Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jenson Guardian 5)

"Maybe, but the telling point is, you haven't even contacted him."

"Because he wasn't home. He's been off on some business trip again."

"He has a cell phone, Riley."

"Oh, just shut up and stop nagging me," I said, more than a little crossly.

He chuckled. "Want me to meet you at the airport?"

"Someone had better. I can't afford a taxi after all the chocolate I've eaten on this trip."

"Text me the details and I'll be there."

"Will do, bro."

I hung up. The thought of going home had my hormones dancing, and I couldn't help the great big grin that plastered itself on my lips.

Still, before I packed, I headed down to reception and checked if Jim had left me a message. He had, and it was the answer I'd been expecting. No one remembered a man matching the description I'd given him.

Maybe it was just a scam. It wouldn't be the first time a. boy had lied about his name to get an easy lay. Although that didn't explain why Blake thought she'd bedded him, when no one up here could even remember seeing him. No one but Jared.

Once back at my villa, I got on with the serious business of packing. Jared appeared from nowhere, and helped carry my luggage to the little plane that would take me back to the mainland. I gave him a polite kiss good-bye, and used the moment to lower a shield and try to read his thoughts - only to hit what felt like a brick wall. Either he was mind-blind, or he had psychic shields as tough as any vampire.

Which raised the question, what might he be hiding? Anything? Or was I just being a suspicious bitch again? Probably, I thought wryly, as I boarded the plane.

Of course, getting a connecting flight back to Melbourne wasn't as easy, so it was a day later when I finally reached the Virgin terminal at Tullamarine airport. Thankfully, Blake's spirit or aura or whatever the hell that was didn't manage to find me during that time. Maybe being on a plane and on the move made me difficult to track.

I collected my bags and walked out of the terminal building, shivering as a blast of cold air hit my skin. I thought about dragging a sweater out of my bag, but honestly couldn't be bothered. I just wanted to get home. I stopped briefly and looked around for either Rhoan's or Liander's car, but found Kellen instead.

Pleasure shot through me, and I dropped my bags and ran into his arms. He laughed softly as he lifted me up and spun me around, then his lips found mine and he kissed me. Thoroughly and deeply, until my head was spinning and desire was pounding through my veins.

I sighed when he finished, then rested my forehead against his and stared into his bright, gold-flecked green eyes. "Missed you."

"And I you." He let my feet touch the ground but didn't release me.

I pressed myself against him, and wished there wasn't clothes between us. "So how come you're here?"

He smiled and kissed my nose. "Because two weeks away from you is far too long. I've already informed your brother that you're coming home with me."

A grin touched my lips. "Oh yeah? And why would that be?"

"Because I intend to ravish you senseless."

His words had my pulse skipping about dizzily. I restrained my excitement and tried to remain cool as I raised an eyebrow. "What if I don't want to be ravished?"

He collected my bags, then hooked my arm through his and led the way over to the taxi rank and parking areas. "Too bad. You have no choice in the matter."

"Not even if I'd rather a long and leisurely seduction?"

"Nope. Sorry." His grin was decidedly sexy and not in the least apologetic. "It's been two weeks since I've held you in my arms. Slow and leisurely just aren't possible."

"A man with no self-control." I shook my head in mock sorrow. "Such a shame."

"I've been with you for five minutes and I've only kissed you. How much more control do you want?"

I laughed and squeezed his arm, suddenly fiercely glad he'd come here to meet me. "Where's your Mercedes?"

"Didn't bring it." Mischief twitched his luscious lips. "I thought the returning princess deserved a ride worthy of her status. Hence, the limo."