Where There's Smoke (13 page)

Without missing a beat, Chance ran toward her and the fence. He took the fence in front of her in one leap. The bull ground to a stop as Chance levered himself onto the metal walkway.

He was laughing when he took the metal steps two at a time, then grabbed her up in his arms.

His mouth found hers and she forgot all about the fact she would’ve aged ten years if she was alive. She lost herself in his kiss, oblivious to the crowd’s applause. Why did being with him feel so right?

“Were you worried?” he asked when he ended the kiss.

“You know damn well I was worried.” She frowned at him.

When he grinned, she couldn’t help but forgive him. How could she not when he made her world feel brighter?

Someone cleared his throat, and Destiny remembered LeAnn and Charles. Chance definitely had the power to make her forget about everything except him.

“These are my—my neighbors, LeAnn and Charles.” Hell, how did she introduce them? They weren’t really friends or anything. She just couldn’t get rid of them.

“Hi, LeAnn, Charles.” Chance drawled, his arm still around Destiny.

LeAnn didn’t say anything, only stared.

Charles stood a little taller. “Mighty fine ridin’ there, young man.” His expression turned sad. “I always wanted to be a cowboy, but by the time I decided what I wanted to do with my life, it was too late. Now I just go to rodeos and cheer the cowboys on.”

Chance stuck his hand out. Charles looked at it for a moment, then grasped it. “And we’re glad there are people in the stands to cheer for us.” Chance told him as Charles enthusiastically pumped his hand. “Helps us stay on the bull a little longer.”

“You can count on me.”

Destiny glanced toward LeAnn who was still slackjawed. She nudged LeAnn.

“Oh yes, it’s nice to meet you, too.” LeAnn’s face turned a bright red. “Uh, we’ll leave you two alone. Charles, I’m really thirsty. How about if I buy us an ice-cold lemonade?”

“A gentleman never lets a pretty woman pay. Got my social security check on Monday, so I’ll be doing the buyin’.” He crooked his arm and winked at Destiny. LeAnn slipped her arm through Charles’s and they left.

Destiny only shook her head as LeAnn and Charles left. Her attention was drawn elsewhere when Chance squeezed her waist.

“I think I like that you were worried,” Chance said.

She returned his smile. How could any day be more perfect? Just as suddenly as the thought crossed her mind, dark clouds blocked the warmth of the sun’s rays. A shiver of foreboding ran down her spine. She looked at the sky. An omen? Maybe so.

Would Chance still look at her as though she was someone special if he knew the truth? Would he still care that she worried about him?

Would Chance still want to be with her if he knew she murdered her lover?

Chance watched Destiny from the corner of his eye. She was happy for a little while. He knew she made a concentrated effort to forget who she was and why the demons had sent her back.

He clamped his lips together. But then she’d apparently remembered. Once more, she brought up her protective shield. He wasn’t ready for that to happen.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him. There was something else he wanted to buy her.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“You’ll see.” He hurried down the stairs. Most of the booths were closing as the rodeo came to an end, but he knew there was one that would still be open.

Nevaeh’s booth looked pretty much like all the rest. Same weather-worn, wooden front, as if it had been around for a hundred years or more, and in fact it had. Her booth only appeared when someone needed something special. Like now.

Nevaeh’s smile was a little wistful and a little sad when they stopped in front of her booth. Not that many years had passed since she lost the battle, and the soul of a man she cared deeply for. Her lover chose the wrong path. She was unable to save him.

“What is this booth?” Destiny asked as she nervously glanced around. She hugged her waist as if she was afraid she might brush against something and, thereby, be tainted.

“They’re angels,” he told her. The whole booth was filled with them. Angel ornaments, angels to place above the bed so the person would have sweet dreams. Old angels, baby angels, flirty angels; necklaces, bracelets, and rings; angels with soft, furry wings, and angels praying.

“Why are we here?” Destiny nervously looked around. “It smells funny.”

“Don’t you like angels?” he asked.

“Umm… I’m not a fan.”

“The aroma is a mixture of different flowers,” Nevaeh explained. “Honeysuckle, roses, and many others that complement each other.” She studied Destiny, then said, “Angels can give peace when your heart is troubled.” Her words were as soft as a whisper on a breeze.

“I’m not troubled.”

Nevaeh continued as if Destiny hadn’t spoken. “I’m sorry life has been so difficult for you.”

“My life is not difficult.” Destiny turned to Chance. “Can we go?”

“I just need to buy something, then I promise we’ll leave. Nevaeh makes all her own stuff. It’s very special.” He dragged her forward to a shelf where jewelry was displayed and chose an angel necklace. It was perfect. “We’ll take this one.”

Nevaeh smiled. “A good choice.”

He paid for his purchase, then moved behind Destiny, undoing the clasp on the necklace as he did. He slipped the chain around her neck and fastened it before she could offer a protest.

“The charm has special properties,” Nevaeh told her. “Whenever you’re in need of anything, just hold tight to the angel and he’ll be there for you.”

Destiny fingered the charm with a grimace. “I don’t really believe in that kind of stuff.”

Chance tucked the angel between her breasts. “No one has to know except me and you.” He felt her tremble just before he moved his hand away.

She hesitated before finally nodding.

“Take care, Nevaeh.”

They left the store, strolling through the streets. The day was drawing to a close. People were moving to their vehicles. Some started loading their horses in trailers.

Destiny brought the necklace out and fingered the charm. Chance felt a tingle along his spine.

“Nevaeh seems very nice,” Destiny casually commented. “But sad.”

“Not long ago she lost someone she was very close to.”

“I’m sorry. I know how that feels.”

She suddenly looked afraid she’d opened up too much and clamped her lips together.

“Nevaeh may seem quite fragile, but she’s the most resilient person I know.”

“She’s quite beautiful. Almost looks like an angel herself.”

He dropped an arm across her shoulder. “I think you’re even more beautiful.”

She turned her face up to him. “Now you’re lying.”

Her words faded. His focus locked on her mouth. He couldn’t resist and dropped what was supposed to be a quick kiss on her lips but damn, she was so delectable. He turned slightly until she was wrapped in his arms and deepened the kiss. His tongue explored her mouth, stroking her tongue, tasting her. She was sexy and hot all at once. How could any man not give up his soul for her?

His senses returned as quickly as if someone had hit him with a bolt of electricity. He ended the kiss, but pulled her close as they started walking again. He wasn’t just any man. He was immortal, and he wouldn’t lose his soul to her or to any demon.

“I’ve enjoyed spending the day with you,” he told her. That was the truth. He had, and he felt as if he’d gained precious ground.

“All good things must come to an end,” she said on a sigh.

“Not if you don’t want them to.” He didn’t look at her, but held his breath.

“I’ve enjoyed today, but it’s almost over. We all have to face our own realities.”

Maybe this was the opening he’d needed. “What would you do if you could change your world? Make it something better?”

When she didn’t answer, he glanced down. She raised her gaze to his and Chance saw a wealth of sadness. Life must have dealt her some pretty hard blows for there to be so much dejection in that one look.

“My world will never be more than it is right now.”

“But if it could be?” he pressed.

“I think I like my life the way it is. I wouldn’t ask for anything more. You’re in it, what more could I want?” She suddenly gave a shaky laugh and looked around desperately.

She was so beautiful. For a moment, she’d faltered. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was having second thoughts about becoming a demon. For Chance, time was running out. He had to keep chipping at her armor; only if he broke through could he set her soul free.

Free?

The ground beneath his feet rocked at the thought that even though he could save her soul, he would never be able to see her again. That was one of the rules that couldn’t be broken. Even if he saved them, he had to let them go. No matter what the cost.

But she was his for the moment, and he planned to make the most of it. He hurried to catch up, grabbing her by the waist and lifting her into the air. Her screams quickly turned to laughter. And when they were on his motorcycle, their hats secured in the saddlebags, her arms wrapped tightly around him, he knew he wanted to make this day last forever.

He gripped the handlebars a little tighter. The temptation to make love to her was getting more difficult. God, he had to step away, get control once again. He was too vulnerable.

It didn’t help that the drive seemed excruciatingly long. Her hands were soft and warm as they wrapped around his waist. He imagined how they would feel on other areas of his body. Ah hell, what would it hurt to make love to Destiny? Damn it, Chance knew he would be lost if he did.

He expelled a deep breath when he finally pulled to a stop in front of the apartment building where she was staying. He kept the motor purring as she climbed off.

“Come up for a while.” Her words were husky with need.

He pulled her close, then slipped a hand behind her neck. Their lips met in a searing kiss. She tasted hot and full of promise, and he never wanted anyone more than he wanted her right now. It took a supreme effort on his part to let her go.

“There’s someplace I need to be, but I’ll be back.” He got her hat out, then handed it to her.

She frowned, but nodded her head. “I’ll hold you to that.” She stepped up on the sidewalk. “Thanks for the hat, and the necklace.” She placed the hat at an angle on her head. He realized temptation never looked so good.

She was going to be the death of him if he wasn’t careful. He gunned the motor, then took off. When he was around the corner, he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was driving down a dirt road. The air was brisk and clean. No smog or city noises there. And finally he breathed a sigh of relief because he knew he was safe from Destiny’s charms.

If it wasn’t for a killer hard-on, he’d feel pretty good that he hadn’t fucked up.

But it was there, and it wasn’t going away any time soon. His damn jeans were cutting into him. And he was sore as hell. What made him want to ride that crazy-assed bull in the first place? But then he already knew. He wanted to impress Destiny. It worked. Chance had a feeling she could make him do quite a few things if he wasn’t careful.

What the hell was happening to him? Up until then, his life was pretty good. Not perfect, but not bad. He had Hunter, Dillon, and Ryder, who were more like brothers than friends. But there seemed to be something missing, and he didn’t know why he felt so restless.

He slowed, pulling to a stop in front of the ranch. A bit of paradise on earth. At least, as close as any of them could ever hope to get. He killed the engine and glanced around as he climbed off the bike. Until this moment, he’d always been happy to return.

He raked a hand through his hair, grabbed his hat from the saddlebag, and settled it on his head. Instead of going inside, he strode to the barn. Every step he took, he remembered Destiny asking him to come up to her apartment. He forced the images to the back of his mind. She was tearing him up inside and he was discovering there wasn’t a whole lot he could do about it. Chance saddled his mount. They raced across the range, over hills, but he couldn’t outrun the pictures in his mind. When he stood naked in front of the small pond, he imagined himself sinking inside her hot body, his cock caressed by her heat.

He closed his eyes and dove in, but the water was warm.
Hell, the pool would have been better
, he thought when he surfaced. He still had a killer hard-on, and he still felt dissatisfied.

Why? No one could ask for more than what he had. Immortality was a gift to be treasured. He’d accumulated more wealth than he could spend. But he knew it wasn’t enough anymore. Maybe he’d just lived too many centuries, but there
was
something missing in his life. A quiet voice inside his head told him that it wasn’t something, but someone.

This assignment was proving more difficult than he’d anticipated. He never got emotionally involved. He never made love to his assignments, either. When they were gone from his life, it didn’t bother him so much. Emotional detachment.