Authors: Elizabeth Lapthorne
StrategicLust (15 page)
“I’m sorry, Morgan,” Josh replied contritely. “Kate and I
were exhausted and we ate first. We just got off the phone with Melissa and
Daniel. Elijah is dead.”
“Well.” Morgan seemed mollified by Josh’s words. “It’s a
shame it came to this, but perhaps it was meant to be. Have you called Hayden
and Kiera?”
“No,” Josh said. “We called you first. We only just this second
hung up after speaking to Daniel and Melissa. I’m not sure it’s wise to call
them back just yet.”
“No, definitely not,” Morgan agreed firmly. “Sally and Kyle
have been in contact with me. I’m thinking I’ll discuss matters more fully with
them. As we are now nearly positive a member of the Tribunal is behind this,
and the ritual and grimoire seem at the heart and soul of the matter, I have a
feeling they’re particularly suited to seeing this through.”
Josh frowned, not exactly sure what Morgan was referring to.
“I don’t understand,” he admitted when Morgan fell silent.
“Why would they be more suited than Kate and me?”
His mentor hesitated slightly and Josh felt his surprise
deepen.
“I’m not certain how at liberty I am to discuss matters not
my own business,” Morgan said carefully. “But situations in both Sally and
Kyle’s past give them a unique…perspective on these matters, shall we say.”
“So they’re connected somehow?” Josh surmised, though he
still felt in the dark over the matter.
“Indirectly,” Morgan confirmed. “I genuinely believe they
are the best people to help sort this out.”
“So you want me to stay with Kate?” Josh guessed, with a
glance at his lover. She smiled and cupped his jaw. It took considerable
strength for Josh not to press a hot kiss into her palm.
“As difficult as I’m sure you find the idea,” Morgan
declared wryly, “yes. I do believe the threat to you won’t be completely over
until after we stop the person organizing this. Once the source of the contract
is removed, only then will the threat fully pass.”
“Okay,” Josh agreed. He had in part already mentally decided
that, but having Morgan confirm his thoughts gave them further strength.
“I can call Kiera and—” Josh began but Morgan cut him off
smoothly.
“No, that’s fine. I wish to speak with Kiera, reassure her
that everything is under control,” Morgan insisted.
Josh wrinkled his nose but agreed. “She’ll want to come back
out here after hearing about Sharni and Elijah,” he guessed.
“Kiera and Hayden are far safer where they are and I will be
able to assuage her fears more easily than you,” Morgan agreed.
Josh didn’t take offense for he knew it to be true. “Daniel
and Melissa are intrigued by this mission,” he said. “They wish to help if they
are needed. Kate and I feel the same. Please can you convey that strongly to
Sally and Kyle?”
Josh looked at Kate as he mentioned their continuing
support. She nodded vehemently and kept silent so Josh knew he had, indeed,
spoken for them both on the matter.
Morgan chuckled. “Of course,” he replied. “But just as you
and Kate and also Kiera and Hayden have worked this case in your own manner, so
too do I believe Sally and Kyle will. But rest assured, I will make plain all
of your interest and support. I am positive that should the need arise, neither
Kyle nor Sally will hesitate to drag you back into the mix.”
Josh smiled. He and Morgan exchanged their goodbyes and Josh
hung up the phone with a sigh of relief.
“Well,” he said softly, and cast a hungry, wicked look at
the love of his life. “Looks like we’re off the hook for now.”
Kate smirked at him and flipped her partially dry red hair saucily
over her shoulder.
“How will you pass the time with me?” she teased as she
slowly untied the sash keeping her robe closed. The bright, silky material
gaped open and Josh got an eyeful of Kate’s pale, creamy skin. She was all
slender planes and round curves. Josh’s mouth watered and he reached out for
her, craving the satiation only she could provide.
“I’m sure I’ll think of something,” he insisted huskily.
Kate laughed and dodged out of the way of his grasping hand. Josh laughed in
delight and began to chase her around the room and through the house.
He knew he would catch her, for she was already his. She
held his heart just as he held hers. He never minded a good chase, however. It
added spark and spice, which he craved. But far more importantly he craved
Kate. Her laughter, her brain, her bravery and her protective nature.
He loved his redheaded witch more than life itself, and
while a chase was good now and then, the satisfaction of catching and claiming
her far outweighed any need of his to run amuck.
Josh captured his love and scooped her into his arms.
Carrying her the rest of the way to the bedroom, he laid her down on the bed
and kissed her passionately, pressing her into the softness of the mattress. They
devoured each other hungrily.
All thoughts of dark rituals, Tribunal members betraying
their Council and contract killers flew out of his mind. His whole world
revolved around the love he shared with his chosen witch.
Kate.
Elizabeth Lapthorne has been writing professionally since
2002. She has been astonished by the success of her Rutledge Werewolf series,
and finds immense pleasure in hearing from her fans. To date she has more than
ten books out, a few of those even in paperback.
Elizabeth regularly goes to the gym to chew over her ideas;
many a book has begun or been worked through while cycling on the bikes. She
also loves to read, eat chocolate and talk for hours with her friends.
Elizabeth would love to hear from her fans, and checks her email religiously.
Liz welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website
and email addresses on her
author
bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
.
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Elizabeth
Lapthorne
Ellora’s
Cavemen: Legendary Tails I
anthology
Montague
Vampires: Desperate and Dateless
Montague
Vampires: Flaming Fantasies
Montague
Vampires: Heated Fantasies
Montague
Vampires: Secret Fantasies
Rutledge
Werewolves 1: Scent of Passion
Rutledge
Werewolves 2: Hide and Seek
Rutledge
Werewolves 3: The Mating Game
Rutledge
Werewolves 4: My Heart’s Passion
Rutledge
Werewolves 5: Chasing Love
Rutledge
Werewolves 6: Twin Temptations
Urban
Seductions 1: Retrieving Love
Urban
Seductions 2: Retrieving Desire
Urban
Seductions 3: Enforcer Seduced
Urban
Seductions 4: Enforcer Ensnared
Urban
Seductions 5: Seductive Tracks
Urban
Seductions 6: Tracking Desire
Urban
Seductions 7: Edge of Ecstasy
Urban
Seductions 8: Strategic Surrender
Behind
the Mask
anthology
Ellora’s
Cavemen: Legendary Tails I
anthology
Montague
Vampires: Desperate Fantasies
Montague
Vampires: Fangs and Fantasies
Rutledge
Werewolves 1: Scent of Passion
Rutledge
Werewolves 3 & 4: Wolf’s Passion
Rutledge
Werewolves 5 & 6: Wolf’s Tempation
Urban
Seductions 1 & 2: Retrieve My Heart
Urban
Seductions 3 & 4: Enforcer Enflamed
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Strategic Lust
ISBN 9781419949111
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Strategic Lust Copyright © 2014 Elizabeth Lapthorne
Edited by Rebecca Hill
Cover design by Dar Albert
Cover photography by Andriy Bezuglov, Dmitriy Raykin/fotolia.com
Electronic book publication May 2014
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