Chapter
Thirteen
Nate
glanced up as Charisse entered the conservatory ten minutes later. Damn
she was gorgeous, even without a scrap of makeup on. She’d changed tops, now
wearing a loose purple short-sleeve blouse though she still had on the white
shorts that showcased those fantastic legs of hers. The only other change
she’d made to her appearance was her hair, now up in some messy bun arrangement
that made his fingers itch to release all that silken mass.
“Rum
and coke?” He held out a tall glass beaded with moisture.
“Thanks.”
She eyed the open to the elements conservatory double doors and the two chairs
from the dining room Nate had positioned in front of them.
“I
thought we could watch the storm come in.”
“Good
idea.” She moved to the open doors, breathing in deeply as the breeze off
the ocean carried the tang of salt water and the smell of coming rain with
it.
Lightning
flashed several times against huge dark grey thunderheads that rapidly ate away
at the late afternoon sky. Rolling thunder rumbled in the distance, just
audible.
Unable to help herself, her
eyes flicked to Bettina, flinching as a sharp tug echoed down their bond.
Bitch had been testing their bond all day. Rebuilding her strength; applying a
little more pressure each and every time, reminding her who was boss.
It wasn’t painful yet for Charisse, except
for the occasional hard yank like just now. If she kept herself focused
on other tasks she could usually block Bettina out.
“You
don’t like storms?” Nate had picked up on the small flinch.
“No,
not that, just remembering all the sanding still left to do on the staircase.”
“That
was you?”
“What,
you thought I sat around all day supervising?” She took a refreshing gulp
of ice cold liquid, moving to take the seat next to Nate.
“I
suppose the bannister was taunting you just like the wallpaper?”
“It
was more of a mocking than a taunting.” Charisse laughed.
Maat,
she had the sexiest, throatiest laugh. “Hmm, right. So I just have one
question for you about today.”
She
could feel herself tensing, she knew letting Dave and his sons spend the day
with her would come back to bite her on the ass. Why had she given in to
their pleas?
“What
happened to the armchair in the ground floor living room?”
Charisse
started in surprise and then wrinkled up her nose. “That grimy old
thing? Since Dave and the boys were hauling all the trash to the dump for
me, I had them add it to the load.”
Nate
paused for a moment, blinked and then laughed. “You do realise that’s
where I’ve been sleeping the past couple of nights?” And sleeping damn
well he had to admit. Something about the knowledge that Charisse was
under his roof and safe allowed him to find peace.
Charisse
clapped a hand over her mouth in horror. “Oh no, I’m so sorry. I
suppose I just thought there was another bedroom somewhere that you were
camping out in.”
“It’s
fine, I can sleep on the floor. I’ve slept worse places.” Nate
waved off her apology and concern with an easy smile.
“Well
I could always sleep elsewhere.” She offered.
“Excuse
me?” A shuttered expression came down over his features.
“I
just meant I could transport anywhere in the world and spend a night in a
hotel.”
Nate
shook his head abruptly. “I’m pretty sure Destiny is having us
watched. I noticed a boat out there today… no fishing, no swimming, no
sunbathing, it was definitely suspicious.
I’m thinking she has us under surveillance twenty-four seven.”
“You
think she has daytime minions as well? How?”
Nate
shrugged. “Money, coercion, the promise of immortal life, who knows.”
“Immortal
life? As in, bite someone and turn them into a vampire? Can they
really do that?” Charisse was revolted by the thought of letting Destiny
or any other vamp near her throat.
“Not
according to Hadleigh they can’t. You’re either born one or you’re
not. But the wannabes don’t know that, do they? I think we need to
assume she’s keeping a very close eye on us at all times.”
“What
about Dave and the boys?” Charisse turned quite pale. “Have I
turned them into targets?”
“I
think they’ll be fine. As far as Destiny is concerned they’re just your
daytime minions. She barely values her own.
She’d never imagine you cared for those
three.”
“Thanks
I think. And for the record, they are not my minions.”
“Just
calling it like I see it Cyd.” He turned to look outside as the first
drops of rain began to fall, soaking the ground, accompanied by the loudest
rumble of thunder yet.
“I
hope your roofing skills are up to the challenge of this storm, it looks like
we’re in for a drenching. At least you’ll get a night off from Destiny
tonight.”
“How
do you figure?” Nate enquired curiously.
“Please,
that blood-bitch is so vain. No way would she be caught out in this storm.
Make-up running.
Hair not perfectly plastered to her bony
skull.”
Nate
wondered if a night trapped in her lair would make Destiny more eager to face
off with him and thus more careless, or, would it give her more time to come up
with a plan of attack? Nah, Vampira was a fly by the seat - of her
catsuit - pants kind of vamp, this storm would have her chomping at the
proverbial bit to get her teeth and claws into him and Cyd. Hmm, maybe a
night’s break from blood and mayhem was a good thing.
Jagged
streaks of lightning split the sky, thunder echoing not far behind as the rain
picked up its pace falling in steady, heavy sheets. Charisse moved
restlessly on her chair, her back ached a little and she was sore in a few a
places from all her physical labours. Yet it was kind of nice to think
she’d achieved something today. Other than her paintings, when was the
last time she could make that claim?
“I
don’t suppose you’d happen to know what’s been eating my roses?” Nate
asked absently, rolling first one shoulder and then the other to release some
tension.
“You
have roses somewhere out in that overgrown nightmare you call a garden?”
Charisse shook her head in disbelief.
“No,
I have six rosebushes in tubs, waiting by the front door to be planted, a house
warming gift from the Council.”
“Oh,
they’re probably from Great-Aunt Annabeth’s garden; she’s famous for her
roses.”
“Well
I’ve never had much to do with plants or roses before now, but I’m pretty sure
something large is taking great big chunks out of those things. If I
don’t do something about it soon, they’ll be nothing but stubs.”
“It’s
probably the sheep.” Charisse supplied.
Nate’s
ears rang as a particularly loud thunder clap cracked directly overhead.
“Sheep? I’m pretty sure I would have seen sheep eating them.”
Charisse
shook her head. “Not these sheep, they’re invisible.”
Nate
smiled and shook his head. “Invisible? Right. Even if there
were so-called
invisible
sheep
roaming the countryside, munching on my roses, I’d have at least seen tracks,
or heard them.”
“I
doubt that very much. Snowball and the gang are military grade
operators.”
“Snowball?
You’re not having me on are you? There really is a flock of invisible
sheep isn’t there? So what should I do, set traps?”
“Oh,
I wouldn’t do that. If you actually managed to catch one of them you
might be opening yourself up to a vendetta you couldn’t hope to win. Then
the only thing those sheep would let grow up here would be weeds. I’m
told your best bet is to spray the plants with a little bit of garlic mixed in
with some water.”
“What,
they’re vampire sheep now, deterred by garlic?” Nate found himself
laughing at the idea.
“The
local gardening community came up with it. I can’t tell you how furious
they are with Uncle Cedric who modified them in the first place.
Invisible is one thing, but it doesn’t seem there has been a lock invented yet
that will keep those sheep in their pasture.”
“Magic
invisible sheep,” Nate mused it over and then laughed again. “Cool.
I love this place. Another drink?” Nate held out the pitcher.
Charisse
glanced down, surprised to find her glass empty. “Are you trying to get
me drunk?”
“Why
not? According to you, the vamps will be a no show tonight.”
She
held out her glass, smiling as he refilled it. “I hope you don’t think
getting me tipsy will lead to me spilling all those supposed secrets you
believe I hoard.”
Nate
chuffed a laugh, settling back into his seat with a contented sigh just as a
crack of thunder directly overhead caused the house to thrum and vibrate around
them. “Never crossed my mind.”
“Yeah
right.” Charisse rolled her eyes. Silence descended between them for a
moment as the noise of the storm grew louder, the rain slightly heavier and the
almost constant rumble of thunder matching the quick rapid flashes of
lightning.
Suddenly
Charisse was very conscious of the fact that she and Nate were alone together,
and the weight of their as yet unspoken attraction hung heavily between
them. Stripped bare of her Siren powers when it came to Nate she felt
vulnerable and out of control. “You know this thing between us… it’s a
really bad idea.”
It
was a relief to him that she was acknowledging the attraction between them out
loud. It meant he already had one foot in the door so to speak, now he
just had to talk his way into her bed, her life and her heart. “Why?”
“Because
from what I hear you are a very bad bet… and I know I am.”
Nate
raised an eyebrow in query, whiskey eyes twinkling. “We’ll come back to
you, let’s start with why I’m a bad bet?”
“The
Superflirt? Schmoozing women for over a hundred years? Please.”
“I
appreciate women, since when is that a crime? I don’t make
promises. I don’t break hearts. Most importantly I set expectations
from the get go, so no one gets hurt.”
“Okay
then Sheriff, what can I expect from you?”
“Everything.
Anything. You name it Cyd and it’s yours.” There was no teasing in
his eyes now, only real promise and intent.
Charisse
took a big gulp of her drink, determined to make light of his words even though
her pulse was suddenly racing and hot shivers of anticipation were dancing up
and down her spine. “Oh yes, and just how many lovely ladies have you
used that line on?”
“In
a hundred years? Not a one.”
“Goddess.”
She turned to look at the storm, better than Nate’s intense sincere handsome
face. “You don’t play fair do you?”
“I
play to win. Now tell me Cyd, what makes you think you’re a bad bet?”
Charisse
chewed on her lip, watching lightning arc across the sky. Goddess, how had this
conversation gotten so far out of hand?
“No,
let me guess.” Nate rubbed his hand along the side of his jaw
thoughtfully. “You’re a former nun still grappling with your decision to
leave the convent?”
Charisse
bit back a laugh.
“Just
tell me you kept the outfit?” He beseeched with a sexy smile.
“No? Former kick ass spy now retired? Am I getting warmer?”
“Absolutely
spot on, so rare to find such an intuitive man. So obviously you’ll
respect my need for privacy and anonymity and stop…”
Nate
laughed softly under his breath. “Stop what exactly? We’ve danced
together once, you asked me, remember? We’ve kissed twice, the second
time as I very fondly recall was initiated by you.”
Charisse
forced her tone to remain even. “That was to keep Vamperella focused on
us.”
Nate
shrugged. “Cyd, when are you going to stop lying to yourself? That
kiss was the stuff of legends… and think… it was only a simple kiss, imagine…
imagine Cyd if we were to do more than kiss.”
Even
in this dim light Charisse could see solar flares of light flash and jump in
his whiskey eyes.
Goddess, her
palms felt damp, her skin tight and there was a slow steady throb pulsing deep
in her very core. She was suddenly picturing them naked, his golden flesh
hot and glistening with sweat under her touch as she writhed beneath him.
Oh Goddess. She was almost grateful to Bettina as she-bitch grappled and
squeezed demandingly on their bond. She clenched her jaw, determined to
be led by her Goddess given common sense and not her hormones. She could
not have a relationship with Nate. He was too smart, too tenacious.
He’d find out about Bettina, their link and he’d be horrified by her… or worse,
pitying.