“I don’t have to like this.” Galin told Dusty that he didn’t like it either. “I won’t be surprised if we come home and there is a blood bath in that room. And it will be Valyn that will be the one hurt. He’s a fucktard. I’m telling you that in case I haven’t before.”
“You have. Perhaps you should come up with a better word. Or a different one.” She smiled at him. “Maybe not. You have a vocabulary of curse words that somewhat scares me.”
“I’m going to work on it. Just for you. I have a list of curse words that I can combine to make new ones. I think I’ll take the list with me and work on it between jobs.” He kissed her on the nose. “I love you, Galin.”
“And I you, Dusty.”
They left for work at the same time. He had three meetings to go to this morning and two more after lunch. They were going to work on a couple of projects as a family, and he was in charge of getting stats they might need. This was the part of working that he loved most. Figuring things out.
~*~
Valyn watched her sleep. He was sure that she needed it, but he also wanted to make sure that she was all right. Reaching down to touch the small curl that laid on her cheek, he was astounded by how silky it was. Caressing her skin under it, thinking no one would be the wiser, he felt first her warmth and then the softness of her skin.
She rolled to her back and he yanked his hands away. He’d been about to pull her hair from the stretchy thing she had it in. Valyn was sure that it was curly everywhere, but without ever seeing her with her hair down, he wanted to make sure.
He ran his finger over her nose to her lips. The soft puffs of air that passed them was warm and smelled of mint. Leaning closer, just to get a better whiff, he told himself, Valyn did something that he’d never thought of doing before. He brushed his lips over hers.
It was overwhelming, the feeling and taste of her. Valyn had expected her mouth to be warm, but not that it’d be beautiful as well. Sitting up so that he could look at her face while he touched her hair, he wondered what it would be like to have someone look at him the way Dusty and the other women looked at their mates.
Glancing at her hair again, he marveled at the shades in it. To say that it was brown would be criminal. It was all the colors that he’d ever seen. Browns, yes, but there was yellow like the daffodils in the spring. There were reds too, like the first roses that came up in the middle of the summer. He thought it strange that he also saw other colors, a blueish color as well as some green. He would have to ask her about that—
She was looking at him. He jerked back like she’d hit him and started to rise. But she put her hand on his arm and asked him to stay. He could have left, he knew that, should have really, but he sat back down for her.
“You’re all right now, aren’t you?” He was, he told her. “Good. I was worried about you when you seemed to have buzzed out for a bit. You have some very terrible dreams and thoughts, don’t you?”
“I do. I watched a small girl be brutalized by a man who had kidnapped her. Day after day for a week he hurt her, both with his fists and sexually. Then, while I watched helplessly, he killed her with a stone that was lying nearby.” She sat up, and he was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he’d told her. Just like that. “It has haunted me for a great many years. More than it should have, but—”
“No, don’t say that. It was terrible, and you have to heal from it.” Valyn nodded but didn’t tell her that he never would. “Is that why you said you have no heart to give me?”
“Yes, I have come to hate people from that.” She nodded and touched her fingers to the bruise that he knew was there. “I cannot love you, Jennifer.”
“My grandmother was the only person in the world that called me Jennifer. She was a nice woman, sort of stern, but her rules were wonderful to me. My parents had been lax in their raising me. They left me with her more often than not. Not that I cared. She was wonderful.” Valyn knew who her grandmother was. And her watcher. He let Jennifer turn his face so that she could look at the damage done to him. “You were so angry when you drew your sword. I knew that you weren’t seeing me when you did, and I wasn’t afraid of you cutting me. You were hurting, and I could see that.”
“I hurt a great deal.” She let his face go and he turned to look at her again. “Your hair, it has strange colors in it. I don’t understand that.”
Her laugh nearly took him to his knees. It was soft and tingled like a small bell. He watched her face as she smiled at him, and Valyn felt something stir within his chest. He rubbed the place where his heart had been and wondered what was wrong with him.
“I had my hair done at the college that teaches men and women how to cut and style hair. It was free, and I so needed a haircut. But when she was finished, I was astounded by the colors too.” She grinned an impish sort of smile at him. “I don’t know if she passed the test or not, but the next time I need a haircut, I’m going someplace that I have to pay for.”
“Don’t cut it.” She asked him why. “It’s lovely. Soft too. Much softer than I thought it to be. And the small colors are beautiful in it. I’m not thinking that you’d look good with those colors everywhere, but it suits you now. Sort of like you have a flair for yourself that no one can see until they are close enough.”
“Thank you.” Nodding at her, he took her hand into his much larger one and felt the calluses on them. There were small scars on her fingers, some of them old, most of them fresh. “Sometimes I’d have to cut tomatoes to help out. Jimmy would...he would tell me how many to cut, and it was always too much. But he gave them to me at the end of my shift. That way I could have something substantial with my bread and water.”
“You were shot that day. He nearly killed you.” Valyn could hear the tenderness in his voice and wondered about that. “He killed one woman and one man. The cook.”
“Yes. Jimmy was calling the police. I think that’s why they were there so quickly. The lady, I don’t know her name, she was just sitting there, minding her own business, and he killed her.” Jennifer looked up at him, sadness in her beautiful eyes. “I don’t want to talk about that. I know that I should, that’s what the doctor told me, but it’s all so raw for me.”
“There was not that sort of advice when I had my trauma. I know that I wasn’t hit or killed, but the child had come to mean a lot to me. They all do, but she was special.” She asked him if he wanted to talk about it now. “Yes. I want you to know why I can’t love you.”
“I don’t expect anyone to love me, Valyn. I know that I’m just short of being white trash. And when I leave here, and I will, I’ll live on the streets. It’s not that difficult for me. I’ve done it before.” Valyn told her that he had a house and money that he wanted her to have. “No—thanks, but no. It would feel like you were paying me off, which I’m guessing you are. But I would feel dirty taking it from you.”
When she stood up, he did as well. There were more tears in her eyes, and he had a feeling that they were shed for him. She picked up a small bag that looked to have clothing in it and turned back to him. With a short wave, she was out the door.
“Why are you just sitting here?” He’d not heard Michael come in, he’d been so lost in thought. “Did you hear what she said? She’s going to live on the streets. Have you no compassion at all, Valyn?”
“She’s more than likely going to bounce back from this. She’s strong, and I pity the man that tries to mess with her.” The pain in his chest had him rubbing it. “Why are you here? Did Boss tell you to come and make me marry her?”
“Nay, Valyn, I’m here to take her from your memories.” He just stared at his friend. “We both know that you cannot survive without having her near you. I’ve discussed what would happen should you turn away from this. I’ve not come to blackmail you into it, but to simply rid you of her memories and scent. You will no longer be able to find her.”
He leapt back when Michael came toward him. The thought of not remembering anything about her hurt him
again. He shook his head at Michael when he said it was for the best.
“What do you know of what is best for me? To not remember the feel of her flesh beneath my fingers would wound me. The memory of the feel of her hair when it curled around my fingers is all that I have. I will not allow you to do this.” Michael pointed out that those things shouldn’t matter because he didn’t love her. “No. I won’t allow you to do that to us. To me.”
He left the room, bypassing Michael and his sword before he could touch him. Valyn needed to find her. All he could think about was finding Jennifer right now. But where to look?
Lifting himself to the sky, he closed his eyes and reached for her. Just the touch of her skin was enough for him to know where she might be. But it wasn’t enough for him to speak to her. When he saw the place that she had gone, he went to her. She was just where he had felt her, walking along the road that led to town. Picking her up in his arms as he dove over her, her scream startled him. Then the laughter made his heart—yes, he realized almost too late that it was his heart—feel good.
Landing on the roof of his home—their home—he didn’t immediately put her down. She felt wonderful in his arms. Like she had belonged there since he’d been created. Leaning toward her, he brushed his mouth over hers once, then a second time before he lifted his head to look at her.
“I’ve been a fool.” She said that he had been. He laughed at her honesty. “You will keep me in line, I think. I was accused recently of pouting. I think that you will not allow that anymore.”
“No. If you do this—if we do this, there will be rules.” He nodded and watched her mouth as it moved. The way her tongue moistened her lips a little. When he felt the pain in his ear, he looked at her. “Are you paying any attention to me? I was telling you the rules that we’ll have.”
“I will do them all. Wait, I don’t know what you said, but I was paying attention. You have lovely lips; did you know that? And a small nose with a tiny scar just on your left nostril.” She told him that she’d had it pierced once but it hurt too much, and she took it out. “I want to know everything about you. I will tell you what haunts me as well. You’ll be there for me. You love me.”
“Yes.” He looked at the sadness that came over her face and asked her what was wrong. “Nothing. I think I’ve loved you since you came into my life.”
Reaching gently into her mind, he found the reason for her sadness and again, he felt the fool. Taking her hand into his, he got down on one knee and looked up at her. This right here was going to make him better; he could love her.
“Will you marry me, Jennifer? Be my wife, my partner in all things. Before you answer that, I’d like to tell you something important. I love you. I love you with all my beating heart, and I will forever.” She started to cry and told him that was a lovely declaration. “I mean it. Without you my heart would have stayed closed up until I would have to be put to rest. This time it would have been longer than a decade. Will you be with me for the rest of your life and mine?”
“Yes.”
The air around them seemed to pick up. He knew what was about to happen and pulled her into his arms as he stood up. Wrapping his wings around them both, he knew the moment that they stood in the office of Boss.
“It’s about time.” Valyn laughed with Boss and said that he was a moron. “Well, I’d not say that, but you did take your time about things. I’m glad though. Going into this without a heart, it would have been terrible for you both. Now, let me wed you.”
The rings fit them like they’d been made just for them. He could feel the magic that was in his, the way it glowed because of the tears of the man he loved. After Boss pronounced them man and wife, he was able, finally, to kiss his bride.
Chapter 4
She was nervous. Jenny had never had sex before, and Valyn had told her that he hadn’t either. She could hardly believe that; a man as delicious as him would have had women all over him. But he explained to her that while he was around a great many women, none of them could see him.
“But there was never anyone that I saw as beautiful as you are at this moment.” She smiled at him. “I have a hot tub outside of our doors. Would you like to relax in it? I have yet to use it, fearful of not wanting to ever come out of it again.”
“I thought we’d have sex.” Her face heated up. She sounded like a sex crazed woman, which she supposed she was. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I’m very nervous.”
“So am I. But we’ll muddle through this. Come on, the water is very warm, and it has bubbles.” He sounded like a child then, and she let him guide her to the outside porch that was only theirs. When he slipped into the steaming water and moaned, she almost begged him to take her right now.
Getting in for her was trickier than she thought it was for him. First of all, the side that she was trying to get in on was too high for her to just put her leg over it. The second thing was, she didn’t know how to swim. Not that she’d drown or anything, but water scared her.
Valyn came to her rescue and lifted her up and put her in the water with him. On his lap. Where he was very hard and manly. She nearly giggled at how she sounded, and thought of the kiss he’d given her in the office. Leaning down to him, she kissed his chin, then his cheeks. Jenny wanted to explore every part of him while she could.
“Do I get to do this to you?” He turned her around so that she was facing him, his cock so hard between her legs. “Please don’t stop. I’m enjoying this a great deal.”
Starting over, she nipped this time, then kissed the tiny hurt that she made. His hands were busy too, and she moaned when he cupped her breasts in his hands. When he tugged on her nipple with his teeth, Jenny thought that her eyes had rolled around in her head several times before coming to a stop.
“The way you’re sitting on me makes me want to take you now.” She nodded against his neck and moaned again when he lifted her up. “I’ll be careful with you, Jennifer, but I have a sudden need that I feel you’re the only one that can fulfill.”
His cock was at her entrance, and she wanted him too. Valyn did take care with her, lowering her over him slowly. When she felt her virginity break, Valyn brought her down hard and she felt ripped apart. The scream torn from her seemed to come from her feet and back.
When she thought that she could move, Jenny realized that he was speaking to her. He was telling her how sorry he was, that he’d never hurt her again. That he would flay his skin off if he did. Lifting his head from her breast as he held her tightly, she kissed him on the mouth and moved.
Jenny rode him. His body was hard and felt good under her fingers as she held onto him. She had a feeling that if she was able to come, she’d be broken apart into tiny fragments and never be the same afterward.
The water was splashing out now, and she thought about telling him to take her inside, but he raised her up and laid her on the deck while his cock was still deep inside of her. Nothing could have prepared her for the new sensation that she was feeling. The way that something inside of her was building. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he lifted her foot up to kiss her on the calf.
“You are mine.” She told him that she was, forever. “I will never harm you again, not by my hand or my words. You are the greatest gift I never thought to have.”
“Take me, Valyn. I ache to come with you.”
He leaned toward her then, taking her breast into his mouth. When he bit down on her hard, and she was sure breaking her skin, she came so hard that she saw rainbows and stars just before he threw back his head and roared at his own release. Jenny was spent, her body too limp to move. She didn’t care if she ever did, and she closed her eyes.
When she woke, not only was she in bed, but Valyn was there as well. He was looking at her, and she had a feeling that he’d been doing it for some time. Moving on the bed so that she could get a better glimpse of him, she smiled when he kissed her and rolled over top of her.
“I’m running late, but I couldn’t hel
p but look at you again and again.” She asked him where he was going. “Riss called me, through our link, and said that he needed me on the field today for a few hours. Then I’m coming back here to make love to you again.”
“I like that idea.” Sitting up, she winced at the pain in her body. Valyn noticed it and told her that he could heal her. “Can I do that too?”
“Not yourself. That has repercussions that will make you wish that you hadn’t. But there are things you can do. I’m sure you’ve been told about a few of them. Like the one I use most is dressing myself without thought to what I need to wear.” She told him that was her favorite too. “I have to go.”
“You said that, but here you still are. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can get back here to me.” He kissed her again and got off the bed with her. When he stood in the bedroom and looked around, she did as well. “Something wrong, Valyn?”
She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but she didn’t know a great deal about magic. When he turned to look at her, she thought that he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Snapping his fingers, he had a handful of cash and gave it to her.
“What do you think I’m going to do with all this?” There had to be fifty one hundred dollar bills, plus some lower denominations. “This is a great deal of money. Am I going to be arrested for having counterfeit money?”
“Nay, it’s mine—ours. I worked for a long time and never bought much of anything. This house, I’ve had it for a few centuries, and over the years, I would update it or paint something. But it was never anything that I enjoyed. The house I mean. And I know why now. It’s not homey.” She laughed at him and asked how homey he wanted it. “Whatever it takes. I wish for you to make this a home for us.”
Then he disappeared. But before she could begin to miss him, he was back and kissed her soundly on the mouth. After he left the second time, she waited for a few moments to see if he’d return, and when he didn’t, she went to take a shower.
Valyn_Mystic Protectors_An Angelic Paranormal Erotica Page 4