It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(97)
Author: Cherise Sinclair

 

“Multiple someones.” Saxon tilted his head toward Z. “Mother Z started it off, then Ghost called, followed by Nolan.”

 

Beside Ghost, Z chuckled. “Her arrival was a surprise. Apparently, Gabrielle swung by her place and drafted her. Murphy had been home less than an hour.”

 

Thank fuck she was home. As the days had passed, he’d grown increasingly worried. If she’d been hurt…who would know? How could he help her if he didn’t know?

 

But she was back, and the relief was enormous. “So where is she—or are you going to make me search the entire grounds?”

 

Ghost laughed. “Most of the Shadowkittens have finished planting and went over to our side with Valerie. It’s just your luck that your subbie is still out somewhere.” He held out a paper. “Beth circled the flowerbeds Murphy was assigned.”

 

“Thanks.” Saxon glanced at his friends. “Really, thank you.” After a glance at the map, he started walking. He’d start with the closest and work his way to the far fence.

 

 

 

With a grunt of effort, Murphy pushed to her feet and grimaced as her knees creaked like rusty hinges. Too much kneeling.

 

Poor Beth did this for a living? “I’d be crippled before thirty.”

 

She glanced at the little wagon. Only one geranium plant was left. The map showed her the next target bed was a short hike away at a wide flowerbed near the back fence.

 

Rising, she noticed the grounds had grown darker. Which made sense. It was November already. Shorter days, cooler weather. She could almost hear the guy in Game of Thrones saying, “Winter is coming.”

 

She’d better hurry up and get this last geranium planted before it grew too dark to see.

 

As she pulled her wagon down the shadowy stretch, her heart started to speed up. Dread crept up her spine like a cold hand.

 

I know this path. Her steps slowed. Trees loomed over her as she stared into a secluded nook. Her mouth went dry.

 

The gazebo.

 

Bands of iron closed around her chest, squeezing her lungs. Her breathing sped up, faster and faster, until she was gasping for air. The handle of the wagon dropped from her numb fingers. Her pulse pounded in her ears along with other…sounds. Aaron’s ugly laugh. The slap of his hand on her bare skin. Her own whimpering, sobbing. The sound of…

 

Her legs buckled and she fell. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t breathe.

 

“Murphy.” Hands gripped her shoulders.

 

“No. No.” This time she fought him for all she was worth. Never again. “I won’t.”

 

“Sweetheart.” The baritone was controlled and confident.

 

That isn’t Aaron’s voice. A little air reached her lungs.

 

“Murphy, my heart. Kitlet, you’re safe. Look at me.”

 

That voice. She loved that voice.

 

“Look at me.”

 

Gray edges had narrowed her sight to just a pinpoint. She blinked, and a face formed through the fog of fear. Not clean-shaven with thin lips. Not Aaron. No, she saw a short dark-gold beard framing a hard jawline.

 

Her gaze rose to meet concerned, heavenly blue eyes.

 

“Saxon.”

 

“There we go.” He cupped her cheek, so very gently. Taking her hand, he flattened it on his chest. “Breathe with me. In…out…”

 

His chest rose and fell, and she tried to obey. His T-shirt was soft under her fingers. His hand over hers was warm and strong. Like a slow tide, the roar in her ears receded until she could hear his measured words.

 

“That’s right, my sweet. You’ve got this—and I’ve got you. You’re safe, Murphy, safe with me. Just work on breathing. You’re fine. That’s right.”

 

The painful bands around her ribcage loosened. Because he really was here, and she was safe.

 

With a whimper, she threw herself against him, and those powerful arms closed around her, holding her against his muscled chest. Protecting her from…everything.

 

“Let’s just sit a minute.” He settled on the ground with her in his lap, and she was completely enclosed in his embrace.

 

And he just held her with the infinite patience that won over frightened dogs, terrified kitties…and a panicking submissive.

 

Eventually, she pulled in a wonderfully deep breath and lifted her head. Night had fallen, but… “It’s not dark.”

 

Soft lights glowed everywhere, from solar lanterns along the pathways, from splashing fountains, from mini-lights here and there in the bushes.

 

The Capture Gardens at night was a fairyland.

 

“Z or Ghost must have turned everything on for us.” Saxon stroked her cheek, then lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “We’ll stay here as long as you need.”

 

“I’m all right.” Tensing slightly, she turned her head. The gazebo was still there. “That’s where”—she swallowed hard—“where Aaron...”

 

“Ah.” He didn’t ask more, and he wouldn’t. He understood.

 

“I was hurrying to get done planting since it was getting dark, and I wasn’t paying attention. And then I saw that.” She sighed. “I lost it.”

 

“Not surprising.”

 

“I haven’t had such a bad attack in a long time.” She rubbed her cheek on his hand. “I’m glad you happened along.”

 

“Me too. You realize I was searching for you.”

 

“Oh.” His words warmed her heart. Delighted her. “I was going to call as soon as I was done—because I figured if you showed up, I’d totally abandon Beth to jump your bones.”

 

His eyes lit up. “Good to know.”

 

Putting action to words, she climbed onto his lap and kissed him.

 

His hard arm wrapped around her waist, his big hand squeezed her ass, and he took over the kiss so thoroughly that her blood heated to a boil.

 

“I missed you,” she whispered. “A lot.”

 

 

 

 

 

Eventually, Saxon led her out of the Capture Gardens, out the side gate, and down the front sidewalk. Then he stopped. “Most of your work crew and their Masters are at Ghost’s. Shall we go there, get something to eat and drink, and show your buddies I didn’t beat on you?”