A Witch's Love (3 page)

“How?” She glanced around. “Where’s your car?”

He pressed off the tree and stopped only about a foot from her. “At the inn. I thought running here would be a good warm up,” he said with a grin.

Her heart began to beat faster at his voice. “It’s like two miles to the inn from here. You call two miles a warm up?”

“Sometimes.”

“Since you’re ready, shall we go?” She twisted from him and began to jog at a steady pace into the forest behind her home. He positioned himself next to her, matching her stride. As she got into her groove, she glanced at him. He hadn’t even broken a sweat. She increased her speed. Over the next forty-five minutes, she continued to up the ante hoping that she could at least get him to be out of breath.

A quick glance proved that theory wrong. He looked like some of the bears she’d seen ambling along a highway, instead of racing her through the woods. They came to her favorite spot, a stream that cut through their property, and decided to take a break. She plopped down next to the water.

“Do you usually run at that pace?” He sat down next to her with an animal’s grace.

“Why? Too much for you?”

“Actually, I was just getting started.”

“Oh really!”

He sounded serious, but she couldn’t see his face. So maybe he was kidding.

Laughing, he twisted to look at her. “No, it was a perfect run.”

She slapped his arm. “You had me worried. I’m the best runner I know, and you almost dusted me. I thought I might be losing my edge.”

He smiled. “Not cocky, are we?”

She looked back to the stream. “It’s not cocky if it’s the truth.”

At that, he burst out laughing. “Whose truth?”

She went to slap his arm again but this time he caught her wrist.

Their eyes locked, for a moment, a second . . . an eternity, she didn’t know. His eyes searched hers, for what? She wished she knew what lay behind those dark amber eyes, what secrets would they reveal—who was this man captivating her so?

His hand was upon her, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. A shudder swept through her. “This could get complicated.”

A half smile played on his lips as he leaned forward and whispered, “You have no idea how complicated.”

She let out a long breath she hadn’t known she was holding, then blurted, “I d-don’t want to be late for work. We should probably start heading back.”

She leapt to her feet then, as if on cue, tripped over a rock. As she readied herself for the perfect swan dive into the earth, she felt his arms about her, steadying her until she found her footing. How did he get to her so fast?

Only a moment before, he had been seated on the ground and now he was on his feet holding her in the upright position. His grip was gentle, yet firm. She looked to his hands holding her steady at the shoulders and her mouth went dry. He smelled of spices and pine, natural, and oh-so-masculine.

She tried not to meet his gaze as she cleared her throat. “Thanks.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him nod. She felt his hands release her as she turned from him. She made her way into the forest, walking back toward her home and hoped that was the last time she made a fool out of herself.

Lucas had seen a lot of things in his lifetime but never had he seen anything as perfect as Ava. When he gazed upon her this morning, he knew she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Her clothing left little to the imagination and if they were anywhere else, he would have tried to cover her up.

He could see her tight full breast through the sheer fabric of her shirt, and damn him to hell if he didn’t notice the way her hip curved out from her slim waist, revealing a plump, but firm backside. Her smooth legs were toned and long, like the gazelles he’d seen in his travels. Bloody hell, she would be the death of him yet. He wasn’t even sure if he was going to be able to run. His hard erection ached for release and he hadn’t even spent a full five minutes with her. Fortunately, she’d started off at a jogging pace that gave him time to recover himself.

He averted his eyes to the forest before him. He had to keep his mind from his delectable mate, for there could be more dangerous beings in this forest than him. He needed his mind to be sharp, ready for the unexpected.

He had arrived early to check out the area around her home. He was relieved to find no tracks or awful stench that so often accompanied demons. Maybe the demons wouldn’t come this far north. After all, what would they want or need in this isolated area? Maybe he was being overly concerned but he knew from experience it was better to be safe than sorry. The beast’s call to protect his mate was nonstop, even waking him from his sleep. Would he ever find restful sleep again?

Maybe if she were by his side . . . in his bed.

He shook his head to rid himself of the thought.

He wanted more than anything to claim her as his own but he knew he had to give her time to adjust. Her life was about to deviate very soon. He could sense she was close to the change. When he laid his hand on her, he’d felt the electrical vibrations pulsing through her. Only another immortal could feel such vibrations and hers where beating with a steady rhythm. The faster they become, the closer the transition was, and he dreaded it for her.

Becoming immortal was a painful ordeal that lasted about twenty-four hours. Bones reinforced themselves, blood ran like acid through your veins, and your skin burned like it was on fire. It was the body’s way of protecting itself, making it the strongest it could be for eternity. Afterward, an immortal’s body became stronger, more efficient, and ready to take on the world. Did she know she was soon to become an immortal witch? Hell, for that matter did her family even know?

“What’s your family like?” He sped up his pace to walk by her side.

“Well, I lost my parents when I was five. Since then, my three sisters and I have lived with Maeve. She used to be our nanny, but she’s been the only mother we’ve really known.” She shrugged as she looked to the ground.

Did she always do that when she wanted to avoid something?

“You have three sisters?”

She nodded. “I’m the oldest, then Ella, Thea, and Cara. How about you? Do you have any siblings?”

“I have a twin brother, Aiden, and two younger sisters, Emma and Rose. They live in England. I just got back from visiting them.”

She smiled. “Really? Does that mean you live around here?”

He nodded. “Lake Placid.”  

“Are you on your way back home?”

“I’ve decided to hang around for a while.” He didn’t want to give away his true intention of staying here for her, but didn’t want to lie to her either.

“Don’t you have a job or something to get back to?” She glanced at him but then turned her attention back to the forest, kicking a rock out of her way.

The answer to her question was not as simple as it may appear. But complications were becoming his good friend. Could he just tell her the truth? “I inherited some money when I turned twenty-five. I’ve been fortunate in my investments.”

“So, you’re rich?”

Lucas smiled. He was rich, but money was a tool, nothing more. “You could say that.” It was just as well he didn’t need to work. Never aging did have its drawbacks. He stepped in front of her to move a low-hanging branch. “Obviously I know where you work, but how did you get started there?”

Ava shrugged. “I earned my business degree from an online school and got hired there. It’s really not that interesting.” She stepped around the branch without looking at him again. Hell, why wouldn’t she look at him?

“So you never wanted to go away to school?”

“No, I guess I always felt like my family needed me. So I stayed. Why did you?”

As they approached her house, he felt like the time had gone by too fast for his liking. There was still so much he wanted to know about her. “I graduated from Oxford with a degree in literature.”

She turned to walk up the steps.

“You know, it sounds like your family is really lucky to have you.” He watched as she smiled, and in that moment, he felt anxious at the thought of leaving her.

She held onto the wooden rail of the open porch as she peered down at him. “Thanks. So, I will see you at work?”

Right, he would be able to see her more today. “I’ll be around.” He climbed the steps.

She watched him with such joy that it made his heart beat faster. When he reached for her, she stepped back.

“My, uh, sisters are probably up by now.”

Not really caring who was up and watching them, he crossed to her and took hold of her hand and brought her soft skin to his lips. He lingered for only a moment to inhale her perfect lavender scent. His eyes were locked with hers as he let her hand go, gratified when he heard her sigh. He bounded down the steps and broke into a jog.

He hadn’t even made it to the end of the driveway when he sensed them. The world slowed its motion and time stood still as he inhaled the smell of sulfur, the scent of demons. One he could never forget. The odor took hold, settling in his chest, and in the time it took him to turn to catch a glimpse of Ava, entering her home, his anxiety turned to fear.

Chapter 2

Ava hated Mondays. She’d no sooner arrived at work than she’d spilled coffee all over her favorite skirt and just as she managed to clean up the worst of the mess, the phone rang.

“This is Ava.” Sometimes she wished she wasn’t the only employee allowed to have a cell phone on while she worked. This was not a good day for interruptions.

“Oh, hey, Mr. Clarke, What can I do for you?” Mr. Clarke was the owner of the inn and almost never called her. “I can meet you— Ah, sure, now is fine.” Of course, he’d want to meet now. She and her coffee stain were ready for a meeting with the owner. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

As Ava hung up the phone, she sighed. He probably only wanted her accountings of what happened yesterday, but that thought didn’t prevent her from being nervous. As she made her way over to his office her thoughts traveled to Lucas. She was pretty sure she missed him, which was ridiculous! She’d just seen him this morning. And how could you miss someone you just met? After all, what did she really know about him?

Other than he was gorgeous, a great runner, and listened to great music. When she thought of it that way he didn’t sound all that bad. Yet she was left longing. She wanted to know everything about him, from his favorite color to what made him tick. Why?

Well, she was sure the jury was still out on that one.

Walking up to Mr. Clarke’s office door, she took a deep breath and tried to suppress her thoughts of Lucas. Then as she knocked on the door a question arose in her mind. Why was Lucas “hanging around” as he’d said this morning?

The pine wood door rushed open. “Come in.” Mr. Clarke nodded toward a red chair. “Have a seat.”

Yes, sitting was good. Why was she so nervous? Her knees felt like they were about to buckle. She made herself comfortable in the chair across from his desk but her mind raced. Her boss didn’t look angry, but Mark had been one of his favorites. Her job couldn’t be in jeopardy, could it?

Mr. Clarke moved around his desk then settled in a large leather chair. He took note of a few papers on the desk, which made her stomach turn. Did he have the police report before him?

“First, let me say how sorry I am about yesterday’s incident. I had no idea that Mark was a violent man.”

“No, of course you didn’t, no one knew.” She gave him what she hoped was an,
I don’t blame you smile
.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. He didn’t even leave a scratch.”

“Well, I am very glad to hear that. Now, you know that Mark was let go and has been arrested for his behavior.” Mr. Clarke shifted his weight in his chair as he laced his fingers together.

“Yes. I did hear that.” Ava could feel a nervous twitch taking over her body. She crossed her legs in hopes of calming her anxiety. Yet found jiggling her foot far more comforting. Was it just her, or were the tan-colored walls closing in on them?

Mr. Clarke cleared his throat. “Good. So you also know that we have a position open for his old job then?”

“Well, I guess, I, ah, I didn’t really think about it.” All she’d thought about since the incident was the man who’d rescued her. His hooded amber eyes and jet black hair had plagued her thoughts since the moment he burst through the door.

“Ava, let me be frank. I want you to take over Mark’s position.”

She started to protest as he rose from his chair. He stopped before her, leaned against the chestnut desk, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Before you say anything, let me finish. You have been my star employee since the day you walked through the Inn’s door and you have been dedicated to making this a better place to stay. Of course, the job wouldn’t be without its perks. It comes with a pay raise and more vacation time. So, what do you say?”

Her tongue all of a sudden decided to take a vacay. Out of all the ways she thought the conversation would go, this particular scenario never came to mind. “Umm, wow. I-I”—words, she needed to form words—“intended for this to—”

Mr. Clarke raised his hand, interrupting her. “Listen, I understand if you need some time to think about the position. How about you let me know by the end of the week?”

She paused, then finally managed to mutter a “Sure.”  

She stood and headed for the door, but Mr. Clarke moved to shake her hand. At his closeness, his aftershave filled her senses. The smell was clean and refreshing— calming. “It would mean a great deal to me if you accepted my offer.”

She nodded then headed out the door, closing it behind her. She leaned back against the polished wood, too astonished to even move. She was beyond thrilled, and she couldn’t wait to tell Lucas, which was odd. Her family should be the first people to know yet here she was thinking of telling Lucas first. She straightened and headed back to the front desk.

Her cell phone beeped, and she glanced at the screen. She had a text message from a number she’d never seen before. She flipped open her phone and read.

H
ey, it’s Lucas, just wondered how your day was going?

It was going great. She’d just received a promotion and had a hunky admirer. She bit her lower lip as it stretched into a smile. Her heart was hammering in her ears as she, text him back.

My day has been good so far, just got some big news.
She added a smiley face at the end of the message, to
let him know that the
big news
was something she was happy about. She stuffed her cell back in her pocket as she made her way over to the front desk.

Just as she began to go over the list of people checking-in today, she heard the beep—a message back. She jerked the phone from her pocket, flipped it open, and read.

Glad to hear it! Maybe you would like to share your news with me over lunch?

He wanted to have lunch with her! She suppressed a squeal, which was so unbefitting of someone her age then started punching letters on her cell keyboard.

Sure, I take lunch at 12:30. Where do you wanna meet?
As she hit send, she set the check-in list aside on the marble desk then sank back into the chair, crossed her legs, and shook her foot like it was her job. Waiting for a reply bit the big one. At the beep of her phone her heart leapt.

How bout we eat at the diner next door?

That would work. She loved that diner.

Def! I’ll be there and FYI I’m in the mood for pizza.
She laughed as she hit ‘send’. It looked like her and her coffee stains were having lunch with the hunky admirer. She was never washing this lucky skirt. First a promotion and now a date, could this day get any better?

Twelve-thirty sharp, Ava punched out and was on her way to the café. The sun peeked around clouds now and then. It was a good thing she brought a coat this morning. The weather in these parts could be so unpredictable as the air was heavy with moisture. She bet her right hand it rained later.

No matter, she loved the rain. The street was deserted. Not many tourists were up in the old Adirondacks this time of year. She kind of liked the solitude, though. The lack of hustle and bustle of city life was one of her most favorite things about the country. Lake Placid had to be more crowded than this. Lucas must be used to more excitement than their little town had to offer.

When she reached the diner, she grabbed for the handle to the door but to her surprise the glass door opened of its own accord. Lucas stood on the other side of it with a devilish grin on his face. Then it happened . . .

When your day was already at its peak, there was only one other way for it to go . . . down. Her stiletto heel hit the metal ledge of the doorframe. The next thing she knew was cruising for the floor, to receive in kind a nice bruise on her forehead. Was this to be her lot in life, complete humiliation in front of the hunky admirer?

He caught her by the waist. Forcing her upright at the last second, her body slammed into his. She must have closed her eyes for she the next thing she knew she was opening them to see a scruffy chin,
his
scruffy chin.

His arms wrapped around her, holding her against his chest. She shifted back needing to find his eyes, which were still trained on her. “Nice reflexes.”

His arms tightened around her for the briefest of seconds before he let her go. It was then that she noticed his leather coat. He smelled strongly of the material and a certain spice she couldn’t identify. She thought he would leave her side but instead he laced his fingers with her.

She found herself looking at their intertwined hands then to his eyes. As her gazed met his, she caught his wink. “Just in case you take any more trips.”

He led her over to a red vinyl booth. It was this kind of ambience that she really loved. An old school diner with black-and-white checkered flooring, paired with silver walls, red booths, and stools. It was vintage with a capital ‘V.’ The diner’s aroma was strong. Scents of melted cheese, greasy meat, and fresh French fries made her stomach growl. Lord, she was hungry.

She opened a menu, but she already knew what she wanted. She heard Lucas do the same but was surprised when she looked up to find his eyes focused on her.

“You come here a lot?” he asked.

She unfolded the napkin containing the silverware then placed the napkin on her lap as heat flooded her body. Not that the skirt wasn’t already a mess, but there was no need to make it any worse. After all, she still had half a day of work to go back to. “I guess you could say that. My sisters and I have been coming here since we were kids.”

“You must have a lot of memories in this town.” He placed the menu at the end of the table. She did the same as the waitress came over. Lucas ordered a large cheese pizza and two iced teas. He looked to her, waiting for her acceptance?

With a sharp nod from her, the waitress disappeared behind the metal counter.

“I’m anxious to hear this big news of yours.” He leaned back against the booth resting his hands in his lap. Was he really this relaxed with her?

Her nerves were shot. Between, the meeting with Mr. Clarke and trying not to make a fool of herself for the third time today in front of Lucas, she was ready for another run. Running was the only way she knew how to blow off some unwanted steam.

“I received a promotion this morning. Well, an offer to be promoted. I haven’t accepted yet.”

“That’s great. Will you . . . accept?”

She moved the silverware in front of her. Why was she so nervous around him? Maybe if she dated more, this all would be easier. She noted that his eyes were still fixated on her.
Stop being so shy
.

She held his gaze. “I think so. It would mean better benefits, and I was practically doing the job before.”

He seemed to consider this while rubbing his forefinger and thumb over his strong, bristled chin. “It would be a good opportunity.”

His approval made the apples of her cheeks grow large, a smile spread across her face, and a warm feeling settle in her gut.

“Here we are.” The waitress set up a stand to set the large pizza on, then scooped them both out a slice. Next, she set two iced teas before them. A smile later, the waitress was off to another table. Not many people occupied the diner, but, heck, they needed to eat, too.

The scent of melted cheese went straight to her empty belly, making her mouth water. “I’m starved.”

Lucas laughed. “I would think so. Running like you do works up a good appetite.”

For a moment she concentrated on her pizza. Slowing her bites, using the manners that had been instilled in her since birth, she started to eat, one tiny bite at a time. When she heard the rhythmic beeping of her phone, her insides began to turn.

It was rude to answer the phone while in the company of another but it may be important, an emergency at the Inn, or worse, with her sisters.

She ripped the cell from her pocket, glancing at the caller ID.
Home
.

Lucas’s strong, steady voice filled her ears. “You need to answer that.”

Yes. She did. Her family almost never called her at work. The last time was when Cara was in a fender bender. Ava swallowed hard. Her heart was hammering as her gaze met Lucas. She nodded then flipped the phone open.

Lucas waited patiently as Ava talked to Maeve on the phone. He could hear every word being spoken between them yet tried to remain impassive by taking another large bit of cheese pizza.

He didn’t want to eavesdrop on her personal call but with his acute hearing he couldn’t help listen. As he devoured another slice, he gazed out the window of the café into the streets of the town. The rolling hills were already turning green. With the scent of summer not far off. Yet as his gazed traveled from one hill to another a pit grew in his gut.

After their morning run, he’d scoured the area around Ava’s home, finding little trace of an impending threat. Yet he was sure he had sensed them.

Demons, roaming the countryside for an unknown reason. What were they looking for? For years they had been in hiding, put there only by the most stalwart of all immortals. Surfacing only a few at a time.

Lucas had, in fact, met up with several. Hated the way they smelled . . . looked. Despite their follies, though, they fought like the devil. Strong, vicious . . . fighting with no honor—they made a fierce opponent. Yet, they had been no match for him.

His extensive training as a young boy had been not only necessary it had been imperative. The years he now had only added to his knowledge of warfare and although he didn’t like the fact the demons had risen, he knew he could take care of himself. But Ava . . .

He turned to her. She was biting her bottom lip as she crushed her napkin in her left hand. Her right hand had a death grip on the phone. She had good muscle tone . . . intelligence . . . he could teach her to protect herself.

Would he have to?

If this threat didn’t disappear . . . or if she denied their bond—would he have another choice? Even now, he couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to her. She was
his
. If she asked him to leave, he would have no choice. He would leave. But damn him to hell, he wouldn’t leave her unprotected.

Her magic might be enough protection. Once she learned how to use it.