His Dark Embrace

Chapter 47

Skylynn spent the next morning packing her grandmother’s dishes, silverware, and pots and pans. She would have left a few place settings and a pot or two for Sam, she thought with a grin, but really, what was the point? Her vampire brother wouldn’t be doing any cooking, and he certainly wouldn’t be hosting any dinner parties.

Of course, neither would she. The thought sobered her.

Sky glanced at the cardboard boxes spread out on the counter. She really didn’t need all the cookware her grandmother had collected over the years. Kaiden didn’t eat and she didn’t see herself doing a lot of fancy cooking for one. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to get rid of her grandmother’s things. Some of them, like the Mickey Mouse cookie jar, held special memories. Others, like the Meissen Crossed Swords coffeepot, were antiques. Her grandmother had cherished the glossy white pot with its delicate blue design, partly because it was beautiful, but mostly because it had been a gift from Granda on their first wedding anniversary.

After packing the last of the kitchen goods, Sky went into the living room and began sorting through the books in the bookcase. She would leave Granda’s for Sam.

She was placing the last of her books in the box when her stomach began to churn. She made it to the bathroom just in time.

Later, after wiping her face with a cold cloth, she took her temperature. It was normal. She took a couple of aspirin, washed them down with orange juice, and went back to work.

“Looks like you’ve been busy,” Thorne remarked, glancing around the McNamaras’ living room.

Skylynn nodded. “I left all the furniture for Sam, along with Granda’s books and all the stuff in the lab. I haven’t discussed it with Sam yet, but I think we should donate all of Granda’s medical records and journals to a hospital or a library or something.”

Thorne nodded. “That’s probably a good idea.”

“What’s a good idea?” Sam asked, bounding down the stairs.

“Donating Granda’s medical records and equipment to a hospital or a library,” Skylynn explained. “They are no good to any of us.”

“S’okay with me.” Sam glanced at all the cardboard boxes scattered around the living room. “It’s gonna be lonely in this old house, all by myself.”

“I’ll be right across the street,” Skylynn said. “It’s not like I’m moving across the country.”

“Yeah. Well, come on,” he said briskly, “let’s get started.”

It took less than an hour for Kaiden and Sam to move all of Skylynn’s belongings into Thorne’s house.

“Wow!” Skylynn remarked when they were finished.

“That was fast. Maybe we could start a new business. After Dark Movers.”

“Yeah, right,” Sam muttered.

“So, where do you want all this stuff?” Thorne asked.

“I’m not sure,” she said, glancing at the boxes stacked in the living room. “I’ll put it all away tomorrow. That’ll give me something to do while you’re sleeping.”

“Great!” Sam slapped his hands against his thighs. “Let’s eat.”

Thorne looked at Sam, one brow arched in wry amusement.

Skylynn shook her head as if he had made a faux pas at the dinner table.

Sam glanced from Thorne to his sister. “Too blunt?”

“Just a little,” Skylynn said.

“You go on,” Thorne told him. “I’m fine.”

“I can take a hint,” Sam said with a grin. “The newlyweds want to be alone.”

“Good call,” Thorne said. “Now get lost.”

“Don’t need to ask me twice,” Sam retorted good-naturedly, and strolled out of the house.

“So, Mrs. Thorne,” Kaiden said, drawing her into his arms. “Welcome to your new home.”

“Thank you, Mr. Thorne.”

“I want you to be happy here, Sky, so feel free to redecorate the place any way you like. Paint, paper, whatever. And don’t worry about the cost. I can afford anything you want.”

“I would like some new carpet. Do you have a preference for color?”

“Anything you like is fine with me.”

“What about your furniture?”

Thorne glanced around the room. “Get rid of it all.” Taking her by the hand, he led her up the stairs and into the master bedroom. “Any ideas for this room?”

“I have a few.”

“Such as?”

“Well, for one thing,” she said, removing his shirt, “this has to go.” She moved her hands over his chest, leaned forward to kiss his bare shoulder while she unfastened his belt. “This, too, I think.”

“Indeed? Going for a major renovation, are you?”

She nodded as she reached for the zipper of his jeans. “I think these will have to go, too.”

He obligingly removed his boots and socks so she could strip him of his jeans, murmured, “Careful now,” as she began to tug them over his hips.

She grinned at him. “Don’t worry, I promise not to damage anything you might need later.”

When he stepped out of his jeans, she tossed them aside.

“Are you through?” he asked, his lips twitching.

“Almost.” She ran her fingers along the waistband of his silky black briefs. “I really like these. They’re very sexy.”

“I’m glad I have one thing you like,” he said with a laugh.

She glanced at the bulge in his briefs and murmured, “Make that two things.”

“My turn,” he said. “A body as shapely as yours should never be covered.”

She stared up at him, wide-eyed. “Never?”

“Never when we’re alone,” he amended as he lifted her sweater over her head. The rest of her clothing quickly followed. “I think we should give the bed a try,” he suggested.

“I think you’re right.” Taking him by the hand, she climbed onto the mattress, pulling him after her. “We’d best give it a good workout so I can decide whether to keep it or not.”

He drew her into his arms, loving the feel of her bare skin against his own, the way she melted against him. “I absolutely agree,” he said, his voice husky with longing.

She draped her leg over his, wanting to be closer, wanting to be part of him. Whispering, “Kiss me,” she twined her arms around his neck, her mouth seeking his, her hands moving over him, hot and restless with need.