“The High Council has already assembled a team.”
“How many?” Lona asked concern evident on her face.
“Ten,” Vander replied, thinking the power and strength of ten genies was equivalent to a hundred men.
“Rue has three times that many men at his disposal.”
“The High Council should know this. We can’t go after him unprepared.” He glanced at Karis. “I should go and tell them.”
Lona shook head. “Let me go instead. I will share everything I know.”
“Are you sure?” He didn’t want to leave Karis if at all possible.
“Positive.”
He looked away from Lona to Karis. “I have to take her back.” The brief moment of panic on her face sharpened his feelings of guilt for failing to protect her. He reached for her hand. “It will only take a minute or less. Okay?”
A surge of emotion flooded through him as she stared at his fingers interlaced with his.
“Karis?”
When she lifted her head, none of the panic he’d seen moments ago remained in the vivid green depths of her eyes.
“I’ll be fine,” she said, smiling at Lona.
He watched her hug the other woman and admired her inner strength even though he could feel the anxious vibes racing through her body.
“Go,” Karis said, settling back against the pillows.
He leant down to kiss her lips. “I’ll be back before you miss me.”
Chapter Nine
She watched Lona take Vander’s hand and the two of them disappeared in a wave of heat and light. Her bedroom was quiet, except for the tick-tock of her wall clock. Almost one-thirty in the morning, it felt like she’d been gone days, not less than twenty-four hours.
The familiar surroundings should have given her some modicum of comfort, but instead the image of Rue attacking her in wolf form replayed in her mind. She stared at the spot in front of her dresser drawer where she had heard the deep menacing growl and goose bumps rose over her skin.
Would he come for her now that Vander was gone and finish what he had started? She was still a little out of it, definitely not in a position to ward off another attack.
The sudden spike in the air temperature of the room broke her panicked thoughts as Vander appeared once again. Without thinking, she hurtled from the bed and stumbled into his arms on wobbly legs. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Me too, I didn’t want to leave you.”
His arms tightened around her waist as she rested her head against his chest. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you, Karis.”
She could hear the raw emotion in his voice as she pulled away to meet his eyes. “I don’t blame you for what happened, Vander. Because of you, I’m safe here now.” She touched the tight line of his jaw.
“When I think about what might have happened if—”
“Shhh,” she said, placing a finger on his lips. “I don’t wanna think about that anymore.” She smiled as he kissed the soft pad of her finger, seeing the tension fade from his face.
“You should try and sleep for at least a few more hours,” he commanded, leading her back to the bed.
She sat down with a huff. “I don’t want to rest. How can I when my mom is still being held captive by that whack job?” She touched his thigh as he sat down next to her.
“I know, but if you aren’t rested it could affect how open your mind will be when you are ready.”
She knew what he meant by ‘ready’, her body heating up instantly in response to his words. “I’ve already slept enough.” Being with him would erase the bad memories replaying in her head.
“Liar.” He tugged one long ebony curl. “You tossed and turned all night, crying out in your sleep, but when I brought you closer to my body, you rested easier.”
Had she been crying out for him? Had he heard her silent pleas as she relived Rue touching her? She took in a deep breath, grateful he didn’t answer the silent questions she knew he could hear.
“Every time I close my eyes I hear his voice over me or my mother’s words of encouragement. I can’t take this helpless feeling anymore.” She met his gaze head on. “I’m ready now.” His eyes darkened in colour and intensity as her words sunk in. “I want you to take me to your home.”
“Now?” he asked, surprise etched on his handsome face.
Karis nodded. “Please, Vander.” She didn’t want her first time to be where she had been so terrified.
“Very well,” he said standing, “take my hands, hold on to me and close your eyes.”
She followed his instructions and clung to him with her eyes squeezed shut. Heat curled around them and spots of light danced in front of her eyelids.
“Open your eyes, Karis.”
How much time had passed? Surely, only a few seconds.
She opened her eyes, slowly taking in the rich, masculine décor of his bedroom. “Where am I?”
“In another dimension very similar to your own.” He led her to a tall window overlooking acres of land and forest with a beautiful lake reflecting the full moon. “Consider this place like the White House. This compound of sorts is home to many different supernatural beings.” He turned from the window to look at her. “You’re safe here.”
“I know.” She would never get used to see the gleaming flecks of gold in his eyes. “Thank you for bringing me to your home, Vander.”
He hesitated for a moment before leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Just relax and let me make you a nice bath. You’ll feel better, clearer,” he said, breaking the electrified silence between them. “I’ll be right back.”
Karis nodded, grateful he hadn’t second guessed her response or tried to dissuade her from what she wanted. She watched him leave the room, ruggedly handsome in black jeans and a matching sweater. His strength and unwavering belief in her gave her the extra bit of courage she needed to move forward. She was ready to stop denying what she was capable of…ready to accept all of who she was with him by her side.
Lona’s beautiful face popped into mind and she frowned, remembering the other woman’s apology. The two of them had obviously been involved. She hadn’t missed the intense moment that had passed between the two of them when Lona had first shifted from cat to woman. Did he still love her? His face and tone while talking to the striking female had given nothing away as to his true feelings.
She moved barefoot across the warm wooden floors and admired the huge sky light over the king size bed. Thousands of stars twinkled in the distance, offering a breathtaking view. Shelves of books and candles lined the walls, which led out to what looked like the dining room. Rich royal blue curtains hung from all of the tall windows and blended well with the dark wood furniture. Every piece of art or furniture tastefully complimented the next. Vander had good…expensive taste. His home reminded her of a posh mountain lodge.
“Come, your bath is ready,” he announced, walking into the dining room.
“The floors are warm.” She followed him out of the dining room to the bathroom.
“Cold floors are a pet peeve of mine.” He opened another door and stepped aside to let her pass.
“It’s beautiful,” Karis gasped, staring at the sunken circular tub big enough to hold two. The marble bath was filled with fragrant bubbles and lined with candles. Mirrors adorned the side of the tub and a huge aquarium was placed at the opposite end of the bathroom. At least twenty exotic fish swam in the ocean floor decorated tank, their movements reflected in the mirrors.
“There are fresh towels behind you and I think everything else you should need. I’ll fix us something to eat.”
“Okay.” The only thing she was truly hungry for was him.
His eyes darkened as he stared at her and Karis blushed.
“If you need anything…” His voice trailed off with a gentle smile.
Just say my name.
She waited until the door clicked behind him before stripping out of her robe. Testing the water with her toes, she quickly slid down into the fragrant vanilla bubbles and took in a long deep breath of the scented water.
She grabbed the bar of soap sitting on the edge of the tub, suddenly desperate to wash away any reminders of the previous evening. She lathered her skin and began to scrub fiercely until she was satisfied all traces of Rue’s touch were gone. Scooting down further, she tilted her head back and soaked her naturally curly hair. She looked for shampoo and conditioner, smiling when she found the brand she used conveniently on the shelf next to her. The familiar scent of honeysuckle filled the room as she worked the creamy soap into her thick tresses. Everything about the bath was designed for relaxation, but she couldn’t. Not with her mother still in danger.
She would have no peace of mind until her mother was safe and Rue was brought to justice. Just thinking about him made her tremble with anger and fear and the fear enraged her. There was only one way to purge herself of her fear, only one way she could be strong enough to take on her enemies and help her mother.
She was done being afraid and tired of waiting for the perfect moment to have sex with Vander. Decision made, she lifted the drain and stood up. She turned on the shower and conditioned her hair before rinsing off and stepping out onto the soft rug.
The towels he had set out for her were warm and she smiled with delight as she dried off her body. She wrapped a towel around her hair and turned in the mirror to view her curvy frame from all angles in the mirrors.
He wanted her just as much as she wanted him, she could see it in his eyes. She towel dried her hair and wished she had time to make the thick, wild mane behave. The water had shortened its length and now the curls fell tight around her face.
“Now or never,” she whispered to her reflection in the mirror as she walked past her robe on the counter and headed out of the bathroom.
She padded back through his bedroom and marvelled at her mock bravery in her first attempt to seduce a man. Men in general had always mystified and confused her. Their advances unwelcomed and boring and yet here she was walking willingly naked with one objective in mind. She reached the open archway leading to the dining room and stared at the muscles rippling beneath Vander’s T-shirt as he set the table for two.
“Vander?”
He turned to face her and only his raised eyebrow indicated she had shocked him.
“Damn, woman,” he said, his gaze dropping from her face to slowly appraise her lush curves.
His eyes met hers and the fierce intensity of his stare stole her breath away.
“Are you sure—”
“Now, Vander.” Never in her life had she felt more powerful and beautiful as his honey golden gaze caressed her body. She had to believe the force of attraction between them was a sign they were meant to come together this way. No other man had ever evoked such wicked sparks of longing…the raw need she could feel humming in every fibre of her being.
Vander pulled the small towel from his shoulder and placed it on the table. “Come here.”
Without hesitation she walked forward, fully aware of the flood of wetness between her legs.
Without a word, he swept her up and carried her back to the bedroom. The soft duvet caressed her skin as he placed her on the tall bed. She watched him unbutton his black jeans inches from where she sat, her eyes riveted to his thick, hard cock as his pants and underwear fell to the floor. There was something so erotic about seeing the engorged evidence of his desire, ready for her.
A shiver of anticipation skimmed along her spine as she squeezed her thighs together and teased the pulsing ache beginning to build within her. She got on her knees as he came to her, grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt and lifted it up to reveal tight abs she intended to taste.
Vander yanked off the shirt and sucked in a breath as she kissed his stomach. She reached out with her fingers to encircle the stiff, hot flesh jutting out between them. Feminine curiosity outweighed any shyness as she slowly moved her hand along his warm shaft to rub the ridged crown of his cock. She couldn’t stop touching the velvety smooth taut skin. Subtle tingles coursed through her palm as she stroked him.
What would he feel like inside of her? She had no time to ponder her question as he pushed her down and moved his naked body over hers. He claimed her mouth in a kiss so deep it literally stole her breath away. The intense warmth radiating from him, amplified the incredibly erotic feel of his hot body against her cool skin. She moaned against his lips as he entangled his fingers in her damp, shampooed curls. His tongue intertwined with hers in a sensual dance of exploration. She started to tremble as his other hand traced a leisurely line over the swell of her hips, up along her waist and up to her neck.
“I love your silky soft skin.” His deep voice against her temple sent a shiver of pleasure through her.
“Not half as much as I love the feel of yours,” she whispered, sinking into the pillows.
“Wanna bet?”
She wasn’t a betting woman, but if she were she’d cut her losses, by the look of sheer hunger emanating from his steady gaze. His eyes travelled down to her heaving breasts and lower where she was melting, heating up from the inside out.
“You’re perfect.” He kissed the column of her neck.
His words rocked her heart and her breath caught in her throat as he kissed her collarbone. He made her believe she was perfect. The old memories of feeling different and awkward were now in the past.