Page 29 of The Healer (The Blood of Legends #2)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

THE GREAT TREK

T hey had been on the road for hours, her trunk laden with clothes and boxes, and the personal effects from her parents’ house. Rhys snored beside her, having done most of the driving until their last stop where he had consumed three burgers, two shakes, and a slice of apple pie.

She snuck glances at him, catching his profile in the flickering streetlights. Being with him had been better than her imagination could ever have conjured. Her body ached from the overstimulation, but she wouldn’t change a second of it.

Something intense encased her heart, like the weaving of a cocoon. Each silken thread whispered his name. She cared for him, might love him, and in what, days? Absurd. Though, she snuck another glance, he had proven himself, his determination admirable.

He had called Noah and set everything in place, securing her a cabin, even if it was temporary. She didn’t have to worry about a bed while she found her way around Inner City. And the manner with which he had spoken to Gran and Amos hinted at a future. Sure, Rhys had said he wanted to date her, but how many men lied to get into a woman’s bed?

She shook her head. No, not Rhys. He was different, in fact, too honest. And when he called her Lona-love, her heartbeat skittered. No man should have that much power over her.

Blues played on the radio, hushed to not disturb him. Her life had taken a drastic turn, not one she could have foreseen. Yet the impact she may make could be greater than that of a pediatrician.

She peeked at his denim-encased thighs and the way his T-shirt clung to his chest. Whipping her head forward, she tried to focus on the passing signs, the lights on the horizon. What they should do was stop at the motel and rest. But that way led to more lovemaking, and despite the persistent thrum of desire, her body did need a breather.

She inhaled his cologne, savoring it.

“If you don’t focus, we’ll have to pull over so I can spank you.” His grumbling made her yelp.

“What am I doing?” Like he could know her thoughts. She was tempted to roll her eyes at his silliness.

“I can feel your gaze like a caress. Your heartbeat isn’t steady, and you smell aroused.” He chuckled, sitting up to stretch. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“Eight hours to go. The sun has just set.”

He nodded, then stifled a yawn.

“Get some more sleep, Rhys. I’ll stay focused if you cover all that.” She gestured to his thighs.

He laughed. “I love how irresistible you find me, Lona-love. Want me to ease the ache between your thighs before I drift off?”

She gasped, her core twanging with eagerness. “No.” Softening her tone, she clenched the steering wheel. She was stronger than this. “You were right. I need time to…recover.”

Meeting her gaze in the rearview mirror, she narrowed her eyes and glared. She was a Devereaux Strickland and made of sterner stuff. With a curt nod, she faced forward. Time to prove it.

“Sleep. I’ve got this.” Digging in the pocket of the door with one hand on the steering wheel, she plugged her earbuds into her phone and chose more upbeat music. The miles sped by against an eclectic mix of sixties to eighties beats. The night sky darkened to ink black, and by the time she stopped to refuel, a few more hours had passed.

Rhys slept on. She pumped the gas, then hurried inside the store, eager for a coffee and something sweet and gooey. While she poured two grande coffees, shoving extra sachets of sugar into her back pocket, agitated talking snagged her attention. Leaving the coffees on the counter, she peered over the rows of shelves at the hooded man in front of the till. He had left his blue truck running with its lights on.

“Gimme the cash,” he hissed.

Lona bit her lip to stifle a gasp. Unfucking believable. Couldn’t he have waited five minutes? The clerk stiffened, his dreadlocks falling across his wide, angry eyes.

Shit.

She ran her gaze alone the aisle. Just candy bars, and oh, something gooey. Taking a few bars, she shoved them into her back pocket and crouch-walked to the next aisle. What she needed was something sharp…like a pen. She slowly peeled the cheap pen from its wrapper and crouch-crept closer to the robber.

Rhys was going to kill her for this.

She lunged, growling when a candy bar fell out of her back pocket. A kick to the man’s knee brought him down, and his phone flew out of his hand, flipping into the air to skid across the linoleum floor. But she pinned him with a knee on his sternum and the pen at his internal carotid artery.

“Quit moving. Once I penetrate your neck, you bleed to death in minutes.”

The man stilled.

The clerk ducked for something behind the counter.

Ilona kept her focus on the man…a youngster, no more than seventeen.

“This way lies death.” She sucked in a sharp breath. “I’ve seen too many your age die of knife or gun wounds.”

“Who the fuck are you, lady?” The boy wriggled, and she pressed the pen’s nib in. He froze.

It would take a stab to penetrate his skin, but he didn’t know that.

“I’m a doctor.” She smiled, patting his shoulder. “Choose a different path or die young. Your choice.”

“I didn’t fucking ask for career guidance.”

She arched a brow. “And how many old folks in your line of business do you know?”

A shotgun loading whipped her head to the clerk behind the counter. He had the damn thing aimed at her, as well.

She sighed. “Listen…,” she read his name off his tag, “Tommy, did you at least call the police?”

He shook his head. “I can’t. He’s my brother.”

“Well, fuck me, James.”

All gazes spun to the door where Rhys leaned against the frame with his long legs crossed at the ankles. He folded his arms, and that slow sensual smile she couldn’t get enough of crawled across his lips. She loved that he had taken on Evie’s curse phrase, but now wasn’t the time to moon over him.

“What are you doing, Lona?”

She glanced between the two boys. “Not saving the day?”

“With a pen?” Rhys chuckled.

At that husky sound, she swore her ovaries leaped to life.

“Hey, anything puncturing the main artery will kill.” She shrugged, and pressed the pen in deeper, drawing a dark blue dot on the boy’s neck. “Now, Tommy, lower that gun, and I’ll release your brother.”

“Better do as she says, kid.”

She threw Rhys a pout. “I just wanted coffee.”

The kid wiggled again. “And I wanted the money my brother owes me.”

“Oh.” Heat burst across her cheeks, and she jumped off him. “So sorry.”

Rhys lifted him to his feet and dusted him off with his massive hands. “We all good?”

Tommy and the boy nodded, their eyes wide.

“How much do we owe you?” Gesturing to her Jeep, Rhys opened his wallet.

“And this.” She darted for the coffees, tugged the candy bars out of her pocket, and scooped the pen off the floor.

Ten minutes later with the incident behind them, Rhys had yet to speak. He gripped the steering wheel, shaking his head, cussing, then chuckling around the word ‘pen.’

“I damn near had a heart attack.” He flicked a glance at her. “I wanted to pin you to the wall and fuck you hard.”

She gasped, then shifted on the passenger seat, trying to ease the ache.

His nostrils flared, and he growled. “As soon as we reach Inner City, that I can promise you.”

“Shit.” She stared out the window, anywhere but at him. “I feel so bad.” Guilt dipped her chin to her chest, and regret was swift to cast its bitter light.

“You apologized and gave them your number.” He arched a what-were-you-thinking brow at her.

“Still.” Peeling the wrapper back, she bit into the candy bar. “Want one?”

His laugh started as a slow rumble until a guffaw filled the Jeep. His cheeks darkened around his wide grin.

Joy saturated her soul at seeing him so carefree and because of her. She blinked at him, then lowered her gaze, lest he read how she felt about him. Confessing she loved the man was foolhardy and certainly not so soon in their relationship. Her breath caught. He could rip her heart out or devastate her with an uncaring word. What she had wanted was the kind of love her parents had. Scanning Rhys, with the driver’s seat so far back, and those long arms, big hands, that sexy jaw, those lips, she hoped she had made the right choice.

“Yes, Lona-love, I’d love a candy bar.”

She unwrapped one for him. When he took it from her, his fingers brushed hers, shooting out sparks of lightning joy that zinged along her nerve endings. Zinged? She snorted. Was that her professional opinion? What happened to her vocabulary? Stashing the half-eaten candy bar, she curled onto her side with her back to him.

He rested his hand on her hip. She sighed, contented, and let the post-adrenaline exhaustion claim her.

Rhys snuck another glance, as he had been doing since the ‘incident.’ He grinned, able to do so after his heart had nearly burst from his chest at the scene before him. His bear had threatened to break free, but with her skirt raised exposing a long, toned leg, her hair curling around her cheek, and the pen in her hand, he calmed.

The clerk didn’t reek of fear, neither did the kid on the floor, as if they disbelieved her pen-can-be-lethal claim. A familiar warmth flooded his chest, and he stroked his thumb across her hip. Lunar, he was a goner. Just one trip had him loving her more. They said long journeys tested any relationship. It had strengthened theirs.

She slept on, her soft snores music to his ears. Despite the raging hard-on he sported, he let her rest. Inner City’s skyline blurred on the horizon. They were close. Then he would wake her and taste her sweetness.

Between his shoulder and ear, he pinned his phone, not wanting to disturb her. “Noah? We’re almost home.”

“Oh, good. I moved your things to the cabin by the lake, figured that’s where you’re heading.”

“Why that one?” Not that he minded. It was his favorite and the closest to the clubhouse. Still, Noah implied Lona and Rhys were moving in together. He would love that, but she had specified her own place. He shrugged. They would cross that bridge later.

“All the others are undergoing refurbishment.”

Rhys arched a brow, amazed at how fast Noah worked. “Spending our donation?”

He chuckled. “Yup, for the necessities. Um, there have been a few changes. We’ll chat when you have a moment.”

That sounded ominous. Rhys opened his mouth to ask then snapped it shut. “Right.”

Navigating morning traffic was on automatic as he pondered what Noah had meant. Rhys replayed the possibilities, sifting and tossing ideas until he slumped. Patience was all he needed.

Driving along a freshly scraped dirt road, he slowed the Jeep, hoping not to hit each bump. Turning left, he headed to the cabin, his retreat. Noah choosing this one for her was perfect. The exterior was darker and stank of bitumen, reaching him through the windows of the Jeep.

He switched off the engine and rubbed Ilona’s hip, succumbed, and squeezed it. “Lona-love, we’re home.”

She stirred, twisting in the seat so his hand brushed from her hip to her belly. His breath hitched at the hiked-up shirt exposing her skin.

“What?” she grumbled, then sat up, rubbing her eyes and flicking hair off her face to peer through the window at the glistening silver lake before her. Forests lined the banks with Echon Mountain in the distance.

“This…?” She gaped, faced him, and a slow smile spread. Clambering out, she ran to the edge of the lake, where the water lapped the muddy bank. “Are you kidding me?” Squealing, she tugged off her shoes and sank her feet in the water. Mud stained the edge of her skirt, but she didn’t care, dancing on the spot.

He chuckled and climbed out, circling the tinkling hood to rest his ass against the fender.

Gathering her skirts in one hand, and her sodden shoes in the other, she skipped to him, a breathtaking smile gracing lips he longed to kiss.

“It’s beautiful, Rhys.”

He wanted to spout she was more so. Instead, he said, “Noah moved a few of my things in until we can go shopping.”

She arched a brow, but her lips still curled in amusement. “And when did he tell you this?”

Rhys tugged her into his arms, unable to resist a moment longer. “About an hour ago.”

She flattened her palms across his chest and rose on her toes to kiss him. When he made to deepen it, she retreated with a shake of her head. “Shower first.”

He grinned, captured her hand on his chest, and ushered her to the cabin. After opening the door, the sight before him left him slack-jawed. Where there had been an old kitchen, now stainless steel appliances gleamed, solid wood counters lined the window wall with pot and normal drawers beneath. A farm sink was placed with the best views of the lake, and in the middle was a long island housing the gas oven and electric stove.

The floors had been sanded, restained, and polished with a matt finish. Three doors led off the empty lounge, but before he ventured there, he studied Lona’s face, eager for her reaction.

Her shimmering gaze was on him. “Is this…for me?”

He yanked her into his arms, needing to gather her softness against him. “Yes.”

She sucked in a shuddering breath and returned the hug. Then bouncing on her toes, she squealed. “I can’t wait to shop. Something leather for the living room, and we’ll need a colorful rug. Oh, show me the rest.”

Chuckling, he looped his arm across her shoulders and opened the guest bathroom. It reeked of new tile and grout, but when she gasped, he planned to thank Noah. What had once been dingy was now bright with white subway tiles and dark gray detailing. The finishes were new along with the sanitary fixtures. Even a towel hung on the copper rail.

To the back of the cabin were two bedrooms, a main and a guest, although, he had never used the latter, hadn’t even furnished it. The wood flooring continued into it, built-in cupboards lined one wall, with mirrors as their doors. It had a fresh coat of paint in beige. He took a deep breath, loving the smell of paint.

In the main bedroom, his bed sat centerstage, perfect for his height, and dominated the spacious room. It faced the windows lining two walls. Built-in cupboards filled the one wall, with a door leading to an en suite. It used to be a shower and a toilet, but now a massive bath looked out reframed windows, a shower big enough for the two of them sat in the far corner, with the toilet shielded by a low-height wall. It too was retiled in subway white, with checkered tiles on the floor. Copper fixtures finished the look.

“Anything you don’t like, we can change.” He settled his gaze on her and found her staring at his bed.

“Yours?”

He nodded. “Take a shower, and I’ll fetch our bags. We can unpack…afterward.” Bolting, he didn’t wait for her response. But when the shower switched on, he grinned, doubling his pace, eager to join her.

Returning, he dumped their bags in the corner, then stripped off his boots and socks. He peeled off his shirt as he stepped into the bathroom and paused. A new toothbrush still in the wrapper rested on the his-and-hers vanity. He tossed his shirt on top of her strewn clothes and brushed his teeth while watching her soap and rinse. Each rivulet snagged his gaze, hardened him until the only image he could hold onto was fucking her pinned to the wall.

She watched him with a hooded gaze, slowing her hands when they soaped her breasts, her sex.

“You’re playing with fire, sweetheart.” Unbuttoning his jeans, he dumped them on top of his shirt, and stepped into the shower, crowding her with his chest.

As soon as she placed her hands on his biceps, he growled and lunged, pinning her to the wall. The shower drenched him, and he flicked his head to clear his vision.

She laughed. “Little old me too much for you to handle?”

“Oh, ho. Is that how we’re playing it?” He chuckled while running his hands where the rivulets had trickled. Her nipples pebbled under his touch. He wanted to taste but was too close to the edge to risk it. “Should you be doing that after a fifteen-hour abstinence?”

She pressed her breasts to his chest and moaned.

He growled and lifted her legs, pinning her pelvis in place with his. His cock nestled at the juncture of her thighs, and when he swirled his hips, her eyes fluttered shut. She stretched to kiss him, plastering herself against him to reach. Toothpaste met toothpaste, but her flavor dominated, and he groaned, succumbing to the need bombarding his senses. He deepened the kiss, sweeping in his tongue to claim her.

He leaned back to nip her earlobe. “What do you want, Lona-love?”

“You…in me,” she gasped, scraping her nails down his chest.

He shuddered and leaned back to settle his cock at her entrance. Running a finger through her folds came away wet, the texture silkier than water. Her hips twitched when he dipped a finger in again, circling her nub. A tremor claimed her limbs, and her nipples puckered with goosebumps spreading outward.

“Please, Rhys.”

He positioned himself again, gripped her hips, and thrust, plunging to the hilt. She cried out, and clamped her legs around him, holding on even as she kneaded his biceps. Her heat clenched his length, tugging him deeper. Grunting, he withdrew and thrust again. She arched, brushing her nipples across his chest.

Her shiver preceded the flood of warmth as she came. Her breath hitched with her eyes widening in amazement. Each thrust raced his orgasm closer, and when his balls tingled, and an addictive fire licked along his length, he roared, twitching as the pleasure rocked through him, blinding his thoughts. Ramping his senses, he felt every movement she made, heard her gasps, her thundering heartbeat, smelled her arousal and the scent clinging to her skin that was uniquely hers. His vision cleared, and he narrowed on her flushed face, her red hair drenched, drawing his gaze to her hazel eyes.

Emotion swelled and cinched his chest. Instead of spewing how much he loved her, he kissed her. Not sure how long he pinned her to the wall, but when the water’s temperature cooled, he released her. A quick wash cleaned her, and he twisted to yank the towel off the railing.

As he soaped his hair, he watched her dry herself. She knotted the towel and sat on the closed toilet.

“Hungry?” he asked, despite hearing her stomach gurgle.

She nodded and offered a sweet smile. “I could kill for coffee.”

“Same.” He rinsed, spinning on the spot as the water turned cold. Switching it off, he jumped to shake off most of the droplets. She held out a towel for him. Smiling in thanks, he accepted it and patted his face and beard dry before rubbing his hair. Stepping out, he ran the towel over his legs and crotch, then knotted it at the hip.

“Shall we?” He gestured to the door.

She led the way, bending to open the mini fridges nestled under the counter. On the opposite wall rested a washing machine and tumble dryer. Noah had thought of everything.

“Salmon?” she squealed and took out a platter stacked high with the delicious pink fish.

Rhys laughed. “I’m a bear.”

She moaned as she bit into a sliver, rolling her eyes in bliss. “Do you think Dane’s blood has impacted my cravings?” Pushing the platter across to him, she sucked on her thumb and waited for his response.

“Could be.” He popped a sliver of salmon into his mouth and chewed. His bear urged him to tell her his fears, his hopes, his heart. “We have an old healer I can introduce you to. Any questions you have, he might be able to answer.”

A beautiful smile warmed her face, and she crossed the kitchen to kiss him. He looped an arm around her waist and held her close, grateful for every gesture of affection she made. “I’ll make coffee, give Sans a call, then we can unpack.”

She rested her temple on his right pec. “After that, we can go shopping. We need a couch, a TV maybe?”

As she danced away, his chest swelled. The idea of spending an afternoon with her on the couch watching anything shot happiness through him. Spinning, he disappeared into their bedroom to dress.

The quicker they were done, the sooner they could curl up on the couch.