Dead After Dark (Companion #6.5)(97)

“Precisely the reason you should stop playing around with magic until you get a certified witch license.”

In a swift movement, she rolled from his arms and hovered above him. He flipped to his back, her body stretched above the length of his, her black hair curtaining each side of her face. She clenched her fists. “I’m not that bad.”

“Baby, come down,” Trey said quietly as though he didn’t want to frighten her.

“Why?” She’d had enough of everyone patronizing her.

“I didn’t mean to insult you. I just can’t live with the thought of anything harming you and felt like a heel for leaving you. I constantly worry about you. That’s why I’ve spent every free minute for the past nine years coming back to Atlanta to make sure you’re okay. Now I’m more concerned than ever.”

Well, hell. Her heart was melting and she’d never get the fickle organ back to a normal shape again.

Sasha wanted to lash out at him for tapping her phones and following her, for leaving her, but couldn’t. This was the Trey she knew, the one who had always stood between her and harm. She might not care for his tactics, but he’d acted out of concern, not with a malicious intent.

He opened his arms. She sighed then drifted down to settle along the length of his torso, propping her chin on her hands lapped over each other on his chest.

He had come back, had always been near.

She hadn’t intentionally lied to him earlier, but she’d lied all the same when she agreed to let him go. Sasha was not allowing him to walk away from her again. Not if the only reason he had for breaking up was his job and supernatural abilities. She realized now that he loved her but feared hurting her too much to admit his feelings then leave again.

What about this telepathy issue? She didn’t have an answer yet, but would think of some way to get past it . . . she hoped.

All she had to do first was figure out how to cure her sister’s madness and send the crazy warrior back to where he belonged before he kidnapped her or killed Trey.





4


Trey finished showering late the next morning, annoyed no one from VIPER had shown and Brina still ignored his telepathic messages. He’d stepped from the bedroom in search of Sasha when the slap of the back door closing drew his attention. He swung around and strode to the rear porch where he found her in the yard tossing bread over the small patio and what little grass sprouted in the shady area.

“What are you doing out here, Sasha?”

“Duuhh. Feeding the birds.”

“That’s not what I mean. We agreed you would stay inside.”

“Nope. We agreed I would stay home. This is part of my home.” She continued moving around the small backyard filled with an eclectic array of potted plants and outdoor metal sculptures. An oak tree with branches too thick to reach around fanned wide across a third of the space.

God knew, he loved this woman, but if he bound himself to her she’d be linked to his fate if he screwed up. Stirring up a war between the Beladors and the Kujoo probably qualified as a serious screwup with Macha.

The Celtic goddess held all power over the Beladors.

Trey scanned the area for any threat, then sauntered down to where Sasha stood next to a cleaned-off potting table. Leaves and branches crackled beneath his heavy steps. The smoky aroma of a fireplace in use swirled through the crisp air, rolling a sense of déjà vu over him when he’d spent a weekend in a mountain cabin with her. Seemed all the memories he held dear were wrapped around Sasha.

When she tossed the last pieces to the greedy flock of pecking birds, he picked her up and sat her on the table.

“Trey!”

“Yes?” He ran his hands up her legs, bunching her skirt as he searched for . . . oh, man. No panties. Instant hard-on.

“What are you doing?” she hissed, glancing around.

Thick bushes boarded each end of the potting table.

“Shh, no one can see what I’m doing unless they look over my shoulder and you’ll figure it out in a minute.” He kissed her into silence then moved his lips to the sweet skin behind her ear. He parted her legs, running his hands up to caress her. He’d hardly teased her and slid a finger inside her damp and hot opening when she came so fast he barely had time to cover her mouth with his and protect her moment.

What woman would ever feel this passionate in his arms again? None.

Sasha slumped against him and muttered, “I know what you’re doing. Wiping me out physically so I won’t go anywhere today.”

He laughed. “Is it working?” Trey held her close, savoring these stolen minutes of contentment for later when his world returned to an endless string of lonely nights.

“Yes. At this rate, I won’t be able to reach the front porch unassisted.” She started rising off the table.

“Trey! He’s got me again!” She dug her nails into him.

He drew her to his chest as he swung around to face the threat. “I’m going to kill the bastard.”

No! You can’t, wicked through his thoughts with a sharp bite. Brina had finally shown up.

Why not, Brina?

Oh, I don’t know—the end of civilization as you know it.

Got no time for this right now. Trey snapped his mind shut and focused on saving Sasha who was being dragged away from him, stretching his arms to the limits. Something she’d told him last night popped in his mind. “Cloak yourself now!”