by V. A. Dold
Removing the busted-up chairs and tables went rather quickly, cleaning up the broken glass and sticky liquor took a bit longer. Even the glassware lay shattered to smithereens. Thank Goddess, the structure was still sound, and the band stage was virtually untouched.
Logan stood with his arms crossed as his gaze swept the empty room. “Well, it will take a couple weeks, but we will get it back up and running. I’ll order new windows and a door tomorrow. Julia, could you order glassware and a new frozen drink machine? I’m not sure where you got that.”
“Sure, I can do that easy enough.” She nodded as she rubbed the stiff muscles in her neck. “I can get everything online, and they normally deliver within a week. Do you want to call in the liquor order, Logan, or should I?”
“You’re newly mated, and now you need to deal with replacing all your house stuff. I’ll take care of it. Just place the online order and leave the rest to me. Besides, you lovebirds should take a few days for your honeymoon.”
Julia hugged her brother tightly. “I love you, and I know this is horribly bad timing and a crappy situation, but I planned to ask you if you would like to buy me out of the bar?”
Logan leaned back so he could see her face. “Are you sure? You love this place.”
Julia smiled and squeezed him tighter before stepping back to look him in the eye. “Yes, I’m sure. As Tommy’s mate, I’ll be living on the plantation, and I really don’t want to take a boat to the bar every day and in the dark back home every night.”
“Good point, I don’t want you driving a boat home every night in the dark either,” Logan agreed. “I know I’m going to be the owner after I buy you out, but I still want you okay with the new furniture I purchase. Would you mind if I replaced the broken antique sets with solid wood tables and chairs?”
“Not at all. Make the place your own,” Julia said as she slipped out of Logan’s arms and into her mate’s embrace. “Besides, I’ll find something else to keep me busy, I’m sure. Who knows, maybe we’ll work on giving Cade and Anna their first grandchild.”
Chapter Fifteen
Thomas’s gaze snapped to hers, as Isaac exclaimed his excitement over the possibility of more babies.
“Did I just hear you right?”
Julia grinned up at him. “I don’t know, did you?”
“Are you ready for children?”
“Well, if it happens, I’ll welcome them,” she purred as she ran a finger down his chest. “And until then, I plan to have a lot of fun practicing.”
Whistles, catcalls, and “Get a room” were heard throughout the bar.
“I, for one, would like a great-grandchild,” Isaac interjected.
Cade made a ‘T’ with his hands. “Time out everyone, I would appreciate it if you kept all the talk about babies to yourselves until you’re sure. I don’t want Anna to get her hopes up and then be disappointed. The doctor said she needs to avoid all stressful situations until the baby is born.”
Julia looked contrite. “I’m sorry, I certainly don’t want to cause her stress. Please, keep this to yourselves, everyone. It’s not like we’re trying to have a baby. We’re just not preventing it from happening naturally.”
Isaac clapped Thomas on the back. “Then I won’t be surprised by an announcement sooner rather than later.”
Logan whistled to get everyone’s attention. “If all this talk of babies is finished, I have some friends coming with boats built for hauling, and I could use help getting all the busted-up tables and chairs to the pier.”
The men were making short work of the last leg of clean up, so Julia took the opportunity to check on her faerie friends.
She stopped short as she rounded the corner of the bar. Lilli, the faerie queen, was standing on a low hanging branch with her arms around the two grieving faeries that had been with Daffodil.
A tear ran down Lilli’s cheek as she said, “Please, join us.”
Julia knelt, so she was eye level with her three weeping friends. “I’m so sorry,” she sniffled. “This is all my fault.”
“Why would you say such a thing? Did you blow up your house? I don’t think so. An evil group of shifter males did that. And I promise you. They will pay with their lives.”
“The men are already organizing a swamper hunt along with a couple vampires to deal with them. Under shifter law, their attack on me alone is a death sentence.”
“I understand. I will speak with Isaac. Even though it is his right to mete out their sentence, they killed one of my people as well. I will let the men find the guilty parties, but I want to be present when justice is served.”
“That sounds fair,” Julia agreed. “I am going to miss Daffi so much. Is there anything I can do for her final rights?”
“Thank you, but no. We have a sacred ritual we will perform during which her body will return to dust and her spirit will return to the afterworld to await reincarnation.”
Julia nodded and would have spoken again, but voices grew near, and the faeries vanished from sight.
“Julia? Are you back here?” Thomas called. “It’s time to go, babe.”
Anna had finally agreed to rest and was napping in her bedroom. With her time so near and her condition delicate, Emma stayed close if Cade had to be away. Now was the perfect time for her daily meditation.
With great care, Emma placed a purple satin cloth on the end table before her, smoothing every crease and wrinkle until it was perfect. Next, she pulled two white candles from her prayer satchel and lit them.
Which crystals should I use today?
She carefully touched each of her sacred stones until she decided on amethyst, citrine, and clear quartz, placing them in a triangle on the purple cloth.
Closing her eyes, she centered her mind and quieted her thoughts, opening herself to the Goddess and her spirit guides.
“Blessed be, my daughter,” the Goddess greeted her, in a soft voice.
“Blessed be Mother. How may I be of service?”
“Two of my sons are on the verge of meeting their mates. Richie Majors, Anna’s friend and your own son Lucas.”
Emma gasped, then whispered wide-eyed, “Lucas?”
“There is a very special woman waiting for him in Texas. My daughter, Krystal, will be instrumental in bringing them together.”
“Is there anything you need me to do to help that along?”
“You must make sure Krystal leaves with him when he moves to Texas. I have additional reasons for her relocation, but I will disclose them at a later date. Once they settle in Texas, I will speak with you again with detailed instructions to ensure Lucas meets Miss Kensie Brown.”
“I’ll talk to Isaac and make sure his sister-in-law Lucinda does not prevent her from leaving,” Emma promised.
“As for Richie, I have already set into motion the situation that will bring his mate into his life. His human friends who attend college here in Louisiana will make sure they meet.”
“This is very exciting! Two more of our men will finally meet their mates after waiting so long.”
“I am very pleased, and I thank you for the assistance you have given me with many of them.”
“It is always my pleasure to be of service to my Mother Goddess,” Emma said as she lowered her head in supplication.
“Take care, my daughter. Blessed be.”
“Thank you, Mother. Blessed be.”
Bursting with excitement, Emma wrung her hands. “Why does everyone have to be either sleeping or away when I get news like this?”
She was just going to have to find something to distract herself until Anna woke up.
Cookies!
She could make a batch or three of cookies. She was taking the last sheet of chocolate chip cookies from the oven when she heard Cade walk through the door.
Thank Goddess! Isaac? Where are you?
I’m at home. Why?
I have the most incredible news! I’ll be right there.
“Have I told you today that I adore you, and you are my world?”
“No.” Emma panted as she caught her breath. “I don’t believe you have.”
“Well, you incredibly sexy woman. I do.” Isaac claimed her lips again until they were both dizzy from lack of oxygen.
“Keep that up, and I’ll forget my news.”
“I was having a thought myself,” he growled, nuzzling her neck.
“What was that?” she asked tilting her head to give him better access.
“We’re only four hundred or so years old. Let’s have another baby.”
Emma stiffened. “Are you on crack, or whatever they are doing these days? You cut me off cold turkey over one hundred fifty years ago, insisting on no more children. I was the one who wanted to keep trying for a girl.”
“I know, mon amour, I was wrong.” Isaac nibbled on her earlobe, something that always got her engine running. “Just think about it, and we can talk again later.”
Emma groaned and stepped from Mr. Sex on a Stick’s arms. “Okay, stop that. You’re distracting me, and I have news.”
With love bursting from his heart, he brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “What’s your news, cher?”
“The Goddess came to me today and told me several things. I think you should get a scotch and sit with me in the great room.”
Isaac hesitated with a frown creasing his brow. “It wasn’t bad news was it?”
“No.” She shook her head laughing. “It’s wonderful news, but you may need to make a plan to handle Lucinda.”
“Good, you had me worried for a second.”
With a scotch in hand, he got comfortable with his mate on the couch. “Snuggle up close, and tell me what you know.”
Emma told him every word that had been said and then sat quietly while he thought them through.
“If it comes down to it, I will simply talk privately with Charles and then force her hand with a royal decree that she allow Krystal to move to Texas with Lucas. It’s not like she has an actual say in her adult children’s lives, but she’s bullied them so terribly that they’re afraid to go against her.”
Emma shook her head sadly. “I have seen it too many times, especially with the girls. And I’m concerned about her mental health.”
Isaac stroked her gorgeous hair. “She hasn’t been right since, Armand.”
“I know, but it’s been long enough, and something is going to have to be done.”
“I’ll talk to Charles again, but it’s so hard for him to deny his mate anything.”
“I know, mon amour, I know.”
Thomas was taking his turn in the shower, so Julia grabbed one of his cotton dress shirts to cover her nakedness while she made dinner. The salad was tossed, and Cajun chicken roasted in the oven along with baked potatoes. All she needed was to let the wine breathe.
She was washing her hands after handling the chicken when Thomas joined her. She turned to look over the shoulder he had laid his chin on and kissed him sweetly.
His heart began to hammer, and his body instantly yelled an enthusiastic “YES!” He had her lips, and he’d be a fool to not take advantage of the situation. And as far as he knew, no one had ever called him a fool. He planned to keep it that way. With one hand gently wound in her hair, he kissed her again. She tasted like paradise, and his white button-down shirt on her freshly showered, naked body was more than he could resist.
One kiss turned into many, and he lost track. Not that he was counting. He wanted her—again. Even though, they had made love the second they were home not forty-five minutes ago.
When he finally stopped long enough to lift his head, her eyes were glowing with her need of him. She smiled, her little shy ‘I want you’ smile that made his stomach do a flip.
“As much as it pains me to say it, give me a minute to clean up before someone gets salmonella. Then, you can carry me off like a caveman.”
“Caveman?” he chuckled. “I was thinking the kitchen table looked the perfect height for what I have in mind for you. Every room and surface in this house needs to be christened.”
“Christened? Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“Mmm, most definitely,” he murmured, as he made another assault on her neck. “You’ve got two minutes before I strip you bare.”
The pins in her hair fascinated him. How could a couple of straight wooden sticks hold all of her hair together? With a final kiss and nuzzle to her neck, he pulled each free, one by one, watching her hair flow freely down her back in a sensual wave.
He raked his fingers through the long silky strands several times before sliding his hands around to the buttons on her shirt. With each button, he exposed the soft swell of her breasts. He was completely captivated by this little woman.
Finally, she set the dishrag aside so he could turn her in his arms. His gaze locked with hers. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her, he could see it in the way she consumed him with her glowing eyes.
“I need to taste you,” he admitted hoarsely.
Thomas brushed the shirt from her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. Before this incredible woman entered his life, he’d been happy. At least he thought he had. He hadn’t believed he would ever want a wife and family. He’d contented himself protecting those who needed him, first by attending the academy, then being a private investigator, and now head of security. Before Julia, that path had been enough. And then she’d calmly walked into his life and changed it forever.
Her warm, sure hands skimmed up his body. Before she could wrap them around his neck, he caught them, laid a kiss to the center of her palms, and pressed them over his heart. The look of need in her eyes sent another punch of desire low and sharp to his groin, stealing his breath.
“You’re killing me, woman,” he groaned, gathering her closer, so her body molded against his. “I’ve never needed a woman like I need you.”
His hands fisted in her hair, and as he tilted his head, his mouth took possession of hers to capture the sexy sigh she always made right before he kissed her. God, he loved that little sound. His cock strained against his jeans and pressed against her belly as her hands snaked around his neck for support. Her tongue danced with his, fingers massaging the back of his neck while her body quivered with need.
He wanted her, right here, right now. Walking her backward to the kitchen table, he lifted her to sit on top. With one hand, he unbuttoned his jeans and tugged them off, while he cupped the back of her head with the other, ravishing her mouth.
“I need you right now, Tommy, fast and hard,” Julia demanded. “No soft kisses and petting, just fast, raw, sex.”
Thomas groaned. Her words were gasoline thrown on an already raging fire. If she wanted fast and hard, she would get it.
Grabbing both of her hips, he pulled her forward as he thrust to the hilt. Julia moaned into his mouth as she continued to explore every nook and cranny. Gripping her ass, he pounded into her as she clutched his shoulders and let her head drop back.
Moans and rumbles filled the room as they crested the summit together, Julia shouting his name as he shouted hers.
Ragged panting broke the silence as the scent of their lovemaking swirled in the air. Leaning his forehead against hers, they caught their breaths, crisp wintery snow, and rich dark spices mingled and intertwined.
Once he was able to breathe fairly well and stand on his noodlefied legs, he pulled his jeans over his hips and handed her the shirt from the floor. They were both exhausted and would have another busy day tomorrow. The rest of the evening’s agenda was a quick dinner and sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.
Dawn was sneaking in through the seams of the shade like a seasoned cat burglar. He was exhausted. Last night’s dreams had been bad. Really bad. In one
dream after another Julia disappearing or was just out of reach. He was never able to reach quite far enough to pull her back to him.
But the last one, the one that woke him up in a cold sweat, was the worst. He had dreamt that none of the past days with her were real, and she didn’t even know who he was.
Trembling, he kept his eyes closed, terrified if he opened them, the nightmare would be real. Tentatively he stretched his arm across the bed, feeling for a warm, soft body.
EMPTY!
His heart stopped beating. No God, no. It can’t be true!
When his head began to swim, he was forced to take a breath. He inhaled a lung full of her wintery scent.
Thank God! He sighed and opened his eyes.
You okay in there? Do you need me?
I’m perfect now. Why aren’t you in bed where you belong?
Goofball. I’m fixing your coffee.
You’re too good for me.
Realizing what he said, he quickly added.
Ignore the man behind the curtain. Don’t listen to him.
Her soft laughter tinkled like tiny bells in his mind. I think you watched The Wizard of Oz too many times as a child.
He grabbed the pillow beside him, pressed it over his face, and inhaled Julia’s scent until he was drunk with it. Throwing back the covers, he stretched his nightmare-stiffened muscles before shuffling barefoot to join her.
She was setting two mugs of fresh coffee on the table when he stepped through the door. The French roast blended with her scent was utter perfection, he couldn’t think of a better way to start every day for the rest of his life. He knew he was grinning like an idiot, but he didn’t care.
“How do you manage to be absolutely gorgeous in the morning?”
“I don’t know, but thank you. I think you’re rather handsome, too. I better drink this while I dress. We ladies are going back to the bar to give it a good cleaning.”
“I better get dressed too. I’m going with the men swamper hunting.”
Thomas had grabbed a fresh pair of jeans from his drawer and now leaned against his dresser. He held jeans in one hand and the cup in the other, sipping his coffee while watching his woman with hungry eyes.
