Dark Callings (Phoenix Intelligence Agency) (6 page)

“You want our date to start at six a.m.?” she asked.

“Yep. Wear jeans. Bring a change of casual clothing, swimsuit and something dressy for the night-time part of our date.”

“Now I am intrigued. What are we doing?”

“Wait and see. Now, I’m leaving. See you in the morning.”

“Wait. I found some tapes of
The Flintstones
for us to start watching.”

“Start? We can watch them all tomorrow. Bring them with you.”

She shook her head. “I got all six seasons, TV specials and movies. Figured we can work our way through them.”

Lennox frowned. “There are that many? There must be more to this cartoon thing than I am aware of.”

“Oh, that’s nothing. Wait until we get to
Law and Order
. The original show ran for twenty seasons, and had a few spin-offs that were great, too.”

Lennox grinned. “I can see you’re really going to corrupt me.”

You don’t know the half of it. I will have you deep in my body. Soon.
She cleared her throat and said, “Yep. Lots of TV shows you need to catch up on.”

“Bring some of
The Flintstones
with you tomorrow, then, and we’ll work our way through them,” he stated, then stood.

Harmony joined him then followed him to the door. Lennox pulled it open, then rested his back against the frame. Harmony mirrored him, leaning against the opposite doorframe.

“I’m concerned about how Ebony will react to you dating me. Maybe you shouldn’t say anything until we’re sure if this will work.”

“I know it will. And we’ll include her after we get more familiar with each other. Thanks for thinking of her,” Harmony said.

“She’s the most important person in your life.” Lennox shrugged.

“One of them. There are two. You’re the other one. Get used to it.”

Lennox looked as if he wanted to argue, but he didn’t. He straightened, moving outside.

“Six a.m.”

“I got it,” she replied.

“Go inside so I can know you’re safe.”

“Are you going to be overprotective?”

“Definitely. And none of the Houdini stuff your aunt pulls,” Lennox replied.
 

“I don’t plan to run, unless it’s to you. So we’re good there. And sometimes, I like overprotective. Night, Lennox.” She closed the door.

“Night.” His voice echoed through the door.

Harmony shivered, leaning her head back. She didn’t know what he had in store for their first date. She prayed for the strength to not throw herself at him and demand he take her. Breathing deeply, she could smell his scent. It was darkly seductive, much like the man himself.

* * * *

As they drove through the pillared gates, Harmony sat forwards at the first view of the property. It was a massive estate. On either side of the road, green foliage and a variety of trees were offset by a profusion of flowers. It gave a feeling of protection. As they continued, the road opened up into a circular courtyard. The façade of the Victorian-style house was a mixture of brick, stone and something else that glittered in the newly risen sun. The structure was immense. She counted at least sixteen floors. Turrets loomed from the ground to above the highest floor on each side. On each floor were multiple verandas with decorative roofs and balustrades, and the ground floor had a wraparound porch in a design similar to that of the verandas above.

Lennox parked close to the steps, then exited the dark blue Dodge Nitro Shock. He came around the hood and opened her door. Harmony slid her hand into his and stepped out of the SUV. Lennox released her then moved back. She glanced around the area—there was a garden on each side of the pathway and she knew there was much more to see on the property. She returned her attention to Lennox’s house.

She’d visited Christos’ home before and his grounds were also huge, but the house was a more Tudor-style structure, though it had the same enormous size and amount of floors. Harmony had been impressed and knew it fitted Christos’s personality—refined, yet warm and protecting. Lennox’s home, on the other hand, took her breath away. It revealed so much more about him. The place gave her an insight into the man Lennox kept hidden from most of the world. He presented such a cold persona, but she could tell this was his sanctuary, where he let himself be free. It showed the deep, caring man beneath. She turned to him where he stood silently by her side. Lennox’s silver gaze was steady, showing nothing of his thoughts.

“I hope there’s a tour of your house and grounds involved on this date. It’s beautiful, Lennox.”

“A partial one. It’s too much for one visit. We’ll work our way through the place, like the cartoon and shows. Thank you for your kind words.” He bowed his head regally, then gestured for her to precede him.

Harmony ignored him and closed the distance between them. She noted he held her garment bag. She put out her hand. Lennox took the hint and grasped her hand. They strolled to the steps and ascended. On the porch, she craned her neck, trying to see everything. She disentangled her fingers and walked the length. At the other end, she stopped before the hanging swing. The braided material that held it was nothing like she had ever seen. She touched it, and it warmed in her hand. Harmony pulled away, then stroked her fingers along the wrought iron of the sides of the swing. She pressed against the floral padding of the seat. She turned, stepping out of her sandals before she sat, scooting backwards until she rested against the various-sized cushions. She wiggled her toes, which rested at the edge of the swing.

“This is almost like a bed. I bet you sleep out here all the time.” With her toes, Harmony jostled the nearby fern in the stone planter before sitting back again.

“I do, sometimes.”

“What are you waiting for? Come on up,” she beckoned.

“I have breakfast waiting for us.”

“Can’t it keep?” she wheedled.

“Sure.”

Lennox retreated to the table and chairs covered in matching fabric. He placed the garment bag over one of the chairs. Lennox turned, before striding to her. Harmony held back a moan at the leashed power in his movements. He looked luscious in jeans—they hugged his thighs. Lennox sat next to her but made no move to join her as she reclined.

Harmony grabbed his shirt and tugged. “No need to perch on the edge like that. Come on, I won’t bite. Yet.” She laughed.

Lennox glanced at her. “Maybe I’ll be doing the biting.” He grinned wolfishly.

Harmony laughed in glee. Lennox moved to rest beside her. He shifted his shoulder against the cushions then settled. Harmony pressed along his side. Lennox went stiff, then relaxed. He curled his arm over her shoulder. She averted her face to hide her grin from him. Silently, they looked over the rail of the porch into the yard beyond. A sense of rightness encompassed Harmony. She blinked, trying to not fall asleep.

“Time to get up. The swing has the sleep effect.” Lennox moved, pulling her with him.

“I want to sleep.”

Lennox ignored her, bringing her to stand with him. He guided her in the direction they had come, grabbing the garment bag on the way. Lennox opened the front door, and they went in. Harmony viewed the foyer. The captivating and comfortable environment continued inside. Lennox touched her waist. She moved with him, going as he urged. He showed her various rooms as they passed, but they didn’t stop. In the kitchen, she was awed at the space. It was a chef’s dream.

“Ebony will love this kitchen,” Harmony said.

“She’s a good baker. Love her caramel cookies.”

“Which kind?” Harmony asked.

Ebony had recently started making a variety of caramel cookies. Harmony hadn’t known there were so many variations you could make. They both enjoyed caramel, but not so much that Ebony should be making so many types. Harmony remembered the team-building event—Lennox had brought her a plate heavy on the caramel desserts they had laid out. Ebony had convinced her to make more caramel-based desserts than she’d planned to.

“All of them,” Lennox answered.

“Did you ever mention to Ebony you love caramel?”

“I did. Every time she brought more types of cookies. Why?” Lennox looked curious.

“I don’t think you have to concern yourself with how she’ll react to us dating. She’s been bribing you with cookies. I think that means she likes you.” Harmony chuckled.

“She makes cookies for the unit,” he pointed out.

“But only you get the caramel ones.”

Lennox’s forehead wrinkled, then he grinned. “She’s just like her mama—a schemer.”

“Planner. We plan.”

“Keep trying to convince yourself of that.” Lennox moved them along across the kitchen to the glass door and opened it.

“Hey, where is my garment bag?”

“I hung it on the coat rack by the door. You won’t need it until later.”

She nodded, then stepped outside. The view was even more breathtaking than the front. She moved to the stone lattice railing of the patio. Behind her, she heard Lennox moving in the kitchen. Harmony breathed deeply. The tinge of flowers and fresh earth filled her senses.

“Come eat.” Lennox spoke behind her.

“You keep trying to feed me.” Harmony made her way to where Lennox now stood beside an eight-seat patio table.

On the surface were dome-covered plates, pitchers of juice, a teapot, a bowl with fruit salad and condiments. He held out a chair, seating her before sitting himself at the head of the table beside her.

“You can easily hold more than a hundred-people party on this patio.”

“Probably. Never have. I like my privacy. There’s a ballroom that’s big, too.”

“This is a lot of space. Is it an immortal thing, that you all have such massive homes and estates?” Harmony asked.

“Most beings enjoy space. It’s as vital as breathing. With some, it’s necessary for what they are. For myself, I don’t like people around me. Makes me twitchy. Thus, all this space, where I created an oasis to have a place for myself.”

“I enjoy having family and friends around me.”

“Those aren’t what I meant when I say people. Family and friends aren’t just people.”

Harmony smiled, pleased. “What do you have to feed me?”

“Food,” he replied deadpan.

Harmony laughed. Lennox winked, removing the dome on her plate, then his. Harmony’s mouth watered as the aroma of eggs and bacon rose in the air. She viewed the plate that also included French toast covered with slivers of coconut, blueberries and strawberries. She picked up the container with syrup and poured some over the slices. When she tasted the French toast, cinnamon and all the other flavours burst across her tongue.

“Delicious.”

Lennox made a humming sound and they ate in companionable silence. When they’d finished, they enjoyed their beverages.

“This is turning out to be a great date. Relaxed and fed.” Harmony took a sip of her cinnamon stick-flavoured tea.

“You’re an easy date.”

“I know what I enjoy.” She smiled, then studied the view.

“I have much more planned for the day. So drink up, and let’s get going.”

“Leisurely, Lennox. Not everything needs to be rush, rush.” She touched his hand.

“I know all about some things which are best done leisurely.” He turned his hand palm up and caught hers, then raised it to his lips, kissing it softly.

His silver gaze was locked on hers. Harmony shivered, moaning. “Are you attempting to seduce me?”

“Believe me, you will know when I am. You done?” He released her.

“Yes.”

Lennox stood, retrieving their plates, before placing them and the rest of the spread on the cart by the table. He wheeled it inside the house and was back out in moments. Harmony stood, joining him. He went to one of the staircases, leading her down. At the bottom, they strolled across the area. The more she saw, the more impressed she was.

“This place is really beautiful. I haven’t seen anyone else. Do you have staff to help you with it?”

“No. I do it myself.”

“How? That’s a whole boat load of rooms and grounds to maintain.”

“Sometimes, when I need to think, I do it by hand. Other times, I use powers. Takes two seconds.”

“Using powers. That’s cheating.” Harmony bumped shoulders with him.

“Next time I clean, you can come help me. Then tell me if it’s cheating. This place gets dusty like crazy. I can just finish cleaning, and a dust bunny pops up. It’s aggravating.”

Harmony laughed, leaning against him. Lennox held her waist, guiding her on. Her laughter trailed off as she spotted the structure before them. The sound of horses filled the air as they approached the stables. They entered, and Harmony moved to the first stall. A chestnut head appeared over the railing. She reached up and petted the horse, glancing back at Lennox.

“Gio is a flirt.”

“He is beautiful. What breed is he?” she asked.

“Arabian. So is Opal, the mare I have planned for you to ride. I didn’t even think. Can you ride?” Lennox gestured to another stall a few doors down from Gio.