“Details,” Burkhart said, sliding a finger across Meino’s cheek and along the shell of his ear. “I never looked at ears before.” He then touched his own pointy ear. “I like your ears. I think they’re pretty.”
Meino snickered. He’d never had a thing for ears and wondered whether he’d ever looked at a guy and thought, wow, nice set of ears on that guy.
“Why do you laugh at me?”
“Not at you, Burk. I’ve always looked at jaw lines. And... asses.” The confession made Meino hide his face in the crook of Burkhart’s neck. More images of what Meino found attractive about a body flittered through his shyness, and he was currently very close to a point. He sat up and straddled Burkhart’s hips. “And here.” He ran a finger across Burkhart’s collarbone and upper part of his pecs, lingering at the dip dividing the muscles. “You have a very beautiful body. I remember watching you the morning I first saw you crouching on my roof terrace. You scared me, but I watched you, wondering about you, and I remember thinking you were... esthetic.”
“I didn’t notice thoughts like that until recently. On the roof. You were cold, you shivered. And then I looked at you differently. And then you kissed me goodnight.”
Meino leaned in to kiss him again, not as surprised at finding his mouth dry. He was made of stone, after all. But he had a tongue, and it felt soft. Meino added saliva enough for the two of them, and soon the kiss felt natural.
Burkhart held Meino and caressed his back. When a moan escaped him, Meino felt his body react even more. Burkhart pressed his hips up to meet Meino’s, and he got his answer about what was under the loincloth. A full body shudder raked through Meino, and he pressed himself against the hardness and ground his hips.
That was the closest Meino had ever been with a guy, and arousal swept over him. He wanted more. To be held tighter, to be kissed deeper, and to feel more friction. Burkhart seemed to feel the same, because he certainly delivered. Meino’s arousal spiraled out of control and fast. He pulled back and stopped rutting against Burkhart in fear of popping too soon.
A strangled cry of neediness escaped Burkhart, his face contorted, and he grabbed Meino’s ass, squeezing it and pulling Meino against himself harder. “Don’t stop,” Burkhart gasped. That was the last shove toward the peak of an orgasm, and Meino thrust against Burkhart while his gaze was transfixed on the Gargoyle’s expressions of rapture.
Burkhart cried out as the orgasm barreled through Meino, and they quaked and moaned together.
“Oh, wow,” Meino managed through deep gulps of air.
“Did we have the sex?” Burkhart asked.
“Kind of.” Meino peppered kisses along Burkhart’s throat and jaw, grinning at the expression.
“Now I know why humans use so many different words to describe it.”
“Why?” Meino asked, aware of the cum in his pants.
“Because one word isn’t enough to describe it. Is there even a word to describe it?”
“Orgasmic?” Meino suggested.
“But that only conveys the physical aspects of it and something one can achieve alone. It fails to describe what you made me feel besides the physical stimulation.”
“I guess that’s the difference between sex and making love.”
“Making love. Yes, I think that covers it quite well.” Burkhart whispered and pulled Meino closer.
The moment was perfect, and if Meino could just stay where he was and relish that moment for hours, he would have. Two things claimed his attention more than the need to go clean up the mess in his pants. The realization that Burkhart was breathing heavily, and that a heartbeat not in step with his own thumped against his chest.
If we love them, they can live.
Strong emotions rushed through Meino, and his eyes and nose stung. The magic in Meino, strengthened by the nexus, was making Burkhart come alive because Meino loved him. The realization took Meino’s breath away, and he felt immense love wash over him from knowing that Burkhart loved him too. He felt it in the way Burkhart held him and looked at him. The spell was to awaken a watchman. What Meino had felt since then changed it to his needs. Did that mean Burkhart only loved him because Meino wanted to be loved?
In any case, that was not a question he wanted to have answered at that moment.
Chapter Thirty-two
Excitement coursed through Rebecca as she hung up the phone. The time she and Jared had been dating made her feel secure that she could see the mission through, and the more she learned about the young man, the more she began to understand just how deviously the Devil could work. Jared was kind, considerate, and fun to be around. He hadn’t been inappropriate or tried to take their relationship to a physical level above that of kissing and caressing outside the clothes.
She sometimes still thought about Tavi when she and Jared got to that level of intimacy, and she felt like she sullied her time with Tavi by bringing the memories of their sacred time together up when being with someone doing the Devil’s work.
She could clearly see how the profane so easily succumbed to the Devil’s temptations. Who wouldn’t think everything right with the world when people were nice and considerate? Or when they invited you along to stay with them in the States because they had extended business to take care of? Except that wasn’t the part Rebecca was excited about. She was excited about the prospect of learning more about the organization Jared belonged to. She hoped he’d give her a bit of a peek inside and a chance to learn a bit about what went on and how they worked.
Being invited to stay with him in the States had to mean she’d earned his trust.
She took a seat at her desk, trying to calm herself a bit before she picked up the secured landline to report in. She didn’t want to sound like some overly excited girl. Finally, she felt like she’d gotten her emotions under control, and she called Father, but the sound of his voice still ramped up her excitement. She felt silly for it, but she had so much to prove after the mistake she’d made just before Christmas.
“Hi, Father, I have good news. My target has invited me to come to the States with him. He’s going on a business trip, as he called it. Said he’d be meeting up with some friends and colleagues socially, and he hoped I’d come along and meet some of them.”
“That is wonderful news, my child,” Father said, his voice brimming with approval. Her cheeks flushed at the mental image of his happy expression.
“He’ll call me in a few days with the travel arrangements.”
“Good, good, call me as soon as you know anything so that we may move on it.”
“I will, Father.”
“See, my child? God chose well with you, and you do Him proud.”
“Thank you, Father.” The praise meant so much to her, and she was beginning to believe that God just hadn’t found the silent convent the right place to talk to her because it wasn’t in silent prayer that she could serve him. It wasn’t until she was at the Hotel with Tavi that things began to make sense. She finally felt like she had a connection with her purpose in His army.
Thoughts about Tavi returned. God had shown her the one who could help her. She wondered whether God intended for more between them. Finally, she shrugged the thought away, because she was not meant to be a normal woman, but a tool for God to use at His will to combat the Devil’s influence of the profane.
She moved her thoughts from Tavi to the impending travel. She had to pack for a long trip and the stay in the States. She had better get ready.
The airport was busy. It looked like so many others, and Rebecca found her way through with no difficulties. It wasn’t until she got closer to the reception area that her nervousness shone through, and the sight of a smiling Jared holding up a sign with her name on it didn’t calm her. But it wasn’t an unpleasant form of excitement. She really was happy to see him and about the prospect of spending a prolonged amount of time in his company.
His smile grew bigger as she came closer, and he hugged her clos
e once she came within arm’s reach. “Welcome to the States.”
“Thank you.”
He took her bags, then her hand, and led her from the airport. “How was your trip?”
“Dull, but I did get to read up on the schools you mentioned.”
His eyes lit up. “So, you’re seriously considering moving here?”
“Well, I can find many upsides to it.” She batted her eyes at him, and he got a goofy grin on his face.
“Well, you do know that I’m not trying to pressure you into moving in with me or anything. But my offer stands. You’d get your own room. And not one adjoining mine with a door between them or anything.”
“Oh, I know you’re a gentleman. If I didn’t think you were, I wouldn’t be considering here instead of Paris.”
The goofy grin spread, and she had to admit she liked that look. “I’ll drive you to the schools so you can get a feel for them if you want.”
“I’d love that.” She squeezed his hand tighter. They made it to the parking lot, and Jared put her luggage down to unlock the car. He then held the door for her before he put her luggage into the back. He was so considerate. Winter had let go in that part of the world, but it was still a bit nippy.
He jumped into the driver’s seat and rubbed his hands together. The happy look on his face warmed her, yet a voice in the back of her head kept nagging her about it being fake on her part. She had to silence that voice. The best way to get through it was to feel it, yet be aware of her duties to God. So she smiled back, feeling genuine.
“I’m so happy you decided to come.” He leaned over and kissed her. Devil’s servant or not, Jared certainly knew how to make her feel special and wanted.
The garden behind Jared’s house was beautiful. So was the European-inspired house. It felt odd sitting by the fountain with her cell phone in hand and feeling like a traitor because she had just called Father to tell him everything she’d done and who she’d met over the past three weeks.
Jared’s employer, Thomas, or Mr. Thomas as Jared called him, was a pleasant man to be around. Very calm and self-secure. For some reason, it set off warning bells in Rebecca’s head, yet she didn’t fear him. She couldn’t even place the reason for her feelings.
A deep sigh escaped her, loud enough to surprise her. She looked around, but no one was close. Mr. Thomas tended to his plants, making the garden ready for when spring really set in. He had a huge greenhouse and gardeners employed. With grounds that big, he couldn’t tend to it all himself if he also had to work. She still hadn’t figured out what exactly he did, but she’d heard him and Jared say something about the office in town. They just never really spoke about work. It made it a difficult task to learn more about them.
Jared skipped down the stairs from the sundeck and strutted toward her, his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. He then took a seat next to her.
“Would you like to accompany me to a party?”
Rebecca smiled. “What kind of party?”
“An engagement party.”
Well, no insight into the organization then. It still beat sitting around waiting for word on whether she’d gotten into the university or not. She had no scruples about it, though, but when Jared worked, she felt bored because she didn’t know the place enough to do more than go shop or sit around at home and read. She’d joined the gym a few miles away, and Jared had procured her a bike and given her the keys to a small hatchback car.
“Who’s getting engaged?”
“A good friend of Mr. Thomas’. It’s in Seattle, so we’ll be flying out there late April.”
“Can we go see the Olympic sculpture park?”
“Of course we can. We can do the top ten sightseeing list, if you’d like.” Jared reached up and tugged a stray strand of hair behind Rebecca’s ear.
“What would you like to do?” she asked. Jared bit his lip, looking as if he just knew she’d hate his idea. “Come on, tell me,” she prompted, nudging his shoulder.
“Okay. I’d like to visit LeMay Museum. It’s a family collection of old cars, restorations... I’m actually a member, but I’ve never been there. I just make a few donations once in a while because I think it’s worth preserving some of these old cars. It’s a piece of history.”
Rebecca had no idea what to expect, but she agreed. He looked all giddy at the prospect of sharing it with her. With pangs of guilty conscience, she leaned in and kissed him.
The car museum had taken her aback, and she could definitely see why Jared was enthusiastic enough to donate to a museum he’d never had the pleasure of visiting. He talked about a lot of the old cars and showed her knickknacks from different times. He was like a child in a toy store, and she found it adorable. She even found a few cars she thought were absolutely stunning. Oh God, she was becoming a car-nut.
Jared was less thrilled about the Olympic sculpture park, but if she hadn’t had his excitement at the LeMay to compare with, she wouldn’t have guessed that he’d probably want to be anywhere but. Again, the gentleman side of him knew how to keep polite conversation and not draw attention to himself in a negative way. At least she appreciated that and his attempt to make it an unforgettable trip for her.
There were a few sculptures that got his attention, and he had a hidden smile on his face as he stared at them. It made her feel less guilty for taking her time. At least the weather was fantastic for a park walk. With the dress they’d found for the festivities the following day, Rebecca hoped the weather would hold.
The next day, Rebecca and Jared arrived at a mansion in a limousine along with Mr. Thomas and his date—a woman he worked with. Rebecca looked up at the big house and found Gargoyles perching on the roof. She sucked in a breath while her heart began hammering away in excitement at the prospect of the home belonging to one of the Collectors.
Jared came to stand next to her, slipping his arm around her waist. “They’re magnificent, aren’t they?”
Rebecca looked at him, but he was looking up at the Gargoyles. “How many are there?”
“Eight. Mr. Thomas has eight, too, but they’re not perched as visibly as Mr. Henry’s.”
“Mr. Henry? The art collector?”
Jared looked at her, smiling. “Yes. Do you know of his collection?”
“Yeah! I’ve looked for a way to visit his collection since forever because he has some truly fascinating and rare pieces in there.”
“Maybe I can arrange that. But for now, let’s help him celebrate.”
“Is Mr. Henry the one getting engaged?”
Jared chuckled. “No. His curator is.”
“Pritchard Browman,” she whispered. He was legendary. And dead.
“You know of his work then?”
Rebecca nodded and let herself be guided inside. A butler received them and led them through to a salon, and Rebecca gasped at seeing Alex and Pritchard both alive and well. What had happened in Philadelphia, and who had they buried?
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”
Rebecca tried to laugh it off. Mr. Thomas stopped next to them and saved her an awkward explanation that didn’t even sound natural in her own head. “Shall we begin the round?”
Rebecca and Jared followed Mr. Thomas and his date, and they made their round, shaking hands with all the guests who stood with their back to the walls and with a drink in their left hand. Alex and Pritchard stood somewhere at the end of the long line. Halfway through, Rebecca noticed that a lot of them wore a pin with a badge on it. She glanced at Jared’s vest, and he, too, wore one. As the realization that she stood in the midst of Collectors hit, she felt light headed, and her hand trembled as she shook yet another hand.
“Jared, I need to sit. I’m... not feeling well.”
Jared put his arm around her and excused himself to the woman whose hand he’d left unshaken. He then led Rebecca to a chair by the door and helped her sit. “Would you like a glass of water?”
&nbs
p; “Yes, please.”
Jared headed to a servant. Rebecca looked around, finding Mr. Thomas looking at her with concern. He was a very astute man, and Rebecca’s mind raced with how she could hide her surprise. It was one thing was to find Alex Rhoden and Pritchard Browman alive, another to find the logo of the Collectors, and yet another to find out Mr. Thomas and Mr. Henry were both in possession of eight Gargoyles each. Demon traps. With Jared’s fascination with the Gargoyles perched on Mr. Henry’s house, he had to know what they were. He had to know they were tools to trap Demons in a form so they could do the humans’ bidding.
Jared returned with a glass of water and knelt in front of her. She accepted the glass, drank from it, and forced a smile. She just had to get through the party and not act suspiciously. But she was scared. She had no problem admitting that.
Once she got herself somewhat under control, she and Jared went to stand at the end of the line, not bothering with going through the last half of the circle of people they hadn’t introduced themselves to. But she made sure to remember as many faces and names of people who wore a pin. She thought she’d seen it before, but she wasn’t certain. A lot of logos used a scale.
“Rebecca?”
She spun to find Alex standing close by. She buried the shock quickly and broke into a smile expected of someone who hadn’t seen a friend for a long time. “Alex?” She grabbed Jared’s hand, which drew Alex’s attention to him.
“I’m so sorry, my name is Alex.” He shook Jared’s hand, and Jared introduced himself, too. Rebecca wondered whether they really didn’t know each other or if it was merely some kind of diversion tactic. But why would it be? They all belonged to the same organization, or was she underestimating the size of it?
“Rebecca and I went to the same school in England,” Alex continued.
“Until you just disappeared one day. Lots of rumors around campus,” Rebecca said, going for an easy banter tone.
Gargoyle Rising Page 29
