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

I'm too tired to deal with this right now.

Ripping the plastic wrap from the cheap paper cup, she poured three fingers of the amber liquid, drinking it down in three fast gulps. Her eyes screwed shut and she crunched up her nose as the liquid went down like live fire. Gasping for a few breaths, she eased back into the water to allow the alcohol and heat to ease all the built up anxiety over the last couple of weeks.

A long while later, when the water had cooled to room temperature and her skin was completely water logged, Selene forced herself to get out of the tub. She stepped onto the bath mat, wrapping herself tightly in the soft, fluffy towel provided.

Sleep. She needed sleep.

She grabbed up the bottle of tequila and the lone Tarot card and headed into the other room. The sun had set while she'd been in the bath, and the room was cloaked in total darkness. Perfect for sleeping. She unwrapped the towel from her body, letting the cool air of the room caress her skin. Her nipples puckered and she thought of Cash. His touch.

“You shouldn't have left.”

She gasped at the sound of his voice in the room. Her heart stuttered. “What the hell? Jeesus, Cash. Scare the hell out of me, why don't you?”

His laughter rumbled through the room. “Did you really think I would let you just leave?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you were wrong.” She heard the mattress creak as she watched his silhouette get up from the bed and move toward her. Her body tingled at his closeness.

“You shouldn't be here. This is exactly what we don’t need.”

“Yes, I should. It's too dangerous for you to be on the run alone.”

She bristled at his words. “Is that why you came? Because you thought I couldn't take care of myself? The organization will never stop looking.”

“I know. Denn told me what you said.”

“I couldn't do it. Can't do it.”

“I know.”

“How did you find me anyway?”

“I came because I had to.”

“You had to?”

“There are things you don't know that you are somehow involved in. Dangerous things. I think it's time for you to meet Grae. My twin. A few weeks ago a woman who studied our family Tarot cards revealed some possible secrets about a family prophecy. I haven't even wrapped my mind around it all, but considering what's happened between us it's looking more like truth than I thought.”

“Wait. Did you say Tarot card?” She fingered the card she still held in her hand at her side.

“Yes. Our family history was documented with a set of distinct Tarot cards. Long story, but the short version speaks to a prophecy of four brothers and four empaths who will save them from themselves and their power.”

She stepped away from him and sat on the edge of the bed, setting the bottle and card down on the floor, thinking about what he and the old woman had said. “So that's it, then? You're here because you need my help. Somehow my abilities will help your family.”

“No, Selene. That is not why I’m here. It's true I want to protect you. Keep you safe. But not because my family needs you.” He grabbed her shoulders, pushing her down on her back, his body moving forward on top of hers. “I need you. Don't you get it? When I woke up in New Orleans and found you gone I freaked.” He ran his finger along her jawline, tracing down her neck and shoulder to the top of her bare breast. “When you left you took my heart with you. There aren't very many things in this world that I really need. But you are it for me.”

“You don’t even know me,” she objected.

“I know my heart and yours. The rest we’ll figure out along the way. This is real.”

Selene's head spun at his revelation. She didn't think she could speak. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes at his words. Her hands came up to thread through his thick, wavy hair. Pulling him down, she pressed her lips to his. His taste went straight to her head, leaving her desperate for more of him. She knew she would never tire of his touch. No man could possibly get to her the way he could.

Remembering the card on the floor she wrenched herself free from his mouth. “Wait!” She pushed at his chest, trying to get him off of her. Slowly he eased his body off and to the side.

“What are we waiting for, babe? I’m already hot and bothered.”

She dove for the card plucking it up from the floor.

“This.” She handed it over and watched him look at it.

“Where did you get this?”

“The old woman at the store out front. I found it in my bag. But she said the strangest thing to me.”

He tossed the card to the table. “Don't get me wrong, Selene. I am curious about the card and what she had to say but first things first. You, me, naked in the bed.” The smile on his face, along with the wicked gleam in his eyes, were her undoing. He was right, it could wait.

Determined to focus on the man in front of her instead of the drama surrounding them, Selene pulled at his shirt and brushed against the bare skin she found underneath it. “Someone in this room is overdressed.”

A deep laugh rumbled from Cash’s chest, filling her with a new warmth that spread between her legs. She pushed aside all thoughts of trouble as he eased her down to the mattress. They were blissfully alone in a dark room without a flame in sight. That thought sobered her.

“Are you really all right now? I know Denn said you’d be fine but shouldn’t you still be resting or something?”

He pressed his lips to her shoulder for a brief kiss. “You worry too much.” He swept his shirt over his head and maneuvered out of his jeans in