I will kill this woman. I'm done with this bastard first.
Richard poured himself a second mug. He wasn't angry. Well, maybe he was furious.
An endless night. After rolling around on the narrow single bed, he muttered curses in an endless list, looking with disguised resignation at the pallet beside the fireplace. It was definitely not what he expected. It was the damn abstinence. Why he had never been a saint.
- The negotiations did not go well? Or was the night not fruitful? - Mike's laugh echoed among the tavern's agitated comments.
Richard swore in an enviable bad mood. Profitable? Well, he had undoubtedly been up all night and unable to sleep. It was the devil's temptation to behave like a perfect gentleman. The situation was a complete disaster. He hadn't expected Cassie to decide to sleep on a makeshift pallet on the floor.
- I'm really solving the question. - El assured sure that another sleepless night admiring the sleeping woman would destroy all his good sense.
It was driving him crazy with his body heated to a live coal of desire.
He wanted to kill the happy, lucky boy. Kill him. Maybe torture him first. He was definitely going to challenge the wretch to a duel, after all, he had had fun with a married woman. Infernal brat. He had messed with his woman. It was unbelievable.
What did Cassie expect anyway? hell, he was a man. She is his wife. Of course, he had all the rights to...
-I think your beautiful fugitive didn't take the story with Gypsy very well.
-We're coming to an agreement on that. Gipsy can be of great use for many hours. In a war? I'm not really turning down help. Not even a beautiful spirit who was married to me in another life.
Richard raised an eyebrow in displeasure. Gipsy?! Heavens! He was also beginning to wonder what he would be able to do if he found Cassie with another man. For the rage he was experiencing… he rolled his eyes.
Was Dad happy?
Wasn't it fantastic?
For he was possessed!
And that's okay. Ultimately Cassie was furious. Life could be perfect and trouble-free. It was just detailed he intended to iron out. After all, he and Gypsy had been apart for a few months. And it was another problem he needed to solve. Freeing a spirit trapped with Christian sigils.
Last day of summer. It was a big day. His head was spinning. The turn of events...
That time… Ah, Cassie wouldn't stay out of his sight. She would have security guards. He was fed up with Philip, Thalagar and Corner's confusion. It was Philip who never missed a single opportunity to make his wife jealous. It was Corner who couldn't stop teasing. And Thalagar who thought he could make a fortune-hunting for the Pieces of 4. Was there anyone who wasn't looking for those sacred pieces? For that matter, was there anyone Cassie hadn't been able to argue with and get upset with her temper tantrum? Damn, jealous woman! She wasn't the type to have a lot of patience. Much less with funny ones...
Grumbling, he left some coins on the table and decided to go back to his room. Of course, they could settle the matter. Everything was solved with conversation and good dialogue. Why was he starting to believe it wouldn't be so easy?
Cassie gave him a helpless look. Apparently, she was irritated. He himself felt a little depressed about the place. Maybe in the new house...
-What happened, my angel? - Richard spoke and his voice was velvety.- Repent? Maybe hasty? Did you finally notice the consequences? Or should I call my devil?
"Didn't I say I agreed to participate in this scavenger hunt nonsense." She sighed wearily. - A good ship and valuable cargo are still more profitable. See how the tavern is full of sailors and hunters?
-Do you know how much these relics are worth, my dear?- Richard returned the question.- Especially if there is even a chance that the legends are true...
She laughed.
-Don't be silly!- the woman protested smiling.- I'm not going to take over a house out of obligation. Are sacred pieces capable of changing destiny? Are we really talking about the Key to the Ways of Hecate?
Richard managed his best smile. He crunched the hateful word. Heavens! The woman was certainly audacious. Treasures. Jackie. He had been reduced to a mere treasure hunter. Jackie would never believe the absurd. It's him? All of a sudden he was doing nothing but going around collecting money from cheaters...
-And the name of the happy suitor?- he hissed low.
"How?" Cassie asked distractedly.
-I told Dad...- Richard was back to the conversation before.
Her eyes turned to him in bewilderment. Tempting eyes... could make a man burn in hell... He was burning in hell. He wasn't jealous. No way!
-What?
-Why, the damn name...
-Name?
-Yes!- he could scream. - The name! The damn bastard must have a name.- his patience was hanging by a thread.- she Told Will she found a boy and...
-I don't know! It was a detail I forgot to choose. I thought we were talking about more serious problems. Lack of money. Ship expenses and repairs. Is the crew to pay wages? There will be no pay for these people.
-I know it. Why do you think I haven't done anything for a living but collect the money you're owed?" he exploded with irritation.
His gaze was exasperated upon the speechless woman. Suddenly he was even more surprised. Annoyed he put one arm around her shoulders and the other around her waist, effectively trapping her close to her body. She protested was sitting on her lap.
Cassie stiffened.
-But what? Let me go! Now!- She struggled not to notice the body that was the worst traitor. There's Will.
He shrugged nonchalantly.
-I'll release your bar with Will. Believe it.
Richard was shaking with rage. Before going into more detail, he wanted to know who the unfortunate joker was...
-He seems to have forgotten the damned little detail in his haste to please Dad.- he controlled his bad mood.- Did you fix this unfortunate boy before or after spending the night with me?- the man was now snarling like an animal.- As for the damn thing. crew... You won't find a single sailor around here who isn't willing to stick his neck out for such a treasure, my dear.
His gaze was dangerous, intense and searing. He felt his own body burn with desire with the woman snuggled in his lap. And she leaned in, forcing her to slide suggestively over him as he pressed his lips to hers. He was unintentionally marking territory.
Cassie gasped in surprise.
Since that afternoon... The man seemed to avoid her at all costs. Suddenly her wishes came true. Maybe he wasn't so angry with her after all. She sighed as she felt his tongue in her mouth, exploring and teasing with desire surfacing in her gut. Oh, how good a kisser he was. He felt himself walking on clouds.
-You decided to drive me crazy! – Richard complained. – I'm certainly not here out of obligation. I think you know little of me if you believe I'm the type to do things out of obligation. Isn't it amazing? I can be just as stubborn as you.
"Isn't it really amazing then that fate has brought two stubborn ones together?" She replied.
-Right. We almost started a war. Believe it.
As unexpectedly as it had started, he stopped, unable to take his eyes off her. The flushed and reddened face, the rapid rising and falling of the chest awakened in her muscles a pain so sharp and intense that he sighed helplessly. He wanted to take time and do everything slowly that time...
-Remember this! – She warned darkly. "Next time you decide to face scum like that alone. My children are in the care of a dry apple. Our children. - Since I'm going to have to pretend I'm your husband. Considering I'm going to have to find someone to marry us a second time. This is complete nonsense. After all... You were supposed to be screaming that you were my wife and sending these people away.
-How dare you!?
-I dare anything! - He replied with a voice trembling with hatred. - It won't stop there... Where the hell did you get the idea of solving everything by yourself?
His patience was none. He was definitely going to spank the unfortunate man who had committed the imprudence of having fun with his wife! He blinked in bewilderment. Oh, mercy. Since when had he started to feel this way? So furious knowing she drew attention from men around. He was surprised. He was burning with jealousy.
- Dad kept saying how natural it was for a woman to get married and have children. Do you really think I don't know how to mind my own business? I don't know who is more insufferable. Corner? Or Thalagar?
Richard swore under his breath. Once, twice. As simple as that? He could scream and rant all the bad moods. Carry her to bed and show her that no other man was going to touch her. The sudden relief was unbelievable. It was actually going to be easier than he had imagined. Willian was going to ask him.
-Rick, it's better...
-Have no fear. He sighed, eyes still fixed on her, noting her sudden apprehension. – This time will be different. We'll be far away. Jackie is already well advanced with the work. It will be business to support the whole family. A nice two-story house. There are rooms for everyone. Will like. They are finishing restoring the walls. Faith will seize part of the land for fruit trees. Before winter we'll all be there. There's plenty of security. Jackie provided purebred dogs to tend the grounds. They're painting the place. It's still a lot of mess. She was going to be surprised Jackie has friends in these parts. Even furniture... Jackie got everything. Faith will be busy for a long time getting everything ready. There is a beautiful wood stove in the backyard and grateful. The pantry is well stocked with nearly a year's worth of food. Even for the animals. She even has farmed animals much to her brother's dismay. Cats. She will be delighted. The banana grove right at the entrance... There will be all the fruit you like... Even guavas and jambo...
He went back to sliding his hand down her leg, going up until he touched her intimately, noticing the girl's breathing quicken, her mouth tasting every bit of her bare skin.
-Trust me! he murmured, his eyes burning with desire.
In the next instant, he was leaning over her, his hands braced around her head, supporting his own weight.
-You should...
-You really should. And I will.- he was confident and seductive. You know we're in Chabone. I didn't hear you deny in front of witnesses that you were my wife. I'm going to make love to you, Mrs Morgan.- Richard murmured like silk as he positioned himself between her legs, removing the rest of the clothes that Cassie wore in agonizing torture between kisses.- You're my woman!
- I won't take orders...
Rick sighed.
- I hate this rabble too. Just buy time to get out of here, woman.