To Trap A Temptress (Southern Sanctuary - Book 2) (18 page)

Nell
shook her head in wonder.  “Seriously, why would you think I would make
any declaration when you saw I was with Drum?”

“I
heard the rumour that you had to pay him to be here as your date.  I
thought if I got you alone and told you there was still a chance for us then
you’d tell me how you really feel.”

“So
I was supposed to bare my soul to you so you could then skip off gleefully to
marry Devon, leaving me in the dust?  What a prince.”

“And
when your plan to kidnapped Nell failed at the cove you tried and failed again
the next day during the hike.”  Drum added grimly.

“Loser.” 
Devon hissed under her breath shaking her head in disbelief.

“That’s
why you were trying to convince me at breakfast to leave with you.”
 
Nell frowned.

“That
was when I realised you actually thought you cared about the
Neanderthal.”  Case pouted, wincing as his split lip gouted fresh blood
down his chin.

“So
why try again during the hike?  Why think I’d declare my feelings for you
if you knew my affections lay elsewhere?”

“Because
everyone knows what a soft touch you are.  I just knew if I could get you
alone and feed you some sob story you’d help me out.”

Nell
was truly tempted to hurt the man.  Actually why not?  Slipping out
from Drum’s grip she stalked over to Case and poked him hard in the upper chest
with her right index finger, pulsing power as she did so.  Okay so maybe
she shouldn’t employ her medical ninja knowledge when she was angry.  Case
flew back from her touch with a cry that was abruptly cut off as his body went
completely rigid, hitting the stone floor hard. 

“Is
he dead?”  Devon sounded genuinely impressed with only a little dismay
tinging her voice at the sight of her former fiancée sprawled on the ground
like a frozen Ken doll after he’d gone one round with GI. Joe.

“Paralysed,
he’ll be fine… eventually.”

“That’s
my girl.”  Drum couldn’t have looked prouder as she slipped back into
place next to him wrapping her arm around his waist.

“What
did you do to him?”  Devon sounded more intrigued than dismayed.

“It
isn’t permanent.  The paralysis will wear off eventually.  I just sent
a pulse down the right nerve ending, overloading his central nervous system.”

“Interesting.” 
Devon eyed Nell with fresh contemplative eyes.  “Aren’t you the dark
horse.  If he’s one of Maat’s warriors, what are you exactly?”

“I’m
a healer.”  Nell admitted.

“I
thought your kind were sworn to protect and cause no harm?”  Devon mused,
shifting her attention back to the paralysed Case.

“It’s
not a hard and fast rule per se but there is a certain amount of karma involved
in what I do.  There would be ramifications if I just went around
inflicting pain for pain’s sake.  But with Case, when a lesson needs to be
learnt.”  Nell shot a quick look Drum’s way.  “I get to deal out some
justice guilt free.  So despite his highly questionable motives Case
really never intended to hurt me physically?”  Nell felt the beginnings of
doubt nibble at her conscience.  Perhaps she shouldn’t have pulsed him so
hard.

“Him? 
Not directly no.  But he did pursue you knowing that once he attained your
declaration and presented it to me as part of the marriage contract then
according to the rather ancient betrothal laws I would have then been forced to
kill you.  Where do you think the term ‘virgin sacrifice’ comes
from?”  Devon’s eyes had turned the colour of a raging river, dark and deadly.

“Fucker.” 
Drum and Nell said the word at the exactly the same moment. 

Giving
her a quick reassuring squeeze Drum moved across the sandy rock ledge to check
on Case’s rigid body.

“Would
you have really killed me if I’d been stupid enough to fall for Case’s
machinations and declared that I loved him?”

Devon
gave her a small taunting smile.  “We’ll never know now will we. 
Though obviously Case expected me to do so.  I hadn’t realised what an
old-fashioned guy he was.”

Nell
smiled. “Not to mention a complete jerk.”

“Yeah
that too.  So you and an elite warrior of Maat? I would never have guessed
you had it in you Pollyanna.”

Nell’s
eyes narrowed in warning.  “I don’t just have the power to paralyse you
know, I can cause a lot of pain or worse, so quit it with the Pollyanna. 
I’m not nearly the nice goody two shoes you seem to think I am.”

Devon
was eyeing her with speculation.  “I’m just beginning to suspect
that.” 

At
that moment Drum kicked Case’s inert body hard in the ribs. Glancing up he
noticed the women watching him, suddenly looking sheepish he muttered under his
breath.  “Just checking he’s not faking it.”

“He’s
going to wake up sore tomorrow.”  Devon commented.

“Which
is nothing more than he deserves.
 
What
an asshole.  Thinking I was in love with him?  Talk about delusional
and manipulative, I can’t help but think you had a lucky escape there.  So
what will you do now that the arranged marriage is no longer on the cards?”

“If
only it were that easy.  Case has fourteen brothers… no more making
decisions sight unseen I’m afraid.  Rivers and lakes I have fourteen blind
dates in my future.”

“Let’s
hope they’re not all complete wankers like Case.”

Devon
looked suddenly grim.  “They couldn’t be any worse… could they?” 
Nell couldn’t help but laugh, Devon shooting her a snotty look. “You really are
quite evil aren’t you?  I don’t know how I could have misread you so
badly.”  Devon smiled reluctantly in admiration.  “And you had Case
completely fooled as well.”

“It’s
her camouflage.”  Drum sauntered over to join them.   “Sweet and
non-threatening she lulls you into a false sense of security and then…
wham.”  He smacked his hands together.  “No mercy.”

Nell
huffed a small derisive laugh but couldn’t stop the pleased twinkle in her
eyes.  Hooking her arm though Drum’s she pulled him close. 

“So
I see lots and lots of couples counselling in your future.”  Drum
addressed Devon.

“No,
I was serious when I said Case and I are through.  I was just telling Nell
he has fourteen brothers, I’m praying one of them comes up to scratch.” 
She sent another glare in Case’s direction.  “On paper he seemed so
perfect.”

“Well
if you need any help making a decision I have a Great Aunt who is a magically
gifted match maker.  I could introduce you to her.”

“You’d
do that for me?”  Devon seemed genuinely taken aback. “After the way I’ve
treated you all these years?”

Nell
snorted a laugh.  “Actually it would be a kind of justice in a way. 
My Aunt favours guerrilla tactics when it comes to bringing couples
together.  It wouldn’t exactly be a painless experience.”

“I’ll
think about your offer, thanks.”  Devon stood up.  “Well I suppose
we’d better head back to the boat.”  She took a few steps over towards
Case, bending down so a lock of her hair could wrap around his ankle. 
Turning she walked towards the water, dragging Case across the hard rocky floor
behind her without a thought to all the bumps and bruises he might be
receiving.   At the edge of the water she extended a lock of hair
towards Nell.  “Shall we?”

Nell
extended one hand towards Devon and grabbed Drum with the other.  “Please,
I’m more than ready to head back to dry land.  Next holiday I take is
going to be completely land locked.”

“Sounds
good to me.”  Drum breathed into her ear just before Devon dived into the
water pulling them all behind her. 

Wow,
she really must ask her what kind of shampoo she used.

Chapter
Seventeen

Nell
dropped to the floor the blanket the resort staff had provided her with after
they’d fished her and the others out of the ocean.  Her poor dress, ruined
after two dunks in seawater went the way of the blanket.  Stepping under
the warm spray of the shower she moaned in relief and then moaned again as Drum
stepped up behind her naked, moulding his body against hers, his large hands
skimming up her sides, over her shoulders to wrest with the tight knot of her
hair.

“I’ve
wanted to undo this all night.”

Nell
tilted her head slightly forward to allow him better access, gasping softly as
his warm lips came down on the sensitive skin at the back of her neck. 
Her hair came loose, Drum digging his strong fingers into her scalp and
massaging softly.  Another moan escaped her lips.

“Like
that do you?’  He growled softly in her ear.

“I
like everything you do.”  She smiled as he squirted a dollop of shampoo on
the top of her head before continuing with his massage.  This time she
leant her head back, resting it against his massive chest.  “I thought
this reunion would never end and now that it is…”  She left the rest of
her sentence unspoken.

“We
still have tonight.” 

She
turned in Drum’s arms sending him a warm sensual smile of promise.  “Yes
we do.”  Emitting a small squawk as Drum pushed her head directly under
the spray of water.  “Hey!”

“Had
to get the shampoo out before it got into your eyes.”

Nell
spat out some water she’d accidently swallowed.  “You might want to work
on your technique there He-man.”

“Are
you getting bossy?  You know I can’t resist you when you get bossy Doc.”

Nell
rolled her eyes, as she reached for the shampoo.  “Lean down.”  She
instructed.

Drum
bent over so she could reach his head, finding his face now level with the
Doc’s fabulous breasts.  “I live but to serve your every whim.”  He
closed his eyes in pleasure as Nell’s nimble fingers worked the shampoo though
his short hair. Somehow Drum managed to get his hands on the liquid soap,
sending a stream of it over her ribcage before bringing his hands up to take
the suds higher. 

Nell
moaned, digging her fingernails into his scalp. 

Drum
practically purred in response.  Standing up he moved his head fully under
the shower stream to clear away the shampoo.  Blinking the water out of
his eyes he grinned down at Nell, she was a sexy sudsy mess now and by Maat she
was his.  “I seem to have an overabundance of soap going on here now…
where else are you dirty little girl?”

“Everywhere.” 
Nell whispered.

Drum’s
large hands skimmed down over her taut tummy, he flashed Nell his knee melting
lady killer smile.  “How’s my technique now?”

“Too
much talk.”  Nell grabbed his head and bought it down to her level. 
“And not enough action.”  Planting a warm wet kiss on his lips. 

“I
really do like it when you get bossy.”

*
                                 
*
                            
*

Lying
next to him on the massive bed, her hair streaming out behind her, almost
completely dry, Nell studied Drum’s profile by the light of the moon.

“What?” 
His eyes snapped open under her scrutiny.

“The
holiday, the reunion, it really is over.”

“Thank
Maat for that, now we can get down to the good stuff.”

“The
good stuff?”

“Yeah
you know… life… together.  The good stuff.”

Nell
swallowed hard.  “You really think we can do it?”

“We
are meant to be Doc.  Trust me and trust your instincts.”

“But…”

“No
buts.  Look at Devon and Case.  As she said, on paper they had
everything going for them, similar interests, similar goals.  On paper you
and me… not so much.  But in reality you and me?  We have it all
going for us, mutual respect…”

“That
sounds kind of dull.”

“Shush
and let me finish.  We have sparks… no scratch that, we have a fucking
bonfire, we laugh and big deal we fight… who doesn’t, we make up and... aw fuck
it!  By the sun Doc I love you… it’s as simple and as complicated as
that.”

Nell
couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling forth.  “That’s your idea of a romantic
declaration?  Aw fuck it I love you?”  She couldn’t seem to stop
laughing. 

Drum
scowled at her, rolling to his side and coming up on his elbow so he loomed
over her.  Abruptly Nell’s laughter froze in her throat, staring up at him
with deep blue wide eyes.

“Nell.” 
He said her name low in warning. “I really do love you.”  His black eyes
were like pools of simmering night. 

Nell
reached up to cup the side of his face, how could a man who looked as if he were
made of granite have skin so soft, so smooth?  “We may end up killing one
another you know that right?  And when I say that, I really mean that I
might kill you.”

“Nell!”

“Fine.” 
She huffed out a put upon sigh.  “I love you.”

“Nell!” 
He growled her name in an even lower register causing a shiver of awareness to
spike down her spine. 

“Fine.” 
She said the word almost in a whisper this time, trailing her hand down the
side of his neck, across his chest to splay her hand over his heart.  “You
might be the biggest bad around Drum but you belong to me now… I love you.”

Drum’s
eyes glowed with pleasure, the corners of his lips twisting up at the edges
suddenly.  He was up to something she could tell. 

“That
reminds me Goldilocks… we never did get around to finishing the story.”

“Story?” 
Nell managed to gasp out as Drum yanked the sheet down.

“You
know.”  Drum trailed a finger from the base of her throat, over her breast
bone to her navel.  “The one where the big bad bear eats Goldilocks…”

Nell
could only gasp out his name as Drum followed the path his finger took with his
warm lips.  Oh Goddess yes, she was really beginning to like this new
version of the fairy tale.

*                     
*         
            *

“So?” 
Drum looked over at her, intent speculation in his black eyes.

Nell
was still recovering her breath after their last bout, Drum’s version of
Goldilocks meets the big bad bear was now officially her favourite fairy
tale.  Though if they kept up this pace she was definitely going to have
consider upping her exercise regime if she wanted to keep up with him. 

“So?” 
She queried back at him, using the last of her energy to turn her head to meet
his gaze.

“Marriage.”

“I
think you mean melding.”

“I’m
thinking A-sap.”

“You’re
not seriously talking about whipping out a knife right here right now are
you?”  She smiled at the very thought.  They wouldn’t need to share
much blood to perform the meld but still there would be bound to be spillage,
talk about unhygienic and what would the resort staff think of the mess?

“Doc
I’m not going to hold a knife over you to get married.”

Nell
shifted so that she could see his face better by the moonlight streaming in
from the open windows.  “Marriage?  You’re serious?
 
I thought we’d just meld, have a little informal
ceremony with a few friends to make it official and that would be that.”

He
stared at her, his dark eyes assessing, there was something lurking in those
dark depths… hurt?

“You
want to get married?”  The idea finally registered in her sluggish
mind. 

“Something
wrong with that?”  A decidedly mulish expression settled on his face.

“No
I just thought since Vaughn and Hadleigh skipped the whole I do’s that you and
I...”

“We
are not Vaughn and Hadleigh.  I want the ceremony, the ring, and the
circus so that everyone knows we’re together.  That you Doc are officially
irretrievably unavailable.”

“Could
we make it a small circus?”  Nell enquired thoughtfully, surprised at the
flickering warmth that flashed through her entire body… Drum wanted to marry
her.  “Are you sure?  I’d be happy just to have an intimate melding
ceremony.
 
It’s not like we have anything
to prove, I already wear your snake tattoo, the blood sharing would be enough
for me.”

“I
want everyone to know you’re mine and I’m yours.”  He looked deadly
seriously, reaching out to trace a gentle finger over the head of her snake
tattoo.  “Show the world.”

Nell
laughed.  “What, you want me to wear a bikini a la Pamela Anderson so
everyone can see for themselves?”

“That
would work for me.”

“What?” 
Nell had been joking.  “A bikini!”

“So
it’s settled then.   A small ceremony on the beach as soon as we can
make it happen.”

“Wait
no, I can’t get married in a bikini! I’m a doctor for Goddess sake!  What
will my mother say?”

“I’m
not asking your mother to marry me Nell, I’m asking you.  Will you? 
Marry me?”  He leaned over and planted a hot sweet kiss on her dazed lips.

“On
a beach?”

Drum
smiled at her.  “On a beach.”  He confirmed.

“In
a bikini?”

He
smiled that rare devastating lady killer grin of his that sent her hormones
into hyper-drive and her will-power puddling into a gooey mess. “Well I’ll
probably wear a sarong but yeah why not?”

Nell
found herself smiling in return.  “You’re mad and I’m certifiable for
going along with you but okay.”  She raised her head and captured his
lips.  “It sounds like we’re getting married… when do you want to do it?”

“The
sooner the better.  I need to get back to Atlanta and check on where the
guys are at with the Serena situation.  Once we have confirmation she’s in
there it should be a simple smash and grab extraction.  Let’s say a week.”

“You
want to get married next week?” 

“It
sounds like forever away I know.” 

Nell
shook her head smiling.  “Yeah it kind of does.”

“So
the sooner I get going the sooner I can return.”  Drum found it hard to
spit out the words.  Maat he was leaving her, every instinct he had
loathed the idea with a killing passion. 

“You
have to leave?”  Nell wanted to bite back the words.

Of
course he had to leave. It wasn’t like they could stay here forever.  She
likewise had responsibilities in the real world that demanded her attention, a
practise to get back to and patients who needed her care. 

“It
will only be for six days … a week tops. And it’s not like we don’t have phones
or working closets that can transport you from one place to another in the
blink of an eye.”

Nell
forced a smile.  “That we do.  So technically we won’t be apart…
strictly… except…”

“I
need to leave.”  He finished the sentence for them both, taking the
bullet.  “Hey.”  He looked concerned as Nell’s eyes suddenly
shimmered with tears, her sharp teeth biting deep into her lower lip.  “It
will be okay…”

Nell
forced a smile.  “Sorry it’s ridiculous.  The next seven days will go
lightning fast, between work and finding the perfect wedding bikini it’s not
like I’ll have any time to myself to actually miss you but the thought of you…
leaving… going away…”

Drum
nodded, smiling.  “I feel the same way every time you walk away from me
Doc.  I hate it.”

“So.” 
Nell forced herself to channel all those years of being the calm impersonal
surgeon.  “The sooner you go… the sooner you return.”  Kicking her
feet free of the sheet she walked over to the closet, yanking the nearest dress
off the hanger and pulling it on.  “I’ll walk you to the supply closet and
calibrate the destination.”

Drum
rolled across the bed, coming to stand next to her, only inches separating
them, tilting her head up with one gentle finger he shook his head in
wonder.  “Love you Doc.”

Nell
gave him a small smile.  “Love you He-man.”