Mojo Queen (18 page)

“Yeah.” I extricated myself from him and put on my glasses. His hand trailed down my back as I climbed out of the vehicle. The caress sent a shiver of pleasure through me and made me think of the dream I’d had while sleeping next to him. So very not good. Or maybe just too damn good.

The old fishing cabin was good-sized and full of modern conveniences, just the way Daniel liked it. There were only two bedrooms, though. I high-tailed it into the one with its own bathroom and locked the door behind me. Those three men could work it out among themselves who slept where, or even have a big threesome in the living room, I didn’t care. I needed privacy.

I showered and climbed into bed, exhausted. This time instead of erotic dreams of Blake, I had nightmares about Daniel, crouching over me, holding me down, fangs distorting the familiar face of one of the few people I trusted. I woke up screaming shortly before dawn. By the time someone started pounding on the door, I had more or less shaken off the worst of the nightmare.

Daniel called my name from the other side of the door.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Be out in a minute.”

“What’s the matter, Roxie?”

I hesitated. “Just a bad dream. Can you make some coffee?”

“Sure thing.” An undercurrent of fear flowed in his voice. No need to tell him what my nightmares were about.

Ten minutes later I walked into the kitchen, nervous and hungry. Daniel had coffee brewing, bread in the toaster and eggs in a skillet. He was a pretty good cook for a guy who had eaten his last meal a century or so ago.

“Where’s the others?” I said by way of greeting.

“Seth is still asleep on the couch. Blake’s in the shower.” He dished scrambled eggs onto a plate for me. “I went out while everyone was asleep. Got some groceries and stuff.”

I took the plate and sat at the small table. “Thank you.”

He poured two cups of coffee and sat while I ate my eggs in silence. As I pushed my plate away and reached for my coffee, he said my name. I cut him off, my voice tight. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“We need to, Roxie.” He reached for me.

I snatched my hand away. I hated it, but I couldn’t stand the thought of him touching me. Not yet.

“Look, right now we need to figure out what to do. Whatever Delia is, she’s powerful and she’s running around loose. I have to stop her.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” he said. “I think I need to call in one of those friends I was telling you about.”

I snapped my head up, finally willing to meet his eyes. “Why?”

“This is bigger than anything you’ve ever dealt with before, Roxie. You need help.”

It took me a while to respond, while I counted to ten to keep from throwing my coffee in his face. I opened my mouth and realized I needed to keep counting. At fifty I felt calm enough to speak. “I don’t have any problem admitting I sometimes need backup, but you are way out of line suggesting I’m too weak or incompetent or whatever the hell it is you’re suggesting.”

“I’m not saying you’re weak or incompetent, I’m saying you’re in over your head. Let me call for help.”

A hand dropped on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. Blake. “I don’t think we need to add more variables to the mix here.”

He helped himself to coffee. His black hair looked even thicker still wet from the shower. He was clean-shaven and wore a different pair of jeans and a dark-blue t-shirt. Waves of color rippled through the nebula of his aura.

“What you think doesn’t matter,” Daniel said, menace in his voice. “You’re the one who started this nightmare. If it were up to me I’d cut you loose and let your demon girlfriend kill you.”

“
Mmm
.” Blake sipped his coffee. “Could you make me some eggs?” Blake the Smirky Sorcerer, and I had to admit even if only to myself, I was starting to like the smirk.

Daniel shot to his feet, sending his chair colliding into the oven. His eyes darkened, veins along his forearms taut. “You son of a bitch.”

“What, I think it’s only fair you cook breakfast for me. After all…” He let the smirk bloom into an evil smile. “I provided you with a meal yesterday.”

I don’t know how I got between them fast enough to keep Daniel from ripping Blake’s head off, but I managed it. “We’re not gonna do this!” I backed up against Blake, throwing up a hand at Daniel. “We’re not going to fight amongst ourselves. That will only help Delia.”

Blake took half a step closer. I stood my ground until Daniel calmed and returned to his chair. “It’s not a good idea, taking him on as a client.”

“Duly noted. Let’s move on.”

Blake’s hand at the small of my back sent me scurrying to my chair. “You still have internet access here?” I asked Daniel.

He nodded. “Need the laptop?”

“Please.”

“I’ll go set it up for you.” He stood. “Want it in your room?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“And thank you for the clothes,” Blake chimed in as he seated himself in Daniel’s chair. “I found some that fit. Did a friend leave them here?” He peered over the top of his mug with an innocent expression that was somehow not at all innocent.

Daniel bared a fang at him, hissing.

I raised a hand. “Bubba, please, just get the laptop for me, okay. Please?”

After a moment he relented and left the kitchen. I promptly kicked Blake under the table.

Swearing, he set his mug down and rubbed his leg. “What was that for?”

“Could you try not to give me stress? Or anyone else for that matter.”

He took my hand in his, mischief in his eyes. “If you’re experiencing stress, maybe I can help you with that.”

I pulled my hand away. “You can help by not being an ass.”

Seth ambled into the kitchen, rubbing his face and stretching. “He doesn’t know how to be anything but an ass.”

I hopped up, wanting to hug the poor kid but not sure how he’d take it so I settled for patting him on the arm. “How are you? Did you sleep okay?”

“Daniel gave me a valium. Is there orange juice?”

I checked the fridge, pleased to see what all made Daniel’s grocery list. I poured Seth a glass of orange juice and directed him to sit. After he took a long drink, I asked again, “How do you feel today?”

Seth stared at the table, running a finger over the swirls in the wood. I waited, not wanting to push and also grateful for Blake keeping his mouth shut for once. After a moment something seemed to occur to Seth and he raised his head to look at me. “Does that mean Daniel’s gay?”

“Oh, honey, you’re not going to start reading Leviticus at us again, are you?” I couldn’t help myself.

He blushed, dropping his gaze back to the table. “No. No, I was just wondering.” He took another drink of juice. “I’m, well, I’m not okay. I’m not okay by any stretch.” He shook his head, rubbing his face again. He met my gaze. “I’m not okay but I am better than yesterday.”

“I want to keep you with us until this is over with. I’m going to do everything I can to keep you safe.”

“I know you will. I’m just scared. Real scared, and I can’t really.” He halted. I could hear his feet tapping on the floor. “I can’t get my head around all this.”

“Maybe you could try doing some of the meditation exercises I taught you,” Blake said. The gentle tone of his voice surprised me. “If nothing else it might help you stay calm. Stay centered.”

The flesh around Seth’s eyes tightened but there was no sign of the fury that had caused him to attack Blake yesterday. He wouldn’t look at Blake but after a moment he did respond. “Maybe I’ll try that.”

I refilled my coffee. “You guys okay if I go do some research in my room?”

Blake faced me, smirk fully deployed. “Why did you get your own room? I had to sleep on the floor. The hard, cold floor.”

Seth snickered. “That’s ’cause no one likes you.”

I laughed. “Yeah, y’all are fine for now. Just be nice, okay. Seth, you need me, you come get me.”

Seth nodded.

Blake said, “What if I need you?”

“Are you right-handed or left-handed?”

“Are you telling me to go fuck myself?”

“Oh, yeah.” I left to the sound of his laughter.

* * * *

Someone knocked on the door while I was finishing some notes on djinn folklore. I looked up as Blake let himself into my room. Before I could speak, he grabbed the laptop and my notebook, setting both on the floor. He stretched out on the bed, laying his head in my lap.

“What are you doing? I got work to do.” I’m sure the smile I couldn’t help told him I didn’t mind the interruption.

“Daniel and Seth are watching the Food Network. As thrilling as that is, I thought maybe I should check on you.” He was trying hard but the smirk didn’t reach his eyes.

I tossed my pen to the floor and gently pushed him from my lap to a pillow, then lay on my side to face him. A lock of heavy black hair fell across one eye. I smoothed it back, and if the motion gave me an excuse to run my fingers through his hair, well, he didn’t seem to mind. He scooted closer to me, one hand lightly brushing against my thigh. I tensed. Seeing it, he froze, but didn’t withdraw his hand. I made an effort to relax, and he saw that too. He trailed his hand to my hip and let it rest in the curve. The weight and warmth of his flesh felt good even through my t-shirt. I thought perhaps I should say something but couldn’t think of what.

We lay there in companionable silence. Drowsiness relaxed me further and I thought nothing of it when he moved closer. There were just inches between us, our heads on the same pillow. His hand drifted to the small of my back, pulling me closer still. Somewhere in the back of my brain, my
what the hell
switch flipped. I snuggled into his arms and his warmth, not caring to analyze the why of it or worry about what he would make of it. He felt solid and safe.

I dozed for a while. A few times I felt his lips brush my hair, his fingers trail across my back and side. I was half asleep when I heard him whisper, “I really fucked up this time.”

I raised my head, adjusted my glasses. “Blake.”

“I’ve done plenty of stupid things, gotten in over my head.” He closed his eyes. “I never got people killed before.”

“You said you never meant for that to happen and I believe you.”

He opened his eyes. They were full of moisture. “That won’t bring them back.” He blinked, sending a single tear sliding down the side of his face.

“Oh, baby.” I wiped the tear away and brushed my lips against his. He kissed me back, holding me tight, both of us needy. His lips were soft as they trailed across my cheek, down to the hollow of my throat. Gentle when he reached my mouth again, the tip of his tongue barely touching the seam of my lips, as if asking for permission. I gave it, parting my lips and meeting his tongue with my own.

Blake rolled onto his back, pulling me on top of him. Conscious thought stopped and I just let myself enjoy the feel of our bodies pressed together, his hands in my hair, the heat of our kisses. Arousal spread through me in a slow, hot wave. He slid one hand up the back of my shirt, his touch raising goose bumps on my skin and making me shiver. He must have liked feeling me move on top of him because he moaned against my mouth. I moved my legs around so I was straddling him. Feeling his arousal kicked down the last of my inhibitions and I ground myself against him. I tore my mouth from his as he moaned again, quickly removing my glasses. I wanted to see his aura as I writhed against him.

It did not disappoint. His black starfield shimmered with threads of silver and purple. Those were not the colors I was used to associating with desire but I had no doubt that’s what they meant, at least in him. I rocked my hips against him, hard. He groaned and bit his lip.

Something about the way he looked in that moment--eyes half closed, face flushed with desire, biting his lip--was so damn sexy it nearly undid me. His bottom lip looked so luscious I just had to have it. I nipped it with my teeth then sucked it before kissing him, thrusting my tongue into his mouth, letting it show him everything I wanted.

I probably could have had exactly what I wanted if the jar candle on the nightstand hadn’t suddenly popped to life, the flame getting dangerously high. I cried out, diving to blow out the candle or at least move it away from the nearby curtain. Blake kept me from falling off the bed.

“Did you do that?” His voice shook with laughter.

The candle secure, I tried to get myself under control. I found my glasses and scooted off of him to sit on the edge of the bed, embarrassed. “What, don’t you ever get a little too excited?”

Blake the Sexy Sorcerer gave me such a heated look I nearly melted back into his arms. “Every chance I get.” He reached for me but I hopped off the bed. “Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. Don’t pretend you don’t want me.”

I chose not to address that directly. “This cabin’s not that big and there are other people here.” As soon as I said it, though, I realized that could be construed as admitting I did want him, I just wasn’t going to give in to that here. I sighed, shrugging. Being coy was never something I had much patience for.

He shook his head, amused. “When this is over with, I’m not going to let you try to say this was some kind of heatofthemoment thing. You’re not allowed to plead temporary attraction due to extreme circumstances.”

“What if that’s what it is? What if once this is over with--”

“We’re still going to want each other.” This time when he reached for me I didn’t move fast enough to get away. Not that I tried too hard. He pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist as he nuzzled my neck.

“I’m not too keen on being the rebound girl.”

“You don’t count as a rebound because I wasn’t looking for another girl.” His lips traveled across my neck, finding a sensitive spot and making me squirm. “Seriously, you really think after having my life blown apart by one powerful woman I’d go looking for another this quick?”

I moved so that we faced each other, not wanting the distraction of his lips on my throat. “What does that even mean?”

He sighed. “It means this is not ideal for me, either. It’d be one thing if I just wanted to f-- If I just wanted to sleep with you. I like you, Roxie.”

I thought it was odd he would censor his language that way. I didn’t know what to think of his admission.