Ayva extracts herself from the sand knowing she is outmatched. “We will meet again, Michael.” She says with an evil smile at the handsome man.
“Count on it, Witch!” Michael snarls at her and watches her disappear.
Chapter 12
He looks down at Serenity and holds her close. They disappear but this time he does not return home with her. “Michael,” she starts to say but he squeezes her in his arms and she takes the hint.
“Uh-oh,” she thinks. “He is really mad, well he can get over it! I was just doing my job as a guardian.” Held in his muscular arms, Serenity smiles, and coughs covering her mouth with her hand. Her lungs are full of sand, her skin is burned, and her body is throbbing. He can yell at her later. Her hand drifts up and sinks into the back of his long hair.
They arrive in front of a small log cabin, high on a mountain near the northern lights. This cabin belongs to Michael’s family. It is nothing like the large house he lives in. It is a simple four room cabin. Kitchen, living room, bathroom and one bedroom. Completely made out of logs, the house is an authentic log cabin built for seclusion. The kitchen is open to the living room with a small bar. The living room has a large stone fireplace, and sofa with one chair. Michael stomps up onto the porch, never releasing Serenity. She does not feel the cold, only the aching of her abused body.
His body is trembling with fury and relief. “What were you thinking, Serenity? You could have been killed!” He snaps as he marches through the house to a small door.
“Michael, you can put me down now. I can walk.” She says softly. Michael ignores her and kicks the door open. Heat rolls up the stairs and he descends into the darkness below. When the door closes behind him, Serenity’s heart begins to pound. “Michael! Where are we?”
“You are safe here, Serenity. Don’t you trust me?” He asks as he continues down the stairs. Her arms clutch him tighter and he whispers something in a language she does not understand. A spark causes the room to erupt with light. The light flows down a long, stone tunnel and Michael quickly follows it. After a few minutes of walking he slows and enters a small stone cavern. The spark ripples around the room and her eyes begin to adjust. She hears the dripping of water and sees a hot spring! The water bubbles and the sound echoes through the room.
“Where are we, Michael?” She whispers and finally he lowers her to her feet.
“We are nowhere, and everywhere, Serenity. Ayva can’t find us here, we are safe. This pool has healing properties. It will help with your aches and pains. Then we will talk.” He snaps and stomps away to sit on a boulder.
“My aches and pains are none of your concern, Michael. You have no right to be angry with me for doing my job!” she bends over to pull off her boots and dumps the sand out before tossing them on the ground.
“No right!” he asks turning slowly. “How daft are you woman?” he roars at her. “I watched her beating you, and prayed I would arrive in time to save you, Serenity!” He grabs her by her arms and jerks her towards his body.
“I am a guardian, Michael, at least that’s what you all keep telling me. It is my job to protect you. I am sorry I scared you but …” His mouth descends on her and stops her useless words. Serenity ignores the pain in her body, and feels Michael. He pours through her body erasing any thoughts of who she is because in that moment she is only his. He fills her with his passion, gentleness and love. When he pulls his mouth from hers and looks into her stunned blue eyes, he sees the shock he feels, reflected in her face.
“Serenity, I am in agony without you, won’t you give me peace?” he pleads.
“I thought you’d never ask, Michael,” she replies slipping her hands under his shirt, feeling the heat of his skin. Michael sighs and steps back from her and slowly pulls his sweater off, revealing a sculpted chest and abdomen. Serenity’s heart begins to pound in excitement. Smiling she starts to unbutton her shirt but he closes the distance between them and stills her hand with his. With agonizing slowness he unbuttons her shirt, trailing his finger over the rise of her breasts. His brown eyes flare with desire, as he struggles to maintain control.
Gripping his shoulders, “Michael, you’re teasing me,” she accuses.
Amusement flickers across his face, “Slowly, Serenity. I want to savor you.” He trails his fingers across the sensitive skin he reveals, sending currents of desire through her. He lowers his mouth to hers slowly brushing her lips with his own. Serenity moves closer skimming her hand down his chest, scratching his skin lightly. Michael gives a needy groan when she drags her fingernails lightly across his belly just above his belt. The heat of her mouth against his sensitive skin causes his hands to tighten on her arms. She breathes in the scent of his body, tastes the salt on his skin and nibbles her way across the chiseled edges and hollows of muscle and bone, burning it all into her memory.
His hand sinks into her wavy blonde hair and pulls her up taking her mouth in a hard, hungry kiss. Serenity moves her body against his, drowning in the sensations that he creates. All rational thought flees as Michael jerks her shirt open, sending buttons flying. Quickly shedding himself of his clothing he looks and sees Serenity standing naked before him.
“Sweet heaven, Serenity!
