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She was dumbfounded. You d walk away from the Master s Chair for me?
In a heartbeat.
Zack.
He laughed. But you d probably feel guilty if I did that, so I won t. I ll
just make certain that I get the job instead. Easier that way.
What about the matchmakers at arcanematch-dot-com?
They re the ones who screwed up by matching me with Jenna, remember? I sure
as hell don t intend to give them a second chance to find me the perfect
wife.
You re serious about this, aren t you?
Given my recent personal history, marriage is one subject I take very, very
seriously.
She drew a deep breath, trying to retain a hold on common sense. This has all
happened so fast. We ve only known each other a few days, and under very
stressful circumstances.
He gave her a considering look. You know, if you d been raised within the
Society, you d understand that this link between us is very, very special.
She raised her chin. As has been noted on more than one occasion, I wasn t
raised within the Society. She widened her hands. I don t know what I m
doing here. Haven t got a clue.
You do know that you want me, though, right?
She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. Yes, I want you. More than I ve ever
wanted anything in my whole life.
That s enough for now.
He unzipped his pants.
She looked down, startled to realize that he was fully erect. A wave of heat
rushed through her. What are you doing?
I can t resist you when you re all damp from the shower like this. Gets me
hot.
Gosh, I could have sworn you said it was my hearing voices that got you hot.
That, too. Pretty much everything about you gets me hot.
She expected him to carry her back to the bed. Instead, he reached inside her
robe, gripped her rear and lifted her straight off her feet. Instinctively,
she clutched his shoulders to steady herself.
Wrap your legs around my waist, he said against her throat. The words were
dark and soft and a little hoarse. Tight.
Excitement mingled with shock, creating an erotic thrill that danced through
all her senses.
She enclosed him between her thighs. He held her in place with one arm around
her back. With his other hand he teased her mercilessly until she was soaking
wet and desperate for him.
He braced her against the door. Then he was deep inside, impossibly full and
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hard. The feel of him was a delicious shock to her wildly excited senses. She
sank her nails into his shoulders as he stroked rapidly in and out.
The release rocked through her almost immediately, leaving her voiceless and
breathless. When he climaxed a few seconds later she knew he had been
deliberately holding back, waiting for her to come first.
When it was over they remained locked in each other s arms for several long
moments, breathing hard, recovering.
Then, very deliberately, Zack lowered her to her feet. He adjusted the robe
around her very tenderly, gave her an understanding smile and patted her on
top of her head.
I agree, he said. You ve been under a lot of stress. You need time to get
used to the idea of having me around.
Outrage replaced the warm afterglow. How dare he pat her on the head?
You re right. She narrowed her eyes. I do need time to think. Lots of
time.
Fine. But I m warning you, the bond between us is only going to get stronger.
You won t be able to ignore it.
She raised her brows. How do you know that?
I m psychic.
He kissed her on the tip of her nose and walked out of the bathroom.
Half an hour later, feeling only slightly more composed, she opened a can of
cat food. Batman and Robin reacted to the sound of the can opener the way
ancient sailors responded to the call of the sirens. They trotted
enthusiastically across the kitchen to sit at her feet, gazing up at her and
the open can of food with worshipful expressions.
She looked down at their little masked faces. Out of nowhere Vella s words
flashed through her head.
Everyone wears a mask, she said softly.
Zack was at the counter, making coffee. He gave her an inquiring look.
What? he asked.
I think I know what Aunt Vella meant when she said to look behind Wilder
Jones s mask.
Fifty-six
Zack s phone rang just as he brought the car to a halt in the drive in front
of the Shelbyville house. He shut down the engine and took the call.
Raine waited, watching the gloom-drenched house through the rain-splattered
windshield. Eventually Zack hit the end button.
That was Mitchell, he said.
Yes, I gathered that much. Raine turned toward him. Bad news?
For Cassidy Cutler and Niki Plumer, yes. Both of them are showing signs of
severe mental disorientation and confusion. A psychiatrist has been called in
to evaluate the situation. I didn t tell Mitchell, but given J&J s recent
experience with Nightshade operatives, both women are probably going to get
steadily worse.
Raine shuddered. And there s nothing anyone can do.
No, Zack said. Not a damn thing. But Mitchell told me something very
interesting. Before she started cracking up, Niki Plumer did a lot of talking.
She was enraged because she thought Cassidy Cutler was setting her up to take
the fall.
For trying to kidnap me?
No, Zack said. For staging those spectacular murders that she wrote about
in her books.
Good grief. Cassidy killed those people herself?
And then set up the suspects for the police to find, according to Niki.
Horror shot through Raine. Those people who were arrested for those ghastly
murders they re all innocent?
According to Niki they are. Zack smiled slightly. Luckily, thanks to the
molasses-like speed of the criminal justice system, none of them has made it
as far as the death chamber. You d better believe Mitchell is excited.
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I ll bet he is. If Niki told him the truth, he s just been handed the
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