Ashes (Dark in You 3)

Knox partially lowered the window shade to protect her eyes from the glare of the sun. “I like knowing there’s always someone watching over you.”

She slanted her head. “I wonder if you’ll ease up on me a little when the baby’s born. Maybe all that hyper-protective energy will then be concentrated on them.”

Knox leaned forward and curled his hand around her chin as he spoke, voice grave. “I will be very protective of the baby – make no mistake about that. But nothing will ever make me less protective of you. Not a thing.” He kissed her hard and deep, tasting Coke and chocolate and Harper… which was a bad move, really, because it only made his cock even harder. “This is going to feel like a really long flight,” he grumbled.

“I bet I can improve your mood,” she said with a smile. “Lucian’s postponed his trip. Apparently, he met some Thai woman and she’s keeping him rather occupied right now.”

That did improve his mood. “Hopefully she keeps him occupied for a long, long time.” Knox took another swig from his glass. “Like a century, for example.”

She rolled her eyes. “I can’t say I’m disappointed by his news. I don’t think he’ll react well to my being pregnant, so the delay is most welcome. Not that I want or feel that I need his approval. But you’ve seen how he gets when something upsets his little world. It’s excruciatingly annoying. And I know that if he has a tantrum and says something offensive, my demon’s going to want to shove my stiletto blade right up his rectum.”

Knox licked his teeth. “My demon will want to do worse.” The entity already despised Lucian for his neglect of Harper.

“Which means the whole thing has the makings of a clusterfuck.” Harper fell quiet as she finished off her Hershey’s bar and drank more of her Coke. “Oh, I meant to ask before: was Dario at the meeting?”

“Yes, he seemed angry that you were hurt and he wants to be sure that whoever’s behind the attacks will soon be dead.”

“Aw, that’s sweet.”

“I asked him if Nora had any warnings to deliver. She said that when it’s time to kill the child, we shouldn’t hesitate. For a moment, I thought she meant our child. But I think she meant McCauley.”

Frowning, Harper swallowed. “The kid creeps me out, but I don’t want to have to kill him.” Just the thought made her stomach churn. Even her demon wasn’t keen on the idea.

Knox rubbed her thigh. “Neither do I, baby. Neither do I.”

“You said it was a beach hut.”

“It is.”

Hut, my ass. “Knox, aside from having a thatched roof, it is nothing like a hut.” The white, two-story building was more of a luxury villa. Situated on a beautiful tropical beach, it was surrounded by tall palm trees and white sand. The sun glittered off the rippling turquoise-blue sea, and she just wanted to dive right in it – it was seriously freaking hot.

It had only been a short walk from the jet to the “hut”, but already her skin was sticky and sweat was trickling down her back. As they’d walked along the man-made path through the jungle, she’d seen lots of colorful birds, a few snakes, and heard what she suspected were monkeys in the distance. Not a big fan of monkeys, she hoped they remained in the distance.

She almost sighed in relief as the cool breeze swept over her and ruffled her shirt. “Did you ever rent out the island?”

“No. It’s mine.”

He said it with such finality that she smiled. “And you don’t share what’s yours.”

Knox drew her close and spoke against her mouth. “No, I definitely don’t share what’s mine.” Neither did his demon. He licked at her lower lip and then gave it a sharp, possessive nip. “Come on, let’s go inside so I can show you the place.”

Knox first introduced her to the housekeeper and maintenance guy – both of whom were natives of a neighboring island but also belonged to their lair. It was clear to Harper by the way they chatted to Tanner and Levi that the sentinels had accompanied Knox here plenty of times.

The interior of the spacious, stylishly furnished villa was beautiful. Bright walls, gleaming floors, and high windows that took advantage of the idyllic ocean view. The bedroom was her favorite part of the villa. It had a hot tub, a canopy bed with white drapes that kept out the mosquitos, and a gorgeous balcony that overlooked the sea.

Each of the sentinels had their own room at the other side of the villa, which gave Harper and Knox plenty of privacy. She was glad of that, because she could be kind of noisy in bed and the sentinels would no doubt immaturely tease her about it.

Dressed in a neon-pink bikini, she’d just finished applying sun lotion when Knox walked into the bedroom. His eyes darkened as they roamed over her, and her demon stretched languidly. Harper let her own gaze explore his powerful build, lingering a little on the growing bulge in his shorts. “I’m happy to skip the swim and take care of that, just so you know.”

Knox stalked over to her and trailed his finger over the swell of her breasts, inhaling the fruity scent of her sunscreen. “Very magnanimous of you,” he quipped.

“I’m all heart.”

He dropped to his knees and kissed her stomach. “I don’t know why it turns me on knowing that I put a baby in you. I really don’t.”

She swallowed. “I’m not complaining, in case you were wondering.”

He stood, mouth curved. “Come on.” He linked his fingers with hers and led her downstairs and out onto the deck, facing the beach. Tanner and Levi were already sprawled on sun loungers, soaking up the sun.

Harper almost winced at the smothering heat. “That sand’s gonna be hot.”

“Want me to carry you to the water?”

Pride made her spine snap straight. “I can manage.”

Knox’s demon chuckled. “If we run, it’ll hurt less.”

“Then we run. Ready?”

He nodded. “Go.”

Harper took off and, God, it was like stepping on hot coals. She rushed to the shoreline and pretty much sloshed into the sea rather ungracefully. She’d braced herself for the shock of cold water, but the water was surprisingly warm as it lapped at her body.

She watched as Knox dunked himself and then stood straight. Water poured off his head and slid down his body in a way that made her mouth dry up. “You should do that again. And again.” Chuckling, he guided her deeper into the water and pulled her against him. He kissed her gently, softly… then dunked them both, the bastard. She coughed as their heads broke the surface. “You could have warned me!”

Knox and his demon smiled. She always made him think of a hissing, spitting kitten when she snapped at him. He smoothed his hands up her back. “Sorry, baby.”

“No, you’re not.” She saw a dark shadow under the water and almost leapt out of his arms. “Jellyfish!”

Tightening his arms around her, Knox looked around. “There are no jellyfish.”

“I saw jellyfish.”

“There are no jellyfish. Relax,” he soothed. “Breathe. Take in the view.”

Harper took a long breath. Under the scents of salt water and seaweed were the smells of tropical flowers, sunscreen, and the food coming from the villa. Hooking her arms around his neck, she looked around as they bobbed in the sea, water rippling around them. Waves tumbled into rocks, tossing up foamy sprays of water. There was a dock nearby where jet skis and powerboats idled. Beyond the green mountains, in the far distance, were other small islands.

“Well, does it have your stamp of approval?”

“It does.” Even though the heat of the sun pricked her skin and felt oppressive on her chest, she absolutely loved the place. “But if you’re hoping I’ll agree to stay here for the rest of the pregnancy, you’re out of your demonic mind. I don’t hide.”

“It wouldn’t be hiding.” He kissed her shoulder, fingering her bikini strap. “Stress is not good for you or the baby.”

“Oh, don’t play the baby card with me, Thorne.”

“This – quiet, peace, safety – is what you need right now.”