Chapter 24 Burning Hot
Burning Hot
Raven
We reached the packhouse, and Liam was quiet, but I could tell he was mind-linking from the way he nodded once or twice.
I had a pretty good idea that he was discussing security or something.
We entered the packhouse, and Liam went into the kitchen.
I headed upstairs, wanting a shower and to actually just get a good night’s sleep.
The lingering thought that time was running out for Liam niggled at the back of my mind. How did we break this damn curse? How would we know the curse was broken? We needed to do this ourselves; I would get to the bottom of this. The boys can work on finding the killer, and I will work on this.
Damon? I called through the link.
Yes, gorgeous?
Did you ask Robyn?
I did, she said you can show her since you’re at the packhouse. I don’t think she wants anything to do with me.
As much as I feel a little bad for you, I like her.
Yeah?
Yes, I replied. She was there for you when I wasn’t. Night, night, Damon.
Night, gorgeous.
I smiled, cutting the link. I grabbed some clothes and my toiletries, then went to have a shower, mulling over everything once again.
I had felt someone watching me when Dad was there, but when I had looked back, no one was there.
It couldn’t have been Aunty Monica because I would have heard her come down or go up; it was down the hall towards the kitchen.
The bathroom was steaming up, and the warm water was soothing, making me drowsy as I pondered over everything. I had just shampooed my hair, massaging my scalp slowly, when suddenly, the water became scalding hot.
A scream escaped my lips as the water seared my skin, and I jerked away from the downpour, but it was a full overhead shower, not giving me much space to escape.
The shampoo stung my eyes as I frantically felt for the sliding door.
Tumbling out of the burning shower, I caught my foot on the edge and tumbled to the floor just as the bathroom door was ripped off its hinges.
“Raven!” Liam’s voice called.
I quickly crossed my legs and arms over my chest. It felt as if my entire body was on fire, especially my left side.
“What the…” I heard him mutter before I felt a jug of cold water being tossed over me. I gasped, welcoming the soothing coolness. “Raven! Raven, baby, look at me.” Liam’s worried voice came before a towel wiped my face gently.
I opened my eyes, grateful for the towel he threw around my shoulders. Worry was clear in his magnetic blue eyes.
“I’m okay… the water just turned extremely hot,” I said, looking down at my leg.
My skin was already very red, but I could see it was healing already.
Liam frowned, staring at the water and helping me to my feet.
I turned and saw a few of the other young men and women who lived here at the door watching curiously.
“Are you okay, Raven?” One of them asked.
I nodded. Owen stood there. I glared at him when I saw him smirking and looking me over. I looked down, glad that the towel was covering the important bits, but I still felt bare.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Liam growled, and they all scattered.
“I’m okay… I just… I need to wash my hair,” I said, feeling a little dazed. Liam nodded, placing his hand under the water.
“It’s okay again. Maybe there’s a fault with the boiler. I’ll have it sorted,” he muttered.
“Hmm, I’ll just wash my hair in the sink,” I mumbled, feeling a little shocked still. Liam nodded as I wrapped the towel tightly around me and tucked it in over my breasts. “You broke the door,” I said, staring at the door that lay flat on the ground.
“You screamed,” he countered, unmasked worry on his face. “That fucking scared me.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, turning the cold tap on. “You can leave.”
To my surprise, he picked up the jug and began filling it with water.
“Liam, I’m fine…” I protested, feeling bare. “I can hold a jug.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t.”
With that, he gently pushed my head down in the sink and began pouring the water over my head, his fingers running through my hair as he washed the shampoo out.
My heart was racing, and my stomach fluttered at the sweet gesture.
I didn’t say anything, clutching my towel, glad it fell to mid-thigh.
Closing my eyes, I gave in, enjoying the feel of his fingers running through my hair.
“You do know the water’s coloured.”
I laughed, “Obviously, vibrant hair dyes always wash out.”
“Yeah, I remember giving Mom a white towel once after she’d showered. She got annoyed. I actually never knew her hair wasn’t naturally red until I was like ten.”
“Really?” I asked when he finally turned the tap off and rubbed a towel in my hair. I slowly stood up straight, my heart pounding as I stared up at him.
“Yeah, she’s always had red…” he said, tossing the towel aside.
“So how did you find out?” I asked, not missing the way his eyes trailed over my collar bones and cleavage.
“I asked who my hair took after.” He shrugged. I smiled.
“You really were too innocent,” I said, reaching up and pulling his cheek.
“That hurt,” he growled, lunging at me. I giggled, ducking under his arm and darting to my clothes.
“Get my toiletries, please!” I got a few curious looks as I made my way to my room.
Whoring around with the Alpha, huh? Owen’s voice flitted into my head. I looked around, seeing him standing down the hall.
Piss off, Owen. Remember I’m your trainer, I growled back, my eyes flashing. And I don’t think Liam will appreciate your crap.
Whatever. He turned and walked off.
I entered my bedroom, closing the door and pulling on my Brazilian briefs.
I slipped on an oversized black nightshirt and went to blow-dry my hair, remembering Delsanra’s magic.
How lucky was Rayhan’s kitty to have magic?
I know our kind was still not fully accepting of magic, but things were looking up since the treaty had been signed between both species.
And I, for one, thought it was totally badass.
A knock on the door made me look up, turning the hairdryer off.
“Enter!” I knew it was Liam before the door even opened. He stepped inside, his eyes running over my bare legs.
“How are the burns?”
“I’m okay, it’s literally gone. I think it was more the shock,” I said, my stomach fluttering with nerves when he shut and locked the door.
“Good. The boiler is completely fine, no idea what that was about.” He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. Standing up, my oversized top fell to mid-thigh. Was he really going to spend the night? “Are you really going to sleep here?”
“I told you yesterday I am.”
“Well, you didn’t ask,” I said, crossing my arms.
Liam smirked, slowly pulling his shirt off and tossing it to the ground. My heart thudded as I stared at his sexy, inked body, licking my lips at the way his muscles flexed with such a simple move. Goddess, he was so sexy…
“Well, I’m asking now. Want me to stay, love?”
Liam
I ran my eyes over her, dressed in that clingy, black, oversized nightshirt that slipped off one of her slender shoulders, draping over her perky, round breasts.
Her sexy legs were perfectly on display for me, making me fucking hard.
Her gorgeous eyes stared at me, that slender nose and plump, pouty lips that were begging to be kissed…
fuck, she was fucking beautiful. There was an innocence beyond that mischievous look of hers, one I was ready to destroy and show her exactly what she was missing out on, but I needed her to be ready for that…
I walked towards her, waiting for her answer.
“I’m waiting, darling,” I murmured, taking hold of her chin. Her breath hitched, her lips parting slightly as she stared into my eyes.
“If you want to,” she said softly. I smirked.
“Is that a yes?” I pushed seductively.
“Yes.” She poked her eyes out at me, and I tugged her into my arms.
“Good,” I murmured.
Leaning down, I placed a soft kiss on her lips, letting the sparks course through me. She whimpered against my lips, and I lifted her up, grabbing the back of her ass and deepening the kiss.
Fuck… her panties didn’t cover her ass fully. The image of her in the steamy bathroom flashed in my mind. Although I had covered her quickly, far too concerned, the glimpse I did get of her naked made my dick twitch.
Fuck, she was going to be the death of me…
She wrapped her arms around my neck, deepening the kiss and sensually running her tongue along my lips, seeking entrance. She moaned when I squeezed her ass.
“Liam…” she whimpered, her cheeks flushing when I pushed her up against the wall, kissing her harder.
“Raven,” I whispered, giving her a moment to breathe before I began kissing her neck hungrily.
Her heart was thundering. The addictive, tantalising scent of her arousal hit my nose, making me bite back a growl.
My eyes blazed as I ran my fingers through her hair, yanking her head back and claiming her lips once more in a bruising kiss.
Her nails dug into my back as she kissed me back with equal passion.
This was fucking heaven; this was all I wanted. If I could just kiss her forever, I’d be happy. She moaned loudly, her legs wrapped around my waist, struggling for a control I wouldn’t give.
“Goddess!” She moaned, breaking away from my lips and gasping for air.
I ran my hands up and down her thighs before squeezing her ass just as she pulled me closer, placing soft, sensual kisses down my neck.
Her tongue flicked out, running down my neck and making me groan.
I pulled her back, kissing her over her neck and collarbones and down her bare shoulder, making her shiver in delight.
Her nipples were taut against her shirt, her heart pounding, and I couldn’t focus on anything but her.