Beyond Temptation

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN



Avery watched Malec rise and hold out his hand to her. She accepted, letting him help her from the bed. She still wore the ankle boots, brown cords and cream tunic she had dressed in for having dinner with Brom. But, she knew with her curls left down, she would look freshly ravished.



She peeked at her dark lover. Although his shirt remained tucked into his trousers, barely, it gaped open, leaving a wide section of dark, hairless chest for the world to see. With the shirt’s lack of buttons and his tresses down as well, the impression of interrupted passion came through loud and clear.



Brom would know everything the instant he clapped eyes on her.



Malec asked quietly, “You wish me to change?”



It caused vicious growing pains as she replied, “No, I don’t have anything to hide.”



The walk downstairs stretched interminably. Butterflies the size of Whooping Cranes flapped in her belly. She gripped his big hand, feeling the elegant structure paired with dangerous brawn. He had that all over. Like an animal, he possessed that sort of predator’s perfection.



Avery dreaded having the two of them in the same room. Anxiety made her step falter as they descended. Malec swept her up in his arms. Memories from earlier returned. The mental snapshot of him in the doorway of her room at the inn caused the cranes to work their wings double time. She couldn’t believe she had fainted.



Hadn’t she?



Gazing up at him, she reached to touch the silky-course, close-trimmed mustache and goatee framing his beautiful, cruel lips. He paused at the foot of staircase. Those glowing hazel eyes appeared even more luminous. “My civility has limits, ma fetishe.”



Avery shifted in his hold, and he placed her upon her feet. “I know.”



As they reached the withdrawing room in the newest portion of the manor, Avery’s courage collapsed. She shivered as they entered. Brom paced like a caged lion. He halted at once. His bright green gaze went from her to Malec and back. A stark flash of pain vanished, replaced with fury.



“Well,” he began softly, burr thicker than ever, “at least I haven’t come to collect a corpse.” His gaze weighed so heavy upon her, she wished for a chair. Her legs felt untrustworthy.



Malec replied, “Finally, we meet. Malec de Beauchamp.”



“Bromwell Ramsey.” He smiled with a terrible lack of good-humor. “Pardon me if I don’t offer to shake hands.”



Malec returned an equally mirthless smile that caused her heart to cartwheel. “Pardon my doing the same.”



Brom’s pointed regard speared her. “If he holds you against your will, say the word. I’ll get you clear.”



Avery’s throat tightened. She whispered, “I came here unexpectedly. All the same, I wish to remain.”



The wounded heart flickered in his gaze. He turned his head. The muscles in his throat and jaw worked. When he returned his attention to her, she flinched. “How much more do I have to take?” He swallowed again. “I have a confession, Avery.”



She cringed. Malec’s thumb stroked her palm. “Brom, maybe –”



He held up one hand. “No, this needs to see daylight.”



Her dark lover purred, “By all means, Mr. Ramsey, a bedtime story for us.”



She wanted the floor to suck her into it. Her heart ached for him. What could she do?



Brom pulled a strong, palpable wall of pride around himself, a testimony to his self-possession. “Avery, remember when you questioned me about my choice of places for holiday?”



She felt dizzy with anticipation. “Yes.”



“It wasn’t a coincidence.”



She thought about the refrigerator in his room, the way it gave the impression he had settled in for perhaps longer than he had originally told her. “What?”



Brom’s wide shoulders appeared to square, assuming a more arrogant set. “I did need a holiday following a long recovery. What I didn’t share was my side mission.”



Her heart dropped.



Brom continued. “An old mate of mine lost his sister to a weird subculture. She acted dodgy, remote, and then Scotland Yard found her body. Then the cousin, Sophia Redding, dropped off radar as well. Your ‘friend’s’ name kept coming up.”



Malec’s hand flexed with hers. She did not know how to answer. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.”



“I know Sophia,” Malec responded, “and I doubt she wants to be found.”



Brom lowered his golden head for a moment. Avery’s heart twisted. She broke from Malec and rushed to press herself to Brom.



He embraced her. The sense of safety enveloping.



Malec rumbled.



Avery gazed up at Brom. “I’m not in danger. Thank you for worrying.” She touched his chest. Both men gave a territorial, masculine sound. “I’ll see you in the morning.”



Malec growled, “Or not.”



Avery vibrated with anxiety. Having them together proved worse than she anticipated. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”



Brom stood over her, a pillar of masculine aggression. “Or, I find you.”



At risk of taunting her dark lover’s ire, Avery stretched up to kiss Brom’s cheek. He leaned down for it, then straightened. “I know you don’t have your things with you. Keep my cell.” Unhooking a case from his belt, he handed it to her. “The inn’s and my pager number are both in the phonebook. You call, I come.”



Malec spoke softly, “Not if I decide otherwise.”



Brom’s attention turned to him. “If the gate security’s any example of the rest here, getting in won’t take three minutes. A snatch and grab to take her from you won’t make me break a sweat.”



The tone of Malec’s reply chilled her blood. “You would have to kill me.”



Brom responded in an equally terrifying voice. “That’s a bonus.”



Avery couldn’t stand the horrible tension. Clutching the phone in her damp palm, she pled, “Please, both of you. No more.”



Brom said to Malec, “For any mark on her, even a paper cut, I see you to break a bone.”



Malec chuckled, the velvety darkness of it making Avery feel light-headed. “Such talk. Clearly you have some army I remain unaware of.”



The lethal cool in Brom’s green eyes scared her worse than Malec’s mirth. “I am an army.” He looked down at her. “One call, I’m here.”



She didn’t watch him leave. After a moment, Avery asked, “Did you have to be so cruel?”



He lifted her into his arms. She could feel the words vibrating in his chest. “I did not survive what I have by being a merciful enemy.”



Enemy.



It struck her then, that no matter how much lovemaking went along with it, her divided sentiments had made a pair of enemies.