Chapter 20

Chris tried again to catch up to Kasey. Since Leena sent the message that the handfast date had been decided on, she was beyond calming. “Sweetheart, come here.” He pointed to the spot right in front of him.

She turned and came back down the hall. “I just want to go look some things up. I’ll need to start working on a gift for them.” She stopped a few feet from him and smiled. “It’s so wonderful! Leena has been so happy with Owen, and she deserves it. Now she’s going to be his wife!” She turned again.

He laughed. “You have three months to figure out a gift. I’ll buy ten of everything if that’s what you want.”

“It’s not the same,” she called out going into the temple room.

Frustrated, he walked slowly towards the door she’d gone through. By the time he got there, she was leaning over his worktable flipping through one of his crystal books. The energies of sheer happiness and excitement came off her in waves. She was barely able to stand still as she read, that perfect bottom under her short skirt teasing him with each movement.

She mumbled the odd thing as she went through the pages.

He went up behind her and bent over her, pulling her tight against him. “I thought you wanted to go to my lair?” he whispered against the back of her neck.

Kasey paused. “I do. I’m just so excited I can’t stop.”

He ran his hand down over her stomach to rest between her legs and pulled her gently back against him. “I’ll help you settle down, Kassandra.”

Her arm reached up and circled his neck, pulling him against her. “We could make use of all those nice cushions over there.”

Chris bit the back of her neck as he ran his hands up to cup her breasts through the little top she wore. “We’ll get there eventually.” She pushed back into him, rubbing against him. He ran his hand down over her bare thigh and back up, pulling the skirt up out of his way.

Her skin was so soft he moaned against the side of her neck. “I want you here, now, like this,” he growled.

She trembled at his touch. Smiling, he loved that he was able to make her wet just with a few words. Reaching, she pulled her top over her head and then dropped it on the table in front of her. He immediately ran his hands over her breasts and began kneading them gently.

“Show me,” she whispered hoarsely, turning her head so she could bite gently against his neck.

“I often sat in here thinking about you, until I shook with wanting you, Kasey.” He moved his hand to stroke between her legs. “Every time I’d look at this perfect, sexy body of yours, I’d get so hard it took my breath away.” She gasped as he continued to rub. He leaned down so his mouth could devour her throat. He undid his jeans with a quick hand and pushed them to the floor.

Pushing his hard length between her legs from behind, he rocked gently, rubbing against the damp material covering her.

She pushed back against him, leaning farther over the table.

“Chris, you make me want you so much, with only a few words.” Her breathing was already fast. “Show me.” She moaned as he squeezed one nipple through the lace covering her. She reached down between her legs and ran her fingers over him. He gasped when she touched him.

He slid his hand down her back and reached under her skirt to grasp the thin material. Leaning away, he pulled the material with one jerk from her flesh and heard her whimper and drop her head. Stroking her, he pushed two fingers inside her and almost lost control when he felt how wet she was.

He leaned over forward and bit into her neck. “What do you want, sweet Kassandra?” She pushed back against him and moved her head to give him access.

“You.” She panted against his arm resting under her on the table. “Now.”

He rubbed himself back and forth over the wetness and pushed the head of his erection against her. She pushed back against him, whimpering. He continued to tease her, and himself, several more times, until she was pushing back against him, trying to push him inside her.

“Now?” he whispered against her ear.

“Yes.” She panted. “I want you inside me, Chris.” She pushed back into him. “I need you inside me.”

Hearing her words, he slowly pushed into her, wanting to feel as he pushed through her soft folds. She was even tighter in this position, and he groaned when he was all the way inside her. She pushed back against him, squirming, trying to get him to move.

“Slow, I want to take you slow.” He pulled back out slowly and had to grip her hip with one hand to stop her from moving quickly.

Kasey was gasping against his arm resting under her and biting into it with each slow movement he made. When her small hand touched between their legs, he moaned. She was never shy and always wanted to feel.

As he stroked in again slowly, her hand bushed against him and cupped him when their bodies fit tightly. She kneaded gently with her hand.

He growled. “Witch, I can’t go slow if you do that.” She squeezed again as he pushed into her. Pulling himself more upright, he gripped her hips and looked down at their connecting bodies. His heart pounded faster. The sight of him taking her would not be something he’d ever tire of. Hissing out a breath, he pushed into her harder. She squeaked against the table. The noises she made broke his control every time.

Placing a gentle hand on the small of her back, he held her in place as his other hand grasped her hip, and he pulled against her quickly. She was panting and moaning as each thrust got harder. When her muscles contracted against him so tightly, his legs tensed, and he heard himself cry out with her.

Caressing her back, he took a few breaths. “Fuck, Kasey! I’m going to have to tie you down if I’m ever going to make love to you slowly.”

Kasey sighed. “I don’t think I’d live through slowly.”

Pulling away from her, he turned her in his arms and held her against him. “You deserve slow and long... but then you touch me, and I’m lost.” Her hands were pushing his shirt up over his head.

Realizing he was still half dressed, he threw the shirt to the table and stepped clear of his jeans. He scooped her up against his chest and carried her over and settled them on the cushions.

She sighed against him. “Well that table certainly proved useful, huh?”

He kissed her mouth lingeringly. “Yes, and as soon as I’ve caught my breath, we’re going to see if these cushions are useful.”

She grinned and pushed him back, straddling his larger body. Running her hands down over his chest slowly, she licked her lips. “Well, you just lie there and rest then. I’ll find something to do until you’re ready.” She balanced herself on his chest and rocked her hips slowly over him. “Oh. Hmm. I think I need to try it this way, Chris.”

Chris watched her bite her lower lip and felt himself stirring back to life under her. “My own sexy, wanton witch.” He grinned. “Take off that bra, and let me watch, sweetheart.” Her hands shed the bra and sent it flying behind them.

Watching her rock over him with her eyes closed and wearing only the short shirt, he groaned. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Kassandra. I can’t breathe when I look at you.” She smiled down at him with heavy eyes, and he growled when her hands ran slowly down over her body. “Fuck,” he whispered, pulling her mouth down to his.

“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.

He kissed her hungrily. “Show me.”

Chris didn’t know how long he’d been lying awake beside her. She was curled into his body and sleeping, with good reason. By the time he’d carried her up to bed, she’d done a very thorough job of tiring them both out.

She looked so innocent in sleep. His. The word kept coming back in his mind. She was finally his, and each time he looked at her, he couldn’t believe it. How he had managed it, he still wasn’t sure. He did know he’d spend the rest of his life making sure she was happy. He wanted to hold her like this every day, every night, every morning.

He let out a slow breath and kissed her softly. Would he ever not feel like if he turned his head she’d disappear? He didn’t think so.

Grinning to himself, he finally pulled her tightly against him and rested his head above hers. He had some plans to put into motion tomorrow, which would involve many favors on a Sunday.

Kasey woke alone. Rolling over, she looked at his pillow to see a note. He couldn’t be working on a Sunday, could he? She focused, trying to read the note.

Had some things to take care of. Rest so I can tire you out again when I get home. Love, Chris.

She smiled thinking of the night before.

Stretching, she climbed out of the big bed. She could get those rewrites finished this morning while waiting for him to return.

She had just settled down on the floor with her laptop in the living room, with a hot coffee in her hand, when the doorbell rang. Sighing, she jumped up. When she opened the door with a smile, there was no one there.

Stepping out, she looked around. Were there kids in this neighborhood? Hmm.

Glancing down, she spotted an envelope. She picked it up and kicked the door closed. Slowly she turned the envelope over looking for a name. It wasn’t addressed to anyone. Shrugging, she opened it. Chris couldn’t blame her if she opened a blank envelope.

Her breath caught in her chest as she read the words.

You should have let her die for her sins.

Dropping the note, she ran to the door and locked it.

Flying through the house, she locked all the rest of the doors and then ran upstairs to her room and closed the door. She took a few breaths and grabbed her bag, digging in it for her cell phone. She opened it quickly and dialed Chris’s cell number.

“Good morning, beautiful,”

“He was here!”

“What? Who?” The radio in the background disappeared. “Who was there?”

“There was a note on the front steps.” She heard his car accelerate.

“Where are you?”

“I’m in my room. I locked all the doors. Chris, come home.”

“I’m on my way. Stay there. Don’t open the door to anyone. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” She heard him turn quickly around a corner. “It’s going to be all right, sweetheart. I’ll be there shortly.

She slid into the corner and sat there. “Okay, hurry!” She hung up the phone.

Chris didn’t remember ever driving so fast in his life. He pulled in and jumped out just as Dade pulled up. Not bothering to close the car door, he ran across the lawn.

Dade caught up. “Don’t touch the doorbell. Kasey told me he rang the doorbell.”

Chris nodded and stuck his key in the lock. He wasn’t all the way through the door when he started yelling. “Kasey!” He heard a door slam and her running. He met her halfway up the stairs and caught her in his arms.

“I was so scared,” she whispered into his chest.

“I’m here now.” He turned, carrying her down with her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. Dade stood looking at the note on the floor where it had fallen. “Don’t touch it.”

Dade looked up and nodded. “Get me a piece of paper and tape. I want to cover the doorbell until Patrick gets here. He was already headed this way when I called him.”

Chris walked towards the living room still holding Kasey. “Paper’s in the library.” He sat on the couch kissing her face gently. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here now.”

“How did he find us, Chris?” She was shaking.

“Well, it’s easier to find us then for us to find him. We weren’t exactly hiding.” He scowled. But would they have to hide now?

Rachel flew into the living room with Cora right behind her. “Is she okay?” She dropped down beside him.

“Just scared. He rang the bell and left the note.”

Cora covered her mouth. “He knows where we are?”

Chris nodded. “Apparently.”

Cora jumped when Dade came into the room. He walked over and hugged her against him. “What are we going to do, Dade?”

Dade stroked his hand down her back, holding her against him. “Let’s wait until Patrick and the others get here, honey, and we’ll figure it out.”

A teary-eyed Leena walked in with Owen’s arm holding her close. “Kasey,” she whispered.

Kasey turned and looked at Leena. She climbed out of Chris’s arms slowly and then stepped quickly into Leena’s. “He knows us,” she said as the other two women hugged them.

Steven came running in, still wearing his hospital scrubs. “Patrick was pulling in right behind me.” Rachel went to him and hugged him tightly against her. He wrapped his arm around her and pushed her head gently against his shoulder.

A tired-looking Patrick walked in. “Leaving the door wide open may not be advisable at this point.” He looked around the room. “Did anyone other than Kasey touch the note and envelope?” Everyone shook their head. “I’ve got some guys on the way over to check for prints. We’ll need those from each of you if you haven’t already.”

Kasey turned and looked at him. “How are we supposed to live when he knows where we are?”

Patrick sat down while making notes. “We don’t know if he knows where all of you are.” He motioned towards Chris. “If he was present during the commotion that morning at Solstice, he’d know Chris found Rhonda, and Chris isn’t exactly hard to locate. The note could have just been for him.”

Everyone turned to look at Chris.

Chris shrugged. “I’d be more than happy to discuss this with him face to face.”

Kasey shrieked and climbed back into his lap. “You will not do any such thing!” She hugged his neck.

Leena set her purse down. “I’m going to make coffee. We left so fast I wasn’t even sure if I had all my clothes on properly until we were halfway here.”

Patrick waited until the other detectives left before herding all eight witches into the living room again. “So, you need to make a few temporary living arrangements.” He motioned to Cora and Rachel. “You two are the only two women living alone.”

Owen hugged Leena against him. “They can stay at my house. I’m at Leena’s most of the time, and Dade lives about four minutes away.”

Dade nodded. “I’ve got no problems with that.”

Cora sat there for a few moments and looked around. “I don’t like having to change my entire life because of some maniac.”

Rachel nodded but didn’t speak.

Kasey bit her lip. “I would feel better knowing you two weren’t alone.”

Cora smiled at her. “Well, Owen does have a really nice kitchen at his townhouse.”

Rachel leaned back against Steven’s legs. “And it is closer to the community center.” She looked over at Patrick. “But what do we do with our present homes? How long are we expected to rearrange our lives for this sicko?”

Patrick closed the notebook and put it in his pocket before speaking. “I can’t really answer that. I wish I could tell you we’re closer to catching him, but we’re not. Even with the information you keep giving me, I’m running into dead ends.” He looked down at his hands. “Those names we ran didn’t turn up anything we can use. Several people have either passed away or don’t even live in this country.” He sighed. “Two of them seemed to have vanished without a trace, no records of any kind.” He shrugged. “People change their names every day. Without doing it on paper, there’s no way to find them.”

Chris ran a hand down over his face. “Any addresses match any of them you have?”

Patrick shook his head.

“Can you get into tax records? They have to file taxes, don’t they?”

Patrick nodded. “They do, but that doesn’t mean they are.” He grinned. “People aren’t as honest as you lot.”

Dade laughed. “Well that’s the first time I’ve be accused of that.”

Cora threw at pillow at him. “You couldn’t tell a lie if you needed to, Mr. Dade Jones. You just flirt your way out of trouble.”

Chris sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is not the day I had planned.” Standing, he put his hands in his pockets. “I’ll do some more digging.” He grinned at Patrick. “I have some contacts that honest police don’t use.”

Patrick raised his hands. “I don’t want to know, but if it will help me nail this bastard, then by all means pass along anything you find, Larkin.” He got up and looked around. “I have to get back. Rhonda felt so good after you left yesterday we almost had to chain her to the bed to make her stay put.” He ran a hand along the back of his neck. “I don’t know what I’m going to do to keep her safe once she’s at full strength again.”

Chris studied the man for a moment. “Oh, I’m sure it will come to you.”

Patrick winked at him. “It will at that.” He headed to the door. “All doors stay locked at all times. No wandering around alone, you know the drill. I’ll be in touch.” There was silence as they watched him close the door.

Everyone jumped when they heard a crash.

Dade was the first one to reach the sitting room again.

A picture, which had been on the wall, now lay face down on the floor. Kasey stood looking at it with her hands on her hips. “I’m so mad! This psycho is out there running around able to do whatever the hell he wants, and we have to stay locked up like we’ve done something wrong!” She flung her hands out away from her body, and all of the pillows flew off the couches into the air before hitting the walls.

Dade looked from her to Chris, who was standing there with a stupid grin on his face. Personally, he was debating on taking cover, and the besotted idiot was standing there grinning.

“Kassandra. Calm down. You’re scaring Dade,” Chris said quietly with a smile on his face.

Kasey turned and looked at Dade and then to Chris. He was smiling! “Oh, you can smile. You’re big enough to just squash anyone that presents a problem. I’m not so lucky.”

Chris put his hands back in his pockets and leaned against the doorframe. “Sweetheart, if this maniac had any idea what you were capable of, he’d run to the nearest cop and confess everything.”

He pulled his one hand out of his pocket and looked down at it. “This was not the day I had planned or the way I intended to do this, but I think now is a good time.” He opened his hand, and a shimmering silver orb floated above his palm.

It moved slowly by everyone, towards the vibrating woman at the other end of the room.

Kasey watched the orb with suspicious eyes until it hovered right in front of her face. She couldn’t see what was inside the small sphere. She looked over at Chris.

Chris placed his hand over his heart and smiled at her. “I don’t have the right words as Owen does, or Dade’s smooth style. I can’t charm you as the Doc could, Kassandra. I just know I’ve loved you since the first moment you smiled at me, and for more than six years now, I’ve waited to show you.” Her huge eyes glanced at the orb and then back at him. “Hold out your left hand, Kasey.”

Kasey held an unsteady hand in front of the orb. The shimmering light ran up over her fingers.

Chris was having problems focusing on the orb and watching her sweet face at the same time. “You’ve only to say you will be my wife, little green-eyed witch, and let me have a lifetime to make you happy.”

Kasey turned happy eyes towards him and whispered, “Yes.”

The shimmering stopped, and left in its place was a gold ring with tiny diamonds shaped like a fairy. She looked at it and then smiled and ran towards him.

Chris caught her without a stumble and kissed her with every ounce of love he felt for her at that moment.

“Talk about being outdone,” Owen mumbled from beside them.

Chris hugged her and glanced at the happy faces. “It was either that or let her blow up half the house until she was calmed down.”

Bright fireworks flew over their heads before floating slowly down until they shimmered and then turned to dust.

Dade patted him on the back. “I still say you’d better start taking vitamins, old man. She’ll have you wore out in a month.”

Chris grinned. “I hope so.”

He couldn’t blame the lawyer.

He didn’t know the woman had sinned.

In any other instance, saving a woman was the right thing to do.

Now he would know why she was to have died and wouldn’t stand in the way of punishing a woman’s sins.

Now he would know.