On that note, he took his “bouquet” from her, set it aside, and got serious with the kissing. The next thing he knew, they were on her couch again, this time with her on top, her thighs split over his hips. She lifted her shirt up and over her head, and then … the bra. Her bra disappeared on a oner. Naked, so beautifully naked. And as he cupped her breasts, and then sat up to worship them with his mouth, he knew he was home.
And that would have been true no matter what house he was in with her. The key was her. For tonight and the rest of his life, the key to everything was going to be her.
“So Wrath is okay with all this?” she asked breathlessly.
“We can live with the Brotherhood or get a house.”
“I’m selling this one, so I’m free.”
“You are?”
“I was going to let you know where I went.” She kissed him some more. “I was always going to let you know where to find me.”
He pictured her in his attic down at the Rathboone House and decided that might be a good retreat for them. He was going to have to move a nice big bed in, though.
And she must never know how close he came to killing himself. He didn’t want to think of that ever again, either.
“I’d like a house of our own,” she said as she dismounted and tore off her jeans like they’d burned her. “That would be great.”
He meant to say something coherent. He truly did.
But then she was up on him and working his fly. The second his erection was sprung, she was on him. Literally.
“Oh, God … Sarah …”
They made love for a good hour. Maybe more. And then they wrapped up in her blanket and held each other close.
“Sarah,” he said.
“What’s wrong.” She sat up. “I can hear it in your voice.”
“I have to go.”
“Oh, right, before the sun shows up. This house really isn’t safe for you, is it. Can I come with you?”
Murhder smiled. “Yes. Please. Fritz is getting a bedroom ready for us at the big house. And there’s going to be a party at dawn.”
“Really?” She smiled. “What perfect timing. I feel like I have all kinds of things to celebrate.”
“Me, too, my love.” He kissed her again. “Me, too.”
Murhder intended on things stopping there. But it was Sarah. So naturally, the kissing led to all kinds of other stuff. And he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Back at the Brotherhood mansion, John Matthew stepped out of the shower and toweled off. As he tucked the terry cloth around his hips, he looked over at the double sinks and smiled. Xhex’s wet towel had been ditched on the counter and he took care to hang it up on the peg by the alcove. She’d seemed to be in a hurry to leave after they’d had sex under all that hot water: Kissing him goodbye while he’d been shaving. Dressing fast.
All but running out of their suite.
She’d lost a lot of time at work lately, though. There was probably stuff she had to take care of at shAdoWs—
The pounding on his door brought his head around and stopped his heart.
There was only one kind of fist that made that kind of sound, and he hustled to answer things. Opening the—
John Matthew froze.
Standing outside of his room, in the Hall of Statues, which had been plunged into darkness, the Brotherhood had gathered in a semicircle. He could not see their faces because they were covered from head to foot in black robes, their features hidden by hoods that had been pulled up. But their scents. He knew their scents.
He blinked. Tried to take a breath.
Either someone had died or—
“John Matthew, blooded son of the Black Dagger warrior Darius, adopted son of the Black Dagger warrior Tohrment, you are going to be asked a question. You may give one and only one answer and it must stand for the rest of your life. Are you prepared to answer?”
It was Murhder. Murhder was speaking.
Even as John Matthew nodded, he could not believe this was happening. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe they were—
Tohr’s voice now, loud and clear. “Mine son, will you join us this night and for all others that Fate provides you?”
John Matthew bowed low. As he straightened, he mouthed the word “yes” at the same time he nodded and signed.