Celinda went to the window and looked out at the view of the night-darkened city. The hotel was located in the heart of the Quarter, which was suffused with the pale glow of Old Frequency.
She opened the sliding glass door and moved out onto the balcony. The air was warm and balmy. Resting her elbows on the iron railing, she savored the gentle rush of alien psi and contemplated the night.
The intriguing aura of some very familiar energy pulsed nearby.
Startled, she stepped back and turned quickly, pulling her robe more tightly around her.
Davis was lounging against the railing of his balcony. He was wearing only his trousers. His feet were bare and so was everything else above his waist. Moonlight and the faint glow of the green wall’s radiance gleamed on his shoulders. He looked at her with eyes as mysterious as the night. Max sat beside him on the railing.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Davis asked.
“Araminta was hungry again.”
“Well, sure. It’s been at least an hour and a half since you last fed her. What did you expect?”
“I swear, it’s as if she’s been possessed by the spirit of a teenage boy.” She paused. “What are you doing out here?”
“Thinking.”
“About the case?” she asked cautiously.
“And other things.” He paused a beat. “Mostly other things.”
She wanted to ask him what other things he was thinking about, but she reminded herself that she didn’t know him well enough to push into his private space.
Max chose that moment to hop across the three-foot span that separated the two balconies, showing no fear of the three-story drop to the ground, and landed on the railing next to Celinda. He chortled politely to her and then tumbled down to the floor. He disappeared into the room to join Araminta on the desk. Celinda heard more crunching noises.
“Bet I could do that,” Davis said, studying the distance between the two balconies.
“Do what? Jump from your balcony to mine?” She shuddered. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it would be a dumb-ass risk to take, that’s why not. Good grief, you might miss, and then I’d be stuck having to explain to Mercer Wyatt why he’s never going to get his relic back.”
Davis’s teeth flashed in a brief, wicked grin. “Nice to know you care.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve got a vested interest in you. The way I look at it, you’re all that’s standing between Araminta and me and the boss of the Cadence Guild. I want you to stay safe. No taking chances. Got it?”
“Got it. Hang on a second.”
He vanished into his room. She waited for him to reappear, wondering what was going on.
A moment later he walked out onto her balcony.
“Made it,” he said. “Rest assured, no extreme risks were taken.”
She shivered but not from the cool night air. He was standing very close to her, so close that she could detect a lot more than his psi power. She was intensely aware of every aspect of him. Her pulse was already thrumming faster, and she could feel the now-familiar flutter in the pit of her stomach.
“Good to know,” she whispered. “Because I really don’t want anything to happen to you.”
He smiled slowly. “I appreciate that, even if the only reason you want me around is because I’m your shield against the Cadence Guild.”
The intimacy of the night and Davis’s own uniquely compelling aura enveloped her, affecting all of her senses. Sensual excitement effervesced through her veins. Mr. Almost Perfect.
She was suddenly sure that she could not only leap from one balcony to the next, she could probably tap dance along the railings. Who cared about the risk?
“That’s not the only reason I want you around,” she said.
She was amazed by the sound of her own voice. It was downright sultry. She was positive that she had never sounded sultry before in her entire life.
Davis gripped the lapels of her robe with both hands and tugged her closer. “You’re sure?”
She was having trouble breathing now. But in a good way. A thrilling way.
“I’m sure,” she managed.
He tightened his grip on her robe and kissed her.
Impossible as it was, she was certain that Davis’s energy and her own somehow came together in a resonating pattern that set fire to the night. She was suddenly swept up in a delirious cascade of invisible psi.
Just like last night, she thought. She should probably call a halt to things before they went too far. Just as she had last night. One-night stands were against all the rules.
But with this man she no longer cared about the rules. She didn’t want to waste time planning for the future because, given Davis’s attitude toward matchmaking and Covenant Marriage, they probably didn’t have one. Tonight might be all they had together, and she intended to seize the moment.
That realization alone was enough to tip the scales of common sense.
She closed her hands fiercely around his shoulders, glorying in the feel of sleek muscle and warm male skin. He responded with a heavy groan and deepened the kiss.
When she sighed a little and parted her lips, he shifted his hands, tightening them around her waist. He was heavily aroused. She could feel him and knew that he wanted her to be aware of the effect she was having on him.
Exhilaration arced through her. She suddenly felt incredibly sexy and wildly feminine.
Boldly she broke free of the kiss to press her lips to his throat. A shudder went through him. Without warning he scooped her up into his arms, high against his chest, and carried her into the darkened bedroom.
She thought he was going to put her down on her bed. Instead, he took her through the connecting door into his room and stood her on her feet. She saw that the covers had been kicked down to the foot of his bed. Davis had obviously had as much difficulty sleeping as she had.
She was so intoxicated with the heady, exuberant wonder of what was happening that she almost lost her balance.
Davis caught her with one hand, undid the sash of her robe, and peeled the garment off her shoulders. It pooled around her bare feet, leaving her in her pale green satin nightgown.
Davis smiled slowly at the sight of the gown. He ran his fingers under the edge of the tiny straps, just touching her skin.
“Nice,” he said. “Very nice.”
“I got it on sale last month,” she confessed, before stopping to think. “I’ve been saving it for a special occasion.”
He looked pleased. “Like tonight?”
She smiled. “It certainly looks that way.”
His laughter was sexy and incredibly intimate. “Looks like this is my lucky night.”
He picked her up and put her on the rumpled bed. Straightening, he stripped off his trousers and tossed them aside. He wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
A tremor of unease went through her. But before she had a chance to reconsider the wisdom of what was about to happen, Davis came down beside her on the bed. He leaned over her, trapping her between his braced elbows, and began to kiss her hungrily.
The kisses rained down, dampening her mouth, her throat, heating her blood. Hot energy pulsed, Davis’s and her own, resonating once again in a pattern that drove both of them to a higher level of excitement. It had never been like this with any other man, she thought. Perfect.
She forgot her momentary misgivings. Eagerly she explored him, savoring the muscular contours of his back and hips. When her fingers closed around him, he sucked in a deep, shuddering breath.
“I won’t last long if you keep that up,” he warned, his voice low and husky.
Thrilled, she tightened her fingers a little, challenging him. This time his low laugh sent small, exciting chills up and down her spine.
He slid the satin straps off her shoulders and eased the gown down her body, all the way to her ankles. He dropped it onto the floor beside the bed.
He found her breast with his mouth, and s
he forgot all about teasing him. She gasped and sank her nails into his back. Her entire body ached with need. Every inch of her skin was shatteringly sensitive.
Davis’s big, warm hand slid down her waist, across her stomach. He curled his fingers into the hair at the juncture of her thighs.
She kissed his shoulder, licked him, and then, on impulse, tested his skin with her teeth. He made a soft, hoarse sound and then he caught her nipple very gently between his own teeth His fingers slid lower, seeking secrets.
She stopped breathing. Everything inside her tightened to an unbearable degree. She could feel her own slickness and knew that his hand must be covered with the moisture.
When he moved on top of her a short time later, she was trembling with anticipation and desire.
He positioned himself, and then he started to ease his way into her.
“You’re so tight,” he said, his voice ragged. “Relax for me.”
“I’m trying,” she gasped. “You’re too big.”
“No. You just need to take it easy.”
She took several deep breaths. “Okay. I’m relaxed.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Instead of pressing forward, he withdrew. She caught him closer, panicked that he had changed his mind.
“No,” she said, clutching at him. “Don’t leave me.”
“I wasn’t going anywhere. Trust me.”
He found the little nubbin hidden between the protective folds of flesh and stroked it again. Almost immediately she felt herself begin to soften and open.
“Yes,” she said. “Oh, yes, please.”
He continued to stroke her until her pleas turned to demands. Then he rolled onto his back, taking her with him.
She sprawled on top of him, knees on either side of his thighs. He found her again with his hand, using thumb and forefinger to drive her mad.
The climax struck out of nowhere. She was unprepared for it because she had never felt anything like it in her life. Pulsing waves of exquisite energy swept through her, releasing a burst of sheer euphoria.
She heard someone scream softly in the shadows. Belatedly she realized that she was the screamer.
Davis gripped her buttocks and pushed himself into her in one smooth, relentless move. He thrust twice, three times and then he went quartz-hard all over. She opened her eyes to look down at him and saw his mouth open in a grimace that could have been either great pain or unbelievable pleasure.
He roared.
There was no other word for it. It was the cry of an exultant male claiming his mate.
She had time to thank her lucky amber that none of her relatives were in the room next door before she collapsed along the length of him.
A LONG TIME LATER HE ROUSED HIMSELF, ROLLED AWAY from her, and flopped back onto the pillows. There was enough emerald-tinted light coming through the sliding glass door to show her that he was smiling with masculine satisfaction.
“You always do that?” he asked.
“Do what?”
“Scream.”
She blushed furiously. Well, at least with all the shadows he couldn’t see her turning bright pink.
“I don’t know,” she mumbled.
He levered himself up on one elbow and looked down at her. “Why don’t you know?”
“I’ve never done that before.”
“Screamed?”
“Had an orgasm.”
He was clearly taken back. “Are you sure?”
“It isn’t the kind of thing you make a mistake about, is it?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Trust me, I’ve never felt anything that delicious before in my life. I’d have remembered.”
“Sorry you had to wait this long, but I have to tell you I’m very glad I was around when it finally happened.”
“Me, too.” She wound her arms around his neck. “You think maybe we could try it again? Make sure it wasn’t a one-time thing?”
“My pleasure.”
He bent his head and covered her mouth with his own. Energy flared once more in the shadowed room.
A LONG TIME LATER, SHE AWOKE WITH A START, AWARE that she was being carried in a man’s arms. Fear lanced through her, bringing with it memories of the terrible night that Benson Landry had carried her into the hotel room, pretending to the staff that she was intoxicated.
“No.” Instinctively she started to struggle.
The arms that cradled her tightened, imprisoning her against a hard male chest.
“Take it easy,” Davis said gently. “You’re okay. You’re just dreaming.”
The reassuring sound of his voice and the familiar pulse of his psi waves drove out the brief panic. She opened her eyes and looked up at him.
“What are you doing?” she asked, still disoriented.
“Taking you back to your bed.”
That didn’t sound promising.
“Why?” she asked, bewildered now.
“I like to sleep alone,” he said quietly. He put her down onto her bed and straightened. “Don’t take it personally.”
She was mortified. He might be perfect for her, but in spite of what they had just shared, the feeling was not reciprocated. It was not as if he had not warned her that he was not interested in long-term relationships, she reminded herself. And it was not as if there were rules against one-night stands for very good reasons. Still, kicking her out of his bed before the night was over seemed a little extreme.
She felt humiliated. She was also furious.
“Got news for you,” she said. “I am taking it personally.”
She pulled the covers up to her chin, rolled onto her side, and turned away from him.
He did not leave immediately. She could feel him standing there, looking down at her. She held her breath, wondering if he would change his mind.
“Good night,” he said very quietly.
He went back into his own room. She lay awake for a long time, looking out the window at the glowing green spires and towers of the Dead City. Araminta hopped up onto the bed, cuddled close, and made soft little sounds.
He’s Mr. Almost Perfect, Celinda reminded herself, not Mr. Perfect. Get used to it.
She finally went to sleep.
Chapter 17
BENSON LANDRY’S PHONE REZZED LOUDLY. HE HAD JUST disengaged from the luscious, energetic, extremely inventive blonde, and he was enjoying the pleasant ennui of the aftermath. He was in no mood to take the call. But there weren’t many people who had his private number. When someone used it, there was always a reason.
He rolled away from the blonde, sat up on the edge of the bed, and reached for the phone.
“Landry,” he said. “This had better be important.”
“If you will give me five minutes of your valuable time, I think you will find what I have to say very interesting, Mr. Landry.”
The voice was cultured, resonant, authoritative. It was also unfamiliar. That was enough to rez a slew of alarm bells.
“Who is this?” he asked sharply.
“My name is Dr. Titus G. Kennington. I believe you and I have an acquaintance in common. A woman named Celinda Ingram.”
His insides went cold. He reached back and gave the blonde a hard shove.
She got the message. It wasn’t the first time he had sent her away immediately after he had finished with her. Expressionless, she got out of bed, picked up her things, and went into the bathroom to dress.
“What about Celinda Ingram?” he said into the phone, suppressing the urgency that had suddenly consumed him. He had thought that problem had been settled four months ago.
“We’ll get to her in a moment. First, let us discuss our partnership.”
“Why in green hell should I take you on as a partner?”
“Because I am prepared to give you something you want very badly in exchange.”
“That would be?”
“I can ensure first that you become the new boss of the Frequency Guild. I
am also prepared to go further. I will help you achieve your other goals: a bride from a wealthy, high-ranking, non-Guild family and a shot at a senate seat.”
I’m dealing with a real nutcase, Benson thought. But since this particular whack job had gotten close enough to obtain his private number, he had to pay attention. The only thing he could do was keep the guy talking as long as possible so that he could get enough information to find him.
“Sounds promising,” he said. “Out of curiosity, how are you going to go about fulfilling your end of the bargain?”
The blonde emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed. She went to the door without a word and let herself out into the hall. Benson ignored her. His security staff would escort her off the estate.
“You will soon see,” Kennington said. “Now, then, as a member of the Frequency Guild Council, I assume you’ve heard the rumors about a certain alien relic that went missing from the Cadence Guild security vault?”
This was getting more interesting by the second. Maybe the guy wasn’t a total whack job after all.
“There’s talk going around that an artifact was stolen,” he said carefully. “Wyatt is keeping the whole thing quiet, but they say he’s looking hard. He wants it back.”
“He wants to recover it because it is extremely unusual,” Kennington said. “It’s made of a type of amber that no one has come across before. But not even Wyatt knows about the relic’s unique properties.”
“What properties?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, so I suggest a demonstration, instead.”
“If you think I’m going to waste my time—”
“I assure you, Mr. Landry, once you have seen what the ruby amber device can do, you will be extremely eager to form a partnership with me.”
“How are you going to demonstrate the damn thing if it’s missing?”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret, sir, something that no one else knows. There are two ruby amber artifacts in existence. I’ve got the other one.”
“In that case, why do you want a second one?”
“It is simply too powerful and too valuable to be left in the hands of people who have no idea what it can do.”
“Why make a deal with me?” Benson asked.