COLE STAYED THROUGH dinner and Sam saw the reluctant mutual respect growing between him and Kade. Cole lowered his guard; so far in fact, that he shared what the FBI was doing looking into the Gunnach affairs. He also told them of his suspicions that there was someone on the inside at Gunnach Pharmaceuticals attempting to sabotage the family business and name.
“What exactly are “they” trying to do?” Sam asked.
“There have been rumblings that some kind of bio-warfare attack is being planned, on home soil—your home, Kade, not ours,” Cole explained. “At first we thought you personally were behind the plans. But then we discovered that, although it appears Gunnach Pharmaceutical is supplying the money and resources for the attack, it is, in fact, Haarde Pharmaceuticals that is backing it. Víkingasveitin has been working with MI-6 and now the CIA to shut it down.”
“Víkingasveitin?” Sam asked.
“Iceland’s counter-terrorism unit,” Kade provided.
“Oh.”
“Do you have any idea who at Haarde is trying to make us look responsible?” Kade asked Cole.
Cole shook his head. “Not yet. They’ve covered their tracks well and did a damn good job setting you up. Including the purchase of several black-market chemicals that have been made around Edinburgh. It looks as though someone within Gunnach Pharmaceuticals paid for them.”
“How did you get involved?” Sam asked.
Cole cocked his head. “You mean the FBI?”
She nodded.
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Why not?”
“Sam,” Kade admonished gently and reached for her hand.
She took his hand and tried to stamp down her irritation. “How did you figure out it wasn’t Kade behind all this?”
“The trail to him was too obvious. I’m always suspicious of things that come easy.”
“I’d like the suspicion to stay on me at this point,” Kade said.
Sam’s jaw dropped open. “What? Why?”
“If we take it off him, the real culprit might get nervous and bolt… or cover up more,” Cole explained. “If we keep it on Kade, the hope is they’ll get sloppy.”
Sam frowned. “I don’t know how I feel about this.”
“Sweetheart, someone is threatening to kill people in my name,” Kade said. “We have to make sure the intended targets are safe.”
“What about your safety? What about Connall and Brodie?”
Kade squeezed her hand. “It’s fine. Cole and I will work out a strategy with Con and Brodie. Don’t worry.”
I can’t help it.
I know, love. But we are not so easy to kill.
Dinner wrapped up and they ushered Cole to the front door, following him outside. The rain was coming down in sheets, so Sam stayed under the protective covering, her back against Kade’s chest. She hugged Cole and he climbed into his car and pulled away from the house. Sam waved then followed Kade back inside.
“I have a surprise for you,” Kade said.
“You do?”
Taking her hand, he led her down the hall to one of the rooms she’d yet to see.
“Close your eyes,” he instructed. “Don’t peek. Don’t read my mind either.”
She gave a mock huff, but did as he asked, gripping his hand as he guided her forward. A quiet click indicated they were through the door and she sighed when she felt his lips on the back of her neck. “Open your eyes.”
She did and couldn’t stop an appreciative hum. The room had shelves of books covering two of the walls, along with a sofa in front of a large fireplace. A small desk was nestled in the corner and on the opposite side of the room, a bottle of champagne sat chilling in a silver ice bucket next to two ornate flutes. Candles were the only source of light. Sam smiled as she turned to face Kade. “It’s beautiful. What’s the occasion?”
“That depends on you.”
“Oh?”
“I love you,” he said, and then kissed her.
Sam felt the depth of his emotion and smiled against his lips. “Aw, honey, I love you too.”
“Good to know.” He dug in his pocket, pulling out a small box, and knelt in front of her. “Samantha Christene Moore, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
She gasped as tears filled her eyes. She wasn’t completely certain she wasn’t in a dream. Could she believe that this beautiful man loved her as much as she loved him? Could she trust this was all real?
“Sam, my leg is cramping, love.”
“Oh, sorry!” She giggled. “Yes. Yes, I would love to marry you.” He popped the lid on the box and Sam thought she might pass out. Inside was the ring she’d tried on in the store. “Kade! You didn’t! That’s the ring… how did you know?”
“Why do you think Payton got the day off?” He grinned and rose to his feet. “She was my spy.”
“Do you really close the lab when there’s a fifth Friday?”
“No.”
Sam let out a quiet squeal. “You’re terrible!”
He slid the ring on her finger with a chuckle. It fit perfectly.
“It’s stunning,” she said.
“When your heart was racing in the store, was that when you tried it on?”
She nodded. “How did you guess?”
“Because you weren’t afraid. I had a feeling something was up.”
“How did you keep this from me?” she asked.
“It hasn’t been easy,” he complained. “Although, today you were distracted enough I could block you out.”
She stared at the ring, the feeling so much more intense than what she felt in the store. She pressed her palm against her chest.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Sam nodded. “Yes, I just feel… so… I don’t know… everything.”
“I know.”
She gave him a challenging smile. “Weren’t you supposed to ask my dad?”
“I did.”
“What?” she exclaimed. “When?”
“Yesterday. While you were napping, I called and spoke with both your parents.” He grinned. “I also called Pepper. She gave me more of a grilling than your parents did.”
“I bet.” Sam sighed. “You’re full of surprises, honey. I don’t know if I can keep up.”
“You’re doing just fine.” He kissed her palm. “Are you certain you like the ring?”
“Yes! I absolutely love it.” She raised an eyebrow. “What would you have done if I didn’t like it?”
“I’d buy you something else.”
“You would not.”
“I would,” he insisted.
“Well, you’ll have to pry this off my cold, dead body.”
“Good.” Kade chuckled. “Payton was disappointed you didn’t pick the one she tried on.”
“Did she tell you how much it cost?”
“No.” He shrugged. “But it wouldn’t matter. If that was the one you liked, you could have had it.”
“Kade, it was four hundred thousand pounds.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Did you like it?”
“Not really. I didn’t feel anything when I put it on. This one, though…” She ran her hand down his chest, the diamond sparkling in the candlelight. “It makes me feel like you make me feel.”
“How’s that?”
She stroked his cheek. “Safe. Home.”
He kissed her and she slid her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair.
Ég elska þig. Þakka þér fyrir að samþykkja að vera kona mín.
“Which means?” Sam said.
“I love you. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.” He kissed her nose.
“Will you please explain to me the rest of the binding process?”
“Only if you promise not to run.”
Sam groaned. “Honey, I’m not going anywhere. At this point, even if you said you had to bite my neck, I think I’d stick around.”
“Oh?”
She gave him a look of suspicion. “You don’t have to bite my neck, do you?”
Kade chuckled. “No.”
“Phew. Good.”
“I brought several of our family records.” He nodded to the table in the corner.
Six large tomes were stacked taller than she was, and Sam sighed. “Um. What are the odds of a story instead?”
“You preferred your lecture classes, didn’t you?”
“You got me. But I promise, I’ll look those over at some point before I die.” She pulled him to one of the chairs. “Sit.”
He lowered himself into the chair and Sam settled herself on his lap.
“Where do you want to start?” he asked.
“Let’s start with the fact that only men can bind their mate. Why is that? And how will I become immortal?”
“It has to do with our… uh… Sæði…”
Sam cocked her head in question.
Kade smiled. “Semen.”
Sam blushed beet red, she knew she did, her face was on fire. “Seriously?”
“We have an additional protein that human men don’t have. I can only assume that that’s how a human woman would be transformed into a Cauld Ane.”
“But how do you stop the binding if you sleep with a woman who isn’t your mate?”
“Binding is primarily spiritual rather than physical, so it’s more involved than just the joining of bodies. I don’t know what the ramifications would be if a Cauld Ane slept with a human woman who wasn’t his mate, however. Perhaps Fiona can find something in our archives.”
Sam let out a quiet gasp. “Fiona! If a human is made immortal, doesn’t that mean her issues will be solved when Angus binds her?”
Kade smiled. “My beautiful genius. You may be onto something there.”
“How does the aging thing work? Why don’t you look six-hundred-something years old?”
“We age normally, or I should say, at the same rate as humans, until mating year. After that, we age at about one year per one hundred human years. It’s not exact, but that’s about the average. Once we are mated, the aging process slows, so it’s more like one year per two hundred human years. If you lose your mate unnaturally, you age faster… much faster.”
“So that’s why your mother doesn’t look old enough to be your mother.”
“Aye. But had my father been her true mate, she’d look more like my grandmother. She would have aged faster after he died.”
Sam cocked her head. “And that didn’t tip you off that your mom and dad weren’t mates?”
Kade kissed her nose. “Apparently, I’m not as observant as you are, smarty-pants.”
“Apparently.” She giggled. “Are there more of you?”
“You mean, outside of Iceland and Scotland?”
She nodded.
“We have several clans in Russia and Canada.”
“What about at home?”
“We have a few families in the States, but only in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. However, the Eastern states are great vacation places for us during the winter.”
“Right, Hawaii wouldn’t work, would it?”
He grinned. “Not so much, no.”
“Anything else I should know?”
“The Cauld Ane have a few things they need to avoid.”
“Like?”
He gave her a patient smile. “Almonds, particularly anything that contains the concentrated extract—”
“Oh.” Her eyes filled with tears. “My favorite cookies are my mama’s chocolate almond surprise.”
“I’m sorry, love.”
She took a deep breath. “Nope, it’s okay. I can live without cookies.” She narrowed her eyes. “Wine’s okay, though right?” He chuckled and nodded toward the bottle of champagne on the table. “Oh, right. Of course. I panicked a little. Life without wine would be too much to take.”
“There’s a native flower in Iceland that’s extremely dangerous to the Cauld Ane. I highly doubt you’ll come across it, unless I take you there for a visit, so I wouldn’t concern yourself with it.”
“What’s it called?”
“In English, it’s called the Red Fang. Its Latin name is Decipio Décor, in Icelandic, Villandi Fegurð.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Something decorate?”
He chuckled. “Deceptive beauty.”
“What does it do?”
“It has a thorn that paralyzes us. Either by pricking the skin, or it can be ground into a powder and used in food and drink. The effects aren’t permanent, but they are enough to incapacitate us.”
“Why would anyone want to do that?”
“They probably wouldn’t.” He smiled. “If someone managed to slip it into our food or drink, it wouldn’t do any major damage. The only way to kill us is heat.”
“What if you’re stabbed or shot?”
“We’ll heal.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously,” he said. “Anything above sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit will kill us within a few hours or days, depending on how high.”
“How high?”
“We are sluggish in the seventies, lethargic in the eighties, and dead in the nineties.”
“What do you do in the summer?”
“Our office building and all of our houses and apartments are air-conditioned. It’s not a problem.”
“But Pepper loves the sun! What if she wants me to go to the beach with her?”
Kade squeezed her hand. “Sweetheart, we’re not vampires. The sun won’t harm us. You just have to avoid the heat...and the beach with Pepper if it’s over sixty-eight.”
“You said we’re sluggish in the seventies. I can do sluggish.”
“No. You. Can’t.”
She pursed her lips. “So serious, my lord.”
He sighed. “Perhaps not serious enough when it comes to you. I really should lock you away in the tower. That would at least ensure you’re safe.”
“You have a tower?” she asked hopefully.
He shook his head. “Sam.”
She clambered from his lap. “You need to bind me.”
“I will.”
“Now. You need to do it now.”
“Sam.” Kade stood and narrowed his eyes. “You’ve just found out your whole world is going to change. Don’t you want to sleep on it?”
“Why? I want to spend the rest of my life with you. It doesn’t really matter what that process entails at this point. I’m kind of in.”
“Kind of in?”
She grinned. “Yes, I just want one promise.”
“What?”
“I want to get married in America, with my family. I feel like if we have a ceremony here after the binding I’ll be cheating them out of something.”
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
“Absolutely. Honey, your sister has waited long enough.”
Kade frowned. “If this is about my sister—”
“It’s not,” she interrupted. She placed his palm against her chest. “Listen.”
Kade closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It didn’t take long for him to open them again and smile down at Sam. “Now?”
She nodded. “Yes, please.”
Kade pulled her from the room and upstairs to his bedroom.
* * *
Kade closed the door to his room and locked it. Sam rubbed her hands together and grinned. “Okay, what now?”
“Once again, my love, that depends on you.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “What am I supposed to do?”
Kade stroked her cheek. “It’s our wedding night. Have you ever dreamt about how you’d like it to go?”
She shrugged. “Sort of. I guess.”
“I don’t want to rush this. I want you to have nothing but wonderful memories. So, you tell me what you want to do.”
Sam worried her lower lip. “I guess I always thought I’d have a sexy nightgown and champagne and stuff. But I don’t need any of that.” She smiled. “Just you.”
Kade kissed her. “Why don’t you head into the dressing room and open the door to the left of the vanity. I’ll get the champagne and meet you back here in fifteen minutes.”
Sam tried not to look disappointed… or nervous. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Okay.”
He kissed her again and then left the room. Sam made her way into the dressing room and opened the door Kade mentioned, her eyes widening in surprise. It was a closet, and it was filled with clothes. She ran her hands over the silks, satins, and chiffons. An envelope taped to the wall had her name scrawled on it with Kade’s bold handwriting. She opened it and pulled out the card inside.
If you’re reading this, then one of two things has happened: either you’ve been snooping or you’ve agreed to marry me. I do hope it’s the latter. I love you, Samantha, and I will endeavor to make our life together as perfect as possible. Consider the gowns and lingerie just as much a gift for me as they are for you. After all, I will get to see you in them. Yours forever, K.
Sam flattened the note to her chest and closed her eyes.
You are too good to be true, Kade Gunnach.
His chuckle sounded in her mind. Wear the white.
Sam scanned the racks, found the white lingerie, and hummed in appreciation.
It’s beautiful.
I know. I too have been dreaming of our wedding night.
Sam narrowed her eyes. Did Payton pick this out?
Absolutely not. I picked everything in that closet. I didn’t even use Fiona’s personal shopper at Jenners.
Oh. Thank you.
Believe me, it was my pleasure. I’ll see you in ten minutes.
Sam took the nightgown and made her way to her bathroom. After a quick shower, she brushed her teeth and combed out her hair so it fell in soft waves down her back. She stared at herself in the mirror and frowned. She looked a little pale, so she pinched her cheeks in an effort to look more alive.
She smoothed lotion onto her skin and took a closer look at the lingerie. Her heart raced in anticipation. Sliding on the lacy boy shorts, she was surprised at how well they fit. She turned in the mirror and grinned. They enhanced her rear end quite nicely.
Next came the chiffon top. The bra was fitted, enhancing her cleavage, and the sheer fabric attached to it fell to just below her bottom. She checked her appearance and her heart swelled. The design was almost identical to the blue top she’d worn on their first date. Kade seemed to remember everything when it came to her.
A dab of her favorite perfume was the finishing touch, then she turned the light off in the bathroom and pulled on the matching robe as she made her way back to Kade’s room. She paused outside the door and licked her lips. Knocking quietly, she entered.
Sam gasped. The room was lit with candles and the fire had been stoked to create a perfect romantic scene. Kade turned from the table and Sam’s stomach dropped. Shirtless and wearing black pj bottoms, he was beyond gorgeous.
He set the champagne bottle back in the ice bucket and held his hand out to her. “You are stunning, love.”
Sam made her way to him. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He slid her robe open and pushed it from her shoulders. “Och, Samantha, I couldn’t have imagined this more beautiful on you.”
“It looks like…”
He stroked her cheek. “What you wore to our first dinner.”
“You did remember.”
He ran his finger across her collarbone. “Do you know how hard it was for me not to bind you then? I thought I’d die on the spot.”
“You should have told me how you felt,” she joked.
“How remiss of me.” He leaned down and kissed her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. Sam sank into him, her hands gripping his arms in an effort to stay upright. He broke the kiss and wove his fingers with hers. “Are you sure you’re ready? We can wait as long as you need to.”
“I’m beyond ready.”
“You may feel a bit weak.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “I always feel weak in your presence.”
“Oh, I’m aware.” He grinned. “Repeat after me. “Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið.”
“I can’t remember all of that.”
“Read my mind,” he suggested. “Try again. “Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið.”
“Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið,” Sam said, and she felt her knees weaken. She let out a frightened squeak. “I didn’t think you meant literally.”
“I’ve got you, sweetheart. Just hold onto me.”
“Okay.”
“Ég er þinn að eilífu. Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta.”
“Ég er þín að eilífu Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta.” Sam gripped Kade’s arms. “I’m going to fall.”
“You’re not going to fall. I have you. It’s part of the bonding. Just relax and trust me. Ready?” At her nod, he continued, “Ást mín er alger.”
“Ást mín er alger.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She smiled. “Definitely.”
“Can you say it again in full?”
She drew her eyebrows together. “Um. I think so.”
“I’m going to hold you tighter. Ready?”
“Yes.”
“Together,” he instructed.
“Ég gef þér allt ég, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið. Ég er þín að eilífu. Skuldabréf okkar mun aldrei vera brotinn. Ást mín er alger.”
As they said the last syllable of the last word, Kade swept her into his arms and kissed her. She looped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life. If he hadn’t picked her up, she knew she’d be in a puddle on the floor. He carried her to the bed and settled her gently on top of the down comforter.
“Kade?”
“Hmm?”
“I know what that meant.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“I give you everything I am, all I want to be and all I can be. I’m yours forever. Our bond will never be broken. My love is absolute. Right?”
“Yes, exactly.”
She grinned and sat up on her knees. “Say something else.”
He gave her a Cheshire smile and said, “Ég er ástfanginn af brjálaðri manneskju.” (I’m in love with a crazy person.)
Sam gasped and then giggled. “I’m no crazier than you!” She clapped her hands. “More.”
“Ég ætla að kyssa þig núna þar til þú öskrar.” (I’m going to kiss you now and then I’m going to make you scream.)
Sam’s heart stuttered. “Oh, my.”