He sat his beer down and reached for her, pulling her over into his lap and wrapping his arms around her waist. He was quiet for a moment, contemplating his next words. “I’m not sure what kind of father I would be, or if I’ll even be around long enough to find out that answer.”
“Don’t say stuff like that.”
“Why? It’s true, Querida. I’m nowhere near ready to give up, but we need to prepare for the very real possibility that we might not find a solution to my current... problem. And while I also believe that everything happens for a reason—how could I not after all the time I spent with Availia?—I worry about what having a child might mean. Not only do I not want to leave you to raise a child on your own, but there’s also the matter of my father to contend with. A baby would mean another soul in his direct bloodline, and I’m sure he’ll be foaming at the mouth for the chance to fuck with my child, just because he can.”
Kerrigan didn’t say anything in response. He could sense her unease about the topic, probably because all her life she had lived by the Guardian’s mantra, even when she didn’t realize it. Plus, it probably didn’t help for him to bring up the very real fact that he might not make it out of his curse alive.
Dominic placed a tender kiss on her shoulder. “Hey, let’s not worry about it for now. If it’s meant to be, it will be, right? Besides, we’ve got enough on our plate to worry about right now without adding baby talk to it.”
She gave him a halfhearted smile and a nod before resting her head on top of his. Her sadness was palpable, but he didn’t ask her about it because he knew she would say she was fine. He just needed to get through the hellish half-life he was living, and then he could give her the life she obviously wanted—a somewhat normal life raising a child without the fear of a lingering curse always looming over its head. It was yet another thing Drew could do for her that he couldn’t.
Speak of the Guardian, and apparently, even if the words aren’t actually spoken aloud, he shall appear.
Drew’s rental sedan came into view just down the street, and Dominic tensed all over. His blood pressure began to rise as if on cue, and he instinctively tightened his hold around Kerrigan. He didn’t know what it was about the man that made him react so protectively. Wait, yes he did. It was because he knew Drew had his eye on his girl.
Kerrigan managed to wriggle her way out of his grasp and stood so that she could greet their visitor. Dominic rose to his feet as well and then felt that familiar tingle begin to spread through him, unable to stop the transformation.
“Shit, Querida...” When she turned to see what the matter was, he took her in his arms and kissed her with wild abandonment.
And then he was gone.
“Dominic?” she called to him with a hushed voice.
She felt his cold breath on her lips. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. I’ll be watching you.”
The sound of a car door shutting distracted her from the conversation. Had it not been for the fact that Drew would surely think her mad for talking to herself, she would have let Dominic have it. Big time. Him and his jealousy. They were both really beginning to piss her off.
“Kerrigan,” Drew greeted her with a nod once he let Akasha out of the backseat. “You’re looking astonishingly beautiful as usual today. Where’s the extraordinarily lucky Mr. Grayson?”
“Oh, he’s not here right now.” She did her best to ignore the chilly breath that blew against the back of her neck. He was there all right. Judging from the cold pressure on her back and the ring of frost around her waist, he was standing right behind her with a protective hold around her body. Even in ghost form he was trying to protect his turf. It was enough to make her roll her eyes.
“I could have sworn I just saw him sitting in the rocking chair.”
Kerrigan looked down at the chair and shrugged. “Um... nope. As you can see, he’s not here. He actually went to the doctor to get his... um, man bits checked out. He’s had this burning sensation when he pees lately.” She held back a giggle. She could only imagine how well that went over with Dominic.
The coldness around her waist seeped to the inside of her thigh followed by a pressure she wasn’t expecting. Jolted, she jumped and smacked at her thigh. Drew looked at her like he was concerned for her sanity. She laughed uncomfortably. “Mosquitoes are really bad this time of year. Why don’t we go inside?”
There was a soft chuckle in her ear, forcing her to laugh out loud again to cover the noise.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Miss Cruz?”
“Huh? Yeah, yeah... I’m fine, just eager to start training.” She turned in the direction where she believed Dominic to be and scowled before leading Drew inside.
Millie ran up to his play date and greeted Akasha with a shower of wet kisses to the face. Her little corkscrew tail wagged back and forth, and she playfully nipped at Millie’s ear in return. Kerrigan led them both out the back door to turn them loose in the garden, and then turned back to Drew.
“How about the dining room?” She pointed to the room off to the left.
“If that’s where you’re comfortable, that’s fine with me.”
“The dining room it is then. Hopefully, it will be a little more private,” she said, accentuating the last word.
“Not likely,” Dominic’s voice drifted in the air around her.
“What’s that you say?” Drew asked.
“Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“I see.” Drew stepped through the threshold of the dining room after her. “Are you quite sure you’re up to training today?”
Kerrigan closed the door and faced him. Feeling a bit wicked and vengeful, she decided to play some tricks of her own. She put her hand to the collar of Drew’s shirt and feigned straightening it even though nothing about his appearance was out of place. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure than spending time with you today. I’m very anxious to get on with our training.”
He graced her with that dazzling smile. The Light in his eyes flared briefly and then simmered away again. There was a thump on the wall directly behind him, and he snapped his attention in that direction. “What was that?”
“What was what? I didn’t hear anything.” Kerrigan took her seat. “Why don’t you just come sit next to me and we’ll get started?”
Drew shook his head, thinking he must have been hearing things, and walked over to join her. She turned her chair toward his, her eyes widening when she saw his chair pull back of its own accord right when he was about to sit. He landed with a thud on the floor.
“Oh, Drew! Are you okay?” She scrambled to help him up. When she took his elbow, that hum that signified their connections vibrated through her skin. For the briefest of moments, goose bumps pricked her skin until she released him, and he fell back to the floor again.
“Sorry! Sorry!” She reached to grab hold of him again.
He put his hand up to stop her. “That’s quite all right. I think I can manage for myself.” He stood and pulled the chair under him before sitting.
Kerrigan sat back down and gave him an apologetic look. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that feeling.”
“Well, that’s certainly understandable.” He reached for her hand. “Perhaps if we touch more it won’t be quite a shock in the future.”
The lights from the sconces on the walls began to flicker in and out. When Kerrigan withdrew her hand, they came back on and stayed lit. “We’ve been having some electrical problems,” she explained. “It’s a very old house.”
Drew didn’t know why she was lying, but the Ring of Truth warming against his chest left no doubt that she was.
“Are you sure everything’s okay?”
She forced a smile and nodded vigorously. “Yeah, sure! Everything’s just... peachy keen. Let’s get started.”
Even though he was completely suspicious, he decided to let it go. One thing he had learned about Kerrigan Cruz was that if she didn’t want to talk about something, there was nothi
ng he could say to convince her otherwise.
“And, you’re sure you want to continue on your quest for more energy, even after what happened at the beach?”
Kerrigan thought back to the way Dominic had been thrashing and calling out in his sleep before she had roused him. And then she remembered what he had said about Drake draining energy from Colton in his dreams. She had sighed and looked at Drew with renewed determination. “I just have to. I still can’t tell you the reason, but it’s of the utmost importance.”
“All right. Why don’t we work on something a little different, then? I’d like to show you something. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to pull energy from me, but perhaps this way might be a bit more enjoyable for the both of us.”
Dominic’s whispered voice was at her ear. “I’ll break his fucking neck, Querida. I swear.”
“Go... away,” she mumbled through clenched teeth.
“I beg your pardon?”
The scowl on her face morphed into one of pure pleasantry, and she laughed forcefully. “Oh, I just have this annoying song that keeps replaying in my head. It’s grating on my last nerve.”
“Are you ill, Miss Cruz?”
“No, I’m perfectly fine. Why do you ask?”
“You’re not acting altogether like yourself this afternoon. You seem out of sorts.”
She waved him off. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Actually, Dominic and I haven’t exactly been seeing eye to eye where you’re concerned. He thinks you’re out to steal me away from him, but I keep telling him that you’re just helping me out with my training. It’s fine though. He’ll eventually come around and stop acting like a complete ass.”
“I can certainly understand why he would be worried. You’re quite extraordinary, and a very beautiful woman, I might add.”
Kerrigan blushed.
“I’m happy to speak with him about the matter if you think it might help.”
She pushed her shoulders back and set her chin determinedly. “No, Drew. I don’t think that will be necessary. Dominic will just have to get over it. I’m not going to stop my training, no matter what he says or does. His jealousy is unwarranted, and I’m not going to cater to his childish behavior. I’m just sorry that you have to be the target of that jealousy.”
“Suffice it to say, I’m actually quite used to being the object of envy. Pity, it never quite works out in my favor. As you see, I’m still alone.”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around that one.”
“Yes, well when you get it figured out, please do clue me in. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Excellent. Shall we begin?” Drew’s smile made Kerrigan feel warm and fuzzy, despite her irritation with Dominic.
“Sure thing. Right after I grab a drink from the kitchen. Would you like something?”
“A glass of ice water would be refreshing, please.”
“One ice water, coming up.” She made her way out the door, closing it behind her before going to the kitchen.
She stopped at the counter and put her hand on her hip. “Show yourself, Dominic!”
When his ghostly form manifested right in front of her, she jumped, startled. Once she regained her composure, she narrowed her eyes at him. “What on God’s green earth do you think you’re doing?” she asked in a rushed whisper.
“Me? What are you doing? Besides intentionally pissing me off.”
“I’m teaching you a lesson. Giving you something to be jealous about seems like just the perfect medicine for your delusional musings.”
“Yeah well, if you go around stirring shit up, expect to get some stink on you.” He had that self-satisfied smirk and Kerrigan tried not to concentrate on how sexy it was.
She wagged a finger in his face. “He’s not trying to woo me, Dominic, so knock it off.”
“Are you treating me like a child again, Querida?”
“Why not? You’re sure acting like one.”
Dominic looked properly scolded. She was right, as usual. He was acting like a child. He stepped toward her, wanting nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and kiss the disappointment from her lips. “I don’t want to argue with you. I’m sorry. I just can’t help myself when he’s around you. I get all twisted up on the inside, and it makes me do and say things that I wouldn’t normally.”
Her expression softened, but the exasperation was still clear. “Apology accepted, but I’m not going to be able to concentrate if I know you’re in there being all judgmental, so I think it would be best if you sit this one out.”
“Oh, really? I thought I was the only one who could jump start your battery.”
“Dominic...”
He threw his hands up in defeat. “Okay, okay. I’ll leave you alone and go be all brooding and judgmental in our room until this is all over with. Just one more thing...”
She sighed. “What?”
“As soon as I’m back to my full form, I’m taking you... hard.”
Kerrigan’s eyes lit up, and she gave him a sexy smile. “Not if I take you first. After all, you have to be properly punished for your rude behavior today.”
“Oh, Querida, cuando hablas así, haces que mi lengua quiere hacerte cosas exótica. You say things like that to me, and it makes my tongue want to do exotic things.”
“Mmm, sounds delicious.”
“It is.”
“Well, all in good time, Dominic. For now, I have a Guardian of the Light in the dining room, and he has no idea about your current state. So unless you’d like for me to have to explain that to him so he doesn’t think I was being rude by leaving him in there all by himself for so long...”
“God forbid he should get lonely,” Dominic said facetiously.
“Dominic...”
“I know,” he said, conceding. “I’m out of here, and I promise I’ll leave you alone for now, but I will see you, all of you, in just a little while.” With that, he disappeared.
Kerrigan shivered all over. The man definitely had a way with words, and she knew from experience that he was just as talented with that bilingual tongue. Oh yeah, she was definitely looking forward to later.
Once she poured a glass of ice water for herself and Drew, she went back in to join him. His face lit up when she came in, and that deathly gorgeous smile was back on his face. She really was perplexed that he hadn’t been snatched up by some very lucky woman.
Drew stood and took the glasses, setting them on the table. “For the exercise we’re going to be trying today, we should probably be standing. I have to warn you, this is something I’ve only heard of being done, and not something I’ve actually accomplished myself, so it will be a learning experience for the both us.”
“And what is it we’re doing?”
He grinned and took her hand, that familiar feeling kicking in full force. “You’ll see.”
“Close your eyes.” His fingertips drifted over her eyelids until they closed. Then he took both of her hands again. “I want you to concentrate on our connection, the sensation that spreads through each of us. Let it cocoon you until, like a tree to a vine, you become its host.”
She imagined the vibration as a physical presence, the vine. Eventually she felt it push through her skin and melt into her veins to flourish with the life-sustaining fluid there and the Light energy that made her what she was.
“You feel it, too, don’t you?”
“Yes.” Her voice was filled with awe and reverence.
“Do you want more of that feeling?”
“Yes.” It was pure energy, warmth, and radiance in abundance. It was utter bliss—pure, unadulterated contentment.
The warmth that encased and flowed through her intensified when she felt him wrap his arms around her. Instinctively, she held on to him in turn. The heat of his body burned through the thin material of his shirt and pants, and she cuddled closer, grinning like a fool, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the feeling that covered her in that very moment.
Flesh met f
lesh when Drew nuzzled her cheek to softly talk into her ear. “Follow me, Kerrigan Cruz.”
With those words, she opened her eyes. The honeyed amber of his irises glowed like liquid fire with his Light, and she felt the safety of his embrace. This is what Dominic saw when he looked at her, the reason he insisted she keep her eyes open when they made love. It was radiantly beautiful, otherworldly in its own right. And even though she carried the Light within her as well, she felt unworthy to be in its presence.
Without warning, Drew leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. Everything around them exploded with bright, white light. Every cell inside her carried its very own essence, and they were in full glow. She squeezed her eyes shut to the overpowering brightness of the Light, but it didn’t matter. The Light was inside them, not in the room.
She felt like she was being thrust forward, but she hadn’t actually moved. Drew’s arms were tightly wrapped around her, and she registered the biting cut of her nails pressed into her palms even as she fisted his shirt. She maintained her grip, afraid that if she let go, she would fall into an abyss.
And then it stopped. What she heard next was not at all what she had expected: the quacking of ducks, splashes of water, and birds chirping in trees. Then there were the smells—the aroma of fresh-cut grass and flowers in bloom. In her mind’s eye she saw thriving green foliage, trees swaying in the breeze, and a water fountain in the center of a pond teeming with life. She was sitting at the edge of the pond upon lush grass that was soft to the touch. Mandarin ducks bathed among the fairy moss that floated atop the pond, and cattail reeds bobbed back and forth, caught by the wind. A formation of white swans glided along in the water with one splendid black male leading the way. A squawk from above her drew her attention to the geese flying overhead on their way to some unknown destination.
“What do you think?” Drew’s voice was quiet beside her, clearly not wanting to disturb the serene scene around them.
“It’s magnificent. Where are we?” she asked, still taking in all the sights. A pregnant squirrel scampered up beside her and picked something up between its tiny paws before standing upright.