Eliza Gayle Witch Bundle (paranormal romance), Eliza Gayle [books suggested by bill gates txt] 📗

was simply you getting back what you sent out threefold. You know. Ever heard that saying before?”

He smirked. “Yeah, I might have heard that a time or two in my life.” Satisfaction pursed her mouth as she desperately tried to hold back her grin. “I still don't trust you.”

“Cash, you don't even know me.”

“Exactly.”

Rena climbed the stairs, anxious to get back to Graelen. She'd woken a short while ago, restless and in need of caffeine. She'd gone down to the kitchen in search of coffee. Turning the knob on the door, she eased it open, trying not to wake him before she got back in the bed. A quick glance around and she discovered he was no longer in bed or anywhere else in the room for that matter.

She hadn't seen or heard anyone up and about on her trip back and forth to the kitchen, so where would he be, she wondered. She poked her head back out into the hall, looking for any sign of life. She eased her natural barriers down, seeking out his emotions, searching for him. She was surrounded by blankness, not even Cash seemed to be around. After the constant presence of Graelen, she found it a little disconcerting to be alone again. Had she gotten that used to him already? It had only been a couple of days.

Her skin crawled. She needed to find him, if only to reassure herself that he was okay. She rushed down the stairs to search for him, looking into each room only to find them empty. Still, she felt nothing, and as the minutes ticked by her anxiety ratcheted another level. She picked up her pace, beginning to run through the house. She had to locate him. Something was very wrong.

Out of breath from her mad spree, she sat down at the bottom of the stairs. What did I miss? Where had she not searched? She got up and retraced her steps to the kitchen, looking with a closer eye for signs someone else had been here. Other than the aroma of the fresh brewed coffee she had made and the few dishes she'd used, the room was spotless.

It was then she noticed the two doors at the far end of the room. A pantry, she presumed. Fear shuddered down her spine at the possibility of what she might find inside. Walking across the room, she yanked the door on the right open. Very much like ripping off a Band-Aid, just do it. When nothing fell from the closet she let go of the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, a long sigh escaping her lips. Inside the large, walk-in closet was shelf after shelf of food supplies. Everything from jars of peanut butter to nacho chips. She'd have to keep this in mind when all was well again.

Closing the door, she leaned against it, letting her head fall back onto the wood. Get a grip, Rena. There is no need to panic. She gripped the knob of the second door, pulling it open. Stairs. Winding down in front of her was a staircase leading into a pitch-black space. She searched the inside doorway for a light switch, not wanting to go down into a darkened basement. When her fingers touched on the switch she flicked it on, watching a soft yellow glow illuminate the stairway and not much else.

Knowing she didn't have much of a choice, she began her descent into the basement. She walked with her mental shield completely down, trying to sense any sign of Graelen, Cash, or trouble. At the bottom of the steps there was enough light to see where she was going as well as get a partial look around. Her feet stepped on cushioned carpet, an unexpected sensation for a basement. She could make out low-lying furniture that were likely couches in the far corner, and here in the middle of the room stood a large pool table. It seemed the basement wasn't a basement at all, but a men's playroom. She snickered.

Why am I not surprised?

Continuing through the room and beyond the other toys, she headed for the double doors at the end of the room. These doors were made of heavy steel and they didn't just ease open. This was it. If trouble was to be found she imagined it would be inside the steel fortified room. With a sharp intake of air she pushed her shoulder against the door as hard as she could. When the door popped open easier than she'd expected, she found herself falling down onto her hands and knees.

A wall of hot, humid air slapped at her, surprising her. The smell of chlorine assaulted her senses. Chlorine?

She raised her eyes from the floor, squinting to adjust to the brightness, taking in her first look of the room. Her eyes widened at the sight before her. Where a normal estate like this might have included an indoor swimming area, not here. No ordinary pool for Graelen Scott. Before her was an elaborate swimming grotto complete with caves, waterfalls, and a black bottomed pool to mimic what one would find in nature. The area was breathtaking.

Having grown up near many natural springs, surprising her family with a natural talent for swimming and diving, Rena grew giddy at the sight before her. That was when she noticed the man swimming across the length of the larger pool. His bare, sleek muscled arms sliced through the water, propelling him to the other side at a good clip. Unable to resist, she ran along the pool's edge, catching up with him before hastily removing her clothing and diving into the water, arching her body to place her right underneath him.

When his hands reached around her waist to pull her to the surface, she couldn't resist a satisfied smile. Breaking the water's surface she choked on some of the water that ran from her hair to her face.

“What the hell, Rena? You trying to scare me to