Moon Thrall (14 page)

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“Like the dead. How about you?”

“Good.”

She shifted to prop her head up on her hand to see him. “Liar. Did you sleep at all?”

“I dozed,” he admitted. “It was nice to hold you. Even nicer to wake up with you.”

Skye was going to die of pleasure. Court’s words weren’t false charm. She could see he meant them. “Can we stop time for a few hours?”

“If only I could,” he said and fingered a lock of her hair.

She fell onto her back and looked at the ceiling. “It’ll work. Minka’s idea is solid.”

“And puts you in danger again.”

“There’s no way around that,” Skye said as she turned her head to him. “They want me.”

Court sat up and leaned against the headboard. “I got you first.”

His jest made her smile again. “Keep talking like that and I won’t ever leave this room.”

“Now you’re speaking my language,” he said as he leaned over her with a sexy half-smile.

She could feel his arousal against her leg. Skye reached down and wrapped her hand around him, slowly moving her hand up and down his length.

He moaned low in his throat, his eyes closing. It didn’t matter how many times they had made love through the night, Skye wanted him again. He knew where to kiss, how to touch to send her spiraling.

Her body yearned for his touch, for him to fill her again. She loved his weight atop her. More than that, she loved him inside her, his rod sliding in and out, thrusting deep enough to touch her womb.

Skye never knew she was such a wanton. Then again, Court brought out many things in her she hadn’t known. It was because he was with her that she had slept so soundly.

Suddenly, she found herself flipped onto her stomach. Court’s large hands grabbed her hips and lifted her butt up into the air. Her hands fisted the covers as his fingers delved into her sex to make sure she was wet.

And then the blunt head of his arousal entered her. Skye closed her eyes in pleasure as he filled her, stretching her. Her body was pleasantly sore, but that didn’t stop her from wanting more.

She rose up on her hands and looked over her shoulder at him. His chest rumbled with another groan as he leaned over her. One hand remained on her hips as he thrust while the other cupped her breast and tweaked her nipple.

Skye moaned and rocked her hips back against him. Her body was primed, ready for another orgasm, and when his fingers found her clit, she instantly climaxed.

The force of it took her breath away. He held her until her body stopped shaking. Then he held her hips and began to thrust. He went deeper, harder. Faster.

He held her so she couldn’t move, so that she clamped down on him every time he entered her. Soon she felt him shudder as he orgasmed.

They fell to the side, laughing as the rain hit the window harder. Court nuzzled the back of her neck while her sated body relaxed against him.

“Should we go down soon?” she asked.

Court shook his head. “They won’t bother us, or think twice about us being up here the rest of the day.”

“But your brothers will need you.”

He sighed. “Probably.”

“I also know how you want to be in the middle of the planning.”

Court kissed her ear. “You know me well.”

She was beginning to, but she knew there was much more of him to learn. And she couldn’t wait to start.

“Why don’t you get in the shower,” he suggested.

Skye scooted out of his arms to the side of the bed. She looked back at him and smiled before disappearing into the bathroom.

Court waited until the door closed behind her before he fell back and put his hand over his arm. He had run through Minka’s plan over in his head all night. It was a solid plan. But there were still things that could go wrong. Every time he thought of one of them, his heart felt as if it were encased in ice.

He rose and wrapped a blanket around his waist as he walked from the room down the hall to Solomon’s room. He didn’t stop until he reached the master bath and shut the door. Then he took a quick shower, not bothering to shave.

In less than ten minutes, he was out and dressed in fresh clothes. He paused beside his room and listened to the shower running. Quietly, he walked inside and got his boots. Then he walked back out and down the stairs.

He was putting on his shoes on the bottom step when Kane walked from the back of the house into the foyer. Court nodded to his brother.

“I’m glad you took my advice,” Kane said. “You look better.”

Court finished with his boots and stood. He punched Kane in the shoulder with a grin. “Mind your own business.”

A small smile began to form but didn’t reach its full potential. “Minka’s plan is in action. Griffin and a few of his men spread the rumor through the Quarter last night.”

“There’s no going back now,” Court said, glancing back at his room.

Kane grunted. “This needs to be taken care of now.”

“I know.”

“Nothing will happen to her,” Kane stated.

Court ran a hand through his still-wet hair. “Yeah.”

He and Kane walked to the kitchen where Myles, Addison, and Riley were. Myles was stuffing the last of his breakfast in his mouth when they walked in. He kissed Addison and waved at them as he hurried out the back door.

“Morning,” Riley said.

Court pulled out a chair and sat at the table. “Morning. Smells good, cuz.”

Riley flashed him a bright smile. “That’s because my cooking is awesome. I’m nearly as good as Beau.”

Everyone knew that her brother was one of the best cooks around, hands down. Court watched Addison look worriedly out the back door.

A moment later, Solomon opened the door and walked in. He stopped at the entry and shook water from his hair and clothes. Riley threw him a towel, and he wiped as much off as he could.

As soon as he spotted Court, he walked to the table and took the chair opposite him at the rectangular table. “Did Kane fill you in?”

“He did,” Court said. “How do you feel about it?”

“We’re all ready.” Solomon stared at him intently. “And you? How do you feel?”

Like he was about to puke. “Good.”

“I keep telling him he’s not a good liar,” Skye said from behind him.

Court turned and instantly held out his hand to her. Her lips turned upward in a grin as she came to him, their fingers sliding together. Court pulled out the chair next to him with his foot and she sat.

“He’s worried,” Kane said.

Skye lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “So am I. But it has to be done. None of us can continue like this.”

“We could call in our cousins,” Solomon offered.

Court looked at Riley to see her shoulders stiffen. Then she turned to them. “If we need them, then do it. Now.”

“And give Delphine another go at them?” Court asked. “I don’t think so. We’ve got the Moonstone clan helping. That should be enough.”

Solomon ran a hand down his face, the weariness showing. “It better be. We’re putting a lot of faith in the witch.”

“Minka knows what she’s doing,” Addison said.

Kane nodded. “I agree. It’ll work.”

Court wasn’t willing to bet Skye’s life on it. Then again, if he didn’t, her life was still in jeopardy. It was a no-win situation, and it sucked. Royally.

“Y’all didn’t have to get up so early,” Riley said with a wink to Court and Skye.

Skye laughed. “We were hungry.”

“All you had to was shout from the room,” Addison said with a big smile. “We would’ve brought some food up.”

Court looked around the kitchen. This was his family. It kept growing, and he was glad of it. It added more worry, but the more of them that joined together, the stronger they were.

He wondered if Kane would ever get past what had happened and be happy again. Until he could, he would never make room in his life for a woman.

Then there was Solomon. His eldest brother was beyond frustrating most days. Yet, Court held out hope with Minka. The way the two of them rubbed each other raw could be because they both fought their desires.

Or it could mean they really hated each other.

Minka walked in at that moment. Solomon didn’t even look at her as he poured himself some coffee. Minka smiled at everyone, but she also refrained from looking Solomon’s way.

The back door opened and Griffin came inside. His attention was instantly on Minka.

“I could hear you, you know,” she said to Solomon. “If you don’t like my plan, then come up with another one.”

Solomon kept his face averted. His lips peeled back in a sneer. “Do you think we weren’t trying to come up with something?”

“With you, I don’t know,” Minka replied sarcastically.

Griffin smiled at Minka. “Solomon might not like your idea, but I think it’s a good one. Anything else you need help with?”

“No, thank you,” Minka said sweetly.

Court slid his gaze to Solomon to see a muscle twitch in his jaw. Riley put the bacon and eggs on the table, along with sausage and biscuits. Everyone had a seat except for Minka, who was pouring herself some coffee.

She turned around and saw the only open chair was next to Solomon, putting her between him and Griffin. Court shared a secret look with Skye, who also noticed the situation.

Skye leaned over. “Do you think she knows Griffin is into her?”

“Definitely,” Court whispered.

Skye then asked in a low voice, “Does Solomon really not like her?”

Court moved aside her hair so his lips were by her ear. “I think the point is that he likes her. A lot.”

“I don’t understand,” she said as she leaned back, frowning.

“His fiancée was killed years ago,” Court whispered.

Skye’s mouth formed a big O. Enough years had passed that Solomon could talk freely about it, but Court wasn’t going to bring it up unless Solomon did.

There was small chitchat around the table as they ate. Despite the group, Court felt as if it were just him and Skye. He couldn’t look at her without smiling, his love growing by the second.

“Ugh,” Riley said with a roll of her eyes. “I can’t sit at this table a minute longer and see the two of y’all making eyes at each other. The smiles and secret looks are driving me batty.” She rose and looked pointedly at Court. “You do realize I’m single, right? Geesh. You two are worse than Addison and Myles.”

“Amen,” Kane said as he rose and gathered some dishes to bring to the sink.

Addison merely smiled. “I think it’s cute.”

Court’s smile died when his gaze went to Solomon. Because he knew his brother was remembering Misty.

And how he had lost her.

Suddenly, the food in Court’s stomach turned sour. It was going to be a long damn day.

C
HAPTER
S
IXTEEN

Skye didn’t think she had ever been so nervous in her entire life. Her hands shook, her palms were sweating, and at any moment, she expected to lose what little bit of food was in her stomach.

She leaned against the porch column watching as Court and his brothers left. The Moonstone pack had already made themselves scarce hours before. Now it was just Skye, Addison, Riley, and Minka in the house.

A house, which hours before had felt so comforting and safe, seemed ominous and...empty.

Skye put on a brave face for Court, even though she was trembling inside. He hadn’t wanted to leave. In fact, it had taken all of them – especially her – to convince him that it would all work out.

Right before he stepped off the porch, he had pulled her against him, nuzzling her neck. Then he had whispered, “I won’t be far. I’ll be near, ready to kill any vamp who comes for you.”

He kissed her, hard. But it was full of passion and promise. Then he whispered something beneath his breath that had made Skye’s heart skip a beat.

She wasn’t completely certain, but it had sounded very much like ‘I love you.’

Skye bit her tongue so she wouldn’t call out to Court and beg him to remain. She touched her lips, her eyes filling with tears. She loved him. Desperately.

“I love you, Court LaRue,” she whispered, hoping the wind carried her words to him.

When she could no longer see Court after he’d faded into the woods, Skye turned around and saw Minka standing at the screen door.

Minka blinked and looked at her as she pushed open the door. “We have a little over an hour until dusk.”

“Right,” Addison said and turned away from the porch railing to walk into the house.

Riley was next, a frown marring her forehead.

Skye grabbed the screen door. “What is there to do other than wait?”

“Lots,” Minka said with a smile. “This house is protected, but I’ve been adding to them for the past few days.”

Skye stepped into the house and let the screen door close behind her. Then she shut the door. “Court said for us not to leave the house, so we should be fine.”