Aeromancist (SECOND EDITION): Art of Air (7 Forbidden Arts Book 3)

by Charmaine Pauls

  He draped an arm over the chair back. “That’s all right. I have time, and patience.”

  As she walked away, she did her best not to break into a run.

  Her instruction was to meet Lann at an indoor market a short distance from the brasserie. Joss would stay behind to ensure that she wasn’t followed. Trying not to look around obviously, she walked along the aisle of cheese and pâté until she spotted Lann at the end of it. He stood out in the crowd with his unusual height and his long, blond hair loose around his shoulders. She quickly closed the distance and stepped into his embrace. Looking around, he pulled her under his arm, and ushered her outside.

  “You all right?” he asked, kissing her cheek while scanning the crowd.

  She shivered. “He’s such a dominant bastard.”

  “This way.”

  He led her to a waiting car. When they’d gotten into the back, Lann gave the driver the address of a restaurant. He pulled her close to him, kissing her fingers and her palm, and then rubbing her arm.

  “Lann, he—”

  “Shh.” He placed a finger on her lips, his gaze moving to the driver.

  They met Joss at the restaurant, but instead of taking a table, they moved through the kitchen and out the back, walking the short distance back to the safe house.

  Once inside, Joss flung his coat aside, set the alarm, and went to the lounge. While Lann helped Kat from her coat, Joss poured them each a drink. He handed her a glass of water and a tumbler with a quarter of amber liquid to Lann.

  “I gather you heard everything,” she said, accepting the glass.

  Only in the privacy of the safe house did Lann show his anger. His eyes were deceptively void of emotion, but his jaw was set in a hard line.

  “He bullied her,” he said to Joss.

  “I didn’t like it either,” Joss said, “but she got something out of him.”

  They spoke as if she wasn’t in the room. She left the glass on the table. “He didn’t touch me.”

  “It’s not the physical bullying I’m referring to,” Lann said with flaring nostrils.

  Joss shot back his drink. “I’ll have to contact Cain.”

  “Do you know anything about accessing my records?” Kat asked Joss.

  “No. That’s why we’ll have to speak to Cain. Only he can give clearance, and he would’ve said something if it was him.”

  “What about the journalist?” Lann asked.

  “Maya’s working on the taps we’ve put on Richardson’s iPad and computer.” Joss scratched his head. “If there’s anything to be found, she’ll find it.” He left his glass on the bar counter. “I’m going to check the perimeter alarms. How soon can we head back?”

  Lann looked at Kat. “Not before tomorrow. She’s exhausted.”

  “I’m fine.”

  Both men ignored her.

  “You’re taking care of dinner,” Joss said.

  When he left the room, she took Lann’s hand. “I hate it when you act as if I’m not here.”

  “I know you’re here.” He took her wedding ring from his pocket and slipped it back onto her finger. “What would you like for dinner?”

  “What do we have?”

  “I’ll get you whatever you want.”

  She thought for a while. “I don’t really care, as long as I can have some brioche.”

  Lann grinned. “Apparently my son likes French pastry.” He chuckled. “Traitor.” The frosty yellow of his eyes turned warmer. “Before I take care of dinner, I’d like to take care of something else.”

  She gasped, looking over his shoulder down the hallway. “We’re not alone.”

  His smile was devilish. “Don’t worry. The rooms are soundproof.”

  They made it back to Josselin Castle the following morning. Joss instructed Bono to stay on site in case they needed a quicker means of transport for the investigations.

  Upon arrival, Clelia ushered them into the library where she and Maya had been working.

  “We can’t find a trail to any newspaper or anyone involved with any paper in Richardson’s communication history, neither telephonic, nor electronic,” Clelia said. She turned to Joss. “How did it go on your end? Did you ask Cain about accessing Kat’s records?”

  “Yes,” Joss said, “I called him straight after.”

  “What did he say?”

  Joss wiped a hand over his face. “Someone used his security code.”

  “Shit.” Maya got to her feet behind the desk. “That’s serious. Does he know who it was?”

  “No. Someone must have hacked into the system and stolen the code.”

  “I’ll look into it,” Maya offered. “Did Cain take the necessary precautions to prevent this from happening again?”

  “He’s already changed all the codes and had a new firewall programmed.”

  “So, it’s another dead-end street?” Clelia asked, her tone despondent.

  Joss sighed. “I’m afraid so.”

  “What about the bursary?” Lann asked.

  “I’m still looking into it.” Maya took a piece of paper from the desk and handed it to Lann. “Whoever the sponsor is, he made a good job of erasing his tracks, but I still have another card or two up my sleeve. There’s a hacker who owes me a favor.”

  “Do what you can,” Joss said. “In the meantime, we’ve got to stay sharp where security is concerned. We don’t want Godfrey to find a crack in our system through which one of his hunters can crawl. Clelia, you’re in charge of compiling a list of all national and international media. We’ll tackle them from the largest to the smallest, seeing if we can pick up a trail to Richardson via that route.”

  “How are we for time?” Maya asked.

  “There are no missions for the moment.” Joss looked at Kat. “Getting answers are our main priority.”

  Kat was glad he didn’t say saving her. She didn’t want to think about dying anymore. Lann’s hand on her back pulled her attention to him.

  “We have an appointment with Eve,” he reminded her gently.

  It wasn’t what she wanted right now, but it had to be done. “Let’s go.”

  In the examination room, Eve made Kat lie down on the reclining chair and took a blood sample. “Are you ready for the scan?”

  “Yes.”

  While Eve prepared the probe and squirted gel onto Kat’s belly, Lann said, “Clelia found you a midwife, Katherine.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “A midwife? Do I need one? I thought Eve would deliver the baby.”

  “It’s not just about the actual birth,” Eve said. “You have to prepare for it. There are exercises you and Lann could do that will help when the time comes for Thomas to be born. You also need to be mentally prepared for what to expect.”

  Kat took Lann’s hand. “You will be there, Eve, won’t you?”

  “Of course.” Eve gave her a reassuring smile. “The midwife is totally capable of helping you through the delivery if it passes without complications.” She shot Lann a quick look. “However, I will be there in the case of any unforeseen emergency.”

  Kat swallowed. “Like what?”

  “Well, there are things that can go wrong. Sometimes the baby doesn’t turn, or the umbilical cord is wound around the neck.” She laid her hand on Kat’s shoulder. “I don’t want to scare you with possibilities that may not even happen. Just know I’ll be there should you need an emergency cesarean.”

  “I want Lann with me,” Kat said. “I know in France the father is not allowed in the theatre in the case of a cesarean, but no matter what happens,” she looked at him, “I need to know you’ll be there.”

  “Of course.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re going to take you to a private clinic with the necessary equipment, just in case. I’ll be there every step of the way.”

  Eve turned on the scanner. “Ready?”

  She placed the probe on Kat’s stomach and moved it until she picked up an image on the screen.

  Eve smiled. “There you go.”

>   “Is that him?” Kat pushed up on her elbows for a better look. “I can’t make out much.”

  “Let’s switch over to 3D.” Eve flicked a button and another monitor buzzed to life.

  A strong, rhythmic heartbeat resounded in the space. A color picture appeared on the screen. Kat sucked in a breath. She was looking at a baby no bigger than the size of an olive. She stared at Thomas, the miracle Lann had given her.

  Eve changed the angle of the probe to give them a better look. Emotions flooded Kat. He was so small, so perfect. Lann gripped her hand hard and brought her fingers to his lips. She turned her face to look at him. His brow was pulled together and his jaw locked in a way that told her he was fighting his emotions. She squeezed his hand gently. In turn, he placed her hand on his chest, cupping it over his heart.

  Chapter 15

  Neither Lann nor Kat discussed what they’d experienced as they left Eve’s office. Lann said he needed to go to his office, and Kat understood that he needed time alone. She needed a shower.

  Taking her time, she stood under the warm spray until the water started to cool. She turned off the tap and dried herself. Walking into the bedroom naked, she stopped sideways in front of the mirror. The gentle swell of her abdomen had been replaced with a larger bump.

  The door opened and Lann entered. He walked up to her with a smiled and hugged her from behind. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”

  He wore his glasses, which meant he’d been working. The dark frame of his glasses contrasted with the light color of his eyes. She loved his eyes. She hoped Thomas would inherit Lann’s golden eyes and hair. She stretched up, circling her arms around Lann’s neck. The linen fabric of his shirt felt rough against her naked skin. The sleeve cuffs were folded back, baring his muscular forearms. He smelled good, of a fresh, masculine cologne.

  He took the special cream to prevent stretch marks from the dresser. Without removing his arms from around her, he squirted the lotion into his palm, and massaged it into her abdomen. She studied his face in the reflection of the mirror. The lines cutting from his nose to his mouth were deep, giving him that beautifully sculptured look of etched perfection. His cheekbones were high and his nose straight. The ponytail he drew his hair into emphasized his bone structure. He’d make a perfect model for a sculpturer.

  Lann was sophisticated, cultured, romantic, and dominant, especially when it came to lovemaking. She clenched her knees together at the thought. He knew what he wanted, and he wasn’t shy about telling her exactly what he expected, always encouraging her to do the same.

  He kissed her neck. “What are you thinking?”

  “How skilled you are in bed, and that we haven’t done some kinky things in a while.”

  He rewarded her for the compliment by rubbing his palms over her breasts. Her nipples hardened under his touch.

  “And?” he said, rolling the tips gently.

  “Will you ever cut your hair?”

  “Cut my hair?” He nipped at her earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine. “Why? Do you want me to?”

  “No,” she said quickly, “I like it long.”

  “Why?” He drew a pattern with his tongue on her neck.

  “It gives you a sexy, arty kind of look. Or maybe geeky.”

  He bit down softly.

  “Ouch!” Even though the nip of his teeth had sent heat straight to her clit, she glared at him. “That was a compliment.”

  He cupped her sex. “That I’m geeky?”

  “You’re like a dandy gadget wiz with a hidden dark side.”

  He slid two fingers through her folds. The sudden invasion made her gasp.

  “Keep on insulting me,” he purred, “and I’ll have to keep on punishing you.”

  She enjoyed the game. She could live up to the challenge. “You’re also a romantic who collects old books and loves poetry.”

  He pumped in and out slowly.

  “You’re a sadist,” she complained.

  He kissed the top of her spine. “Am I now?”

  “You’ve always enjoyed using sex as an instrument of torture against me.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  “Yes,” she said on an exhale of air.

  Turning her gently, he crashed their mouths together. It was a hard and desperate kiss, all the tender passion of earlier going up in flames. He sucked the air from her lungs until she had to push on his shoulders for distance. He allowed her to breathe, but only for a second before devouring her lips again.

  By the time he released her, she was panting and her heart beating furiously. “Lann, the baby—”

  He scooped her up and stared down at her. “I won’t do anything that’ll harm him or you. Do you trust me?”

  “I do,” she whispered.

  Emotions flickered across his face. “You don’t know how much it means to me.”

  He carried her to the bed and laid her down gently. Next, he went to the armoire and returned with silk scarves.

  At the sight of the scarves, her cheeks turned hot. “Are you going to satisfy my fantasy?”

  Gripping a wrist, he tied it to the bedpost. “You conjured images in my mind with your words.” He made quick work of binding the other wrist. “You’re going to get exactly what you asked for.”

  She shivered in anticipation as he spread her legs and tied her ankles too.

  When he was done, he stood back to admire his work. “Not too tight?”

  Not trusting her voice to speak, she shook her head. She was exposed, vulnerable, and turned on. She trusted him not only with her body, but also with her heart.

  He undressed quickly, discarding his clothes in a heap on the floor. The muscles of his lean body flexed as he approached the bed. “I’m not done yet.”

  He selected another scarf from the collection on the bed. “I’m going to blindfold and gag you.” Her eyes widened, but he cupped her cheek in a tender, reassuring gesture. “You trust me, remember?”

  When he arched his brow, indicating that he expected a confirmation, she nodded.

  “Good girl.” He lifted her neck with one hand while winding the scarf around her head with the other. He worked with swift movements until her eyes were covered.

  With her sight gone, her focus on sound was amplified. His voice was thick with lust. “Now your mouth. You won’t be able to speak, but you will trust me. I won’t hurt or harm you.”

  She lay quietly while he placed soft fabric in her mouth, and secured it with cloth that he tied behind her head. Unable to see, speak, or move, she had to give herself over to the sensations of touch and the sounds in the room.

  The bed dipped. A drawer opened. A moment later, he straddled her. Something warm and wet flicked over her breast. His tongue. She arched her back, needing a more profound touch, and he obliged by sucking her nipple into his mouth and grazing the tip with his teeth.

  He kissed a path down her body and back up, caressing every inch of her skin. He brushed his lips over the sensitive skin in the bend of her elbow and on the pulse of her wrist. He trailed kisses down the inside of her thigh and behind her knees, but he avoided the bud that ached in the center of her legs. Just when she was about to beg, he took her with a single thrust, burying himself to the hilt. She arched her hips at the delicious stretch. He slipped his hands underneath her ass and lifted her onto his thighs while moving with shallow thrusts.

  She moaned when he caressed her folds, but then his touch disappeared. Only the too-slow pumping continued. A low buzzing noise came to life. An electric shock sparked through her body as something touched her clit with brutal intensity. A vibrator. Her muscles tightened instantly. Her orgasm hit hard and fast, contracting her inner muscles around him. Keeping the toy pushed against her clit, he drew out the shocks until strangled screams escaped her throat.

  Only when the tightness inside eased and she had nothing left to give, did he stop. The warmth of his body washed over her as he pressed their chests together without squashing her with his weight. He nuz
zled her neck and kissed her shoulder before lifting off her. Cool air assaulted her hot skin. He freed her hands, and then her legs. After massaging her trembling muscles, he untied the scarves around her eyes and mouth. He kissed her lips, tenderly this time, and wrapped his arms around her. He held her for a long time, until sleepiness crept up on her, making her feel warm and fuzzy in the afterglow of their lovemaking. When she fell asleep in his arms, she felt nothing but peace.

  After showering and dressing in navy slacks and an off-white cashmere sweater, Lann took Kat breakfast in bed—carob milk and brioche. Then he went in search of Joss. He found Maya, Clelia, and Joss already in the library, seated around the big table on which their research material was spread out.

  Joss acknowledged him with a nod. “How is she?”

  “Katherine is fine,” he said. “Her body heat and heartbeat are returning to normal. It’s Eve I’m worried about now.”

  “I know.” Joss sighed and wiped a hand over his brow. “She’s working too hard.”

  “She needs to get out,” Clelia said, “but she won’t budge, not even when I threaten to kick her out.”

  Maya wagged her eyebrows. “What she needs is a shag.”

  Clelia gave her a reproachful look. “Somehow, I don’t think Eve will agree with you.”

  “We’ll take care of it,” Joss said, glancing at Clelia.

  His wife nodded. “We’ll take her to town.”

  “I hate to point this out,” Maya said, “but we don’t have time to waste on leisure trips to town.”

  “It’s either that or risk her sanity.” Lann looked at Maya pointedly. “If it carries on like this, she’ll soon be useless.”

  Maya shrugged. “As long as I don’t have to chaperone again.” She smiled. “Can we brief you now that you’re finally awake?”

  “I didn’t want to leave Katherine too early,” Lann said.

  “Leave your excuses for someone who cares.” Maya grinned. “We don’t want to hear your bedroom talk.” She pulled up a 3D screen. “I made a hit with Richardson. I went through his browser history. He wiped it out, but the ghost tracks always remains in cyber space. My hacker managed to pick up a trail of virtual dust. Following it, he could fish out the sites Richardson had been hitting on with the highest frequency during the last month.”