Her Guardian Angel (Fire and Snow) (9 page)

"Okay." Adele breathed out once he released her lips.

Dominic grinned like a fool, he was so happy. She'd said yes.

"I'll pick you up at ten Saturday morning; make sure you wear your hiking boots."

He gave her another quick kiss before returning her feet to the ground, releasing her from his arms. His eyes followed her as she wandered over to the bar to get herself a drink. He smelled Kit as he felt her laced hands come to rest on his shoulder, her cheek resting on them.

"So, she's finally weakening to your charms, Dominic. Where are you taking her?" Without removing his gaze from watching Adele's every move, he answered in a quiet voice.

"I'm heading up to the field near the lake with her. I'm hoping when she sees it she'll recognize it from our dreams and feel more like everything that is happening is meant to be."

"You plan on telling her everything? 'Cause, man, this plan of yours could back fire big time. What you going to do if she just freaks out and runs off on you?"

"Yeah, I know. I'll see how she reacts before I go telling her anything. I can't wait much longer, Kit. She's my mate; I can't stand having her so close but not in my arms and in my life. She's as vital to me as air."

"Wow, powerful stuff there, Dominic. Well, you'll let me know if I can help you out."

"You already have, Kit. Letting her move in with you, I know you'll keep her protected. If you hadn't done that, I'm not sure what I would have done to make sure she was safe. Probably would have blown any chance I had with her, that's for sure. Then tonight, you dragged her in here."

Kit lifted her head and hands before lightly punching him in the arm.

"Oh no you don't, Dominic. Don't go all mushy on me. Save that shit for your mate who might just appreciate it. And you know full well you'd do the same for me. We're family, that's what we do."

Dominic wrapped his arm around Kit's shoulders for a quick side hug before nodding and releasing her. Yeah, they were family all right. She might not be his sister by birth, but just like all shifter-leopards they stuck together and had bonded as a family.

Chapter Seven

Kelly's mind was fuzzy as she hovered between consciousness and unconsciousness. She vaguely heard him grab the towel, wipe his face and chest, then tuck it into his back pocket. He lifted her down off the hook, causing a new wave of pain that knocked her firmly into the land of unconsciousness.

The sound of his boots hitting the floor upstairs brought her back to the land of the living. Damn, she hurt. Everywhere ached, everywhere except between her legs and that was going to hurt most of all in the morning. She lay in a broken heap on the floor, in a pool of her own blood where he'd left her like yesterday's garbage, sobbing on the inside for all she'd endured and all she was going to have to suffer.

As her brain began to come more fully back online, it registered she was still unchained. He must have thought she wouldn't be able to move for days from the pain, so he'd left her on the stone cold floor to absorb her agony and ponder what her future would hold. Sadistic bastard. What he didn't take into account was that with the knowledge he planned on raping her repeatedly from tomorrow on, she had all the motivation she needed to push past her physical pain. He was always telling her how strong she was, but he had no bloody idea just how strong she could be. He would. She vowed to herself she would escape or die trying--he was not having all of her.

Decision made, she began the struggle of convincing her body to agree with the plan. It took her probably an hour or so to get her limbs to listen to her mind's commands, but eventually her body began to move. She knew she had to get out now, while he thought she couldn't move. She would be chained again as soon as he woke up. She knew with all her soul if she didn't get out now, she never would. She sluggishly pulled herself over to his discarded t-shirt and gradually pulled it on. He'd worked up quite a sweat beating her so he'd taken it off, obviously forgetting about it.

Slowly but surely she dragged her tortured broken body to the door. Agony tore through her as she worked her way up the stairs. Every movement, no matter how small, hurt like all hell. Even breathing sent jagged waves of pain through her chest. Wincing, Kelly suspected he'd cracked her ribs again. Shivers racked through her as the chill invaded all the way to her marrow. The t-shirt didn't provide much warmth, but she didn't have any clothes left.

She made the top of the stairs, sighing in relief. Kelly paused for a few moments to catch her breath. She strained but all she could hear was a loud snore coming from his doorway. Kelly ground her teeth; the bastard had worn himself out beating her. She grimaced, realizing suddenly that on the up side, the racket of his snoring should cover any noise she might make. Normally, she could move without making a sound quite easily but injured like she was, she wasn't so confident of her skills.

Desperation boosted her energy. Kelly made the most of it and began to crawl over to the front door on all fours. Her eyes caught sight of Cole's shoes by the door. She glanced back to Cole's bedroom door; she knew she wouldn't make it far bare foot. Deciding the few moments to put them on were worth it, she wiped her sweaty palms on her t-shirt before she put the way-to-big shoes on. Closing her eyes briefly, she prayed her feet wouldn't blister too badly. With adrenaline pumping through her veins, Kelly pulled herself upright and began moving. Breathing steadily to get past the pain, Kelly staggered out the front door as quietly as she could. Making sure to shut the door softy behind her, the last thing Kelly needed was for the cold night air to wake Cole up. At the end of drive, she tightened her fists and clenched her jaw. With determination Kelly started walking one baby step in front of the other--to her freedom from hell.

The night air was cool against her skin, making her tuck her hands under her arm pits to ward off the shivers that were trembling through her limbs. It wasn't all that cold, but the fear of Cole finding her was still coursing through her system. Staying in the shadows, just to be sure not to attract any attention, she made her way to the clothing bin she used to raid for her and her mother. Tears of relief pricked her eyes as she saw the bags sitting against its red side. She doubted she had the strength to break through the locked door. While sending a silent thank you to the heavens, she began pawing through the bags until she had a jumper, track pants and socks added to her body. The feel of material against her skin felt foreign, in a good way. With a renewed sense of inner calm, Kelly rose and continued on her way. As she was heading out of town, she saw a big green sign that read "Rosebery 67km." She smiled as she strode down the road.

She was finally free.

~ * ~

"I cannot believe I caved in." Adele grumbled as she tugged on her hiking boots.

Kit chuckled, "You've given that man the slip for how long now? You've done well to last this long without caving in to his charms, doll."

"You're not helping, Kit. You know why I can't give in."

"Adele, your mother wouldn't want you hiding away from life because of the choices she made and were made for her. She would want you to
live
." Kit wrapped Adele in a hug as she continued speaking. "I know where you're going today, keep your phone close. If you feel threatened at all, call me and I'll come running. You know I will."

Adele hugged her friend back.

"I know, Kit. Thanks, what would I do with out you?" She was so grateful for everything Kit did for her.

"Let's see, you'd be staying home getting bored out of your mind because I wouldn't be pushing you to accept the attention of a hot man who's chasing you down?" Kit said on a laugh.

Adele couldn't help but chuckle along with her.

"You're totally insane, Kit, but you know I love you for it, right?"

"Oh, don't go getting mushy, doll. You know I love you like a sister and let's leave it at that."

Their sisterly bonding moment was broken by the doorbell.

Adele headed to the door to greet Dominic; he had been avoiding her for the last three days. She was certain it was because he didn't want to give her a chance to back out, but she found she missed not seeing him every day. He always found ways to see her during the day; he really was very sweet and attentive toward her.

She opened the door and froze as she drunk in the beauty that was Dominic. From his lean waist and broad shoulders to his ice blue eyes and cheeky grin... Adele blushed as she realized she was staring and he'd busted her. She felt his heat warm her as he stepped up to her. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he began to whisper in her ear.

"Good morning, beautiful, you look radiant this morning." He kissed her cheek which she was certain still showed her blush. He pulled back slightly, loosening his hold so he could look down at her face.

Adele gazed wide-eyed up at Dominic. She was going up in flames from his kiss and his touch. Why did this man affect her so when no man had ever before even caught her eye? Dominic's arm was still wrapped around her waist; her neck still tingled from where his hot breath had been while he had whispered in her ear. He had told her she looked 'radiant' but no one had ever called her that. She was average height, had average brown hair and a larger than average body--nothing a man would find appealing she was sure. Kit thankfully saved the day by coming up behind her to hand her a small backpack.

"Here you go, doll. Don't let him whisk you away without your stuff. Hi, Dominic." Without taking his eyes from hers, he reached out and took her bag from Kit. She guessed he must have missed her too.

"Hey, Kit. How are you going?"

"I'm doing okay, Dominic. I'll leave you two be so you can get going. Catch you both later." Kit walked back into the house, leaving Adele alone with Dominic.

"I've got everything covered for today, Adele, you don't need to bring anything but yourself."

"It's just habit, I guess. I always take a first aid kit and water with me everywhere. It's kind of like a security blanket," Adele said quietly while she felt her face heat further with embarrassment. Dominic seemed to pick up on it and let it go, slinging her bag over his shoulder.

"Okay, so we're all set. Let's get moving. It's going to be a hot one later this afternoon, so the earlier we get there the better."

With his arm still firmly around Adele's waist, he led her down the drive to his metallic blue Toyota Rav 4.

"I'll be able to get fairly close to where we're going in the Rav so we won't have to far to walk later when it gets hotter."

Adele watched out the window for the whole trip. She loved Tasmania. All the lush green scrub and trees, even in the height of summer, it was magnificent. She snuggled back into the seat as the sun shining through the window warmed her skin. She felt so calm, and her head was filled with the scent of Dominic. A fresh woodsy scent mixed with all male spice. The smell alone seemed to ease her mind and soul. Before she knew it, Dominic stopped the car.

"Hang tight a sec," he said as he hopped out and prowled around the bonnet to her door, drawing her gaze to him--
hmm
. Adele could watch that man move all day and not get bored. Opening her door, he held his hand out to help her out of the SUV. She decided he was like a magnet. It would have been so easy for her to step away from him, but instead she moved into him--her brain didn't get any say in the matter. Dominic kept his hold on her hand, while the other went to her hip then swept up her spine to her neck. A tug on her ponytail tilted her head back, as his mouth descended toward hers, her eyes slid shut. He nibbled at the corner of her mouth before gently swiping his tongue along the seam of her lips.

With a gasp she felt sparks fly through her, all the way to her now curling toes. He took her invitation and plunged into her mouth to take her over. Raising her free hand up to his hair, she buried her fingers into the black softness. A wave of intense pleasure rolled through her, she pulled back and gulped air into her lungs before uttering a "wow." Opening her eyes slowly, looking up at him, she saw him studying her with passion soaked hooded eyes. A flash of red drew her attention to his mouth; he slowly licked his lower lip like he was savoring the taste of her, not wanting to waste a single drop. Her eyes tracked the movement. Watched as he lent down and nibbled the edge of her lips again while whispering to her.

"You taste divine, my sweet Adele. I will never be able to get enough of you, but for now I must stop. I have somewhere special I want to show you."

Pulling away from her slowly, Dominic headed to the back of the Rav. He was walking a little stiffly. She chuckled. She felt like he looked. She was getting very hot--and it had absolutely nothing to do with the sun. He returned a few minutes later, with his ruck-sac and her small backpack. He handed over her bag with a wink as he strapped his ruck-sac onto his back. Oh boy, the way his muscles flexed as he put that bag on just about had her drooling. She watched as he locked up the car. She noticed he stretched his hand forward like he was going to reach for her, and she moved her own hand out and took hold of his, linking their fingers together. She risked a glance at his face. He was grinning like a fool. He looked so happy. She couldn't help but smile back as he began to lead her up the path into the scrub.

"We only have to hike for about five minutes to get where we're going then we can sit back in the shade and relax for a bit." His deep smooth voice still affected her whole body the same way it had that first time.