arrange it. You do not deserve to follow me around the wilderness, enduring these conditions.”
She shrugged and severed eye contact. “I won’t break, if that’s what you mean. I can be tough when the situation calls for it. But I would just like to be tough when I know there’s a hot bath waiting for me at the end of the day.” She stretched out her back and groaned. “Or a change of clothes or a hot meal. I’m not picky.”
“I have to admit your courage in the face of continuous adversity is admirable. When I first met you, I had my doubts. Your self-confidence was low. You refused to claim your power. You are different now.” He twined his fingers through hers and tugged her down the trail. “Horace the Black lives the life of a transient. He does not have a permanent residence. He tends to get bored in one area and moves on, especially when under the influence of alcohol or if his fo
ul temper takes control.”
“At least if we aren’t going to leave the forest tonight, can you find a creek or something? You might be a supernatural hottie who doesn’t require food or water, but we ordinary humans do. I’ll be a lot less cumbersome to you if I can walk instead of you having to carry me over your shoulder because I’ve collapsed due to dehydration.”
This time he allowed his laughter to erupt. Ordinary is not a word that enters my vocabulary to describe you.
Thanks for the compliment, but I’m too tired to argue.
Edwin chose not to comment. He had learned from painful past experience that teasing a woman while she was tired would do nothing to further a friendship. Hannah’s outlook and goals were a puzzle to him. What did she hope to accomplish on this quest besides learning and accepting her power? And not for the first time did he question his own motives.
At the beginning, he had simply needed her for her powers as an Enhancer, but as he spent more time with her, he realized he wanted her along for much more—friendship, companionship, and perhaps a physical relationship.
He allowed his glance to sweep over the curve of her breasts, to linger on the swell of her hips that swayed slightly as she walked. His groin stirred in response. Yes, definitely a physical relationship at some point. Anticipation filled his being. His own pleasure would need to wait in the face of his mission.
When Hannah stumbled, he tightened his grip on her hand. She almost tumbled head long into the mud. “Are you all right?”
“What the hell?” She reached down to pick up an object on the path. He watched in some amusement as she held offending object close to her face. “It’s a shoe? I almost sprained an ankle because of an expensive, designer shoe?”
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