She sighed and leaned back against him. “You’re here. Did I wake you moving around down here?” She turned and put her arms around his neck.
“No, I woke on my own and missed you, so I came searching.”
“Well, your timing is incredible.” She kissed him on the nose. “Get us something to drink. The omelets will be ready any minute.”
Garrett hurried to do her bidding. Look at them, acting like any other married couple. A feeling of contentment washed over him. Putting two glasses of orange juice on the table, he waited for Gabriella to join him. She walked over with two plates of steaming omelets and set them down. The smell made his mouth water.
Gabriella sat down and looked up at him expectantly. Garrett hurried to fetch a candle. He put it in a candlestick on the table, lit it, and dimmed the overhead lights.
“Very nice.” Gabriella smiled up at him.
His breath caught in his chest as he lowered himself into a chair. The candle gave a soft glow to her skin, and the robe fell over her curves. Shadows drew his gaze to the V-neckline and the treasures hidden beneath. His body stirred, and a wave of longing washed over him.
Trying to distract himself, he reached for his fork and took a bite of the omelet. Heaven graced his tongue. Nothing had ever tasted so good. He closed his eyes and savored the flavors of the vegetables and ham. “Hmmm, this is so good.” He opened his eyes to the bright smile on Gabriella’s face.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, just not eating alone.”
“I’ve never tasted anything better. You amaze me.”
§
Speaking of cooking led to other likes and dislikes. Gabriella swirled the scotch in her glass and smiled at Garrett. He had poured them both a dram after they finished eating supper. Being together tonight had been so relaxing. She now knew that Garrett’s favorite color was blue, not green like Venetia suggested.
His inquisitiveness pulled details out of her she didn’t know she remembered, and now he knew much more about her than she knew of him. Her favorite music and books, and what movies she wanted to see. What she thought of the magic school and the politics of the different houses. He even asked her about having children and her favorite place to live. Being a water witch, she wanted to live by the water, of course.
He was very attentive, making her feel as if she was the center of his world. When the first yawn slipped out, he finished his drink and held out his hand. “Time for bed, Ella.”
She picked up the glasses and rinsed them in the sink. He followed behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. “Great Goddess, I will never get enough of you.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed her behind the ear.
Sighing, she craned her neck, giving him better access. He left little kisses up and down her neck before stepping back.
“Come to bed with me, Ella, or I’ll take you here in the kitchen.”
Gabriella stiffened in surprise as her body grew moist. One moment he was so gentle she wanted to cry, and now he was making demands. Making love in the kitchen seemed wrong. They ate in here. But her body refused to worry about propriety. Something on her face must have communicated her thoughts because Garrett suddenly lifted her up and sat her on the edge of the table. “As you wish, my love.”
He pushed his way between her thighs and reached for the sash of the robe. Untying the knot that held it closed, his long fingers deftly manipulated the fabric. Gabriella’s breath caught when she thought of those fingers manipulating her. Her heartbeat sped up. The robe gaped open, and he lowered his head to her chest. After he pushed the robe from her shoulders, he kissed the top of her breast. Then, he licked her nipple before sucking the tightened bud into his mouth.
Gabriella grabbed onto his head with both hands, running her fingers through his hair. She held on tight, needing him to continue driving her wild. He moaned against her skin, the vibration tickling her. She arched her back. More, she needed him to take more. He let her breast go with a pop, then moved to the other side. Gabriella wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer. The rough material of his trousers on her inner thighs made her shiver. She reached for the fastenings on his pants and soon had him spilling into her hands.
His skin was like velvet over steel. She ran her fingers up and down his length.
“Oh, no you don’t. I want this to last.” Garrett removed her hands from his body and suddenly the sash of her robe was wrapped around her wrists.
“What are you doing?” A thrill of excitement ran up Gabriella’s spine.
Garrett pushed her down on the table and stretched her arms over her head. Then, he tied the other end of the sash to the table leg. “Making sure that you can’t interfere with my concentration. Trust me, Ella. I am going to make this so good for you.”
Gabriella gave an experimental pull on the silk tie. It held fast. Her body leaked with excitement. She did trust him and couldn’t wait to see what he did next.
Garrett pulled his shirt over his head and kicked his pants off. He ran his hand down the length of her. “Now, this is a feast fit for a king. Where was I?”
He moved back between her legs and licked at her breast before giving her a little nip. She gasped. The little pain quickly turned to pleasure as he sucked the offended nubbin in his mouth. She moaned.
“You like that, don’t you?”
Gabriella nodded. It surprised her that giving up control to Garrett was such a turn-on. She never would have suspected that she would like being tied down.
Garrett pulled the chair over and sat down. He lifted her legs over his shoulders, then used his fingers to open her to his gaze. “So wet, Ella, and all for me.”
He blew over her skin, and she trembled. He licked up her slit before using his tongue to entice her clit. She jerked, unable to hold still.
“Easy, baby. I’ve got you.” Garrett placed one hand on her pelvis and continued to lick and suck at her folds. He slid a finger into her depths, bending it up and rubbing against her inside before pulling back. Her trembling increased, and she moaned.
He continued playing her until her head thrashed. She was so close, ready to explode, when he pulled back.
“What?” Gabriella couldn’t understand why he’d slowed down.
He built the crescendo again, but still he wouldn’t let her come. Her muscles quivered as he strung her tighter and tighter. Her body ached with the need to come.
“Garrett, please. It hurts.”
“All right, baby. I’ll give you what you want.” Garrett rose from the chair and nudged her core with his shaft. He opened her legs wide and slid home with one deep thrust. Her whole body quivered at the invasion, but it wasn’t enough. He pulled back, then thrust again. Gabriella strained toward him. She needed him to fill her. He thrust again and again.
She whimpered and tugged at the silk bindings. He overwhelmed her with pleasure. She couldn’t take anymore. “Garrett …”
“All right, Ella. Come for me now.” He flicked her clit and squeezed the little bundle of nerves. Fire flashed through her system. She exploded with a shout. Flying high, she allowed ecstasy to carry her away.
Somewhere, her brain recognized that Garrett came with her. His body shuddering, he cried out her name and filled her with his essence.
They floated among the stars. It was too much, and Gabriella sank into the welcoming darkness.
§
Garrett shuddered as Gabriella’s body pulled and milked him. She would kill him if they kept up this way. Ah, but what a way to die! He slowly rose off her body where he had collapsed. She lay limp beneath him, her eyes closed.
Shit, did he hurt her? “Ella?”
She didn’t answer. He moved to release her wrists and quickly scooped her into his arms. “Gabriella, are you all right? Great Goddess, answer me, baby.”
Her eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. Then, she smiled. “I think I died and went to heaven.”
Tension drained out of him, and he claime
d her mouth for a kiss. “So you enjoyed it?”
“Oh, yes. What do the French call it? A little death?”
“You scared me. I didn’t expect you to pass out.” Garrett headed for the stairs. They should get some rest.
“I didn’t mean to.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. “It sort of overwhelmed me. But in a good way.” She kissed his nose.
When they reached the bedroom, he laid her gently on the bed. He pulled up the covers before joining her. Pulling her into his arms, he held her against his heart. She was precious to him. “Go to sleep, Ella.”
She patted his chest and relaxed against him. He kissed her head. She had trusted him tonight. He hadn’t been sure she would when he’d decided to play with her. But she’d responded beautifully. He loved the way she gave of herself so freely. Having a Destined One was much more than he’d expected. She wasn’t the only one who’d touched heaven tonight. If their relationship continued in this way, he would be hard-pressed to get out of bed.
§
The vision yanked her from peaceful slumber. One moment she lay comfortably in Garrett’s arms, and the next she was in the basement of the Blue Dolphin. Brenna held her by the arm, a gun in her other hand. The Guardians surrounded them in the room. But why was she standing next to Damek and Josiah and also standing next to Brenna?
A niggling thought reminded her of the potion. Garrett planned to take her place. So which one was she, and which one was Garrett?
Brenna’s face twisted with hate. She jostled the Gabriella next to her and pointed the gun at her head. “You killed Philip. You pushed him off a cliff.”
Gabriella’s mind whirled. What was Brenna talking about? The man who fell from the cliff was Brenna’s boyfriend, Philip?
“He tried to kill me, Brenna. I didn’t push him off. He fell,” the Gabriella next to Brenna explained.
This vision completely confused her. Which Gabriella was in danger? In the original vision, she thought she was the one held by Brenna. Now, she wasn’t sure. Garrett should try to shoot Brenna, but there was no Garrett, only two Gabriellas.
Brenna turned the gun toward the Gabriella standing next to Damek. Damek stepped forward to shield her. The Gabriella next to Brenna twisted her arm and turned to struggle for the gun. The gun fired, and Gabriella fell to the ground. The Guardians surrounded Brenna and the fallen Gabriella, while the other Gabriella stood frozen in horror and disbelief, tears running down her face. She moaned, more confused than ever. In the old vision, she had seen the gun raised and assumed Garrett was holding it. Why did she think Garrett was going to kill her? It was Brenna the whole time.
“No, no, no …”
“Ella, honey wake up. You’re having a nightmare. Gabriella.”
Warm hands rubbed her back and cradled her close to a hard chest.
“Garrett, she’s going to try and kill me, my own sister.” Tears ran down Gabriella’s face and dripped onto his chest. She wiped them away and sat up to look at him. “I’ve had this vision many times. But it’s so confusing now. There are two of me, and she shoots one. I don’t know which one is me.”
“Shh, you’re trembling. Let me hold you.” Garrett pulled her back down so that she rested against him. His hands continued to rub her back, kneading some of her tension away.
“You don’t understand. If I can’t figure this out, one of us is going to get shot tonight.”
“As long as it isn’t you.” He kissed her head. “We still have time to figure this out, and we’ll take precautions.”
“What precautions can you take to stop a bullet?”
§
“It sounds terrifying.” Venetia reached over and patted Gabriella’s hand.
Garrett frowned at the worry lines on his wife’s face. She was frantic, and he didn’t know how to help her. They had ported to the Beach Inn for breakfast, thinking Venetia might offer some clarity. Garrett hoped being in Venetia’s calming presence and sitting in her sunny kitchen would help Gabriella relax.
“Finish eating,” Venetia said. “Then, we can go into my workroom and see if we can untangle some of these threads. Your psychic senses are all knotted up from worry. You must relax, dear.” Venetia poured more tea into Gabriella’s porcelain cup.
“I know you’re right, Venetia. I’m acting like a first-year seer when I’ve been doing this for years.” Gabriella’s shoulders hunched. She pushed food around on her plate without eating. Garrett leaned over and rubbed her back, offering comfort where he could.
“That’s normal when the vision is about people you love. We forget to stay relaxed and begin to worry. Then, the vision sweeps us into the drama of what’s happening, and we can’t stay objective. We all do it, dear. Now, eat and let the chamomile tea soothe you. We’ll get it all straightened out.”
Gabriella looked over and gave Garrett a weak smile. “I hope so …”
If he had any control of the situation, Gabriella wouldn’t have a reason to worry. Somehow, he had to keep her safe. In his pocket, he fingered the sleeping draught Meadow had prepared for him. Would Gabriella forgive him if he made sure she wasn’t at the Blue Dolphin tonight? He had almost destroyed her trust by using the nullifying bracelet. Did he dare use the sleeping potion? Even to keep her safe?
“Garrett, if you need to get to work, we can call you once we figure out Gabriella’s vision.” Venetia smiled and nodded her head.
“Are you sure? Do you want me to stay, honey?” Garrett didn’t like the paleness of Gabriella’s skin.
“No, it might be easier for me if you go. I’ll call you the minute we are done.” Gabriella patted his hand.
“I can stay in the other room. I don’t have to leave the inn.” He hated to leave her so distraught.
“Really, Garrett, I’ll take care of Gabriella. Go do some Guardian business, and leave the scrying and vision work to us.” Venetia made shooing motions with her hands.
Gabriella smiled and nodded her head. Garrett gave her a quick kiss before rising from his chair. “The moment you are finished, you will call. You promise?”
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Eleven
“I want Gabriella in full-body armor. Nothing gets through, not a bullet or a spell. Are we clear?” Garrett turned to look at Damek and Josiah.
“I’ll add extra protections to her suit.” Damek ran his hand over the bundle of shiny metal. “That’s strange. This armor isn’t protected from magic attack.”
“I thought the council members were in here day before yesterday, putting the spells on and strengthening the armor?” Josiah scratched his head in confusion.
Garrett opened his senses and reached for the armor lining the shelves around the room. “None of the armor is safe-guarded. Call Mabel and find out what happened. We need this armor tonight.”
“I’ll go ask her myself. This is unacceptable. Someone could have been killed.” Josiah headed for the door.
“Maybe that was the point.” Damek pointed out.
Josiah stopped and turned, his face a mask of disbelief. “We suspected that a spy was working in our midst. This proves it.”
“Who had access to this room in the last few days? Get the security disks and see if they show anything. I want to know who is sabotaging us.” Garrett slammed his hand against the table. It had to be one of the Guardians or one of the council members. It was hard to believe that a Guardian could be behind it. But until the mystery was solved, everyone was suspect.
“Come on. I think a meeting with Mabel is imperative.” Garrett led the way into the hall and down the corridor. Josiah and Damek followed, still grumbling about the apparent sabotage.
When they reached Mabel’s door, Garrett didn’t knock but threw the door open. He gaped in amazement when Mabel and his father jumped apart as if they had been scalded. Had he caught his father and Mabel kissing?
“Garrett, what do you mean barging in like this?” Mabel brushed her hands down her shirt. Her hair appeared slightly
mussed.
“I thought I taught you better than that, Son.” Garrett’s father wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, then slipped the white cloth into his pocket.
“The Guardian armor has been sabotaged. There are no protective spells on the armor at all,” Garrett said.
“That can’t be right,” Mabel said. “Finley Luften and Sevan Ainsworth worked on the armor two days ago, strengthening the spells. That’s why they were unavailable to attend your bonding ceremony with Gabriella.” Mabel looked from Garrett to his father.
“Well, either they didn’t lock the spells to the armor, or someone else came in afterward and canceled the spells,” Josiah said. “The armor is nothing but metal. One offensive spell would go right through it. Damek and I will go get the surveillance disks. Maybe, we can find out who is behind this.” Damek followed Josiah down the hall.
“I’m sure Luften and Ainsworth would have locked the spells to the armor. What is going on here, Garrett?” His father slowly sat in one of the chairs in front of Mabel’s desk.
Garrett stepped into the room and turned to shut the door before moving to the other chair. “I think we have a spy in our midst. The Guardians would have gone into battle tonight without any protection if I hadn’t gone with Damek and Josiah to pick out some armor for Gabriella.”
“But someone could have been killed …”
“I think that was the point, Father. Someone wants the Guardians and possibly the council destroyed.”
“Destroyed? But who would do such a thing?”
Garrett looked first at Mabel and then at his father. Both seemed truly shaken. “This whole thing with the blood cult and black magic taking over covens is all part of a plot. Josiah pointed it out to me that people connected to the Earth-House seem to be targeted. First, Meadow and then Gabriella and her sister. As Speaker of the Council you hold the most power, Father. I think someone wants to take that power away.”
Destined Magic Page 11
