The Keepers: Declan (8 page)

“I won’t deny why I came for you, Kate, but I know Harper and the warlocks he supports. They’ve destroyed my family on more than one occasion and continue to threaten my witch.” He was unable to keep the bitterness from his tone – or the nagging anger that the very men who’d played a role in Sarah and Rose’s deaths were now after Kate.

“I know their goal is to disrupt our world. We’ll never let that happen, which is why they’re so desperate to get their hands on you. You tip the balance in their favour.”

“And by siding with you, I tip the balance in yours. You’re no different from them, Declan.”

Her words sparked a flush of anger. “That’s insulting.”

“Will you let me go?”

He didn’t reply, didn’t have to. She knew his answer and her shoulders fell as she sighed and looked away. He went to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her nearer when she tried to take a step back. “As much as you hate to admit it, you’re part of this world. But you get to choose which side you want to be on. I know this is all new to you, Kate, but there’s something you should know about Keepers and their witches.”

“What’s that?”

“We take care of our own and we stick together.” His gaze unwavering, he dipped his head so she could see how serious he was. “I’ll give you one chance to leave.
One chance
. If you go, I won’t follow and you might have enough time to make it out of these mountains. You can run, start a new life for yourself, but don’t for one moment think they won’t find you.”

Without a sound, she lowered her long lashes and looked away.

He slid a finger beneath her chin, lifting her head. She opened her eyes and the sadness he saw in them tore at him. “Or you can stay with me and together we’ll face them.”

“Declan  … ”

“We’ll protect you, but if you stay, then no more games or lies. So what’s your answer, Kate?”

Kate considered his last statement, unable to break away from his smouldering gaze. His words stilled her with their passion and conviction. She looked at him, considering her options – although
options
was not quite the word she’d use. Trouble was brewing and right now she was in deep. How she’d survived this far was becoming something short of a miracle.

He was offering to help.

A Keeper
. According to the stories she’d heard, a Keeper resembled everything pure and good. Warrior men and women, destined to protect their witches, striving to maintain the balance of nature. Power, honour and courage.

Everything she struggled to achieve.

Her stomach churned, and she looked at the one man who was offering to help her.

“Kate?”

Her name rolled off his tongue in a gruff tone that gave her an unwelcome surge of excitement. His blue eyes sparked with intensity, keeping her grounded to the spot, but they also held mischief.

His hand still gripped her chin, his body so close to hers that she felt his heat even through the sleeping bag. It still smelled of him; the manly, musky scent affecting her in ways she couldn’t ignore. She almost edged forward, seeking his warmth, but kept her back rigid. It was tempting. Everything about him was temptation.

And everything inside Kate cautioned her to run.

Sensing she was about to say no, he stroked a thumb across her chin, his touch oddly gentle. “Think about it, Kate. Side with them. Side with us. There isn’t really a door number three.”

She hated that he was right and bit down on the flare of objection, giving a brief nod.

Declan’s expression remained even, but his eyes flashed with something she couldn’t decipher. Relief? Satisfaction?

“On one condition,” she added. “I may need your help but that doesn’t make me helpless. You’re not to confuse the two.”

“Good, ’cause a helpless chick only pisses me off.” He released her and took a step back, his absence bringing a sudden cold.

He turned away to tend to the fire, the blaze brightening in response, and Kate sank to the ground in silence. Reaching for a nearby stick, he stoked the fire and added more wood. The tension that had riddled her for the last few weeks subsided and the shivering increased, a sure sign that she’d lowered her guard. Fatigue and hunger finally took their toll.

Reaching for his rucksack, he settled beside her, the close contact of his body sending a familiar thrill through her. Three months later and the man still rattled her senses.

When he unzipped the bag and pulled out an apple and an energy bar, Kate’s hopes soared.
Food.

He saw her delighted expression, the corner of his mouth hitching in a smile. “Hungry?”

“Starving.”

“It’s not much  … ” he said, opening the energy bar and holding it out to her.

Her brow shot up. “You’re going to feed me?”

“Call it Keeper witch loyalty crap.” She smiled at his disgruntled tone and reached out but he held on to the end of the wrapper, refusing to let go. Her gaze flickered to his. “Never bite the hand that feeds you,” he warned and released the bar, his husky voice rumbling through her.

She rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a grin, and peeled off the last of the wrapper before taking a small bite. She brightened for the first time in days – and refused to consider whether it was because of the warrior or his food.

He rummaged through his rucksack, withdrawing a brown paper bag, and tossed it to her.

“What’s this?” she asked, swallowing.

He motioned toward her messy appearance. “Necessities.”

Euphoric, she pulled out a toothbrush and a pair of clean clothes. “You brought me clothes?”

“Only one change. Your bag was by the front door. I grabbed it on my way out.” He threw her a bottle of soap and glanced at the nearby river. “The water’s freezing –”

“I’ll be fine!” she gushed. God, it had been days since her body had seen soap.

After everything she’d done to him, he’d thought to bring her clothes?

She fingered the fresh material and sniffed the musky soap that smelled like him. “Careful, warrior boy,” she said, her smile widening, “you might just be turning out to be my hero.”

He tilted his head to look at her. His face, rough from stubble, was softened in the gentle orange light. “I’m not the hero, Kate.”

“So if that makes you the bad guy, can you wait until morning before chopping me up into tiny little pieces?”

“Why morning?”

“Because by then I’ll have regained enough strength to kick your ass.”

His lips twitched with the promise of a grin. “Honey, you’re going to need a lot more than an energy bar for that.”

“I kicked your ass before, didn’t I?”

“You surprised me.”

“I thought a warrior never lowered his guard.”

“I was having an off day.”

“Is that what you’re calling it?”

“Just eat your damn food, Kate.”

She smiled and bit into the apple.

****

The moment Kate stepped into the water, her quiet squeal echoed through the darkness, provoking a smile from Declan.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he called out, settling on a nearby rock, his back to her as he tried to tune out the half-naked woman.

“I can’t feel my toes.”

“You’re such a girl.”

“A desperate one.”

“No kidding. You should have waited until tomorrow when it’s warmer.”

She snorted and splashed some water onto her arms, gasping at the icy temperature.

Declan scanned the trees, unable to lower his guard. The forest was clouded in darkness and the moonlight was dim. The whistling of wind, the hooting of an owl, and the gentle trickle of water permeated the silence. It was peaceful, yet ominous.

A louder splash had him looking over his shoulder.

Shielding her breasts with her hands, she tiptoed further into the water, her hair a cascade of curls around slender shoulders. She was breathtaking.

And naked.

His breath caught and he stared in silence, knowing he should look away. The darkness shielded her body like a cloak, but he knew her loveliness.

He’d had first-hand experience and remembered every inch of her.

Until his blackout.

Renewed frustration swirled through him, reminding him of the vixen beneath the beauty, and he took pleasure in her next gasp.

Served her right.

He froze at the sound of a twig snapping nearby, all thoughts of the woman forgotten. He cocked his head, his Keeper instincts shifting to attention as though a switch had been flipped.

Using his heightened hearing, he zoned in on his surroundings, listening, filtering, until he heard the heartbeat and ragged breathing.

Fear trickled down his spine and he faced Kate, unable to call out and risk alerting their attackers.

Oblivious, Kate splashed herself one more time and edged back to the riverbed, reaching for his towel.

The rustling of forest debris and a movement in the trees punched a warning to his gut and with practised silence, Declan pushed himself off the rock.

Shivering, Kate swiped the towel across her body and wondered if she’d been crazy for taking a midnight splash in the middle of winter. Declan had insisted on accompanying her, and he’d warned her it would be safer to wash in the morning.

But several days in the same clothes had left her feeling so grimy and miserable that she’d been prepared to shoulder the cold.

She searched for him, surprised to see he’d moved, and scanned the riverbank. It was dark and silent; eerie despite the peacefulness. A prickle of unease crept through her and she froze, the towel clutched against her breasts.

A crunch of forest debris had her heartbeat quickening. Acting on instinct, she edged back against the tree behind her.

In a flash of movement, strong arms engulfed her and a hand covered her mouth, muffling her scream.

Eyes bulged in terror, and she tried to tug free, to scream, panicking when no sound escaped.

“Ssh, it’s me,” Declan whispered in her ear, his presence a bolt of relief.

He twisted himself around her, his face so close to hers that she could feel his rapid breathing. His pounding heart matched hers, their bodies alive with adrenaline.

Shifting his hand, he touched his fingers to her lips, and scanned the forest.

The rustling of bushes and the soft crunching of snow confirmed the intruder’s presence.

And it wasn’t alone.

Declan turned around, shielding her body with his.

The movement stopped, the silence deafening, and Kate’s heartbeat hammered in her ears. She heard a low growl, and her jaw dropped.

Two wolves appeared through the bushes, crouching low, lips curled to bare sharp canines. They stared at Kate and Declan, their soft growls piercing the prickly silence.

In a flash of movement, Declan charged at the wolves with a roar that ripped through the night.

Startled, one of the wolves yelped, and together they scattered into the forest.

Kate sank back against the tree, panting with relief.

“Are you okay?” Declan asked in a low voice, keeping close to her.

She nodded, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t they usually travel in packs?”

“There’ll be more, but now that we know they’re near, we’ll listen out for them.”

“And there was I thinking Harper was my biggest worry.”

“He is. Don’t worry about the wolves. I’ll handle them.”

She nodded, hating herself for the shivers that began to rip through her. The cold or aftermath of fear?

Declan held out her jeans. Trembling, she stepped into them, not bothering with the zipper, and reached for her sweater.

He touched the key hanging around her neck and for a moment, she feared he’d rip it off her.

Instead, he released it and helped her into the sweater, the warmth wrapping around her. Gathering her hair from under the collar, he gently pulled it free, fanning the strands down her back.

Instead of releasing her, his hands stayed on either side of her neck, toying with her hair.

Kate looked at him, caught by the moment and the heat that reared up when he was near.

Declan’s expression remained level but his eyes clouded with a dark intensity. His gaze met hers and lingered, before settling to her mouth.

A shaky, shared history and an explosive chemistry throbbed between them. As his thumb brushed her lips, Kate felt everything shift.

“Declan, no,” she whispered with a brief shake of the head.

He dipped his head closer, flashing her a grin that flipped her stomach.

Her hand came up between them, pushing against his chest. “This is asking for trouble.”

“Honey, you’re
all
trouble.”

God, he was so close. His heat seared into her, leaving her breathless and wanting.

He nibbled her earlobe and worked his way along her jaw. His kisses were feather-light, the sensations incredible.

He pulled back slightly, his lips an inch from hers. “I’ll back down if you really want me to, Kate, but we both know you don’t.”

“Declan,” she whispered, his name swept away as his lips covered hers.

The kiss was soft and slow, his lips deliciously teasing against hers, the taste sparking her longing, but he pulled back all too soon. Lowering his head, he looked at her for a long moment, electricity pulsating between them.

His hands still on either side of her neck, and without waiting for an invitation, he kissed her again.

This time, the kiss was more demanding, tinged with urgency. His tongue swept against hers, sensual, enticing, stirring something desperate within.

Her arms came up and she tangled her fingers in his hair, keeping him in place, savouring the feel of his delicious lips against hers.

Everything shifted inside, her body aching for more, and she gave herself over to the sensations trickling through her.

He pushed himself closer, the hardness of his body grinding against hers. She groaned when he broke away to leave a trail of kisses along her jaw and into her neck. He captured her mouth with his, devouring her with a passion she remembered all too well. Her breath caught as he slid a hand under her sweater, his touch cool against her skin, and sighed when his thumb brushed her nipple.

She felt the scrape of his Keeper ring against her flesh, the brush of stubble against her face. Breathing him in, she shivered when his hand cupped her breast.

The kiss deepened, becoming so powerful that everything faded around her. He sent her senses reeling, her thoughts scattering in the darkness.

His hand trailed lower, his grip firm against her skin, possessive, and she gasped when his fingers dipped into the opening of her jeans.

Shamelessly, with the same weakness of resolve she’d had during their last night together, she didn’t stop him.

Heat pooled in her belly, her body throbbed, and when his fingers toyed with her, she grabbed his shoulders with a groan.

His fingers worked their clever magic, pulling her higher, and she opened her legs wider to draw him in.

He reared back, his heated gaze piercing hers with the same intense desire. With a low growl, he kissed her again, the kiss as fierce as it was breathtaking.

She felt herself peak, gave in to the sensations, banishing everything that held her back. For now, she was his, only his, and she came with a fierceness she’d never experienced before.

She tore her mouth away from his and rested her head against the tree. With a soft cry, she clung to him as tidal waves of pleasure raced through her.

Her entire body trembled in his arms, and it had nothing to do with the cold. He’d sparked the insatiable desire she’d had for him the moment they’d met. A chemistry she’d always known was there but had refused to acknowledge.

Her breathing was shallow, gulps of air that she tried to steady, and she felt the shame wash over her as she came back to him.

He gave her a deep, lingering kiss before pulling back, just an inch, to peer into her eyes. “The last time we got this close, you drugged me and ran. Was it because of this,” he asked, his mouth dangerously close to hers, “or because you needed my key?”

She swallowed, overwhelmed by him. He filled up the space around her, invading her senses.

“Kate?”

“Both,” she whispered, lowering her eyes.

“I thought so,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “So  …  you have my key, but you’re a world away from your witchy stash. There’s no running now, Kate.”

“Stop it, Declan.”

He grinned, the sexual tension shifting between them, but he kept her close. “You know this is inevitable, don’t you?”

“No.” She pushed at his chest, his muscular frame impossible to budge. Exhaling, she turned her face away from his. “This is complicated, and you  … ”

His eyebrow hitched, his grin widened, and she felt the effect straight between her thighs. “You’re afraid?”

“Of you?”

“Of us.”

“No!”

His eyes narrowed and his gaze shifted to her lips, swollen from the onslaught of his kisses. He drew close again, edging his mouth to hers as though he was about to kiss her, and smiled when he heard her intake of breath.

“You should be,” he whispered against her lips.

“You’re despicable.”

“Didn’t stop you from sleeping with me. What does that say about you?”

And just like that, he withdrew, chuckling softly to himself.

Her cheeks burned, the truth of what he’d said screaming to be recognised. Kate hoisted the towel off the ground, scrunched it in a ball, and tossed it at him.