Reclaimed (6 page)

He wished he could hear what she had going through her head this morning, and that he kept her company in her bed so he could question her. Tactfully, of course, so she wouldn’t run away, screaming for help.

He knew with a certainty he couldn’t explain, or describe, as he sat thinking of her, she surely attempted to make sense of her “dreams.” She’d probably insist to herself they were just dreams—nothing more. She probably sat in her normal little world, analyzing her normal little life, and tried to make all the latest occurrences fit into a pretty little box.

Unfortunately, in his world, and now hers, it wouldn’t be bloody possible.

***

Damn it, Elijah really
hated
Isaac sometimes.

He’d been the one to find Sabrina first…not Isaac. He’d been the one courting her since she first came to England…not Isaac. And yet, once again, his brother swooped in to win the girl. It enraged him.

He had, of course, known that Isaac contacted Sabrina. Though Isaac might hate him passionately, Elijah didn’t despise Isaac. Well…not
most
of the time.

Sabrina, as expected, was falling for Isaac. And now he’d gotten stuck coming to her in her dreams, because Isaac would never leave the blasted place unguarded. If only she would let him inside, he could get closer to her. Instead, his brother once more stole his place by her side. Somehow, Isaac had discovered of his plan to meet Sabrina during the day at the ridiculous tavern she seemed to love, and appeared in his place. And in one simple step, he snatched away any chances of gaining entry to Sabrina’s life. And house.

He’d tried to go about “wooing” her slowly. Cautiously. But when had that ever worked well for him? After all, his style of seduction—and warfare, for that matter—tended to be more of a “shoot now, take no prisoners alive” type of style. The time had come to start acting like it. He would make her love
him
, not his brother. He’d make her realize he, not the real-world Isaac, had to be the one she needed. His twin wasn’t right for her, and never had been. Isaac couldn’t love her like he could.

He remained far too strict in his ways. He’d never be able to let go of his so-called “duties” to be able to spend a lifetime with her. Only Elijah could give her life.

His little brother would only sit by to watch her die.

They’d been down this road before, the three of them. She might not remember it, but he and Isaac did. This time, it would end differently, much differently. They were destined to be together, written in the stars.

He needed only to prove it to Sabrina.

***

Sabrina busied herself writing throughout the next day. As the pages piled up, she came to the conclusion that nightmares, and no sleep, were great for creativity. For once, she was ahead of schedule—and liking it.

The ringing of the phone broke the silence, causing her to yelp. Holding a trembling hand to her heart, she answered breathlessly. “Hello?”

“Hello, Sabrina. Did you sleep well last night?” Isaac asked.

Fighting the unease his words stirred, she forced a cheerful tone. “Like a baby. It was a great night.” The hollowness in her voice made her cringe and clear her throat. “How about you?”

“Well, it was a late night. I had a few, well, problems to see to. I’m sure you know how that can be.” He sighed. “But, tired or not, I’m all ready for the rain check you promised me. You’ve been on my mind quite a bit. I had a wonderful time.”

“I did, too, very much.” She relaxed against the chair and rubbed her forehead. “What time would you like to come over?”

“How’s eight sound? I don’t have any other commitments tonight, so we can indulge in some coffee like you mentioned before. It might help me stay awake so I don’t end up snoring next to you halfway through the movie.”

His light chuckle brought forth a resounding giggle from her as she pictured him drooling beside her on the couch.

Did he drool?

“Well, you could always bring your fuzzy bunny slippers, just in case.” She laughed, cringing as she realized it sounded as if she asked him to spend the night.

Desperate much?

“Oh, I wish I could take your words as an invitation to stay the night. But, if I know you as I think I do, you’re biting your tongue right now.”

She winced and asked with no small amount of suspicion, “Hey, where’s your spy camera?”

“A man can’t give away all his secrets on the first date, lass.”

“But, it’s our second date,” she pointed out.

“Ach, well, maybe I’ll show you my secret hiding spots.”

“Isn’t ‘ach’ a Scottish thing? Not British?”

Silence met her ears through the phone, and she pursed her lips.
Interesting
.

He laughed. “Why, yes, yes it is. But, it’s always been a favorite phrase of mine. Must be more Scottish than I thought, or admitted to.”

She chuckled. “Okay, then. Never thought to hear
those
words from a Brit.”

“I’m not a normal Brit,” he joked.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“Well, shall we continue this conversation later?”

“I look forward to it. I’ll go buy some black spray paint so I can go around and cover all the cameras.”

Isaac chuckled. “I’m going to scare you away before I even get inside,” he bemoaned.

“I don’t scare easy.”

“Yeah, I kind of gathered as much about you.” His voice grew serious, making her sober instantly. The joking mirth seemed to have left his tone. She couldn’t shake the feeling he was trying to tell her something she didn’t want to hear.

She got enough weird things in her sleep, damn it, couldn’t her life be a little bit normal in the daytime?

Please?

Fighting the apprehension creeping up on her, she gave an uneasy giggle. “Well, eight it is. Coffee a must. Fuzzy slippers optional.”

“Right. See you then, Sabrina.”

“Bye.”

She hung up the phone and bit her lip. Had she imagined the serious undertones in his voice, like she’d imagined everything else lately? Or was he trying to tell her something, something even she couldn’t conjure up?

No, she sounded like an idiot. His asking about her night had nothing to do with her dreams. He simply made small talk.

She rolled her eyes and shut the computer down for the day. Now she’d never be able to concentrate on her book.

She couldn’t wait for tonight.

***

A few hours later, she glanced at the clock as a knock sounded at the door, and Sabrina saw Isaac was on time once again. She opened the door and studied him hungrily, though she tried to tamp the feelings down. He may have mentioned being exhausted on the phone, but he looked amazing in person. No bags were visible under his bright blue eyes, and he stole her breath away with his raw masculinity. A DVD and a bottle of wine occupied his hands, and she smiled in pleasure. Lust caused her stomach to twist when his gaze darkened with desire.

“I figured I could help contribute to the evening’s festivities.” He held out the DVD, the latest
Harry Potter
movie, and she procured it as he locked the door. His eyes met hers, and her pulse raced at his expression. “Wow, you look gorgeous. You’ll have to forgive me, but I just can’t help myself.”

He grabbed her by the nape of her neck and yanked her toward him to conquer her lips. Passion overwhelmed her at his arduous kiss. He gave no quarter and took all she could give. Her hands clung to his shirt as his tongue moved against hers like liquid fire. He deepened the kiss, and she melded her body to his. Her heart raced, and she pressed against him urgently.

She needed him; she needed more.

She needed…everything.

His fingers skimmed up her back before diving into her hair. She moaned when he tugged gently, exposing her neck to his tender onslaught. He trailed hot kisses down her throat and just when she suspected she might to die from the pleasure, he jerked away abruptly. He sighed and kissed her nose. Thunder boomed in the distance, causing her to jump in surprise.

Where had the storm come from? The sky had been crystal clear moments before.

Still wrapped in his arms, she stared at him as he examined every inch of her face, almost as if memorizing every last detail. Desire blazed in his eyes. An answering need burned in her, and she moved restlessly. Why had he stopped? She hadn’t objected to his embrace.

It’s the second date, you slut. Have some control
.

“I wouldn’t have thought it possible you could grow more beautiful. Somehow, you’ve managed to accomplish the impossible.” His voice was husky, and it showed her more than words ever could. Longing still burned through him…as well as the need to have her.

Touch her.

It was a heady thought.

“Funny, you just took those words out of my mouth,” she replied.

He cocked his head to the side and grinned. “Is that what I just did?” She laughed at his joke, and he chuckled in return. “I love to hear your laugh, Sabrina. It is the most beautiful sound in the world.”

She blushed and changed the subject. “So, would you like to come into the kitchen and open the bottle of wine up?”

She stepped out of his arms and fought down the wave of emptiness hitting her. The DVD he’d handed to her lay on the ground, and she stooped to pick it up.

“Good thing you didn’t give me the wine,” she joked. Looking at him from under her eyelashes, she jutted her hip out suggestively and crooked a finger at him before heading into the kitchen. Surely he’d follow her playful invitation.

When she didn’t hear him behind her, she whirled to retrieve him.

Sometimes men were
so
dense….

Instead, she yelped to discover him behind her. Clasping a hand to her chest, she exclaimed, “You scared me. How did you move so quietly? I didn’t even hear you walking behind me.”

He shifted on his feet and gave an odd twist of his lips. “Sorry, I’ve always been light on my feet. I used to scare my mother all the time by sneaking up on her. Even as a little child, she would tell me I could sneak into the kitchen, steal a whole jar of cookies, and she’d never even know it.” He smiled at her, and an answering smile lit her face at the thought of Isaac as a boy.

He must have been absolutely adorable and irresistible.

Just as he is now
.

“Well, I’ll have to get used to it, I guess.”

“Please, do,” he murmured.

She retrieved two wine glasses as he opened the wine. They worked together in a companionable silence. She led him to the living room to watch
Harry Potter
. She loved this series. How did he seem to know the right things to get her? He’d even gotten her favorite wine.

He was a genius. One could only hope he had as much talent in bed as he did out of it.

Cradled in the crook of his arm, they started the movie while sipping their wine.

“I like that,” he murmured in her ear.

“Like what? The car?” She gestured toward the TV and looked at him.

“No, I hate cars. I love hearing you say you have to get used to my oddities. It speaks of…a possible future. Though, now you’ll probably run away from me. Men aren’t supposed to worry about the future, are they? Or plan further than when to get their next drink.” He shrugged his left shoulder. “I don’t know. It just slipped out. You make it hard for me to think straight at times.”

She wracked her mind to recall what he spoke of and remembered her words in the kitchen. Pleasure filled her when she realized he was still thinking about their conversation—and possibly their earlier embrace, as well.

“Well, maybe men aren’t supposed to, but I like that you are. And I like that you’re different,” she assured him. “Actually, I like you.”

“I like you, too,” he whispered.

He kissed her nose and pressed downward to capture her lips. They both moaned in unison at the instantaneous flame of desire and strained to get closer to one another. But suddenly, Isaac tensed and jumped to his feet. She was left to flop to the couch in the empty spot he had occupied seconds before.

How in the heck did he move so fast?

“What’s wrong?” she asked in alarm. Every instinct poised for some unseen fight to be had.

“I heard a noise…I think there’s something outside. Give me a second, please.” Racing to the door with inhuman speed, he spun back to her as a fierce determination took over his features. “Lock the door behind me. No matter what you do, don’t open it until I come back and say it’s me, and I want to watch
Harry Potter
. Got it?” he growled at her.

“Um…yes…got it…” she stuttered. She sprinted to the door and obeyed his command.

What the hell had just happened?

An inhuman, and non-animalistic, snarl broke through the silence of the house, echoing loudly in her ears. She blanched at the somehow familiar sound. Where had she heard it before?

Good God, it sounded just like in her dreams. She jumped back in alarm and began searching for a weapon. She had to help Isaac.

No matter how much it sounded like her dream, it was real, and in real life, growls like those were generally caused by large animals looking for meals. She grabbed the biggest butcher knife she had and sped back to the door.

She threw it open and crashed, then bounced off of Isaac’s hard chest. His arm, which had been raised to knock, shot behind her to steady her, and she hastily checked her knife hand.

Thank God, she hadn’t stabbed the poor guy.

Relief swelled over her at seeing him whole and uninjured. But relief was overcome by confusion at his fuming glare. He let go of her and closed the door.

“You didn’t listen to me,” he snapped. “I told you not to open the door until I said, ‘Sabrina, it’s Isaac, I’m ready to watch
Harry Potter
’. Instead, you grab a knife and try to kill me?” He rubbed his jaw and paced in short, irritated strides.

An answering anger rose in her, and she responded, “I was trying to help, you ass. If I wanted to stab you, I can assure you, you wouldn’t be standing here arguing now.”

They glowered at each other in silence until he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I guess I got carried away. I shouldn’t have yelled. Forgive me?” He smiled crookedly, and her irritation dissolved a bit.