Chapter 61
Chapter Sixty-One
Maggie said yes. The thought kept repeating over and over again in Anatoly’s mind even as she drew him into another heated kiss.
Their hands roamed each other with the familiarity of long time lovers and Anatoly let out a sigh of contentment as Maggie pulled back to slide her shirt off over her head.
“You are wearing pretty pink bra again,” Anatoly groaned at the sight of it, running his hands over the lacy fabric and being sure to give her breasts a light squeeze.
Maggie smiled demurely. “It’s my favorite.”
“Mine too,” he admitted, guiding her onto his lap.
As their passions began to ignite into a wildfire, Anatoly could think of nowhere he would rather be than right here with Maggie in his arms. She freed his throbbing erection from his trousers, pulled her skirt up, and then she was sliding herself down on him.
Anatoly gripped her hips as she rode him, admiring the best view in the city.
It wasn’t the northern lights, it wasn’t the snow-capped mountains, it was Maggie straddling his lap, her hair disheveled from his hands playing through the blond locks.
Every word he had said was true. She was his better half and he was eager to spend his entire unlife with her.
Sure, he’d been freaked out at first and had felt that something was taken from them, but once he’d had the chance to wrap his mind around the change, he could see the silver lining. They would make the most out of this forced change and in the end that was all that mattered.
“I love you,” he groaned, on the verge of climax just watching how she moved along his shaft. Her cheeks were rosy with arousal, her eyes hooded as she too escalated toward orgasm.
“Right back at you, baby,” she panted, more from habit than exertion. “I never want to be without you, Anatoly…”
He glided a hand over her belly, between her breasts and to her cheek, cupping her face as he peered at her with all the love in his heart. “Nothing could ever take me from you, Maggie,” he vowed and captured her lips in a demanding, heated kiss.
They continued to make love, celebrating their engagement in their own way until both of them were satisfied and they sat cuddling in the recliner.
Maggie had rested her head on Anatoly’s chest and draped her arm around his waist. She was nestled in the crook of his arm again, fitting against his side perfectly.
“What do you want to do tonight?” Maggie asked after several minutes of comfortable silence. “Vampire things? Mortal things?”
Anatoly chuckled, toying with a strand of her hair as he sat there with his eyes closed. He was basking in the moment, enjoying just being close to her. “I have meeting with Bishop Peter. However, I think you should join me.”
She leaned back so she could fix him with a surprised look. “Wait, what? Are you sure about that? I don’t want to intrude.”
“Is not intrusion if you are invited,” he pointed out. “I am giving him news of engagement and wish to ask him to officiate as favor. Please, come?”
“Well, when you put it like that…” Maggie said, nuzzling his beard lovingly. “Sure, I’ll come.”
Anatoly grinned, leaning over so he could place a small kiss on the end of her nose. “Good. Now might be bad time to mention I am running late.”
She laughed at that and started to get up from the chair, taking the reassurance of her touch with her. “Let me put myself back together and we can go.”
They started to get ready then, Maggie finding her shirt from where she’d carelessly tossed it earlier and Anatoly fixing his pants. A few minutes later, they were just heading to the door when someone knocked.
“Who could that be?” Maggie asked, crossing to answer it. She stood on tiptoe to peer into the peephole and then flashed Anatoly a confused look as she swung the door open. “Hello, can I help you?”
On the other side stood a woman of average height and build wearing what Anatoly could only describe as an expensive pencil skirt, pristine white blouse, and a tailored velvet jacket in navy that matched her skirt.
Her sleek brown hair was fixed into a professional ponytail and she surveyed the pair with an icy gaze before holding her hand out to Maggie.
“Eliza Levine,” she introduced herself.
With a glance to Anatoly first, Maggie shook the offered hand, though her expression remained confused.
“May I come in?” Eliza asked a second later.
“I’m sorry, do you think we know you?” Maggie responded, her cop hackles going up at the stranger’s bold question.
Eliza let out a sigh. “You don’t know me, but we have business together. Business I would rather not discuss in the hallway.”
It took a second, but after another silent exchange with Anatoly, Maggie pulled open the door the rest of the way and swept her arm.
“You’ve got five minutes to convince me not to throw you out,” the former detective insisted once Eliza had strolled inside and the door been shut behind her.
The strange woman looked about the room for several seconds, taking in the scarce decor and aluminum on the windows. She remarked on nothing, but instead, when she turned back to them, she was smiling.
“I’ll start with congratulations then,” she finally said, folding her hands neatly in front of her waist. “You managed to bring a dangerous vampire to justice and caught a mortal copycat in the process. Impressive, truly.”
Confusion still hung the air and was echoed in the expression on Maggie’s face.
“We thank you for compliment, but we are not—” Anatoly started to say, but Eliza held up her hand.
“Allow me to more fully introduce myself. I am a hexen, but I am from a secret agency that has sworn to protect humanity and supernaturals alike. We are known as the Pact of the Rowan Guard or PRG for short. Our mission is to ensure peaceful relationships, police rogue elements, and maintain the secrecy of supernaturals. We want—”
Maggie stepped in front of Anatoly protectively and he immediately put his hand on her shoulder, hoping to direct her to his side. She stubbornly resisted, never taking her eyes off Eliza. “We don’t want trouble, but we won’t back down from a fight either,” she growled.
Eliza’s eyebrow quirked and she glanced from Maggie to Anatoly before answering. “You aren’t in trouble. Quite the opposite. I’m here to recruit you both for our Anchorage department.”
A little gasp escaped Maggie and Anatoly was struck speechless as he processed what had just been said.
He couldn’t quite believe how he might be useful to a secret police of supernaturals.
He was familiar with the Rowan Guard by reputation only.
His sire had often warned him to steer clear of their ilk, but that had been decades ago.
He started to shake his head. “You want both of us?”
The smile returned to Eliza’s face. “It’s clear you are effective as a team and we hope to utilize your unique talents for the greater good.”
They must have looked uncertain, because she reached into her pocket then and took out a business card. She extended it toward him and Anatoly felt he had no choice but to accept. The only thing written on either side was an address in the city.
“Don’t take my word for it. Come to our headquarters here and let us show you what you’ll be doing. I assure you; this is a business offer.”
“We’ll consider it,” Maggie had leaned over and read the card presumably, but her hard exterior was still up. She stepped to the door and opened it, making it clear that it was time for Eliza Levine to leave.
The woman took the hint and started for the exit. “Thank you for your time. I hope to see you again at that address, Monday at sundown. Hopefully, we can do some good together.”
Immediately, Maggie shut the door and turned to Anatoly. Concern was etched on her features. “Have you ever heard of this Rowan Guard?”
“Da…” He gave a somber nod. “But I know very little. They are rather secretive.”
Anatoly watched as she nibbled at her lip and got lost in her own ruminations. She was worrying, he could see that plainly, and the last thing he wanted was for her to be concerned on this of all days.
“Nyet, do not fret, my love.” Anatoly took both of her hands in his and then leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. “Tonight, we celebrate engagement. Monday, we hear them out and determine if we want to become involved. Is not decision we need make tonight.”
Maggie relaxed at his touch and smiled at him. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be buying trouble. It’s just a lot to digest.”
“Da,” he agreed, squeezing her hands. “Come, Maggie. We go see bishop, plan marriage, dream of unlife together…” He kissed her, trying to distract Maggie from her concerns. “Is night to be happy,” he added.
That seemed to be enough for her and as he guided her to the door, Anatoly let himself believe that all was well in the world. Soon Maggie would be his wife and whatever challenges lay ahead they would tackle together with God’s help. Of that, he was most certain.