Eternally Bound: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set (26 page)

“Sweetheart…”

“Don’t you dare sweetheart me, Rahn.”

“Chrys, I meant what I said. I do want to spend time with you, and I really did look into some private tours for us. Just last night, actually, right after I came aboard.”

“Wha…?”

“When I joined you in the hot tub this morning, it wasn’t meant to be a one-time event.”

He pulled her closer until she stood between his long legs. Aw, hell, her insides were going all gooey.
Come on, girlfriend, snap that spine in place
. Hmmm, the spine wasn’t listening. Just great.

“I intend to make up for all the time I spent without you.”

“Oh, be real, Rahn. You were just postulating, doing the mark-my-territory thing.”

“You want me to be honest, Chrys?”

“Yes, damn it.” She almost lost her train of thought when he took both her hands in his and kissed each knuckle. The heat of his inner thighs burned through the fabric of her workout pants and scalded her legs where they connected with his knees.

“Here’s real for you, love. I plan to seduce you. And most importantly, I plan to keep you. Period.”

Chapter Five

He released her hands and slowly eased his strong arms around her waist. His gaze was hot, unwavering as he slowly eased her even closer. Oh god, he was going to kiss her right here in the restaurant! Her stomach danced wildly, and like a puppet on a string, her feet followed his direction without her permission. Her lips tingled in anticipation of feeling his mouth on hers, his wide solid chest pressed against hers. Oh, dear god. She had to go right now. Either that or melt into the glossy varnish of the hardwood floors.

She pushed away.

“Chrys?” he asked, his voice full of what she could only describe as expectancy. And not only did she know what he wanted, she actually wanted to give it to him. What the hell?

“I’m going to the spa, Rahn. Alone.”

“Fine. I’ll walk you to the elevator.”

“Rahn, I don’t need…”

But he was already out of his seat, guiding her through the fancy glass double doors and toward the elevator with a hand at the small of her back.

He steered her into a little nook she hadn’t noticed on her way into the restaurant. The second her body disappeared into the shadows, his big body blocked out the rest of the light as he swooped in for the kiss she hadn’t allowed at the table. And, lord, could he kiss.

She tried to resist, but after a few seconds of deliciously intimate nibbling, the quiet moan locked in her throat slipped through. Then Chrys let him take her very breath away. His lips were insistent as they moved over hers. His earthy male scent mixed with the chocolate mocha coffee he’d been drinking and stole her very senses. Her body arched into his and earned a ragged groan as his rapidly swelling cock pressed against her belly. He held her so tight. How wonderful to be engulfed in his embrace, held so securely against his honed body.

It felt good to know she was the cause of the flex and ripple of muscle under her fingers. His pecs and abs tightened and fluttered as she explored his body through the kiss.

Reluctant to come up for air, Chrys let one of her hands slip up the side of his neck and bury itself in his thick, silky hair. She almost tightened her grip to the scalp and pulled him back to her mouth when he eased away.

“Chrys, baby, I’ve missed you so much. I don’t know if this is the right time, but I’ve got to tell you this.”

Suddenly, apprehension bit at the base of her spine. What was he going to say? Had he changed his mind about his intention to seduce her? Considering the fact they’d been estranged until just last night, should she be surprised if he walked away?

Then her spirit guide, without her having to ask, sent reassuring care and love through their bond and she instantly relaxed. What did Adonei know that she didn’t? She’d have to have a long talk with that damned lion as soon as she got some time to herself.

“Chrys, listen, I know I practically disappeared after you got engaged to what’s-his-name.” The way he spit out what’s-his-name made her smile. “But I’ve never stopped caring for you. Wanting you. The only reason I asked for a transfer to London was because I couldn’t stand to see you with someone else. I still can’t.”

He leaned down, pressed his forehead against hers and waited.

“So,” she said on a sigh as his hands gently caressed the tense muscles of her lower back. “What do you want, Rahn?”

“I want you, love.”

She went still as stone. Now why hadn’t she expected such an answer? Because she hadn’t believed anything he’d said this morning. And now she felt caught in the headlights. It had never been a feeling she enjoyed, whether the situation was good or not.

But, damn it, if she was going to be a deer in the headlights, Chrysalyn Geyer wasn’t going to stand in traffic alone. Her hands dropped away from his chest as she tried to create some space between them. She would have succeeded except for the wall at her back.

“Why are you really here, Rahn? Is it because you have a murder to investigate, a case to solve? Are you here for work or for me?”

He gritted his teeth and hesitated. And she had her answer.

“Bye, Rahn.”

“Damn, it, woman.”

Squeezing past him, she’d made it almost a whole foot away when she was snatched back against a wall of a rock-hard chest. Then the marvelously muscular man planted a sweet peck on her cheek.

“You know I can’t tell you. But I will say I’ve learned from losing you the first time. Work will never take your place. Not this time, love.” He kissed her again, this time so gently she felt tears gather behind her eyes. She pushed him back with a deep, though purposely annoyed-sounding, intake of breath.

“Check in with me after you’re done at the spa.”

She started. He held up his hand in a conciliatory gesture and continued. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I mean it, Chrys. Be careful off by yourself.” This followed by a ground-out “Please”, before he strode away.

Gaze glued to his retreating back, Chrys allowed herself a moment to admire his ass. Damn, he looked good in jeans. A lopsided grin tipped up one side of her mouth as she stepped inside the elevator.

Reaching out to her spirit guide, Chrys called to the big cat.

‘Adonei, did you catch that?’

*
Of course. It is my task to look after you, is it not?
*

‘Well, yeah, but it looks like you might have to fight Rahn for the job. By the way, you’ve never been so silent while I was in the company of a man lately. Only with Rahn.’

*
He is your mate. It is only right to give him that respect.
*

‘Mate, eh? But why now? Why not years ago?’ Maybe the knowledge would have kept both of them from making stupid mistakes.

*
Because neither of you were ready to accept what you meant to each other then. Hence, it was not made known to me the importance of this human male
.*

‘And we are now? Ready, I mean?’ she asked with a snort and a grin.

*
It would seem so, yes
.*

‘Well, mate or not, if he thinks he’s gonna start ordering me around, he’s got another think coming.’

The elevator stopped and slid silently open. Chrys stepped out and her mouth, which seemed to be falling open often these days, made the trip again. The entrance to the opulent spa was a set of wide gold and glass doors with Clinique La Paris written in elegant frosted script across the panes. A massage, manicure and pedicure awaited her, but thoughts of the interactions with Rahn intruded. That, along with Adonei’s words, ran rampant through her brain. Mate. Mate. Mate?

It was useless to try to hide the chemistry with Rahn, especially when her body responded so eagerly to his touch. Not to mention he was genuinely a good guy. Hell, who was she kidding? If there was a word for beyond attracted, it would almost sum up her feelings for the man.

She checked in with the technician and was shown to a plush private room to change. Her toes wiggled as the warmth from the heated tile eased into the soles of her feet. It was so soothing, she was almost reluctant to climb up on the massage table and pull the sheet over her naked body. Her mind strayed to Rahn again, to the desire she saw in his eyes when he looked at her, the softness with which he touched her. The fierceness of his loving as he took her with lips, teeth and tongue. Immediately, her nipples tingled and soon stabbed into the warm blanket she lay on.

Three months of vacation, eh? But that was her predicament, not his. He was, after all, working on a case. Would he rejoin her on the ship after he wrapped up his investigation in Rome, or simply fly home alone? She had no idea, but she had the whole crossing of the Mediterranean before she had to worry about it. If she played her cards right, at least some of her too-long trip would be interesting. If she could just manage to keep a little part of herself from falling.

* * * * *

Eden took the elevator up to his sprawling apartment. Ignoring the call of both the pharaoh and her charges, he whipped off his day clothes, neatly folded the cargo pants and t-shirt and left them on top of the washing machine. He strode to the master bedroom and yanked on his customary all-black hunting garb, then changed his mind. Where he was going, the slacks and silk shirt would stand out. He opted for a black sweatsuit instead and was out the door in less than five minutes.

In the fitness area, he walked around the large wide-open rooms. Finally, Eden spotted a woman who fit the description of the last one he’d been instructed to correct. As he followed her from the fitness area to the indoor pool, he sighed inwardly. The female didn’t exude any apprehension or concern. In fact, she didn’t seem to notice being followed at all. No thrill to the hunt. No exhilaration or surge of energy as on other forays. Strange.

“This is fucking boring,” he mumbled to himself. His steps were silent, but he’d spoken too loudly and caused the specimen to turn around and look behind her. Damn it. He knelt and pretended to tie his shoelace.

He waited for his pharaoh to speak to him while surveying the occupants. Nothing. No hints or clues as to who he was supposed to exact justice upon. Now he wished he’d taken a moment to answer her when she’d called to him while he changed his clothes.

But that damned hybrid infidel who’d practically accosted Chrysalyn at the breakfast table had him charged up and wired for sound. Seething didn’t come close to describing his agitation.

He chastised himself while resisting the urge to roll his eyes toward the ceiling. “Get your mind into the game, Eden.” But his brain wouldn’t cooperate. It kept turning back toward the beautiful and exotic Chrysalyn.

Their time together at breakfast had been pleasant until her big coworker showed up. Chrysalyn seemed completely comfortable with the man. If Eden wasn’t mistaken, the fellow appeared to be of Egyptian birth. But no, his skin was too light, his speech too Western. But he couldn’t take the chance that this Rahn person came from the same homeland. If the bastard was indeed a kinsman and saw Eden acquiring Chrysalyn the way he intended to, his plans would be foiled. He’d become an outcast.

For the first time in ten years of cleansing the world of the unworthy, Eden was nervous. A bizarre and unwelcome sensation. Why was this happening to him, and why now?

He let his intended prey go on alone and sat down on one of the cushioned seats along the hallway. Quieting his mind he called out to his pharaoh. Again, nothing. The voice of his devoted pharaoh and harem keeper did not penetrate the morass of confusion that assailed him. No spiritual awareness. No voice in his head. Just a big black void.

Inwardly, his heart pounded at the prospect of something having happened to his beloved tarot reader. Never one to bring unnecessary attention to himself, Eden forced his feet to take calm, measured steps back to his apartment. Suddenly a thought flashed into the forefront of his mind. The Empress. The apprehension grew. He had to know what the hell was going on with that damned card.

Eden stepped over the threshold into his foyer. Once inside, he pulled a deep cleansing breath into his lungs and let it whoosh out. Again, in and out. The third time around, he finally felt the tension begin to leach from his limbs and relaxation take its place. His harem keeper was where he’d left her. All was well.

Beloved, what is wrong? You are tense?

Eden removed his shoes at the door, strode to her case and gently removed her from the shelf.

“I needed you while I was on the hunt and you did not respond. I did not like it.”

But, beloved, I never accompany you on the hunt. We always speak before you depart…

Yes, damn it, he knew that. But this time he’d needed her, needed her presence in his head. Who the hell cared what she always did or didn’t do? The only thing that mattered was right here and now.

Easing down into his favorite oversized chair near the coffee table, Eden set his harem keeper down on the coffee table, picked up the black and gold tarot deck he kept there and shuffled it.

The Empress. Upside down.

Again, he shuffled, yet drew the same card.

Last time he’d asked about this card, his lovely pharaoh blew him off. Not this time.

“I want to know what this fucking card means and right now.”

She remained quiet a moment. Eden knew she was preparing some kind of bullshit answer, but he wasn’t going for it. His gut churned. Sweat erupted from his brow and crept down the side of his face, dampening the skin all the way down to his neck. He had a feeling Chrysalyn might be affected by this particular draw as well as himself.

“Tell me what this card means or you will find yourself in need of an heir to take up your rule.”

Snapping her lovely brown porcelain neck was no hardship for him. He’d simply have another made. Or better yet, allow one of her charges to take her place. They were growing tired of her heavy-handed tactics anyway.

Beloved, there is no need to be angry. I do not believe you have selected this card for you, but for someone else. Someone you will meet or have recently encountered
.