Bloodstone Heart (49 page)
Authors: T. Lynne Tolles
She rolled to her back as he propped himself on his elbow. One hand on her cheek and the other under her hair and behind her neck pulling her lips closer to him so he could taste every sweetness they could offer him. Much to his relief, this was no kiss from a sister, her kiss was life giving. His heart ached for more and more. How could he ever get enough of this well of sweetness?
One of her arms wrapped around his neck and her other around his waist, being careful not to hurt his injured back, but firmly pulling him closer, just the same.
He moaned at her gesture and he slid his hand under her and pulled her waist to him.
She pulled away from his lips and kissed his neck working her way up his neck to his earlobe. His hair tickled her nose. She kissed his lobe and slightly grazed her teeth across it and kissed it again whispering "I love you, Josh", while he kissed the hollow of her neck. How long and slender it was. He had always admired its beauty, but now under his lips he could feel just how velvety soft it was with the smell of her hair just inches away. He kissed his way back to her lips where she hungrily accepted them.
This had to be what heaven was all about. Kissing and touching someone you love so intensely, discovering things about each other, that was heaven. Sure he had been with other women, but they didn't mean anything to him, this meant EVERYTHING. He needed her and she him, not just for pleasure, but also for life, for sustenance. He'd always thought how stupid it was to hear people talking about needing someone, love at first sight and other clichés, but now he understood what all the mushy love songs were about. Happiness like this was worth the fight to get there and anyone who had ever felt this peace would want to share it with anyone who would listen.
He melted in her arms and she in his and life was, at least for the moment, perfect.
As Dominic sat at his desk, he saw Mark walk by the door of the study. "Mark! Could I speak with you for a moment?"
Mark reappeared at the door, "Sure, Dominic."
"Could you close the door behind you?"
"Sure," Mark said a little suspiciously. "What's up?"
"I was wondering if I could entice you into working for me, full time - on the payroll."
"You're offering me a permanent job?"
"Yes. Yes, I am. As you know I'm always researching things and thought I could use your expertise."
"On what?"
"Oh, this and that. But to be a little more specific, I think I've uncovered something that could be huge, but I'll need help. You weren't in the altar room when the girls destroyed the bloodstone heart, but some how the blast cracked a stone in the hearth near where I was standing and revealed a very, very old item hidden within a cutout behind a stone.
What I have found seems to involve this family - specifically the Larsens. I also think that the altar room has more secrets to reveal, but I'm not at liberty to discuss that just yet.
“I would like it very much if you would work with me on revealing what there is to be found. Does that interest you?
"Immensely."
"Good. I don't know what your situation is with your relationship with Ms. Sarducci, but I think it would behoove us to have you live nearby.
You are welcome to stay in the cottage until you find something to your liking, along with Ms. Sarducci if that is in your plan. Once you find something, I can help get you situated, if you need a down payment or something. Does that sound possible?"
"Wow. Yes and thank you. That sounds very doable."
"Great. I look forward to starting our new endeavor, then."
"Me too. Thanks again, Dominic."
Mark headed out of the study with a big smile on his face and Dominic chuckled as Mark turned to say goodnight.
With Mark gone and the house quiet, Dominic rose from his chair and crossed the room, closing the door that Mark had left open.
A little privacy was just what he needed now that he had Mark on board; it was on to other matters of the family.
He sat down again at his desk and slowly opened the top drawer revealing the manila folder that Michael had given him earlier that evening.
The results of the DNA test he had secretly run on Josh's hair and his own. He held the sealed envelope in his hands for a moment, wondering if he really wanted to know the results. In his heart he had felt as if he had already decided what the results were, but where Anton, Josh, and the rest of the family were concerned, proof would be needed.
Feeling torn between being excited and worried they wouldn't be what he expected, he picked up the letter opener. He hesitated once more, wondering if now was the time to reveal the secrets it held, but his curiosity won out and the silver letter opener blade slid easily under the flap of the manila folder. The blade sliced through the paper with ease making a quiet ripping sound as it did so.
He set the letter opener down and reached into the envelope.
He stopped for only a second as he took a deep breath and then pulled out the results.
One word was stamped across the report in blood red ink - MATCH.
Josh was his son.
The end.
References
Special Thanks
To Cyndi True, Bonnie Tolles, Betsy Riccomini, Tina Rollins, Lori Day, and Janet Traxler for being my readers and supporters. Chad Whelan for his travel expertise, Kimberly and Robert Williams for Robert’s Elevator expertise, and Kelly Eckalbar for her travel input from CA to AZ – thank you for all your support.
About the Author
Born and raised in Silicon Valley, T. Lynne Tolles is a stay-at-home mom, part-time bookkeeper and writer. In the summer of 2009 she claims she got a 'wild hair' and sat down in front of her computer and wrote "Blood of a Werewolf'" in three weeks. She started "Blood Moon" and "Blood Lust" back to back, the following week. "It was never my intention to become a writer, but the more I wrote, the more addicted I became." The Blood Series books presently include three titles. The fourth was released in August 2010 "Bloodstone Heart" and a fifth was released June 2011.
Website:
http://tlynnetolles.netfirms.com
Other books by T. Lynne Tolles
Somber Island
Blood Series
Blood of a Werewolf
Blood Moon
Blood Lust
Bloodstone Heart
Deadman’s Blood