Whisper Cape (19 page)

“I do trust you.”

He slipped back inside, slowly, watching her as she moved with him. She’d had sex before, but it was only sex. This was something more, something that reached deep down into her soul, latched on, and wouldn’t let go. She’d never felt anything like this, so powerful, so passionate. “It seems I haven’t had enough of you yet.”

She didn’t think she’d ever get her fill of him either. He kept the pace slow, the pressure deep.

“You’re so beautiful, Addison.”

Tension heightened as heat speared into her. Her breath quickened and she arched, gasping with pleasure. His eyes were on hers as she trembled beneath him. Addie moved with him as he sank deeper. A feral hunger in his eyes intensified. The muscles strained in his neck and he groaned, emptying himself as waves of ecstasy rippled through her body.

Chapter 19

Addie sank back against the pillow and closed her eyes, unable to suppress the smile on her face—not really wanting to—as she thought of the tender, yet passionate way Cael touched her. He made her feel as beautiful as he claimed she was.

Someone’s stomach growled. Hers or his, she couldn’t tell, as their bodies lay interlaced, stomach to stomach.

Lovemaking made them hungry and Cael had promised to cook dinner. With his arm wrapped tightly around her, they walked down the stairs together. It was comforting having his warm body next to her. Once they were downstairs, Addie scooped up his shirts and pulled it on. She felt sexy wearing it with nothing on underneath while he wore just his pants. The sun had set and the moon was barely high enough to cast any light in the room. He picked up his gun and placed it on the mantle, before lighting the two candles on either side of it.

Her tangled hair hung down around her shoulders as she motioned toward the fireplace where the fire had died out. The room had grown cold and Cael put a couple of logs on and started to strike a match when Addie sent out a few sparks bringing the fire to a roar, making them both jump back a bit.

“Whoa, you’re a little heavy on the sparks there, baby. You need more practice.”

He lit some more candles and pulled out a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from the wine rack to go with the steaks he put on the grill.

“Is there something I can do to help?” Addie asked.

“Sure, you can open the wine … glasses are over there.” He gestured toward the corner cabinet.

“I’m an expert at opening wine bottles.”

“Yes, I suppose it goes with the job. Bring the wine in here and you can help chop up some veggies for a salad.”

They ate their dinner in front of the fireplace, sitting on pillows on the floor with their legs crossed under the coffee table. It had been a long time since Addie had the pleasure of eating a steak. As she took the last bite, she looked up at Cael who was leaning back against the sofa watching her, a sexy smile on his face.

“What?”

“I think I like watching you eat.”

“Yeah?” She took a sip of the wine.

“Yes. You do it with a great amount of ... passion.”

“Maybe I was just hungry ...”

“Maybe.”

“... and because the steak was perfect and each bite melted on my tongue. You’re a really good cook.”

“Thanks.” He sipped his wine then rubbed his finger over the dimple at the corner of her mouth that he mentioned he liked, before leaning in and covering the little dent with his lips.

They took the rest of the wine upstairs and Cael turned on the faucets in the large oval tub while Addie added some bath salts she had remembered to grab that morning from her apartment. They sat in the water foaming with the scent of pomegranate and blackberry, his legs straddling hers as he washed her back. The flickering candle and the moonlight filtering through the window gave the room a warm amber glow. He picked up her arm to run the soap over it.

“Holy mother of God, Addison, your arm’s all bruised. Did I do this to you?” He picked up the other arm, noticing more bruising.

“What?”

“The bruises here on your arms, did I do this to you while we were making love, baby? God, they’re huge.”

“No, I’m sure you didn’t. I think they must have happened this morning. My arms took the brunt of your kicks. You never did get through, you know.”

“Well, good. I’m not in the habit of hitting women. I’m sorry. Do they hurt?”

“No, not really.”

He brushed his fingers softly over the bruises.

“Well, a little, now that you’re touching them, but are you saying you didn’t even try to get through one of my blocks?”

“Um … no, of course I tried. But most of the time I was defending myself. You’re a very aggressive opponent. Your father trained you well. Now we need to work on your powers. You'll need more than martial arts to go against Eidolon. I just hope your bruises go away quickly. I never meant for you to get hurt.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You know, this has been a perfect day.” She leaned back, resting her head on his chest.

“Yes, it has. I can’t remember ever having had such a good time with a woman. We sound like a couple of people in a romance novel.” He chuckled, closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the tub.

“You read romance novels?”

“Let’s just say I enjoy a good mystery once in a while and if there happens to be a little sex and romance in it, so much the better.”

She laughed and he slipped his hand down between her thighs; soon her laughter changed to moans of delight. He lifted Addie up and turned her toward him as she wrapped her legs around his waist, lowering herself onto him. She quivered at the pleasure of having Cael inside her again as he moved deep within her.

How did he stir such erotic emotions in her? All those desires, somehow missing from her soul, now came to the surface. His possessive hands on her slick hips guided her slowly as he went deeper and deeper, until the rhythm intensified.

He pulled her close, his chest against hers, buried his face in her hair and whispered, “Addison.” The sweet sound of her name spoken in a voice so soft and husky sent an erotic shudder through her body.

They moved together, water sloshing about as they both exploded in a swirl of ecstasy.

She sat against him, resting her head on his shoulder, neither one of them wanting to think about what horrors tomorrow might bring.

***

Down in the brush, Eidolon stood looking up at the low light trickling out the window of Addie’s apartment. He had ventured out to this town on a hunch about Ristéard’s sister. Discovering Maia MacKenna had a niece was indeed an unexpected bonus. When he witnessed her using that pathetic little power of hers he was overjoyed, realizing she must be the offspring of Ristéard, once his close friend, then over time, his greatest adversary. Ristéard had refused to recognize any of his plans and ideas for the future of the Sectorium, leaving Eidolon no choice. Ristéard had to die. Together, they could have had it all.

Addison MacKenna, a secret daughter hidden away all these years. She must have the crystal and the journal hidden somewhere. But now Cael Sheridan was here in his way. He'd take care of him.
Patience
, he thought.
They’ll slip up and when they do, I’ll destroy them
. He didn’t see her come or go from her apartment at all last night. Her truck was here—but he was no fool, and soon figured out they’d tricked him. He'll find them and then the fun will begin.

***

Addison’s arms flung out and the lamp went flying across the room waking Cael up from a most pleasant dream after a night of intense sexual gratification. They hadn’t fallen asleep until just before dawn. His eyes shot open. A small fire burned on the floor next to the dresser. She screamed and he tried to grab her arms but her legs kicked out and he went flying off the bed, landing on the floor. He got up, pulled the blanket off the bed, and threw it over the fire, stomping his foot on it. He jumped back on the bed, pinning her arms down before she did anymore damage.

He shook her shoulders. “Addison, Addison, wake up.”

“No, please, stop you’re killing him,” she sobbed.

“No, baby, it’s me, Cael. Wake up, you’re having a nightmare.”

Addison opened her eyes and flung her arms around him. Cael scooped her up in his arms and she curled into him as he cradled her.

“Oh, God.”

“It’s okay, you’re safe. Nothing’s going to harm you.”

“Not me, not me. You ... he was killing you.”

“I’m fine, baby. Look at me, I'm fine. Nobody is going to kill me, I promise.” As he said the words, he prayed he'd be able to keep that promise.

“Just hold me.”

“I’m holding. You hold onto me.” When he managed to calm her down, she pushed slowly away and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

She looked around the room at the damage. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. Look what I’ve done. I couldn’t control my abilities in my nightmare. I’ve never experienced anything like that. My nightmares are usually about something chasing me, never involving any powers before.”

“You didn't know you had any abilities until a few days ago, and you just met me. It seems somehow reasonable that I would show up in your nightmares.”

“But as a victim?”

“Why not? Your powers are still so new to you. It’s only natural you would ...”

Cael paused, realizing the irony of that statement and rephrased it. “You’ll learn to control them. We’ll take time today and work on them. I’ll teach you what I know.”

“But I have to work today.”

“I hate the idea of you having to work when you have so much more to learn, but you’re right. We do have to act as if nothing is wrong. You’re going to need to take your truck to work today—for appearances—in case Eidolon is watching. We’ll come back here during your afternoon break and practice your skills then. How’s that?”

She nodded, regained her composure, and went to clean up the mess made by the fire and the lamp.

“This rug is ruined. Tom Willits is going to want you to replace it. I’ll pay for it.”

“I’ll take care of it, don’t worry. You go ahead and shower first. I’ll start some coffee.”

She started to protest, and stopped when he shooed her toward the bathroom. “Thanks. I’m sorry about this. A shower does sound good though; the warm water usually helps wash away the nightmares.”

Cael stood in the bedroom, listening as the shower started. His heightened senses allowed him to hear the sound of the water flowing over her body and he imagined the feel of the soap sliding over her skin. He glanced at his uncontrollable erection and thought he would go crazy. Willing himself to think of something else, he remembered the coffee.

***

Addison had her head back, water flowing over her slick skin, when he placed his hand at her throat. She started to scream just as Cael’s lips met hers. She tasted sweet and her tongue was warm. He pressed his lips harder as she lifted her hands to his face, then she pulled away.

“What happened to the coffee?”

“I got distracted.” He turned her around and cupped his hand over the soft mound of curls between her thighs. Leaning her against his chest, they swayed together under the spray of the shower.

“I’m glad you decided to join me. This will definitely make the nightmare go away.”

“Mmmm ... anything I can do to help.”

He tried to force himself to go downstairs and make coffee, but it was no use, he’d lost the battle. He kissed her again, picked up the soap and slid it over her breasts then down to her thighs. She turned to face him, took it from him and washed his chest, moving down across his stomach. Unable to take it anymore he turned the water off—gathered her up in his arms—and carried her to the bed, snagging a towel on the way.

Her laughter was music to his ears. “You’re getting the floor all wet. Why didn’t you just teleport us back to the bed?”

“I tried—apparently I can’t teleport when I’m aroused.”

“Really? Now, that’s interesting. At least now I know we won’t end up in some strange place in the heat of the moment.”

The idea of not being able to dematerialize when he needed to was a bit disturbing, but soon forgotten, as he placed her on the bed and straddled her.

“Shut up and kiss me.”

***

After a morning full of impassioned lovemaking and breakfast, Cael and Addie materialized in her apartment. Looking around, it didn’t appear as though anything had been disturbed. She changed her clothes, wanting to wear something other than one of her old black T-shirts, and chose a long-sleeved, pale blue blouse, exposing just a hint of cleavage. She enjoyed the look on Cael’s face when she put it on.

They left the apartment and Addie turned to secure the lock.

“I'm not sure what Eidolon is capable of yet and since the truck has been here for two nights, let's make sure it's safe and no one's tampered with it. Can you start it from up here?”

“I don't know. I'll try.”

She pointed her fingers toward the truck and the engine started without a hitch.

“Seems okay. Let's go.”

The drive to the Cliff Hanger was quiet and Addie wondered if Cael had as difficult a time as she did concentrating on anything other than the passion they shared earlier. Arriving at the bar and grill, Addie started to leave the truck but turned back toward Cael. He must have sensed her apprehension. “Don’t worry. I'll be there in a minute and I will be around here all day—maybe not inside, but in the area. I’ll know if you need me.”

“Good.” She smiled and kissed him lightly on his lips before turning to get out, but he caught her arm and pulled her back. Fisting his hand in her hair, he tugged her head back and covered her mouth with his, massaging her breast in his other hand, stirring up that burning desire.

He ended the kiss just as abruptly. “Don’t think you can slip away from me so easily, Addison MacKenna. I’ll never let you go with just a peck so don’t ever attempt it again.”

“Male domination.” She shrugged. “Hmmm … an interesting concept, but outdated. Do you really think you can win my affection with brute masculine force?”