Oh, Dale, let the poor man sober up. He looks hungry. She smiled at Sully. Have you eaten?
Sully ran a hand through his thick hair. No, maam. Was gonna grab leftovers or something out of a can.
I made stew. Theres plenty. Would you like dinner?
Dale shot her an incredulous look, but she ignored him and focused on Sully, who brightened, his boyish face lighting up like a Christmas tree. Gee, thanks. I love real home cooking.
He didnt like the idea of Sully dining with them. Dale ruminated over this. It wasnt the thought of Sully treating him with kid gloves or asking him again and again how he was healing.
Dale disliked the idea of sharing Keiras company with another man.
Interesting. He rubbed a spot on his chest, his scars itching suddenly. Or was the itch much deeper, the burning wish to enjoy a quiet conversation with a woman who didnt look at him with either fear or desire in her eyes?
Sully scrambled to his feet, swayed a moment and then caught himself. Dale stood as well, wondering about Cassandra Sullivans cryptic message. Her visions in the past had proved correct. But no way in hell would he ever dance with demons.
Dale headed for his study and locked his weapon in the safe. When he returned to the dining room and retook his seat, Keira had set a bowl of stew on the table before Sully.
The SEAL began to eat. Wow, this is terrific, he said around a mouthful of stew. Maybe if Curt fires you, you can cook for me.
She sat, looking amused at Dales scowl. I just got hired. Why would he fire me?
Youre not his type. Too nice. Sully waved his spoon. He likes tall, model types with sharp tongues.
Ensign, Dale warned. Tell me about your sisters vision. What did this demon look like?
Keira choked on her wine. Dale glanced at her. You okay?
Fine. She coughed. Drank too fast.
Sis said the demons face was blurred, but she had pretty hair. Silky. Sully squinted at Keira. Kinda like yours, maam. No offense. Didnt mean to compare you to a demon.
No prob, she said quickly. Care for some wine?
Think Ive had enough to drink. Wouldnt wash down well with the finest whiskey this side of
Ensign, Dale interrupted. The vision?
Cassandra said that the demon is closer to you than youd ever realize...a demon in disguise
More stew? Keira persisted.
Sully shook his head. Could use coffee, though, if you have any. Need to sober up.
Her smile was bright. Sure. Would you like dessert? I made chocolate cake.
From scratch?
Keira had already vanished into the kitchen. Dale, would you help me? I cant carry this by myself.
He went into the kitchen and carried out the cake as she set up the coffeemaker. Keira scurried after him into the dining room.
As she began to cut slices of the thick cake, Dale shook his head. Im full. Ill save it for later.
He aimed a stern look at the ensign. Sully, your sisters vision.
A sad demon. Weird. A demon who liked to dance and invaded your house to get close to you, the devil in disguise. She said your future depends on vanquishing the demon. Sully dug into his slice of cake. This is great. Thank you, maam.
Keira, she said. Dale, I think the coffee is ready. I couldnt find anything to serve it in. Do you mind?
Dale bit back his impatience as he returned to the kitchen. Damn it, why couldnt Cassandra have clear-cut visions instead of sounding like a Chinese fortune cookie? What demon? Why would he allow a demon into his own home?
Then again, hed changed since the time in the basement. Dale pressed a hand to his temple. Things that were normally clear before had grown muddied in his mind. He needed to get his act together.
When he returned, carrying a silver service and three cups, Keira was eating her slice of cake. Sully snapped his fingers.
Thats what Cassandra said. I forgot. She said the devil you dance with is the devil in your house, the demon youll fall hard and fast for, the devil youll bring to your bed....
Oh, my God, Keira cried out.
They both turned. She was licking frosting off her fork, her tongue slowly stroking the tines. Dales jaw dropped. Holy crap, the woman turned eating cake into carnal art.
Oh, my God, this is so good! Chocolate, she breathed. I havent had any in months. You must try this. I used dark and milk chocolate.
Keira took another bite. Eyes closed, expression ecstatic, she looked like a woman in the throes of orgasm.
He forgot all about Cassandras vision. Forgot about why Sullivan came to his house. All his focus centered on the woman eating a slice of chocolate cake with such sensuality, his blood thickened.
Dale hungered to see her looking this way again, only naked beneath him, her pleasure visible to his eyes only.
Sully stared at her with wide eyes, a pulse beating wildly in his throat. The man was clearly turned on. She licked the fork slowly, and Dale had the oddest feeling she was truly savoring the meal, but also distracting them.
Why? Did she see Mystic Witches as a threat?
Keira flicked her tongue over the tines and slowly slid the utensil into her mouth. Out. Then in again. Sweat trickled down Dales back. He gulped down his wine, his gaze riveted. Beneath his shorts, his cock hardened.
Stunned, Dale set down his wine. He hadnt experienced arousal since his torture. Now his new housekeeper, with her innocent air and pouting, full mouth, had given him an erection. He narrowed his eyes at Sully.
Leave us alone. Now.
The SEAL wasnt stupid. Sully suddenly pushed back his plate. Ill be going. Thanks for the meal.
He stood and stretched out his arms as if to teleport, but began to sway. Dale bolted out of his chair. Damn it, he was so tuned into Keiras little display, hed forgotten his first responsibilityto his men.
Downstairs, Ensign. Youre not headed anywhere. Either I get you a taxi to your apartment or you stay here. Last time you teleported someplace drunk, you ended up inside the lingerie department of a department store.
I do love the ladies in silk. Sully sighed.
Dale helped him down the steps and watched him collapse onto a bunk bed, covered him with a blanket. Then, as an afterthought, he left a lamp burning.
No one should be left alone in a basement with the lights off.
No one should be left alone in a basement with the lights off and the sound of his own blood slowly dripping onto the cold concrete floor.
His erection deflated. Dale climbed up the stairs, needing to return to the brightly lit kitchen.
A soft, sweet voice hummed a tune he recognized from the sixties. Keiras arms were plunged into a sink filled with soap suds. Disappointed, Dale cocked a brow. He wanted to watch her eat more cake, with him as her only audience. He wanted to slide chocolate frosting over her mouth and slowly lick it off, then trail his tongue down her neck and lower...
What the hell was wrong with him? All he could think about was sex. This was the woman hed hired to clean his house and keep Keegan Byrne the hell out of his personal life. Dale drew in a deep breath, then another, and folded his arms.
I have a dishwasher, he told her.
At her questioning look, he pulled open the stainless-steel door and slid out a rack. A most becoming blush tinted her round cheeks.
At her questioning look, he pulled open the stainless-steel door and slid out a rack. A most becoming blush tinted her round cheeks.
Runs on electricity, saves time, he added.
Some things are done best the old-fashioned way. Save the planet.
His irritation grew. Hope youre not into only candlelight and battery power like most New Agers and Im going to wake up to find organic sprouts for breakfast instead of bacon and eggs. I dont eat sprouts and Im not into peace and love. Dale fetched a clean dish towel and began to dry the plates she stacked on the drainer.
Keiras lovely mouth wobbled. Are you making fun of me?
His stomach churned at her woebegone expression. He set down a plate. Damn it, had he lost all his manners? Since when had he been so rude?
He took another deep breath, wrestling for control, feeling his life was spinning away from him again.
Im sorry. Im rather bad-tempered these days.
Especially when facing a woman who really turned him on, and made him feel even more out of sorts because each time he was around her, all he could think about was getting her naked.
Her peaches-and-cream complexion looked creamy and smooth, like fresh milk. The pink-and-green-flowered frock floated around her calves, hugging every inch of her curves. With her huge green eyes and the dark curls tumbling down her backside, Keira looked more like a forest nymph than a housekeeper.
Why?
That voice, it stroked over his clammy skin like velvet. So lush and melodious. Seductive and yet without the artifice of his sometime girlfriend, Melissa, who knew how to use her feminine skills to get her own way.
Keira was his housekeeper. It was none of her business why he was bad-tempered. She was his employee, nothing more.
Dale braced his hands on the counter and looked her in the eye.
I told you before that I was in the hospital. Its only been two weeks since I returned to active duty. Im still trying to find my feet again and learn to be civil. His mouth twisted. Hard to be social and polite when you spend days and nights bare-assed, needles and tubes snaking out of your body, nurses waking you up every hour to check and see if youre still breathing.
Sympathy shone in her green eyes. Why were you in the hospital?
He dragged in a deep breath. Sooner or later, shed hear the rumors. I was tortured by demons.
She flinched.
But I made it, and thanks to one of my men and his girlfriend, who saved my ass and got me airlifted to a hospital in time, Im going to be fine. Great. Terrific.
Do you remember anything?
Not much. Dale picked up the dish towel and began folding it into thirds.
The man and his girlfriend who saved you, do they remember anything?
He frowned. Shay and Kelly told me there was a girl in the basement, but she vanished. His memory and Kellys both got fogged. But hell never forget the girls face.
She drew in a deep breath. Where is this Shay and his girlfriend? Maybe they can help you.
They got married. Shays away on training, took Kelly with him to live near the base. They wont be back for a few weeks.
Keiras expression remained shuttered. He stared at the counter, willing the memories to become stronger.
I remember the little boy the demons threatened to torture and kill and how they said theyd make him die slowly if I didnt take his place. Ill never forget his name. Joshua.
Josh, she murmured.
Dale studied her and Keira flushed again. Most boys with that name are nicknamed Josh. What else do you remember?
There was a wolf there, a black wolf. And a woman. I think. I remember her scent. He rubbed an aching spot behind his throbbing temples. Citrus and wood chips. No, maybe it was lilies and honey. Its a blur now.
Keira rummaged in the freezer, found a bag of frozen peas and handed it to him. Here. This will help your headache.
Thanks. He pressed it against his pounding skull. How did you know my head hurt?
Your face is all compressed.
The cold bag felt good against his throbbing head. I thought you were going to say my aura is red and black.
It is. Keira dried her hands. But I know youre not into that woo-woo stuff.
He had the grace to feel ashamed.
Dale tossed the peas back into the freezer and stuck out a palm. Lets start over. Im Dale Curtis, lieutenant commander of the best team of SEALs in the U.S. Navy, sometime classical pianist and foot-in-the-mouth jerk.
A tentative, sweet smile touched her mouth as she offered her hand. Keira Solomon. Roving gypsy, Luminaire and quirky New Ager. Oh, and I happen to detest bean sprouts.
Her palm felt soft, the bones delicate beneath his big hand. Dale caressed it very gently, feeling the bandage hed placed there, feeling loath to release her. The delicious scent of cookies, vanilla and almonds drifted from her, tendrils wrapping around him and invading his senses. She smelled like freshness and innocence.
She smelled like home.
Dale hadnt been home in a long, long time.
His guts clenched as he dropped her hand. She did not move but moistened her mouth, staring at him.
Riveting his gaze on her mouth, he moved closer. Closer still, his own lips parting. Hungering to sample her, see if she tasted as delicious as she smelled.
Dale reached for her, ready to cup her cheek and lower his mouth to hers.
A sharp scream cut through the air. Keira blinked, and paled.
Downstairs. Sully.
The SEAL never had nightmares. Ever.
Oh, God, get it off me! Please! Someone help me!