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

“Don’t sound so surprised. Even I like having a place to call home.”

“I—I just—” she stammered.

“I know. Nobody knows about this place so I guess anyone would be surprised, but even I need a place of refuge on occasion and this is it.”

“It’s breathtaking.” She meant it, too. The cabin was exquisite, but just as stunning was the location. He had carved out the most beautiful section of swamp she could have imagined and made it his own. She couldn’t wait to see the inside.

He led her up and onto the wraparound porch before dropping her hand to open the front door. Instead of simply unlocking the place with a key, he started unhooking hidden wires from the doorframe and entering codes into three tiny keypads she hadn’t even noticed.

“Booby traps. Guy in my line of business can’t be too careful.”

“I thought it was safe out here?”

“It is. So far no one has learned about it, but it always pays to cover all the bases.” He opened the door. “After you.” He motioned her inside.

Just inside the door, she found herself in a large yet cozy living room with leather furnishings and enough electronics to make any teenage boy green with envy. The walls inside had the same rough-hewn texture as the outside, giving it a warm and masculine appeal. She loved it.

“Wow, nice place. I’m definitely impressed.”

He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Figured if I was going to do it, might as well do it up right. I might retire here some day.”

“Aren’t you a little young to be talking about retirement already?”

“Jessie, if you had seen the things I have seen in this job, you would be feeling the same way babe. It’s a gut wrenching business.”

“Then why do it?”

He looked at her thoughtfully. “It’s what I was made for.”

With that, he picked up her bag and headed to the back of the cabin. Presumably expecting her to follow or not. She followed.

“You really think you were made for demon hunting? Isn’t that a tad arrogant, even for you?” They passed by the kitchen that a quick glance showed to be large and functional with stainless steel appliances and custom built cabinets.

“It’s better than sitting on my ass doing nothing,” he replied.

Across from the kitchen was a heavy metal door with two blinking lights, one at the top and one at the bottom.  “What’s in there?”

“My office.”

“Top secret room, I guess.”

“Something like that.”

She pulled her gaze from the blinking lights and her dying curiosity to see Noah disappear into a room at the end of the hall. A bedroom, she presumed. Jessie wasn’t sure being in a bedroom with Noah right now was a very good idea. Her body had buzzed with sexual energy since she’d first laid eyes on him, and then he’d added magick to that every time he touched her. She was certain she was close to combustion. With doubts, she passed through the same doorway and stopped at the sight of the lake-sized bed. It would probably fit several people quite comfortably. Beside the bed stood a small chest with a lamp and a clock on top. The rest of the room was empty.

“Guess you haven’t gotten around to doing much with this room.”

He poked his head out of the closet. “It’s got a bed. That’s all it really needs.” His husky answer provoked her, and a chill rolled over her as her body pulsed with need.

She wanted to say something quick and playful back, try to keep the mood light, but instead her desire made her light headed and mute. She walked over to the bed and sat down, leaning her head towards her knees. She needed to think of something else, anything else besides the gorgeous man coming towards her.

“Jessie, are you all right?”

The concern in his voice tore at her heart, and she knew that she couldn’t fight it anymore. She belonged to him as surely as if he’d put a ring on her finger. Even if he wanted nothing more from her than sex, she would take it. One more night.

He squatted down in front of her and when her head tilted up, his body was mere inches from her face. “I’m fine,” she whispered.

“No, babe, you’re not. You’re shaking. You’ve been through an unbearable ordeal and I pushed you harder today than you could take. For that I’m sorry.”

“Please, Noah, don’t—you don’t have to apologize. You have no idea how grateful I am that you came for me. I wouldn’t have made it through another night if you hadn’t.”

“Yes you would have. You aren’t giving yourself enough credit—”

“No, you’re wrong. It’s not about my strength or lack thereof. There was to be a ceremony last night. A sacrifice had to be made.”

Anger clouded Noah’s face as the implications of her words sank in. “I’m going to kill that bastard. I swear I am.” He started to pull away.

Jessie grabbed his arms. “Please, Noah, I need you.” Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes. “Stay with me…please.”

His hand touched lightly against her jaw tilting her head, forcing her to look at him. “I’m not going anywhere, Jessie. We’re together and we’re safe.” His handsome face was rugged with laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, lips so full and sensual she couldn’t resist pressing her own against them. The flash of heat ignited them both as Noah growled into her mouth. His tongue plunged through her parted lips, seeking her inner warmth with a force she welcomed.

Without breaking contact, Noah pushed her back onto the bed. Her heart jolted and her pulse pounded as his movement grew as urgent and needy as hers. She reached for his shirt, quickly slipping underneath it to touch warm, smooth skin stretched over bulging muscles. As the kiss deepened to a near violent level, her hands gripped and scratched at his back. Desperate for more skin-to-skin contact, she wrestled with the waistband of his jeans. Her moans of frustration at her lack of success were met with a sudden separation of their bodies.

She shivered from the cool blast of air over her heated