Page 15 of The Devil's Ice

“The living room with thathugesofa and the fire, definitely,” she breathed. “Get me all hot and sweaty so that I need a shower.Thento the bathroom, where you’ll make me so ravenous and hungry, that wethenhave to move things to the kitchen.”

“I do love a woman with a plan,” Scars said, depositing a small, soft kiss on her sweet lips. “Especiallywhen that plan involves you being utterly, totally, gloriously naked all weekend, and with me inside of you in every single room.”

**

Keira yawned, clutched her pink rabbit, nestled down deeper in Elle Turner’s arms, then closed her eyes. She’d been fighting the exhaustion for almost an hour, insisting that she wanted to keep dancing, but she’d finally lost the battle.

Elle looked over the nodding blonde head at Viking Callahan, who set down his glass of water and loped across the still-packed dance floor to where they were sitting. She watched his massive six-foot-seven frame approach, and as always, she took a second to appreciate the man’s considerable charms. He was aptly named, and he definitely looked like a warrior of old, with his wild red beard and massive upper body. Even in a pair of dress pants and a dress shirt, he looked dangerous and primal – and all of thattotallyworked for Elle.

“So,” he said, his brown eyes warm and gentle as he stroked the little girl’s hair. “I guess we’re heading home?”

“We sure are,” Elle agreed, handing Keira into Viking’s waiting arms, careful not to dislodge Peach, the beloved stuffed toy. “She’s done in. I am too, come to that.”

He shifted Keira easily, holding her weight on one corded forearm, extended his other hand to Elle and pulled her off her chair in one strong movement. He kept pulling until she was pressed right up against his chest, her delicate frame made even smaller against his strength and muscle. They gazed at each other, breathless and bright-eyed, loving the heat that rose between them, even fully-clothed and with just a look.

“So you’re tired, baby?” he murmured, his breath ruffling her black hair. “Home and straight to sleep?”

“Well,” Elle said, her purple eyes dancing. “Iwastired…”

“And now?” Viking asked, taking her hand and leading her to the restaurant exit. “Not so much?”

“Not so muchat all.”

They smiled at each other, then turned their attention to making the rounds and saying goodbye. Scars and Zoe had gone to start their honeymoon well over two hours before, and Wolf had melted away right after, but the rest of the guests were still going strong.

Neither Viking nor Elle minded leaving a bit early, though. When Zoe had asked Jo and Elle if one of them would be OK with taking Keira for the wedding weekend, both women had jumped at the chance, then argued good-naturedly about it until Jo backed down. The deal struck was that Jo would take Keira next time – surely her parents would want a night to themselves at some point.

Jolene Angeles spotted Elle and Viking now, shot over to say goodnight. She gave Keira’s tiny hand a gentle squeeze, settled the bunny more securely in Keira’s grip, then hugged Elle.

“Have fun with her this weekend,” Jo said, her husky voice dark and sexy. “I bet she gets you guys up at six tomorrow morning!”

“No problem,” Elle said. “That’sstillmore than an hour longer than I woke up for damnyears.”

“That is a fact,” Viking agreed, a part of him still stunned that she was able to talk in a bit of a joking way about her time in Gideon’s cult, at The Garden of Divine Light, over in Utah. Viking was actually reaching the point that he was tempted to just wipe that whole state off the goddamn map: between the cult, and Crusher Alcott, and now Wolf going over there alone, Viking was good anddonewith the whole place. “You’restillgetting used to sleeping in, huh?”

“For sure.” Elle nodded. “Not that I get to do it that much, running the kitchen at Satan’s… and considering how much everyone wants fresh-baked muffins when they arrive at the Garage and Blue Dragon for their morning shifts. Means I get there pretty early.”

“Nowthatis the truth.” Silver Bennett wandered over to stand next to Jo, his eyes a clear, flashing silver in the dim light. “I’ve put on about ten pounds in the past few months, just from your carb bombs, Elle, but I can’t resist your caramel muffins. I might need to double-down on my karate training to get back in shape.”

“Indeed,” Jo said, giving him a playful tap on his gorgeous ass. “And I dream about your home-baked brown bread, Elle…God, the smell is amazing. IswearI can smell it over in the accounting office, all the way across the parking lot.”

Keira opened her eyes, turned in Viking’s arms, and gave a small sigh before subsiding back into sleep. The adults looked at her fondly, then quickly said goodbye, Elle promising Jo that Keira was definitely staying with her and Silver next time.

Elle trailed behind Viking as they walked out of the reception area, taking her time in getting a final look at the spectacular mountain sky: it stretched on forever, just miles and miles of bright stars surrounding a pink-tinged moon. The view in Denver was gorgeous, of course, but up here at Open Skies, it was something else, something almost ethereal in its beauty. She was in love with it, actually, and wondered how Viking would feel about leaving Denver proper, finding a small house in the heart of the Rockies, and living under this inky sky full of sparkling white jewels.

Well, that was a conversation for another time, she knew. Right now, Elle just wanted to get Keira home, safe and warm in the guest room with Peach, and crawl into bed with her man, her Viking. Being in bed with him – whether sleeping in the crook of his arm, or doing everything imaginableexceptsleeping – was her absolutely favorite place on earth.

Though if she were being totally honest, as she took one last look at the rosy moon before sliding into the car (Viking’s motorcycle not being an appropriate mode of transportation that night) she had to admit that Open Skies was a prettydamn closesecond.

Chapter Six

Salt Lake City, Utah

The Highway Hellions MC Clubhouse

Two days later

Wolf pulled up to The Highway Hellions clubhouse, hoping that he looked far more relaxed than he actually felt. He was sure that there were eyes on him right now, and he doubted that any of them were friendly.

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