Harnessed (14 page)

It was easier this time.

He savored the fastening of every strap and buckle, wanting to remember every sensation of this interval. He tried to keep his mind in the calm space of a pony, but his thoughts were already leaping ahead, organizing a list for his return to the real world.

He was surprised on his emergence from the stables to find a team of eight saddled to a large black carriage. Smoke was there, Eclipse and Midnight, and other human ponies he’d seen but whose names he didn’t know. The plumes on their bridles were black, like ostrich feathers, as were the plumes on the dark carriage itself. The carriage was big, although he didn’t immediately understand its purpose.

Baxter wore black livery and a solemn manner, as did the four footmen. Kerr led Josh to the terminal at a walk as the footmen climbed up to ride on the back of the carriage. Baxter cracked the whip and the team took off at a canter. Josh watched them go and let the exertion of the walk take the edge off his disappointment at leaving Windswept.

Maybe he’d come back again.

Maybe it had provided the one thing he needed.

A man strode out of the stables behind them, his manner cocky as he strode past them. It was Tyler, dressed as a gentleman, his mood clearly euphoric. “Finally, things are as they should be,” he said to Josh and Kerr, his smile mocking as he looked Josh up and down. “Happy trails, Storm.”

That man’s presence was a disappointment to Josh, even as Tyler strode toward the manor house. It could only mean Elise wouldn’t be on his flight. Josh would have liked to have seen her one last time, at least to have wished her well.

There was a smaller carriage coming from the direction of the manor house, one with a team of four, and Josh wondered whether it was staff ending their term on the island or the lord of the manor himself. Another woman rode a bicycle toward the terminal, appearing suddenly from the back of the manor house. He supposed everyone had to take advantage of available transport.

His harness was removed in the change room inside the terminal, and his locker opened before the attendants left him alone. He used the showers quickly, cleaning himself up before he dressed. His clothes felt both familiar and alien. His reflection looked the same in the mirror, but he felt completely different. Baxter shook his hand and gave him the precious bundle of notes. Josh heard the sound of helicopter blades, stuffed the notebook into his bag and headed out to the helipad.

It was over.

He watched the helicopter approach and felt the way he did after a great concert. There was the familiar mix of exhaustion and euphoria, the sense of completion and the almost forgotten promise of new opportunity.

* * *

Tyler loved the suit.

He felt like a million bucks as he strode toward the manor house and his rightful due. He didn’t even blame Baxter and the others for denying him a ride. He’d soon be lording it over them, and they’d regret their choices. He couldn’t wait for his fantasy to begin.

He didn’t give a shit about that other guy, the pony with the sprained ankle. He could be magnanimous now that he knew he’d beaten the bastard.

There was a carriage coming from the manor house to the terminal and he moved to one side of the road to let it pass. Someone clearly had to meet the helicopter. Maybe someone’s time was completed. He caught a glimpse of Elise in the carriage as it rolled past him and for a minute, he thought his eyes had deceived him.

“Hey!” he shouted after the carriage, but it didn’t stop.

It was her. He saw her being handed down at the terminal by the lord of the manor. She couldn’t be leaving! What was going on?

A bell rang and he jumped aside as a bicycle swept past him. “Coming through,” the woman called who was riding it and Tyler recognized Amy’s voice.

“Elise can’t be leaving!” he shouted after her, running after the bike.

Amy laughed. “She didn’t accept the offer.”

“You can’t be leaving.”

“I am.”

“But you work here! You said so!”

Amy stopped at the terminal and jumped off her bike. Baxter took it from her and parked it to one side of the terminal. Elise had already disappeared inside, and Tyler made for the door.

Baxter stepped into his path. “Only arriving and departing guests pass beyond this portal.”

“But…”

“Do give me an excuse,” he said softly, a threat in his eyes.

“See you, Baxter,” Amy said, moving to duck around the older man.

“But you can’t be leaving!” Tyler repeated. “You work here.”

Amy shook a finger at him, her gaze mischievous. “Not here specifically. I work for The Phoenix, which means I can be sent to any of their properties.” She waved. “Bye!”

Tyler stood for a moment, astounded that both women were leaving. He really disliked that no one specifically had broken a promise to him.

Amy had even advised him to read all of the contract.

The helicopter descended, making noise and whipping up dust. Tyler turned and headed toward the manor house and his rightful due.

* * *

The sight of Elise stopped Josh’s heart cold. It was strange to see her in jeans and a leather jacket again. Once again, he noticed how the red sweater flattered her coloring. She also looked the same as she had a week before, but he noticed that she stood a little taller. She smiled at him, then blushed a bit and averted her gaze to watch the helicopter descend.

She must think he hadn’t wanted to see her.

It was now or never.

Josh went to her side, and she frowned as she noticed his limp. “Wrestling accident,” he murmured, leaning close so she’d be able to hear him.

“He didn’t!”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I wasn’t sure. I came the next day.”

Josh smiled. “I wish I’d been able to go with you. Did you take another mount?”

Elise shook her head, her eyes so luminous that he got a lump in his throat. “There could be no other,” she whispered.

The scent of her perfume reminded him all too well of everything they’d done together. “Do you have a safe place to go?”

She nodded, even as the wind lifted her hair. “I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will be.” Josh held her gaze as he felt in the pocket of his jacket. To his relief, he actually had one of his business cards. He handed it to her, leaving the decision in her hands. “But if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

She looked at the card and then at him. He saw the moment she recognized his name, and wondered if his fame was a good thing or a bad one. She had always been in the background, she’d said, and he’d always been in the spotlight. They’d both come to Windswept seeking the opposite experience, but Josh had to believe there was a healthy balance in the middle.

He knew he couldn’t push. Any insistence on his part would be too much for her, but he hoped like hell she called.

He thought she might have said something, but then the helicopter was on the ground. The rotors continued to turn as new arrivals disembarked, then Josh and Elise were waved into the aircraft. In the last moment, another woman came out of the terminal, and Josh recognized her as the maid. She gave Elise an impish smile and clutched her laptop bag close.

They were ushered into their seats and the two women sat together. As they took to the air, Josh stared back at Windswept, marveling at the change he’d experienced in just a week. He watched the team of human ponies in their black livery, and the large black carriage. A long box was carried out of the terminal building and he realized it was a coffin.

Well, The Phoenix was supposed to cater to every fantasy.

Something else was going on farther down the road to the manor house, but he didn’t have time to see it clearly. He thought it was Nigel’s carriage, but the helicopter turned and there was only ocean beneath them.

He took out the notes he’d made and began to work on the melodies that had been haunting him.

The ones that Elise had coaxed to life.

Maybe that was enough of a legacy of their time together.

Maybe it would have to be.

* * *

Nigel waited at the terminal, knowing that Athena was arriving to conduct his interview. He was nervous as he seldom was, and more so when she strode out with another man behind her. She was dressed in shades of black and grey, somehow managing to make a combination that should have been austere look flamboyant.

“Nigel,” she said, taking his hand, then kissing his cheeks. “How lovely to actually meet you. I was very intrigued when Amy told me of your interest in joining our team.”

“Thank you.” Nigel glanced at the other man, who seemed to be a quiet type.

“My new secretary, Steele,” Athena said breezily. “He’s not been to Windswept before, so I thought to bring him up to speed at the same time.”

That seemed like a good idea. Nigel nodded at the other man and indicated his carriage. Athena was carrying a legal sized envelope, one that looked so modern as to be anachronistic. “Amy gave me these signed contract addenda,” she said, passing them to Steele. “We will need to find a former pony named Tyler.”

“Golden Boy,” Nigel said. “Yes, I just passed him on the road to the house. He was dressed as gentleman.”

“Yes, it’s terribly sad,” Athena said. Her voice sounded somber, but her eyes were sparkling. “He believes he’s lord of the manor and once he was.”

“Once?” Nigel asked.

“Before the madness, of course. Now, we’re compelled to keep him locked in the attics.” She pointed down the road. “Oh yes, I see him. He does manage to get away sometimes.” She turned to Steele. “Did you bring it?”

“Of course.” Steele opened his bag and removed something made of heavy off-white canvas.

“A straitjacket,” Athena said to Nigel. “In the Victorian style.” She shook it out and admired it openly. “They just don’t make them the way they used to.” She turned to the older man who waited for her instruction. “I know it’s a busy day for you, Baxter, but could you take care of this?”

“Of course, my lady.”

Athena put her hand into Nigel’s elbow. “The lord and I will give Steele a tour of the island. I assume all will be in order by the time we return for luncheon.”

As much as Nigel would have liked to have watched Tyler taken to the attic, he was much more interested in whatever Athena had to say to him.

He’d find out more about that coffin later, too.

* * *

He’d been hurt.

He hadn’t avoided her. Elise’s relief was dismissed by one glance at his business card. No wonder Josh looked familiar. He was famous.

He’d left the band, she remembered, citing exhaustion after years of touring. She stole glances at him during the flight, knowing that she was stupid to think there could be any kind of a future between them. He was rich and famous. She was a website designer and fan girl.

But he’d asked if she had a safe place to go.

She stole glances at him during the flight, knowing she could never call him out of the blue. No, she had to be able to see his reaction, to know that he wasn’t just being kind. He was working steadily, even more intense than usual, and she wondered what he was doing.

What would she do for one last kiss?

They landed at the heliport near London, and Elise thought about the airline ticket to Boston in her purse. Her sister would pick her up, as planned, but she found herself not wanting to go.

“Now or never,” Amy whispered as she stood up to get off the aircraft. She gave Elise a resolute look. “You can do it.”

Elise nodded, her heart in her throat, but the younger woman was gone. She got off the helicopter and lifted her bag. Josh wasn’t half a dozen steps away, so she took a breath and went right to him. “I’d rather have dinner with you now than call you later,” she said, her words falling in a rush before she lost her nerve.

He looked up at her and smiled slowly. “It’s like you read my mind.”

Elise felt warm all over.

“Don’t you have a flight to catch?”

“I do,” she admitted. “But I’d rather stay here.”

“Good,” he said softly. “I’d like that, too.” He gestured to the waiting limo, taking her bag from her hand. “Maybe we could have dinner tonight.”

“It’s like you read
my
mind,” Elise replied, and he stopped her with a touch on her elbow. He bent and brushed his lips across hers, pausing to stare into her eyes. “What was that for?” she asked, breathless and thrilled.

“For luck,” he said easily. Because we’re starting a new adventure together and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

“Me neither,” Elise said, then impulsively kissed him back.

* * *

The next erotic novella in The Phoenix Series is

Hunted