To Seduce A Siren

by Cousins, Jane

  Turning off the hose, he grabbed a towel, rubbing his hair and body dry. He dressed in the mudroom where he kept piles of clean clothes, donning khaki trousers, a dark ruby coloured t-shirt and his favourite shit kicker boots. He ran his fingers casually through his hair instead of a comb, unconcerned as the mop always seemed to sort itself out, no matter what he did to it.

  Rolling his arms to reduce a few tight spots in his upper back he stepped through into the kitchen, noting with interest that Charisse’s painting supplies and easel remained untouched in the corner. Hmmm, what had she been up to all day if she hadn’t been painting?

  He had a few more questions for her as he wandered through the lower floors. Why was it so clean for one thing? The random piles of pulled up floorboards and ripped up sections of mouldy, frayed carpet, had all mysteriously disappeared. The floors had even been swept. Maat, had Charisse done all this in a day? He started up the stairs, noting that the right hand bannister was almost completely sanded back. No way could Cyd have managed all this work by herself, unless she used magic.

  He slowed his pace at the sight of the large mattress and bed-frame out in the corridor, wrinkling his nose as the smell of paint fumes hit his senses, more perturbing was the rumble of male voices emanating from the master bedroom. What the hell?

  He paused in the doorway to take it all in. Charisse was standing in the middle of the room, deep in conversation with his gruff, hard-as-nails, head deliveryman, Dave. A man surly, as the day was long, who appeared to be shockingly relaxed and happy to be flipping through a paint catalogue with Cyd, heads bent close together. The floorboards beneath them freshly stained and now dry.

  By the fireplace, Surly Dave’s youngest son, Sullen Trevor, was chipping away plaster slowly and carefully to expose the original tiles hiding underneath. Whilst over by one of the windows Dave’s eldest son, Angry Colin, was in the process of applying putty filler to repair all the gaps around the frame.

  “Ah-hem.” He cleared his throat.

  Charisse glanced up and smiled in welcome. “Hi.”

  Maat she looked lovely, with her long glossy auburn hair spilling down her back, her skin porcelain perfect with just a hint of colour gracing each high cheekbone. She looked relaxed and happy in white shorts, sandshoes and a bright aqua t-shirt that clung to her assets all too lovingly and made her green eyes glow.

  Nate eyed the three men, Colin and Trevor didn’t even look up at his entrance whilst Dave actually nodded and sent him what could almost pass for a grudging smile of greeting. Whoa, what magic had Charisse worked on the surliest delivery guy Nate had ever had the displeasure of meeting?

  Maat, the first time, squat, yet sturdy Dave, and his equally squat and sturdy sons had dropped off building supplies Dave had threatened to dump everything on the footpath because he claimed the trees on either side of the driveway might scratch his ten year old truck.

  Nate had won that round by walking down the driveway with an axe in his hands, asking Dave through gritted teeth, exactly where he wanted him to bury it.

  Since that first encounter, Surly Dave had arrived every other day with his supplies and his two sons in tow, unloaded everything in record time before promptly turning around and speeding away back to Brisbane. All Nate ever got in terms of customer service was surly, angry and sullen looks… hence the nicknames.

  “What’s going on here?” Nate enquired, even though he could see perfectly well for himself.

  “Dave and the boys have been a Goddess-send.” Charisse gave each of them a beaming smile of approval. “Will you just look at those gorgeous tiles Trevor is uncovering. It was his idea to chip away the plaster around the fireplace and see what was underneath.”

  Nate couldn’t believe it but Sullen Trevor was actually blushing. Maat, what was this woman’s magic? “So Dave and the boys have just been helping around the house all day? They didn’t have any other deliveries to make? Places to be? They just volunteered to spend their day working on my house?”

  “Happy to help out.” Dave muttered, his dark brown eyes fixed on Charisse.

  Something new flared inside Nate… it felt hot and chaotic, Maat was he jealous? Of these three guys? Cyd was going to drive him insane; he might as well just accept that and enjoy the ride. “Well, thanks… but you guys should probably get going, you have a long drive home yet.”

  All three looked immediately to Charisse, distinct reluctance in their eyes. Charisse glanced at her watch and frowned.

  “It’s getting late Cyd, storm’s coming… it’s going to get dark early.” Nate put a little more emphasis on the word dark so she’d get the message.

  “Oh, of course. Dave, Colin, Trevor, thank you so much for your help today.”

  “But Charisse, I haven’t finished yet.” Trevor protested. Even as his older brother and father voiced similar protests.

  “You can finish the tiles tomorrow.” Charisse responded with a cheery smile.

  “Umm.” Nate felt compelled to point out. “I don’t have a delivery booked for tomorrow.”

  Charisse beamed at her three helpers. “Dave has a spare polishing machine that he’s going to bring over so we can finish the floors in here and I can start painting the ceiling and walls. Plus Colin is trained as an electrician so he’s volunteered to look at the wiring once he’s finished with the windows.”

  “Not to mention someone still needs to clear away all the half-assed piles of rubbish all over this place.” Trevor stated with a level of perkiness that Nate had never considered the sullen lad capable of achieving.

  And what did the lecherous little bastard with his blatant puppy dog crush on Charisse mean by half-assed piles of rubbish? So he tended to get distracted and move from one project to another, big fucking deal, it was his house, his project. He’d be as half-assed messy as he damn well wanted to be. “You need to leave… Now!” He glared at Trevor first, then Colin, then their father.

  “Nate’s right, it’s getting late. Thank you so much for your help today.”

  The threesome left the room, dragging their feet the entire way, all their eyes fixed on Charisse, clearly hoping that she’d change her mind and request them to say. It seemed to take them forever to tromp down the stairs, leave the house and get into their truck and drive off.

  “So you want to tell me what that was all about?” Nate turned to look at Charisse.

  “What, three sweet guys with time on their hands can’t pitch in to help out?” Charisse moved over to study the blue tiles that Trevor was uncovering, pleased to note that every fourth tile had a small design in its very centre, a tiny red flame surrounded by a dark blue crest. Hmmm, she could definitely work those into the room’s colour scheme.

  “Sweet? Seriously? Surly, angry and sullen would be much better descriptors.”

  “And yet, the evidence begs to differ.” Charisse swept her arms out wide.

  Nate moved to loom over her. “Just what did you do to them Cyd?”

  “Nothing, I bumped into them this morning when I was downstairs getting breakfast and they offered to help.”

  “Right?” Nate frowned. “Out of the goodness of their hearts?”

  “Sure, why else would they volunteer?”

  “You know when you lie to me, your eyes turns a darker shade of green, Cyd.”

  “I am not lying.” Charisse was all too aware of how close he stood to her, Goddess, his freshly showered scent wrapped around her senses; cedar wood, amber and fresh cut limes.

  “Stretching the truth then. Each time you do, another piece falls into place.”

  “Piece?” Charisse desperately wanted to move away but she was caught by the intensity in his whiskey coloured eyes.

  “Of the puzzle that is you Cyd.”

  In the distance thunder rumbled, an all too ominous sound if you asked Charisse. She needed a distraction, anything to stop her from falling into his arms and ripping the clothes off his gorgeous body and spilling all her secrets. “Oh… the bed.”

&n
bsp; Nate’s left eyebrow quirked up for a slit second before a lazy sexy smile spread across his features. “The bed?”

  Charisse rolled her eyes. “I meant to ask the boys to carry it back into the bedroom before they left.”

  “No problem.” Nate turned to head for the door.

  “Are you sure… ?” Nate was already back, easily carrying the enormous mattress. “Oh thanks. Well since you’ve got that, I’m just going to clean up a little.” She grimaced down at her dirt streaked hands and arms, heading for the bathroom. She needed to spend some quality time with some soap and water.

  Nate retrieved the base of the bed from the hallway, eyeing the now closed bathroom door. He would not think about Cyd in there undressing, using a damp flannel to wipe away the dirt and sweat from her arms, legs… cleavage. He cleared his throat twice before he successfully formed words. “When you’ve finished cleaning up, meet me downstairs in the conservatory.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Nate glanced up as Charisse entered the conservatory ten minutes later. Damn she was gorgeous, even without a scrap of makeup on. She’d changed tops, now wearing a loose purple short-sleeve blouse though she still had on the white shorts that showcased those fantastic legs of hers. The only other change she’d made to her appearance was her hair, now up in some messy bun arrangement that made his fingers itch to release all that silken mass.

  “Rum and coke?” He held out a tall glass beaded with moisture.

  “Thanks.” She eyed the open to the elements conservatory double doors and the two chairs from the dining room Nate had positioned in front of them.

  “I thought we could watch the storm come in.”

  “Good idea.” She moved to the open doors, breathing in deeply as the breeze off the ocean carried the tang of salt water and the smell of coming rain with it.

  Lightning flashed several times against huge dark grey thunderheads that rapidly ate away at the late afternoon sky. Rolling thunder rumbled in the distance, just audible. Unable to help herself, her eyes flicked to Bettina, flinching as a sharp tug echoed down their bond. Bitch had been testing their bond all day. Rebuilding her strength; applying a little more pressure each and every time, reminding her who was boss. It wasn’t painful yet for Charisse, except for the occasional hard yank like just now. If she kept herself focused on other tasks she could usually block Bettina out.

  “You don’t like storms?” Nate had picked up on the small flinch.

  “No, not that, just remembering all the sanding still left to do on the staircase.”

  “That was you?”

  “What, you thought I sat around all day supervising?” She took a refreshing gulp of ice cold liquid, moving to take the seat next to Nate.

  “I suppose the bannister was taunting you just like the wallpaper?”

  “It was more of a mocking than a taunting.” Charisse laughed.

  Maat, she had the sexiest, throatiest laugh. “Hmm, right. So I just have one question for you about today.”

  She could feel herself tensing, she knew letting Dave and his sons spend the day with her would come back to bite her on the ass. Why had she given in to their pleas?

  “What happened to the armchair in the ground floor living room?”

  Charisse started in surprise and then wrinkled up her nose. “That grimy old thing? Since Dave and the boys were hauling all the trash to the dump for me, I had them add it to the load.”

  Nate paused for a moment, blinked and then laughed. “You do realise that’s where I’ve been sleeping the past couple of nights?” And sleeping damn well he had to admit. Something about the knowledge that Charisse was under his roof and safe allowed him to find peace.

  Charisse clapped a hand over her mouth in horror. “Oh no, I’m so sorry. I suppose I just thought there was another bedroom somewhere that you were camping out in.”

  “It’s fine, I can sleep on the floor. I’ve slept worse places.” Nate waved off her apology and concern with an easy smile.

  “Well I could always sleep elsewhere.” She offered.

  “Excuse me?” A shuttered expression came down over his features.

  “I just meant I could transport anywhere in the world and spend a night in a hotel.”

  Nate shook his head abruptly. “I’m pretty sure Destiny is having us watched. I noticed a boat out there today… no fishing, no swimming, no sunbathing, it was definitely suspicious. I’m thinking she has us under surveillance twenty-four seven.”

  “You think she has daytime minions as well? How?”

  Nate shrugged. “Money, coercion, the promise of immortal life, who knows.”

  “Immortal life? As in, bite someone and turn them into a vampire? Can they really do that?” Charisse was revolted by the thought of letting Destiny or any other vamp near her throat.

  “Not according to Hadleigh they can’t. You’re either born one or you’re not. But the wannabes don’t know that, do they? I think we need to assume she’s keeping a very close eye on us at all times.”

  “What about Dave and the boys?” Charisse turned quite pale. “Have I turned them into targets?”

  “I think they’ll be fine. As far as Destiny is concerned they’re just your daytime minions. She barely values her own. She’d never imagine you cared for those three.”

  “Thanks I think. And for the record, they are not my minions.”

  “Just calling it like I see it Cyd.” He turned to look outside as the first drops of rain began to fall, soaking the ground, accompanied by the loudest rumble of thunder yet.

  “I hope your roofing skills are up to the challenge of this storm, it looks like we’re in for a drenching. At least you’ll get a night off from Destiny tonight.”

  “How do you figure?” Nate enquired curiously.

  “Please, that blood-bitch is so vain. No way would she be caught out in this storm. Make-up running. Hair not perfectly plastered to her bony skull.”

  Nate wondered if a night trapped in her lair would make Destiny more eager to face off with him and thus more careless, or, would it give her more time to come up with a plan of attack? Nah, Vampira was a fly by the seat - of her catsuit - pants kind of vamp, this storm would have her chomping at the proverbial bit to get her teeth and claws into him and Cyd. Hmm, maybe a night’s break from blood and mayhem was a good thing.

  Jagged streaks of lightning split the sky, thunder echoing not far behind as the rain picked up its pace falling in steady, heavy sheets. Charisse moved restlessly on her chair, her back ached a little and she was sore in a few a places from all her physical labours. Yet it was kind of nice to think she’d achieved something today. Other than her paintings, when was the last time she could make that claim?

  “I don’t suppose you’d happen to know what’s been eating my roses?” Nate asked absently, rolling first one shoulder and then the other to release some tension.

  “You have roses somewhere out in that overgrown nightmare you call a garden?” Charisse shook her head in disbelief.

  “No, I have six rosebushes in tubs, waiting by the front door to be planted, a house warming gift from the Council.”

  “Oh, they’re probably from Great-Aunt Annabeth’s garden; she’s famous for her roses.”

  “Well I’ve never had much to do with plants or roses before now, but I’m pretty sure something large is taking great big chunks out of those things. If I don’t do something about it soon, they’ll be nothing but stubs.”

  “It’s probably the sheep.” Charisse supplied.

  Nate’s ears rang as a particularly loud thunder clap cracked directly overhead. “Sheep? I’m pretty sure I would have seen sheep eating them.”

  Charisse shook her head. “Not these sheep, they’re invisible.”

  Nate smiled and shook his head. “Invisible? Right. Even if there were so-called invisible sheep roaming the countryside, munching on my roses, I’d have at least seen tracks, or heard them.”

  “I doubt that very much. Snowball and the ga
ng are military grade operators.”

  “Snowball? You’re not having me on are you? There really is a flock of invisible sheep isn’t there? So what should I do, set traps?”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t do that. If you actually managed to catch one of them you might be opening yourself up to a vendetta you couldn’t hope to win. Then the only thing those sheep would let grow up here would be weeds. I’m told your best bet is to spray the plants with a little bit of garlic mixed in with some water.”

  “What, they’re vampire sheep now, deterred by garlic?” Nate found himself laughing at the idea.

  “The local gardening community came up with it. I can’t tell you how furious they are with Uncle Cedric who modified them in the first place. Invisible is one thing, but it doesn’t seem there has been a lock invented yet that will keep those sheep in their pasture.”

  “Magic invisible sheep,” Nate mused it over and then laughed again. “Cool. I love this place. Another drink?” Nate held out the pitcher.

  Charisse glanced down, surprised to find her glass empty. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”

  “Why not? According to you, the vamps will be a no show tonight.”

  She held out her glass, smiling as he refilled it. “I hope you don’t think getting me tipsy will lead to me spilling all those supposed secrets you believe I hoard.”

  Nate chuffed a laugh, settling back into his seat with a contented sigh just as a crack of thunder directly overhead caused the house to thrum and vibrate around them. “Never crossed my mind.”

  “Yeah right.” Charisse rolled her eyes. Silence descended between them for a moment as the noise of the storm grew louder, the rain slightly heavier and the almost constant rumble of thunder matching the quick rapid flashes of lightning.

  Suddenly Charisse was very conscious of the fact that she and Nate were alone together, and the weight of their as yet unspoken attraction hung heavily between them. Stripped bare of her Siren powers when it came to Nate she felt vulnerable and out of control. “You know this thing between us… it’s a really bad idea.”

  It was a relief to him that she was acknowledging the attraction between them out loud. It meant he already had one foot in the door so to speak, now he just had to talk his way into her bed, her life and her heart. “Why?”