Origins (12 page)
“Somehow I doubt that.
“Just because
Joy rested her head on his shoulder, seeming content to stay there. Zareb stood and allowed her feet to touch the ground.
“You didn’t even take your pants off?”
“When would I have had time to do that? You rushed us.”
“Oh, but you managed to get me half undressed.” Joy pointed down at her body.
“I have more patience?” Zareb shrugged and struggled to hold in his laughter.
He was freer than he’d been in a long time. Once again he could let his inner child out to play. For now things were good and when they got back to the house he had the promise of a month in bed, or something like that.
If he had his way they would lock themselves in for a good long while, but he did want to reacquaint himself with Dji. Zareb also knew Dji would want to get to know his own mate. Zareb hoped over time Dji would forget the hell he’d been put through when Dmitri had control. If he had one wish he could give his friend it would be for those memories to be buried down deep.
“What are you thinking about?” Joy shifted around, trying to get dressed in the closed in space.
“That we really do need a bed.”
Joy slapped his chest. “That is
so
not what you were thinking.”
“You are right, my liefie.” Zareb held her hand in place over his heart. “I was wishing Dji could forget the hell Dmitri put him through.”
“Do you really think it’s best he forget? Something like that will never leave you. The best you can hope for is the ability to cope and move on. And don’t forget, we’ll be there for him. Not only us, but you know, the rest of the pack will shelter him.”
“I am not so sure of that. They will remember him as the terror of Dmitri.”
“From what I’ve seen of Russ, he won’t let that happen.”
“You are right, that is not how Russ runs his pack, but I still worry.”
“No, you still feel guilty. There’s a difference.” Joy patted his cheek before buttoning her pants.
“You know me so well.” Zareb gave her a quick kiss. They really should leave in case someone needed to use the facilities, but he was reluctant to go back to his seat. They were in their own world in here—going outside would bring everyone else in on their time.
“I feel the same way. I’m telling you what my foster mom would tell me—we are our own worst enemy.”
“Your mother is very smart.”
“Yes she is and she is just going to love you.” Joy smiled.
Zareb wasn’t sure if he liked that particular glint in her eye.
“I am sure she will, especially if she has already met Max.”
“Oh, I’m sure she’s met him. She was supposed to be training him in his new powers.”
“Then hopefully we will have a home to return to.”
“You shouldn’t joke about that. It could be true.” Joy rested her head against his chest, her shoulders moving as she tried to contain her laughter.
They were both dressed. Zareb opened the door and peeked out to see if the others were awake, but no one said anything. Joy moved past him to get to the window seat. Not that Zareb expected any teasing from this bunch. It would be another story if their pack mates David and Max were on board. He could thank the Ancients for small miracles.
Chapter Eight
A bus waited for them at the airstrip—not that they had far to go—but Joy was happy for it because she was tired of walking. She didn’t recognise the driver, but wasn’t really surprised by that. She didn’t know enough of the pack yet to have been introduced to everyone.
They were informed that there would be a meeting sometime the next day. Russ wanted to let them rest before talking to them. She was down with that. Of course she would rather get it out of the way now so she could sleep uninterrupted for as long as she wanted to.
Joy wanted to see V as well, but a nice soft bed was tempting.
The vehicle pulled up to the circle drive and let them off. V and Max were at the front to greet them.
“Thank God you’re safe. When we heard you’d been split up from Ive and Djimon, and no one knew where you were, I freaked.” V hugged her tight.
Joy teared up—she’d missed her sister something fierce. When V released her Max swooped in for a turn.
“I’m happy you’re back and not just because Valerie was a basket case.”
“Hey!”
Max chuckled, “But because I want to get to know you better and we haven’t had any time.”
“Sorry, Max and Valerie, but you will not get it tonight. I need to take my mate home. We will see you tomorrow for the meeting then plan something for later.”
“Much, much later. I need a week of sleep and a shower. A real honest-to-God shower.”
“Then you’ll be happy to know that when I heard you were coming home I swung by your place and picked you up a few things.”
“Oh my God, I love you!”
It was Valerie’s turn to laugh. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wait, before we go, could you guys get Baakir settled in a room? We’ll explain tomorrow.”
V looked over at the man standing by the door and nodded. “No problem. Night Joy.”
“Night V.” It was good to be here. It might not be home yet, but it soon would be.
Zareb led her through the house. She lost track of where the others were. They moved out of the back door and a golf cart waited for them. Joy didn’t even question it, she hopped in and let Zareb take her home.
Her first impression was how lonely Zareb must have been. The cottage sat on the very edge of the property, back up against the woods. Once inside she noticed a lack of decorations and very little furniture.
“It is not much, when it was just me I did not need material possessions.”
“I guess we’ll have to change that, won’t we? But not now, or even next week. Show me to your shower.”
A few bags were by the front door. Joy thought they must be things V had gathered from her apartment.
“This way.”
“Wait, let me see what she brought me.” Joy rummaged through the bags until she came up with her toiletries and a change of clothes. Everything she could possibly need was right there.
If she wasn’t so tired she’d break down and cry, but she didn’t even have that in her. Zareb led her to the bathroom. It was huge. There was a Jacuzzi tub, a shower that could fit three or four and a big counter with a sink. She was stunned.
“I did have some comforts installed.” Zareb seemed embarrassed.
“I think I just had an orgasm.”
Her statement caused the reaction she’d hoped for. Zareb laughed.
“I’ll go fix us something real to eat and we can go to bed.”
“Sounds like the best plan I’ve heard all day.”
She couldn’t wait to explore this space—when she was more with it, and with Zareb by her side, they could have a lot of fun in that tub. Not to mention that the shower had a seat in it. They’d have to break in a lot of spots in the house, but first she wanted to make love with her mate in a bed, or any place that was comfortable and indoors.
First things first, she had to take care of her hair. She took it down and put her shampoo and conditioner in the shower. She’d take a bath later. Right now she just wanted to wash
Africa
off her body. And she was hungry.
When she was finished, Zareb was waiting for her in the kitchen.
“It is not much, but it was all I had in the pantry. I already ate something. I will go shower now.”
He gave her a peck on the cheek, but she was focused on the heavenly smell of food. Granted it was ravioli in a can, but it wasn’t a protein bar. No milk, but there was juice. She scarfed it down in record time. She couldn’t remember ever being this hungry in her life. Not even in the worst of times before her mother had taken her to Catherine’s.
Zareb reappeared as she was washing the last of the dishes.
“You did not have to do that.”
“I know, but I wanted to. This is going to be my home now, right? I know we didn’t talk about much, but I assumed—”
“Joy, you are my siel, my soul. What is mine is yours. I do not ever want to be without you again.”
“Guess that answers that,” she said around a yawn.
“Let us go to bed now, we will talk more tomorrow.”
“Yes, tomorrow. Sleep now.”
Joy was full, warm and happy—the three best things to be. Oh and loved—that she would never forget. She didn’t think Zareb would let her. It was up to her to prove to him that he was worth it and that it was time to let go of the guilt that ate at him.
Good thing she had Dji to help her with that task. Hell, she guessed she’d have to get to know the ice queen better too. Hopefully she’d thaw out a little now that her mate was safe.
The bedroom was dark, lots of browns and blues, but nothing fancy. A big bed took up most of the room. If there was a heaven on Earth, this was it. Joy didn’t wait for Zareb. She crawled into the bed—so soft. Zareb curled around her, but Joy didn’t even have time to enjoy the touch. Her eyes drifted closed. Maybe tomorrow…”
Something tickled her foot. Joy shifted away, but there it was again—and it was moving. Fuck. A bug? Joy kicked out and rolled off the bed.
“Omph.” She wasn’t expecting that. She scrambled up to see Zareb on the bed clutching his stomach.
“Shit. I’m sorry.” The blanket tangled around her as she moved and tripped flat on her face. This morning was not going so well.
“I should not have been teasing.” Zareb peered down at her.
“And I should’ve warned you that I’m ticklish. To tell you the truth, after
Africa
, I was afraid a bug was crawling up my leg.” Joy shuddered.
“Come here and I will make it better.” Zareb held out a hand.
She wasn’t about to argue, but first things first.
“Hold that thought.”
Joy rushed to the bathroom. Zareb followed behind her at a slower pace.
“What are you doing?”
“Brushing my teeth,” Joy answered.
“We were in the jungle for days with no amenities and now you worry about your breath?” Zareb questioned.
“Yes, I want a minty fresh kiss and to be clean when we make love in your nice soft bed. It’ll be a treat.”
Zareb threw back his head and laughed. It was the most wonderful sound she’d ever heard.
“As you wish, my siel.”
Joy finished up and turned to the shower.
Probably not the best idea. She didn’t want to get her hair wet again. It would take too long to fix after getting it wet. But she wanted a slippery and naked Zareb. A bath would be better, but if they got in there they probably wouldn’t leave until they screamed each other’s names. And that bed looked so soft and comfortable.