by Tena Stetler
Bruce didn’t rise to the insult, but gave it consideration. “We didn’t know a candidate had already been taken out when I sent Bobby to investigate. Besides last time we talked it seemed you needed some time to sort out a personal matter.”
“Personal matters don’t interfere with the ability to do my job. You know that better than anyone,” Tristian shot back irritably.
“I do, and never question your abilities. I was merely giving you a chance to take care of your personal situation. Assignments have been back to back recently, everyone needs down time. So take care of this and take some well-deserved time off.”
“Thanks. You’ll still be able to reach me by phone in an emergency.”
“That’ll work.” His demon blood reveled in the thought of taking out the brazen offenders. Though Tristian would make it swift, painless, and leave no trace. He didn’t have the stomach or time for torture. “And Tristian the official report can wait until you return from personal leave. Just give me a verbal by phone when you’re done.”
If it came down to it, his mother’s blood kept him from enjoying the consideration of such an act. There’d been times he’d overrode her blood influence and done what was necessary. That was a long time ago, when he battled for his position, now he preferred to let Tristian handle the situation however he saw fit.
Bruce glanced down at the phone, which still held Tristian’s number. Dreading the conversation he needed to have with Tristian. He’d already decided to attempt to keep his relationship with Angie from her brother, until he’d taken her as his mate.
After that there would be nothing Tristian could do and most likely the fight between them wouldn’t be to the death. Bruce wasn’t willing to kill his mate’s brother, but felt sure Tristian would have no qualms attempting to kill him. It wouldn’t be easy, but he was confident he’d be the victor in such a battle. What concerned him most was the pain it would cause Angie. Her mate and her brother would be mortal enemies, not to mention the political ramifications.
Owen would need to issue Tristian the assignments for a while. The less contact Bruce had with Tristian the better, until he came to terms with his sister’s choice. There was no doubt that Tristian would eventually accept it and they would began to rebuild the working relationship. Hopefully, that would include some semblance of friendship they’d enjoyed for years.
It was a good idea for him to park behind her shop. The walk had given Bruce a chance to sort out the day and his personal issues. More certain now than he’d felt since she came into his life. It was time to make his move. If only it would be as easy as he envisioned.
She was aware of the connection between them, as he was, only she didn’t have any idea how that connection could change her life forever. He cursed out loud. I shouldn’t be the one to explain it to her. Her parents should have taught her as she grew up. Instead, Tristian directed her life to the mortal world without teaching her to navigate the magic one. She should’ve learned to wield her power in that world and protect herself when necessary. That was enough thinking. His head was beginning to ache.
Walking past the back door to her shop, he checked the light on the alarm, it still glowed solid red, no breach in security since she set it. The area seemed calm and peaceful. He hoped it stayed that way. At his car, he opened the driver’s door, slid into the seat, and closed the door. He reached into his pocket for his phone and keyed in her number. At least he would hear her voice before heading home to an empty apartment.
****
She answered at the first ring. “Hi Bruce. Are you just now leaving work?”
“Yeah.” He closed his eyes letting to her melodic voice wash over him.
“Rough day, huh?”
“You could say that. How was yours?” He turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life.
“Enlightening and busy. Want to come over?”
“I do, but it’s late and you have to work tomorrow.” His heart quickened at the thought of seeing her tonight.
“I don’t have to go in at any set time. I just have to check the inventory and e-mail orders to our suppliers, so they’ll ship Monday morning. The salon is closed tomorrow. You don’t have to go in, do you?”
“I hope not,” he said wearily.
“Come on over.”
“I’ll be there shortly. Is Willow there?”
“Nope. We have the apartment all to ourselves until tomorrow night. It’s not as grand as yours, but it’s cozy.”
Dressed in only his t-shirt, she greeted him at the door with a warm, affectionate touch of her lips to his, wrapping her arms around his waist drawing him against her.
He rested his arms on her shoulders letting his hands caress the back of her neck and down her spine breathing in her essence. This was just what he needed after the day he’d had.
She gazed up at him, tenderly brushing the blonde streaked hair out of his eyes. “You look like hell.”
“And you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Leaning over slightly he massaged little circles at the small of her back with his fingertips as she curved into him. “Nice t-shirt.”
Angie’s cheeks reddened. “I guess I stuck it in my bag by mistake. Want it back?”
“That depends on what you have in mind. You look good in it.”
“Have you eaten?”
He hesitated and considered for a moment. “Not since sharing breakfast with you.”
“Have a seat.” She pulled out one of the old wooden chairs at the kitchen table. A pot of steaming Chamomile tea sat on the stove. Angie reached for the kettle, poured a big mug, and placed it in front of him. “Drink up, it will make you feel better, relax you.”
She popped two pieces of prairie bread into the toaster and pressed the lever down, then grabbed a jar of peanut butter from the cupboard. “Nothing makes you feel better than a warm piece of toast, covered in melty peanut butter with just a touch of honey.”
The aroma of warm toast wafted through the room, the toaster clicked and bread popped up an even golden brown. She whisked it out of the toaster, spread a bit of butter, then slathered her special mixture of peanut butter and honey on top.
Angie handed him the piece of toast. He held her wrist and licked the peanut butter from her thumb and little finger, released her, bit into the toast, and closed his eyes savoring its flavor and texture on his tongue.
“Good huh?” She stood behind him letting her arms wander down his neck and shoulders, undoing the first few buttons of his shirt, and sliding her hands inside, her fingertips caressing the contours of his muscular chest.
He opened his eyes and grasped her arm spinning her so she stood in front of him. Staring hungrily at every curve and angle of her shapely little body, he whispered, “I like the way my t-shirt fits your curves.”
She tugged the neck of the shirt over her nose and mouth. “I like the way it still has your scent, it makes me feel safe. That’s why I stole it this morning. You don’t mind, do you?”
“No, but I’m not sure how much longer you are going to be wearing it, if you continue to let your hands roam over my body.” He caught her hand as it slid beneath the waistband at the front of his jeans. “Before we go any farther we need to have a serious discussion.”
She wound herself around him and settled in his lap. “So talk.”
“What you think you want with me comes with serious consequences and responsibilities.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. How could he give her a lifetime of knowledge in a couple of hours or even a couple of days? Maybe she instinctively knew, but he couldn’t assume that. It all had to be laid out before her, so her decision was based on cold hard facts. Not some fairy tale fantasy woven by a naive young woman meant to be his mate, forever.
“You’re exhausted. Why don’t you spend the night here and we can finish this conversation in the morning, when we’ve both gotten a good night’s sleep. I’ve had quite a day myself. I’ll take Willow’s bed and you can have mine.”
“Are you sure?” He laid his cheek on the top of her shoulder and let out a breath.
She brushed a kiss across his other cheek. “I’m sure.”
****
Slivers of yellow sunlight streamed through a crack in the curtains and warmed her face. Angie opened her eyes to discover sometime in the night he’d rolled over and banded his arm around her. They lay face to face. His impressive erection seated comfortably between her splayed legs confirmed what she’d always heard. Testosterone was highest in the morning and here was proof, it didn’t matter whether the male was demon or human. Where the hell did that come from? She stifled a giggle.
She hadn’t noticed he was naked, when she slid into bed with him last night. Must have been more tired than I thought. Then it hit her, this was not where she wanted their first time to happen, not in her apartment, where her brother cast a protection spell without her permission. Not in Bruce’s apartment, a place he spent very little time in and kept only for convenience. She wanted it to happen at his estate, so lovingly protected by his mother and father. A place he considered a sanctuary. The first time, she wanted to be in his king size bed when they made love that would bind them to each other for eternity.
Gently she loosened his arm, wriggled ever so slightly out from under his hold and slipped out of the bed, padding silently through the doorway.
The corners of his lips curved again in an unseen smile as she closed the door quietly. He had to quit letting her do this to him or he was going to explode, not to mention being on a sexual edge all the time. Stretching his arms, he sat up and swung his legs out of bed, looking around. Thank the stars her room had its own shower. He turned it on full cold and stepped under the spray. He’d taken more cold showers in the last few weeks than he had in the last six-hundred years.
The cold water alleviated his aching hard-on but the desire to have her naked and under him was damn near unbearable. It wouldn’t be long before the demon blood inside him reached boiling point and would demand he mate with or without her consent and to hell with the consequences. His self-control was dancing around the limits of no return. He yanked on jeans, leaving the top button undone, towel-dried his hair and pulled on the shirt he’d worn last night.
“Oh, you’re awake and showered,” she said as she peeked in the open door. “I’ve breakfast ready in the kitchen, if you’re hungry.”
“What I’m hungry for isn’t in the kitchen.” He lunged and swept her up in his arms, his mouth taking hers possessively while he eased down on the bed.
She giggled and tried to wriggle out of his grip. “You said we’d finish the conversation we started last night.”
“You’ve taunted and teased me until my self-control is at the end of its tether. Which li’l witch is bad news for you.” His hot breath caressed the hollow of her neck as he settled her in his lap and nipped at her fragrant flesh then soothed it with a warm wet kiss. He trailed his lips to the rise of her breast, tongue slipping inside the neckline of her low cut sweater and down between her soft mounds as his hand trailed to the waistband of her jeans.
With a flick of his thumb he had the top button of her jeans undone and the zipper well on its way down, fingers exploring just inside her silky panties reaching for her warm, wet for him center. Gently spreading her thighs apart, he would have her now. His heart raced and breathing increased as if he was at the end of a long uphill sprint.
She shoved against him. “Wait, don’t you want to know how Willow enlightened my world yesterday?”
“No,” he said flatly, moving his other hand under her sweater, brushing her silky bra aside to cup her soft, firm breast and stroke her nipple with his thumb. Nostrils flaring, he breathed in her arousal as the haze of sexual desire enveloped him.
“No. No. This is not the way or the place I want our first time to be.” She struggled against his iron grip. “Listen to me.” She demanded. “I want it to be at your estate, after we’ve just been horseback riding. We’ll go up to your bedroom, slowly undress each other. Then we’ll step into your shower where I can run my hands over every inch of your gorgeous wet body. Making love should be about intimacy, knowing each other’s body as well as your own. I want to lay naked on your king size bed as we enjoy each other until the wee hours of the morning, afternoon, or evening. Not in the apartment my brother protected with spells without my permission.”
The panic pitch of her voice caught his attention. He pulled back. His smoldering gaze held hers, and he considered her words. She was consenting. Did she understand what her consent meant? He had to know. This will be the last time you take me to the edge without gratification, li’l witch. Lowering her feet to the floor, he growled, “Leave me alone for a few minutes. I’ll join you in the kitchen when I’m ready. Now get out of here before I change my mind.”
The bedroom door flew open and she sprinted down the hallway to the kitchen
Bruce stood at the side of the bed, rubbing the back of his neck. That witch will be the death of me, if I don’t get control of myself. I am not some horny teenager. He buttoned the top button of his jeans and pulled on a long sleeved t-shirt, breathing deeply he let it out slowly before he followed the scent of coffee down the hall. What I really need is another cold shower.
“Ok, so what information did you learn from Willow yesterday?” He shoved his hands in his pockets and paced around the kitchen.
Angie remained in her chair, nervously chewing on her bottom lip “Most of what you wanted to talk about. She thinks fate has determined that we should be together. Because of your birthright and position in the magic world, it’s a big deal when you find your mate. Is she right?”
“She’s on the right track.” He nodded approvingly, grabbing a mug next to the coffee pot and pouring himself a cup. He closed his eyes, breathed in the delicious aroma and took a big gulp.
“Willow also said that once we make love, we are forever bound to each other, until death do us part, literally.” She stared into the steaming mug of hot chocolate in her hands then took a sip and sat the mug back on the table.
“That’s true, but with this commitment also comes responsibilities and dangers of being my mate. The choices I must make for the good of magic kind are not always popular or understood. My enemies will try to influence my decisions by threatening your well-being or continued existence.”
Hands clasped in her lap, she stared down at them afraid he’d see the fear in her eyes if she looked up. Still she wanted to be with him, the connection between them soothed her even as he described what could happen.
“I’ve deliberately laid out the worse possibilities first, but there are benefits to being my mate as well. Those I can show you later,” he purred suggestively, then winked. “Ok, enough talk. How about breakfast? I’m starving and you’re due at work soon. Mind if I come with you to help out, so you can get out of there quickly. I have plans for this afternoon that I think you will enjoy.”
Her chair scraped the floor as Angie stood up. “The apple cinnamon oatmeal is warming in the oven. It may not be as good as Megan’s, but I like it.” She crossed to the cupboard and took two glasses out, filling them with orange juice, then sitting them on the table next to the bowls.
Bruce opened the oven door and sniffed as he took the casserole dish out and sat it on the table. “Heavenly,” he sighed. Taking a spoon from beside his bowl, he scooped up a bite and popped it in his mouth. “Mmmmm. Delicious,” he purred his empty spoon hovering above the dish.
Angie quickly reached across the table and smacked his hand. “Don’t put the spoon back in the casserole dish when you’ve had it in your mouth.”
“Sorry,” he murmured suppressing a grin, “it’s wonderful. Could I have a piece of toast with the peanut butter concoction you fed me last night?”
She smiled reaching for the jar of peanut butter and bottle of honey. “Of course.”
****
Once inside the back room of the shop, she handed him a clipboard with an
inventory list. “I’ll read off the item number as I unpack it and you mark it down as received. Then we’ll compare the usual number we stock and I’ll place an order for the items we are low on.”
“I can do that.” He took the clipboard and reached for a pen.
A tap on the front window made them both jump. Angie peered through the beaded curtain. Mrs. Staret stood outside the door with a plate of cookies. Angie unlocked the front door looking puzzled. “We aren’t open on Sunday. Is there something I can do for you?”
“No dear, I always bring Willow cookies when she works on Sunday. Since you are here, I guess these are for you.” She handed the cookies to Angie and looked around.
“Would you like to sit down for a bit? I’ll get us a cup of hot cider to go with the cookies.” Angie offered feeling Mrs. Staret’s loneliness. “Is your daughter and her family out of town?”
“Yes, they took a trip to Colorado to see friends. They’ll be back next week. But you are busy. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Not a bother, sit down, I’ll get the cider.” She walked into the back where Bruce sat and said in a low voice, “Her family is out of town and she’s lonely. I also suspect she saw your car out back.” Angie got out mugs, heated the cider in the microwave, and put everything on a silver tray.
“I’ll just finish this up, so you can place the order, and we can go, after your visit with Mrs. Staret,” Bruce said.
“Thanks.” Angie handed him a couple of cookies and a mug of hot cider. He stood and parted the crystal beads for her as she passed through to the front carrying the tray of cookies and mugs of hot cider.
“Oh, you’re not alone.” Mrs. Staret raised her eyebrows and clicked her tongue in disapproval.
“No, I’m not. Bruce is helping me with inventory.” Angie put the tray down on a small table between two comfy chairs near the bookshelves.
Mrs. Staret walked to the table and paused as if trying to decide whether she wanted to sit. Finally, she settled into a chair, picked up a mug, and brought it to her lips. She took a sip and picked up a cookie. “I saw you two at the festival and fireworks the other night, you were with Willow and her young man.” She took a bite and watched Angie decide on a cookie.
