Spiritbound Read online

  The clock displayed 4.30 a.m. She was exhausted and yet her mind was still alive with feelings and ideas. Yet, she had to lie there and try to sleep because her family would not appreciate it if she got up and started moving around.

  Grace sat up suddenly. A ripple in the house ward sent shards of electricity over her skin. Then there was a sound outside her window; someone was there. One of the coven who was allowed to pass through her mother’s wards. She was about to send her senses out to find out who when there was a tap at her window. Grace flung off the quilt and padded over. A shadow loomed and then resolved into the familiar face of Declan. She undid the latch on the window and opened it out.

  ‘Is something wrong? Is everything all right?’

  ‘Everything is fine. I just wanted to spend some time with you.’

  ‘With me? Right here, right now?’

  She caught the outline of his shrug. Momentarily speechless, she could only step back from the window and nod. It was probably not the right time to quibble about the ‘one night’ thing. Obviously, he was upset about something.

  He climbed in through the window, knocking a few hats off the wall. Grace repositioned them without taking her eyes off him. He was in the bike leathers. They made him so much bigger, broader, and hot as all hell. His dark brows knitted together.

  ‘What is it?’ she asked.

  ‘Stuff,’ he said with a grunt.

  ‘Okay. So you didn’t come here to talk.’ She stepped back to give him room.

  ‘No,’ he said with a growl, and drew her to him. He nuzzled her neck and she went all weak and floaty, edging up on her toes for more and revelling in his delicious bite. The switch had flipped and her clitoris was throbbing like a beacon within a minute. Who needed talk?

  His lips brushed across hers, and she moaned at the excruciating, teasing friction. She didn’t want gentle and restrained. She wanted hot, demanding and all-encompassing passion. She caught his soft bottom lip between her teeth and tugged gently. Declan growled louder and she released it.

  ‘You must be tender,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I thought we should go slowly.’

  ‘Slowly? We still have our clothes on. Nothing fast about that. Besides, I fixed myself. I feel fine.’

  He chuckled and held her face between his palms, gazing into her eyes. ‘You’re amazing, you know that? Cheeky too. You should respect me more. I’m a battle master.’

  ‘Ha.’ She kissed the end of his nose. ‘You’re a puppy. A big, sweet—’

  Being unceremoniously tossed on the bed cut her off. Declan had his jacket off, and his boots were undoing themselves as he approached.

  ‘Eep,’ she said, edging further up the bed. His eyes glittered and he had a devilish grin on his face, the sight of which made her belly turn over and her toes tingle. He stopped at the edge of the bed, undoing the buckle on his leather pants.

  ‘Take off your clothes,’ he said gruffly.

  Raising herself up on her elbows, she replied, ‘Make me.’

  His pants were gone, his boxers soon after. Before she could draw breath, she had six-foot four of large male covering her and a rather convincing erection nestled between her thighs. ‘Now, you were saying?’

  ‘Make me?’ She was less cheeky and more awed.

  He lifted himself up on all fours, her lying between his legs. She was wearing an old pyjama set, shorts with a top. ‘These a favourite of yours?’

  She shook her head, her heart somewhere between her breast and her throat. The buttons pinged as they ricocheted off the walls. He moved down her body and grabbed her shorts with his teeth and ripped, leaving her naked. Grace nearly fainted with desire. What a turn on. With a growl, he lunged his tongue between her labia with rapid strokes that had her arching her back before she could draw breath.

  ‘Goddess!’ she cried out, so close to coming, she didn’t need her erotic mind picture. She was in the moment, feeling every stroke of his tongue. Her hands gripped the bed covers and her breaths were loud. Whimpers leaked out of her mouth and then the moment came and she couldn’t stop the yell as she cried out in ecstasy.

  Declan’s mouth sought hers. Grace was mush. She surrendered. She kissed him; she sent her tongue so deep she thought she might swallow him whole.

  A mental query came from her mother. ????

  Grace couldn’t even engage. Her mind was full of Declan, Declan, Declan.

  She sensed the amusement from her mother. Elena knocked on the bedroom door. ‘Grace. Are you okay?’

  She clung to Declan’s naked chest, panting. After swallowing to give her time to find her breath, she called out, ‘It’s okay. Just with Declan. Sorry.’

  ‘Okay.’ Elena walked away.

  Declan chuckled. ‘So much for secrecy and sneaking around. You woke the neighbourhood.’

  She slapped his chest lightly, then turned it into a caress. ‘It’s your fault. You made me come so loud. Next time give me warning when you leap from the shadows. I could have mentally prepared myself for the onslaught.’

  He laughed then and flipped her onto her back. ‘Not on your life. I love how you are so open, so real. Don’t change it.’ She lifted her hands, palms up, and he rested his against them. ‘This thing we have is amazing, addictive.’

  Grace nodded. ‘What are you waiting for? I believe Randy Roger is getting twitchy in my bedside drawer.’

  With a growl that thrilled her to the spine, Declan angled himself for a quick entry. ‘I’m afraid Randy Roger might never do the job again.’

  ‘Promises, promises.’

  He slid slowly inside her, holding her hips in his hands and angling to maximise the ease of entry. Grace was yelling again, not quite aware of how loudly. It was all blood-pumping, heart-thudding and soul-stroking awesomeness. This man could fuck. Oh goddess.

  The initial thrusts had her climaxing again, but Declan wasn’t done. He rode her hard. The old bedhead banged against the walls. Grace reached up and clung to it while being pummelled so delightfully.

  Sweat beaded on his skin. Grace let go the bedhead and ran a hand along his smooth chest, leaning up to lick his saltiness. Declan nearly lost a hold of her. She ran her thumb over his right breast and licked it too, stopping to suckle a hard nipple. Declan cried out, and with a roar, held her hips tight while he ground himself against her. He folded himself over her carefully, leaving a trail of kisses along her neck and capturing her mouth for a soul-wrenching kiss that sent her spirit spiralling to the heavens.

  Wow! This sex thing is really awesome. Much better than self-pleasure, no matter what they say.

  ‘I’m glad you think so.’

  Grace stilled. ‘You heard that?’

  ‘Yes, clear as a bell.’

  ‘But I didn’t say anything. I thought it.’

  He blinked at her, uncomprehendingly at first, then the light dawned in his eyes. ‘We’re connected.’

  ‘A little,’ she said, frowning. ‘I didn’t mean to project to you. I didn’t mean to breach your boundaries.’

  ‘No, no, don’t. It was a lovely moment. Please don’t try to apologise. I was open. You were open. It just happened. No need for apologies.’

  Grace relaxed, relieved that she hadn’t transgressed.

  Grey light outside flowed in through the open window. Dawn was not far away. ‘Now, do you want to talk about it?’

  Declan lay back and gathered Grace into his arms. His forehead rested against hers. ‘Not really. I had a “discussion” with my parents.’

  ‘About me?’

  ‘Sort of, but it was more than that. Do you remember your uncle, Elroy?’

  ‘No. I have an Uncle Elroy?’

  ‘Had, apparently.’

  Grace chewed her lip. ‘That’s odd. I mean, mother has not spoken of him. Why, did he do something bad?’

  Declan stroked the hair from her shoulder. ‘It’s not good; not a nice story. It’s best you ask your mother.’

  ‘I will when she wakes up.’ She refrained from m
entally signalling her mother right then. Declan was still opening up. She couldn’t get distracted now.

  ‘And…’

  Declan sighed. ‘Look, it’s not a biggy. It’s me trying to get some space between me and my parents. They’ve got my life laid out for me. I want to choose my own path. I can’t seem to reason with them. They come up with all these reasons why I must do my duty, follow their direction and I can’t abide it. I love them. I don’t want to hurt them, but the need in me to be free of their restraint is too powerful.’

  She reached up and stroked his hair out of his eyes. ‘It must be difficult.’ There was a noise at the window. The ghostly outline of Fel, the cat, pranced along the sill.

  ‘That’s her, isn’t it? Elena’s cat.’

  ‘Yes, Fel.’

  He shook his head. ‘What an amazing thing. You don’t do anything to sustain it?’

  ‘No. I don’t do anything. It has a life of its own. Mother thinks the cat had supernatural ability before I…you know…helped it. It talks, you know. Sends little snarky barbs into your brain.’

  He looked askance at her. ‘No. You’re joking me, right?’

  ‘I am not, Declan Mallory. I would not joke about something like that.’

  Fel purred. He’s grown into a big tom.

  ‘See? She just said you’ve grown into a big tom. She’s not wrong there.’

  ‘I didn’t hear anything.’ His eyes were wide, eyebrows raised.

  ‘I’m not lying.’ Grace tried to get off the bed, suddenly miffed at his incredulous look, but he brought her back easily. ‘Let me go, you big oaf.’

  ‘Don’t be angry with me, Grace. It’s just a cat.’

  ‘That’s the problem, isn’t it? It’s not just a cat.’ Her face was screwed up with anger. She wanted to punch him.

  ‘Oh Grace, I’m sorry.’ He sat up, held her face in his hands and kissed her gently, shifting to touch his lips to her eyelids one by one.

  Declan’s expression froze and he turned and faced the cat. ‘It said I was a nice, gentle tom.’

  Grace gaped at him. ‘She did?’

  Declan let Grace go. She went to the window and stroked Fel as she looked out into the yard. Grey wisps of mist were dissipating rapidly. Her gaze passed over Declan’s bike, parked in the driveway. She remembered what he’d said. No gossip. Her eyes rolled. She had blabbed it all to her mother and Elena, but hey, he didn’t own her and he’d never tried not telling Elvira anything, so bad luck.

  ‘Um…I think if you wanted to keep this secret you might have blown it. I mean, we might have blown it.’

  Declan laid back on the bed, his head resting on his folded arms. ‘Yeah. Who can keep sex with you secret? I’m sure they heard you in Marrickville on the other side of Sydney Harbour.’

  ‘Hey, you made a bit of a commotion yourself.’

  ‘I did at that.’

  ‘So, are you up for breakfast? Mother has already sent her request in. Pancakes on the menu.’

  ‘You got bacon?’

  ‘We sure do.’

  He rolled off the bed and started searching the floor for his clothes.

  ‘Are you sure you’re up to this? After all, it’s my mother.’

  ‘Sure, I can cope with Elvira. Elena and I are buddies from way back. So no problem there.’

  ‘Fine. I’m going to clean up and start breakfast. You can make the coffee. Elena takes tea in the morning. And if you change your mind and feel like slinking away, I’ll leave the window open.’

  She ambled to the door, a smile plastered on her face. Declan for breakfast was a nice thought.

  ‘Grace?’ He swivelled his head from her to the window. ‘I’m not a coward.’

  She laughed at his wounded expression. ‘We are talking about meeting my mother over the breakfast table, after you climbed in through my window and rooted me senseless throughout the wee, small hours of the morning—noisily. If you think she’d let that go by without a comment or two, you’re out of your senses. I’m just letting you know if you need an out, there is one and I’ll forgive you.’

  He weighed that up, stroking his chin as he stared at the window. ‘Thanks, I think.’

  ‘She is going to be impressed with those leathers.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘I was.’

  He picked up a pillow and tossed it.

  Grace quickly shut the door, and giggled while she rested against it. With a sigh, she headed to the bathroom. There was a spring in her step and she did her best to keep her excitement down. There was no commitment. He enjoyed her as much as she did him, but he was determined not to settle down. All she could do was enjoy it while it lasted and try not to think about future heartbreak.

  ***

  Her mother was bleary-eyed when she fronted at the table. Declan was making the coffee and her mother had not acknowledged him yet. Bad sign, Grace thought. Declan thumped over in his big bikie boots and placed a cup before her. ‘Good morning, Elvira. I understand you like milk and two sugars in your coffee.’

  Her mother lifted her gaze and looked him up and down. ‘My, my, Declan Mallory. You have grown into a big lad.’ She winked at him and then picked up her cup.

  Grace nearly dropped the frying pan she was holding as she was transferring crispy bacon to a plate. Her mother had meant that double entendre. Damn her. She would spill the beans that she knew about their encounter in the Blue Mountains. As Grace scraped the bacon onto the platter, she realised that it was silly. Both her mother and Elena would have heard everything, so they didn’t even have to use their imaginations.

  Elena came out of her room, draped in a Japanese blue and white yukata and yawned loudly. ‘Morning. Hi Declan.’ She yawned again. ‘I’m glad you two had a good time.’

  Grace blushed. ‘I’m sorry if I woke you.’

  Elvira put her cup down, leaned back in her chair and barked out a laugh. ‘Woke me? Damnation, girl. How could anyone sleep through that? It wasn’t just the noise—the emotions, the emanations coming from that room probably alerted every member of the folk in a five-kilometre radius.’

  Declan’s face paled. ‘I didn’t realise.’

  ‘I’m sure you didn’t. If you wanted to keep your little affair secret, then you’ve failed. Every tongue from here to Newcastle will be talking of it. It’s not often you get fireworks like that with a joining, but it was a marvellous thing to behold.’

  ‘Joining?’ Declan sank into a seat. ‘We weren’t joining.’

  Elvira spiked some bacon and slid it onto her plate. ‘If you say so, Declan.’

  ‘I do say so. Grace understands.’

  ‘Does she? Excellent then. But convincing your parents that there’s nothing “special” between you will take some doing, believe me.’ Her mother looked up and eyed both of their shocked faces. ‘Okay. So I’m exaggerating. I’m a little grumpy from having my sleep disturbed.’

  Grace sat down at the table, blowing hair out of her mouth and sending her fringe fluttering. That was a relief. She surveyed the table before her. With all that activity, she was very hungry and breakfast conversation, while not quite as she’d planned and rather embarrassing, was stimulating her appetite. If her mother had more to dish out, she’d rather take it on a full stomach.

  ‘Pass the sauce, would you, Elena?’

  Elena was pouring maple syrup over her pancake stack. ‘Here you go. Did you do any caramelised bananas?’

  ‘No, we’re out. I made raspberry coulis.’ She passed it over.

  ‘Okay then.’ Elena cut into her stack and closed her eyes in delight.

  Grace rapidly dissected her food, shovelling it in without bothering to talk much. Her hunger was a beast that needed feeding urgently. Declan took a while to relax after the first bit of conversation with her mother, but then after sipping his coffee, his plate began to fill. He stuck in. ‘This is good,’ he said around a mouthful of bacon.

  ‘Thanks.’

  Grace speared another pancake. She was almost
full. Her mother got up for more coffee, so Grace handed up her cup. She needed extra fortification. Elena engaged Declan in conversation. She asked about his teaching and the adult classes he had planned. ‘I wish I had talent enough to train. It sounds like fun.’

  ‘Don’t let that stop you, Ellie. Training of any kind is good.’

  ‘Maybe, but I’m doing some craft classes at the local technical college. I have finally decided what I want to do with my life.’

  Elvira’s eyebrows rose as she sat down. ‘That’s good, dear. What is that exactly?’

  ‘I like making things with my hands so I’m going to improve my skills and then set up a stall to sell things.’

  Elvira was nodding. ‘You could use your talent, too. Imbue them with health and happiness charms. I’m sure you’ll be able to get permission to sell them to humans.’

  Elena beamed. ‘Then you approve?’ She clapped her hands. ‘That’s wonderful, thank you. I thought you might be disappointed in me.’

  Elvira waved her hand. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I want you to be happy and fulfilled. If I’ve commented on your life, it was for that reason.’

  Elena beamed at Grace and Declan. Grace could sense her happiness from where she sat. They had always been attuned.

  The conversation lulled. Grace had to ask the question because she had a feeling that Declan would not bring it up himself. It was her family business. ‘Mother, can you tell me about Uncle Elroy?’

  Elena’s head shot up. ‘We have an Uncle Elroy?’

  Elvira’s gaze slid to Declan, instinctively knowing where Grace had heard the story. Elvira fiddled with her cutlery, not meeting Grace and Elena’s gazes. She coughed once, then again, as if clearing her throat.

  ‘It was a long time ago. I thought he would be forgotten by most.’ She flicked her gaze at Declan. ‘But I suppose never by some families.’

  Grace’s food was heavy in her gut. Declan reached over and covered her fist in his hand. She hadn’t realised that she had been tense. It was bad, though. Her mother’s vibrations were very low. This was going to be hard for her.