My Paranormal Valentine: A Paranormal Romance Box Set

by Michelle M. Pillow

  Leia gave a satisfied nod. “Better.” She stepped back, giving herself space. “I need to get my car. Can you drop me off?”

  Before the trip, he’d picked her up and taken them both to the airport. He cocked his head. “I’ll drive us both to the office.”

  “I’d rather drive myself.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

  Was there annoyance in his voice? “This thing between us is private. Showing up at the office together is not exactly the best way to keep it that way.”

  “Are you embarrassed to be with me?”

  Men and their pride. “Absolutely not. However, we are still employer and employee.” She waved a hand between them. “At least in the office. Let’s enjoy this for a while before complicating things. Okay?”

  Her adamant denial that she might be embarrassed must’ve mollified him, because he stopped scowling. He wasn’t happy either, but he also didn’t push it. “Okay. I think I get it.”

  After grabbing her car, they both headed in to the office, where they first called Tala and Marrok, then got Delilah on the phone.

  “You have all of us on speaker,” Leia told her.

  “There’s been a development since I called earlier.”

  Leia’s heart dropped into her stomach and rattled around in there. Kaios must’ve helped his friend escape or something.

  Cas placed his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. “What kind of development?”

  “The warlock is dead.”

  “What?” The question shot out of her before she could say it in a calm, rational manner.

  “I guess the Witch’s Council didn’t want to anger the gods. They sent their best hunter after him.”

  “I guess that takes care of that.” Marrok’s dry tone came across loud and clear over the speaker.

  “Before he died, we did get some information from him. Based on his comments, it sounds as though Kaios never wanted Tala and Marrok to mate, something about it giving them too much power in the werewolf community.”

  “So he threatened the Nymphs, and when Leia forced the prophesy, he tried to punish them?” Tala asked. They’d informed Delilah about all the events when they’d arranged to turn over the warlock.

  “What does that mean? Is Kaios after us too?” Tala asked.

  “Could be, at least to discredit you,” Delilah said.

  “Why not just say something at the wedding?” Marrok asked.

  “Perhaps he didn’t have proof.”

  “He didn’t have a clear view of Leia from where he was standing,” Castor said. “I doubt he knew of her involvement until he got it out of the nymphs when he attacked them.”

  And Kaios thought of her as pathetic and powerless after he took her spring, so likely didn’t suspect her capable of what she’d done.

  “Plus he’s a psychopath who handles things in a way that is difficult to trace back to him,” Leia reminded the group. He’d done that with her spring, manipulating a god to enact his revenge.

  “Any sign of Kaios?” Tala asked.

  “Not yet, but I have my feelers out,” Delilah said.

  “We should all be careful until he’s found,” Marrok advised.

  There wasn’t much more to discuss. As they hung up, Leia sank back in her seat. “Kaios had the warlock killed.”

  “What?” Castor knelt down in front of her. “Why would you say that?”

  “I know that wolf and his sick mind. We can’t prove Kaios was there that night, but the warlock could have. He’s tying up loose ends.”

  Cas moved to squat in front of her, hands on her knees warm through the thin material of her slacks. “Hopefully, he’ll go back down a hole to wherever he came from, and stay there.”

  She ran her gaze over his face, every adored plane. Those amazing eyes looking back at her with tender worry, those kissable lips that could both master and persuade flattened with an emotion she couldn’t quite identify. If she hadn’t known better, she would have said love. Her heart fluttered, but she ruthlessly squashed the hope. She’d seen too many other women fall for the same thing. Being the object of his attention was like being caught in a tractor beam.

  She pulled her focus back to the issue at hand. If Kaios was still out there, it was highly likely he’d come after her in some horrible way again. The wolf hit people where they were most vulnerable. Realization struck, cold fingers of fear stealing down her spine. Castor was that for her now, her vulnerable spot, and Kaios knew it.

  Gods, how could she have been so stupid? Kaios would come after Castor next.

  Time to disappear. Again. But she knew Castor wouldn’t let her go. In fact, he’d probably insist she stayed to protect her.

  She pasted a calm smile on her face, the one she’d used with him countless times over the last year. “I’m sure you’re right. He won’t risk poking his head up right now.”

  He searched her gaze for any hint of her feelings, but she’d mastered keeping people out when she wanted and regarded him with serene patience. Finally, he gave a nod. “Good girl.”

  She rose to her feet. “I have email to get through.”

  “Yes.” He stood too.

  She could feel the burn of his gaze as he watched her leave the room, closing the door behind her.

  She did exactly as she’d said, letting the daily routine of work take over. She went through emails, made calls, and skimmed through a presentation the design department wanted to present to Cas next week.

  At noon Cas opened the connecting door. “I have a lunch meeting,” he reminded her. She waved him out of the room and even waited an extra ten minutes in case he came back for any reason. When she was confident he was gone, she picked up the phone and dialed.

  “Delilah. I need to disappear.”

  “I was wondering when I’d hear from you.” Her friend didn’t sound surprised at all. Of course, Delilah had been the one to help her pick up the pieces and move on with her life all those years ago when her spring had been buried. “What does Castor think?”

  “He doesn’t know.”

  “I think you should discuss it with him. He’s a demigod. He can protect you.”

  “He’ll be Kaios’s next target if I stick around.”

  Silence greeted her declaration.

  Leia winced. Delilah’s only directive when she’d placed her in this job was not to fall in love with her boss.

  “Like, that is it?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “How does Castor feel?”

  “He’s in lust. And I enjoyed what time I could get with him.”

  “I don’t blame you. Love, the real kind, not just lust that burns itself out in time, doesn’t happen as often as humans wish.”

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  “You’re sure it’s only lust for him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Let me work on a plan. I’ll get back to you later today.”

  “Thanks, Delilah.”

  “I only want you to be happy, Leia.”

  Leia closed her eyes. Happy didn’t tend to be a goal of hers, but Delilah had been a true friend to her. “I owe you.”

  “No you don’t.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Castor watched Leia work without alerting her to his presence. Sometimes being both fast and silent was helpful, such as when he wanted to sneak up on his assistant. He leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, and smiled at the look of utter concentration on her face. The gods had made an angel when they designed her. His heart squeezed at the mere sight of her. No woman had ever affected him this way.

  A tiny shard of guilt pricked him at the realization that even Hilaeira hadn’t caused this urgent need—not only to possess, but to protect, to cherish, and to care for—within him. He was like a teenager again, only more than he’d ever been during the short years of his youth. The tiny tip of her pink tongue peeked between those berry-ripe lips. He wanted to see those lips parted in passion. He adored how she lost control with him when sh
e was in total control at all other times. A stirring of desire had him shifting positions, which caught her attention.

  Her head came up. “Oh! I didn’t hear you.”

  He smiled. “Sorry.”

  She gave a mock glower. “Sneaky man.”

  Once upon a time, she’d have used a meaner term than man. He took that as a sign she was warming up to him. Sleeping with him was a huge step, but genuinely liking him still wasn’t guaranteed.

  “Any plans tonight?”

  He asked the question as casually as he could. Her only reaction was a quick check of the time. If she was about to do what he suspected, his nymph was phenomenal at hiding her true emotions.

  Before she could lie to his face, he continued. “Unfortunately, I’m playing poker with Pollux and some friends.”

  “Oh.”

  “I think it would be a good idea for you to stay at my place tonight, though.”

  She frowned. “Why?”

  “With Kaios still on the loose, I don’t like the idea of you on your own. What if he attacks you?”

  “I doubt that’s going to happen.”

  “It’s not worth the risk.”

  Leia’s lips flattened in a stubborn look he recognized. “I’m not staying with you, Castor.”

  His heart dropped to his feet at the blatant rejection. Only his suspicion of what she was up to kept him from going all demigod and claiming her here and now. “Why?”

  She was silent a beat. “I’d think it obvious.”

  “Not to me.”

  “Don’t be so dense then.”

  “I love it when you talk dirty.” He waggled his eyebrows, his humor deliberate. He needed her to think she had him fooled.

  She ground her teeth. “You are the most frustrating man.”

  “But you kinda like me for it.”

  She gave a little snort. “To be clear, our relationship went from boss/employee to lovers recently. Given things are in a…transitional phase, living together, even short term, is a bad idea.”

  “Transitional phase, huh?”

  She gave him a look that dared him to continue with that train of thought.

  He held up his hands and sobered. “Okay, not staying at my place. At least have Delilah arrange protection at your apartment, or a different place to stay.”

  She pursed her lips.

  “This is non-negotiable, Leia. If you don’t, I’ll camp out at your door.”

  “Fine. I’ll talk to Delilah.”

  Castor gave a satisfied nod. “Have Delilah’s protection detail meet you here.”

  She narrowed her eyes at the command.

  “How about dinner at my place tomorrow night?” he asked before she could argue.

  Rather than answer, she searched his face. “You want to continue with this?” She waved a hand between them. “Whatever is between us?”

  “Given you woke up in my bed this morning—”

  “You didn’t just say that in the middle of my office.”

  “You called us lovers,” he pointed out. “Yes. I want to continue. Do you?” He held his breath and waited for her answer.

  She stared at him, as if debating the answer to that question.

  Come on, honey, be honest with me. Let me in.

  “Dinner tomorrow sounds…wonderful. Can I bring anything?”

  He released his pent up breath in a silent whoosh. “That sexy black negligee you had on the other night wouldn’t go amiss.”

  “Seriously?” She held her hands wide, indicating the office. “Still at work.”

  Castor chuckled and gave her an unrepentant grin. “So tomorrow night?”

  “It’s a date.”

  He pretended not to notice how the answering sparkle in her eyes had dimmed. “Excellent. See you then.” With a wave he strode out of the office, only to turn around at the elevator and stride back into their office suite.

  “Forget something?” she asked.

  “Yes.” He came around the desk and bent to take her face in his hands. “This.” He laid his lips over hers in an urgent kiss filled with all the emotion this extraordinary woman provoked in him.

  He pulled back, savoring the womanly taste of her on his lips, to gaze into her startled eyes. “To remember me by.”

  She cocked her head, lips twitching. “I wasn’t likely to forget.”

  For her sass, he planted another kiss on those delectable lips. “Bye.”

  “Bye.” He liked the husky note that had entered her voice. She definitely wasn’t physically averse to him. The question was, where was he in her heart?

  As he waited for the elevator to bring him down to the parking garage, he mulled over his next steps. He suspected that if Leia had her way, he wouldn’t see her tomorrow. She’d done a magnificent acting job trying to convince him all would continue. However, after their call with Delilah this morning, for a brief flash he’d caught the look of tenderness she’d cast his way. His heart had tripped over itself in the hope that perhaps her feelings ran deeper than simple lust. But he’d also seen the flash of panic immediately following.

  She was going to do a runner. He was certain of it.

  He was equally certain losing her was not an option.

  He didn’t have to wait long before Leia appeared in the parking lot. Alone. Did the woman have zero common sense? Staying far behind, he followed her home to her apartment. She lived in a new complex in Austin which boasted shops on the first level, like living above a shopping center or outdoor mall. Her apartment, the one or two times he’d been in it, was tastefully decorated exactly how you’d expect a nymph’s taste to be—all blues and water themes, a large fresh-water fish tank taking up one entire wall of her living room. He found it tranquil.

  He discarded his jacket, leaving it in the car, and rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt. He gave her enough time to get deep into packing before he headed upstairs to catch her.

  “Leia?”

  Silence.

  “I know you’re in there. Let me in.” He knocked harder.

  Silence.

  “Leia? I won’t force my way in, but I’m not leaving until Delilah’s protection shows up.”

  More silence.

  She hadn’t left. He would’ve seen her go.

  Cas pounded on the door now. “Leia?”

  No answer.

  He checked that no one was watching and gave the door the tiniest kick. It burst open, breaking the frame where the lock was. A quick search of her apartment showed him Leia was gone. Cas pulled out his phone and dialed the only person he could think of.

  “Where is she?” he demanded.

  “She’s safe,” Delilah answered.

  He had to concentrate on not crushing the phone. “Keeping her safe is my job. Tell me where she went.”

  “Funny, she sees keeping you safe as her job.”

  He shook his head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means she cares about you. How you managed to get her to feel something other than numb is a miracle.”

  Leia cared about him. His stomach clenched with elation and fear for her safety. “Delilah… If anything happens to her, and I’m not there, I’ll never forgive myself.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Leia’s gaze roamed over the wooded scene beyond the window over the kitchen sink. As places to hide went, this one was idyllic. The Napaeae wood nymph who dwelled here had been nothing but welcoming. A nice change.

  After she had given Cas the slip, she’d met up with Delilah, who’d flown Leia back to Colorado. There Tala and Marrok had stepped in and hidden her away in a tiny cabin, one that smelled of the pine trees the logs had been hewn from, in the middle of the wilderness. The home where she stayed was as basic as you could get, with a combined kitchen and living area on the first floor, and a ladder leading up to a loft that functioned as a bedroom. Minimal furniture, a power generator, and a well system for water, and she was set. For how long she had no idea.

  A large pon
d was situated within walking distance, about half a mile down a steep hill from the flat area on which the cabin was situated. The presence of water so close and nature all around her was what she’d been wishing for and dreaming of since the day she’d lost them. She’d felt incomplete, living only half a life. Now she had it, but pure happiness still lay out of reach.

  She missed Castor.

  Only three days had passed since she’d left Austin. Disappearing on him as she had came with a certain amount of guilt, even if she was doing this to protect him. When you loved someone, sacrifice came with the gig.

  “Leia.”

  She could’ve sworn she heard his voice on the wind calling her name. Fabulous. Now she was hearing things. Not even the loss of her spring had made her lose her sanity.

  “Leia, it’s Castor. Honey, are you in there?”

  She dropped the glass she was drying with a hand towel, hardly hearing the sound of it shattering in the sink.

  No. He couldn’t be here. This had to be a trick.

  Cautiously, she moved to the window at the front of the cabin and inched back the edge of the white cotton curtain to peer outside. Sure enough, Castor Dioskouri stood in the field of wildflowers outside her new home.

  By the gods. Her eyes drank in the sight of casual jeans, short-sleeved black t-shirt, and hiking boots. The wind ruffled up his dark hair. She gulped, battling the need to throw herself into his arms even as she knew she had to throw him off the property. Now.

  Leia took a deep breath before she pulled open the door. Hands on her hips, she confronted him. “What are you doing here?”

  She glanced at the tall pine trees around them but caught no trace of the protection by which she was supposedly surrounded. Where had they been when a demigod walked right onto the property. Huh?

  His intense, blue-eyed gaze zeroed in on her, and he stalked across the field toward her. “I’m here to be with the woman driving me absolutely crazy.”

  Her heart picked up its pace. She ignored it and tilted her chin. “I left you.”

  “I noticed.” He stopped only a foot away.

  The scent of his spicy aftershave, her gift to him, floated across the distance to curl around her, making the ache of longing in her heart worse.