Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) (28 page)

At a knock on her door, Candy jumped. Normally, no one was up this time of year. She was surprised when she warily opened the door to a smallish man standing before her holding a huge, beautiful bouquet of flowers.

“There must be a mistake,” Candy mumbled. The man rattled off her lot number quickly and at Candy’s nod shoved the flowers into her arms and left without a backward glance.

Mystified, Candy searched for a card. The small white envelope contained not paper, but the most beautiful golden locket she’d ever seen, sprinkled with tiny diamonds. Shaking slightly, Candy held it clutched in her hands. She dropped back onto the couch. She remembered expressing to Dirk before their island trip she would like a locket with their pictures in it. So she could wear him close to her heart forever and see his smiling face whenever she wished when he had to be away from her.

Candy’s tears fell steadily as she opened the locket to gaze into Dirk’s handsome face. He was smiling into the camera and his eyes shone like candles. An almost identical picture of her mirrored him. The shots were taken their last day together on the private beach. Both were surrounded in the brilliant blue light of the day. She remembered how happy she had been when Dirk snapped her picture, how much love filled her when she took the photo of him. Her heart pained until she pressed her hand to her chest and she heaved in a great sob.

“It took me two weeks to get up enough nerve to send that.”

Candy jumped to her feet and spun around in stunned surprise. Dirk stood before her. His humbled look had her crying harder. That such a powerful man could look so tired and sad made her feel almost frightened.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Long ago, I let someone walk out of my life and it almost killed me. I won’t make that mistake again. I need you, Candy. This time I won’t walk away. I can’t, I don’t want to be without you.”

“But you don’t love me.”

Dirk strode to her and crushed her to his chest. “I do love you. I was afraid to admit it. Sounds stupid doesn’t it? Someone who’s omnipotent, afraid.”

“Why were you afraid?”

“Candy, I seduced you into loving me, I made you dependent. I took advantage of your fear and used it to my advantage. I wanted you to love me. I needed you to love me. I thought it would be better for you, me, if you accepted your fate. I could take you places and make you happy. I wanted you to be happy and not afraid of me. I hated your fear. I hated that I kept on hurting you. I was so cruel.”

Candy took a step away from him. “Why are you telling me you love me? There’s no threat to Damien; the entire Darren family is gone.”

“Because somewhere along the line, I really did fall in love with you. After being rejected by someone I loved so much, I couldn’t believe someone would really love me. I didn’t think it was possible for any woman to have real feelings for me. But I have to know, Candy, do you love me? I’ve given you these two weeks to think about it. I bought both of these other cottages here close to you so that you could be alone, well almost alone. I’ve been staying in one of them to keep an eye on you. When those men came to winterize your cottage, three of them were my men from a different sector.”

Candy looked at him amazed. He’d been close by all along. She was surprised he kept himself hidden. Yet looking back, she thought someone was watching her when she took her long walks. His prowess with stalking was amazing. She never once suspected it was him or that three assassins helped with her cottage.

“Tyler said horrible things,” Candy admitted to him. She disengaged his arms from around her and sat down.

Dirk was beside her in moments, he reached for her for a brief second then his hands dropped to his sides. “What did he say?”

“Tyler said what you said, only in a cruel way. He made me feel so pathetic. Tyler said I only fell in love with you because I had no choice. Did I have a choice?”

“No. I gave you no choice. I didn’t do it to be evil or cruel. Deep down, I needed you to want me. The thought of you rejecting me terrified me. I’ve never in my life tried so hard to make someone love me. But there’s no underlying deed or motive now. You have a choice. But I swear I won’t give up this time. I’ll send flowers until you feel you live in a greenhouse. Gifts will be piled in every corner. Your bedroom will look like a jewelry store.”

“Have I ever asked you for things to make me love you?”

“No, never. I know all you ever wanted was for me to love you and I do.”

“I feel so confused. I know I love you, but why do I love you?”

“I can’t answer that. Only you can. I’ll give you the time you need, I swear. Please come home with me. I’m lost without you. The all-powerful Iron Hand needs you. You fill my life with such joy. I’m so empty without you. You really are the most amazing treasure I’ve ever touched.”

“Dirk...”

Dirk dropped to his knees before her and took her hand. He gazed with longing into her eyes as though trying to see what lay in her heart.

“Marry me again, Candy. This time we’ll do it right. We can both go pick out wedding rings. You can buy yourself a stunning wedding dress. This time your family will be with you. Carrie is so lonely without your company. The twins cry, and we all know it’s because they miss you. Please say yes.”

This time he was asking for her hand, not demanding it. This time, it would be about them both, not just him. It occurred to Candy at that moment while Dirk bared his soul that she could have turned him away at any time. She knew how he felt about rejection. She could’ve wounded him long ago, but instead chose to love him. Candy’s eyes widened at that thought. She chose to love him; she didn’t just give in or give up. If she told him no, she knew he would honor her wishes. The first time they made love, real love, she had wanted him, he promised he would stop if that was what she wanted and she believed him. Maybe they hadn’t loved each other at the time, but the spark started and flamed.

“I’m not ready to go back yet,” Candy admitted. She watched as Dirk’s face fell into his chest, devastated. She was right; she had the power to wound him. “Stay here with me for a week first. Damien cut the phone lines when he chased me and I haven’t bothered to fix them. You owe me at least a week, you promised me ten days. Let me show you my piece of heaven.”

Dirk pulled her into his arms in seconds, even before she was through talking. It was Candy’s turn to wipe the moisture from his face. She’d cried so often in his arms while he offered her the comfort she desperately needed, now it was her turn to be the one to offer the comfort.

“I do love you, Candy. I’ll make time for us, I swear. Give me a chance and we’ll both be happy.”

“I love you, too, Dirk. I think it’s time we both had a second chance at love.”

Dirk captured her mouth to his hungrily. She returned his kisses. Only her mouth remained sweet, she didn’t return his hunger. Dirk broke the kiss and gazed down on her. She knew what she was going to ask of him was going to be hard for him.

“
I
want
you
,” she said with meaning.

For a moment he looked confused, then with a wry nod, Dirk followed her to the bedroom. Candy laid Dirk back onto the bed. When his hands rose she pushed them to his sides. She undressed him at her leisure. One by one, articles of clothing hit the floor until both were naked. Candy stared at his body, openly admiring his power. His jaw line twitched, and she could see he was trying not to grin at her open, appreciative appraisal.

“You’re
my
husband.”

Dirk did grin then. Candy slid her hand from his chest to his growing erection; she reached to fondle his round globes and smiled when he groaned. He said nothing when her warm hands took his long length and rubbed him seductively. She blew on the head before taking him deeply into her mouth. For a brief moment, his hands rose to reach for her hair, but he stilled. By the way he tensed, she could tell it cost him dearly.

She was in complete control; he allowed her what she wanted. She was stunned. A man who thrived on absolute dominance lay powerless beneath her. Her tongue slid over the long length of him seductively. Her lips closed over him. She tasted the wet droplets as some escaped to spill within her mouth. Candy released him to settle onto his midriff. Her hand reached to guide him inside of her. Again he tensed. Very carefully, his hands stroked up the back of her thighs to linger. He didn’t take her waist into his grasp. Candy rose high, sliding her warm moist heat up the long engorged length of him. Her hands planted firmly onto his chest. She threw her head back and arched her hips as she plunged downward. Dirk made grunting noises deep within his throat, and she smiled at his restraint. Again she marveled he wasn’t pinning her and slamming himself within her. Although, she admitted she wouldn’t have minded at this point.

“I love you,” Dirk muttered.

Candy gazed down into his beautiful blue eyes. Her breath caught with the magnitude of emotion she witnessed. She leaned low to capture his mouth, and he let her do the capturing, it was heaven. Candy suckled his bottom lip, running her tongue over his lips first then drawing them into her mouth and nipped gently. His hands crept up her back to massage her shoulders. He remained gentle. Candy could feel the build of desire. When she came, it wasn’t with a thundering passion that he provoked, but a rolling wave of deep desire. Dirk tensed beneath her. She closed around him as he found his release. Candy lay over him, pinning him. Or so she thought. Dirk rolled over with her.

“It’s my turn now,” he declared gruffly.

Candy chuckled and lifted her hand to brush a lock of blond hair from his forehead. “Sounds like a wonderful idea to me,” she concurred.

* * * *

Seven days later Candy was happy to be in James’ embrace. Damien stood by, as did Carrie and Tyr while holding the twins. They crowded around, welcoming her.

“Welcome back,” James said happily into her smiling face.

“Not back, Dad, home,” Candy corrected through a mist of happy tears.

James laughed uproariously, remembering their first outing together. She was right, she was home. James glanced at his possessive son who beamed outrageously at their exchange. James couldn’t have been happier. When Dirk raced off shortly after Candy left without saying a word, he had been beyond concerned. For the first time in his life, Damien tracked his big brother at his father’s request. He returned home the successful hunter and declared Dirk was alive and well and buying up property in bug-ville. At his father’s deep scowl, Damien smiled sheepishly and told his father Dirk was keeping a vigilant eye on Candy without her knowing it.

James decided to leave them be. He regained control of his previous position, deciding Dirk needed this chance. He felt certain his son loved Candy and was being forced to admit it. He knew his son feared the emotion; he had been hurt so terribly and lost so much. That he was facing his biggest fear had James puffed with pride. He always knew his son was fearless.

“Candy and I are tired. It’s time for me to put her to bed, and we can talk more tomorrow,” Dirk finally declared at Candy’s quickly masked yawn.

Candy smiled gratefully up into his face and allowed herself to be gently propelled to the stairs. She grew confused when Dirk led her away from his bedroom.

“I thought we were going to bed,” she questioned.

“We are,” Dirk replied secretively and urged her forward.

To Candy’s surprise, Dirk reached a set of double oak doors and threw them wide. He then scooped Candy up into his arms and entered the huge room.

“Dirk?” she asked with curiosity.

“Do you like it, sweetheart? It’s for you. I started it as a surprise a while ago. It was recently finished.”

Candy gazed around in awe. The rooms were beautiful, and large. She opened the double doors with stained glass angels to the side of their bedroom and smiled endearingly up at him.

“You still want a baby don’t you?” Dirk asked anxiously as they walked through the nursery, already filled with accessories.

“Your baby,” she said, fingering the snow white lace surrounding a canopied oak stained crib.

“Our baby, Candy. Our rooms, our lives, our home, our love, forever,” he said happily.

“Forever is a long time,” Candy whispered as his head descended toward her own.

“Not nearly long enough for me, sweetheart.” Dirk claimed her lips passionately while moving to their bed.

Candy sat on a beautiful wraparound porch attached to a stunning large chalet out in the middle of nowhere. She froze in anticipation as a deer glided silently from the foliage to a small bushel of apples, no more than a few feet from where she was sitting. The doe was huge and well fed and seemingly unafraid of humans. It seemed to expect not only the treats, but the soft-spoken, fawning words Candy was more than happy to offer.

A soft kiss was dropped onto her neck and she smiled. Dirk sat beside her and took her hand into his. The doe remained unconcerned at the new presence and barely raised her head in acknowledgment. Candy remembered chuckling at the irony when Dirk declared he hated hunting. He smiled at her sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders as she raised a sarcastic eye.

“She’s so helpless and innocent,” Dirk said. Candy concurred.

“I hope she’ll bring her young one with her next year,” Candy commented.

“You’ll have your own young one to fuss with soon enough,” Dirk reminded her happily, placing a possessive hand onto her belly.

“Dirk, the baby isn’t even the size of a walnut yet,” Candy said, rolling her eyes.

She discovered recently she and Dirk were to be parents. Dirk was ecstatic. Whereas before he was overindulgent, he was now out of control with the gifts he lavished, until Candy begged him to cease. She informed him their bedroom suite was running out of room and unless he was willing to add another wing, he’d best calm his spending habits.

“
Damn,”
came a loud voice. The doe lifted her head and snorted as Damien came into the clearing. “Damned stupid animals have to shit right where I walk. Yes, I’m talking to you, you furry fat beast.” The doe dropped her head unconcerned, apparently used to this particular human’s rants, and chewed on the apples, ignoring him.