Unforgettable (13 page)

“For all I know you are the one that hurt me!” As soon as the words left her mouth she wished them back. She knew he’d never physically harm her, well, beyond a sore butt. But she’d felt the need to hurt him as much as she was hurting.

And didn’t that just make her a childish, selfish brat?

He stiffened at those words; felt them like an arrow to the gut, a stabbing to the heart. Fury became a tangible, physical thing, so thick he could taste it on his tongue. If she really felt that way…

“Leave,” she said tiredly. “Just go.”

He looked at her for a long moment, the way she trembled in shock and fear, the paleness of her face, the enlarged pupils. She was terrified, angry, scared.

He was blinded by fury and pride.

“If you really wish it.” Even he could hear the glacial tone of his voice, could see the way she flinched in reaction, and felt guilty at the little hint of satisfaction he felt. It was childish to want to hurt her as she was hurting him, but at that moment he was too furious to feel guilty.

That would come later.

“But you will stay inside where you are safe. If I catch you leaving this cottage there will be hell to pay.”

Having gotten the last word he turned on his heel and stormed out in a whirling storm, his pride a cloak of protection surrounding his heart from the pain of her rejection, her mistrust.

Stumbling to the kitchen table she sat blindly, her forehead coming to rest on her upturned hand as her body continued to shake with tremors. Bile rose in her throat, the stress of the last few minutes, few days, hell, the past months, was causing her stomach to churn and bubble. How the hell had that argument even originated, let alone blown up into such a full-on confrontation?

Eden knew it would be easier just to bow down to Galen’s wishes. To just let him make all the decisions, let him coddle her, pamper her, and keep her in a gilded cage. Deep down she did know that he wasn’t the one to hurt her. He was far too protective to ever harm her.

He brought her blankets when he thought she was chilled, scolded her for lifting things he thought she shouldn’t, he’d even given her a stern talking to for standing on a stool to reach a top cupboard instead of calling for him because he’d worried about her falling.

No, he hadn’t done this to her, and in a fit of temper she’d just driven away the one person who made her feel safe, protected, loved.

Standing in the shadows of the trees he watched her sit at the kitchen table, her shoulders slumped, her head bowed in dejection.

Because of him. He’d caused this with his damnable pride and temper. It was only logical that she’d doubt him. She’d been cautious about trusting others since the day he’d met her, and for a long time before. She’d trusted her father and she’d had to watch him kill their mother before he’d turned on her.

It had taken him months to build her trust in him, had he really expected her to trust him unquestionably after a few mere weeks? It wasn’t fair of him to react as though she had all her memories. As much as it hurt him, she had a right to her doubts, her fears.

And she knew he was keeping something from her. He was hurting her. A vibration against his hip interrupted his self-recriminations. Reaching down, he unclipped his cell phone, and after looking briefly at the caller id brought it up to his ear.

“What do you want, Rick?” He didn’t care that his tone was short, clipped, and tense.

The other man’s voice was easily as tense. “Are you with Eden? Can she hear you?”

“I’m near her, she can’t hear me.” His eyes hadn’t left her, but he took a step closer as though he could feel danger creeping stealthily towards her.

“I just got the report back about Eden’s car. They were backed up which is why it took so long. Apparently the brake lines were deliberately slit. The mechanic swore they were fine when he serviced her car. But her car was left in the yard while they went for lunch. They could have gotten to it then. We already knew it but this truly confirms someone was trying to kill her.”

Galen cursed long and hard as he strode quickly towards the house, his gaze roaming constantly.

“They’ve found her then. I’m going to take her out of town.”

“And what if they follow? She’s never going to be safe.”

“What are you suggesting? That we set her up as bait?” His voice was a low, deadly rumble, and Eden jumped to her feet, coming towards him in concern as he entered the kitchen.

“I’m coming over. We need to talk about this.”

“My mate is not bait,” was all Galen said before hanging up. He stood still, just looking her over. Neither of them was sure who was more shocked when she took two running steps towards him and flung herself into his arms. Galen drew her slight form close to his, careful not to crush her delicate body with his strength as he inhaled the sweet vanilla scent of her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean it. I may not remember you, but I know that you would never hurt me. I know that you love me. You do, don’t you?”

A hint of vulnerability crept into her voice and he pulled back, his hand gently raising her chin so she looked into his face.

“What I feel for you, mate, is more than love. I adore you, I cherish you, I put you above everything and everyone else in my life. It is I who should apologize to you.”

Her lips twisted in a grin, amusement dancing in her eyes. Oh, she was trouble with a capital T this little mate of his.

“Maybe I should get it in writing, proof that you do know how to apologize. I may need it as evidence for when we argue again.”

“We will never argue again,” he mock growled, spinning her around until she sat on the kitchen counter, her legs splitting wide as he stood between them.

“Oh no?” Her eyebrow arched. “What makes you think that?”

“Because you will simply agree with everything I say!”

Eden squealed in mock outrage, her hands tickling his ribs. “I think not, mister!” She laughed as he beat her at her own game, his hands tickling her ribs and underarms until she screamed for mercy. Mercy came as his lips descended on hers for a wicked, heart clenching kiss. Heat uncurled low in her belly as his lips and tongue wove a spell over her mouth. The pleasure firing through her veins was mind blowing, all consuming, and it soon had her fidgeting with demanding need.

Racing her hands over his body, she whimpered, a plea for his touch, for him to ease the torturous ecstasy. But his hands never moved from her waist as his teeth nipped at her lips, nibbling and biting softly before his tongue swirled over the small hurts, soothing them while driving her completely wild.

“Easy, kitten,” he crooned. She ran her hands down his flat stomach, her fingers fumbling with his belt.

“Whoa, kitten, slow down, sweetheart.” Panting heavily, she looked at him in disbelief as he took a step backwards.

“A-are you punishing me?” She hated the uncertainty in her voice. Immediately she found herself in his arms, held tightly against him as he rubbed her back reassuringly.

“No, baby, never. I would like nothing more than to take you right here, right now. But I know how fond you are of Andrews.”

Eden frowned. “What’s Rick got to do with anything?”

“Well, he should be here in about two minutes, and if he were to see you naked then I’d have to kill him. Of course, it wouldn’t worry me to kill him, but I figure you might care.”

“Jeez, you’re all heart, Galen,” Rick said dryly.

Eden gave a gasp of fright, her heart reaching up into her throat, almost blocking her airways.

“You ever hear of knocking?” Galen replied bad-temperedly.

“You knew I was there.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t!” Eden cut in, still trying to slow her battering heart. “You just scared ten years off my life, Rick!”

“Sorry kid.” He walked in and helped himself to the coffee Eden had made hours ago. “You told her?”

Galen shook his head. “Not yet. I was just about to.”

“Tell me what?” Eden jumped down from the kitchen counter, then wished she hadn’t as she was instantly dwarfed by the two large men standing on either side of her.

“Andrews rang me ten minutes ago,” Galen told her abruptly. “Your brake lines were cut.”

Eden took a deep breath as she tried to process his abrupt announcement. She saw Rick roll his eyes behind Galen’s back which helped cut through her panic. Sometimes Galen’s tendency to rip a band aid off rather than tease around it was refreshing, other times she wished he’d give her a bit of a lead-up.

“Oh, is that all?” She hid a smile as Rick snorted. Galen glared at them both suspiciously. His hand rose and brushed over her cheek gently, warming her chilled skin.

“You will not worry about this,” he demanded.

“Me? Worry? About someone who is obviously trying to kill me? Why would I worry about that?”

“I will take care of this, Eden. No one will hurt you.” His words were a vow, a solemn promise.

“I know you will. But you can’t be with me constantly, Galen. You have a home to go to, a family—”

“You matter more,” he interrupted her.

She smiled up at him. “I know. But perhaps we can speed this whole thing up a bit so we can all breathe a bit easier.”

“You are not acting as bait.” Set concrete held more flexibility than his voice.

“Galen,” she sighed, but his only reaction was a raised eyebrow, and she knew it was useless even as she looked over at Rick for support. He just shrugged.

“I already tried. He’s not going to go for it. Not that I blame him, if you were mine, I’d keep you locked up in one of my cells if it meant you were safe.”

She snorted. “Glad I’m not ‘yours’ then Sheriff,” she replied while Galen looked thoughtful.

“And you,” she pointed her finger at Galen, “don’t even think about it.”

“Maybe not a police cell,” Galen said slowly, “but perhaps somewhere else safe.”

“No, I will not be moved around and put somewhere for my own safety. I’m not a china doll, I won’t break, and I won’t run. Now, you just need to think of some way to keep me safe while catching this guy.”

Rick sighed, rubbing his hands over his face.

“You’re tired, Rick. Go home,” she bossed.

He nodded. “I’ll think on our problem and get back to you both tomorrow.”

“I think we could all use a good night’s sleep,” Galen agreed.

Rick and Eden looked at him in surprise.

“What?” he questioned innocently.

“Uhh, nothing, it’s just that you don’t usually agree so easily,” Rick said, obviously attempting to hide a smile.

“If at all!” Eden said, a grin on her face as Rick snorted and strategically left.

Galen took a stalking step towards Eden who merely continued to grin, not feeling at all intimidated. “So I’m difficult to get along with, am I?”

“You’re a challenge,” she replied, squealing as he heaved her up and held her in his arms against his chest. “But luckily I like a challenge,” she reassured him as he gently placed her on the bed. She gulped at the look of raw hunger on his face.

Stripping his clothes quickly she returned his look of hunger at the feast he revealed. Powerful muscle encased in a skin the color of sweet toffee with a hint of exquisite cream. Then he pounced on top of her, his weight resting on his arms and legs so as not to squash her, his tongue coming down to lick across her lips, taste her, suck at her mouth.

“Please, I’ve had enough teasing, Galen,” she begged. His play in the kitchen before already had her in overdrive. As though she’d flipped a switch, he turned from playful to almost savage in his hunger. Her clothes went flying under his rough touch.

But rather than fear or concern, his near brutal touch drove her higher. Soon they were both breathless, sweaty limbs moving together as he thrust inside her welcoming sheath. A storm under her skin, her pleasure was turbulent, tumultuous, a rush so heady it took her over until there was nothing in her world except him.

Each thrust sent sharp, piercing bliss singing through her veins. Her legs clasped themselves around his hips, drawing him in further, holding him inside her as if she could keep him there always.

With a sharp cry she found herself reaching that cliff, hovering just on the edge, waiting, waiting…and there it was, the drop off as he fell over his own peak, pushing her over hers until they both found satisfaction in a seemingly never-ending flight of pleasure.

    
*****

Eden thought it was a nightmare that awoke her until she realized that Galen had his hand over her mouth, his gaze glowing and hard as he stared off into the distance. She lay still, quiet, sensing the danger, but not knowing what it was.

Leaning down he placed his lips directly over her ear. “Someone’s breaking into the front of the house. Lock yourself in when I leave and do not move.”

When he removed his hand she opened her mouth to speak, her alarm overcoming her good sense. Luckily he had excellent night vision and reflexes, as his hand clasped over her mouth once more.

“No speaking. Mind me, now.” His voice was so quiet she barely heard him as he rose and stalked to the door. She locked the door and quickly dressed. Looking over at the phone on the dresser she debated whether she could risk the noise and ring Rick.

A loud roar filled the quiet night, followed by the sound of glass smashing, and Eden figured remaining quiet was a redundant endeavor.

Grabbing the phone she quickly rang Rick, and told him what was going on. It was as she was hanging up that she smelled it.

Smoke. The cottage was on fire.

“Oh God,” she moaned. Racing to the bedroom door she foolishly placed her hand on the door handle, hissing with pain at the burn that singed her palm. It was then that she saw the tendrils of smoke creeping under the door like little arms of death coming towards her.

Without further thought, her terror overtaking all else, she opened the bedroom window and quickly climbed up and out the small opening.

With a roar, Galen pounced on the smaller lion, swiping down his side in a deep slash that would slowly bleed out if he left him there. But he couldn’t leave him to die slowly. Galen knew that his other cousin was around here somewhere, and with Eden alone and unprotected he had no time to play with his prey.