Page 33 of Quiver of Cobras
‘I know,’ Morgan answered, surprising me. ‘If you were having sex with Rubus, Finn’s comment would have angered you.’
‘Score one for the amateur psychologist,’ I said tiredly.
‘I’m not the only one.’ He kept his eyes on mine. ‘You wanted Finn to get angry because you knew he needed to let off steam and you didn’t mind being a convenient punch bag. You didn’t once try to hit him back.’
‘You’re reading too much into it,’ I dismissed. ‘How was I to know that moronic Redcap would attack me? Pah.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘You ought to keep him on a tighter leash.’
Morgan watched me for a long moment, his expression shadowed by the darkness around us. ‘You’re not fooling anyone, least of all me.’
‘I’m an evil bitch, Morgan. My motives are very simple.’
‘If you’re an evil bitch, why are going to such lengths to stop Rubus?’ he asked.
I shrugged. ‘What can I tell you? I thought that if I helped you prevent an apocalypse, you’d let me have wild, abandoned sex with you. You know, for old times’ sake.’
‘Sure,’ he said quietly. ‘Whatever you say.’
‘I’m just being honest,’ I told him. ‘We did decide that was the best policy, after all.’ I couldn’t quite meet his eyes. Silence stretched out between us. Gasbudlikins, this was awkward.
Morgan heaved in a deep breath. ‘Well, Madrona,’ he said finally, ‘in the interests of honesty, you look hot as hell in that outfit.’ He smiled at me.
My stomach did a little flip-flop. I ran my hands over the leather corset. ‘I know.’ I grinned back, suddenly feeling I was on surer ground. Then, because it seemed like the perfect opportunity and I didn’t want any further questions about my true motivation, I reached for him and drew him close, wrapping my arms round his neck. ‘Go on,’ I said. ‘This is your chance to push me away.’
His emerald eyes held mine. ‘No can do.’ A heartbeat later, his mouth was on mine.
I groaned, initially out of surprise and then because of a sudden flash of deep-seated lust that started at my toes and rose upwards like a flame. The dull ache that had settled deep in my chest seemed to vanish. Everything seemed to vanish. I could feel Morgan’s heart beating through his ribcage. He tasted of spice and wine, and the heat of his body pressing against mine was almost searing.
‘Maddy,’ he whispered, his breath hot against my cheek.
I closed my eyes. His stubble scraped my skin but it only inflamed me further. His hands reached for my hips, curving tightly at my waist as if he couldn’t bear to let me go. His teeth nipped gently at my bottom lip – then he pulled back, breathing hard.
‘Don’t go back to Rubus tonight,’ he said. ‘Come home with me.’
This time, I couldn’t argue. I gave a brief nod and smoothed my hands down my body as if to readjust my clothing. My fingers were shaking.
‘We should catch up with Finn,’ I said, reluctant to move.
‘Yeah,’ Morgan said. ‘We should.’ He bent his head down and pressed one more brief, hard kiss onto my lips. Then he gave me a dazzling smile.
I swallowed, not sure if my legs were still strong enough to carry me up the hill to the golf course and the clubhouse. We had to go now, however; if we didn’t, I’d be tempted to tie him to the nearest tree so I could continue this at my own pleasure and in my own time.
With my heart still hammering, I turned. I reached for Morgan’s hand and held it until the very edge of the treeline.
***
I wondered if returning to the original scene of the crime was going to dislodge some memories. Alas, my forgetfulness remained as strong as Finn was stupid. I stared round at the area in the front of the clubhouse. I could remember leaving but I couldn’t remember arriving.
‘Look!’ I chirped to the Redcap, who was waiting sullenly as if he knew exactly why Morgan and I had taken so long to catch up to him. ‘Finn, that’s the phone box you destroyed with a bullet. If I’d not moved back at the right time, my head would have been blasted to smithereens.’ I sighed. ‘Good times.’
Morgan’s green eyes flashed and he stalked over to inspect it. ‘They’ve not wasted any time in repairing it.’
‘We did that,’ Finn said sourly. ‘Or Winn did anyway. He repaired it. Stayed up half the night to do it, as well. We couldn’t afford to have the golf-course management inform the police about vandalism. We could dispose of Charrie the Bogle’s body but we’re not miracle workers. We couldn’t get rid of every trace of DNA and we couldn’t risk raising human suspicion. Redcaps don’t usually get much credit but we prepare for every eventuality in order to achieve success. It’s why we managed to fly under the radar with Rubus for so long.’
‘You didn’t coat the bullets with rowan,’ I pointed out.
He glared. ‘There wasn’t time for that. It was either follow you or prepare the weapons.’
I nodded as if taking him seriously. ‘You didn’t prepare for me beating you all and escaping with your cash either.’
