Destined for Two (19 page)

She sighed, enjoying the relaxing movement of Jorel’s hand. He placed a soft kiss against her shoulder, then settled in beside her, his arms encircling her waist from the other side. There she fell asleep, cocooned between them, safe, secure, and more satisfied than she’d ever been in her life.

* * * * *

Rhianna shifted. Soft, gentle lips brushed along her neck, sending tingles along her limbs. Fingers feathered across her stomach, making the muscles twitch and jerk. He smelled so good, so musky, so male. Inhaling, she drew his scent into her, letting it surround and soothe her. Lips moved along her jaw and she tilted her head toward him, blindly seeking his lips against hers. They were soft and seeking, like gentle drops of rain. She devoured him like dry sand, devoured his taste. She knew instantly it was Jorel.

Breaking the kiss, she glanced around the dark room. The other side of the bed was empty, the room still dark. “Where’s Keenas?” she asked.

“He’s downstairs. He got a call. So that leaves us time alone,” he whispered, his hand sliding between her thighs to cup her pussy.

She moaned, bending one knee to give him better access to her wet depths. He wasted no time taking advantage and thrust two fingers deep inside her already aching passage.

“Come here, baby,” he whispered as he rolled to his back.

His cock stretched thick and long all the way to his belly button, and she ran her finger along his length. It jerked toward her touch and she leaned over him to kiss the engorged purple head. Jorel hissed and jerked his hips toward her mouth.

“Damn it, woman. Get up here and take me inside you before I burst.” 126

With a smile, she climbed over him and sank down on his hard cock. Slowly, inch by inch, he entered her sensitive walls and she winced as he stretched her tight. His hands gripped her hips, holding her still.

“Am I hurting you? Are you too sore?”

She opened her eyes and glanced down at him in surprise at the genuine concern that filled his gaze and voice. She knew he would stop if she said; she could see it in his eyes. At that moment, she knew she loved him. She shook her head and he let his hands fall to his sides, resting gently on her bent knees.

“Take this at your pace, baby. Do whatever you want.” He closed his eyes and let her take the lead, let her do her own thing. Putting her hands against his hard chest, she rocked her hips forward and back, taking his cock deeper with every movement. He groaned, his fingers gripping her knees as she worked herself faster, harder.

Sitting straighter, she took every last inch of his cock inside her and threw her head back with a loud groan. He filled her raw walls, but juices continued to pour from her body, leaking out onto his thighs and hips. He thrust upward, filling her even deeper and she gasped, pressing down against him. It felt so good and that little bite of pain only added to the pleasure, making her shudder from head to toe.

“Jorel,” she sighed and began to move, undulating her hips against him.

He groaned and thrust underneath her, moving with her, but still letting her keep the control. She started to fall forward, too weak to keep herself up, but Jorel cupped her breasts, holding her upright and at the same time massaging her mounds. She moaned over and over as he plucked and pulled her nipples, his cock thrusting relentlessly. With a shout, she lost her control, coming so hard and fast she screamed out her release.

With one final thrust, Jorel came with her then let her fall onto his chest, catching her in his embrace. “I love you, Rhianna,” he whispered, so softly she wasn’t even sure she’d heard him.

She kept quiet, her heart soaring, but also not sure she should express her feelings without Keenas here. She wanted to tell them both at the same time. With a sigh, she snuggled deeper into his embrace, letting his soft breathing soothe her back to sleep.

* * * * *

Devlin stood in the gardens, his gaze on the lake in the distance. Moonlight reflected against the black water, sparkling against the waves, but the tranquil scene did nothing to relax him. His head still ached and the feelings of despair and anger still gnawed at the back of his mind. He had come no closer to determining who the ghost was. He knew it was female and his impression was of Skylar, but he’d seen Skylar murdered in front of him, so he knew it couldn’t be her.

127

Damon and Stefan were on their way back home, but said they would return with the women. Damon seemed convinced there would be a wedding. Devlin was too, although he hated admitting it. He could sense Jorel and Keenas’s feelings toward Rhia and knew they loved her. He also knew Rhia loved them, even though she hadn’t fully realized it yet herself. He’d sensed that before she left.

He’d received word from Sidious that his sister had arrived at the lake house safely and seemed to be enjoying herself. The kings were courteous and easy to serve, and Rhia had been her usual delightful self. The housekeeper loved Rhia almost as much as Mikayla and spoiled her rotten whenever they were there. Devlin was sure she would have a wonderful time.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as a presence approached from behind.

He turned and spotted a form emerging from the end of the path. His gaze narrowed as he watched the tall familiar man.

“Jerick?” Devlin asked in surprise.

Jerick stopped and stared at him in equal surprise, his gaze narrowing as he studied him. “Devlin? What the hell are you doing here?”

“I’m here with Rhia,” he said as Jerick walked closer to stand in front of him. “What are you doing here?”

He smiled wide, genuinely glad to see him. He’d known Jerick for quite some time.

They’d even worked on a job together for his foster father, before he died and left his bar to Devlin. At that point, Devlin stopped stealing. He’d never liked it and definitely didn’t like what he’d become. Even now, years later, people still remembered that Devlin and not the man he was now.

Jerick shrugged. “Guess my father wanted me to clean my act up.” He grinned. “The old buzzard left me his business when he died. I’m partners with Morganic of Phelisine.

Why are you here with Rhia?” His gaze narrowed as things began to sink in. “Wait a minute.

Your Rhia is not Rhianna.”

“I’m afraid so,” he said with a sigh.

“Holy shit.” Jerick sighed. Then he frowned. “How the hell did that happen?

A wry grin tugged at Devlin’s lips as he thought back twenty-four years. “Long story.”

“God, I remember her as a tiny little monster hell-bent on following you everywhere. I just can’t imagine her as a queen.”

“Me either.” Devlin sighed again and squeezed his temples, trying to ease off the ache.

“Headache?” Jerick asked.

“Yeah,” Devlin said as he squeezed his eyes shut, then shook his head.

“Get the doctor to give you a shot, man. No need to suffer through it if you don’t have to.”

128

“It’s not that kind of headache.” He let out a long breath then glanced at Jerick pointedly. His friend knew about his empathic abilities.

“Is Rhia in trouble?” he asked, coming to tense attention.

Devlin shook his head. “No. I’m not sure who it is. But it’s driving me nuts.”

“You can’t figure it out?”

“No. If I could, I would have already.” He waved his hand, changing the subject. “So you work with Morganic now? Does he know about your past?”

“No. Hell, not even my father knew about all of it, or at least I thought he didn’t.

When he died, I thought this would be an opportunity to start over, like you did. Ride the straight and narrow.”

“Pretty boring, huh?” Devlin teased.

Jerick snorted. “You have no idea. If I’ve learned anything from working with Morganic, I’ve learned he’s trouble. Keep your eye on Rhia.”

“I am.”

“I’m serious, Devlin. I believe he was behind the death of Rhianna’s parents.” Devlin stood straight, his chest tightening with worry. “What makes you think that?”

“My father had a letter sent to me after his death, warning me and instructing me what to look for. He apparently knew more about my past than I thought and he wanted me to use my…less than admirable skills to find what I needed. Interesting, isn’t it, that he disowned me all those years, but now, after his death, he comes forward and asks me to use all those skills he was so ashamed of when he was alive?” Devlin snorted. “I try not to imagine what my father would think of all the things I’ve done. All the people I’ve killed.”

“You were forced into it, Devlin, by your foster father. He held Rhia over your head to get you to agree. I jumped into it willingly. Eagerly. You had an admirable excuse; I was just a greedy ass.”

“Yes, you were,” Devlin said, his lips twitching as he fought a grin. Jerick was a good kid, even then. Wild, uninhibited, sometimes crazy, and filled with more bravery than he should have been. Nothing scared him. “Why did you stay on as Morganic’s partner and not just sell everything?”

“I started to sell it, then I received the letter. It was separate from his estate. I thought since I’d disappointed him so much in life, I could at least do this one thing for him in death.”

“Did your father have anything on Morganic?” Devlin asked.

“Yes. Lots. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get to it. It’s taken me months to find where it’s hidden. I’ve tried twice to hack into the system, but it’s locked down tight. I haven’t been able to get in.” He studied Devlin, and then his lips spread into a slight grin.

129

“Oh man, don’t go there,” Devlin argued, knowing exactly what his friend was thinking.

“Those fingers of yours still know how to work their magic?” Devlin shook his head and raised his hand to stop that thought before it went any further. “I haven’t done that in years, Jerick.”

“You were the best, Devlin. You don’t forget stuff like that.”

“I swore I’d never do that again.”

“Even for Rhia?”

Devlin put his hands on his hips with a sigh. He would for Rhia. The last thing he wanted was for Morganic to hurt her, and he’d never forgive himself if he could have stopped it and didn’t.

“Are you sure about this, Jerick? Are you certain it’s there? Because you’re talking about breaking in, hacking into his systems, stealing information, possibly killing someone if we’re caught. All the things we did before.”

“I’m positive, Devlin. Even his daughter believes he did it.”

“Liza?”

Jerick nodded, but Devlin didn’t miss the anger and possessiveness that flashed in his eyes.

“He abuses her and he’s not hidden the fact he wants her to be queen. He was trying to force Keenas and Jorel into marrying her right before they found Rhianna. She doesn’t want to marry them and has been helping me.”

Devlin whistled softly. “Be careful with that, Jerick. She may say that now, but fathers, even abusive ones, have a hold on children that defies logic. She could turn on you.”

“She won’t turn on me. So are we on for this?”

After a moment’s thought, he nodded. He trusted Jerick. They’d worked together, been each other’s eyes and ears. He went with his gut and hopefully his gut was right in that Jerick hadn’t changed. He wasn’t lying, that much he could tell. “We’re on. You better be right about this, Jerick. If you’re not, we’re screwed.” 130

Rhia strolled out the back door onto the veranda. Keenas and Jorel sat at the outdoor table, a huge breakfast spread before them. The morning sun had just begun to rise over the lake, casting a soft glow over the garden. Her husbands looked incredible, already dressed and ready to face the day. She still wore her robe, her hair a complete jumble of curls around her shoulders. She had never been a morning person, especially this early in the morning.

Walking forward, she stopped behind Keenas and slid her arms around his neck. “It’s our first night together and you start it off my leaving my bed in the middle of the night?” she teased.

Keenas grasped her hand and pulled her around to sit on his lap. “I’m sorry, sweet, but there was a small problem at the castle.”

“Nothing wrong, is there?” she asked, concern tightening her chest.

“No. But I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“Yes, you will,” she said, then grinned.

Keenas chuckled. “And it starts.”

She stiffened, her face contorting into a frown. “And just what is it that starts?” Jorel grinned. “You’re becoming a wife.”

“Oh, I see,” she purred.

“Good morning. Am I interrupting?”

Rhia jumped off Keenas’s lap at the sound of Kaylar’s voice. She stared in surprise at the older woman standing in the doorway. Streaks of gray filled her long, dark blonde hair, but her eyes were sharp and intelligent, her smile welcoming. Damon’s wife was still just as beautiful in her sixties as she’d been on her wedding day.

131

“I hope you don’t mind, but when Damon told me you were here, I just had to come see you for myself.”

“Of course not,” Rhia said with a grin as she stepped forward into the older woman’s outstretched arms.

Rhia always imagined her mother would have been like Kaylar. Open-minded, protective, generous, and loving. Kaylar had always welcomed her into her home and made her feel like one of the family. For that, she would always be grateful.

“Are you all right, dear?” she whispered in her ear.

Pulling away, Rhia smiled at the older woman, easing her obvious concern. “Yes.”

“Good,” she said with a nod, and then turned a firm expression onto the two men who had stood from the table. “If she was not all right, you would have answered to me.” Keenas nodded with a slight bow. Jorel grinned, his eyes twinkling. “Countess,” they replied in unison.

With a wave of her hand, Kaylar rolled her eyes. “Kaylar, please. I hate being called Countess in my own house.”

“I thought this was Sidious’s house?” Jorel teased as he pulled out a chair for Kaylar to sit with them. Ben rushed forward, placing a plate and cup of korniga before her.

“Thank you, Ben,” she said with a smile, then turned to Jorel. “It is his house now, but it was originally mine. So, therefore, it’s still mine.”

“Makes perfect sense,” Keenas said with a laugh.

Kaylar returned his laugh with a soft chuckle of her own. “Mikayla probably wouldn’t agree with you. She’s done a wonderful job with this house. She’s truly made it her own.”

“I think how this house became theirs is a truly romantic story,” Rhia said as she raised her cup of korniga, its warm cinnamon taste filling her mouth.

“Kaylar didn’t just give it to them?” Keenas asked, his lips twitching in amusement.

“Of course I did, but there was a reason Sidious wanted it.”

“What reason was that?” Jorel asked.

Rhia smiled dreamily. “This is where Mikayla found out the truth about Sidious. She found out he wasn’t her enemy after all, and it’s where they told each other how they felt.

They fell in love here.”

Jorel snickered. “Can’t see Sidious as being so sentimental. Man’s a damn mountain.

He’s got more muscles and a more arrogant demeanor than Keenas.” Rhia raised her hand to cover her giggle. “I know. You should have seen Devlin the first time he met him. Even Devlin had to look up. The man’s huge. But what brought Devlin up short was the militia uniform. He sensed it was a lie.”

“What do you mean a lie?” Keenas asked.

132

“Sidious was a mole for the rebel forces. He kept them hidden from the prime minister while at the same time acting as militia captain and controlling the troops. He was the minister’s military strategist. Taron and Stefan were in charge of the rebels and they were the ones who got Devlin involved. That’s how they all met.” Rhia shook her head with a frown. “I thought you guys knew all this. Didn’t you work with Taron during the rebellion?”

“Yes, but we didn’t find out about Sidious until later. We also didn’t know how Devlin had met the Marcones. We knew there was a mole, but at the time no one knew who it was.”

“I’m amazed they were able to keep it a secret for as long as they did,” Kaylar said with a sigh. “It makes me ill thinking what could have happened.”

“Well, nothing happened,” Jorel said with a grin. “They were successful and so were we.” He turned and pushed a stray curl behind Rhia’s ear.

Rhia smiled dreamily at Jorel, and blushed at Kaylar’s knowing grin. “You realize that you now have Tilarus as an ally,” Kaylar said.

Jorel and Keenas both turned to stare at her in surprise.

“We consider Rhia and Devlin part of our family. Devlin is a good man. He’s been good to my boys. And this one,” she said, pointing toward Rhia. “Damon considers her a daughter he never had so you take care of her. Damon will make a wonderful ally, but he will come to her defense, even against you.”

“Don’t worry,” Keenas began. “I promise you she will be well taken care of.”

“I want her happy, Keenas. Anyone can ‘take care’ of her. I want her happy.”

“Then happy she will be,” Jorel said with a nod of his head.

Rhia fought the tears that gathered in her eyes. She never imagined Kaylar would do this, would act as mother for her. A lump the size of a grapefruit formed in her throat. Lifting her cup, she tried to force down some korniga.

“That’s all that I ask,” she said with a nod, then stood. “I’ll leave you alone now so you can enjoy your few days. I just wanted to check on you, Rhia. Walk out with me?”

“Of course.” Rhia stood and walked with Kaylar to the tunnel entrance.

“I’ll be staying in town for a few days, so if you need me, I’m at our suite of rooms. You know where they are?” she asked.

“Yes,” Rhia replied with a nod.

“Good. Alyssa and Krista send their love.”

“Give them hugs for me.”

“I will.”

Rhia threw her arms around Kaylar’s neck and held tight, sniffing back tears. Kaylar returned her hug, holding her close, her embrace surprisingly strong. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Kaylar whispered.

133

“Nothing,” she said and pulled away to wipe at her tears. “I just wanted to say thank you.”

With a slight smile, Kaylar reached out to cup Rhia’s cheeks lovingly. “I meant every word,” she whispered. “Now go enjoy your husbands.” Kaylar placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and turned to head down the tunnel to the docking bay, Ben leading the way. Rhia frowned, for she hadn’t even known Ben had come with them. That man moved in stealth mode. Shaking her head, she headed back to the veranda.

“Interesting woman,” Jorel said as she took her seat between him and Keenas.

Rhia nodded her agreement. “Yes, she certainly is.” Keenas wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, then placed it on his now empty plate.

“The day is yours, sweet. What would you like to do?”

“I can do anything I want?”

“Anything,” Jorel answered with a nod.

“Okay. Shopping.”

“Oh, God,” Keenas and Jorel groaned in unison, making her laugh.