Spiritbound Page 6

  Declan dismounted from the bike and engaged the bike stand. He reached into the panniers and took out what looked like a bottle of wine wrapped in brown paper, and another shopping bag. Grace watched him with hooded eyelids, suspicious all of a sudden.

  ‘I thought you said we were going on a picnic. That to me implied food and maybe a blanket, a beach, a park or something.’

  Declan tossed his keys in the air and caught them. ‘Patience. All will be revealed.’ He strode past her and stepped onto the veranda of the little house. He paused, looked over his shoulder and said, ‘What are you waiting for? You’re not a scaredy-cat, are you?’

  With a sniff, Grace tossed back her head. ‘You would have to try a lot harder to scare me, Mallory.’

  She raced to catch up, lifting her chin defiantly when she drew level with him.

  ‘Then enter.’ His eyes studied her, pushing the door open.

  A warm liquid feeling overshadowed her annoyance. In that moment, for that moment, it was as if they had never been apart, never been separated by terrible deeds.

  Then, letting that thought go, she stepped into the house. A warm polished floor greeted her gaze. The short hallway opened onto a cosy lounge room with stuffed sofas in natural-coloured upholstery, and a fireplace framed with old-fashioned green glazed tiles. A modern kitchen led off the room. Declan strode over and put the bottle on the bench and started opening cupboards and pulling out wineglasses. ‘Will you take a glass?’

  ‘Yes, I’d love a drink.’ Grace ambled around the lounge room. The fireplace was stacked with wood, ready to light. ‘Should I start the fire?’ It was starting to cool down as the sun disappeared, thought it wasn’t actually cold.

  ‘If you wouldn’t mind. I’ll get our picnic ready.’

  Grace chuckled to herself as she sent a spark into the kindling. As the wood caught, she shook her head. Declan Mallory was a trickster. What was he planning?

  Collecting her wine, she took a sip and then sprawled herself on the sofa, drinking in the atmosphere of the cosy little cottage. It really was a relaxing, peaceful place to be. She took another sip of wine and let it slide slowly down her throat. Then she frowned at a sudden thought. What was she doing alone in the Blue Mountains with Declan Mallory?

  She bolted upright. Declan was slicing bread in the kitchen. She didn’t know what to do. It was a bit far to hail her mother, and a tad embarrassing.

  Climbing out of the seat, she tugged down her top and shored up her courage. Strolling to the kitchen, she leaned against the wall, projecting a calmness she didn’t quite feel. Declan was focused on embellishing plates with chicken drumsticks and salad. It was picnic food, but not a picnic place. ‘Declan, what is going on? I mean, it’s late. How will we get home in time?’

  He glanced her way. ‘In time for what?’

  Grace swallowed, not quite sure how to answer because it would reveal that she was insecure being alone with him, or worse, affected by being alone with him. And that was also presumptuous, because there was no romance between them. She’d made it quite clear she wasn’t interested, and she thought he had made it quite clear that it had been her fault all those years ago, and that she should feel sorry for him for the distress it had caused him. But then she realised that she was being a bit hysterical as she hadn’t really come to terms with seeing him again, or interpreted all the resulting emotions it had stirred up inside her.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘Oh? Nothing in particular.’ She watched him spoon some potato salad onto the plates, losing herself to her thoughts again. In the last few days, she’d calmed a bit—gotten used to the idea of him being around. And while him coming back had stirred up people’s memories of her necromancy, it had soon died. People were more interested in him. He had proven himself to be quite a legend while in Britain, battling rebel folk. Yes, she’d looked up the uprising he’d fought in. That was a disturbing incident, but there had been no signs of similar unrest here in Australia, thank the goddess, she thought. His parents were proud and had a right to be. She couldn’t begrudge him that, even though, at thirteen, the separation had been very hard indeed. Still, events had made her what she was and she wasn’t unhappy with that. Declan had done well, too.

  ‘Here we are then.’ He passed her a plate. ‘Shall we take a seat by the fire?’

  With a nod, she followed him to the lounge room. He put his plate on the coffee table and she did likewise, sitting on the opposite end of the couch. The flickering fire sent out warmth to envelope them. Declan had taken off his leather jacket and proceeded to unclip his knee-length boots. He was making himself at home. ‘Is this your place then?’

  ‘Yes, I bought it before I came back. As much as I love my parents, I really enjoy my own space. They come out here on the weekends when they want to get away. I think they are tempted to move out here and retire.’

  Grace took a bite of chicken and swallowed. ‘Witches and warlocks really retire?’

  He swallowed a mouthful. ‘Not really, no. But I mean retire from the city life. There is a fantastic garden out back. My parents have plans to grow herbs and essential ingredients and supply them to the coven.’

  Grace nodded and took another bite of chicken. It tasted delicious. Her hunger was still rampant so she took another drumstick and chomped on it.

  ‘You are hungry.’

  Grace nodded and continued to chew. He passed her a napkin. She grabbed it and wiped two fingers, and dabbed around her mouth.

  ‘More wine?’ He held up the bottle. Grace lifted her glass.

  She was starting to feel more at home. She kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes in front of the fire. ‘This is nice and quiet. I love it.’

  ‘I’m glad you like it.’

  Grace picked at her salad and took a bite of bread, washing it down with a couple of mouthfuls of wine. She was starting to feel mellow. No longer wary of Declan, she leaned her head against the back of the couch and breathed deeply, letting the atmosphere sink into her senses.

  Declan cleared their plates away and topped up their wine before he sat back down again.

  ‘I’m glad you like the place.’

  ‘Mmm. I do.’ Her eyes were closed. Drowsiness climbed up her limbs, stroked her mind.

  Declan moved closer. She stayed very still, not quite sure what he was up to. His finger traced along her nose and her eyes snapped open. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Admiring the view.’

  Grace sat up, her back straight. ‘Perhaps we should go back now.’

  Declan sat back, relaxing into the sofa. ‘No, not yet. I think we need to rest a little longer.’

  ‘In that case, you should keep your hands to yourself and maintain your distance. I didn’t come here to be seduced by you.’

  ‘Why did you come?’

  ‘You asked me as a peace offering, I thought.’

  He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Is that the only reason?’

  Grace had to think a minute. ‘Yes.’ She wasn’t about to go into her feelings or try to explore them with Declan. It was none of his business.

  ‘I see.’ He gazed into her face. ‘Well, Grace, I’ve got some news for you. We’re not going back to Balmain tonight.’

  Grace chuckled to herself. ‘Sure. When did you become such a kidder?’

  ‘I’m not joking.’

  Grace slipped off the sofa, putting the coffee table between them. ‘Is this some kind of joke? Because, you know, I’ve been there done that.’

  ‘You have? With who?’

  Grace put their hands to her head. ‘Don’t go there. I really can’t be here alone with you…tonight.’

  He stood up and came round the table, capturing her elbows in his hands. ‘Why, Grace? What’s so special about tonight?’

  ‘Nothing.’ She wanted to back away, but he held her gently in his grip. She wasn’t prepared for this, not expecting him to want to be alone with her, so far away from everyone else. She didn’t know what to do. She’d not been alone w
ith any man. No one in the coven would have anything to do with her during her teens, except to tease her in some way about being a necromancer. Her peers had joked that she’d dated the dead because no live warlock would want to spend time with her.

  ‘Grace.’ He spoke her name softly in her ear and his breath brushed against her neck. She shivered. ‘Tell me, Grace, what are you thinking? Feeling?’

  ‘I can’t. Don’t make me.’

  ‘Share it with me. See into me—let me see into you.’

  She put space between them, her back now to the fire. ‘No. I won’t. I—’

  ‘Why, Grace? We used to be close. I know it was a long time ago…we could touch each other again, if you try.’

  She shook her head. ‘It was a mistake. We were young, innocent. It won’t work now. We have too much armour, too much inbuilt protection.’

  ‘Try.’

  ‘No, I can’t.’

  ‘Please, Grace. I want this.’

  Her gaze lifted to his. ‘Want what?’

  In the next breath he was there, his hot lips on her neck making her gasp. ‘To be close to you, Grace. To share myself with you.’ She was caught between wanting to push him away and wanting to surrender. This was Declan, the person who she had been close to once, closer than she had been with anyone. They had touched each other’s essence.

  He kissed along her jaw, moving to her lips, at first taking her lower lip and sucking gently on it and then moving to the top lip. Her mouth opened of its own accord and he was there, kissing deeply, his tongue caressing hers.

  Grace moaned. Her blood sped around her body making parts of her throb. Declan held her round the back and his hands rose to cling to her shoulders, making her surrender further to his kisses. It was more than she’d imagined a date with him would be. All she’d had in the past was her imagination. His lips were so tender and the sensation they caused when they melded with hers made all restraint disappear. She kissed him back, licking along his lower lip, first smaller kisses and then lunging back in for a long drawn-out one that made her forget to breathe.

  His fingers kneaded her scalp, chasing tension away. Her hands cupped his butt and those muscled mounds made her knees grow weak. He was all strength and hardness beneath his clothes.

  Their kissing continued like a dance. They turned together in each other’s arms, kissing necks and the tips of noses and then diving back in for the lips, for the mouth, tongues caressing. Declan’s hands travelled down her sides and then reached around to cup her rear, pressing her body against his. That’s when it got real.

  Grace had to disentangle herself. She had to stop it right away. He couldn’t know that she was untried. He was obviously experienced. She would not have him laugh at her. Being a virgin right now was very inconvenient.

  ‘Stop, please. I think we should leave it there. It’s a mistake, really. We should just go home,’

  ‘Why?’ he said drowsily, his eyes heavy with arousal. He opened the circle of his arms, but he did not let her go free.

  ‘We can’t do this. We forget the situation.’

  He pursed his lips. ‘You like me, despite what you say. You can’t hide the language of your body, your kisses. We could be great. We could be so close, if only…’

  Grace closed her eyes. If only–the story of her life.

  ‘There is no future for us, Declan Mallory. I ruined it ten years ago. Your parents would never accept me and I’m not interested in a one-night stand, a casual encounter.’ She saw his eyes widen. She knew he didn’t want a commitment. He’d told her so. She was on the right path now. She had to be firm.

  ‘It could be fun.’

  Grace shook ahead. She’d won this one. ‘No. I’m afraid not.’

  His arms dropped and he let her step away. She raced over to her shoes and slipped them on. ‘Is there a train I can catch? You don’t have to drive me home.’

  ‘No, you’re not catching a train.’

  ‘Of course, I am.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ She bristled. ‘Come on, Grace, there are two bedrooms, both made up. We can stay here. I won’t touch you, if you don’t want me to.’

  Grace hesitated. Declan had backed off when she’d asked him to. He obviously wanted to stay in the cottage. It was lovely and she liked it too. ‘Okay. Separate beds?’

  ‘Only, if you insist.’

  She narrowed her eyelids. ‘Now, Declan Mallory, I’m not in the mood for games. What are you playing at?’

  ‘Nothing, it’s just it would be nice to hold you, Grace, to feel you close, even platonically. I really need that right now.’

  Grace scoffed. ‘What do you mean? You have so many girls after you.’

  He waved a hand dismissively, and moved closer, speaking softly. ‘They just want the prize. Can’t you see how off-putting it is to be chased by all those witches? I’m lonely, Grace. I need to touch someone. I need you.’

  Grace shook herself. ‘Why me?’

  He shrugged. ‘I’m not entirely sure. We had a connection a long time ago. That draws me to you. Maybe it’s because you know me and aren’t chasing me. I can’t explain it clearly to you.’

  Grace blinked rapidly, trying to sort through her emotions and decipher Declan’s reasoning. Grace couldn’t let go of her scepticism. ‘You want me but don’t know why. That’s not very flattering.’

  ‘Grace, you accept me.’

  ‘I do?’

  He grinned and ruffled his hair. ‘You don’t worship me, or have an overblown idea of who I am. You’re not interested in me as a catch, as a trophy. That’s what those other witches want. I need the space you allow me to be me.’

  She sensed that he was being honest. He really needed her and she couldn’t walk away from that. There was more to this adult Declan than she’d first thought. He might seem as if he was revelling in all the attention, but in reality he wasn’t. She wanted to ask more but didn’t want to risk it. ‘All right then. But play fair.’

  Goddess, had she just agreed to sleep in the same bed as all that man? He’d better live up to his part of the deal, and no naughty business.

  He leered at her. ‘My honour as a warlock.’

  ***

  Grace took her time in the shower as she contemplated what she had set herself up for. She was going to sleep in the same room as Declan, in the same bed. She’d only ever slept with Elena when they were young or snuggled with her mother when her mother was not otherwise occupied. She tried thinking back to when she was a girl; she’d never bunked up with Declan when they were kids. Their intimacy had been on a different level, mind-to-mind, and accidental, come to think of it. It had been so long since they had touched each other that way that is was less than a memory, more like the silk of a spider web touching her thoughts before dissolving completely.

  The water ran cold and she hurriedly closed the taps, not realising that it wasn’t an instantaneous system like she had at home. Hopefully, it recovered quickly or Declan was likely to be peeved with her for hogging all the hot water. As she dried herself, she eyed a pile of clothes he’d provided for her—a white singlet top and a pair of his boxer shorts. She brushed out her hair and absently used her talent to clean her own clothes and arrange them in a pile.

  Grace used a touch of magic to dry her hair and style it neatly around her face and over her shoulders. She looked down at herself, dressed in the singlet shorts, and shrugged. Conjuring items was not one of her talents so she had little choice but to wear his clothes to bed. A neck-to-toe nightgown would have provided more comfort, perhaps with a padlock at the base to seal her in it. Despite his reassurance, she did feel that she was running the gauntlet in sleeping in the same bed with him. She brushed her lips with her fingers, remembering the heat of his kisses. Definitely taking risks there, as she had been seriously turned on.

  Declan was leaning against the hallway wall when she opened the bathroom door. ‘I’m sorry. I think I used all hot water.’

  Declan laughed. ‘That’s fin
e. I’m quite set up for a cold shower.’ He stepped into the bathroom, and Grace didn’t know what to do with herself. Should she climb into bed and feign sleep or wait to be invited under the covers?

  It had been a long day and she was rather done in. Definitely in bed before him, she thought. And sound asleep. That had to be her tactic.

  There was a double bed in one room and a single in the other. She decided the double bed was the best option for sharing, particularly with such a large man. Her eyes rolled up Goddess save me. I can’t actually be doing this.

  Nerves aside, Grace rolled back the bedcovers and slid inside the clean-smelling sheets. Her handbag had been placed next to the bed. Declan must have moved it from the lounge room where she’d left it. Fetching her mobile phone, she quickly sent a text to Elena to let her know that she was fine, but gave no other details. She didn’t want to be dealing with their questions and the potential for gossip. Elena returned a quick ‘okay’.

  Grace tossed the phone into her bag and lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. Fatigue mixed with wine caught up with her, making her eyelids heavy. She slid easily into sleep.

  Her awareness returned when a muscled arm encircled her waist and drew her within the warmth of a large, firm body. Declan nuzzled at the back of her neck, his nose ruffling her hair. A sigh escaped her and she drifted back off to sleep. A warlock’s honour? She’d never heard that they had any, but that thought drifted away.

  Declan broadcast relaxing vibes as she nestled in the cradle of his arms. They tickled at her awareness, even in sleep. She wasn’t sure if he did this on purpose or whether it was natural for him to do so. She was comforted rather than alarmed at being held so close, and basking in his warmth. His vibes made her experience comfort to her soul, such that she’d never thought she would feel ever again. Then her awareness sunk into unconsciousness.

  ***

  Declan clung to Grace, luxuriating in the feel of her tight bottom snug against his groin. Her soft breathing was like a balm to his soul. Her trust and friendship were important to him. He hadn’t realised until he returned to Sydney how much a part of him he’d left behind, and how much Grace filled up that empty space.