As You Desire (6 page)

Rue moaned and the sound echoed throughout the darkened landscape. He couldn’t last much longer like this. He didn’t
want
to last much longer in this inky void with nothing to do, no one to order around and no five course meals. His stomach grumbled again and Rue closed his eyes, although open or shut it made no difference to what he could actually see.

He could feel the low hum of energy moving up from his feet through the rest of his body. The familiar surge could only be from one source.
Lona.
If he concentrated hard enough, he could almost envision her before him…his beautiful, sweet, moral girlfriend. He’d never thought he’d admit to missing her. She was the exact opposite of him in every way, but she’d never seen it and he’d made sure she didn’t…well, until the end of their relationship, when it had simply become easier and more beneficial to just control her with his magic.
Rue chuckled to himself and the gruff sound echoed around him.
Lona probably still had no idea how much he’d paraded her around as his personal puppet. The High Council would’ve been appalled to know how he’d used her…the things he’d made her do. He’d always got a thrill out of breaking the rules.
God, how he missed the simple things in life…like a hot shower or making his sexy, woefully trusting lover do whatever he wanted. He wished she were with him now, which surprised him. She had become the bane of his existence before he had been trapped between worlds, but now, after all the days and nights flowing together as one for so long, he wished she were around. With Lona by his side, maybe he’d be able to harness enough energy from her to escape.
Strange that he felt closer to her now, despite the fact he was stuck wherever he was and she was in another dimension all together. There had been times he would’ve sworn he was within touching distance of her. He could close his eyes and hear her heartbeat. He could sense her fear, almost smell her skin.
How was that possible?
No food…no women…c’mon…you’re going mad.
No
—there was something to this connection he felt with her.
“Lona…”
The sound of his voice simply carried in circles around him as he pushed himself up off the rocky ground into a sitting position. His throat was so dry—he’d snatch the bottle from a babe’s mouth right about now.
There had to be a way back…there just had to be.

Rafi lay back on the couch, listening to the sound of the waves beating the sand outside the open window. He lifted the glass of chardonnay to his lips and took a long swallow.
What a day.
He was tired but restless. Thank goodness, Lona had turned in after a light supper of grilled salmon and a tossed garden salad they’d prepared together. He’d tried to keep the conversation flowing and Lona had replied with the required answers, but he could see she was exhausted. She’d left him in the kitchen after he’d insisted that he’d clean up and told her to go and get some rest.
He was worried about her. There was no mistaking the mounting hysteria he could see in her eyes whenever she held his gaze, and he couldn’t blame her. Niri’s news had been disturbing.
Rafi finished the contents of his glass and considered a refill. He was still trying to grapple with his new position as Lona’s guardian for the next few months.
You didn’t tell her.
Nope. And he wasn’t going to—at least, not right now. She had enough stuff to deal with, and so did he…like getting used to being around a female on a regular basis again. His gaze fell on a vase filled with seashells sitting on his bookshelf. Sharon had loved collecting them off the beach when they’d taken their nightly walks together. She’d been so easy to be around.
Rafi got up from the couch and glanced in the direction of his bedroom door. There was no light shining underneath. He hoped Lona was getting some much needed rest. He considered giving her a little mental push to make sure that happened.
No…you need to be able to hear her if she needs you.
Using his gift would almost guarantee he would sleep like a rock.
Rafi went to the fridge, opened the door and placed his hand on the bottle of wine. He slammed the door closed empty handed and stripped out of his shirt and shorts, down to the swimming trunks beneath. His body was wired and he longed for a swim. He glanced in the direction of his bedroom one more time before walking to the sliding door that led out to the deck.
The warm night air washed over him and he sucked in a deep breath of sea and salt. He still couldn’t believe the High Council had appointed him to watch over Lona and that he’d agreed. It had been a long time since he’d been responsible for another person…well, other than the lucky bastards who stumbled upon his vessel. But this was different. Taking on this responsibility had been
his
choice.
Rafi strode down the steps leading off the deck, drawn to the beckoning call of the water. At least he didn’t have to grant wishes for a while. He was officially
unofficially
on vacation from his current J-O-B. With that thought, he raced towards the water with only the moonlight to guide him. The ocean welcomed him with open arms as he cut through the waves to deeper waters. He swam until his heart pumped triple-time in his chest. Salt dripped from his hair as he trod upright in the water to see just how far away from shore he had gone. The faint lights of his beach home seemed far away.
He lived for these moments of solace, when it was just him and nature. Out here, with his body half-submerged beneath the cool waves, he could almost imagine he was just another normal guy taking a reckless late night swim.
But you’re not.
No, he wasn’t…and because of his abilities he didn’t have to worry about drowning or sharks or anything else a
normal
guy would have to deal with. With a weary sigh, Rafi dipped back beneath the water’s surface and swam in the direction of his home. He didn’t want to leave Lona alone for too long, especially after the day she’d had.
That you’ve both had.
Yeah, well, he could deal.
He reached the shore, walked through the sand and realised his mind was still wired even though he was now physically exhausted.
Another glass of wine is definitely needed.
Once back inside the house, he headed towards the bathroom, making sure not to make any unnecessary noise. He didn’t bother turning on the lights as he willed the shower to come on. Sometimes, being in the dark was almost as peaceful as swimming at night. He stepped beneath the steaming hot water and began lathering his favourite soap onto his skin. The clean scent filled up the bathroom as he rinsed the bubbles from his tired muscles.
Out of nowhere, an image of Lona standing in the sunlight popped into his head, her luscious silhouette clearly visible beneath the thin chemise. She had breasts that begged to be palmed and touched and kissed and—
“Damn!”
Rafi twisted off the stream of water, stepped out of the shower and grabbed his towel. He secured it around his waist, refusing to even acknowledge his stiff cock.
You only want her because you haven’t been with a woman in a while—
His blood froze as the sound of Lona’s scream of anguish reverberated through the wall. He rushed from the bathroom to his bedroom, pushing open the door to see Lona sitting up in the bed. Moonlight pouring in through the windows made it easier to see her wide, anxious eyes. She looked so small in his king-sized bed, her chest heaving as she clutched his sheets.
“Lona, what is it?”
“The baby… He wants the baby!”
She dropped the sheet and Rafi saw she had been sleeping in the yellow bikini he’d given her. He hadn’t even thought of her needing pyjamas.
Lona’s hands went to her belly as she shook her head. “I can feel him…the baby… Oh God, Rafi, the baby!”
She let out another low moan of pain as Rafi rushed to her side, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up at the sound of the sheer desperation in her voice.
“Touch my belly and you’ll feel him, too!”
Lona looked up at him, her face framed by her hair. “Please…touch me.”
Rafi sat on the edge of the bed and reached out his hand. Lona grabbed it, dragging his palm to her stomach. He touched her stomach as he held her gaze, wishing he felt something if only to ease her mind.
“Do you feel it?”
Rafi rubbed her stomach as she lay back against the pillows. He could feel her trembling beneath his hand as he continued to stroke the smooth skin of her belly.
“I felt him so strongly just a minute ago.”
Her voice was a whisper in the dark as she placed her hand over his and helped him to press down even more.
“Lona, I don’t feel anything.” He snatched his hand away as she winced. “Are you in pain?”
“Not right now.”
Maybe not physically, but emotionally…
The look in her eyes reminded him of a hunted animal as she stared at him. He wished he had the power to make her feel at ease.
“Can I get you anything?”
Lona shook her head again, closing her eyes with a ragged sigh.
“I make a mean cup of chamomile tea.”
Rafi almost reached out to touch her face as she opened her eyes to meet his gaze again.
“C—can you stay with me for a little while?” Lona dropped her head and silky, chestnut strands shielded her face.
“Uh, sure…just let me put on some clothes.” He stood, thinking he’d give her a little mental push for some peaceful shut-eye if she couldn’t go back to sleep on her own.
“Oh.” Lona’s gaze dropped to the towel draped around his waist. “Yes, of course.”
Rafi left her lying back against her pillow to rummage through his dresser for something suitable to wear. He never wore anything to bed, preferring nothing but the cool sheets on his bare skin.
“Do you need the light on?”
“No.”
He heard her sit up in the bed again.
“Rafi, you don’t have to stay with me. I’m feeling better.”
He cast one look at her face and knew she was lying. “No, it’s not a problem.” In rapid fashion, he stepped into a pair of old running shorts, yanked them up, shucked the towel and pulled his T-shirt on. He dragged the wooden chair by his dresser over towards the bed and sat down. “I’ll stay until you’re asleep.”
Lona stared at him for a minute. “Thank you.”
Rafi watched as she turned on her side with her back facing him. Her tresses shone in the moonlight as she settled into a more comfortable position. His eyes were drawn to her bare shoulder, the graceful line of her neck and the thick swathe of hair lying against the part of her back that was exposed to him.
Rafi listened to her breathing as he tried to steady his own. He counted to one hundred, then up to five hundred, in an effort to occupy his thoughts. The sight of Lona’s silhouette beneath the ivory sheet was making it hard to remember what number he was on. He could just reach out and touch her…run his fingers through those ginger strands. In fact, he was dying to pull the sheet down lower to expose the dip of her waist and the rounded curve of her hips and ass.
That’s it…time to go.
“Lona?” Rafi whispered, looking for any sign of movement.
He stood up, quietly leaning over her to look at her face. Her hands were nestled beneath her chin and her long lashes looked impossibly dark against her creamy skin.
Beautiful…she is so beautiful.
Rafi pivoted away from the bed, disgusted by his inescapable attraction to a female who was not only pregnant, but obviously going through the worst time of her life.
Yeah…and you still want to press her into the mattress.
He closed the door to his bedroom and headed for the fridge to pour another glass of wine.
Watching over Lona was going to be more challenging than he’d anticipated.

Lona placed the bowl of strawberries next to the ham and cheese quiche cooling on the table for dinner. Satisfied with her table setting, she grinned as she opened the fridge and took out a bottle of water. She couldn’t wait to see Rafi’s face when he got home. He always insisted on doing all the cooking, but she was tired of being waited on hand and foot. She was restless, tired of waiting on pins and needles for the next wave of pain to overtake her. The good news was that she felt better than she had in months and it felt good to cook something in the kitchen she knew would be enjoyed.

At least you hope so.
There was a chance Rafi wouldn’t like her quiche.
With a little sigh, she went to the patio door, opened it and stepped outside. She turned

her face up towards the sun as the warm wind blew around her, lifting her short sundress up off her legs. There was no one to bother her, no one around who knew who she was or what she’d been accused of. Rafi’s place was so peaceful—
being
around Rafi made her feel at peace. She couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was just the location or Rafi’s warm smile and engaging conversations.

Lona exhaled slowly, watching the waves break, frothy and white in a sea of blue-green water. She never got tired of looking at the ocean washing up on the sandy shore. The rhythm of the waves comforted her and she found herself staring out over the water several times a day, lost in her thoughts.

Still, after five days of lounging in the sun and sleeping, she felt like she’d scream if she didn’t see a change of scenery. Not that the scenery was anything less than beautiful.
Especially Rafi.
Lona squeezed the cold bottle of water in her hand.
He was more than beautiful. He was kind, thoughtful, funny and one hell of a cook. His easy-going manner made her feel welcome even though she hated feeling like she was imposing on his generosity. He’d insisted on using his genie abilities to produce sundresses, shorts, tops and bathing suits for her to wear, but she’d persuaded him to take her into town to purchase her own lingerie.
Yup, he was the perfect host, giving her space as he’d promised, never hovering yet often around when she wanted company. She’d slipped into an easy routine with him. It scared the hell out of her to admit she was beginning to adjust and even enjoy living with him.
Tonight, she wanted to find her own place to stay. She had enough money to afford to rent somewhere small until she found a job.
And you can offer what skills?
Lona shook her head. She didn’t think there was a huge job market for conduits for psychic energy. It had been so long since she’d lived in the real world. One way or another, she had to forge a new life for herself, and relaxing on Rafi’s deck wasn’t going to help her to do that. It had been crazy of her to accept his offer in the first place. He had to be longing for his space. Lona was sure he’d like to get his life back to normal, and taking in a pregnant roommate outta the blue for an indefinite amount of time was anything but normal.
Niri’s warning echoed in her head. She would need Rafi’s help to rejuvenate her body with magic.
But there’s still time.
She did tire more easily than she had a couple of weeks ago, but overall she felt stronger. The strange pains she’d been experiencing had disappeared ever since the night she’d asked Rafi to stay with her. Maybe there was a chance she wouldn’t need his magical powers for quite a while and if she did in the future…
You’ll just have to ask him.