Haunted by Your Touch

“Since this business with Mathias began a few months past, he’d become cautious with his historical documents. He removed some from the house, but I’ve no idea where he took them. The only other time I saw him relocate work was long ago. When I was a child, he brought me with him once to an office. Perhaps a Council building? But who knows if it’s still in use.”

“Do you recall where? Maybe the secret tree is there.”

She could picture his large, modernish building in her mind, remembered the guards smiling at her and the labyrinth of stairwells, the colorful tiles. “That was years and years ago. The memories are hazy. I… Do you think Mathias was after something of my father’s work?”

“Possibly. Or perhaps Mathias just wanted to cause terror and instigate violence. Drink up, love.” Raiden pressed the glass to Tabitha’s lips.

She hesitated, then took a delicate sip. “Thank you.”

A soft smile curved his mouth. “Always so ladylike.”

Raiden had this way of poking fun at her gentility… yet making her feel so much like a woman. Tabitha sent him a bittersweet smile.

When she’d first fallen in love with Raiden, the feelings had rushed her like a hurricane—hard, fast, undeniable. She’d quickly learned that loving Raiden was like eating too much chocolate—scrumptious and incredible, but decidedly detrimental. “You’ve said that to me before.”

Indeed. The first time he’d seduced her. And shown her the meaning of passion beyond words.

Best not to think of that now. After spending amazing days with Raiden and even more amazing nights, she’d awakened one morning to find her magical signature altered to reflect the fact that she now carried his child. Within twenty-four hours, he’d been gone from her life.

Tabitha shifted away from him, rising to pace the room. She had to focus. Her family was dead, killed for something she didn’t understand and didn’t know how to protect.

“Tabby,” he murmured. “I see your mind working. We’re more likely to solve this problem together. Talk to me.”

She shook her head. “Too much nervous energy.”

And being close to him was too dangerous to her fragile heart.

He rose. The heat in his eyes was unmistakable. He wanted her. Very much. Then again, he always had. Sex for him meant nothing. She’d learned that the hard way.

What surprised her was the genuine warmth and concern in his expression. So unlike the Raiden who had turned his back on her suddenly. That man had been cold as ice. Did he feel sorry for her? The thought made her choke.

Tabitha rounded the couch, moving away from him. He changed course and followed. Slow. Stalking.

Running from Raiden was never an option. When he wanted something, he went after it ruthlessly. He never made any move without purpose.

She whirled, faced him, planted a hand on his solid chest to keep him at bay. Beneath smooth skin and hard muscle, she felt the beat, beat, beat of his heart. That sound had been permanently embedded in her memory the first time he’d covered her body with his, kissed her neck, then slid deep inside her.

“What do you want?”

He sighed and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You look scared and ready to collapse. I want you to rest.”

Before she could respond, she felt his magic pulling her under, compelling her into a deep slumber. And she collapsed into his arms.

Damn him! She wouldn’t stand for this.

That was her last thought.

Raiden settled Tabitha on his bed upstairs and tucked the covers around her. Dark circles shadowed her pretty eyes. Being an expectant mother naturally drained a great deal of her energy, and she’d just lost her whole family. She should have been in bed. Instead, Tabby had been pacing, trying to solve this dilemma on her own.

Not while there was still breath left in his body.

As he settled her against his pillows, she released a contented sigh.

Rising to his feet, Raiden started planning. First, he had to ensure her safety. To do that, he had to figure out this secret tree business. And somehow, he had to bring himself to deliver her to Sean Blackbourne. Lucky, undeserving bastard. But the other wizard would take care of her and the baby in a way Raiden couldn’t.

Shoving the terrible thought aside, he reached for his mobile and dialed a familiar number. Bram picked up on the first ring.

“Is Tabitha all right?”

“Shaken. Distraught.” And still so beautiful, she haunted him. Raiden couldn’t deny that his desire for her went dangerously deep.

Bram’s voice sounded heavy. “That’s to be expected. Her life has been forever changed.”

Indeed, and Raiden ached for the grief she must be enduring. But his first item of business must be protecting her. “What do you know about a secret tree?”

“A what?” Bram sounded puzzled. “Never heard of such a thing.”

That wasn’t good news. “Can you search your grandfather’s texts?” Raiden asked, referring to the tomes the great wizard Merlin had passed down to his family. “Or talk to your sister?”

Then he explained Lowery’s last words to his daughter.

Bram sighed. “Bloody hell, I have no idea.”

Not what Raiden wanted to hear. “When the sun rises, I’ll be searching her family estate again. There are clues, I’m certain. Damn it, we’re simply missing them.”

Trying to shake off dark dreams of screaming, destruction, and death, Tabitha awakened with night still streaming through the windows. Panting, she opened her eyes, eager to shake off the nightmare.

But she saw only an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. Raiden’s arms were curled around her. His blue eyes searched her, intent, concerned.

Reality crashed in on her. God, her worst torment wasn’t a terrible dream. Her family was gone. She turned her face away, not wanting to show him her tears.

“I’m so sorry about your family.” He caressed her long, loose hair gently.

She shoved it behind her shoulder self-consciously. Her mother, raised in another time, had always preached that wearing her hair down was a sign of wantonness. She’d let her hair down for Raiden, revealed her inner temptress. He’d broken her heart. She shouldn’t read too much into his concern other than compassion.

“I’ll be fine.” She tried to pull away.

Raiden held firm. “Should we have someone out to look at the baby? You’ve been distraught…”

Such emotions weren’t good for an expectant mother.

Tabitha took several deep breaths and willed herself to be calm. “No. There’s nothing wrong.”

His thumb caressed her cheek as his fingers curled around her nape. And those blue eyes of his looked through her. She shivered, recalling a thousand intimate moments between them—and foolishly wanting a thousand more.

“Have you been feeling well? Is the pregnancy normal? Any problems?”

She’d never heard his voice so gentle, and she didn’t want to be warmed by the fact that he’d asked. “No problems.”

That wasn’t totally true, but he didn’t need details.

“Tabby, until—”

“Don’t call me that anymore.” He’d called her that when he’d held her, kissed her, made love to her. He’d called her Tabitha as he’d left. Once he’d done that, he’d lost the right to use the more familiar name.

He ignored her. “I heard that you experienced sickness early on. That you nearly lost the baby.”

She gasped. How could he have known that?

“You never told me.” He actually looked hurt by that fact.

Tabitha shook off the covers and darted to her feet, horrified to discover that he’d stripped her down to her bra and knickers. Spearing him with an accusing stare, she grabbed the top blanket, wrapped it around her, and shoved her hair behind her again. “You no longer have the right to look at me this way, to touch me, to know about