by Tena Stetler
“I did a little research on Mr. Green.” She shook her head. “Everything is contrary to his recent behavior. He’s golfing buddies with Ben Bonchard. I thought maybe Ben could shed some light on Tom.”
Lathen frowned. “Ben’s a weird duck. Nice enough. You’ll probably run into him if you are going to check out the birth and death records.”
“Gonna put that off for a bit. Dad’s going to talk Mom into doing research on the McKay family for me. That way I can devote all my energy to the wildlife center.”
“Provided there are no more encounters with Mr. Green,” Lathen grumbled. “I don’t like you staying out here by yourself, especially since the last encounter with Tom and the fact that he showed up at the council meeting. Complete disregard for the restraining order.”
“That is troublesome, but you’re almost done with the security system. Right?”
“Finish it up tomorrow. But tonight…” He pushed up from the couch and gathered up the cake plates and forks, then strode toward the kitchen.
Pepper followed him and put a pot of coffee on, fixing a cup of tea for herself. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this whole situation.” Lathen tossed the paper plates and plastic forks in the trash with more energy that necessary.
“Well then—” She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her cheek against his muscular upper back, molding her body to his. “I guess you just have to stay here tonight.”
Motionless for a moment, he turned in her arms, cupping her chin. He tilted her face up to his, eyes searching hers. A tingle of excitement raced through her as his fingers trailed sinuously up her arm. She felt his heartbeat increase as he lowered his mouth to hers. He caressed her lips, trailing soft kisses across her cheek, slowly along her jawline to the pulsing hollow at the base of her throat. She brought his mouth back to hers, parting her lips. His tongue slipped between them touching, stroking, and exploring. Her emotions whirled and skidded. Was she ready for where he was leading her? As if he heard her thoughts, he lifted his head and murmured, his breath warm against her ear, “I accept your invitation, but I’d better sleep on the couch—unless…”
Chapter Twelve
If You Build It, They Will Come
—Feathered, Furred, Scaled, and Finned
The curtain flapped gently in the breeze. Floral scents from the flower bed below the window mixed with a light ocean brine wafted through the room. Lathen blinked and looked down to see Pepper still asleep, nestled against his chest. Her long copper lashes tickled as they brushed against his skin when she opened her eyes. The memories of last night floated through his mind as she licked her full lips and a slight smile curved the corners of her mouth.
He pulled her closer and touched his lips gently to hers. “Good morning.”
“Morning…Ummm…You’re up early.”
“Watching you sleep. How about a shower? Then we’ll get on with our day.”
“Together?”
“A lot more fun that way.”
“Oookay.” She started to push the sheets away, then pulled them up to her chin.
He raised a brow and flashed her a sexy grin. “Now that’s a moot point.” Whisking her out from under the covers and into his arms, he said, “I like you naked.” He padded toward the shower, nibbling his way down her neck. His tongue licked the swell of her breast and teased her nipples until they were hard little berries.
“So that’s the way you want to play.” She shifted in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist arching her warm, wet center against his erection.
He stepped into the shower and leaned his back against the wall cupping his hands under her ass. “Whoa there, girl, not so fast.” Seating himself at her entrance, he teased with a couple tiny thrusts. He lowered her to her feet and trailed kisses from her neck to her belly button, then knelt between her legs, gently spreading them.
She squealed and tried to escape his tightening grip on her thighs, only to brush herself against his chin. Trying to balance on one foot to turn away, she whispered, “Now who’s going too fast?”
Grinning up at her, he grasped her flailing leg, slung it over his shoulder, and slid a finger into her warm channel. She gasped, her soft body thrust toward him, spreading wider, giving him more access. She ran her hands through his sun-kissed hair and curled her fingers in the strands, pulling his mouth against her. She moaned.
Unable to control the pulsing pleasure, she threw her head back and screamed, holding him in place until the last shudders left her body. “Ooooh—the things you can do with your tongue.” She breathed, leaning back against the shower wall, legs still spread giving him all the access he wanted.
A slow smile spread across his lips as he squatted balanced on the balls of his feet, his fingers continuing feather light caresses.
She pulled him up to her and wrapped her fingers around his thick length, caressing the tip with her thumb.
He jerked in her hand and groaned as she tightened her grip. “You’re going to be the death of me.” Closing his eyes, he loved the feel of her soft hand around him.
“Oh, I hope not, looks like you still have plenty of pleasure to give.” Her gaze wandered over his naked body. An open foil package glinted in the subdued light on the corner shelf. She continued to caress him as she reached for and smoothed protection over him. He thrust toward her with a hiss, as surges of lust ripped through him. Reaching down with both hands, he scooped her up in his arms. “Enough.”
She giggled and wrapped her legs around his waist, this time guiding him to her entrance with a gentle hand, letting him slide through her grip before he slipped inside. He felt her stretch as he thrust more urgently. Control was never a problem—until now—with her. What was it about this witch? The heat of his body coursed down the entire length of hers as he cupped her ass cheeks, spreading her wider, seating himself deeper and pressed her back against the shower wall.
She squealed. “It’s cold. You did that on purpose.”
He gave her a sly wink, his breathing increasing. “Oh, I’ll warm you up.” And he thrust into her, filling her completely over and over until passion raged and shuddering ecstasy surged through them. Spent, he guided her slide down the wall until her feet touched the floor, wrapped his arms around her, and held her against his warm chest and away from the wall.
When she was able to speak again, she said, “You sure know how to please a woman.”
He grinned. “You’re not so bad, yourself.”
She wiggled against him, curving her body into his.
“You don’t want to start anything we don’t have time finish.” He smirked, tamping down his excitement before he had a raging hard-on again, and flipped the shower on. The cold blast of water had the desired effect as he shielded her from the stream. “We have a security system to complete,” he bit out adjusting the water to the desired temperature. “Then I’ll take you to bed again, and show you pleasure.”
“Oh, pretty cocky aren’t you,” she shot back.
A wide grin spread across his face and he shrugged. “Well, if you say so.”
****
Pepper dried her hair, dressed in jeans and a powder blue sweater that hugged her curves, then followed the enticing aroma of coffee into the kitchen. Lathen stood barefooted in jeans, with the top button unbuttoned, a worn work shirt unbuttoned down the front, his hair glistening from the shower.
He turned in a circle, holding the shirt open, revealing his bare chest. “You like the look?” His gaze met hers and traveled down. “Nice sweater.” Reaching out, he fondled her breast over the sweater.
She slapped at his hand. “You’ve had your quota for this morning.”
He pouted. “Better be nice to me, or I won’t give you the alarm code.”
After a breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns, and juice, Lathen got to work on the security system. He determined installation would take at least a couple days given his other business
obligations. Leaving her unprotected was not an option. It was agreed he’d stay at the cabin until the entire system was operational. They discussed the location and installation of night-vision cameras outside in the woods and surrounding property. The video cams were strategically installed to eliminate blind spots around the exterior of the cabin. On the interior, the entire first floor was under video surveillance, backed with motion detectors and alarms on the upstairs windows. Leaving Pepper’s privacy intact but secure. The entire surveillance system was accessible by smartphone with the best encryption available.
By the end of the second day, all systems had been tested and were up and running. Lathen set up a computer monitoring system in Pepper’s bedroom with a set of screens in the living area.
“I think you are secure from non-magical beings.” He walked over to the bank of monitors in the living room. “Let me show you how it all works.”
Pepper stood, hands on the chair back, as he demonstrated the system downstairs. They moved to the bedroom. He had her operate the system checking out the video zones and making sure she could operate the entire system alone. While she sat in the chair staring at the computer screens, he leaned over and brushed his lips across her neck, inhaling her scent.
“Are you sniffing me?” she asked turning in the chair bringing his lips to hers. She lingered over the kiss, enjoying its dreamy intimacy.
“Guilty as charged,” he murmured against her lips and buried his nose in the space between her neck and shoulder. “I love the way you smell, citrus mingled with a touch of mint. Smells so fresh. I’m going to miss being with you twenty-four-seven. Need to make more time for us, when I’m not staying here.”
“Could be a while. Between your business and this project, there aren’t enough hours in the day.”
His eyes sparkled with mischief as he pulled back. “Oh, that’s going to change. Tomorrow is my last scheduled service call until we’re done here. Farmed out the other calls. July Fourth is coming up, and we are going to take the entire day off. The town pulls out all the stops on the celebration, and we are going to attend all the events. It’ll be fun.”
She turned back to the monitors with a sigh, surprised how well the system covered the property and the cabin. She liked the secure feeling it gave her.
On the way downstairs, he cupped her ass, then released it as she slapped at him. “That’s about it. One project completed.” He blew out a breath. “Hope the property and cabin can keep you safe from the magic creatures looking to invade.” He kissed her on the cheek. “By the way, have you heard from your parents since you talked to your father?”
“No, but Dad or Mom will call when they have something. Mom is thorough, so it could be a while. I’m considering a visit to the library and clerk and recorder’s office shortly. See what I can find out on this end.”
Lathen shook his head. “I’d rather you not go alone.”
“I’ll go in broad daylight, early morning, and be back long before dark. You don’t have time to chaperone me with all the building supplies and workers scheduled for the center. You said yourself that everything is on schedule. Let’s keep it that way.”
“You’re right,” he said with a frown. “But check in throughout the day and when you change location. Humor me.”
“You got it. I’ll schedule that midweek next week, if I don’t hear from Mom or Dad by then.”
“Any communication from Ashling?”
“No, too many workers and delivery people coming and going. And by end of day I’m exhausted and head straight to bed, as you know.”
“True. Should slow down in the next few weeks.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Then we can take care of needs of a different nature.” His gaze wandered over her body.
Sending him a saucy smile, she purred, “I’m counting on it.”
“If you don’t stop teasing me, I’m going to take you upstairs and the schedule be damned.” He lunged for her.
She sidestepped him and put the desk between them. “Okay, I didn’t mean to tease you.”
“Like hell you didn’t.” He drew in a breath and let it out slowly shoving away from the desk. “Speaking of schedules, are you going to be around in the morning to sign for equipment being delivered? I need to take care of an emergency service call to the inn first thing in the morning, then stop by the hardware store to pick up miscellaneous odds and ends needed here.”
“Sure. I have a lot of medical, lab, and specialty supplies coming and want to check them off as they arrive, before I release the delivery driver.” She settled down at the desk with stacks of paperwork piled high. Then blew him a kiss as he started toward the door.
He reached up in the air and pretended to catch the kiss, then held that fist to his heart, giving her a devilish grin. “Until tonight.” The door closed behind him.
****
The past week had zoomed by without paranormal interference of any kind. Since she hadn’t heard from her parents, she cleared her calendar for the whole day and headed into town to do a little research on her own. She had kissed Lathen goodbye and promised to check in at regular intervals. First stop on her list, the library. A records search dating back to the late 1600s turned up nothing relevant to the McKay’s but the witch trials and information she already knew or discovered online. She thanked the lady that helped her and headed to the clerk and recorder’s office. When she walked in the door, a shiver shot up her spine as an older man came to the counter.
“May I help you?” he asked in a bored tone of voice.
“Yes, I’d like to review any records you have dating back to the early 1700s of births, deaths, and marriages. That kind of thing.”
“Your name, miss?”
“McKay, Pepper McKay.”
The man’s entire demeanor changed. He straightened and hung on her every word. “I’m afraid those will be rather limited because Maine was part of Massachusetts during that time. You’d have better luck with the Massachusetts records. I can get you a name of someone that may be able to help you at the state level.”
“That’s okay, my mother is doing research also. She has more experience at that sort of thing. Just thought I’d see if I could help her along. Now I know why it’s taking her so long,” Pepper said with a soft laugh.
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You set up a wildlife center on the McKay property.”
“It’s not done yet. Grand opening is scheduled for September. You should stop by.”
He nodded in acknowledgment. “Your mother doesn’t happen to be Klaren McKay?”
An involuntary shiver slid up her spine again, only this time she felt a disguised magic signature. “Yes, she is. Are you Benjamin Bonchard?”
“The very same. Did your mother tell you about me?” A wide smile spread across his face.
Forehead wrinkled in confusion, she asked, “No, why would she? I saw you and your partner won the golf tourney for the fourth consecutive year. Is that right?”
Ben shrugged. “Yes, we play well together.” Then staring at her intently, he asked, “Will your mother be attending the grand opening?”
“That’s quite a record.” She glanced at her watch and backed toward the door. “I’ve got to be going, lots to do. It was nice meeting you.”
He came around the corner of the counter and grasped her arm. Dark magic zinged up her arm. Shocked, she twisted free and glared at him.
“Say hello to your mother for me.” He turned his back and shuffled off.
What the hell was that all about? She shook her arm, hurried out of the office and down the hall of the courthouse to the elevators. Changing her mind, she moved to the door marked stairs, yanked it open, and sprinted up the steps to the first floor, flung open the courthouse doors. Once on the sidewalk, she stopped to catch her breath and grabbed her cell phone out of her pocket, punched in speed dial two for Lathen.
“Hi hon, checking in?”
“Headed home. Tell you about my day when I get there.”
“Everything all right? You sound winded.”
“Yeah. Strange things. Tell you about it when I get home.” She climbed into her truck, locked the doors, and eased out of the parking lot, hoping not to draw attention to herself. Am I overreacting? Relaxing back in the seat, she replayed the events in her mind as she drove home.
Pepper climbed out of the truck into the arms of Lathen, who was waiting for her in the driveway, Ember standing beside him.
“You okay? What happened?”
She clung to him, loving the scent and feel of his muscular chest pressed against her and strong arms around her. Laughing, she touched her tippy toes to the ground, as the heat rose in her cheeks. “I overreacted to something that happened at the clerk and recorder’s office.”
After studying her for a moment, he shook his head, still holding her hands. “I’m not buying that. What happened?”
As she relayed the events of the afternoon, his eyes rounded, and he blew out a low whistle. “You need to call your mom. Find out what she knows about Mr. Bonchard. You said your mom and dad went to high school together. So if he went to school with your mom, wouldn’t he have also known your dad?”
“It would stand to reason since they all attended Lobster Cove High School. Afterward Mom and Dad went off to college together. Apparently, Ben stayed here.” Pepper bent down and scratched Ember behind the ears. “Come on, girl, let’s make a phone call.” The dog trotted after her into the house, Lathen behind them both.
The phone rang several times before her dad picked up. “Hi, Pep. To what do I owe the honor of your call?” he joked.
“Hi, Pops. Is Mom home?” Pepper settled into the rocker recliner and leaned back.
“Oh, so that’s how it is. Discarded like an old rug.”
“You know better. How’s the research going?”
“Slow. If there is something to the story of Aidan McKay stealing Sarah Dustin’s magic, we haven’t found it. All the records indicate a happy marriage, six children, and they were married over sixty years when Sarah, she went by the name Dusty, died of natural causes. Otherwise, a few family feuds and squabbles, but nothing out of the ordinary was recorded.” Her father paused for a couple of beats. “I guess those confrontations could have led to disgruntled relatives that festered over time. But overall, the McKay clan seems to be a close-knit group. Your mom’s out in the garden. I’ll go get her.”
