Adamant Spirits, page 166
Jackson snorted. “As soon as he arrived would’ve been optimal, but I suspect he’ll skedaddle soon.”
“Why is that?” She took off her parka and went to hang it on a nearby coat rack.
“Because you’re here.”
Her hands froze halfway to the rack, and her gaze swung to him. “Huh?”
A funny look crossed his face before he wiped it away with a charming smile. “Doesn’t like strangers.”
She hung her coat. “Oh.” He sounded like lovely company. Not. “Well, I’m glad me being here serves another purpose.”
He grabbed the dessert off the table. “Your presence and this cake are more than enough to make me happy.”
A soft giggle bubbled up. “You’re a shameless flirt. I just don’t know if you like me or the cake more.”
He glanced from the dessert to her and sighed dramatically. “It’s a tough choice. How can I ever choose? Maybe I can sample the cake first?”
She opened her mouth, but before she could reply, he nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like an excellent plan.” With a jaunty smile, he turned toward the direction of the kitchen.
“Jackson, you better not cut into that cake,” she called to him as quietly as she could, still aware that Kaiden and Ashlee had company.
His only answer was the laughter that drifted on the air toward her. As he strutted away, amused exasperation took root, and she shook her head. She wasn’t worried about the cake. Okay, not much, at least. Anyway, it was just a dessert, and he could be the one to explain its possible demise to Kaiden.
The sound of two male voices caused her to look down the left hallway toward Kaiden’s study. Ashlee stepped out of the room, a frown on her face, followed by Kaiden and another man Riley had never seen. She swallowed the lump in her throat. In fact, she’d never seen a guy quite like him. Her hormones certainly took note.
He wore his wavy hair long, just like Kaiden and Jackson did. What was it with these gorgeous men and pretty hair? But that was where the hair similarities ended. This man had glossy black locks, while Kaiden had blond, straight ones and Jackson really didn’t have the type that gave off much shine without some sort of cosmetic aid. And the stranger’s face… a sculptor couldn’t have molded a more handsome piece of art. High cheekbones and a long, straight nose were visible from even this distance.
Riley shifted uneasily from one foot to another. She shouldn’t be snooping but couldn’t seem to tear herself away. Plus, the awkward angle at which she stood in the foyer allowed her to see any person leaving Kaiden’s office but wouldn’t make her immediately noticeable unless one knew to look.
The trio paused right outside the study, and Kaiden said, “We can finish this discussion later, but you can still stay, you know.”
“I think not.” The man’s cultured voice had a slight accent that reminded her of Kaiden and Jackson’s.
Kaiden slipped an arm about Ashlee’s waist. “As you wish. But you never know what you could be missing.”
The other man turned, revealing his refined profile. “I think I’ll live. I avoid all non-faerin females when possible. You know this.”
“Yes, but I don’t understand why.” Kaiden glanced down at Ashlee, a smile breaking out across his face. “They have many charms.”
Riley only half-heard Kaiden’s words as she mulled over what the handsome stranger had said. Non-faerin? What did that mean? Jackson hadn’t made a reappearance, so she couldn’t ask him, not that he’d answer. She’d learned that was part of the strangeness she noted about him and Kaiden. They sometimes said weird things but, when questioned, wouldn’t elaborate on them. Ashlee was never a help, because she pretended to ignore their bizarre words.
“Wouldn’t it be hilarious if one would be your mate?” Kaiden asked lightly.
The man’s lightly tanned face scrunched up. “What a repulsive idea.” As if only belatedly realizing his gaffe, he swung his gaze to Ashlee. “My apologies, no offense intended.”
Too bad his tone conveyed otherwise. Even though she didn’t understand what they were talking about, it had something to do with Ashlee. Indignation burned away any fledgling attraction to the guy. What a jerk.
Ashlee smiled thinly. “Yes, I’m sure.”
Riley shook her head in disbelief. Who was this guy, and why was he so arrogant? He might be rich, but so was Kaiden and probably even Jackson. Those two said odd things, sure, but nothing offensive like this man did. For the most part, she managed to ignore their strange words, but this guy? It was hard to look past his insulting demeanor.
Kaiden glared at the other man. “I think a non-faerin woman might loosen you up. Something has to.”
The black-haired guy sneered. “Enough of this ridiculousness. I’ll call upon you on the morrow.”
On the morrow? she mouthed. What an antiquated way to speak—charmingly pretentious, like the man himself, it seemed.
“I’ll be here.” Though Kaiden didn’t say it, his tone conveyed an unfortunately all had to hear. Score one for Kaiden.
“Good, and see that you’re not delayed by your fiancée this time.”
Kaiden shrugged. “I’ll try my best.”
The other guy was clearly unimpressed with his nonchalance and stared at him with a blank expression. “I’ll come by in the morning at ten.”
“I wait in anticipation of that time.”
“I’m sure you do. Good evening.” With that, the man spun on his heel. She would’ve said he marched, but he was more graceful than that.
Then the realization hit that he was heading straight for her. Panic swelled in her chest, and her muscles tensed. She’d look just like the eavesdropper she was, even though she had a right to be here. Kaiden and Ashlee wouldn’t mind, but who knew how that man would react? Having a run-in with him wasn’t on her list of priorities—ever. Though she hated conflict, if he used that acidic tongue on her, she didn’t think she could remain silent. It seemed like he might be a business partner of some kind to Kaiden, and she didn’t want to possibly weaken an already shaky relationship.
She darted closer to the wall, hopefully out of his line of sight. A fleeting glance told her the front entrance was too far and that she’d be seen if she attempted it. Damn, she couldn’t flee in the other direction because there was a huge table blocking the way. If she stepped around it, she’d be in plain view. And she wouldn’t demean herself by ducking under the table.
There wasn’t even a potted fern to obscure her. She loitered near the corner where the hallway would soon branch away from the foyer. The soft thud of footsteps ratcheted up her alarm, which was silly. Why was she freaking out that way?
Maybe he wouldn’t see her?
For a second, he appeared too preoccupied to notice her as he zipped up his tailored black wool coat. Then he froze, whipping his head toward her. Eyes the color of icy-blue water honed in on her with an intensity that unsettled her.
An involuntary eep flew from her mouth. She felt bare, stripped, under that gaze.
His brows arched in a way that would’ve been terribly cute if she weren’t so mortified. Something lurked behind his eyes, a surprised awareness, which was crazy because she’d never met him before.
As he studied her, his slightly wide-eyed look faded into an expression of caution. “Who are you?”
“I’m… I’m a friend of Ashlee’s.”
“Are you?” He cocked his head to the side and strode toward her. His long, slacks-covered legs ate up the distance. The white collar of a dress shirt lay at his throat and backed up her belief of him being a businessman. He exuded a power that marked him as one used to getting his way.
The urge to retreat blared, but the wall was against her back. And she didn’t want to sprint down the hallway of her friends’ home. That might look a bit crazy to even them.
She wet her dry lips. Why did this man disconcert her so? “I’m here to see Ashlee.”
His eyes narrowed, and he made a sound of exasperation. “I understand that, girl, but who are you?”
She frowned, a daze of confusion swimming around her. Girl? She was twenty-five, hardly a child. And why was he so intent on finding out who she was? He meant her name, right? Her frown slid into a scowl. He needn’t sound so bossy, either. She disliked people like that.
A sense of perverseness she rarely experienced cascaded over her. “I don’t think who I am is important. Anyway, who are you to demand that when I don’t know who you are?”
The man’s finely chiseled jaw worked as he appeared to struggle with something. Maybe wanting to wring her neck? That seemed as good a guess as any.
“I am Ivander Northland,” he said, his voice containing all the warmth of a blizzard.
Ivander Northland? How distinguished sounding, not that she would admit that out loud. Was he from Great Britain? Accents varied from region to region, but she’d never heard one quite like his.
Even though she was aware of the expectation of reciprocity, she was tempted to not give her name. But since she’d all but demanded his, she should play fair. “Riley Robins.”
“Riley Robins,” he said as if testing out the feel of it on his tongue.
A shiver stole up her spine. She’d never heard her name uttered in such sensual tones. He probably didn’t even realize he had done it.
Other than that, he spoke no further. Unlike most others, he offered no greeting or any type of pleasantry. But neither did she.
Unease built as they stood staring at each other. His gaze could strip the varnish from wood. Should she say something? No, why would she? He was the one that had all but accosted her. Was he trying to bore a hole through her with the power of his gaze alone? Worse, why was she just rooted to the floor, taking it without a peep? She should excuse herself and search for Ashlee, Kaiden, or Jackson. Heck, for anyone but the man before her.
Was he trying to intimidate her, or was he being a creep? That she couldn’t tell was worrisome. Either possibility didn’t bode well.
If he didn’t say something soon—like right now—she’d just walk around him and head toward Kaiden’s study. If Mr. Tall, Dark, and Creepy tried anything, she only had to yell in order to bring help.
He opened his mouth as if to say something but then snapped it closed. Finally, he nodded curtly to her. “Good day.”
With that, he marched briskly to the door and let himself out, not looking back once.
Riley released a gust of pent-up air, and she sagged against the wall. It was as if she’d been held in some kind of vacuum, and his departure had released her. W-what had that been all about?
“Riley, you okay?”
The sound of Kaiden’s voice pierced her consciousness. Blinking, she shook off her haze and slowly turned her head. Ashlee stood beside him, also wearing an expression of concern.
The way she slouched against the wall dawned on her, and she straightened. “Yeah.” Unfortunately, the word seemed weak to her ears.
Ashlee came to her side and touched her on the arm. “You look as if something bowled you over.”
A rueful smile came to her lips. “That honor goes to Kaiden’s acquaintance.”
He frowned. “Ivander talked to you?”
The flash of surprise on his face confused her. “Yes. Why?”
“He normally doesn’t deign to talk to hu—” He broke off, only to finish his sentence. “To people he might think below him.”
Had he almost said humans? No, that would be ridiculous. Kaiden West was many things, human being one of them. He was rich and powerful, but he didn’t flaunt it like some. But maybe this was what he was trying to get at? Some of his business associates probably didn’t talk to normal humans unless they absolutely had to.
Truth be told, she sometimes wondered if Kaiden and Jackson were involved in matters of an illegal nature. She hoped not. Both seemed like great men, and she hated to think that Ashlee might be indirectly mixed up in shady business. No matter their business interests, Murren seemed like an odd place to set up residence. But Ashlee had said the guys wanted a small hometown feel where they could live as normally as possible. Though Riley understood that desire, she doubted they’d ever be viewed as merely ordinary.
“He was condescending but intent on finding out who I was.” She shrugged helplessly. “The whole exchange was a little bit weird.”
Kaiden stiffened. “How weird?”
“Besides wanting to know my name? He was…just intense, staring as if he were inspecting my soul or something.”
“Did he say anything else?” he asked with a furrowed brow, stepping beside his fiancée.
Riley couldn’t help but notice how Ashlee shot Kaiden a look, who shook his head. Their interplay made her frown in puzzlement. It was clear she was missing something important, but what?
She chewed on her bottom lip. “I don’t think so. It all happened so fast it’s hard to remember.”
A distracted expression had pasted itself across his face. “Hmm.”
Worry twinged deep in her stomach. “You seem a bit concerned.”
He blinked and slung an arm over Ashlee’s shoulders, who gave him a slight smile. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
His words didn’t comfort Riley, and he sounded anything but sure. How could one quick run-in amount to anything, though? A new idea hit. God, maybe Ivander was a known stalker. If he was rich like Kaiden, he probably could get away with creepier behavior than the average male. She also knew the signs of when Kaiden closed like a book and would say no more.
“If you say so.” She couldn’t shake the feeling that something important, and beyond her comprehension, had happened.
Kaiden smiled. “Come, let’s have dinner. Jackson cooked us quite the spread.”
She followed them into the informal dining area that was attached to the kitchen. A lingering unease took up residence in every cell of her body that wouldn’t be shrugged off, no matter how she tried.
Two
Ivander paced from the kitchen and into the informal dining area. With every passing second, the tension in his body intensified. The sun had set half an hour ago, and each moment ticked by with agonizing slowness.
“Calm down. She’ll be here.”
Kaiden’s dry voice sliced into his thoughts like the unwelcome interruption it was. The driade, a faerin who could take on some qualities of a tree, sat at the island bar, watching him with an expression of amused exasperation.
Ivander glared at Kaiden but didn’t grace him with a response. Kaiden was assured of his bondmate’s love, so of course, he could sit back and gloat. To further the indignity, the driade found it hilarious that Ivander’s mate had turned out to be human, a race Ivander had long disdained.
Ivander found nothing remotely funny about the whole ordeal. He still wasn’t overly fond of humans, but the memory of his potential mate caused his body and soul to rouse as if they’d been asleep for millennia. He scowled. Such feelings had always been beneath him but apparently no longer. Now, he had to court his mortal while gently breaking the news of who and what he was.
Hopefully, she’d take his reveal, when it came, with the same ease it appeared Ashlee had taken Kaiden’s. That the two ladies were such good friends was fortunate. This fact would surely benefit his scheme to win the lovely Riley over. It also helped that he found no fault with Ashlee, other than with the small issue of her humanity and fate’s choice of a mate for her. However, he couldn’t hold either against her since she’d asked for neither. Though he’d always known that not all humans were vain, ignorant creatures, his stance had softened somewhat toward them in the last week. He would never adore them as a race, but as individuals, there were a few worthy of his approval. In truth, his affections didn’t stretch to most faerin, either, so this was rare praise, indeed.
Jackson strolled into the kitchen, and Ivander swallowed the groan flying up his throat. As much as he disliked Kaiden, the draconi was doubly worse.
“The lionidas here, waiting for his mate?” he asked with a cheeky grin.
Annoyance bit deep. The dragon had to know the answer to that. Ivander sneered. “What do you think, dullard?”
Jackson quirked a brow. “The lion is out in full force today and growling,”
“Better that than spitting fire everywhere.”
“I normally only do that when you’re around,” Jackson said lightly.
Kaiden glanced up from his phone. “Don’t poke the lion. He bites.”
Ignoring the two other faerin, Ivander checked his watch. Where was Riley? She was five minutes late, and he’d already been waiting here for an hour!
He slowed by the French doors and gazed out through them. The bright moonlight shone on the white landscape, but the beauty of the night didn’t improve his mood. It’d been a whole week since he’d seen her. After their meeting, he’d tried to resist the pull to no avail. Within hours, he caved and called Kaiden, demanding to know everything he could about Riley Robins. The driade was able to only enlighten him so much. The rest had required a thorough background check done by a fellow faerin, who happened to be a private investigator. Her past had turned out to be gratifyingly clean—no arrests or scandals.
She’d had a few boyfriends in her life, but it seemed none had been serious. That she wasn’t dating anyone right now made him quite pleased. He wouldn’t have to deal with the inconvenience of getting rid of an unworthy human boyfriend. Their developing link should draw Riley to him, making him hard to resist. Anyway, with his wealth and looks, she had to find him an attractive prospect. Women, whether human or faerin, were always swayed by those two things, deny it though they might.
He had to proceed cautiously, though. Kaiden warned him that she’d been slightly spooked by their meeting. Perhaps he’d been too intense? He blamed that on their link flaring to life and his surprise that had accompanied it. After all, the last thing he’d expected to find at Kaiden’s home was a bondmate.
The buzzer to the intercom went off. He stilled his pacing, and his pulse soared. Riley.
His gaze swung to the intercom panel that was located between the kitchen and the dining area. Jackson strode over to it with a jaunty step and shot him a smirk. Ivander could hardly bring himself to care about this newest example of disrespect. His mouth had become parched, and his tongue felt three sizes too big.
