The Jade Dragon (18 page)

His gaze was direct, but only Alanna heard what he really thought.
You must release your shields and let me in. The truth lies in you. And so does your salvation.

If only she believed him. But she knew better. She was damned if she did and damned if she didn't.

Alanna had spent most of the day with her sisters, discussing Gregori's revelation. But now she was home, in her quiet studio, with only Gregori for company. She was growing used to his being there and actually looked forward to spending time alone with him. It was after dinner, they'd had a couple of glasses of rosé and she was feeling mellow and more at ease than she'd had in years. Was this what came with unburdening secrets?

“I want to show you what you will be missing if you turn me away.” Gregori's tone was desultory, his eyes watchful.

Please!
She rolled her eyes. “Don't tell me you can see into the future as well as mindwalk?”

“No. But I can show you what life could be like with me if you'd only allow yourself to love me freely.”

“Love is overrated.” Of course she didn't mean it. She longed for someone to share her life, despite her difficult nature, despite all her flaws. But she didn't believe even Gregori would love her when he heard her story.

Sometime between her discussion with her sisters and Zelda that afternoon, she had decided to confess her sins. She would find the courage. Somehow. She didn't know how she was going to without inducing another panic attack. But she would do it. He was right. She needed to unburden herself. Let them see the real Alanna. If they truly loved her, they would eventually understand. If they didn't, well, that would be her cross to bear.

“I can prove to you it is not,” he murmured, and tugged her into his arms. His head bent slightly. She nearly matched him in height. Their bodies melded well together. She felt safe in his arms. He smelled of promises, of a life she had only ever dared dream of. “Come with me now.”

“I've no problem with you proving anything to me,” she told him. “You promised we would have sex. Today would be good.” She didn't want him to think it would be anything more than that. Still, a thrill of anticipation coiled in her gut and she allowed herself to relax into his arms.

Who was she kidding? She wanted him as much as he — she could feel his need pressing against her — wanted her. “Where are we going?”

“Home,” Gregori said, the energy vibrating around them. A sudden rush of wind whirled through the studio and the world dimmed for a moment. Then a crisscross of radiant lines — ley lines, she guessed — appeared in her vision, spreading out from Raven's Creek to other towns and cities, across oceans to the other side of the world. She watched in awe as they sped towards one and within seconds she stood still within the circle of his strong powerful arms, her head resting against his chest but located in a different country and, she guessed, in a different time zone from the light filtering through shutters of the room they now stood in.

“Where are we?” she whispered. Oh, for the ability to travel like this. Rosa could. Upon being Called to Marylebone she had ascended to mastership, attained immortality and could now translocate to wherever she wanted, including the ethereal Marylebone.

“We're in my villa in the South of France. Cabasson is a small town I escape to when I can. I bought Villa Paradis for you.”

Alanna felt heady with an elation she couldn't explain. “You're such a charmer. You did not buy this for me. Are we really in the South of France?”

“I did. And yes. We are. When this villa came up for sale I knew, deep in my soul, this was where I would live with my beloved. That's you, in case you haven't worked it out yet. This is where our children will grow up.”

He was so sure. A shiver ran up her spine. “I have a life in Raven's Creek.”

“You can have a life here, too. We can share our time between the two countries.”

“You've got it all mapped out.”

“It's my dream. I hope it will become yours as well.”

“I hate to disappoint you, but I can't bind with you.”

“You can. I know it. You know it.”

“I have no magic.”

“I have an answer for that. It's possible. But only if you are truly are honest and open with me.”

Fear gripped Alanna. She shoved at his chest. He let her go. She needed space. She had been using her lack of magic as a safety net. If he knew a way for them to bind their magic then the knowledge she held protected inside her was the only thing standing in her way of a life with Gregori.

“What time is it?”

“Approximately 8:15 in the morning. While Raven Creek prepares for bed, Cabasson awakes.”

He didn't seem to be disappointed she had pulled away or not asked how she could bind herself to him. “Come,” he said, a confident smile on his lips and pride in his eyes. “You will not be disappointed with what I have to show you.”

Thinking of his body naked and available, she murmured, “Oh I'm sure I won't.”

His laughter informed her he got her meaning. “First I must show you my villa. She has a name. I call her Villa Paradis. It means paradise. Later, I will take you to one of my vineyards. We make the best rosé in the region. At least we did ten years ago. We will spend the day here, swim in the sea, and watch the sunset while drinking a bottle of my wine and then,” he shrugged, “we will see … ”

Heaven. Absolute heaven.
“You're positively evil. How can I refuse such an offer?”

“I was hoping you'd say that.”

“You were sure I would accept.”

“True. But I'm happy nonetheless you've said yes.”

With a wave of his hand, all the shutters on the windows unfolded and daylight surged in. She blinked as her eyes adjusted. It was a long wide room with a terracotta floor. At the far end, there was a magnificent, dark wood dining table, a chandelier suspended above it. Upon it rested a bowl filled with fresh fruit. Peaches, nectarines, strawberries, oranges, lemons and pomegranates.

She stood, surrounded by the plushest, deepest, snuggle-up-and-read-a-good-book couches she'd ever seen. But it was the view out the floor-to-ceiling French doors that held her spellbound. Azure blue water beyond a luxurious swimming pool beckoned. As well as the time difference, it was mid-winter. But the light from the sun sparkled on the sea, a reflection of a sky free of clouds. The day was filled with promise and Alanna knew it would be one to treasure, to keep her warm when Gregori was gone.

She breathed in deeply, a salty tang in the air. Oh my … one could get used to this.

“Yes. You could.” Gregori had once again heard her thoughts. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms about her. She leaned back into his chest, his head resting atop hers as they gazed out at the sea. “There's something very healing about this place. A combination of the view, the weather, the quiet. It's my haven. And now, if you wish, it's yours also.”

She twisted her head to look up at him. “It's heaven.”

“More so, now you are here.” His voice was husky as he met her gaze. His head dipped and he stole a kiss from her lips.

Butterflies danced in her belly. “Show me the rest of the villa,” she said. “Show me where you sleep.”

“It's early morning. There's so much to see.”

“It's night-time at home. If we wait it will be tomorrow today.” She frowned and then giggled. “That didn't come out right.”

“I know what you mean. Even though it's winter here, the day ahead is forecast to be warm. It's best to see the property and the vineyard before the sun rises too high in the sky.”

She would prefer to stay here, in the villa, in his arms for the entire day. Do nothing except make love, lie on the loungers, drink his wine, make love again, sleep a little and then watch the sun go down.

“Then we'd better get started.”

• • •

Alanna had known him barely four days and she was struggling to keep her emotions in check. All she had to do was think of him, and she dissolved into a puddle of need, thinking wanton thoughts, wanting nothing more than for him to brand her with his body.

He showed her the villa, reserving his bedroom, he said, “for later.”

Later seemed eons away. “Why prolong the inevitable?” she asked as she followed him room by room. “Let's do the deed now. Get it out of the way.”

“Deed!” The skin around his eyes wrinkled and his lips twitched.

“Then I can relax.”

“By the time we enter my room, your nerves will be a screaming mass of need. There will be no relaxing today.”

“My nerves are screaming now.”

“You're just used to getting your own way.”

“I could say the same about you.”

“It will be worth the wait.”

“You're pretty good in bed, I take it.”

Gregori spluttered with laughter. “I like to think so.”

“It's been ten years. I think your first time will be over before we even get started. I've got stamina on my side. I'm fit and healthy. I go for a run most mornings. I don't think you'll be able to keep up.”

“I've been celibate since your birth,” he admitted. “Since I first felt our connection and knew you were the one for me.”

Alanna's mouth dropped. “What?”

“I've the patience of a saint,” he told her as he led the way out of the villa and down a pathway to the rocky shore.

A tide of color rushed up her neck to her cheeks. “I don't know what to say to that, except to warn you I haven't a single drop of patience in my nature.”

“You are my yin.”

Alanna blinked. “You want me to say you're my yang, don't you?”

He laughed. “Just enjoy the day here with me. Relax. Go with the flow.”

“Not my strongest talent. Once I want something I go for it.”

“Right now you want to swim in the ocean.”

“Do I?” The shoreline was rocky but the water, which lapped at her feet, was warmer than she expected. “But I don't have a swimsuit. And it's winter here!”

“The water will be invigorating.” He grinned a wicked smile and leered at her. “No one will see you naked.”

Alanna laughed and rotated in a circle looking for other villas overlooking the beach. There were none. “I'm assuming you'll be naked, too.” She so wanted to see that body again. The first time, the day he'd broken free, he'd been unconscious and she'd been mostly shocked. But, she'd never forgotten just how magnificent and … how generously endowed he was.

“Skinny dipping is a truly sensual experience.”

“I hear you,” Alanna said. “I'm ready for sensual.” She whipped her top off in two seconds flat.

“I love a woman who's shy.” He snapped the button open on his jeans.

“Thanks,” she said and kicked off her shoes. “I work hard at it.”

“I can tell,” he said as he shrugged out of his shirt.

Alanna wanted to cross her legs when faced with his truly delicious body. “Man, how did you maintain those abs with no workouts inside that dragon all these years?”

“Genetics,” he told her with a grin.

She laughed and tugged down her jeans until she was standing in her bra and skimpy panties. Thank heaven she'd taken the time to pull out a matching set this morning. She ran her hand down her flat stomach. “I've my own six-pack here.”

He laughed. A real, genuine deep belly laugh and the sound was music to her ears.

“Let me feel.”

Her hormones performed a happy dance and her skin tingled with the sheer anticipation of his hands on her skin. “Get your clothes off first.”

He whipped off his jeans and her eyes practically popped out of their sockets at the size of his talent tenting his underwear. Yes, she'd seen him naked, but this was different. This time he was fully erect and she wasn't afraid.

It was far too rocky for anything physical other than playful verbal banter. They were going to have to take this into the sea. Which, she guessed, was where he'd intended to take her all along.

She turned and lifted her hair. “Undo my bra.”

“Please,” he murmured as stood behind her, his long fingers clasping her waist and tugging her backward against him instead. “Where's your manners?”

She tilted her neck for him to nuzzle. Her knees were like jelly, all weak and wobbly. She rested her head against his broad shoulder. “Please?”

“I like it when you're meek,” he said and one hand deftly removed her bra with an easy flick.

Right now if he wanted to put her over his knee and paddle her behind she'd let him. She spun round and tugged at his undies. “Off,” she said.

“Oh, I hope so,” he said and lifted her into his arms and walked into the sea, his underwear magically disappearing.

“Not fair. I can't see what I'm getting.”

“My darling,” he chuckled, his lips caressing her cheek. “Everything in good time.”

“No more teasing.”

“If you insist.” He stood, the water lapping at his thighs, her bottom a little wet, but the rest of her dry. She wondered if he'd crafted a spell to ensure they weren't chilled. That was until he tossed her like a rag doll into it.

She came up spluttering, looking, she imagined like a drowned rat with her hair forming dread-like talons all over her face and down her back. She tilted her head back in the water, looking towards the villa in the distance and then turning around to view the Mediterranean. It was freezing cold and her teeth chattered but she began to swim, warming quickly, the glide of the water against her body just as sensual as he'd promised. She couldn't stop grinning.

“Witches' Wonder!” she cried out. “I'm swimming in the Mediterranean.” She floated on her back, her face up to the sky. “This is heaven.” Then her smile slid from her face when she recognized what he was doing. He was making her fall in love not only with this piece of earth in which she now found herself, but also with him. She tilted her head as he swam up beside her. “You play dirty.”