FALL (The Senses)

by Paterson, Cindy

  Controlling, she decided. This man was always in control and would never relinquish it. Her body quivered. This was a new emotion, one that had no business in her life.

  “Got a name, babe?”

  And, she still hadn’t said a single word. “Max.”

  He nodded to the bandage on her neck. “Ah, Xamien’s pet. Didn’t recognize you from the girl on the floor with vamp drool all over her.”

  She met his eyes. Bastard. It was obvious wasn’t it? Vamp attacked someone in this house and she had a bandage on her neck. Go figure.

  He casually strolled across the tiled floor. Confident. Self-assured. He stopped when he was toe to toe with her and she bowed her head. His scent was a mixture of coumarin, almonds, and vanilla, maybe a hint of rose—extraordinarily sensual. She took a long, deep breath as it wafted into her senses and she felt a wave of heat run across her skin in response. Damn, this sucked. She wasn’t scared of getting hit, beaten, tortured, or bitten, but she was terrified of the raw attraction she had towards this man. She kept her eyes lowered.

  “Standing right here. Best look at me, babe.” His finger came under her chin as he urged her head upward. “Not one for repeating myself.” He held her clip in his opposite hand. When had he picked that up? She slipped it from his grasp and waited for him to back away. He didn’t.

  Instead, he stared, eyes watching her with such magnitude that she was unsure of what he was doing.

  “A Senses with unreadable thoughts and…does Xamien know you’re a Healer? Thinking not.”

  How the hell did he read that? She’d never once let anyone know she was a Healer. All these years, she’d managed to keep it hidden. She tilted her head down to avoid his watchful eyes and his hand fell away. A lesson she’d learned real young—appearances were everything. Never let anyone know your true emotions.

  She could see Jasper’s tattooed chest through his white shirt. She licked her dry lips.

  “Liking the lip action, but keep it tight or you’ll be losing that towel,” Jasper said. She slipped her tongue inside. “Morals rarely cross my mind, babe. Think I’ll take the bedroom next door.”

  She had to say something and the best she could come up with was, “Yes, sir.”

  “Sir? Not your sir, babe. Anything but one. Best you remember that.”

  She looked up for a second and their eyes locked. She gasped when she noticed the corners of his mouth curve upward and sparkling warmth invaded his eyes. Jasper was breathtaking.

  He turned and walked out, leaving the bathroom door ajar.

  Max collapsed onto the toilet seat. She just met the devil himself.

  ****

  Delara was leaning over the sink to wash her hands when Xamien strode into the kitchen. He came up behind her and put his hands on her hips, his breath sweeping like a warm breeze across her neck.

  Delara froze, the taps still running, her hands covered in soap. “Xamien. Where’s Waleron? What did he say about Damien?”

  “I’d rather not talk about Waleron right now.”

  She could feel his fingers through the denim of her jeans. The sensual heat of his chest so close to hers, yet not touching. She knew what this man desired and normally she’d be a more than a willing participant, but now…now she couldn’t stop thinking of Waleron. She knew he’d tried to scare her off.

  Xamien took her hands, rinsed them under the tap, and reached for a dishtowel, drying them for her.

  She turned and met his eyes. They were filled with craving and something else she didn’t recognize. It was undeniable what existed between them, a carnal fervor that sent her body into flames. Hadn’t Edan done that though? And Liam brought her to the brink often enough. Still, she felt close to Xamien, as if he knew what she needed without having to ask or read her mind. She trusted him, and that was something that didn’t come easily.

  He grabbed her hand. “Come. As promised, I will show you a remarkable sight. I’ve wanted you to see this, but you’ve never been here this time of year.” Without waiting for her to decide, Xamien guided her to the back door and out into the brilliant sunshine.

  The occasion was on two white Lipizzaner horses. Xamien’s gorgeous stallion had flaring nostrils and a mane and that reached past his shoulders. It reminded her of Gandolf’s horse in Lord of The Rings, especially since the horse didn’t wear a bridle, but instead a single, thin rope around its neck.

  “The horses.” Delara kicked herself for forgetting their deal.

  “Kitten, this isn’t about the deal. I want you to know the magnificence of my horses. I want you to experience it.”

  He didn’t say it, but it was there between them. He wanted her to experience it in case she never came back here.

  Xamien held the mare Delara was going ride. She was smaller than Xamien’s, but with the same compact muscled body and long, flowing mane. Delara’s horse, Xadea, wore a simple leather rope around her like a bridle, but with no bit in her mouth. Delara wondered how on earth she’d ever be able to stop this powerful horse without a bit.

  Xamien offered his hand to help her into the saddle. It was unlike the usual leather saddles she’d seen; instead, this one was a fleece pad with a leather back and no stirrups. Delara hesitated and he chuckled.

  “Xadea is gentle and kind. She will listen to anything I ask her.” Xamien waited patiently while Delara eyed the beast. The mare lowered her head and snorted while shaking her neck back and forth, sending her long mane to dance across her coat—obviously she wasn’t very patient.

  “I’m not so sure about that. Xamien, you know I can’t ride.”

  “She will look after you,” Xamien urged. When she still hesitated, Xamien sighed. He nodded to the man holding his stallion and the man led the horse back into the barn. “Come,” Xamien said holding out his hand. He let Xadea go; she was loose and yet she remained standing exactly where he’d placed her.

  “What are we doing?”

  Xamien rolled his eyes with exasperation. “We will walk for a moment.” He kept hold of Delara’s hand as he began to walk down a path towards a river at the bottom of the hill.

  Delara heard the clip clop of hooves behind her and gasped. “She’s following us.”

  Xamien laughed. “Yes. You did not believe me when I said she will do anything I ask?”

  Well, no she didn’t. This was a horse, not a dog. She glanced over her shoulder again, and Xadea strolled behind, head low, ears half-back as if listening.

  “I’m the same with horses as I am with people. I never lie to them. I don’t ask for what cannot be given and I’m extremely patient. Well, except when it comes to you between my legs. But I demand respect, but first I earn it with trust.” Xamien stopped and the mare stopped too.

  Delara glanced back at the horse, seeing the kindness in her eyes, the trust they held. An animal so powerful trusted this man who could harm her with the blink of an eye. Yet, the mare’s spirit was there; she didn’t obey because of fear, she obeyed out of respect and trust. The mare gave all of herself to Xamien.

  Xamien let go of Delara’s hand and walked up to his mare, standing at the horse’s shoulder. “Well, Xadea, shall we make it easier for her?” He stroked her solid, thick neck, then down her shoulder to lightly tap on it, as if he were patting her. Xadea lowered her head further. He winked at Delara and she watched in utter amazement as Xadea slowly sank to her knees and then after a moment’s hesitation sank to the ground. Xamien crouched down beside her and murmured soft soothing words in another language, Delara guessed Spanish, while he stroked her neck.

  “Come here, Delara.” He held out his hand.

  Mesmerized by the scene before her, she walked slowly towards them. Xamien took her hand and with his over top, he stroked Xadea’s neck, over her head, muzzle, then back to her neck again.

  “Ready?”

  Delara nodded. She was finally the old Delara, the one who wasn’t scared of anything. That feeling in her chest was building again and it felt exhilarating.

&n
bsp; Xamien steadied her as she put her leg over the saddle. Delara expected the horse to come roaring to her feet and take off in a mad gallop; fear sliced through her like a blade for a single instant. Nothing happened, except Xamien’s tap on the mare’s shoulder and she quietly stood on her hooves.

  Delara smiled, leaning forward and stroking the mare’s mane. It was an incredible feeling, sitting atop a massive beast with so much power beneath.

  Xamien pointed to the mare’s flank and the horse turned on her haunches so she was facing the barn. Delara picked up the leather straps and held tight, but Xadea shook her head pulling them from her hands.

  Xamien laughed. “Here.” He took up a handful of mane. “Hold this. You do not need reins with Xadea, she will follow.”

  Xamien brought his fingers to his mouth and made a loud, piercing whistle. Xadea’s ears flicked forward, but she remained stock-still. Delara gasped as his stallion came barreling from the barn, flowing mane flying like a kite, hooves pounding on the soil. He was magnificent.

  The horse skidded to a stop several feet in front of Xamien, then lowered its head. Xamien approached him, and greeted him speaking softly in what definitely was Spanish. The trust between them was something Delara would always remember. There was such unexplained giving, as if they were speaking to one another. A true bond between animal and man.

  Xamien vaulted into the saddle easily. “And this is Kos. I’ve had him and Xadea for near ten years. They’re half brother and sister as they share the same father.” He stroked his horse’s neck and she saw the love he held for his horse. “Shall we, Kitten?” He urged his stallion forward just by a mere shift in his weight. Xadea followed beside.

  Chapter 13

  Jasper had just finished scouting the area when he saw the hot and enthralling Max walk into the house with a package in her hands. Shit. Stupid girl. Where the hell had that come from? She’d gone to the mailbox, no doubt. Hadn’t Xamien given her strict instruction to not touch anything? Fuck, this is why Jasper was here.

  He took off running towards the front door. It may be nothing, but he hadn’t lived as long as he had without being cautious. The closest he came to trusting anyone was Xamien and that was the only reason Jasper had agreed to come and keep an eye out for any disturbances. Besides, this is what he did—hunted and killed. For payment of course.

  Jasper heard a crash. Fuck. When he reached the front hall he saw the cause of the noise; a china statue lay in pieces on the floor. Glunk and the mysterious and alluring babe Max stood immobilized staring at the ground.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement. An olive colored snake slithered along the stone tiles, weaving a path towards some sort of safety. It was an Inland Taipan, aka fierce snake, the deadliest snake on earth. Survival after a bite is rare. Respiratory paralysis happened within minutes if enough venom was injected.

  The snake curled up behind a potted plant. As long as it wasn’t threatened it should be simple to coral it. He looked at Glunk holding a wrinkled and yellowed piece of paper. “What’s that?”

  “It was inside the statue.”

  Xamien underestimated this Tarek guy. Obviously he already knew Delara was here and had been prepared. It was no easy task to get this particular snake here. “Need a pillow case.” Jasper turned towards the snake’s hiding place just as Max leaned over to pick it up. “No!” Jasper shouted and dove for her, shoving Max out of the way.

  The snake reacted to the sudden movement. It hissed then clamped onto his arm. Jasper threw his head back in pain and swore. He felt the fangs penetrate his skin and the sudden rush of poison slide through his veins. Soon he’d feel it in his respiratory and then—

  “Stay still,” Max said grabbing the snake by the back of the neck and squeezing. The fangs released and Jasper sunk to his knees. Hell. This shit stung. Assassin gets killed by a fuckin’ snake. Nice.

  Glunk came running with a pillow case, looking from Jasper on the floor to Max holding the snake. He opened the pillow case and Jasper watched as Max cautiously coiled the snake into the bag, releasing the head last at the same moment Glunk closed it.

  Jasper fell to his side, his breathing raspy.

  Max leaned over him. He met her eyes with a glower that did nothing to change her expression. “I fuckin’ said no and still you grabbed it. Not good, babe.”

  “I know.” She shoved his hand away from his wound. “Sorry, sir.” Her hands started to glow a bright orange as she held them over him.

  He groaned, falling onto his back. He inhaled with difficulty—as if something had hold of his lungs and wasn’t letting him suck in air. A few more breaths, he suspected, and that would be all. At least he had a hot woman leaning over him as he died.

  He focused on her face as she tried to chase the poison through his bloodstream before it killed him. Quiet. Calm. There was no panic on her face, just attentive concentration. Her thin brows lowered and eyes were open, watching him. He noticed her flinch and the unease in her breathing as if the poison was seeping into her.

  He struggled to inhale. Then failed to exhale. He couldn’t. He gazed up at Max and met her stare. She shook her head once and closed her eyes. He felt the surge burst through him. It was like a lightning bolt hitting his chest. He exhaled on a whoosh.

  Suddenly, his breathing became easier and he started taking deep breaths. Max matched his, but when he looked up at her face, he noticed how pale she was. Her hands were cooling but still lay on his arm, trembling. He raised his hand and put it over top of hers. There were no words for thanks; she’d saved his ass.

  But it was her fault she had to save it.

  “Still not liking what you did, babe. If that snake had bitten you instead, we wouldn’t be sitting here.” He sat up and she quickly shifted away from him.

  “Yes, sir.”

  He paused, watching the woman stare boldly back at him as if his words meant nothing, yet she agreed to everything he said. She wasn’t afraid, but looked rather bored with what just happened. And damn she didn’t even appear weak after the healing. He had to ask, “You were not afraid of it?”

  “An Inland Taipan is rather docile, sir.”

  Jasper was taken back and failed to hide his surprise that she knew exactly what type of snake she’d picked up. He still thought it was foolish. “Until it bites you. As you just witnessed.”

  “Yes, sir. There is that.”

  Jasper felt a strange tug of the corner of his mouth as his lips curved upwards. “Well, then Max, brave or foolish which is it?”

  “It matters not, sir.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because you’ve already made your judgment.”

  Jasper tensed realizing her words were true. He thought her actions were foolish and regardless if she knew the name of the blasted snake, he’d still think that. What he didn’t understand was why she went for it in the first place. No Healer should ever put themselves in a dangerous situation. This woman was a walking contradiction, appearing meek and submissive, yet she was completely unafraid and bold.

  “Sir, excuse me.” She went to get to her feet when he grabbed her hand.

  “What are you? I felt it. There was something else when you were healing me.”

  “Sir?”

  She tugged on her hand, but he didn’t release her. “Like I said, hate repeating myself. Answer the question, babe.”

  “Foolish it seems, sir.” She yanked her arm from his grip and walked away.

  Jasper had the urge to run after her, but pride kept him in place. Never had he run after a woman in his life and he wasn’t going to now. But there was this urgency to get her back. She disappeared into the kitchen and he went and picked up the note.

  ****

  Xamien stopped Kos and slipped from his back. The stallion pawed the ground with his hoof, uprooting the grass and flinging it backwards. Xamien calmly stroked his soft, gray muzzle, the stallion’s stiff whiskers a stark contrast to his own buttery skin. “Yes, you’ve been a pati
ent man, Kos. Off you go.” The horse shook his thick neck then blew air through his nostrils before he trotted a few feet away to graze.

  Xamien watched Delara as she stared in awe at the sight he’d brought her to. Thousands of almond trees graced the land, their white blossoms dazzling as they swept the orchard like a blizzard of petals. She swung her leg over Xadea’s rump and jumped to the ground. Her eyes were sparkling as if diamonds were magically shining within the irises.

  Her hand ran smoothly down Xadea’s neck and he felt the emotions swimming through the mare’s body. It was remarkable to be able to give Delara such a simple breath of life. This land was magic this time of year—when the willowy almond trees blossomed, covering acres as if landscaping a fairytale.

  Xamien moved behind Delara and slipped his arms around her waist. He waited, knew the tension would come. The damn woman was adept at guarding her emotions. He also knew she was contemplating Waleron. But this is what she needed. A push.

  He nuzzled her neck, his day-old scruff rubbing against her smooth skin. He basked in her scent, her warmth, knowing this might be the last time he held her in his arms. He clucked to Xadea and the mare walked off to graze. “My parents married right over there.” He pointed to where two trees made what appeared like an arch with their branches. “It was in January, when they bloomed.” Delara’s hand rested on his, but they were far from relaxed, her entire body was a coiled-up slinky. “My mother used to bring me here after father died and we’d sit beneath those trees and she’d sing.” He stroked her hand with his thumb. “She loved to sing here. Said the land was magical. It would give to you, if you gave to it.”