Finding Their Flame [Stone Passions 2]

by Rebecca Airies

  “We intended to do it last night. It wasn’t something we could have prevented now that you’re in the same house as we are.” Cael’s fingers tightened. “We knew it might make you angry.”

  “I don’t know if I’m angry. I was kind of upset because we didn’t talk about it beforehand.” Moriah frowned. “I don’t know what I feel. Everything’s kind of mixed up because of the possible reaction to coffee.”

  “You knew we didn’t consider this relationship temporary.” Dante sat across from her.

  “I knew that, but from what I know, those bites change things a lot.” She swallowed hard. “I hadn’t even thought about living here beyond the time I’m in danger.”

  “Yes, they do.” Dante nodded. “And, Moriah, I wasn’t prepared to let you walk away from us at all once you arrived.”

  She narrowed her eyes on him. Yeah, he was the only one involved in this relationship.

  “On a lighter note, what kind of drinks do you like? Since your coffee intake is going to be limited for a while, we need to find something that you’ll enjoy.” Thane’s fingers tightened on her wrist.

  She took a deep breath, but locked eyes with Dante.

  “Come on. Look at me, Moriah. We’re all a little possessive, but Dante even more so.” Thane tugged at her hand. “We know this will take some time for you to adjust. We have no doubts about the relationship or the future.”

  She turned her attention to him. “A little? We’ve only just started dating. Yes, I definitely feel the pull toward you three, but fuck, this is strange. It’s as if I’m fighting myself at times. I’m pulled to you, but part of me says ‘whoa, back up. We need to slow down.’”

  “We’ll take this a little at a time. We’re not going to get into forever discussions yet.” Cael put his other hand on top of hers. “Now, what type of drinks do you like?”

  “There’s a smoothie place that makes delicious smoothies and a couple of places nearby that make drinks that I like.” She nodded and named off the places and a couple of her favorites.

  They were getting nowhere with the discussion of the bites at the moment, but she’d get back to it. They had to include her in important discussions. She wouldn’t accept anything less.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dante wiped down the counters as Moriah sent the last of her workers home. The man was going to drop a box of bread at the food pantry. A good thing. Any extra trips increased the risk. Dante strode past her to the back door. A few last things and they should be able to go home. He checked the lock. Secure. His muscles tightened, but he was close enough to help her if he had to.

  “What do you need to do to finish up here tonight?” Dante leaned a shoulder against the door.

  She turned. “I’ll do a last walkthrough, put up anything I spot that’s out of place, and then we can leave. I didn’t expect you to be able to stay all day when you said you were coming to work with me.”

  “Sunshine, if I say I’ll do something, then barring an emergency, I’ll do it. Well, maybe the World Series, too, if a team I like is playing.” He grinned. Even that came after her, but maybe he’d keep her guessing a little.

  “Really, I rank below sports?” She raised a brow. “You’re lucky I know you’re teasing, otherwise you might have to do some groveling.”

  “Well, when you put it that way, it does sound bad.” Dante lifted a shoulder. “Let’s get the last of this done. I can’t wait to get you home.”

  He trailed her as she made a pass through the kitchen and then store section of the bakery. She picked up a few things and placed them in their proper spots and wiped down a couple tables. In a few moments, she grabbed her purse and jacket. He picked up his computer bag.

  “Let’s go home, sunshine.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek. Once there, he could really relax and enjoy the time with her.

  “More than ready to.” She unlocked the front door.

  They had parked the car in the front lot. It had better lighting than the back. He stepped out in front of her. His gaze swept left and then right. Nothing moved, and only a few parked cars remained in front of a clothing store to the right of Moriah’s bakery.

  She stepped out and turned to lock the door. A small beep sounded as she activated the alarm remotely. He waited. Something scuffed on the hard concrete to his right. His head whipped around. A dark shape rushed out of the shadows near the back of one of the cars.

  Dante dropped his laptop bag and spun. His heart lurched in his chest. He swept one hand back, urging her behind him. The figure ran through a patch of light. A Gobel. His shirt was ripped and dirty. Even from here, a rank odor rolled off the creature. A cut ran across his face. Normally, even the ones who’d become corrupted used a glamor to hide. What was wrong with this one?

  Moriah gasped. Something rattled behind him. His heart accelerated. She’d probably bumped into the door. Only her steps sounded behind him. He couldn’t chance looking back at her. The Gobel was too close.

  The Gobel swiped at him. Dante flinched, but came back swinging. He released his claws, but only those. He had to protect her and would do whatever it took to make sure she was safe. As long as he finished this quickly, humans wouldn’t know anything happened. No one else was anywhere in sight, but he had to be cautious. The safety of other Gargoyles depended on not exposing their differences. They did not need this making the news.

  He rushed forward, his right fist swung by the Gobel’s face, but he drove the claws of his left hand into the corrupt creature’s gut. It screamed and wrenched away. A fierce surge ran through him. He growled low in his throat. This thing had come after his mate. It wouldn’t touch her.

  The Gobel darted in again, swinging its claws. One scraped over his arm and chest. Dante winced, but slammed his fist into the creature’s jaw even as he jabbed his claws into the beast’s side. The Gobel yelled and twisted away. It growled once before turning and sprinting into the darkness. Dante tensed. If only he could follow and end that creature, but he wouldn’t chance leaving Moriah vulnerable.

  He turned to Moriah. She pressed against the door, staring into the darkness where the Gobel had run. Her hands clenched into fists at her side. She took a deep breath.

  “Is it going to come back?” She glanced at him.

  “Not tonight.” That was the only assurance he could give her. She was a weak spot for them. The Gobel would continue to try to get to her. His throat tightened, and sweat dampened his palms. He couldn’t let that happen.

  “What are we going to do about the blood on the sidewalk? No one saw anything and it happened in front of my store so we don’t have to worry about that, but someone’s going to notice the drops on the light gray cement. You’re still dripping, and that thing left a couple big puddles.” Moriah glanced down at the concrete. “And we, at least, need to wrap something around that wound.”

  Dante nodded. She was right. Dots of his blood speckled the gray walkway. Sticky wetness dripped from him even now.

  “There are a couple of bottles of water in my car. And there’s also another shirt. We can use that to tie around the wound.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the car. He wasn’t letting her out of reach. Not in the near future.

  “We’ll do your arm first and then douse the blood splotches. Don’t want to be adding to it.” She smiled as he opened the back door of the black vehicle. “We’ll also need to get your wound seen to.”

  He pulled a small first aid kit from under the back seat. No bandages big enough, but it did have some antiseptic and cream they could use. Thane was going to rag on him about that. Regardless the shirt should work.

  He found the shirt and ripped it in half. She took the first one and folded it before wrapping it around his arm. The other part, she secured over the wound on his chest. Her fingers brushed over the covered wound. A sting shot through him. He winced. The warmth of her hands seeped into him soothing the hurt.

  “It’s only bleeding slightly right now and should stop in a few moments. I’ll
let Thane treat it at the house.” Dante washed the blood off his hand while she finished securing the adhesive strips.

  As soon as she finished, he grabbed the remaining water and carried it over to the sidewalk. He splashed the liquid over the blood. It looked less like someone had been cut. He gave the bigger spots a few extra douses until he ran out of water.

  “Let’s go home.” Dante couldn’t wait to get her in a safe space. This open parking lot was far from secure.

  “Do you want me to drive?” She tilted her head. “You’re not going to be comfortable.”

  “No, I can drive.” Dante shook his head.

  “All right, but if Thane says you need to go to the clinic, I don’t want any arguing.” She walked with him and climbed into the car.

  He rushed around and got in. With only a quick look behind him, he pulled out of the slot and headed toward the exit.

  Dante took deep breaths. He needed to calm down. The rage might scare her. He reached over and grasped her hand, before drawing it with his and resting it on his thigh. Prickles ran over his skin. He needed her touch and not through clothing. Hopefully, Thane could reassure her that he was going to be perfectly fine. If he was able to wait long enough to.

  If that thing had been a little quieter, it might have been able to sneak up behind them. His pulse pounded and his muscles tightened. A primitive urge thrummed through him. Fuck, he had to get control or she might find herself up against the car as he found the physical proof that she was safe.

  He halted the car at the gates, but they opened after a moment. The knot in his shoulders eased away. He waved to the men in the small office as he drove through. Now, he just had to get her to the house. He steered the vehicle through the streets to their home. As he pulled the car up the drive, he activated the garage door.

  He pulled in and stopped. He exhaled. Relax. She’s safe. Her hand patted his thigh.

  “We’re here, Dante. Are you ready to go inside?” She ran her hand up and down his leg.

  “I’m ready to be inside you.” He grasped her hand as he opened the door with his other.

  She stared at him, but crawled over the seat to get out on his side. “But you’re hurt.”

  “I’m not hurt that much.” He closed the door. “I need you, Moriah. I need to slide inside you and know that you’re whole and that creature didn’t hurt you.”

  “It didn’t touch me.” She ran her hand over his chest, but leaned toward him.

  He brushed his lips over hers. Have to hold back and excite her. He wouldn’t leave her aching. She hung back a little. He lifted her and carried her over to the trunk. He eased her onto the flat surface.

  “See, sunshine, I’m fine. Not even a groan of pain.” He dragged his lips over her neck. Even if he hurt, he wouldn’t hesitate. Not now.

  He tugged at the shirt she wore. Luckily, it didn’t have buttons. He wouldn’t make it through pushing and prodding those things free without ripping that off her. She nodded and lifted her arms. He urged the shirt up and off.

  He reached around and flicked open the catch to her bra. It parted and slipped down her arms. She wriggled free of the clinging fabric and dropped it. His eyes fell to the reddened tips of her breasts. He licked his lips. Fuck. She made his mouth water.

  “Sunshine, I’m going to unbutton your pants and get the zipper down. I want you to lift up when I pull them.” He pushed open the button and tugged at the zipper. A slight rip sounded, but it did go down. If he’d torn the pants, he’d buy her another pair later.

  “You’re going to make those wounds start bleeding again.” Her teeth nibbled at her lip.

  “Not if you cooperate and help me. Damn, Moriah, it drove me crazy to know you were in trouble, and even as I was fighting that Gobel, I wondered if there was someone sneaking up to grab you.” He kissed her neck and nipped at the soft skin, before tugging off her shoes.

  She braced her hands on the trunk and lifted her hips. He stripped her panties off as he took off her pants. Urgency pounded through him. Once the last of her clothes were off, he stepped closer. Her thighs widened, making space for him.

  “I want you to slip your hand between your thighs and work at that clit for me.” Dante nibbled along her neck. There wasn’t anything sexier than her making herself ready for him. He might not be able to get her there before the need had him pounding between her thighs.

  She slid her hand down her belly. Her fingers traced over the plump lips. Moisture glistened on her fingers.

  “Come on, sunshine. Don’t tease.” He drew his hand across her side.

  “I thought that’s what you wanted me to do, play and get myself ready for you.” She smiled and pushed her finger between the lips.

  “That last most definitely, but I’m hanging by a thread here, sunshine. I’m going to give these breasts some attention. I’m not sure how much longer I can hang on, and when I come, I want you to find pleasure.” He drew his fingers over the full curve.

  “Well, I can help with that.” She curled her fingers up and worked at her clit.

  He glanced down. Her fingers moved over the pink flesh. So sexy. He leaned down and licked her nipple. It tightened at his touch. He ran his teeth over the nub. She shivered. Perhaps from her fingers stroking over that sensitive bundle.

  A moan rolled through her. He cupped the other mound and stroked his thumb over the bud. Caramel and five spice flowed over his tongue. Delicious. He sucked the peak between his lips, teasing and nipping it. Her delicate scent drifted to him. That five spice essence surrounded him and pushed at him. She moaned, the sound sweet music.

  “Are you ready, Moriah?” He pressed his lips to her neck.

  “Yes.” She wrapped one arm around him and arched against him.

  He unzipped his pants and lifted her off the car. An ache throbbed through him. He pressed her back to the garage wall and slowly sank into her. Her slick pussy surrounded him. His control hung by a thread, and if he moved too fast he wouldn’t last more than a few strokes.

  He pulled out and slowly sank into her. Her inner muscles clenched around him. A groan ripped from his too-tight throat. He tightened his arms and pumped into her faster. She held on to him with one hand and her thighs wrapped around his hips. He pressed kisses to her cheeks and lips. A flush rose on her cheeks, and her breaths came shallow and fast as she rocked into him. He’d never get enough.

  His control slipped as her inner muscles rippled and contracted around his cock. He drove against her. She cried out, her body tensing as she came. He gripped her hips as she arched. The intensity grew.

  His muscles corded. He plunged into her faster, trying to reach the peak just out of his reach. His hips lunged forward, and finally sharp pleasure ripped through him. Shivers rolled down his spine. He groaned and drew in deep breaths. For a long moment, he pressed her to the wall. If he moved too much, his legs might collapse.

  “As sexy as that was, I smell blood, and it’s Gargoyle. She hasn’t transformed yet, so it has to be you.” Thane’s voice boomed through the garage. “What the hell had you so keyed that you couldn’t wait until after your wounds were seen to have sex?”

  Dante grimaced and reluctantly pulled back from her. “A Gobel attacked as we were leaving the bakery.”

  “All right, and you were wounded. Why didn’t you come inside when you arrived and let me see it?” Thane strolled over.

  “We bandaged it.” Dante shook his head.

  “Sort of. He had a shirt that we used, and we cleaned it a little. There weren’t any bandages big enough for the wound.” Moriah unwrapped her legs from him.

  He lowered her to the floor. Damn, a few more minutes with her would be good. She slipped away and began gathering her clothes. He tracked her movements and watched her put on her shirt and panties. Such a shame to cover that sweet body up.

  “Well, come on, Dante. You can explain about everything while I see how bad this is. I’ve told you that you needed a better first aid kit in your car. With everyth
ing we deal with, you need to be prepared.” Thane put his hand on Dante’s back. “If your wound had stopped bleeding, it’s started again.”

  “And it was worth it.” Dante grinned. “Even if you do torture me now.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I need you to stay away from the bakery.” Dante crossed his arms over his chest.

  Moriah stared at the three men sitting across from her. Something was brewing this morning, and it wasn’t coffee. All three men were here. That had been a rarity to this point.

  “You want me to stay away from my own bakery on the off chance that there might be another attack there?” She drummed her fingers on the tabletop.

  “You’ve been attacked twice at your work.” Dante leaned forward and scowled at her.

  Maybe he’d expected her to agree and say ‘Oh, yes, I’ll stay here and you big men can capture those things. I’ll happily let my business slide.’ Not happening. Her mother had built that, and she wasn’t going to let it be ruined by some incident.

  “Yes, I was, but I wasn’t hurt. My cousin helped me the first time, and you helped me this last.” She exhaled. “I don’t see any reason to stay away. They don’t come near the place when there are people there.”

  “No, but you don’t leave until after everyone else does.” Cael’s hand clenched.

  “You expect me to stay away from my workplace when I know you’ll be right there with me and leave another person in danger. They won’t have anyone capable of protecting them.” She raised her brows. They were so focused on keeping her out of harm’s way. The Gobel seemed to be targeting her bakery, but she wasn’t the only one who worked there.

  “Damn it, Moriah.” Dante ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t want you in danger.”

  “And I’m not going to let my employees close up when I know they may walk out to that creature and its claws. They’re humans, Dante.” She bit her lip. It was strange to say that. “I’m not going to be responsible for anyone dying.”

  “Fuck. You could maybe take a small break.” Thane rolled his shoulders as if he wanted to relieve a little pressure.