by Denise Agnew
The slick, gliding motion of his thick cock as he slipped it into her warm pussy. The steady, rhythm of his hips as he thrust inside her again and again.
Even now the fever that danced and burned inside bothered like an eternal itch. He wanted her more than anything.
Worse, he wanted her trust.
Shit. He desired her for more than a quick fuck to appease sexual appetite. He felt a yearning to protect her from anything and anyone.
Double shit.
He closed his eyes to true darkness, enjoying the oblivion as he did when he slept most days. He tried imagining something boring, like an overlong conversation with Sorley about any one subject. Sorley could turn any conversation dull, given time.
No, he couldn’t banish the desire, no matter how much he tried. Possessiveness welled inside him, almost knocking him on his ass with the force. He took a steadying breath. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d felt this way about a woman.
Aye, but you can remember.
Yes, he could recall if he tried hard enough. The last time he’d felt this hungry, this demanding about claiming a woman body and soul…the last time had ended when Fenella lay in his arms almost seven hundred years ago, dead.
He shivered with the painful memory. Mother Mary, would the pain never leave his heart?
Ruthlessly he tore the agony out, denying the feeling and using his lust for Clarissa to destroy unwanted emotions. What he felt for Clarissa amounted to staggering lust, nothing more. No one could ever replace Fenella, not in this century, not in any century. If he must take Clarissa to save Pine Forest, to save his mortal friends, he would do it. He’d made the decision and he would follow through.
He opened the fridge and he saw Erin had the refrigerator stuffed with delicious items. His vampire stomach growled. He closed the cold section and reached into the freezer to extract a packet of blood.
“What are you doing?” Lachlan asked as he strode into the kitchen without bothering to turn on the light.
Lachlan’s vampire-like abilities allowed him to see as well as Ronan with no problems. The man’s eyes sparkled with yellow fire. Lachlan wore only jeans, his chest and feet naked.
“Did I wake you?” Ronan asked.
“No. We’re getting ready for the dinner with Clarissa Gaines tonight. Did you forget?”
Ronan shut the freezer door and walked to the microwave. “I just spoke with her. She is very difficult to forget.”
One of Lachlan’s eyebrows tilted up in query. “Just spoke with her? You’ve had a lot of contact with her in the last two days.”
He knew what Lachlan implied and couldn’t deny it. “Of course I have. You know why.”
Lachlan smiled. “Yeah, I know why.”
“She was in trouble and I helped her.” Ronan gave the short version of events in the tunnel, leaving out the passion.
“Damn,” Lachlan said, “she could have been killed. I thought the city council said they were going to seal up that passageway after we told them about it.”
Ronan snorted. “Takes them awhile. They probably want to leave it open because it goes under the graveyard and right to the Gunn Inn.”
Lachlan went silence, his eyes widening a little. “You’re kidding me.”
“I wish I was.”
“So you’ve been exploring rather than just patrolling at night. Any sign of the ancient one?”
“No.”
“Good. Maybe we have more time before the bastard recharges.”
Ronan shook his head. “Sure, and he might just stay away long enough for me to fuck Clarissa.”
Ronan didn’t expect his friend to look shocked, but Lachlan’s face hardened with disapproval. “I thought you said you couldn’t sleep with her unless her feelings were genuine?”
Part of Ronan wanted to deny the truth. He wanted to say that Clarissa Gaines would come to him whether he put images of mind-boggling sex into her head or not. But he didn’t know that. “I sense strength in her. I can’t read her mind all of the time. That’s unusual, since with most women I can read any of their thoughts at any time.”
“So what you’re saying is you probably can’t read her mind any better than I could read Erin’s?”
“Partially. But I think it’s more to do with her strength. I can see she has psychic ability, though I’m not certain how much.”
Lachlan sighed. “All right. So where do you go from here? Halloween’s coming up fast. How can you possibly make her fall in love with you before then?”
Ronan chuckled softly. “This coming from a man who fell in love with Erin not long ago.”
“All right, all right. I suppose it’s possible. But what if she finds out you’re a vampire?”
Shrugging, Ronan said, “She already knows something is different about me with the mind reading, the ability to teleport, and my eyes. She’d have to be totally out of it not to notice.” They sank into silence for a moment before Ronan said, “Did I ever thank you for letting me and Sorley stay here?”
“Yes, you did.”
Ronan managed a sardonic smile. “You know I’d pick a nice crypt somewhere if I could find an empty one not tainted by the ancient one’s stench.”
Lachlan grinned and crossed his arms. “No problem, but it’s Erin who deserves the thanks.”
Ronan nodded and put the blood into the microwave. He pushed a button and set it to defrost. “Any clue where Sorley might be?”
“Nope. Haven’t seen him.”
They waited in silence until the microwave pinged and Ronan took the blood out. After he retrieved a plastic tumbler from a kitchen cabinet, he poured the liquid into the tumbler and took a sip. Warmed enough to go down smooth, like the finest whiskey he could imagine.
Lachlan flipped on the light switch. He leaned against the kitchen counter as Ronan drank the blood. Lachlan’s expression said it all; he didn’t like seeing his friend consume the sanguine liquid.
Ronan put the cup down on the counter. “I suppose I should find some nice snow bank to store my blood supply.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because if the police ever decide to search this house for some hare-brained reason, do you think they’ll understand packets of blood in your freezer?”
“No. They won’t understand. But we can take that chance.”
Ronan finished the blood, rinsed the tumbler, then put it in the dishwasher. “I’ll move it as soon as I can find another place to sleep.” He sounded mournful, almost lonely. He stopped, astonished at the emotions. “Damn, I sound like a feckin’ geek.”
Lachlan laughed softly. He cocked his head a little to the side, questions written all over his expression. “Hurry up and get with it, vampire. Clarissa will be here soon.”
* * * * *
The ancient one put on his cloak just before nightfall, the garment shielding his body against the draining effects of the remaining sunlight. With one last look at his temporary home, he considered if it would be worth coming back to the crypt before dawn. Perhaps. Unless he found somewhere equally safe and intriguing. He didn’t consider the tunnels under the Gunn Inn an area to sleep in any longer. He could visit with the darkness there, but not to stay.
Dusk edged through the woods as he emerged from the crypt. Winter air rushed over his face, but he barely noticed. His cloak swirled in the breeze, the flapping sound loud to his sensitive ears. Snow, freezing again after a day of melting, crunched under his feet. He breathed in earth saturated by centuries of evil and relished the power. He would need more time to regain everything taken from him by Ronan Kieran and his meddling mortal friends. He moved away from the crypt, the long-forgotten sepulcher of some pitiful soul. Time had ravaged the tomb, but time would not destroy him. Invincibility guaranteed, he strode toward his goal with confidence. If anyone saw him they’d think him dressed in costume for a party.
Of course, if anyone came within visual distance, he would kill them.
He prowled, with advancing strength,
along the woods toward the tunnels under the Gunn Inn. He wondered if Micky Gunn and Jared Thornton still resided in the cavernous old building and if the stupid mortals continued to believe they could reclaim the property. Hadn’t they seen enough of his glory? Enough of what he could do?
He sensed Pine Forest’s unease.
The townspeople feared Halloween.
He smiled, pleased. He fed off the thought, allowed it to grow the way mortals allowed their fears to run them.
Before Halloween, Pine Forest would feel his ultimate wrath, and this time they couldn’t stop him. Damnation grew in the tunnels beneath the graveyard and the inn. It spread like the locust, the fly after death, the maggots over a dead body left out in the elements too long.
So much percolated beneath the townspeople’s feet, and little did they know. Soon the volcanic eruption of fear and hate would cause them to destroy themselves from within. Their petty prejudices, their ridiculous beliefs would bring them false certainty. Like all mortals their foibles would lead them toward disaster rather than strength, to pestilence rather than joy.
He smiled as he walked, then put his hands up to the sky as clouds obscured the last of the sun. He flipped back the cape hood and allowed the night to bathe him.
“Ahhhhh.” Every fiber in his body seemed to expand, to cherish and absorb the darkness within and without.
At the same time anger and determination surged inside him. Two times the mortals had foiled him, had taken what belonged to him. And Sweet Dasoria, his reincarnated lover, refused to recognize him. Where once his undead soul ached that Erin refused to acknowledge her past life as his lover, now he felt his feelings turning toward hate and death. Malevolence wended through his thoughts and memories until he could no longer recall how much he’d once loved Dasoria. He would treat her as he treated all other mortals. Erin would find her death in Pine Forest before Halloween came.
No more fighting to see her, to bring her over to the undead once again. No more desire to share his love with her. Next time she would feel his lacerating teeth against her throat for one reason only.
There would be no mercy.
Chapter Six
As she drove toward Erin Greenway’s home, Clarissa’s headache returned. This time she knew the pain originated from tight muscles in her back and neck.
Jim had insisted she see a doctor, so she’d driven to the emergency room with him following behind. The doctor who examined her declared her sound of body. When Jim asked her if she’d like to have dinner with her that evening, she explained she had other plans and left it at that. He’d looked disappointed, but she had no intention of jilting Erin and Lachlan for a dinner with Jim. While a little surprised at the extent of Jim’s concern for her, she didn’t quite trust his motivations. Their past together kept her feelings distant.
She rubbed the back of her neck, then turned down a street leading to Erin’s home. She checked her watch. In less then five minutes she’d be there, and the tension seemed to build second by second.
As she found Erin’s address and turned into the driveway of the Victorian home, she noticed two other cars parked along the street. She imagined Micky and Jared would be here. Maybe even their mysterious Irish friend, Ronan. If he was, she planned on cornering him at some point to find out how he’d gotten her out of that hole under the crypt without her remembering a thing, and why he’d disappeared without a word.
Nervous butterflies fluttered in her stomach. From everything she’d heard about the events occurring in Pine Forest this month, Erin and Lachlan would have no reason to doubt her story. Instead nagging worry plagued her.
After she turned off the lights and switched off the car, she unlocked and opened the driver’s door.
A figure loomed up next to her. She gasped as her heart leapt.
Ronan stood there, his gaze watchful.
“Do you make a habit of popping up unexpectedly?” she asked.
“Yes. Dinner will be ready soon. Come.”
His old-fashioned courtesy, mixed with his brusqueness took her off guard again.
“You’re about the most intriguing man I’ve ever run into, you know that?” she asked without thinking about how it would sound. “And sometimes the most challenging.”
“Thank you.”
She closed and locked the car. “Were you skulking in the bushes when I drove up? I didn’t see you.”
Ronan slipped his arm around her shoulders. “In a matter of speaking, yes. I should have escorted you from your hotel this evening.”
“It wasn’t necessary. I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.”
His gaze held teasing and exasperation. “Sure, and here I am talking to the woman who got mugged last night, then falls into a hole the next day.”
She searched those deep, enticing eyes, so sexy and exciting even when they held an uncanny light. A deep ache centered in her gut that had nothing to do with irritation and everything to do with arousal.
She almost moved out from under his arm. “Thanks for your vote of confidence.”
He drew her nearer until the heat of his body touched all along her side and he turned her slightly toward him. “You’re a wee, bonnie thing, as Lachlan would say. A beautiful woman and a strong one. I’m not saying you can’t take care of yourself. But remember what I’ve told you already about how dangerous it is in this town.” His insistent words sounded rough with sincerity and the husky liquid of his accent. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
When she saw the truth in his eyes, heard the deep conviction in his voice, she felt like melting into his arms. She’d never wanted a man’s protection before she met Ronan. Even the odd things about him she didn’t understand didn’t stop her heart from racing or her body from responding.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“My pleasure, my lady.” Warm and low, his voice simmered with promises too exciting to ignore.
She smiled slightly. “I should be wary of you.”
He tilted her chin up with his fingers. “Most definitely.”
As his mouth closed over hers, she expected a sweet little peck of affection. Instead she got more. As she kissed him back, a soft moan left his throat. He slanted his mouth over hers and tasted, his kiss somewhere between cautious and lusty. Dazed by the tenderness, she ached to sample more of the mint freshness of his breath. With startling rapidity her nipples peaked, aching to be touched. Warmth filled her stomach and between her thighs. No man had turned her on as quickly or fully in a matter of seconds.
Ronan broke the kiss, his breathing coming harder. Looking into his eyes, she saw the same staggering need she’d witnessed when he’d kissed her in the catacombs beneath the crypt. Not only did his eyes simmer with a sun-filled yellow, his expression was ravenous.
“You try my patience,” he said huskily.
She smiled, warmed through and through by his adoration and the affection that mixed with his hunger. “I think we’ve gone over this territory before.”
One corner of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile but didn’t dare. “You’re difficult to resist.”
He tore his gaze away and started walking with her to the front door.
When he rubbed his hand over her shoulder in a soothing fashion, her stomach tumbled in excitement. Attempting to kick-start her brain after his embrace took all her effort.
“Did you drive here?” she asked.
“I’m staying here for the time being as Erin and Lachlan’s guest. So is my friend Sorley.”
“Sorley?”
“Aye. You’ll meet him as soon as he arrives tonight, which could be any time he sees fit.” A wry smile curved his mouth. “Jared Thornton and Micky Gunn are also here.”
They’d taken a few more steps toward the front door when he asked, “Are you all right?”
“Of course. Why shouldn’t I be?”
He made a doubtful sound. “You fell through a crypt floor today.”
Deciding she could be
as enigmatic as he was, she responded. “I know. Nasty experience I don’t plan on repeating.”
Ronan knocked on the door and it swung open to reveal Erin and Lachlan.
While Lachlan couldn’t be more than six feet tall, Erin was petite enough to look small standing next to him. Her black hair was cut short below her ears, a pixie that seemed to barely tame her windblown style. His blue-black, wavy strands fell just over his collar. Lachlan’s voice held a husky, Scottish accent, distinct from Ronan’s Irish tones but equally intriguing.
Clarissa couldn’t help comparing Lachlan’s staggering good looks to Ronan’s more mysterious handsomeness. Ronan’s glittering dark eyes and short beard concealed so many things, yet that air of secrecy seemed to suit him. She couldn’t remember another time she’d been in the same proximity of two more gorgeous men at one time.
Amusement at her train of thought almost made her smile. All this delectable male flesh is enough to distract a woman big time.
Ronan glanced at her quickly, one of his eyebrows hitching up as if he’d heard her thoughts again.
Damn, she’d have to be careful from now on.
Immediately the couple’s kind smiles and warm expressions made her feel welcome. Tension eased in her neck and she could relax. A flurry of introductions started and after taking their coats, Lachlan and Erin drew them into the living room.
Jared Thornton sat near to Micky Gunn on a couch. Both of them smiled when Clarissa and Ronan came into the room, and their genuine words of welcome soothed Clarissa’s apprehensions. After more introductions, Erin and Lachlan retreated to the kitchen to uncork wine and check on the dinner.
“I’d be happy to help,” Clarissa said as she followed Ronan into the kitchen.
Erin waved a dismissive hand and smiled. “The chicken has been cooking all day. The veggies are keeping warm in the microwave, and Lachlan’s already uncorked the wine.” Erin shooed Lachlan and Ronan out of the kitchen just as Micky walked in. “Unless you big lugs are going to help, there are too many people in the kitchen.”
