Hidden Hope (Hidden Saga Book 3) (10 page)

When Nox greeted me at the airport, there was none of the kissing and squeezing he’d threatened. He gave me a brief hug and a friendly smile, which was, of course, perfectly appropriate. Vancia and Lad were right there, and
four
was definitely a crowd in this situation.

We all walked out together into the hot California sun, heading for a black limo waiting at the curb. Before we climbed in, Nox tugged me to the side for some whispered words.

“I can’t believe you’re actually here. You look amazing. And I just realized
how much
I’ve been missing you—God, I could eat you alive.”

I shivered at the caress of his warm breath on my ear. I had been afraid it might be a bit awkward to see him after a month with hardly any contact. But hearing his incredible voice, looking into his eyes, and breathing in his delicious, habit-forming scent, I felt a powerful pull toward him.

A bit too powerful, actually. I was embarrassed when he drew back and I realized I had kissed him—
really
kissed him—and basically plastered myself to him right there in front of the skycaps and other passengers and anyone else who might have looked our way. I wasn’t normally one for PDA, much less PDL—public displays of
libido
.

Nox let me go and stepped back with an apologetic glance. “The paparazzi are everywhere—especially here at LAX. I shouldn’t be photographed with you. I’m going to hug Vancia, too, in case we’ve been spotted, okay?”

I nodded. Of course he was absolutely right. Showing me any special attention would make the vultures wonder who I was—then I’d find my own face plastered across the internet, and Davis would be alerted to my arrival long before I wanted him to know I was here—and knew Nox. But I couldn’t help peeking as Nox pulled Vancia into his arms.

“Hey stranger.” His smile was as warm as his voice.

“Hi.” She sounded young and nervous as she rose on her toes to receive his embrace and quick cheek-kiss.

Emotion rolled over me from their direction like an ocean wave I couldn’t avoid. Joy—wholesome and sweet.

The sensation took me back to my own childhood, to the poignant connection I’d formed with Lad—a nearly indescribable feeling you couldn’t understand unless you’d been there yourself. It made me study them closer, looking for some sort of sign, for body language or
something
to explain it. What had happened during the time Nox and Vancia had spent here together?

As Nox had predicted, flashes began to pop around us. Several men with cameras crowded toward the waiting car.

“Ugh, they’re like gnats or something,” Nox joked as he pulled away from Vancia and ushered us all into the back seats in a hurry. “Kiss a couple people at the airport, and they come out of the woodwork.”

He turned to Lad, who sat beside him. “How was the flight?”

“Fine. No issues,” he answered in a tight, uncomfortable voice. I didn’t have to read his mental state—he was irked, undoubtedly at the mushy scene he’d witnessed between his fiancée and his brother.

The last time Nox and Lad had seen each other was even more stressful—they’d been fighting for their lives. And earlier that same day, Lad had barged in on me and Nox making out in his bedroom.

So, yeah. We had all that going for us in the could-it-be-more-awkward department.

“Have you seen Davis yet?” Vancia asked.

“No. No word from him. I only knew he was on his way because of Alfred. Did you speak to him?”

“Yes. Alfred’s arranging a photo shoot or two for me, so I’ll have an excuse to go crash at my ‘Pappa’s’ house for a few days.”

“Oh, you’re not staying with us at Nox’s house?” I asked, suddenly cheered.

She shook her head. “No. I’m hoping to pick up some information—maybe even see your mother. I’ll contact you as soon as I know something.”

Nox gave me a strange look. “You won’t be staying at my house either. There are too many council members coming and going. I told you—it’s Dark Elf Central there now. I don’t want to put you in danger, and frankly, I wouldn’t be able to satisfactorily explain you.”

“Oh.” My spirits sank. Here I was, finally getting to see Nox again, and we wouldn’t even be staying in the same place. “So, where
am
I staying?”

“Just down the beach. I bought a cottage there a couple weeks ago, planning to turn it into a guest house. Good timing, I guess. It’s small and sort of outdated—haven’t even had a chance to do anything to it yet. But it’s clean. It’s furnished. You should be safe and comfortable there.” He cleared his throat. “Lad will stay there as well. It’ll give us all a place to meet up and talk, whenever I can get away.”

I sank back into my seat, blinking in surprise. Lad and I were going to stay together?

Nox instructed Ewan, his driver, to drop Vancia off at Davis’s mansion in Brentwood. From there the ride to Malibu was quiet and a bit uncomfortable. I made small talk with Nox, but with Lad there, the easy rapport we’d worked so hard to establish during our time in L.A. was nowhere to be found.

The awkwardness increased exponentially as we began our tour of the beach house where Lad and I would spend our next few days and nights. Nox led me to a bedroom suite on the first floor. It was pink and flowery, reminding me of my great-grandmother’s house in Alabama. It even had a similar smell—roses and baby powder.

“I asked the housekeeper to prepare this for you, Ryann. I hope you’ll like it.” Nox set my bag on the rug and closed the door then continued down the hallway, glancing back at Lad with narrowed eyes and a pointed expression. “There’s another bedroom on this floor, but
you’ll
be staying
up
stairs. I also had someone run out and pick up a few clothing items for each of you. I wasn’t sure if you’d had a chance to pack or how long you’ll be staying. They’re in your closets.”

Stopping in front of a narrow door in the hallway, he said, “There’s a half-bathroom up there, too, but unfortunately, the only shower is in here. The two of you will have to make a schedule or something.”

Next we saw the kitchen. “The refrigerator and pantry are fully stocked,” Nox said. “There’s a supply of saol water here. You’ll be able to make your special tea.” He winked at me.

“Oh. I’ve pretty much stopped drinking it these days. I haven’t actually made it myself—outside the factory—in a while. But thanks anyway.”

He grinned. “Well, even if
you
don’t want any, I do. Make some for me. I don’t like to drink that pansy Light Elven water, except for in your tea.”

His voice curled through me, a persuasive purr I couldn’t refuse. “Okay.” I giggled.

Behind me, Lad huffed an impatient breath. “I guess we’re all set here then.”

Nox leveled an assessing glance in his direction, then brought his attention back to me. “If you need anything, let me know and I’ll order it to be delivered.”

“I will.”

“Thanks,” Lad said, his voice gruff. He opened the refrigerator door and rummaged around inside.

I turned to Nox. “Yes, thank you so much for thinking of everything. The house is great.” Taking his hand, I pulled him toward the privacy of the hallway, leaving Lad in the kitchen alone. “Why did you put us in the same house?” I whispered.

“I don’t like it any better than you do—believe me. But I have to keep you both out of sight. Almost nobody knows about this place since I just bought it. And I need you two close by so we can meet whenever Vancia and I can get away. Besides, you’ll be safe with him.”

Nox had leaned in close to answer me, and his scent washed over me like a delicious bath. My eyes closed in a slow blink. Feeling a bit dazed, I took a step closer and put my hand over his heart. “When will we have some time alone?”

Hungry eyes looked down at me. He seemed as overcome by my nearness as I was by his. “Not soon enough,” he groaned.

I clung to him in a tight embrace. Now that I was near him again, all my worries about the validity of our connection were evaporating like water droplets on a hot stove top. How could I have doubted him? He was
necessary
in my life… like a drug I could never break my dependence on, a habit I didn’t want to kick.

Nox was doing his best impersonation of an addict as well. His hands came to either side of my face, lifting it for his kiss. 

Finally.
After all these weeks apart, I was finally in Nox’s arms again. I rose on my tiptoes and met his lips eagerly. When my mouth opened, he took full advantage. Within moments, his hands had left my face and wandered down my body. Mine went up to his shoulders, his neck, his hair. He felt perfect. He tasted perfect.

His mouth left my lips and went to my neck, eliciting shivers. A deep hum emanated from his throat, the melody alluring and sensual. One of his hands found my hip and urged me closer against him, and I felt euphoric, like I was falling in slow motion through open air or maybe sinking into a warm pool.

I never wanted to leave this place, never wanted to do anything other than kiss this guy. Now that we were together again, thoughts of my mom with Davis didn’t even trouble me. She’d probably be fine. I didn’t need to worry about her or even look for her— 

Oh my God. This is glamour.

The thought jolted me out of the moment, and Lad’s words on the plane rushed back at me.
What if the feelings you have for him are all glamour-induced?

And then I remembered Lad was in the next room. I pulled away.

“What is it?” Nox blinked slowly, as if just waking up. He tried to draw my body back to his, but I shrugged away.

“We’re not alone here, remember?”

Full alertness returned to his beautiful hazel eyes, and they went hard as flint. He searched my face. “Why do you care what he hears?”

I stared back at him, panic-stricken. Why
did
I care? “I... I don’t. It’s just... you know, embarrassing... to have witnesses.”

“One witness, you mean. Screw him—I haven’t seen my girlfriend in weeks. If I want to kiss her I will.” He pulled me toward him again, lowering his head over mine.

“Nox,” I chastised in a low voice, leaning back, though the high brought on by his kisses beckoned me powerfully. “Be reasonable. And
why
were you humming? You know I don’t like it when you do that.”

“You seemed to like it well enough a minute ago.”

Heat bloomed in my cheeks. “Well, obviously—but I don’t
want
to be glamoured. I want to know what I feel is real.”

He frowned. “If you don’t already know that... then maybe Vancia was right.”

“Vancia?” A suspicion sneaked up on me and pounced, taking a ferocious bite out of my heart. “Is this about her? About the time you spent with her after I left? What exactly did she say?”

His hands came to his hips and he rolled his neck side-to-side as if trying to work out a kink. “This is not about her. All she did was fill me in on some missing details. And... she did warn me that you and Lad can’t be seen out and about in L.A. Not only is it dangerous for you, it’ll raise the alarm with Davis and his followers. This
is
the safest place for you.”

“Away from you—how convenient,” I muttered.

“Only for a little while. And you can call me mind-to-mind whenever you want to. I’m just a few houses down the beach.” He breathed out hard. “I have to go. I’ve stayed away too long as it is.” He grabbed my neck and pulled me close again for another quick kiss. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Walking toward the front door and flinging it open he called out to Lad. “Later.”

Lad stepped into the foyer, holding an apple. He took a noisy bite. “See ya.”

And Nox was gone. The instant the door closed behind him, I felt drained, almost dizzy. I put a hand against the wall and let out a long breath.

“So...” Lad said with a teasing tone. “Want to go for a swim and cool off? Nice cold ocean right out there.” He hooked a thumb toward the back door.

“I’m fine.”

“Sounds like you two had a little disagreement there.”

I wheeled on him and glared. “We’re
fine
. Thanks for your concern. I’m going to unpack and check out my room. Maybe you should go see yours.”

“Yeah. Good idea. See you later, I guess.”

“Sure.”

Of course we’d see each other later. There was no avoiding it. We were stuck here together.

*     *     *

When I’d done all the “settling in” I could possibly do and fought the ever increasing hunger pangs as long as I could, I emerged from my room and went to the kitchen in search of dinner possibilities.

Lad was already there, stirring something on the stove top.

“Hi,” he said with a smile. “I found some chicken in the refrigerator. Soup sound okay?”

I pulled a large pitcher from an upper cabinet, planning to make sweet tea. Since he’d asked, I wanted to make sure there was some on hand for Nox’s next visit. “Oh, you’re making dinner for me, too?”