Daring The Moon. Sherrill Quinn

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      Declan heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Besides, this will get you away from the stalker, too. Kill two birds with one stone.” When she didn’t respond, he shook his head and added, “Ryder’s a bit of a loner. Too much of one, I’m afraid.” He adjusted the speed of the car as they approached the small town of Oracle.

      “But…Cornwall?”

      “It’ll be fine, lass. As long as I’m with you.”

      “No. I don’t want you involved after this. It’s too dangerous.” She frowned. “Besides, what the hell does that mean? You don’t trust him?”

      “I’d trust him with my life.” His answer came without hesitation. “It’s just…He probably won’t let you in. If you’re alone.”

      She sighed. She noticed he had ignored her comment about not being involved any longer. He was so damned stubborn; she knew she’d never get him to agree to let her go alone, and she was too tired to fight about it right now. Maybe once she’d gotten some sleep and something to eat, she’d feel more up to a battle with her mule-headed macho friend.

      “But if you’re with me?” she asked.

      “Then we might not make a wasted trip.”

      Chapter 2

      From outside Taite’s bedroom window, the admirer watched while she packed a suitcase. She’d already put in a few pairs of jeans and brightly colored shirts. Then came silky underwear and other things—curling iron, makeup bag, feminine deodorant spray…

      As he thought about where she would use that particular anti-odor product, his eyes went half-mast and his dick jerked to life. Wanting—needing—a better look, he moved closer to the window, careful to remain in the shadows.

      He put one hand on his burgeoning erection and softly stroked his growing length through the material of his trousers. Already he could feel the material dampening as his flesh prepared itself.

      From the moment he’d seen her, he’d wanted her. And she hadn’t even been the person he’d initially been interested in. Well, not him per se, but the man for whom he was doing this…favor. In return for something infinitely more valuable than mere money, he’d promised to eliminate someone his benefactor deemed expendable.

      But the admirer had seen Taite and had gotten sidetracked by her beauty, her vitality, her strength. So while his mission was still on track, albeit taking longer than expected, he had made some modifications to the original plan.

      Drawing in a deep breath, he held in the scent of potpourri she had in various little dishes and decorative bowls throughout the bedroom. Lavender was the predominant aroma. It fit her—he always felt at peace around her. Glancing down at his groin, he grinned and amended his thought. Emotionally, mentally, he felt at peace. Physically was something altogether different. She always stirred his body to action.

      She had the window cracked about an inch or so, letting the cool air into the room through the screen. The curtain was pushed back only enough so it wouldn’t block the breeze. She sat on the bed facing the window, legs splayed, and he imagined her sitting there without any clothes on. His gaze focused on her pussy. One day he’d plow that sweet-smelling field. But not now. Not for a while. He wasn’t ready to reveal himself yet. The anticipation, the hunt, was too much fun.

      With her cell phone tucked between her ear and shoulder, she chatted away with someone. “Yes, I’ll be ready. But I really don’t want you…” She paused, a frown flitting between her fine brows. “Fine. But don’t blame me if your friend won’t see us.” She waited, obviously listening to that bastard O’Connell on the other end of the phone. With a slight sigh, she shifted on the bed, one leg bent, and leaned her elbow on her knee. “I’ve already told Luis I need a leave of absence effective immediately, which he okayed without question. He’s such a good guy.”

      He leaned closer, a frown on his face. Even though he knew she spoke of her boss, it irritated him to hear her speak of another man with so much affection in her voice. And if she didn’t go, he’d have to rethink some plans. But he was versatile. Thought well on his feet.

      His gaze traveled around the room. Frowning, he saw she had thrown the flowers he’d left on her stoop in the trash. He narrowed his eyes. Naughty Taite, throwing away his token of affection. She’d learn, in time, to appreciate the things he gave her, the things only he could do for her.

      She raised one hand to her face. Realizing she brushed away a tear, he stiffened. He didn’t like to see her unhappy. It was such a rare thing. Even after a less-than-ideal childhood and the stress of a sometimes dangerous job, she still managed to find joy in life, which made her sadness even more difficult to observe. He wanted to see her with a smile on her face again. That was his ultimate goal, after all—to make sure she was happy and cared for.

      No one would be able to do it better than him. And if he had to cause her pain in the interim, well, so be it. He was a firm believer in the ends justifying the means. Plus it would make her appreciate him all the more once he revealed himself to her.

      “Okay, okay, Declan. You win.” Taite gave a watery laugh. “Just…” She took a deep breath and straightened, shoulders back, spine rigid.

      There was the woman he loved. Stiff-backed, determined, and so lovely he was hard-pressed to keep his distance.

      He grinned and glanced down at the erection straining against his zipper. Hard-pressed, indeed.

      “Just pick me up in the morning and we can go to the airport together.” She rang off and tossed the phone into her purse at the end of the bed. Then she resumed her packing. She still looked sad and a little spooked, but was relaxing by the minute. Probably was starting to feel safe, thinking about going away.

      Did she think leaving town would take her away from him?

      Not likely.

      Or, at least, not for long.

      Chapter 3

      Alexander Merrick’s Journal

       21 November 1988

      Catherine is my life, my reason for being, the only bright thing in this dark world. I love my wife. I love her dearly. Yet I do not see an alternative. If I am to end my wretched existence, how can I in all good conscience ask her to continue on, knowing she will go through this vile misery again with our son?

      No, it is better by far to take her with me. Ryder is strong—he’ll survive this. And if he’s listened to my advice over the years, he’ll discover a way to coexist with the demons that ride us. If not…

      My main concern is for young Miles. He so wants to be part of the Merrick legacy, yet he doesn’t carry the bloodline and so it is impossible. He continues to berate me for my lack of cooperation in making it so. Yet I cannot.

      One day I hope he will come to realize what a dreadful existence I have saved him from and thank me for it. As for my son…One day I hope he, too, comes to comprehend my reasons for doing what I’m about to do. And I hope he will never find himself in the same dark despair as I.

      Ryder Merrick tossed his father’s journal on top of his grandfather’s diary. Dammit. It had been twenty years since his parents’ deaths, СКАЧАТЬ