Heart of Darkness bbm-1

by Lauren Dane

  “I’ve been having sex with my absurdly handsome husband multiple times daily for two weeks. I have the rest of my life to catch up on.” Nell laughed. “Girl, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed Fiji. But that’s mainly because I was too busy getting carnal with William.”

  “Let’s get some lunch. I have so much to tell you.” She squeezed Nell’s hand.

  “Most of it had better have nothing to do with this mage crap. I want to hear all the good stuff first. Then we’ll talk about work.”

  “I need a reuben.”

  Nell looked at her carefully. “What the hell, Meriel? You only need reubens from Three Girls when you’re eating your feelings.”

  Meriel laughed, like truly, deeply laughed because she’d missed Nell so much.

  “I met my bond-mate. Guess what he does?”

  Nell goggled at her. “You better mean last night. You have to since you haven’t told me anything about it until right now.”

  Even though she knew Nell would be mad, she was still giddy over it. Both at having Nell back and being able to talk about Dominic with someone who’d understand.

  “You are in such trouble.” Nell looked around and grabbed Meriel’s bag. “Let’s go. We’ll talk elsewhere. You can’t be at work on a Sunday anyway.”

  Her friend’s expression told Meriel there was no use arguing with her and she didn’t want to.

  They walked down to Pike Place and grabbed the aforementioned sandwiches, along with some cookies and a few lemon bars. One more quick stop for some tea and they headed over to Nell’s place.

  “Where’s the mister?” Meriel looked around for William.

  “He had to run down to Vegas for a few days to deal with work stuff. Sit down, I’m going to start the water for tea and you’re going to tell me everything. Most notably why you’ve met your bond-mate and haven’t ascended yet.”

  “He’s the guy who runs Heart of Darkness,” she said around a mouthful of her sandwich.

  “Why, oh, why do we get tested with men who run nightclubs?” Nell shook her head, grinning. Her husband owned a burlesque-themed nightclub in Las Vegas and was in talks to open another locally. Nell had met him nearly two years before while investigating a woman who’d stolen money from some Owen holdings. The woman had been his ex and he and Nell had connected from the start.

  “We haven’t done the ascension spell yet because … gah, it’s complicated.”

  “Complicated how? Is he married? With someone already?” That happened, they both knew. The bond was perfect if one meant in the way it connected two witches and unlocked magickal potential. But people had lives and life included things like the person you’re a potential bond-mate to being with someone already.

  “No, not that, thank goodness. He’s outclan. He didn’t even know he was a council witch until I keyed him into the font and we worked our magick together.”

  “Good lord, so what does he think? That we have secret police and arrest people who don’t give us all their worldly goods?” She stood again. “Why do we have no chips out? Falling down on the job, Meriel.”

  Back in moments, Nell tossed a bag of Doritos on the table between.

  “I’m going to be so sick in like fifteen minutes if I keep inhaling this.” Nell put her sandwich down a few minutes later. “I can’t not tell you this any longer. I have no willpower and I think it might be because I’m pregnant. And, obviously I want to share that with you because it’s so totally cool!” Nell laughed, clapping her hands and Meriel got up to give her friend a hug.

  “Damn right it’s cool! How long have you known?”

  “Oh, you don’t get to be pouty over me not telling you when you met your bond-mate and didn’t even leave me a voice mail about it.” Nell frowned a moment and then got back to the point when they’d sat down again.

  “I was late on our wedding day. But I thought hey, stress of the wedding because as you’re aware, his mother is Satan’s minion on earth.”

  Meriel nodded, sipping her tea. This was an accepted truth.

  “Anyway, I was late but it’s not the first time so I’m really not thinking it’s a big deal. You on the other hand have no such excuse.”

  “I didn’t tell you because I wanted you to have your honeymoon without any intrusions. I couldn’t tell you over the voice mail. I don’t even …” She shook her head, not knowing how to say it and already on the verge of tears as it was.

  “We’ll get to that next.” Nell gave her a brief glare. “I’m about six weeks along. We haven’t told anyone but you. My parents would fuss and I’m not ready for that yet. God only knows what his mother will do, but I truly hope it means she’ll stay on the other side of the country. Like forever. He’s telling his brother on this trip to Vegas. It’s”—she paused, smiling at Meriel—”it’s the most wonderful thing I could have imagined. He’s been beautiful about it. He wanted to take a picture of the stick with the two lines. The stick I’d just peed on, for heaven’s sake.” Nell shuddered and made a face. “So of course I vetoed it, but I’m giving him credit for being so mushy about it. And by the way, Meriel, were you aware that many resort sundry shops carry pregnancy tests? All in all, pretty much the best honeymoon a gal could ask for.”

  “I’m so happy for you both. This is so cool.”

  “It is. And you’re going to be here to help me because you know how hopeless I am at this stuff. What do I know about babies?”

  “Puhleeze. You’ll do great. Anyway, don’t look at me, I can’t even keep a houseplant alive.”

  “You know everything. And if you don’t, you know where to find the answer. I think William’s more excited about that than I am. He just sold half the club to his brother. Nash will run it.”

  Meriel knew what a big deal that would have been. As long as William had the sole responsibility for the club, he’d never be able to live in Seattle full-time. This sale meant he was committed to life here with Nell and their baby. It was a really good day.

  “I was just thinking what a good day it was.”

  “Yeah. I knew you’d make me feel even more excited. And you did. Now, tell me about Dominic. What’s his deal?”

  “He’s everything I thought I didn’t want. Overbearing. Bossy. Likes having his own way. Looks so damned good you know why he mostly gets it.” She grinned. “He’s arrogant. Just oozes testosterone. Has a mysterious past that — come on, let’s face it — you know has to be dark. Wary.”

  She bit off the corner of the lemon bar and sighed happily.

  “And he’s also protective. Gentle. Sweet at times. Intelligent on several levels. He’s a smart businessman. You can tell when you look at Heart of Darkness. He’s got a great deal of power. He doesn’t even have an idea of how much. He was raised by a foster father. He doesn’t talk much about his parents, just that they’d died when he was a baby.”

  “What’s he like in bed? What does he look like? Come on and tell me the juicy stuff.”

  “He’s about six and a half feet or so. Big. The kind of body that tells you he works out.” Meriel paused to fan herself. “He boxes. He tried to make it sound like he and his friends just met up and I don’t know, punched each other a lot. And being familiar with men and the kinds of things they consider fun, I believe it. Whatever it is, his upper body is tight and muscular. It’s the flattest belly I’ve ever seen in person.”

  “Damn, you scored.”

  She nodded. “Totally. Anyway, he’s got brownish-blond hair. Just touches his collar. It’s all thick and soft. He’s even got one of those locks that falls forward and makes him look rakish. He’s a menace. Dark lashes against these eyes. Unbelievable this color. Pale green. Dapper dresser, even his casual clothes.”

  She sat back and brushed the crumbs from her hands. “He’s got a tattoo on his back. Giant unfurled wings in black and gray but there’s a tiny bit of color here and there on the feathers. He’s also got a nipple ring and around the other nipple, on his chest above his heart there are protective rune
s. He’s actually got those in a few places. But they’re not tats. It’s as if they’re worked into his skin and muscle. Someone wanted him protected. Probably a good thing too because he’s had a broken nose on more than one occasion and he’s got some scars on his side and belly that look a lot like knife wounds.”

  “Oh, a bad boy with a heart of gold. Those are like unicorns right? Imaginary?”

  Meriel laughed. “He does appear to be of the bad-boy-with-a-possible-heart-of-gold variety. He touches me like I’m precious.”

  Nell’s smile softened. “Yeah. That’s something else, isn’t it? Especially when they’re all reluctant. I am sorry about that last part. Makes it all the more sweet when he finally accepts it though. I don’t have a bond-mate like you do, but fate brought William to me. He was meant to be with me. I had to believe in that and do my best to make it happen. You’ll do the same.”

  “He does admit to the bond. But he’s dubious of it. Untrusting. Even without the bond he and I would have something electric. He’s sexy, successful, gorgeous, funny and really, really inventive in bed.” She fanned herself. “I like him. I like being around him. I want more and I can’t have it because he’s at a different place than I am. He’s got a learning curve and while I know that — while my brain tells me this is totally normal—I want more. But I feel hesitant about asking for it.”

  She sighed.

  “I’d tell you to be patient, but you already are so that’s of no help at all. When do I get to meet him? And I take it you haven’t told your mother about this.”

  “God, no! Can you imagine? She’d send you out to kidnap Dominic and then glare at him until he agreed to do the ascension. I don’t want that. I want it to be his choice, totally. It’s not that I think he hates me. We’re good together. It’s still new, but he’s far more comfortable with what we have now than he was even just on Thursday.”

  “She wouldn’t understand. Not because she doesn’t love you in her own way. But because she never had to face what you’re facing right now. Ron grew up knowing what he was. She grew up knowing what she was and what she’d be. She’s never had to face this sort of uncertainty before. I get it. But she’s going to notice. Even she can’t miss that you’re practically humming with magick.” Nell tipped her head. “And love. I like that.”

  “I don’t know about love. I love being with him. I love that he’s my bond-mate. But love will come. As for the difference in my magick? I know. That’s why I was at work. I wanted to clear some stuff off my desk so I could work from home and stay out of the office this week. That and well because I spent last night through this morning with Dominic. I don’t want to get so used to him yet. He’s got to go to New York for most of the week. Maybe we can get together, all four of us at the weekend?”

  “When’s he going?”

  “He’s already on his way.” He’d woken her up at four and kept her up until nearly seven when he had to jump in the shower to get to the airport. “His plane left at nine.”

  “Stay here tonight. We’ll get pizza and watch movies.”

  “That’s a fine offer, ma’am.”

  ACROSS the country, Dominic had a jones for the lovely, redheaded Ms. Owen. Definitely found himself missing the warm weight of her next to him in his bed.

  Funny to be used to something after only having it once. But there he was, sitting in a crowded restaurant as his financial advisor and longtime friend Trey told the table a story about a recent trip to Chicago.

  All the while he thought of her.

  Wondered what she was up to. The morning before he’d tried to let her sleep but failed. Every moment he’d lain there in the predawn darkness, giving himself a lecture about how she needed her rest, had been agony. Until he’d given in and touched her.

  She’d come awake quickly, into his arms without hesitation. She’d even offered to drive him to the airport and reminded him to check the warding on his hotel room.

  And now he’d be there in New York until Thursday night while she was back in Seattle. His bed would be empty. Damn it.

  Simon had cornered him in his office on Saturday night as she’d been at the bar, conning his bartenders to show her new recipes. In a cocktail dress.

  “So what’s the story?”

  Dominic had looked up from the papers he was signing. “Story?”

  “Don’t be coy, dumbass. What’s the status between you and the lovely Ms. Owen?”

  “You know the story.”

  “So you accept the bond then?”

  “You’re like a dog with a bone.” He snorted and Simon flipped him off. “I like her. She likes me. There’s a bond, I admit that too.”

  “Are you going to screw this up? Yes, yes, I know you’d rather I just stop bugging you over it. But though I’d deny it if asked, I’ve watched you searching around for something real for years now. Meriel is something real. What you have, no matter how fantastical, is real.”

  “I can’t even think with her around. I need some distance and some perspective. I’ll be in New York until Thursday. Maybe I’ll come back clearer.”

  “What’s she say about that?”

  “I don’t have to check all my business dealings through her. Anyway, she’s got her own job; I can’t imagine why she’d be upset.”

  “About your continued hemming and hawing.”

  “Look, I don’t like the idea of not being in charge of my own destiny. Okay? I didn’t grow up in an alternate dimension at the right hand of my dad the king or whatever. You and Meriel both had that experience.” He pushed to stand. “She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. I want more. That has to be enough right now until I figure out the rest. She’s giving me the space I need. Every time I push her to finally have sex with me, she reminds me about how it’ll only make our mutual attraction deeper.”

  Simon had laughed then. And laughed some more, the sound of it echoing all the way down the hall in his wake after he’d left the room.

  He’d told Simon that he’d hoped the trip would give him some distance and perspective. And it had, only not in the way he’d imagined.

  Yes, she was on his mind. Yes, he wanted to be with her. But he wasn’t debilitated to be so far away. It didn’t affect him physically to be apart from her. He was getting work done.

  What he did miss, in addition to all the sexy stuff, was her laugh. The way she indulged him and let him be bossy most of the time but pushed back when he got out of hand.

  He missed the way she smelled. Hell, he even missed the way she so effortlessly used her magick. He’d learned a lot from her just by watching.

  He’d come to really like her. As he sat there pushing his dinner around on his plate, he found himself making notes to tell her about this or that thing he’d seen during the day.

  His pocket buzzed and he looked down at his phone to see who it was.

  I think we should go see the Alien/Aliens double feature on Saturday.

  Oh, that was me.

  Meriel

  He laughed and Evan sent him a questioning glance.

  “No, no, it’s fine. I just need to handle this.”

  Evan shrugged and went back to the conversation.

  Charmed, he tried to ignore the warmth in his belly. She’d reached out to him. He knew she was purposely holding back, trying to give him room, which only made him want her more. Her being impulsive and texting meant she missed him just as much as he did her.

  All right. Will you hold me if I get scared?

  Oh, that was me — Dominic

  He paused, wondering if she laughed. Hoping she had as big a smile as he did.

  Only if you try to touch my boob when you put your arm around me.

  It was probably right then that he fell in love with her.

  I think we both know that’s a given. I have a special relationship with your boobs.

  He briefly considered asking her for a picture, but that was best left for when they were alone.

  It wasn’t long before she wro
te back. I miss you. Are you having fun?

  Right then as he texted with her he was having more fun than he had the whole day.

  I am now. Good dinner. I’ll bring you here when we visit. I miss you too. What are you up to?

  He ordered another drink and waited for her to answer. Ray was talking about how gorgeous the beaches were in Maui in the background and Dominic imagined what it would be like to lay on the beach with her, alone and far away from the troubles of the world.

  Spent the night at Nell’s last night and had so much fun I’m back again. We’ve ordered Chinese food, looked at lots of great vacation photos, going to watch a movie in a bit.

  “Dom, we’re going to head out after this round.”

  He looked up at his friends, all in various modes of getting ready to leave. Evan, the one who spoke, owned three businesses. A nightclub in Manhattan, a wine bar upstate and the upscale martini-cum-piano bar they were headed to.

  He’d told Meriel a little about his first break into nightclub work because of his friend. Evan had been someone he’d looked to as an example of how to make a success of yourself. Evan, Ray, Dominic and Trey had gotten up to a lot of trouble together in their early twenties when Dominic had left Oregon and moved to L.A.

  Trey was a witch too. Dominic discovered that when they’d been a little, um, light-fingered and they’d been able to break into a door with a quick flick of Trey’s fingers.

  The four had sunk to various levels of lawlessness and one by one, they’d found a way out of the darkness. Evan first, when he bought a pub in Portland and nursed it back to life. He’d taken the profit from that sale and bought the first of his clubs on the East Coast.

  It had been enough to convince Dominic that the path he was on was destined for jail. Or worse. Trey showed up on his doorstep, someone hot on his tail for some infraction or other and they’d said fuck it and went to New York.

  Evan had hired them both. Trey went to business school and worked the bar at night and Dominic had learned to run a club.

  Over three years he scrimped and saved and built up contacts and earned enough to buy the building he and Simon built Heart of Darkness in.