Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael 2)

"A week ago. They were on their honeymoon."

"Just as well we're not then, huh doll?"

Ginger's smile was ghostly. Sadness crept into her eyes, only to disappear when she blinked.

"What about you folks?” Rodeman continued. “You honeymooners?" Michael smiled and glanced down at Nikki. Her gaze was still caught by some point between the Rodemans. Worry snaked through him. What was she seeing? “Married two days ago."

"I guess that means we won't be seeing much of you in the next few days then.” Rodeman's laugh was like the man, big and affable.

"Probably not.” He shrugged. Unless the Rodemans’ were night owls, it was doubtful whether they'd see them at all.

The limousine pulled to a gentle stop. The driver climbed out and opened the doors. Rodeman edged forward on the seat. “Been nice meeting you folks. Come and have a drink with us sometime in the next couple of days."

"We will. Thank you.” Relief surged through Michael as the two of them left. He glanced down at Nikki again, removing the damp cloth from her forehead. “Are you okay?" She met his gaze, her dark amber eyes glinting with gold in the car light. “Ginger was lying through her teeth. She's not only been here before, but she is here. She's a part of this land, a part of this place." He raised his eyebrows. “Do you mean spiritually connected or physically connected?” The two had far different implications.

She frowned. “Both."

"You folks need help getting out?” the chauffeur said, poking his face in the doorway.

"No. We're fine,” Michael said, and could have killed the driver when Nikki sat up. He hadn't wanted to lose the moment of closeness so soon.

"Let's get this show on the road,” she murmured, tucking her hair back behind her ears. She flashed him a grin that was pure cheek. “Ready, dear husband?"

So the battle lines had been drawn. Michael smiled slightly. He'd had over three hundred years of practice resisting temptation and the needs of his heart, but in all that time, he'd never met anyone like Nikki.

And even though this was one battle he couldn't afford to lose, he had a sudden feeling that he just might.

Chapter Ten

Nikki climbed out of the limousine and breathed deep. The night air was crisp, laced with balsam and other scents she couldn't quite define. Lights blazed in the resort's lobby, a warmth that was beckoning, inviting. The hotel seemed to rise out of the land itself, the lobby a mix of stone and wood that flowed from a natural outcropping of rock and became a building.

Michael touched her back, and warmth crept down her spine.

"Ready?” he said, his gaze meeting hers.

Wariness warred with amusement in the dark depths of his eyes. She wondered why. “As I'll ever be." She slipped her arm through his and felt tension slither through his muscles. He wasn't as relaxed with this situation as he liked to appear. And she was going to make sure he got a damn sight more uncomfortable, unless he came to his senses.

A porter collected their bags and led them toward the main entrance. Twenty steps swept them down into a lobby area that simply took her breath away. The walls were made of redwood, as was the ceiling, which seemed to soar far above her. Sandstone pillars supported it yet in no way dominated the room. Directly opposite the stairs, a two-story high wall of windows stared out over the dark plains. By day, she had no doubt that they'd provide amazing views over the nearby ring of mountains. Even though it was the middle of summer, flames danced in the sandstone fireplaces to the left and right of the entrance, lending the room a welcoming amber glow.

"I'm glad I'm not paying for this,” she muttered. It was doubtful if even the agency's travel account would offer enough to stay here more than a couple of nights.

"Nothing but the best for you, my love,” he said and squeezed her hand. Surprised more by the warmth in his voice than the words themselves, she looked up. His gaze flickered to the right in warning. Ginger was standing near one of the pillars, watching them. She looked ... different, somehow. A little taller, a little fuller, and a lot more color in her skin. Definitely someone to keep an eye on, Nikki thought. As was Rodeman. She had a suspicion he was slated to be the next ultra-rich guy to go missing. But just how deeply was Ginger involved in the scheme? Was she merely bait, or something more?

Michael signed the register, then took her arm again as the porter led them through the lounge and up another set of stairs. She could feel the weight of Ginger's stare long after they'd left the area. Their room was another revelation. Her whole damn apartment wasn't as big as their suite appeared to be. The soaring ceiling and wall of windows were again a feature, but this time the wood on the walls was cedar, and the fireplace looked like it was built out of river rock rather than sandstone. The bed was a platform affair and big enough to fit ten people in. She touched it, her fingers sinking into the silk-covered comforter. The mattress was firm, but not overly so. Just the way she liked it. The bathroom, to the right of the bed, had a spa big enough to hold a party in. The porter placed their bags on the redwood-framed day bed that sat near the glass doors leading out onto the balcony, then collected his tip and left.

She sat down, grinning and patting the bed beside her. “Care to take it for a test run?"

"We are here to work and save lives, not play.” He walked across to the windows and clasped his hands behind his back, staring into the darkness.

She hadn't really expected him to say anything else. No doubt he'd already worked out a roster system to share the sleeping between the bed and the day bed.

"What's first then?"

"For you? Sleep.” His voice was remote. “I have to contact Seline and tell her I arrived safely. I'll also get her to check on Rodeman and his wife, see what she can find." Power surged through the room, tingling across her skin and standing the hairs on end. Perhaps he was already attempting to connect telepathically with his boss.

"Which reminds me,” she said, rising from the bed. “I'm supposed to call Mary."

"Don't use the room phone,” he warned. “Just in case it's bugged. Use your cell phone." She raised an eyebrow. “Why would they bug our phone? We only just got here—why would they even suspect us?"