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  “Thanks, Jarvis.” Brenna entered the room, then stopped and looked back. “I’ve been meaning to ask, is Jarvis your first name or your last?”

  “Yes.” The arrogant bastard walked off down the hallway laughing.

  Trahern followed Brenna and looked around. There weren’t two beds. Only one—and it was a double. He glanced at the floor; limestone would be cold and miserably uncomfortable to sleep on. He’d had worse places to sleep. Maybe.

  “They’re quick with their service.” Brenna pointed to her suitcase and his duffel in the corner.

  “Probably anxious to get us under lock and key before anyone else finds out that we’re here.” He picked up his bag and set it on the heavy metal dresser on the far wall. “I’m going to call to get you another blanket. It’s almost impossible to warm this place with that huge, open cavern out there.”

  “Okay, if you think we’ll need it.”

  She closed the bathroom door behind her, leaving him wondering what she’d meant. Did she think one blanket each was enough, or that they’d both be warm because they’d be sharing the blankets and the bed?

  He reached for the phone. “Can we get another set of blankets? Ms. Nichols doesn’t handle the cold as well as we do.”

  There, let them think what they would. No one but him and Brenna would know their sleeping arrangements. Either he and the limestone would make a night of it, or he’d be curled up next to Brenna, breathing in her warmth and that sweet scent that was uniquely her. He wouldn’t take anything for granted, but a man could always hope.

  Brenna leaned over the sink to get a better look at her face. Her bruises were almost gone now. Even the cut on her arm was healing nicely. Her teeth were freshly brushed, and her hair smelled clean and hung in loose curls around her face.

  Did she have the courage to walk back into the room and crawl into that bed with Trahern? She’d thought about making a bed on the stone floor, but rejected the idea. He’d rocked her world with his lovemaking, and she wanted to see if he could do it again.

  Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the bedroom only to see Blake making himself a cozy little nest on the floor. Either he wasn’t interested in sharing her bed, or he wasn’t taking the chance that she’d refuse him. Well, they’d see about that.

  “I’m done. Your turn.”

  He gave her an odd look at her cheery announcement, then gathered up his shaving kit and sleep sweats. As soon as she heard the shower turn on, she spread one of Trahern’s blankets on the bed for extra warmth, then kicked the rest of his pallet under the bed.

  That done, she turned off the ceiling light, leaving on only the dim bedside lamp. She’d need its shadows to hide her embarrassment as she tried to lure Trahern to her bed.

  Before she could chicken out, the shower shut off. It was do or die time.

  She turned back the covers and crawled between the cold sheets. Her nipples immediately budded up hard, making them ache worse for Trahern’s big hands to warm them. Should she strip off the T-shirt and panties she’d put on after her shower? No, it would be bad enough if Trahern chose to sleep on the floor without the added humiliation of having to put her clothes back on again.

  The bathroom door opened. Oh, Lord, what had she done?

  Chapter 10

  I t didn’t take Trahern long to notice his pallet was gone. His silver eyes immediately sought her out, seeing the pillow on the bed she’d placed beside her.

  “If we share that bed, I won’t stay on my side, Brenna.”

  “I know that.” She wished he’d quit being so darned noble.

  “I’m still a Paladin and everything that means. Nothing has changed.”

  Why didn’t he just shut up and make love to her?

  “I know that, too.”

  “Then take that T-shirt off.”

  Something in the gleam of his eyes warmed her heart and gave her courage. Blake Trahern, Paladin and warrior, wanted her as much as she wanted him. Damp heat pooled between her legs, and her breasts ached. Eventually he’d walk away, but right now that didn’t matter.

  She peeled the shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. She couldn’t wait for him to take her breasts in his hands and suckle them with that wonderful stern mouth of his. Just in case he wasn’t getting the idea, she cupped her breasts and lifted them up, ready to demand his immediate attention.

  His expression softened almost to a smile. “First take off your panties. I want nothing to be in my way.”

  The vision his words created had her squirming even as her panties joined the T-shirt on the floor. But two could play at this game. “Your turn.”

  He immediately stripped off his shirt and sweats, leaving him gloriously, beautifully naked. Her body wasn’t the only one wanting more than hot looks and a striptease.

  “Come here, Blake. Now.” She held out her arms. “I feel empty.”

  He strode toward her, a warrior claiming his rightful prize for the night. When he pulled back the covers and climbed in, the blast of cold air was quickly replaced with the heat of his body.

  “Tell me what you want, Brenna.”

  When she lifted her breasts again, he obediently placed a wickedly hot kiss right on her nipple. She reached for his hand to replace hers, and he smiled as he gently squeezed. Closing her eyes, she moaned with pleasure as he rubbed his whiskery skin against her tender flesh.

  He stopped. “I should have shaved.”

  Brenna ran her fingers along his cheek. “I like how it feels. Now kiss me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He sprawled on top of her, pinning her head down on the pillow as he complied with her order. His tongue demanded entry, telling her that she may have begun this dance, but he was going to lead. She licked her lips, inviting him in, while parting her legs to nestle him against the very heart of her.

  It felt so good to have him in her arms again, feeling his powerful strength. As their tongues tangled and mated, he reached down to lift her legs high against his hips. She locked her ankles across the upper curve of his backside, wanting him to take her hard and fast.

  The rumble of his laughter rolled through her. “In a bit of a hurry, are we?”

  “I want you, Blake.” Did he understand that she meant more than just sex? She hoped so.

  With two hard thrusts, he was deep inside her. For the first time all day, she felt warm enough. Then he rolled over, taking her with him. When she raised herself up, he pushed up even more deeply inside of her, making her feel stretched and full.

  His hands cupped her breasts and squeezed as she rocked forward. He suckled each one in turn, driving her crazy. She repaid him by rocking up and down quickly, squeezing him with her inner muscles. He moaned. She smiled and did it again.

  His eyes glittered up at her, warning her that retribution would be swift and pleasurable. After a few more up and down slides, she was suddenly on her back, her legs on his shoulders as he kissed his way down her belly to the empty ache between her legs.

  His hot breath sent chills through her as he tongued her slick folds, fanning the flames of her needs, his pursuit of her pleasure relentless. But she didn’t want to reach her climax without him.

  “Please, I need you back inside me.” She turned over and pushed herself up on her knees, offering herself to him in the most primitive position she knew.

  “Lord, woman, you make me crazy.” He slid his hand between her legs, stroking her and slipping a finger deep inside her. She buried her face in the pillow, overwhelmed with sensations.

  “Brenna.” Her name sounded like a prayer as he moved against her slowly, letting her adjust to the new position. Holding on to her hips, he thrust faster and more deeply, reaching for that ultimate joy that only his body brought to hers.

  As the universe shattered, they both cried out in release and then collapsed. When sanity slowly returned, Blake pulled her into his arms for a sweet and gentle kiss.

  Then he turned off the bedside light and curled around her,
an unspoken promise to hold the darkness at bay.

  He’d been awake for almost an hour, but he was in no hurry to leave the warmth of the bed. He loved feeling the curve of Brenna’s backside snuggled up against him.

  She stirred and stretched. “Good morning.”

  “Yeah, it is.” He planted a kiss on her cheek as he ran a hand down her back, tracing the curve of her hip. “How’d you sleep?”

  She turned to face him and smiled. “Just fine.”

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, letting her feel how fine he felt himself. Sliding her hand down between them, she admired the length and breadth of his desire with her fingers.

  Pure physical pleasure burned through him as he claimed her lips with his own. He’d love to finish what they’d started, but she had to be a bit sore from their activities during the night. It took all the strength he could muster to break off the kiss. He tugged her hand back up and away from temptation.

  “How about I find us some breakfast?”

  “Sounds good.”

  He sat up and reached for the phone. While he waited for someone to answer, Brenna rose to her knees and leaned against his back. Jarvis answered just as she started nibbling on Blake’s ear.

  “Stop that!”

  “Stop what? I haven’t done anything.” Jarvis’s voice held a hint of laughter.

  Blake caught Brenna’s wandering hand and held on tight. “I was wondering where we could get a meal around here.”

  “Come back to the main cavern and take the elevator up to the second level. Any of the John Does can point you in the right direction.”

  “Thanks.”

  “If you hurry, you can eat and still make the morning workout.”

  “Sounds like fun. I’ll be there.”

  He hung up the phone, then captured Brenna’s hands in his own. “Listen, wench, I have to save my strength to show Jarvis which of us is the better swordsman.”

  “I could tell him how good you are,” Brenna said with a sultry laugh, eyeing a certain part of Trahern’s anatomy. “After all, I have first hand knowledge about your ability with a sword.”

  “Yeah, but then he’d want to prove you wrong, and I’d have to hurt him.” He tugged her off the bed. “Let’s get dressed. I seemed to have worked up quite an appetite.”

  That set her giggling. “So have I. Are you sure we can’t send for room service?”

  “Somehow I can’t imagine Jarvis wearing a waiter’s uniform and holding his hand out for a tip.”

  Brenna started pulling clothes out of her suitcase. “Can I come watch the two of you?”

  Trahern pulled his T-shirt on over his head. He wasn’t sure Brenna was ready to see the Paladins ply their craft, even if they were just practicing. “I’ll have to ask Jarvis. He might prefer it if we kept you out of sight.”

  He watched as she pulled on the shirt he’d loaned her the day before, liking how she looked with his shirt on. She might want to keep it permanently, but he wanted it himself because it would carry her scent. He’d cherish that small reminder of her when he returned to Seattle.

  “Ready?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “As long as she stays out of the way, I don’t see why she can’t watch.”

  Brenna gave Jarvis a bright smile. “Just stick me in the corner. You’ll hardly know that I’m there.”

  Jarvis arched an eyebrow. “Honey, you’re the only woman in the whole complex. You’ll be noticed.”

  He opened a door to reveal a large gym. Men were already scattered around the room, most either stretching their leg muscles or going through a series of graceful moves. They were all over six feet tall and in prime condition, yet in her opinion, Jarvis and Trahern stood out in the crowd. She’d never seen so much eye candy in one place!

  She settled herself on a stack of gym mats and leaned against the wall to watch. Over the next few minutes more men, all Paladins she assumed, walked in. At Jarvis’s command, they chose weapons from a rack of swords.

  Trahern stripped off his shirt and tossed it to her. She watched as he picked up a sword, then checked its grip and the blade. He returned it to the rack and chose another, swinging the second blade several times before he was satisfied. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the flex and play of his muscles as he swung the sword. Even if she didn’t know what he did for a living, she would have recognized him as a warrior. When he glanced in her direction, she blushed, knowing she’d been caught staring.

  He winked at her on his way to join Jarvis. The two men held up their weapons in a mock salute, then proceeded to dazzle her with a display of grace and power as they sought to get the best of one another. They seemed an even match, first one and then the other gaining the upper hand.

  She soon realized that the rest of the men had ceased their workouts to watch Jarvis and Trahern, too. From the grins on their faces, they were enjoying the show as much as she was. Both men were dripping sweat, and their fierce expressions and determination to dominate held everyone riveted.

  Their fighting styles differed greatly. Jarvis was quick and moved with a dancer’s grace, while Trahern used his size and strength more. Finally, at some invisible signal between them, they stopped and backed away from each other.

  Jarvis held his hand out to Trahern. “Damn, man, you’ve improved with age.”

  “Yeah, well, you still move pretty good for an old man.”

  When some of the other Paladins laughed, Jarvis turned on them. “Any of you want to see what this old man can do?”

  Most of them held up their hands and backed away, but a few held their ground.

  Jarvis nodded. “Trahern, you want to help me whip this bunch into shape?”

  “Sounds like fun.” He moved up to stand with his friend. “How many shall we take on at a time? We don’t have all day.”

  “You’re right. How about all of them at once?”

  Then the fight was on, with Blake and Jarvis standing back to back and taking on all comers. Brenna watched with her heart in her throat, mesmerized by the beauty of what they did, yet terrified that someone would slip and draw blood.

  Trahern and Jarvis gradually whittled down their opponents until only the last four remained. She would have thought both men would be showing signs of exhaustion by now, but Trahern actually picked up speed, forcing the two men he faced to back down and surrender. Jarvis accepted that as the challenge it was and quickly vanquished his remaining foes, as well.

  The entire room erupted in a round of applause for the victors. Jarvis and Trahern both grinned and handed their swords off to the nearest Paladins.

  “Damn, I’ve missed that.” Jarvis slapped Trahern on the shoulder. “You might not be much on style, boy, but nobody can beat you for strength or sheer cussedness.”

  Trahern sneered at his friend. “Watch who you’re calling boy, old man. But much as I hate to admit it, between you and Devlin, I’ve learned from the best.”

  Brenna didn’t have adequate words to describe what she’d just witnessed. She’d watched enough sports to know what a well-trained athlete was capable of, but nothing compared to the beauty and deadly grace of these men with their weapons.

  And her lover was the best of the bunch. As she handed Blake his shirt, she didn’t quite know what to make of that.

  “You’re not sleeping.” Brenna raised her head up to look at him. “Is something wrong?”

  “It’s the barrier. I can feel it.” He turned onto his back and crossed his arms under his head. “The longer I’m here, the more sensitive to it I become.”

  She traced a lazy circle on his chest with her fingertip. “Is it a good feeling?”

  “More like a vibration that feels either right or wrong. Like a melody that falls into discord for a few notes. It jars rather than soothes.”

  “What does it sound like when it goes down completely?”

  “Like a scream for help. When that happens, every Paladin in the area grabs a sword and
runs for the barrier. Some of us have an ability to help reestablish it. The rest of us hold back the invasion.”

  She shivered. “Why do they try to invade, since they know you’ll be waiting for them?”

  “A good question; one that we’ve never found a satisfactory answer for. When most of the Others come across, they’re almost mad with battle fever. They’ll charge against overwhelming odds. We try damn hard to keep that kind from making it to the surface, because they’ll kill anything that moves.”

  “And the rest?”

  “Lately, some evidently thought they were buying their way across, using some kind of blue stones that don’t exist in our world. We either force them back or kill them.”

  “And the few that do make it to the surface. What happens to them?” Her eyes were huge in her face.

  “If they’re crazy, eventually we find them. The others disappear into the general population and make a life for themselves.”

  Her hand on his chest stilled. “They’ve inbred with humans, haven’t they?”

  “Yeah, near as we can figure.”

  “Are their children different in significant ways from normal human children?” She snuggled closer. “Is there any way to pick them out?”

  He didn’t want to answer, but he wouldn’t lie to her. “Not on the outside.”

  “But on the inside?”

  Staring up at the ceiling, he captured her hand with his and kissed her palm. “They have some special abilities. One is recovering from mortal wounds.”

  It didn’t take her long to connect the dots. “The mix of their genes with human produced Paladins.”

  “Yeah, lucky us.”

  She snuggled closer. “So, tell me if I’m right about this. Their gift to your genetic makeup lets you come back from wounds that normal humans can’t, but only for so long. After that, something changes.”

  He told her the brutal truth. “We become like the worst kind of Other, ready to kill anything that moves. That’s why when we’re injured or killed, they strap us down on steel tables with heavy duty chains. Depending on how we do when we wake up, they either feed us or kill us. Nothing in between.”