Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) (23 page)

Her finger traced his cheek, loving how those three words made his eyes sparkle.

* * * *

Dirk’s fingers moved a lock of her hair from her face. He wished he could love her back. He was moved by her ability to love him without question even after all she had been through. But Dirk made her reliant on him; she needed him, his approval. He knew, sadly, the only reason she’d come to love him was that she was given no other choice. He remembered once accusing Tyr of forcing Carrie to fall in love, of needing him. Dirk was guilty of the offence now. She was unknowing of her condition. Dirk hoped it stayed that way. He knew if the threat of the Darrens ever vanished, Candy would demand her freedom. She would come to realize it wasn’t Dirk’s love she needed but his protection, the security he offered. Why would she want to stay with a man who would never love her if she didn’t need to? He found the idea deeply disturbing.

“Dirk?” Candy said, her expression was quizzical.

“Do you really love me, Candy?”

“Of course. I tell you every day. You take care of me. You make me feel safe, wanted. And though you may not love me, I know you care for me,” Candy replied.

“I do care for you, sweetheart,” Dirk said, he kissed her hand with deep tenderness.

Candy smiled up at him. “Where are you taking me?”

“A small island on the Pacific. It’s a quiet retreat my family owns. I’ve been many times. I promise you’ll love it,” Dirk replied.

“How long can we stay?” Candy asked eagerly.

“You have my complete and undivided attention for ten days. Both Tyr and I decided that we would take turns with the twins so we could spend some much needed time alone with our wives,” Dirk said smiling.

She kissed him soundly, making him laugh. Dirk could see Candy trembled from happiness.

“Alone time with you would be wonderful. Alone time with the twins would be wonderful. Life is wonderful.”

Candy kissed him again passionately. She struggled out from beneath him, then quickly jumped to her feet and began packing her clothes while Dirk chuckled at her delight.

* * * *

Candy strolled the quiet shoreline, still amazed she was here. Her toes were warmed by the beautiful white sand that slipped between them with each step. Casting a glance across the ocean, she marveled at the sheer beauty. One cloud moved lazily overhead. Otherwise, the perfection of the day was unmarred. She was aware Dirk was watching her. He kept her close throughout the flight on their private jet. She saddened momentarily, thinking he still didn’t trust her, until she observed Tyr watching Carrie. He kept her just as close, not letting her stray too far from him as they went from car to plane. Candy realized Dirk wasn’t concerned she would run, but that someone might harm her. She remembered his words from before, that Taylor wasn’t her only threat now that she had married him.

Candy felt better with the thought. Dirk may not love her, but he wanted her. He would keep her safe, and she wasn’t afraid.

“Don’t touch it,” Dirk’s commanding voice rang out as Candy studied a dead jellyfish with interest, never before having seen one except in pictures. Candy took a quick step back. She watched as Dirk approached her.

“It’s dead,” Candy said with confusion.

“It’s still dangerous, sweetheart. Trust me. I must admit your curiosity is refreshing, but believe me. I’m going to take you to many different places where innocent things will seem harmless, but I won’t allow you to go near them. Out here it’s important for you to listen to me to keep you safe,” Dirk explained.

“I’ll always listen to you. I love you, and I do trust you,” Candy said, smiling up into his worried expression. She lifted a hand to caress the side of his handsome face.

* * * *

Grinning with relief, Dirk pulled her close. He lowered his face into her sweet, sun-kissed hair. He couldn’t stand the thought if she were to be injured. Her presence gave him so much joy. He thrived in her unabashed, unrestrained love. He was overjoyed Carrie and Candy had become close, and he knew Candy loved the twins almost as much as he did. It didn’t matter to him he would never love her; he felt he was as close as he could get. His life was perfect.

“What should we do today, sweetheart?” Dirk asked, holding her close.

The day before, they rode bareback in their bathing suits along the palm tree dotted, sandy white beach. Candy laughed delightedly while splashing through the rolling waves of water. She looked so free and alive while sitting astride her gentle, little gray mare that bounced beneath her just as eagerly. Only yesterday, Dirk coaxed her into the clear blue ocean to go snorkeling, showing her a foreign world filled with wonder. Dirk kept her close, understanding her fear. Soon enough she was venturing off, anxious to explore, with Dirk’s promise he would keep her safe with his close proximity. She delighted in the coral, the numerous beautiful fish and seashells. Dirk fondly and jokingly told Tyr he’d need a new wing added on their home from the items Candy collected on the beach. Tyr rolled his eyes chuckling and said he’d need two wings, one for Candy and one for Carrie’s treasures.

“I think Carrie wanted to go shopping,” Candy mentioned, in answer to his question.

Dirk groaned. “Don’t you two have enough souvenirs?”

“I wanted to find something for James. He asked me to call him Dad before we left,” Candy said shyly, obviously wondering how Dirk would feel about this.

Dirk smiled into Candy’s concerned expression. “Do you want to call him Dad?”

“I do, if you don’t mind.”

“I think he’d like it. I don’t mind. You’re family after all.”

“You do care for me, don’t you?”

Dirk pulled her closer. He settled his chin on her head. “I’m happy I married you, Candy. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

Candy looked up at him and smiled with relief.

* * * *

Dirk lay awake. He could make out Candy’s sleek form, lying on her side, bathed in the moonlight. She lay naked on top of the covers. The swishing fan overhead did little to ease the evening heat; he could hear the vague stirring of thunder in the distance. He rolled to his side and began to caress her rounded behind. As his hand moved higher to cup a firm breast, he was always amazed at her softness under his hard hands.

“It’s a wee bit hot to sleep,” Candy mumbled.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

He rolled her onto her back; just barely could he make out a fine bead of sweat gathered at her temple.

“Is it about to get hotter?” she asked cheekily when Dirk rolled a nipple between his fingers.

“I have an idea.”

Dirk gripped her hand, pulling her from the bed, and began to lead her out the door of their bedroom; it led to their private beach. Candy hung back and looked up at him with surprise.

“Dirk, I’m naked.”

“Trust me, I noticed. Come on, no one will bother us.”

With a bit more coaxing, he propelled Candy onto the beach and headed for the ocean. Once again, Dirk heard the ominous sound of thunder and his heart beat faster with anticipation. The water rolling over their feet was refreshing and cool. The waves were picking up, the noise they made sounded like mad grumbling, as though angry to be disturbed. Dirk had no doubt now that a storm was imminent. He guided Candy deeper until he was up to his waist. When he turned to look down at her, his grin turned to worry at her look of fear.

Good God, she didn’t think he was going to drown her, did she?

“Candy?”

“Don’t most sharks attack in four feet of water?” she whispered.

Dirk relaxed and held her close. “It’s all right, sweetheart. When my father built this place my mother was afraid for Damien and me when we swam. There are a row of massive rocks where that buoy is floating, it sections off a safe area. The other day when we went snorkeling I took you around the other part of the beach. The most you’ll find in here is a minnow, maybe not even that.”

“I think I would have liked your mother, she sounds like a smart woman,” Candy replied, her tone relieved.

“Very smart and very overprotective.” When Candy looked at him questioningly, he quickly covered her mouth. “Now don’t go asking why she would allow her sons to do what we do. I’m not in the mood to be discussing my mother when I want to fuck you senseless.”

She pulled his hand from her mouth and smiling up at him asked: “Naughty words, big boy. How much fucking do you have in mind?”

Dirk gripped her behind roughly. Candy gasped when he pressed his erection firmly against her belly. “I have a good idea.”

“I can feel that you do.”

He felt her shiver and he released her bottom to cup her cheek against his hand. Her mouth was warm when he plundered it. He could feel the crashing waves as they built in intensity, pushing him and he turned with his back against them. Now when the wave pushed, he moved with it; it felt as though he were being coaxed to have sex, the idea had merit. His finger had found Candy’s opening beneath the water and she wiggled pleasantly against his hand. But he wanted her to dance. Two fingers pumped within, and he could hear the waves as they slapped at her sides. She moaned when his thumb pressed against her nub. When the water rushed back and the undertow gripped her, tugging at her legs, he felt her move into his fingers. Dirk moved his hands to grip at her wet behind. He lifted her high enough for his cock to penetrate. She groaned as he pushed her down onto him. When a wave collided with his backside he used it to pump harder. When his full shaft was imbedded within her she wrapped her lags around his waist, her arms around his neck.

He toyed with her, pulling her up, slowly dragging her back down. He could feel her knees and arms tense and then release as she joined his movement. She was whispering in his ear how much she loved him, how badly she needed him. He always enjoyed being gentle at first. He wanted to take her at his leisure, wanted to hear her scream his name when she came. She was so beautiful when she danced in his arms from deep desire. The dark night sky turned to murky gray as ominous clouds billowed in heavier than the waves. Thunder cracked overhead into an ear-shattering boom.

Candy’s head fell back to gaze up at the fierce sky; she said his name on a worried breath. Dirk held her securely, an arm around her waist and the other on her behind. He gripped her harder and knew his hands held her painfully when she squealed, but she would soon cease to feel their powerful pressure. The next time Dirk pulled her high he slammed her down on him, the sound he created was like the slapping on her sides the waves had made. She cried out in surprise, giving him all of her attention. Dirk wasn’t concerned, the waves were battering the shoreline and he knew the storm was closing in on them, no one would hear her scream; he intended to make her scream louder.

As lightning crashed, making Candy jump fearfully within his arms, he had her thrust up and rammed himself within her again. Again she cried out. He wasn’t about to let her worry about the storm, he was the storm she should worry about; he wanted her thoughts centered onto him and what he was doing to her.

Dirk pumped wildly within her. Candy gasped and cried out, rising, falling. Each time thunder struck he moved harder, faster. Her legs, wrapped snuggly around his waist, began to slip and he knew she was tiring. He made his way to shore and when another clap of thunder crashed through the sky, Dirk collapsed on top of her, entering her brutally. She screamed beneath him. Her eyes were wild. Dirk pulled her knee up high and thrust again and again. Candy grabbed at him when more lightning blazed through the sky.

The heavens opened and rain battered at them. Dirk continued his invasion. He pinned her wrists with one hand, high above her head. She pulled her leg high and he reached to squeeze a breast. He rolled and pinched at her nipple until Candy bucked beneath him. He knew he had her undivided attention. Their mouths collided devouring each other. Candy kissed at his cheek, his neck, she began suckling at his earlobe.

For Dirk, the heavens stopped their assault; his mind was centered on Candy, the way she held him to her when he released her wrists, the way she cried his name. He slowed his rhythm to a gentle rocking. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered how beautiful she was. His fingers stroked a lock of her saturated hair from her face. His lips tasted the rain on her cheek. She smiled up at him looking completely spent.

“I love you, Dirk.” He knew she did.

They lay together for a few moments until finally Dirk noticed the storm was getting worse. He grinned broadly, remembering how the sound had ceased while he gained his fulfillment. He stood, and for a moment he watched Candy as she lay vulnerable on the beach. The waves were now rushing up past her shoulders and she was too tired to move. Her eyes were already closed. She would have been the most beautiful mermaid if she lived in the ocean. But the ocean couldn’t have her, she was his. Dirk scooped her up into his arms and headed for their home. By the time he reached the bed, the rain had washed the sand from them, the downpour so intense. He wrapped them both in a warm blanket with the new welcome chill in the night air.

Candy curled against him. Dirk could feel himself harden again, but he let her sleep. There would be lots of time to make love to her. He wondered, with a smile, if Mother Nature would send another storm for him to tame.

* * * *

Two days later, it was with annoyance Dirk packed a few of his belongings, while Candy watched quietly from a chair. After returning from another long day of shopping and sightseeing, Dirk received word from his brother that he was in need of his help; a somewhat tricky hit that would benefit from Dirk’s tracking abilities. Dirk grumbled angrily at the intrusion. He’d been enjoying his vacation immensely and was loathe to leave Candy in the tropics without him, yet it couldn’t be helped. Tyr expressed he was more than capable of watching over her and his own family until his return. Dirk had no doubt of that, Tyr was a powerful adversary. None would dare seek his wrath willingly. Though Dirk would have preferred to stay and guard her himself.

“Will you be gone long?” Candy voiced quietly. Her dark saddened eyes looked up at him in a woe begotten fashion. He knew she was missing him already.