Page 13 of Immortal By Morning
Abril’s eyes had drifted half closed, but blinked open now with realization. She’d leaned back so far into his touch that she was resting against his chest and other parts, in effect, requiring him to spoon her or let her fall.
“Coffee.” The word came out on a breathless squeak as she forced herself to straighten away from him. She quickly slid out from between him and the door and took a step away. “I promised Officer Peters coffee.”
“Roberts took him a cup when he went out,” Delacort told her, his voice deep and so goddamned sexy that it garnered the same response as if he’d caressed her again.
Swallowing, she licked her lips and made herself meet his gaze. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—” Abril paused abruptly because... what could she say? I shouldn’t have enjoyed your touch so much I leaned into you and got all turned on? She couldn’t say that. So, what could she say to end the sudden awkwardness she was feeling?
Lilith caught her attention by shifting to her feet and staring at her, tongue hanging out and tail wagging. Inspired, Abril said, “I should take Lilith out to do her business.”
She didn’t wait for a response from him, but hurried over to Lilith and then hesitated. She would have tokeep the Lab on a leash until the forensics team had finished working in the excavated area, and she wasn’t sure where the leash she’d had on Lilith earlier was. It didn’t matter, she decided. Gina had at least half a dozen extra leashes. Thinking she’d worry about where the other one went later, Abril hurried to the coat closet beside the sliding doors to grab one, then walked back to Lilith to snap it onto her collar.
She led the Lab out of the kitchen to the entry, and was reaching for the door when Delacort caught her arm to stop her. Turning in surprise, she peered at him in question.
“Shoes,” he said simply.
Abril glanced down to see that not only did she not have shoes on, but she was missing socks as well. Embarrassed by her own stupidity, she muttered under her breath and tugged Lilith with her as she hurried to the large coat closet across from the entrance. She’d brought a pair of dress shoes for work, and runners for after work. The presently mud-covered shoes in the laundry room were her work shoes. She would be using her running shoes.
“Do not forget a coat.”
Abril straightened abruptly in alarm.
“What is it?” Delacort asked, spotting her reaction to his words, but Abril didn’t bother to respond, she was rushing away from him through the living room to the hall, dragging Lilith with her. Not that she really had to drag her, the pup was more than pleased with this new game and happily ran along beside her as Abril raced up the hall to the laundry room.
The good news was, the washer was done. The bad news? Laundry Fairies hadn’t put her coat into thedryer for her and shifted her muddy jeans and other clothes from the floor into the washer... and her coat was now clean, but wet, she saw when she pulled it out of the washer and held it up. She was turning it to be sure there were no traces of mud left that would necessitate another run through the washer when Lilith decided she’d had enough of the laundry room and made a run for the door. The unexpected move yanked the leash from her hands and had her grip on the coat slipping. It was headed for the floor when Delacort appeared beside her and snatched it up before her brain even fully realized what was happening. He also had Lilith’s leash, she noted as she turned to face him.
“Thank you,” she said with relief.
“My pleasure.” Delacort handed her the wet coat. “I shall take Lilith out while you tend to drying your coat.”
“Oh, no! You don’t have to do that. I can take her out,” she said, reaching for the leash.
“Do you have another coat?” he asked, not releasing the leash she was trying to take from him.
“No. But I’m sure she’ll be quick if I keep her away from the dig site and tell her to do her business.”
Delacort had the good grace not to laugh in her face. “Your hair is still a little damp from your shower earlier, and you are wearing a T-shirt and jeans. You would catch your death out there.”
“Oh, but—” her words died when his mouth suddenly swooped down to cover hers.
Six
Kissing Abril to silence her protests had seemed like a good idea when it struck Crispin. Actually, it had seemed like a good excuse to be able to kiss her, which he’d wanted to do since joining her at the window. But he’d meant it to be a quick kiss before he left to tend to Lilith. Unfortunately, he hadn’t accounted for life mate attraction. Of course, like all immortals, he’d heard of life mate attraction; about how powerful it was. That it was all-consuming. Overwhelming even. But having never experienced it himself before this, he’d assumed the stories were exaggerated.
They were not. Crispin couldn’t stop with a quick kiss. He did try to end it and raise his head, but the moment he did, Abril let out a breathy little sigh and he was lost. His mouth returned to hers at once, catching the tail end of her sigh in his mouth as he covered hers again. He did manage not to overwhelm her with his suddenly raging passion. He hadjust enough self-control to slow himself and give her a long, lingering, very deep kiss. But that control snapped when Abril moaned, slid her fingers into his hair to clasp his head, and arched her body into his invitingly.
Groaning, Crispin let Lilith’s leash slip from his fingers so that he could slide his hands around Abril; the fingers of one spreading on her back, while the other grasped her bottom to urge her closer. Once he had her plastered against him, Crispin held her there with the hand on her ass, and brought the other around to find one breast through her clothes as he thrust his tongue into her mouth.
It felt amazing. Her body was hot and soft against his, her mouth eager and welcoming as she kissed him back with as much hunger as he was experiencing, and that was doubling by the minute as it bounced between them. But it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. He wanted all of her. He wanted to rip her clothes off, kiss every inch of her, lift her onto the washing machine and—
The acrid smell of urine interrupted his thoughts and had Crispin freezing, his mouth breaking from hers as his brain struggled to think clearly enough to sort out an explanation for the unpleasant scent. Surely, she hadn’t—
“Lilith!” Abril gasped with horror and was suddenly twisting out of his arms.
Releasing her, Crispin watched blankly as she ran to the dog, grabbed her leash and tried to pull the Labrador from where she was presently relieving herself... On Abril’s muddy clothes.
Thoughts suddenly clearing, Crispin cursed himselfand crossed the room. Taking the leash from Abril, he hurried Lilith toward the door, saying apologetically, “This is my fault. I should have taken her outside right away as intended. Leave the mess. I will put your clothes in the wash when I get back.”
He didn’t wait for a response, but hurried Lilith through the house to the front door and outside.
