Drawing Blood (19 page)

Stryker smiled gently and ran his index finger down her nose. “I’m sure your father would understand.”

Holly gave him a skeptical look and opened the book. She pointed to a dark-haired beauty with wavy hair and laughing eyes. “That’s my mom.”

“She was beautiful. You are very much like her.” He was serious.

“Thank you…” Holly said. “I guess we’ll start trying to find out about my mother’s life tomorrow then.”

“The sooner the better, don’t you think?”

“Yes.”

He rubbed his thumb gently against her chin. “It’ll be okay, Holly. I’m willing to bet your mother’s past is nothing you should fear. Your father tells you that you’re just like her. That confirms that there couldn’t possibly be anything shameful in her story.”

“What a nice thing to say.” Holly smiled with gratitude.

He laughed. “No one has ever used that word when referring to me. Don’t people hate the word ‘nice’ these days? Nice guys finish last…it’s weak and pathetic…milquetoast kind of thing…not exactly what a man considers a compliment.”

Holly shook her head vehemently. “I couldn’t disagree more. I think the world could use a little more ‘nice’. In fact, we have too much ‘mean’, too much ‘cruel’. I think we should bring ‘nice’ back.” She waved a hand in the air and snapped her fingers twice.

“Hmm. When you put it that way, I have to agree. This could catch on. Do we make fridge magnets?”

She laughed. “I think word of mouth will do this time.”

“Speaking of mouths. I love to watch yours. I can’t help but kiss you.” He bent his head and tried to take her lips with his.

Holly hadn’t forgotten what had happened earlier. She pulled away from him. “I told you it wasn’t going to be easy next time. This is next time.”

He smiled ruefully. “I understand. I’m sorry for taking the liberty.”

She put up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong, Stryker. I don’t mind you taking the liberty, as you so charmingly put it. You’re a guy. It’s a biological imperative, just don’t expect me to fall into your arms ever again.”

“I’m not sure I can keep myself from touching you,” he said.

“That’s okay. I like that in a man.” She looked at him impishly.

He laughed. “Well, you’re going to love me then.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “That remains to be seen.”

“I live in hope,” he said then he sighed and murmured, “Oh what the hell…” He reached out and pulled her into his arms. His kiss was devastating and Holly had to struggle not to respond too enthusiastically. Her word would be worth nothing if the first time he kissed her, she caved. He wasn’t making it easy though. What would it hurt if she responded just a little? She acted on the thought and kissed him back. If she had hoped to resist him, she’d just made a big mistake.

He could be a bit of an opportunist when it came to kissing. He immediately took advantage of her response, touching his tongue to hers, teasing it before sucking on its tip erotically. He pressed her body against his. She couldn’t miss the fact that he was as turned on by the kiss as she was. She loved how it felt when he grabbed her leg, lifted it and pressed his hips closer to hers.

Holly was losing control and longed to ignore the little voice in her head that reminded her of his earlier rejection. But her better judgment won out. Dragging her body away from his, she leaned against the counter, breathless. He looked at her with such heat she could feel it echo in her lower body and almost closed the distance between them. Almost, but not quite. She forced her gaze away from his and looked down at the ceramic tile on the floor of the kitchen. Their breathing was the only sound in the room. It pleased her that he was as affected as she was.

Tied to him with an invisible bungee cord, Holly had to make a concentrated effort to keep her distance while the cord kept pulling her back. The right, the relaxed state was to be in his arms, everything else felt like needless tension. Her spirit tried to reject the unnatural restraint. Resisting the pull was exhausting when all she wanted to do was let go and snap back into his arms. It felt right. Her pride wouldn’t let her give in though. Instead, she turned away from him.

He reached out a hand to touch her, but she forestalled him.

“Weren’t you leaving?” Her voice was more husky than usual.

His voice wasn’t its normal timbre either. “Yes, I was. I got distracted.” His grin crinkled the corners of his eyes the way she loved and all she wanted to do was kiss those smiling lips. By the look on his face, he knew it too and, opportunist to the end, he made a move towards her.

His movement caused a small breeze and papers slipped from the counter to the floor. He paused and bent to pick them up. Glancing at them, he rose. He stood motionless for a second then, very methodically, shuffled them back in order.

Holly froze when she saw his reaction to the last page. The page she hadn’t told him about.

He looked at her sharply. “I see you didn’t tell me everything Margaret told you.”

She looked directly in his eyes and admitted the truth. “No, I didn’t tell you everything. Can you blame me?” She pointed to the papers. “You can read.”

He nodded. “I sure can. ‘He is not what he appears to be…so much blood…he swims in it…betrayal…’.”

Holly didn’t back down, but kept her eyes locked on his, bravely. She waited for him to speak again.

“I guess you think she was referring to me.” He said the words in a clipped tone.

“I don’t know who she referred to, but you’re the one person who’s just recently come into my life. I know nothing about you. I’m not a fool. Not everyone is what they seem to be.”

He stood silently for a long moment then finally said, “You’re right, Holly, I am not what I seem to be. If it makes it easier for you then I will admit that Margaret could have been talking about me.”

Shocked at his easy admission, she stared at him. Calling on her courage once again, she said, “And the blood part? Does that refer to you?”

“Yes.”

Chapter 14

Stunned, Holly didn’t know what to say. She knew she was staring at him agog and struggled to contain her shock. Stryker remained silent waiting for her to say something.

She didn’t disappoint. “You have to explain that to me.”

He shook his head and looked away. “I can’t right now. Please forgive me. I need a little time. This isn’t my secret alone. Telling you the truth could impact upon so many people. If I’m going to take the chance of jeopardizing the safety of others, I’ll have to clear a few things away first.”

She frowned. What the hell was he talking about? “Just how do I pose a threat to anyone? Is what you’ve told me about yourself a pack of lies?”

His eyes met hers, begging for understanding. “I’ve never lied to you. I can’t say more at the moment. Please, give me some time.”

“I think you should leave now. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She shook her head with resignation. “There’s no point discussing this any further. Here we stand. The unstoppable force has met the immovable object. We’re just wasting our time.”

He took her face in his hands and tilted her chin up. “The time I spend with you is never wasted. I hope to make you see that soon.”

His blue eyes compelled her to understand. He was irresistible yet somehow Holly resisted. Her stomach heaved when she thought of walking away from him, but there was so much she didn’t know about him. Yes, a sense of danger surrounded him and she wasn’t sure she had the courage to stand up to it, but she wanted the opportunity to try. He wasn’t prepared to share it with her. Could she trust a man like that? For now, all she knew was that he was actively delving into her life while keeping his a secret from her. Holly didn’t want that kind of uneven relationship. She wasn’t a child who needed to be protected. Her shoulders slumped as she moved away from him and towards the door. “Like I said, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

He inclined his head and walked out. Before he hit the bottom porch step he turned and said, “Sweet dreams, Holly.”

As his car pulled away, Holly watched through the window, a frown on her face. Stryker had said those parting three words with meaning. Holly wasn’t sure exactly what he’d meant, but she had her suspicions.

Did he know about her erotic dreams of him? Was he causing them? He certainly understood more about psychic abilities than she did. He’d actually admitted to possessing some. He could very well be an expert. Earlier that evening he’d proven how knowledgeable he was when he’d explained psychometry so comprehensively. Was it possible he was consciously stepping into her dreams at night? If he was, did she care? Those dreams were more satisfying than any other sexual experience she’d known. She could dine out on that passion for weeks. How could she think of it as a violation of her privacy when it brought her so much physical satisfaction?

Holly couldn’t bring herself to resent his presence in her dreams. It felt too good. How pathetic did that make her? She looked around her kitchen remembering how smoothly they’d cooperated while clearing up after dinner. The thought gave her a rush and the excitement rose in her chest. Her heart beat more quickly in response. She fingered the garnet ring on her left hand, wondering if it had tried to warn her about him through Margaret Wickham. Was Stryker Cain the catalyst who would bring tragedy into her life? She hoped not because deep inside her heart she knew she could never resist him for long. If he was a villain, then she feared there was no hope for her.

* * * *

Without the illumination of street lights or moon, the Muskoka night was almost impenetrable. It didn’t matter to Stryker. As usual he drove fast, safe in the knowledge that there was nothing ahead to slow his progress. His night vision was exceptional, his keen eyes missed nothing. Up ahead he spied a raccoon family rustling in the bushes beside the road. An owl searched the forest for its supper. Stryker pitied the owl’s prey and understood that nature could be cruel, but it was perfectly balanced. He respected that balance as the most sacred of laws and hoped to preserve it.

He thought of Holly and shook his head, clearing the vision of her from his sight. His brother wouldn’t welcome his news, but Declan would eventually have to accept it. Stryker’s mission was a delicate one with so much riding on it. He didn’t look forward to telling Declan that he’d found his bloodmate in Holly Seaton, but there was nothing he could do about it. His blood called to hers and her blood answered. Neither of them had control over the phenomenon. It would only get stronger. It could replace all else in their minds and drive them insane if they didn’t do something about it. He had no choice. It had been like this since the beginning of time. Who was he to buck tradition?

Not trusting the security of cell phones, he waited until he got home to dial Declan’s number from a land line. His brother was a night person. Stryker grinned at the thought. There was no risk of disturbing him in the late hours.

Declan answered on the first ring. Stryker could envision him at his desk scowling down at something intently, his dark brows drawn together. It was a common sight. Declan was their leader, he had many onerous responsibilities, but nothing was more important than Stryker’s mission.

“Yup,” he said into the phone. He was terse as if impatient with polite custom. A man who had no time for the niceties.

“We have a problem,” Stryker said. His words were greeted with silence and he explained. “I’ve connected with her.”

Declan sighed, but when he spoke he sounded resigned. “Damn, if Holly Seaton is your bloodmate, you have no choice now, brother.”

“I thought I’d better let you know that I have to bring her in,” Stryker said.

“Of course, but Christ, Stryker, you couldn’t have picked worse timing.”

“You don’t have to tell me that.”

Declan sighed again and said, “When will you tell her?”