Dead Again

by Lisa Andel

  "Well, crap."

  He hugged me to him. “Believe me, I don't like the idea of spending the night without you either."

  Then he picked me up, and carried me to the bed.

  Two hours later, he was gone.

  * * * *

  "Ash, this wall is too close to the bed!” I looked at the wall that Ash had just placed to section off the corner the bed was in from the rest of the room.

  Ash wandered around the wall, and saw how close it really was to the bed.

  "Just give me a minute.” He closed his eyes while he visualized the layout of the room and the rest of the building below it.

  "Why don't you go back to your work room, and I'll finish up in here."

  I glared at him, figuring he was up to something.

  "Go on.” He waved his hands at me, urging me to leave.

  "All right. I'll go.” I mumbled several unsavory things to myself as I headed for the sally port. Actually, I'd made a lot of jewelry over the last week, what with the only time I ever saw Rafe was when he woke me up in the mornings to screw my brains out, then leave.

  I gathered my supplies to finish Ash's medallions, then climbed up on my stool and lost myself in the work.

  Three hours later, I had just completed the last one when Ash came into the room.

  "All done.” He smiled at me.

  I thought he meant the medallions. I held one up, then tossed it to him.

  "All done."

  "This is beautiful.” He traced a finger over the design that I'd worked into the face. “Absolutely perfect. Thanks."

  I gathered the rest of them, and cinched the bag closed. He moved over to my side as I patted the bag. “They're all in here."

  He caught me by surprise with his kiss. His lips touched mine, and I sighed into his mouth. His tongue swept in, and danced with mine. I leaned into his body, and as my stomach came into contact with his growing erection, Rafe flashed into my mind.

  I jerked, and pushed on Ash's chest.

  Reluctantly, he let me go.

  "I know,” he muttered, grabbing the bag, and turning away from me.

  I followed him to the sally port, my emotions roiling around in my chest.

  I came to a dead stop when I entered my room. Everything else was forgotten as I took in what Ash had done. The apartment was twice the size it had been before. The bedroom was now a nice, large room with its own viewing panel. There were two entrances into the bathroom—one from the bedroom, and one from the living room. There was another set of spiral stairs that went up to the next floor, a floor that hadn't been there before. In awe, I followed the stairs up, where Ash had constructed three bedrooms, each with its own bath, with a large open area in the center that was already furnished with a couch, chairs, tables and a big screen TV. The last room turned out to be a small kitchen, complete with dishwasher.

  Everything was furnished; everything was stocked.

  I took another look around, my head growing light at all the work Ash had done, all the attention to detail. The room started revolving; with a squeak, my eyes rolled up into my head, and I hit the floor.

  The first thing I became aware of was the soft sound of fabric rustling. I squinted my eyes open, my head oddly heavy. I knew I hadn't died, because I felt like crap. Groaning, I rolled to my side, and realized I was on my bed.

  I opened my eyes further and saw Rafe's clothes tossed over the chair, but no sign of Rafe.

  I closed my eyes again, wishing for some aspirin, an item I didn't have on hand because I'd never had a need for it before.

  "You're awake."

  I rolled my head to the side and saw Rafe standing next to the bed, a towel wrapped around his hips. His hair was still damp, wildly mussed about his head like he'd scrubbed a towel over it, and let it go. The pupils of his eyes grew larger as he looked at me, the ring of gold shining brighter.

  "Hi."

  He crawled onto the bed, leaned over me, and drew me in for a kiss. His lips moved expressively, seductively over mine, his tongue dipping into my mouth. He tasted sweet, and spicy, and wild. I tangled my tongue with his, stroking hard.

  When he broke the kiss, I found that my headache was gone.

  "I've never done that before."

  "Look, I know you have. I've done it with you."

  "Not the kiss. The fainting."

  He smiled. “I was a little surprised myself when I got home this morning."

  Home.

  It was time for me to do some serious thinking about my life. There were really only two men that mattered to me, two men that I had to decide between. Now was not the time, though, when Rafe had me in his arms.

  "I've missed you."

  "I've missed you too."

  He kissed me again, and just as I was working my way into the towel to get my hands on him, he levered himself off the bed.

  "Sorry, I don't have time right now. I've got to take your inventory over to Marissa. She's put in a special request for some additional pieces this week. Ash and I find it a little suspicious."

  "Can I come with you?” I rolled to the side of the bed, and swung my feet to the floor.

  "Not this time. Ash is coming with me, if that makes you feel any better."

  Since I wasn't going anywhere, I pulled a robe on, then my stomach clenched as I realized that Ash had to have been the one to take my clothes off and put me in bed.

  Rafe pulled clean clothes out of the dresser, and I couldn't help but watch the play of his muscles as he put them on.

  I followed him to my workroom and watched as he loaded up my jewelry.

  "I'm all yours tonight, though. I've calmed the beast for a while.” His eyes held a tender expression as he pressed himself to me for one last kiss.

  While he was gone, I fixed myself a light breakfast and evaluated my life.

  I loved Ash; he would always be a part of my life, and I wanted to have sex with him, even if it did kill me.

  I was in love with Rafe, even though I hadn't admitted it. He was a great lover, and a good friend.

  Ash could have made the first move, but then I never would have gotten involved with Rafe. It seemed kind of mean of him to wait until too late, to let me know how he felt. Then again, I'd never made a move on Ash either.

  The deciding factor for me was the death with sex. I simply preferred not to die every time. So maybe I'm simple, or a coward, but I couldn't see dying nearly every day. It might have an effect eventually.

  Feeling better for having made my decision, I anxiously awaited Rafe's return. I was going to tell him I loved him.

  I was basting a six pound roast when I heard the men arrive. Quickly finishing up, I shoved the pan back into the oven, and wiped my hands on a towel.

  I automatically went to the fridge and grabbed bottles of beer for everyone. I had just set the last beer down on the table, when I noticed that it was very quiet in the room, and that neither man had joined me.

  Looking up, I was met with two hostile stares.

  My gut clenched.

  "What?"

  Ashur took in a deep breath, growing larger and more menacing. “I can't believe you didn't tell him.” If he'd have roared it at me, I might have taken it better. As it was, his words were quiet and deadly.

  "Tell him what?” Whatever the hell it was, if I'd have known, I would certainly have told him.

  Rafe snarled at me. Snarled. His eyes flashed gold, then black.

  He took a step towards me, but Ash put his hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

  My heart was skittering in my chest. I searched Rafe's face, then Ash's, for a clue.

  "I know you and I discussed it in some detail two years ago. What I can't believe, is that you didn't find it important enough to tell him.” Ash stepped in front of Rafe and towered over me. “That if you died while carrying a child, the child would not return with you.” He spat the words at me, his eyes narrowed, and darker then I'd ever seen.

  "That's what all this is about?” I wa
s missing the point. Sure Ash and I had talked about that probability; we'd covered several theoretical aspects of my dying, at the time.

  "Do you think it wouldn't have mattered to me?” Rafe's voice rasped from behind Ash. “You die all the fucking time, what if you'd been carrying my kit?"

  "Uh, Rafe. Just because I agreed not to sleep with anyone else, doesn't mean I'm ready to settle down and have children."

  Rafe shoved his way past Ash. “Don't you think I might have been interested in this information? How deeply involved with you did I have to become before I found out you may never carry a kit to term?"

  "Hey.” I butted up against his chest. “Aren't you getting ahead of yourself here? Have you ever asked me if I wanted children?"

  He shoved back at me. “Are you trying to tell me you wouldn't want mine?"

  "How the hell would I know? I've never even thought about it."

  "O.K. you two, break it up.” Ash grabbed each of us by a shoulder, and pried us apart. “Both of you sit down and cool off."

  Rafe and I stomped over to the table and slammed the chairs around while we sat. Ash leaned back in his chair, across the table from us. I glared at him. He burst out laughing.

  Then Rafe burst out laughing.

  I spun in my chair, glared at him, and thought about doing some bodily harm.

  "Sorry, babe, but you should have seen your face."

  My mouth dropped open. “You set me up for that?"

  Ash had tears running down his face, he was laughing so hard.

  "It was priceless.” Rafe lost control of himself.

  "You've been drinking. The two of you have gotten into something that has actually affected you."

  Ash howled.

  "There's a bottle of it in the bar if you want to give it a try.” Rafe was slowly getting a grip on himself.

  I remembered the roast, jumped for the oven, and sighed when I found it hadn't overcooked. I pulled the pan out and set it on top, then went to the bar to see what this wonder booze was all about.

  "How much do you think I should try?” I asked, eyeing the green liquid.

  "Start with a shot glass worth,” Rafe yelled over his shoulder while he poked at the roast.

  I poured a shot and threw it back.

  "Just be sure to sip it,” Rafe added, as an afterthought.

  A bomb went off in my stomach. It sent fire racing out through my veins, and I thought my head might pop off.

  Suddenly, I was very happy. I staggered into the kitchen and bumped into Rafe's back.

  "Gods, you've got a great ass.” I reached around him, and searched for his cock with my hands. “Doesn't he have a great ass, Ash?"

  "Mighty fine,” Ash agreed, then snorted.

  "I can't find it.” I kept feeling around, but I couldn't locate Rafe's male member.

  "Wrong side, my ass is in the back.” Rafe wiggled the subject of our conversation against me.

  "What did you do with your cock?” I was getting frantic.

  Rafe grabbed one of my hands, and lowered it to his crotch.

  "Thank God,” I breathed out.

  "Let's eat.” Rafe wriggled out of my grasp and went for a platter.

  Ash and I tried to pitch in by setting the table, but we kept bumping into each other.

  After several minutes of this, we both gave up and slumped into our chairs.

  "Huh.” The table was already set, and Rafe was piling meat on everybody's plates.

  "Wasn't funny,” I muttered as I cut into my roast.

  "Yes, it was.” This from Rafe, with his mouth full.

  "I agree. It was funny.” Ash emphasized his point with his fork.

  "Where'd you find the booze?” I couldn't ever remember getting this drunk before.

  "Ash made it."

  "I should have known."

  * * * *

  Rafe woke me the next morning, gliding easily into me from behind. He stroked me slowly, then rolled me onto my face, jerked up on my hips until I was kneeling, then pounded into me hard and fast.

  I hovered on the brink of orgasm, feeling it building, building, but not breaking. Rafe angled his drive, hitting that spot deep inside of me that was guaranteed to throw me over the edge.

  "Rafe!” I cried out, as waves of pleasure ripped through me.

  He cursed, then exploded in a series of bursts. He dragged me back down onto the bed with him.

  "Morning,” he drawled at me with a purr in his voice.

  "Rafe?” I waited until he'd slipped out of me before I rolled over to look at him. His lazy smile warmed my heart.

  "What, love?"

  "Do you have a hangover?"

  "No."

  "Huh. Neither do I."

  "Lisa?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Sorry about that joke last night. At the time it seemed funny."

  I sighed, and brushed a stray strand of hair out of his eyes.

  "It's true, though. I never thought about it before, but Ash is right."

  He pulled me to him, and melded his lips to mine. With one hand kneading my ass, he slid his tongue into my mouth.

  "We've got a ways to go before that even becomes an issue.” His eyes were starting to light up again, and I knew if I didn't hop out of bed quick, he'd have another go at me.

  Reading my mind, he quickly pinned me to my back and speared his way inside.

  * * * *

  Rafe cooked eggs and sausage for breakfast. He was wearing only his jeans, and they were hanging low on his slender hips. I ogled the muscles in his back, the way they bunched and pulled as he worked the food around in the various pans.

  "Hey.” He turned and caught me staring at him. “I never did tell you what Ash and I found when we made the delivery yesterday."

  I brought my hand up to my face, surreptitiously checking for drool.

  "What happened?"

  "It was Lache Varias, all right. He was lurking in the back of the store when I showed up. Ash had waited out back, and caught him when he tried to sneak out."

  "What did Ash do to him?"

  "I don't know, and I'm not sure that I want to, but you don't have to worry about Varias again."

  "So where does that leave me?"

  "Just the two to go now. Edan Drache and Tyr Zaituc."

  I finished my breakfast, then set to washing the pans that Rafe had used. He leaned against the counter next to me, watching me work.

  "I thought you might like to see my house, for a change."

  I'd never thought of it. “Go figure. I never thought about where you lived before."

  "Nice to know you're used to seeing me here.” He moved closer, heat radiating off his body.

  "So, where do you live?” I leaned into his warmth, brushing my lips along his collarbone.

  "I have a house outside of Peninsula.” He ran his hands slowly down my back until they cradled my hips.

  "A house, huh?” I brought my teeth around one of his nipples, and tugged lightly.

  "A very nice house. I think you'll like it.” He scraped his teeth down the side of my neck, then suckled on the sensitive area at the base of my throat.

  "So long as I don't find some other woman living there.” I slipped my hand between our bodies, and traced the outline of his cock.

  He pressed his erection into the palm of my hand. “Actually, I've never taken a woman to my house."

  My fingers tightened around his shaft. “Never?"

  "I used to keep a cheap apartment on the west side for such things.” He started working on the other side of my neck.

  "Bend over the table,” he whispered against my skin.

  His hands turned me around, and pressed urgently on my back until I was sprawled chest down on the table. I heard his zipper working behind me, then he was kicking my feet further apart. He stepped behind me, splayed his hands around my hips, and drove himself in.

  He adjusted his grip, then started powering his cock in and out of me.

  "I have over sixty acres of land th
at the house sits on.” He broke off with a groan.

  "What kind of house?” His thrusts were driving the front of my thighs hard into the table.

  "Brick.” He stabbed me with an incredibly hard stroke. “Ranch.” He speared me just as hard again.

  "Ohhhh."

  Then he pulled out of me.

  "What? Hey, where are you going?"

  He slid me a wicked grin. “I'll finish you off when we get there."

  Forty-five minutes later, he pulled his truck up to a gated entrance. I watched as he slid a card through the slot in a reader, causing the gates to roll open.

  Beyond the gate was a long, curving drive lined with maple trees and hostas. Then the view opened up and a large, well-tended lawn appeared around an extensive brick ranch with a slate roof.

  "Shit.” I'd forgotten that he'd told me he was rich.

  "Thought you might like it.” He pulled around the circular front drive and parked.

  I sat and stared at the house. It was huge, and had lots of large windows.

  He opened my door, and I stumbled out, stuck somewhere between awed and overwhelmed.

  We passed through the front door into a dream home. A dream home on steroids. There was a huge family room to the left with several conversation groupings of furniture in it. To the right was a large closet, followed by a hall. He led me past the living room, to a kitchen-dining-great room that boasted a corner fireplace and a glass wall that overlooked an equally enormous deck.

  Smiling down at me, he led me back through the living room, and turned into the hallway. He led me to the last door on the left, opening the door with fanfare.

  "Now this is my bedroom."

  The bedroom boasted as much square footage as my entire house. Well, maybe not the third floor that Ash had added on, but still, the room was huge. The bed looked bigger than a king-sized bed, and I wondered if he'd had it specially made.

  He practically raced me across the room, and tumbled me onto that bed, rolling me underneath him.

  He smiled down at me, a mixture of love and lust filling his eyes. “You're the first woman I've ever had in this bed."

  We spent the next several hours christening it.

  Chapter Six

  "Where are you? I can tell you're with Rafe, but I'm not familiar with the location."