Bound by Fire

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  Connall chuckled and held it up between his fingers. “You dropped it on the floor when you answered your mom’s call.”

  “I really would lose my head if it wasn’t attached.” She took the key and raised her head for a kiss. “I need thirty minutes.”

  He kissed her and grinned. “You have fifteen.”

  “You’re still not the boss of me.”

  “We’ll see.”

  She laughed.

  “Now, go and get ready.” Connall checked his watch. “You have less than thirteen minutes left.”

  “Do you mind if I bring my iPod?”

  “Not at all, but why?”

  “New album from my favorite band. I’d like to listen to it on the way to the beach.”

  He tried not to groan as he forced a smile. “Sure.”

  She kissed him again and headed back to her room.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  AFTER THE BEST day she could remember, Pepper wasn’t ready for Connall to drive them back to the hotel so soon. However, he insisted they had to change for dinner. They made their way into the lobby and Pepper stalled when she caught sight of a man standing with Brodie in the parlor.

  “Pepper? What’s wrong?” Connall asked.

  She turned and did her best, “if looks could kill” face. “Connall Jakob Gunnach, you failed to mention a very significant detail in exactly who gave up their room for me.”

  “Did I?”

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the open door. “Maximilian freakin’ MacMillan, Con? Seriously? The lead singer of Fallen Crown, one of the sexiest men alive, and also the greatest singer, guitarist, and most prolific songwriter on earth, is the man who gave up his room for me?”

  “Or, we could just go with Max.”

  She slapped his chest. “How could you not tell me? We listened to their new album to and from the beach and you didn’t say a word! I’ve loved that band since I was fourteen! I can’t believe you didn’t give me any kind of warning! I can’t have dinner with him! He’s like…like my idol.”

  Connall scowled. “Well, maybe you’re right. Perhaps we should have a private dinner.”

  She let out a frustrated squeal then turned and made a dash for her room, taking the stairs two at a time.

  “Pepper,” he called, but she ignored him.

  She pushed open the door to her room…no, Max’s room…and shivered. He’d slept in her bed. He’d probably sat in the chair by the window. She sat down in it and then giggled. She remembered her mom talking about how she’d been in love with some old guy named Sean Cassidy when she was a teenager and Pepper thought she was crazy. Now she was reacting like a love-struck teen because her idol may or may not have sat in the same chair she was currently sitting in.

  Pepper groaned as she rose to her feet. She dumped the contents of her overnight bag on the bed before taking a second to look in the mirror. She nearly cried. Her hair was out of control from the wind at the beach, her cheeks were flushed, and she had dried mascara caked under her eyes. The cold had caused her eyes to water, but she hadn’t cared at the beach…probably because she didn’t have a mirror.

  She looked like a zombie.

  You do not. You’re beautiful.

  You don’t get to weigh in here, buddy. Where’s Sam?

  Down here. Why?

  Never mind.

  Pepper grabbed her phone and sent Sam a quick text. Within minutes, a knock came at her door.

  “Pepper, it’s me,” Sam called through the door.

  Pepper yanked open the door and stood aside so Sam could enter. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Sam shook her head. “I didn’t want to add to your stress.”

  Pepper waved her hand toward the bed. “I have nothing to wear, Sam.” She glanced in the mirror again. “Not to mention the fact, I look like a cheap hooker right now.”

  Sam snorted. “You have never been cheap, Pep.”

  Pepper threw her brush at her.

  Sam caught it midair and grinned. “Wow. I suppose a football career is still a possibility.”

  “Laugh, laugh. You’re so funny,” Pepper retorted. “Now help me!”

  “You go freshen up and I’ll find you something that will make Connall regret the fact he didn’t tell you.”

  Pepper smiled. “That’s the appropriate answer, best friend.”

  She headed to the bathroom. If there was a Guinness Book award for fastest shower taker, she would have received it.

  * * *

  “Aren’t we leaving?” Max asked Connall.

  The men, along with Fiona and Payton, were in the parlor waiting for Sam and Pepper. They were already running late for their reservation.

  “Pepper just wanted to freshen up. Get the sand out of her hair,” Connall said, and gave him a look of warning.

  Max raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, what did I do?”

  “Here they are now,” Kade said, and made his way toward Sam.

  Connall nearly choked. Pepper wore tight, black jeans, a blood-red cardigan with half the buttons undone…and something lacy underneath that appeared to be much lower cut than the one she’d been wearing the day he’d met her. She also appeared several inches taller. He glanced at her feet, and rolled his eyes. Boots.

  Sexy as hell boots.

  Damn it. He stared closer. Nestled in her ample cleavage was the pomegranate pendant he…well, technically…Sam had bought her. The ruby seemed very happy to be where it was, as it glistened in the light and drew his eyes, and he’d venture to guess, any other red-blooded man’s, to her chest.

  She had pulled her hair back at the sides and swept her bangs to the side, which enhanced her beautiful face and when she smiled, he heard Max’s near imperceptible whistle behind him.

  Connall scowled at him and then strode toward Pepper. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, but she gave him her cheek.

  “Pepper.” His voice pitched low in warning.

  She widened her eyes and then smiled. “Something wrong, Con?”

  “Let’s go.”

  “To the restaurant?”

  “Definitely not. Somewhere else.”

  She shook her head. “That would be really rude, Connall.”

  She stepped away from him and held her hand out to Max. “Hi. Max.” Connall heard the nervousness in her voice as she continued. “Thank you so much for giving up your room for me.”

  Max took her hand and lifted it to his lips, like he did with every woman he ever met. “It’s my pleasure, Pepper. Please, think nothing of it.”

  As Max kissed her hand, Connall felt transported back in time. Back to every ballroom they’d ever frequented over the past six hundred years. Max always got the girl, so to speak, and not just because he had the power to make anyone do anything for him.

  “Okay, that’s enough,” Connall said, and tugged Pepper’s hand out of Max’s. He laid his hand on her lower back and glared at his friend.

  Max grinned. “Your necklace is beautiful, lass.”

  She fingered the ruby. “Thank you. It was a gift from Sam.”

  “Max,” Connall warned.

  Max chuckled. “I think we’re getting ready to head out.”

  “We’ll meet you there.” Connall pulled Pepper from the room.

  “We’re going to be late, Con,” she complained as he found a private place for them to talk.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “You know exactly what I mean.” He scowled. “You need to go upstairs and change.”

  She laughed. “No way.”

  “Pepper, you can’t go to dinner looking like that.”

  “You don’t like what I’m wearing?”

  He growled and leaned down to kiss her, pressing her back against the wall. He projected images into her mind, images of them making love, and felt Pepper’s body shudder with desire.

  She b
roke the kiss and dropped her head onto his chest. “Wow.”

  He kissed her hair and attempted to catch his breath.

  “That really wasn’t necessary, you know,” she said.

  “It was for me.”

  “Max isn’t at all what I pictured.”

  Connall lifted her chin and narrowed his eyes. “What the hell does that mean?”

  Pepper grinned up at him. “Meeting Max was really cool, don’t get me wrong, but you’re the one that makes me swoon when you walk in a room.”

  He cocked his head. “Swoon? Really?”

  “Swoon. Really.” She linked her fingers with his. “I have dreamt of meeting that man for more than ten years, but meeting you was better.”

  “Oh?” He smiled. “How?”

  “Well, for one, you’re way sexier. I might have had a hundred posters of him and the band, but in person he’s not nearly as good looking. He’s also kind of cocky. I mean, kissing my hand. Really? Ew. Saliva germs just crosses the line, in my opinion. Gross. Not to mention the fact, he seems to have forgotten we live in the twenty-first century.”

  “You didn’t like that?”

  Pepper shook her head. “I don’t like men who think they’re all that and assume everyone else thinks so as well. I also much prefer blond men over dark-haired men.”

  Connall couldn’t stop his laugh. “Och, love. You are precious.”

  “I would like to know one thing, though, and I think he’s the only one who can answer it.”

  “What’s that?”

  “On their last studio album, there was this haunting guitar sound and for the life of me, I cannot figure it out. It’s incredible, but there’s no information on their website or liner notes on the album, other than a thank you to the guitarist for their work on six of the songs. No name, just initials…initials of someone I can’t find.” She grinned up at Connall. “Now I can ask the source.”

  Connall raised an eyebrow. “You noticed that much detail?”

  “I notice everything when it comes to music. Sometimes to the point of madness. And especially Fallen Crown, because they’re my favorite band.” She patted his chest. “Anyway, are you done?”

  “Done?”

  “Can we go to dinner now, or do I need to do more convincing?”

  “One more kiss.”

  She grinned and lifted her chin.

  As they made their way out to the waiting cars, Connall sighed. “A hundred posters? Really?”

  “A hundred and three to be exact.”

  He groaned and Pepper laughed.

  * * *

  When dinner was over, Sam invited the men back to her parents’ house. Pepper was grateful, because she wasn’t quite ready to say goodnight to Connall.

  Max bowed out, claiming he had plans, as did Fiona and Angus. Pepper assumed that Fiona probably wanted time alone with her new husband, and she also figured Connall was the reason Max had “plans.” Dalton hadn’t been able to make it to dinner, but promised he’d be on time for the wedding the next day.

  Arriving at the Moores’ home, the group was greeted by Sam’s parents with the promise that they’d have the family room to themselves, but Sam had to promise everyone would be gone by midnight.

  “We don’t want you to turn into a pumpkin the night before your wedding,” Mrs. Moore said as she hugged everyone goodnight.

  “You get one too, Pepper,” Mrs. Moore said. “You don’t get off scott free tonight.”

  Pepper smiled and slid into her warm embrace. “If you insist.”

  Her surrogate parents said goodnight and the men retrieved the girls’ overnight bags from the cars.

  Pepper followed Sam and Payton into the large game room. A pool table sat in the left-hand corner, and a seventy-inch flat-screen TV had been installed on the wall to the right. The biggest sectional Pepper had ever seen was positioned in front of the television and two steamer trunks acted as coffee tables. Dalton had dubbed the sofa, B.A.C. (Big-Ass Couch).

  A small fridge sat under the wet bar, now stocked with alcohol. When they were teens, it had been stocked with sodas and a ridiculous amount of snack food, but once Sam turned twenty-one, her parents allowed her to keep beer in the fridge and wine in the cabinet.

  Pepper had spent hours in this room, her refuge from her mother’s home.

  “Who wants wine?” Sam asked.

  “Me,” Payton and Pepper said in stereo.

  Pepper giggled and sat next to Payton. The pretty redhead was quiet and shy, although not as shy as Sam. She had dark-red hair and ice-blue eyes. She wore her hair pulled back in a tight bun, which made her appear much like a stern librarian, but the softness in her expression showed her sweetness. Pepper really liked Payton. She’d had a chance to get to know her a little a few days ago when the ladies had met up at the local karaoke club, the Tin Ear. Payton appeared overtly religious, but not in a judgmental kind of way, and she’d endeared herself to Pepper immediately.

  Pepper couldn’t help but notice Brodie’s interest in Payton. She hadn’t quite figured out their relationship, because he hovered and Payton seemed to want him, but not want him, around.

  She didn’t have time to dwell on her musings, as her focus was drawn back to Connall when he came into to the room and joined her on the sofa, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her up against him.

  Sam handed Pepper and Payton their wine, then poured some for Kade. Connall and Brodie opted for beer, which Brodie retrieved from the fridge.

  “How did you like Max, Pepper?” Sam asked, eliciting a scowl from Connall.

  Payton raised an eyebrow. “Uh-oh, has Max the Lothario struck again?”

  “Payton,” Brodie admonished as he sat next to her.

  Pepper didn’t miss Payton’s attempt to scoot away from him. Brodie pulled her back.

  “In answer to your question, pot stirrer extraordinaire,” Pepper said, “I liked him just fine. He wasn’t quite what I’d built him up in my mind to be, but he was fun to talk to.”

  “You should sing with him sometime,” Sam suggested.

  Connall stiffened next to her, and Pepper glared at her best friend. “Okay, Sam, you can quit now.”

  Don’t feed her evilness, Con. She’s messing with you.

  Sam shrugged. “Stop what?”

  “Sam,” Pepper groaned.

  Connall relaxed. She’s getting back at me.

  Oh? What did you do?

  I’ll tell you later.

  Pepper glanced up at him in question.

  Later, love.

  Fine.

  “Who wants to lose at pool?” Sam asked.

  “You do,” Kade said, and followed her to the table.

  Brodie convinced Payton to join him and Connall and Pepper were left on the sofa, effectively in their own little world.

  Pepper snuggled closer to Connall, the chill of the room sinking into her bones. Sam’s parents refused to turn the heat on unless it got “colder than a penguin’s outhouse,” as Dalton used to complain.

  Cold? Connall asked.

  Always.

  I’ll get your coat.

  It’s okay. Pepper smiled. They have blankets in the chest.

  Connall retrieved one of the thick blankets from the chest and wrapped it around Pepper before sitting beside her again and pulling her close. She kissed him and settled her head on his chest. That was where she stayed until being gently shaken awake when it was time for Connall to leave.

  “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?” she complained as she rose from the couch.

  “Outside of the fact you needed to sleep? I felt your headache, and you’re so peaceful when you’re asleep. I couldn’t wake you.”

  “Coming, Con?” Kade asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “Be right there.” He kissed Pepper and gave her a much too quick hug. “Do not leave this house until you’re collected tomorrow.”

  “Where else would I go, Con? Seriously…you’re not the boss of me.”

  He smile
d. “People are watching the house, so you’ll be safe, but if anything happens,” he tapped his temple, “tell me.”

  “Yeah yeah.”

  He lifted her chin. “I’m serious, Pepper.”

  She sighed. “I promise I’ll tell you if anything happens.”

  “I hate leaving you.”

  She grinned. “Wow, one night in my presence and now you’re hooked, huh?”

  “I was hooked the moment I heard you,” he said, and rubbed the back of her neck gently. “How’s your headache?”

  Pepper sighed and looped her arms around his neck. “Gone.”

  “Con!” Kade called again, sounding a little irritated.

  Connall rolled his eyes as he took her hand, leading her out of the room and down the hall to the foyer. “I’m here, my liege.”

  Pepper giggled, but then caught Sam’s warning glare directed at Connall.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled.

  What?

  Nothing, love. Private joke.

  One that Sam doesn’t think is funny, apparently.

  Connall smiled and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Pepper nodded and stood with Payton and Sam as the men left. She was too tired to grill Sam about the strange exchange, opting to turn in instead of waiting for Fiona, who would be arriving any minute.

  “You okay?” Sam asked.

  “Just tired,” Pepper said.

  “Con took your bag up to your room, so I’ll wake you in the morning.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Do you want me to check…?” Sam asked

  “No. I’m fine,” Pepper said.

  Payton smiled and said, “Good night.”

  Pepper was liking Payton more and more, especially since she didn’t hug her…which Sam did again.

  “Good night,” Pepper said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She dragged herself up the stairs and into her assigned room. She was unsure if she was actually tired or just a bit sad that she wasn’t going to sleep with Connall. She liked being in his arms.

  I like you being in my arms.

  Pepper couldn’t stop a smile. Get out of my brain.

  No. I like your brain. It’s fascinating.

  Good to know.

  Sleep well, sweetheart. I’m already dreaming of kissing you tomorrow.

  Me too, she admitted as she flopped on the bed.