He still loved her.
The knowledge that smacked him over the head wasn’t a shock. He’d realized last night how much he’d missed her when they’d been talking. He missed talking to her, hearing that lilting laugh, missed seeing those brown eyes of hers twinkle. Seeing her brought all the old feelings up again. Not that they’d ever completely been buried. Or at least not as buried as he wanted them to be.
“You would?” She sounded surprised.
Her question cut him in half. She did doubt him that much. His voice dropped to more baritone. “You think I wouldn’t have given it over had you asked for it? Needed it?”
The truth reflected on her honest face. She didn’t have to say a word to answer. She thought him enough of a bastard that he wouldn’t give her something of his that she asked for. Something she needed. No wonder she’d cut off all contact from him for so long. How had they gotten to this place?
The totem hummed, casting an eerie echo around the room.
He’d caused her mistrust with his secrets.
Why on earth would he give her that thing, when he’d not told her everything about himself, not opened up to her? He wanted to argue, to tell himself it wasn’t true, it wasn’t his fault. But it was, at least partially. That was how she saw it. How he could see this deep into her, he didn’t know. Magic had no mind-reading abilities, but he knew deep inside the correctness of his assumptions.
“I’ll give you the artifact.”
Her full lips curved up into a smile, showing her white even teeth. “You will?” Incredulity filled her voice and face. Relief laced her voice along with happiness. “You’ll give it to me?”
He nodded. She jumped into his arms, giving him a full wrap-around hug. Her breasts pushed into his chest as he inhaled the spring scent of her hair. His blood surged to his cock, making it turgid. He clamped down on his lust. They’d done this already. It wasn’t enough to get him what he wanted, now that he knew what that was.
He wanted her back.
And he’d do anything to get it.
He patted her shoulder, stroking with his fingers. Her bare skin would feel so good right now. He clamped down on that. He’d get that chance this weekend. Somehow he’d see to it. “There is a catch.”
She froze, stilling in his arms. “What catch?”
“You give me a second chance. Spend the weekend with me. Let us start over. Regardless of whether we make it or not, the totem’s yours as long as you stay the whole weekend.”
Chloe leaned back, looking into Drake’s serious face. He tightened his hands on her back to keep her body in contact with his. “What?” He had to be a lunatic. No doubt about it. “You want me to what?” He couldn’t be serious about this.
He repeated it so slowly she wanted to punch his fast forward button. If only men came with those. “Give us a second chance. Spend the weekend with me.”
“And you’ll give me the artifact?”
He nodded.
“You’re sure?”
He cocked his head to the side, and his voice grew gruff. “I’m sure. You spend the weekend with me, I’ll give you the damn thing.”
A weekend. Alone with Drake. Who wanted her to give him a second chance. A shiver raced through her. Could she stay strong against his methods of persuasion? He didn’t intend for them to play tiddlywinks all weekend, that was for sure. “Do you expect us ... to have sex?”
“Your taking the artifact isn’t dependent on you having sex with me.” He grinned at her, almost leering. “But you will.”
Dammit, he was probably right. But just because they had sex didn’t mean she was getting back together with him. She’d have to keep her heart uninvolved. Out of it. Yeah, she could do that. Have some fun sex, collect the item, and run far away from Drake before he broke her heart again. She’d have to. “I’ll do it.” His grin widened. “The weekend! The weekend, not the ... er ... sex.” She pushed a hand through her hair. “But I want it clear. I don’t intend to get back together with you.”
“All I ask is that you listen.”
“And you’ll give me the totem if I stay the whole time.” She nodded so he’d nod, too, agreeing with her. “Even if I don’t get back with you. Or have sex with you.”
He followed her lead, his head bobbing up and down. “I will. As soon as the weekend is over, it’s yours.”
“Are we going somewhere or staying here?”
He licked his lips, the look that always made her want to capture his tongue and play tag with it. “The cabin.”
She gulped. “I had no idea you still had it.”
“Of course I do.” He sounded affronted she’d even consider such a thing as him giving it up.
They’d spent a lot of time in the tiny cabin in the foothills of Virginia. It was isolated, simple, but comfortable. They’d honeymooned there. It was a place where they’d made memories. Lots of good, fun, sweet memories. They were the kind that had made her doubt her decision to walk away.
“The artifact will go with us.”
“No. It can stay here. We’ll get it when we get back.”
“Drake ...”
“It’ll be fine here. It’s been here for years. We’ll collect it after the weekend is over, and you can deliver to the man who wants it.” His teeth poked through his grin. “Just give me a chance.”
He’s going to pull out all the stops.
They could have this romantic weekend full of fucking and fun. But he still hadn’t told her his secrets. And unless he did, fucking was all it would ever be.
Chapter Five
Rob watched Mr. and the ex-Mrs. Masters pack the tan SUV. Marsters got in the driver’s side with her in the passenger side and off they went.
Hmmmm. Where were they going? And together? Perhaps a reconciliation was in the works? It wouldn’t last long. Not if he had his way.
His eyes centered on the house. That left the house unoccupied. Without even knowing it, Drake had given him the perfect opportunity. He rubbed his hands on the steering wheel.
Getting out of his car, he sauntered to the side of the house, disabled the security system, then dashed to the front door, casting a few furtive looks around before he jimmied the lock. Locks and security systems were nothing to true magicians who’d done their research thoroughly. He quickly stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind him. No alarm bells went off.
Marsters’s lair.
Now, where did he keep the object? From the descriptions, Rob would know it when he saw it.
He explored the house, taking his time looking around. What an ostentatious bastard Marsters was. Every gadget that had been made the last twenty years sat in the kitchen. It didn’t look much had ever been used, even the cappuccino maker.
He opened the door to what looked like a study. His eyes flickered to the huge desk. He picked up an envelope. Freaking fan mail. Rolling his eyes, he tossed it back down. What a bunch of idiots if they thought Marsters was anything special.
Various Marsters paraphernalia sat on a shelf. Gray’s heart beat faster. What the fuck? Marsters collected stuff about himself?
“Argghh.” He picked up item after item, crashing it to the floor as violently has he could. Several things broke. The lunchbox didn’t until he stomped his booted foot down on the center of it, crushing in the top. “Damn him.” He growled, knocking more things to the floor, clearing off the shelves. He grabbed a vase and tossed it to the wall, shattering it into a million shards.
He panted, surveying what he’d done. Broken items, books, and papers lay strewn across the study floor.
Stupid.
It had made lots of noise, which might attract unwanted attention. And the act had brought him no closer to netting him the object he sought. He couldn’t get caught, not now, when things were so close. It had to be here.
He swept one more thing to the floor, trying to calm down his breathing and work through his pique.
And that’s when he saw it.
The object rested by itself on a bott
om shelf he hadn’t cleared. He hadn’t even noticed it before now. Why that was he didn’t know.
It matched the description of the item. Perfectly.
This had to be it. The source of Marsters’s magic.
He reached out to stroke the coolness of the material. What was it made of? It was so smooth, so cool to the touch. It quivered under his fingers.
Yes, this thing had power. It had to be the reason Marsters had magic.
And he now had it within his grasp.
He’d find its secrets and bring the mighty Marsters down from his lofty perch.
* * * * *
Chloe folded her hands in her lap as they winded up the curvy road to the cabin. It was an “Oh, shit” road because the slightest mishap, and one would wind up falling back down the mountain the quick way. So far it had been a quiet hour and a half ride in Drake’s big-assed SUV. She’d heard so many, including Drake, say that they needed four-wheel drives in case of bad weather. Why he needed a golden SUV when there were grocery stores and drugstores on every other street, and they never got that much snow, she’d never understand. It was another thing about Drake that seemed to be about keeping up appearances.
Some said that men with big vehicles were compensating. He was definitely not; she’d had the evidence. Many times. Her eyes glanced down to his bulge, then quickly darted up before he caught her. Nope, no compensation there. Her neck heated, and she rubbed it. Oh, the things he could ... She shook off the thoughts. This trip wasn’t about sex.
It was peaceful except for Drake humming a merry tune. She didn’t recognize it but at least he wasn’t singing. He couldn’t sing worth a damn. The man was way too happy. He’d goosed her getting in to the car.
She frowned. Yeah, way too damn happy for her tastes.
He thinks he’s getting laid again.
It wasn’t going to happen.
Uh huh. Two minutes after all the memories and romance of this place hit, then try and say that.
She sighed in resignation. She hadn’t lasted two minutes back at his house. She didn’t have high hopes for this place where there had only been good times. Of course, what would be wrong with having sex with him? It had always been good between them. They were both consenting adults. What was the harm? Just because she had sex didn’t mean she was getting back together with him. But would he see it that way?
“You know, even if we have sex, it doesn’t mean I’m getting back together with you. Because I’m not getting back together with you.” There. She’d put out it out. He could do with it what he wanted. She wasn’t leading him on. She’d told him the score a few times now. If he got his hopes up, it was his own damn fault.
“What?” He kept his eyes on the road. He sounded surprised she’d spoken. Probably because she hadn’t since she’d yelped at his hand on her rear.
Breaking the silence with sex talk. Way to play it cool, Chloe.
“I’m just saying ...”
Before she could repeat it, he interrupted, “I heard what you said. Should I turn the vehicle around now?”
She blinked at him. “Would I still get the artifact?”
“No. A deal is a deal. It’s for the whole weekend.”
Bastard. Getting her hopes up and then, letting them down. “No turning around. I will spend the weekend with you. Because of our deal.”
“’K. I was just checking.” He shrugged his shoulders, looking a little smug. They rode a little longer in silence. “You know, we won’t just be having sex. We have some things to talk about.”
“Who said we’re having sex?” She crossed her legs primly, glad to be wearing jeans instead of the tight, sinful dress she’d gone to Drake’s in. She wore both underwear and a bra, too. She’d have worn armor had she thought it would keep her from letting Drake under it. With her luck, she’d get stuck in it, though. And have to get blowtorched out. Maybe she should have gotten a chastity belt.
“You did.”
“I did not!” She’d said no such thing.
“You said when we had sex, it wouldn’t mean we were getting back together.”
She gaped at him before closing her mouth. “I said no such thing. I said if. If we had sex.” A classic case of a man hearing what he wanted to hear. Damn male. Yeah, she should have gone for the belt.
“Same difference.”
“It is not. When is not if.” He wouldn’t look at her glare. Surveying the road ahead, a sign had many snaky curves on it. Fine, she’d glare at him at the cabin where he could see her without crashing them.
“O.K.”
She huffed and a few seconds of silence ensued. “What do we have to talk about?” She didn’t see where they had anything to discuss. Crossing her arms over her chest, she refused to look his way.
He said it so quietly, she almost didn’t hear him. “Magic.”
Snorting, she turned to look out her window at a drop-off to the valley below. They were nearing the cabin. “What, the magic of romance? Of being at the cabin? It’s not going to work, Drake. I’m not getting back together with you.” Maybe if she kept saying this, he’d get it through his head. Plus, she wouldn’t feel guilty when she grabbed the artifact and ran after the weekend.
She glanced back to him. He shook his head. “No. We’re going to talk about my magic.”
Her heart did a tango. That was what had broken them apart. Her heart didn’t slow down until they pulled into the long drive to the cabin. The trees lined the curvy ascent, almost like they were closing in behind them. They were here. There was no escape now. Would she get the knowledge she’d always wanted about Drake’s secrets? And what was she going to do with it after she got it?
* * * * *
Drake carried the bags and groceries into the cabin. It looked much like it had the last time he’d been here, which had been years ago. He hadn’t come up much without Chloe. A neighbor from the next mountain over checked on the place once a week to make sure no bears or drifters broke in, and kept watch on the hot tub. His friend would have cleaned it before they’d come up, but this had been spur of the moment.
The rustic cabin was small, only one story, with a full front porch and a deck off the back where the hot tub was. It had always reminded him of what he thought a log cabin would look like, with red wood siding. A pile of cut wood sat next to the front steps. He’d have to buy his friend some champagne for doing that. Especially if he got what he wanted.
Chloe walked around the living room, stirring up a little bit of dust. “Kershoo.” She sneezed, shaking her head to clear it. She walked around some more, and his eyes followed the sway of her hips. Damn, she had a nice ass. He shifted his weight, absorbed in watching her. A drone clued him in that she was talking.
“... put those bags down. This place needs serious cleaning.” She brushed a spider web away, continuing to rant about the state of the cabin.
He sighed. So much for things starting out romantic. So his friend wasn’t the cleanliest of sorts. At least there’d been no bears. He stalked to the bedroom, putting down the two suitcases on the floor by the queen-sized bed. It had a red coverlet. He didn’t remember that. Now the headboard, which had slats, that he remembered. Nothing like a good place to tie his Chloe to.
A sniffle came from the doorway. “What are you doing?”
“I’m putting down the bags.”
She arched a brow. “In here?”
He looked around the room. “It is the bedroom. But if you’d like them in the kitchen...”
She made a noise that sounded much like a growl. “I know it’s the bedroom. Why are both bags in here?”
Putting a dumb look on his face, he chuckled. “It’s the only bedroom.”
“I know that, but I’m not sharing a bed with you. That’s not part of the deal.” She folded her arms across her chest. It brought attention to those lovely breasts. Her nipples showed through the shirt and bra, or at least their state of hardness did. They always tasted wonderful. Her arms tightened, pushing up her cleava
ge. Her foot tapped impatiently on the floor. With effort, he managed to make his eyes move up. “And look at my face when I’m talking to you.”
“Not sharing a bed isn’t part of the deal, either.”
“Drake.”
“Look, you don’t want to share a room, that’s fine. But I’m sleeping in here.”
“In the only bed in the house.” Her eyes cut to the bed and then to him.
“There’s a perfectly comfortable couch.”
“It’s lumpy.”
“Then, sleep in the bed.” He turned his suitcase over to lay flat on the floor, but didn’t open it. He’d brought a few toys, hoping to use them before the weekend was out. Chloe saw those, and she’d go ballistic.
“You’ll let me?”
“Sure. It’s big enough for two.” He waggled his brows. “I do get cold a lot, though. Might need an extra body to keep me warm.” He could think of a few ways to keep them both warm when the fire went out.
She humphed out a loud breath. “I’m not sleeping with you.”
“Well, I’m sleeping in here.”
“It’s the only bed.”
“We’ve established that. And the couch is lumpy. But I’m still sleeping in here.” He watched her figure out the circular argument they’d gotten into.
“A real man would let me sleep in the bed.” She flounced out of the room, tossing her long hair back over her shoulder as she did.
He snorted. No man he knew would sleep on the couch with such a delectable woman within his grasp in this situation. He’d never take advantage of her, but he intended to exploit the circumstances. It wasn’t like they hadn’t shared a bed before. And besides, he did get cold. She had a small furnace in her body, enough to keep them both warm. How he’d enjoyed spooning against her body, waking up against her. They’d always put that morning hard-on to good use.
They both stayed on their sides of the cabin for a while, cleaning off some of the light dust and cobwebs. Drake started a fire to take off the chill, getting a nice flame glowing. Turning around, he found a sight that took his breath away.
Chloe stood on the small stepladder, reaching up into a cabinet for something. Her body stretched out as far as it would go, revealing skin where the clothes didn’t meet. Her t-shirt had pulled up from her pants revealing creamy skin, her breasts playing peek-a-boo under the shirt. Her tongue crooked out one corner as she concentrated on fetching something. Shakespeare had been wrong. Summer’s day lovely didn’t even begin to compare to her. His cock came back to life, hardening.
THE COLLECTOR 1 - Magical Chances Page 5
