Her Dangerous Desires [Notorious Nephilim 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (19 page)

“We all wish that,” said Niko, rubbing his hand lightly across her back.

“Isn’t there some way to tell if she’s gone already?”

Reeve shrugged. “Not all of us really felt her day-to-day presence to begin with.” He glanced at Gregory. “Can you or Demetrius tell if there’s any difference?”

Gregory shook his head. “I went down to the lobby this morning and her damn eyes are still staring out of her portrait.”

Demetrius laughed. “What did you expect to find? Holes burned in them or something?”

“Yeah, something like that. How the fuck will we actually know if she’s gone?”

“Okay, Gregory, calm down.” Zach frowned at him. “We’re all on edge.”

“Gregory brings up a good point,” said Paige. “How will you know if it worked?”

Demetrius gave her a reassuring smile. “Botis won’t lie to us.”

“I had wondered about that. Last night, I mean. After she spoke to me.”

Demetrius put an arm across her shoulder and drew her close. “That will never happen again. I can promise you that.”

Zach raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Does that mean she’s staying?”

Gregory gave him a warning look. “That hasn’t been discussed yet.”

“Want us to leave for a while?”

“Shut up, Zach.”

Zach put up both hands. “Fine, okay. Just asking.”

Paige watched the looks on everyone’s faces, ranging from knowing grins to happiness and wondered what she’d missed while she’d slept away the day. This wasn’t the time to ask them. She’d have to wait until they were alone later, after they’d summoned Botis again.

* * * *

Paige sat in the rowboat with Demetrius and Gregory as they rowed across Pine Lake again. She’d spent the rest of the day in Demetrius’s suite with the others, playing cards and talking about nothing. The hours had ticked by endlessly. Tempers were short, and the air had a heavy feel as the afternoon inched toward evening.

They’d had more food sent up, but no one ate much. Several times one of their cell phones rang and the owner would leave for a while to take care of some resort business, but otherwise they all stayed together as a group. Paige realized she’d never seen a group of people as dedicated toward a common purpose and suddenly longed to be part of it.

She had vowed that, no matter the outcome of this gathering tonight, she was going to tell Demetrius and Gregory that she loved them. She couldn’t leave in four days without them knowing, regardless of the consequences.

If she was wrong and they didn’t feel the same way, then so be it. She would return home and live her life. She’d always have her memories. No one could take those away.

The mood was more somber tonight as they crossed the lake than it had been the previous evening. Paige tried not to think about the previous afternoon across the shore with Demetrius and Gregory, but it was impossible not to. She’d never have anyone like them in her life again, and she knew it.

Emmett sprinkled sage and chanted, Zach lit candles and passed them around, and the group waited. The forest grew quiet. Paige concentrated on the air, waiting for the claustrophobic feeling she’d experienced the night before. The wait grew uncomfortably long. She heard more than one person sigh loudly.

“What if he doesn’t—”

“Quiet.” Zach’s terse response cut off Sofia’s question. “He will.”

“Botis, we ask that you honor your word and show yourself.” Emmett’s voice rang out loud and clear.

The candles had burned down to half their size before Paige sensed something different in the air. She waited, not daring to glance at the others, until finally the drum noise sounded, the air grew heavy and foul, and Botis appeared in the center.

“What say you, Botis?” Emmett’s voice held an edge of impatience. “What is Lilith’s answer?”

Botis surveyed the group, a lecherous grin on his face. “Have you been waiting long for me tonight?”

Paige bit the inside of her cheek to keep quiet and forced her gaze to stay rooted to Botis’s boots, which tonight she could clearly see for some reason, so he wouldn't catch her rolling her eyes.

“What say you?” Emmett’s voice was cold and clipped.

“Lilith has reversed the curse. In fact, it’s already done. And she’s gone. Banished from this resort and its grounds forever. You will never see her or hear from her again. You’re free.”

“Oh my God…” Abigail put a hand over her mouth and tears ran down her cheeks.

“Oh, I’m afraid to believe it.” Sofia smiled up into Niko’s face, her dark eyes radiant and filled with joy.

Emmett smiled at Botis, and then he inclined his head. “We thank you, Botis.”

“My favor has been paid to you. I don’t expect to be summoned again.”

“It has indeed. We won’t bother you again.”

Botis disappeared in a cloud of dust and stench, and then there were shouts of joy, fists pumping in the air, and Abigail and Sofia were twirled around so many times by their respective men, Paige was certain they’d both be puking any second now. She watched them, blinking back tears at the waves of jealousy coursing through her body.

They both had what she wanted. She knew that now. And she realized she’d never wanted anything so badly in her life. It took what felt like a long time before the others acknowledged her presence. Abigail put a hand on Zach’s arm to stop him from picking her up again. They glanced at Demetrius and Gregory, who stood apart from the others.

“If you’re going to say something,” said Zach, “now would be a good time.”

Everyone else stopped talking at once. Reeve picked up a large flashlight and placed it in the center of the circle, illuminating all of them. Paige suddenly knew what it felt like to be a fish in a bowl. All eyes were on her, Demetrius, and Gregory.

Paige took deep breath and dared to risk a glance at Demetrius and Gregory. She immediately put a hand to her mouth as she realized what they each were holding.

Gregory advanced first, handing her one of the bloodred roses they’d seen on their horseback ride last week. “Paige, I love you. Believe me, no one in this group ever thought they’d hear me say it, and I never thought I’d feel it, but I am hopelessly, head over heels, crazy in love with you. Please stay. Please.”

“Oh, Gregory…” Paige held the rose to her nose and inhaled its heady scent. Tears spilled over her lids, and before she could speak, Demetrius stepped forward.

“I’m so in love with you, Paige.” He grinned and handed her the rose. “We never asked you what you want, but I pray you want us.” He waved his hand in the general direction of the resort. “That you want this. Stay here with us.”

Paige swallowed. “I love you, too. I love you both. Yes, I’ll stay. That’s what I want. I want to stay.”

Paige cried out as the final contraction racked her body. She pushed and screamed, stopping when she heard tiny cries.

“You have a son, Paige.” Sofia’s aunt Rosa, now the official midwife at the resort, smiled at her. On her left, Demetrius wiped tears from his eyes and beamed. On her right, Gregory didn’t bother wiping his tears. His face was filled with awe and wonder.

“He’s beautiful,” whispered Abigail from across the room. She held her daughter Emily in her arms. The newborn was fast asleep.

“What are you going to name him?” Sofia caressed the bulge in her belly. She was due any day now.

“Jonathan,” said Demetrius. He glanced at Paige. “That’s what we decided on for a boy, right?”

She nodded.

“He looks like me,” said Gregory.

“Stop that.” She smiled up at him. “We agreed it didn’t matter, remember?”

“That’s right,” said Demetrius. “He’ll be schooled here, taught the business, and have plenty of cousins to grow up with.” He grinned at Abigail and Sofia across the room.

Rosa handed Paige her son, now all cleaned up and wrapped in a blue blanket. Paige gazed at the tiny red face, still unable to believe it. She was a mother.

“Where is he?” Emmett and Zach bounded into the room, crowding close to the bed. On their heels came Reeve and Niko, looking just like proud parents.

“These kids are going to have more parents than they know what to do with,” said Demetrius.

“That’s how it should be,” said Niko. “We will each have sons and daughters now.”

“I wish Blade, Cristian, and Joelle had been alive to see this,” said Gregory. The three had died less than one month after Lilith’s curse had been lifted, but not before Paige had been given the honor of telling them what Botis had done to free them all of Lilith.

“I have to call Stasia and Kimber,” she said.

“No, you don't.” Abigail beamed then stepped to one side.

Paige nearly screamed again as her two best friends came into view. Demetrius made introductions, and soon Jonathan was crying as he was passed from one person to another. Paige closed her eyes and drank it all in. She couldn't have imagined a better life. It was unconventional, but she was more blissful and content than she’d have ever believed possible.

She watched Demetrius and Gregory hold their son, and knew if she lived to be one hundred years old she’d never stop loving her two gorgeous, sexy angels. They were her best friends and her most perfect lovers, and now they always would be.

THE END

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Carolyn Rosewood loves to make up stories about badass alpha heroes and the women who love them and keep them guessing. She’s been reading romances for over thirty years and is never without a paperback or her Kindle.

She’s drawn to reading interesting plots and bad-boy sexy heroes, so you’ll find those in the stories she writes as well. Her other interests include playing the cello and collecting antique pottery.

In real life she works at a large US insurance company, but at home she’s either writing, reading, or spending time with her husband—her real-life hero. They have a daughter in college and a cat, who loves to watch Carolyn type.

For all titles by Carolyn Rosewood, please visit

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