by Willa Blair
“Nothing to tell, Abby.” Sean edged toward the door.
“You seem to be in a hurry, Lieutenant. Are you sure nothing happened?”
Before he could reply, Darach spoke up. “We explored some empty warehouses on the other end of Canal Street, Abby. No demons showed up.”
She wasn’t sure if she believed either man, but at least Darach’s color had returned.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night, huh, Darach?” Sean was at the door with his hand on the knob.
“Aye, and I want to start earlier, say about seven? Conner hopefully will be back by then.”
“Sure, works for me. Good night, Abby.”
“’Night, Sean.” She smiled at the good-looking lieutenant. Nice looking to begin with, but when he dropped his glamour as he did when hunting, he was downright hot. Of course, he was no Darach. She also gave a smile to the man standing at her side.
“You gotta run off too?” She hoped her wistfulness that he could stay didn’t show up too badly. But then again they were going to be married in a few days, and now that she knew Darach loved her she just didn’t want to let him out of her sight. And then there was that dream. So hot it still made her burn thinking about it.
The wistful look in Abby’s eyes mirrored how Darach felt. No, he didn’t want to leave, but if he stayed he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself. The dream from the night before came flooding back sending a spark of desire to his shaft.
“Aye, I do need to go and let ye get some sleep. ’Tis almost three in the morning.”
“Will you be by before you go out to hunt?”
“Count on it, darling. Now, give me a kiss.”
Abby pressed her body next to his, stood on her tiptoes, and pulled his head forward. Her lips were a hair’s breadth from his when a slight crackly sound interrupted his anticipation of her kiss.
“What’s this?” Before he could stop her, Abby reached into the outside pocket of his coat and withdrew the wad of photos.
“Darach?”
“Give those to me, Abby. Ye dinnae need to see them.”
She held them close to her breast, her eyes wide and questioning. “Where did you get these?”
His sigh only made his angst worse. He should have destroyed them outside the warehouse and not brought them here to her home. But in their haste to make sure she and Arianna were safe, he had forgotten them.
“Please let it go, Abby.”
“No, these are pictures of me and…” She laid them on the table, and flipped through all six of the photos, smoothing the last one out. “This is of us together, at Antoine’s. I want to know where you got them…please.”
It was the insecurity and the fright in her eyes that turned him into a wimp. He needed to reassure her there were no more pictures of her.
“I found them when Sean and I searched the last warehouse.”
“I thought you said nothing turned up.”
Darach crossed his arms over his chest. “Nay, Sean said that. I didnae say much of anything, remember?”
Abby’s brows drew together. “As I recall that’s about the same time you turned a bit pale.” She stamped her foot.
“I want to know what else happened and I want to know now.”
“You’re going to be the death of me, woman.”
Abby’s snarl was unexpected. ”It’s your job that will be the death of you, Darach.”
For the life of him he wanted to laugh. Not at her upset, but the picture she made standing there in a fuzzy pink robe, with matching animal face slippers on her feet. Her hair was all over her head, and her eyes gleamed with emotion.
“I swear, Abby, there be nothing else to tell. There were no demons at the warehouse, and we came straight here. Now, come on and kiss me. I have to get in touch with Michael and will probably catch a couple of hours of sleep myself.”
“Why not sleep here? I promise to keep my hands to myself.” Finally a small smile slipped over Abby’s lips.
“But, I cannae promise to do the same.”
“Then don’t, Darach.” Those three whispered words almost dropped him to his knees. Yes, he wanted her. Yes, he wanted her now, but he didn’t think it would be a good thing to talk to Michael if he made love to Abby. The archangel would read his mind, then all hell or heaven would break out for taking her innocence before the wedding.
In truth, he still couldn’t believe Abby was to be his wife, his in every way.
“Abby, don’t make this any harder than it is.”
“Do I make it hard on you, Darach?” The bold look she gave him stiffened his member even more—an aching awareness that roared release. Before he thought twice he yanked her against his chest, tugged the robe opened and baptized her breasts with his lips. Her moans were pure bliss to his ears, but he wasn’t finished. His little Abby needed to learn not to play with fire until he could finish the game.
His hands roamed her hips and then he pulled the silken material of her gown up her legs, past her knees, and to her thighs. The first touch of her hot flesh almost caused him to lose his mind not to mention his seed.
The wetness greeting him was a bonus to the whimpers coming from Abby’s throat. He loved that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. His fingers found and caressed her woman’s nub and then he slid one digit into her female center. Her flesh grasped his finger and pulsated as he pushed and then pulled his finger out. He continued the motion until Abby strained against his hand, her thighs like a vise as she trapped him with her zest for fulfillment. When she threw her head back, he nipped the skin at her throat, then slid his tongue over the soft contours. Her mouth opened in a moan that would have awakened the immortal sleeping above stairs if he hadn’t captured it in his mouth. He savored his kiss and welcomed Abby’s weight as she slumped against him.
Darach broke off his kiss and then placed another on Abby’s forehead.
“Wow, that was almost as good as the dream.” Abby’s whispered words caused Darach to jerk back.
“What’s wrong?” Now his beloved’s slumberous eyes glowed with concern.
“Nothing, ye just surprised me is all.” Darach almost stumbled over his inadequate explanation.
“I don’t get it, why would the mention of a dream throw you into a panic?” Abby slid back from his touch and waited on Darach’s answer.
Darach’s eyes went all silvery, and his normally tanned face tinged with red. Abby frowned. Something was definitely up with her immortal.
“I told ye, nothing, Abby.” Darach’s gaze slid from hers.
“Okay, the one thing you always told me, you don’t lie, isn’t that right?” She moved closer to him.
“Aye.” He moved back. It reminded her of the first time they met, but now the roles were reversed.
“I don’t believe you. Now tell me.” Abby crossed her arms over her chest and gave Darach a look that he could not misinterpret.
“Did anyone ever tell ye that ye are a very pushy and obstinate woman?” He growled his words.
“Not until you came along. Now seriously, what gives?”
Darach let out a long breath, but he did look her in the eyes. “Ye probably will think this is crazy, but…”
“Darach, the entire scenario since we met has been crazy, so go ahead.”
“I think I had the same dream.” His words were a mere imitation of his usual deep baritone, but it’s what he said that made Abby hear every syllable crystal clear.
“Explain, please.” Abby couldn’t wait to hear his explanation.
“I think it happened because I slept with you…” Darach’s words trailed off, when Abby gave him a look.
“I mean when I stayed with you the night of the demon attack. I be not sure what happened. As I told ye before, I have never been able to project any thoughts into your mind.” A slight smile touched Darach’s lips. “Your stubborn nature, probably, but I had the most realistic dream about us making love.”
“Did the dream start with you s
tanding at the bedroom window, and then end with…” Abby broke off her question. If he said yes, then she wasn’t sure what to say. The dream had plagued her since she’d awaken. Its content was not something she’d ever forget.
“Aye, and we made love in the dream. Completely, uninterrupted, hot love, Abby.” Darach’s words came above her ear. So lost in her thoughts she hadn’t realized he’d closed the slight distance between them.
“Oh…” Her breath left her lungs as he caught her close. “Uh, how do you think we dreamed the same thing at the same time?”
His breath caressed her hair as he answered. “I be not sure, possibly with ye being asleep and your defenses down, I might have projected my dreams into your head.”
“Wow, that’s…”
“Unbelievable?” Darach questioned.
“Actually, I was going to say it was so erotic, I couldn’t get it out of my mind all day.” Abby clutched at his shoulders.
“Then we be even; neither could I.” Darach closed her open mouth with a kiss that took her back to the dream and every time he’d actually touched her for real. Her knees went weak, her body heated to the scorching point, and Abby did nothing to stop either reaction. She welcomed his touch as always.
When the kiss was over, Darach lifted her in his arms.
“Time for ye to be in bed, my love.” He decided to teleport Abby to her bedroom for he didn’t trust his arms to hold her without dropping her while mounting the stairs. His body trembled with lust and love and the memories of their shared dream.
After tucking a vocally protesting Abby into bed, he walked down the hall to the guestroom, which now had been cleared out for a guest, and lightly knocked on the door.
“Abby?” Arianna opened her door and then stepped back.
“Sorry to wake ye, but I be leaving now. Just wanted ye to know.”
“Thanks, I’ll take care of Abby.”
“I know ye will. See ye tonight, Arianna.”
****
Angus extinguished the candles he preferred to use and prepared for bed. The day had been fulfilling. His pawn had brought him the information he needed to flush Abby out. And when he finally took her, it would be doubly hard for his cousin to swallow the rape and murder of a second loved one. Atlas, he wished he would have more time with her, but Lucifer said to wrap it up as soon as possible before the Christmas holiday—a holiday when angels came to Earth to deliver Yuletide cheer and blessings. He hated Christmas.
Michael admired the shine of the stars over the Crystal Sea. Their brilliance upon the water was blindingly beautiful. A miracle of what his God could do. So many times since he’d been created by God’s divine hand, he’d not stopped to enjoy the beauty surrounding him. As he gazed at the silver twinkling on the sea’s surface, it reminded him of how simple life’s pleasures could be. And in that moment, he realized there was only one present he could give Abby on her wedding day.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Darach awoke in his own bed sometime after the noon hour. He’d slept longer than he had in several days—in fact, since he’d met Abby. Abby, whose skin was like the finest silk, lips that were sensual weapons ready to bring him down, and laughing eyes that touched his heart and soul.
He be not sure why he’d been blessed to receive her love, but after centuries of being alone, tortured by thoughts of death and the past, Darach was more than thankful.
It was a miracle they had even met. If Abby’s vision hadn’t led her to the demon that night, he might never have met the woman who changed his lonely existence into a new blessing every day. Albeit if you discounted Angus, a cursed dagger, and demon spawn jumping out at every turn.
Aye, his life had changed in a lot of ways, some painful, but he would not trade Abby for a millennium of peace. Her love sustained him when before he had seen only the darkness of the coming ages. Now instead of hating his immortal life and not caring if he met death, he embraced his immortality.
Darach sat up and scrubbed a hand over his bristled face. He couldn’t wait until they were married. To commit himself to Abby for whatever earthly time they had together. After that he would ask Michael to allow him to die. Yes, he looked forward to sliding a ring on her—
His body shot out of the bed so fast, if he’d been a mortal he would have suffered whiplash. A ring—he didn’t have a ring and he doubted Abby had given that aspect of the service any more thought than he had. Tomorrow was their wedding, and today he needed to find the perfect ring. Should he buy a set of rings? One that she could place on his finger?
Darach rotated his neck, then stretched his body into a series of exercises to limber up muscles that were stiff. Being an executioner for a millennium did have its drawbacks. A smile pulled at his lips—of course if he didn’t have his job, he would never have met Abby.
He padded naked into his oversized bathroom. The house was a perk that he truly liked. Large rooms and a master bath he could move around in without knocking into the sink or toilet. And the shower with its roomy walk-in space was a luxury with numerous built in jets. Darach accessed the jets and reveled in the hot water cascading over his body. The heat reminded him of loving Abby last night and their shared dream. Although not as fulfilling as the real thing, he loved making her moan with pleasure. Loved touching her wetness, loved holding her in his arms as she exploded with passion.
His shaft rose with the memory of how her eyes had glazed with wanting and then went wide when her release was upon her.
God’s teeth, he prayed he would make it through tonight and then the day tomorrow until he could take her to bed and keep her there for infinity.
Blood pounded through his erection making him hurt with need. His hand hovered over his flesh, but he pulled it back. Nothing but sinking himself deep into Abby’s center would assuage his desire.
Soap ran off Darach’s body in rivulets as he rinsed and then turned off the shower. He needed to go shopping, not a recreational activity he usually welcomed. A ring for Abby would top any and all purchases he’d made in his lifetime.
He got dressed and then left the house. The early afternoon sun warmed him a bit in the crisp air. His steps were light, his mood that of a man who was still amazed he’d found the miracle of love for the second time.
His first stop was a big name jewelry store where he browsed the wedding bands with the help of an overzealous clerk. Nothing looked like Abby.
“Sir, I have some nice—”
“Thank ye, but not at the moment.” Darach left and then hit the next stop on his mental list. He wanted something special, something Abby would love.
An hour later he wanted to beat his head against the wall. Still no luck! As he stood with his back against the concrete, literally, he spotted a small sign across the street. Rings For Romance. Darach decided to check it out. When he stepped into the quaint shop, a woman approached him.
“Could I be of assistance, sir?”
He planned to say no, but the older woman’s eyes twinkled with an inner zest Darach could relate to today.
“I dinnae ken if ye can or not, but I be looking for wedding bands. My fiancée and I are to be married tomorrow.”
“And you forgot to buy the rings?”
Darach smiled. “Something like that. Do ye think you can help me?”
Quick as a wink and doubly graceful, the auburn-and-silver-haired woman moved to a wooden box sitting on top of one of the few counters.
“I believe you will find something in here.” She opened the box and then pushed back the lid.
Gold, silver, and jade colors winked back at him, but then a heather-colored stone caught his eye. The band was etched with what looked like a thistle design. A matching ring with the same silver band drew his eye.
“How much for this set?”
“You have good taste, sir. These rings were in a shipment that came to me from Scotland. The cost is trivial compared to the elegance of the rings.”
Darach figured the rings were going to be
expensive, but he didn’t care. He had the money and he wanted Abby to have the rings. He tried on the man’s ring, which fit perfectly and by the looks of it, the woman’s ring would fit Abby’s slender finger. After paying the woman she enclosed both rings in plush jewelry boxes, placed them into a bag which she handed to him, along with his receipt.
“Thank ye for your time.”
“My pleasure, sir. If in the future you are looking for something special, please remember my shop.”
“Count on it.” Darach nodded his head and then left. The entire exchange had taken less than ten minutes. He had time to pick up a bouquet of flowers for Abby. His first courtship had been a long one. Romance was not at all something he had time for back then, but Briene understood the duties of a laird. Abby also had a knowledge of his life and duty now, but he couldn’t wait to see her face when he gave her the roses. Twenty minutes later, the rings were stowed in his safe at home and he prepared to walk to Abby’s.
The long-stemmed roses were resting in a tissue-shrouded box, and he wouldn’t take a chance on something happening to them if he teleported.
As he drew near Abby’s home, he saw a man’s form move through the front of the yard, and then around the side of the house near the canal. With the safeguards in place, it had to be the halfling—he prayed it was or that would mean someone had breached the perimeters.
Darach placed the roses on the rail of the porch and then tracked the man who was fast moving toward the water’s edge. Suddenly he lifted his head, sniffed the air, and turned toward Darach.
The halfling threw up his arm and motioned toward the high grass bordering Abby’s property. Darach made his way toward Sean. The closer he got to the canal’s edge the more a scent of something rotten teased his nostrils.
“I didnae think ye would be here this early.” Darach spoke first.
“Neither did I, but I thought I’d see if you wanted to go ahead and get started. I mean since you’re getting married tomorrow and might want to quit at a reasonable hour,” Sean explained.
