Not your business, he reminded himself. “Is Temple in?”
Most people reacted to his size. He was a big man and drew attention, all of it unwanted. It was the reason he always wore suits. People seemed less afraid of him when he was dressed that way. He looked at it as camouflage. Even though he’d been wearing them for years, had his suits tailored specifically for him, he never felt entirely comfortable.
He was a jeans and T-shirt guy at heart.
But Victoria had never shown any reaction to him one way or the other. She treated him as she did everyone else—in a cool and competent manner—and it irked him.
In spite of his many talks with himself about what a bad idea it was, he was attracted to Victoria. He was a man used to looking below the surface, and his instincts screamed there was much more to her than the facade she presented to the world. Or maybe he was just seeing what he wanted to see.
“He’s been expecting you.” There was neither annoyance nor approval in her tone. She was as businesslike as always. “I’ll tell him you’re here.”
He waited while she picked up the phone to the intercom system and spoke to Temple. Luther half expected his boss to fire him, and that simply wouldn’t do. It didn’t fit with his plans.
“He’ll see you now.” Victoria’s gaze met his, and he nodded, not showing just how jolting it was to peer into her clear-blue eyes.
He turned his attention to the matter at hand and opened the door. Temple was seated behind his desk, as though that gave him authority. It was all Luther could do to keep from smiling at the pompous ass.
He shut the door behind him, reached into his jacket pocket, and drew out the second book he’d taken from Rames’s bookshop. “Don’t think it’s of much use, but it was the only thing I found of value.” A lie, but Temple didn’t know that.
Temple raised an eyebrow and tapped his steepled fingers together. Without a word, he leaned forward, took the book, and leafed through it. Luther saw the covetous look in the man’s eyes, even though he was trying to hide it.
It occurred to him that Victoria was much more adept at hiding her true feelings than Temple was. Before he could follow that train of thought, Temple dumped the book back on the desk.
“That’s it?”
Luther nodded. “There are a lot of books there, first editions, and some that appear valuable, but that was all I found that might be of interest to you.”
Temple sat back in his chair again. Luther could only assume he was trying to appear in charge of the situation. “Just where have you been all this time?”
Luther knew he was skating on thin ice and decided to give up some of the truth. “It took a long time to search the shop. There were a lot of books.” He was curious to see if Temple would admit to having him followed.
“My men said you weren’t there past dawn.”
He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Your men are fools. I ducked out for a bite to eat, evaded them, and went back.”
Temple didn’t look convinced.
“There was a secret room in the shop. I was in there all day. I couldn’t risk leaving in case someone looked in the window and saw me.”
“A secret room?” Temple sat forward again. “Tell me about it,” he demanded.
Luther shrugged, knowing it would make Temple crazy. “Looked as though someone else had already been there. Either that or Rames moved some things before he died. I went through what was left but found nothing else of interest.” He had no plans to tell Temple about the book he’d taken and hidden away.
“You will take me there and show me.” After issuing his edict, Temple stood and walked to the antique coat rack to retrieve his coat. “And next time, you’ll call in and update me. You don’t leave me waiting.”
Luther didn’t bother responding one way or the other. Arrogant as Temple was, Luther knew he’d take that as compliance with his orders. Luther would do what he always did—whatever he felt was best.
Victoria glanced up from her laptop as they exited the office. “Will you be back again today, sir?” she asked Temple.
“No.” The man didn’t even glance her way as he left.
Luther couldn’t help himself. He caught her eye, and winked. He kept his smile to himself as he followed Temple out of the building and into the waiting limo.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Valeriya fell into bed totally exhausted. The linen was clean and so was she. The faintest smell of smoke still lingered. All the walls and ceilings would have to be washed and painted, the floors scrubbed, and some of the furniture replaced, but they’d made a good start.
Tarrant had obliterated any sign of the old entrance through the cabin, sealing it tight and burying it. He had a second one through the cave system in his basement. It was a long tunnel that opened up in the middle of the woods, but at least it was safe and very well hidden. They’d use that one for the time being.
Valeriya tried to stay awake until Tarrant joined her. She could hear the shower running as he cleaned up. The sound was soothing, and she closed her eyes. She had no idea how much time had passed when she became aware of Tarrant’s large body wrapped around her. Cocooned in his warmth, she drifted back to sleep.
Several times, she woke to go to the bathroom, always tumbling back into his welcoming arms. When she opened her eyes again, she felt rested. Hungry, too.
In spite of the uncertain future before them, she was happy. She inhaled, drawing in the fragrance of his soap and Tarrant’s unique scent. Her entire body quivered.
He drew his big hand down her spine and then up again. “Go back to sleep.”
She shook her head, rubbing her hair against his chest. “I’m done sleeping. I don’t think I’ve ever slept this much or this hard in my life.”
“You needed it.” His voice rumbled, deep and low, the vibration of it flowing through her.
“I’ve lost all track of time. I don’t know if it’s day or night, or even what day of the week it is.” It was strange not to be aware of something she’d always taken for granted, but it was becoming the new normal.
“Does it matter?” His calmness floated through her. “Neither of us has to leave home to go to work.”
That made her laugh, and she rubbed her hand over his taut abs. “No, I guess not.” It felt strange to not have a schedule. It made her realize just how much she’d depended on hers. Most people did.
She made little circles just above his belly button. “So, what do we do?”
He rolled suddenly and she found herself flat on her back with Tarrant looming above her. His legs were between hers, and there was no mistaking his arousal, not with his thick shaft pressed against her inner thigh.
“Whatever we want,” he replied.
She linked her hands behind his head, grateful the light was on in the bathroom. The door was almost closed, but it gave enough of a glow for her to see him. She didn’t have his preternatural vision.
“And do you have any ideas?” Before he could suggest anything, she decided to tease him. “I know. We could get up and start washing the walls and ceilings.”
He growled, sounding more animal than man. He nipped at her chin and then kissed a path to her ear. She shivered and gave him a mock frown.
“Don’t like that idea? There’s still more laundry to be done.” She’d only gotten through about half of it. “Or we could survey more of the damage outside.”
When he sighed, a whoosh of warm air fanned over her ear and neck, sending goose bumps running down her arms. “If that’s what you want.” He pressed his hands against the mattress and started to lever himself up.
She clung to his neck and twined her legs around his thighs. “Beast.”
He grinned and lowered himself back down, supporting most of his weight on his hands. “Don’t you forget it.” He grazed his lips over hers. “I always get what I want.”
Breathless from his kiss and wanting more, she used her grip on his neck to pull herself slightly off the pillow
so she was closer. “And what is it you want?” She liked this playful side to their relationship.
His eyes turned molten blue and began to glow. “You.” Her heart clenched, and a deep warmth spread outward all the way to the tips of her fingers and toes.
“I’m yours.” She was fully committed to him, to their relationship.
“Valeriya.” The worshipful way he said her name brought tears to her eyes. There was no more teasing, no more play. He captured her lips and kissed her like he needed her more than food or air. And maybe he did. Her need for him went that deep.
Mine.
She caught the echo of thought and knew it wasn’t her own. Tarrant’s? Not quite. It was more primitive. The dragon side of his nature?
Then his tongue plunged into her mouth and she didn’t care about anything but returning the caress stroke for stroke.
He supported his weight on one strong forearm and cupped her breast with his free hand. She moaned and pushed upward, wanting more of his touch. Her nipple was a tight nub, and he flicked his thumb over the tip.
She ran her hands over his wide chest and down to his narrow flanks. Ignoring his growled warning, she wrapped her hands around his shaft and stroked.
“Fuck. Valeriya. Feels so good.” His words were forced out between gasps. He buried his face against her neck and ran his teeth over the sensitive skin.
She sucked air into her lungs. Every nerve ending in her body was alive with sensation. Emptiness pulsed between her thighs. The need to celebrate the fact they were both still alive and together was overwhelming.
“Tarrant.” She had to have him now.
He understood what she needed and reached between them to position his cock at her opening. There was no more foreplay. He flexed his hips and pushed inward, sliding past her body’s initial resistance and right into her wet warmth.
She clung to his biceps. His tattoos seemed to glow in the darkness, becoming almost alive. It was fascinating and beautiful. She traced the edge of one swirl.
Tarrant groaned and kept up the inward pressure until he was buried to the hilt. He dropped his head forward, panting like he’d run for miles.
It was always like this between them—urgent but tender. She didn’t know how else to explain it. “Tarrant.” She whispered his name as he began to rock against her. There were no hard thrusts, but this somehow felt more out of control.
Maybe it was the love. It welled up inside her as he moved in and out of her body. His thick shaft stimulated every nerve in her slick channel, pushing her closer to the edge each time he slowly slid back in.
…
Tarrant had made love to many women over the course of his long life. He’d even made love to Valeriya before. But not like this. Nothing had ever felt like this.
The two of them were one. He could feel her inside him. She invaded his mind, his body, and his soul until the two of them became one entity. He was feeling an extra buzz, as though his dragon was close to the surface. His tattoos tingled, something they’d never done before.
He felt alive like never before. His intellect was unrivaled, his determination and will made of titanium, but this small woman made him forget his own name.
And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
She was his and he was hers.
She moved with him, traced the curves of his tattoos, dug her nails into his skin. Her touch was at times soft and gentle, at others demanding. He wanted to give her whatever she needed.
“I love you.” Her breathy declaration was worth more than all his treasure combined.
He felt her tremble, sensed the desperate grip of her muscles around his cock, heard the way her breath caught in her throat before she released a deep moan.
His own release welled up from deep inside him. He caught her face in his hands as he came. “Look at me,” he demanded. Her green eyes were glassy with passion, like shimmering emeralds.
Something deep and primitive welled up inside him. His body shook with the power of the creature living inside him, the part he’d inherited from his sire. He willed it back, unwilling to do anything that might hurt his Valeriya.
The dragon part of his nature responded to his worry and eased back. It had all happened in a split second, and then he was shaking from the power of his release.
His big body shuddered as she milked him dry. Her sheath gripped him so hard he swore he saw stars. Her lips were moist and parted, so he captured them for another kiss. She gave him everything she was and then some. And he took it.
He managed to roll onto his side while staying inside her. She burrowed closer and sighed. They lay there a long time. Eventually, she stirred. “I guess we should get up.”
As much as he loved lying there with her, Tarrant was starting to get jittery. He hadn’t been out of contact with the world for this long in years. “We should.” He kissed the top of her head, disengaged their bodies, and rolled out of bed.
“I didn’t mean it had to happen quite that quickly,” she groused.
He laughed and playfully swatted her bare butt.
“Ouch.” She frowned and pointed at him. “I’ll get you for that.”
“Promises,” he teased. He strode into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. He made mental lists as he quickly washed and dried. By the time he was finished, Valeriya was standing in the doorway.
“That was fast.” She yawned and headed toward the shower he’d just exited. He loved watching the way she moved. She was a delight of feminine curves, from her full breasts to her firm ass.
“Work to do.”
She sighed as the water cascaded over her. “More cleaning?”
He leaned against the vanity and enjoyed the view. His cock stirred to life, but he managed to ignore it. He needed to give Valeriya time to recover. “Business. I still have an empire to run.”
She didn’t bother with her hair and quickly finished. He snagged a towel and handed it to her, watching as she ran the cotton over her arms and legs before wrapping it around her body. He’d never been jealous of a piece of cloth before.
Tarrant raked his fingers through his damp hair. “I need to see to regular business, and we also need to keep looking into the Knights. The clean up around the place will take days. I need to order furniture, paint, food, and more.” There was so much they needed.
She padded across the tiled floor and stood in front of him. He dropped his hands to her hips and pulled her in close enough that she could feel his erection. Her eyes widened and then half closed.
“Just how do you get supplies?”
Not what he’d expected her to ask, but then she was always surprising him. “I have a system,” he told her. “I’ll show you. You need to order clothes.”
She laughed and hugged him. It was quick, but it warmed his soul. Not to mention what it did to his dick.
“That’s an understatement. I need to borrow another one of your shirts.” She left the bathroom, and he was right behind her. “I have clean underwear and jeans, but my shirts haven’t fared so well.”
“Take whatever you want.” He quickly pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a T-shirt. When he turned around to find her watching him, he cocked an eyebrow. “Like what you see?”
She flashed him a quick grin. “Very much.” He started for her, but she backed away. “Work,” she reminded him. “We’ve been down for hours.”
He hated that she was right, but that didn’t stop him from kissing her senseless. When he finally backed away from her, she was breathless. Satisfied, he headed toward the door. “I’ll make us something to eat. We can take it down to the computer room.” He wanted to make sure no one else had been lurking around while they’d been sleeping. No alarms had gone off, but he wasn’t taking chances.
The place looked clean, but the faint scent of smoke still lingered. He’d have to clear away the charred remains of the cabin at some point. Having that above them wasn’t helping. But he needed to leave it for at least a couple of weeks. By then any
interested parties should have come and gone.
By the time he’d made a stack of grilled cheese sandwiches, Valeriya had started another load of laundry and joined him. “I want juice.” She poked in the refrigerator. “Do you have any?”
“Check the freezer for frozen. There might be a can.” He didn’t drink it often, but he did sometimes get in the mood.
While he gathered napkins and a tray to put everything on, Valeriya found a jug and mixed up the orange juice. “Just bring the whole thing,” he told her. “There are mugs in the computer room we can use. There’s also a coffeepot and a kettle. Bring the teabags.”
Less than a minute later, they were in the computer room. Everything was humming, and Tarrant immediately set the platter on an empty spot and sat in his chair.
He was aware of Valeriya puttering around, but he was soon lost in the cascade of information flowing around him. There was so much, from world affairs to the economy, and his searches on the Knights.
His stomach growled and he reached out and snagged a sandwich, then another and another. When he got thirsty, he discovered a large mug of juice next to his hand. He just drained it and kept scrolling.
When he reached out to the platter and found it empty, he looked up. He had a sense that a lot of time had passed but had no idea just how much. Valeriya was curled in what he now thought of as her chair with her sketchpad open.
When she sensed her gaze on her, she glanced up and smiled. “Everything well in the world?”
She didn’t seem upset even though he’d brought her down here and then ignored her for hours. “You tell me.”
She laughed and set her sketchbook aside. “Tarrant, I know who you are. You need information like most people need air. I get that. I also know things won’t always be this intense. I suspect you need less sleep than me and will play catch-up while I’m in bed.”
Drakon's Prey (Blood of the Drakon) Page 27
