Chapter 26

Chapter

Twenty-Six

KEIR

We stoppedat a mom-and-pop diner on the way into town to get something to eat. “Well, that could have gone much smoother.” Dash seemed upset about the events from earlier. I honestly agreed with him.

Even though Shannon, his bodyguard, and Darryl had run off into the darkness after Dash finished with them, it took far too long to formulate a plan for how to deal with them. We would probably be dead if the angel and demons hadn’t shown up when we needed them.

Plus, I had to worry about what other powers Lilith might have transferred to Dash when she bit him, never mind that Dash hadn’t told me about the first time it happened. There needed to be some training sessions for the bullshit we’d encounter going forward, though as I thought about it, Beelzebub and Michael seemed as unsure of the best course of action as us.

Another thing in the back of my mind was what we’d do with Keirnan and Sibley’s memories of us. It seemed Keirnan should remember what happened because of the documents on his laptop and the fact he’d taken a leave of absence from his job to write a book.

If he didn’t understand what he’d done, how would that affect their lives going forward? I was less worried about Sibley because she’d already accepted that there was something more than just the human realm. I was sure she’d be okay if we left her alone.

I stared at Dash sitting across from me in the diner booth, him in all his bad-boy glory as he wolfed down a hamburger, and the fate of others was the last thing on my mind.

“You ready to go?” I reached for my wallet and tossed out far more money than necessary to pay our bill. I wanted to get him alone as soon as possible.

“More than.” He wiped his face, sucked up the rest of his soda, and stood, extending his hand for me to go first.

We hopped into the SUV, and Dash drove us to the Cornstalk Inn, where we were staying. After parking the car, he got out and came around to open my door, ever the gentleman.

Dash let us in through the main entrance of the large farmhouse and took my hand to lead me upstairs to our room. He pushed me against the door and fumbled with the key I’d given him while his lips lit up my skin with kisses and nips as if he couldn’t wait long enough to open the door before having me.

When the door popped open, he backed me into the room and over to the bed. He didn’t stop until I fell onto my back over the mattress. It was definitely a confidence booster for me that he was so impatient.

“God, I missed you. It was less than a week, Dearly, and I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.”

“Oh god, me too. I dreamed about you, and I was so sad when I woke up and you weren’t there.” I couldn’t help my whining confession. He needed to know I’d also been affected by his absence.

“Did you freak out when you figured out you weren’t where you belonged?” Dash hovered over me. His focus was laser sharp.

“It was so weird, love. I didn’t know who I was or where I was. I didn’t know the people in the house, though I felt an odd familiarity. What the hell happened? How did Keirnan and I end up trading lives?” I leaned forward and kissed those soft lips I’d missed so much. I knew we needed to have important conversations, but I needed him first.

Pushing off me, Dash dragged me with him from the bed and stood in front of me. He slid the navy cable-knit sweater from me before pulling off his leather jacket and T-shirt. His hands came up to my cheeks and caressed my jaw before he reached to the neckline of my undershirt and ripped it in half, letting the rags fall from my arms. I was burning with desire to feel Dash’s skin on mine.

“I dreamed about you too, Dearly. It was like you were right there with me, and when I woke and was alone, my heart was broken. I almost can’t believe you’re here right now.”

I opened his belt and unbuttoned his jeans, sliding my hand inside. His thick cock was hot and stiff in my hand, which was exactly what I needed.

I exhaled, my breath caressing his neck as he shivered at my next words. “We’re both real, not just a dream.”

Picking me up, he laid me on the bed before lowering himself on top of me.

Dash pushed up on his elbows to make space so he could look into my eyes before he brushed his lips over mine. He studied my face, reaching with his right hand to push my hair off my forehead.

“In my dreams, I didn’t know who you were, but I knew you were mine.” I reached for my jeans and tried to wiggle out of them.

Dash stopped me from moving as he rested his body on mine. “There was an actual warlock who put a spell on you and Keirnan, switching your lives. I’m guessing the reason it felt familiar was because Keirnan had residual memories that worked into your mind with the spell that was placed on you. De Vil got away without us finding out much more about him.”

I reached up and touched his lips with my fingers. “We’ll talk about it later. I need you inside me.”

Dash didn’t hesitate to finish undressing the two of us. He went into the bathroom and turned on a dim light before he returned to our room as I moved under the sheet and thin blanket. I lifted the covers for him, and he slid in next to me before putting something on the nightstand next to the bed.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as I pulled him between my legs. “Please, show me how much you missed me,” I whispered my desire as I stared into his handsome face.

“I get to call you my husband in a few weeks. I’m happy about that.” He reached for the lube and squirted some on the fingers of his right hand.

When I felt his fingers circle my entrance, I sighed in relief. I craved Dash’s touch, and to finally get it was incredible. “Not much prep. Please, just show me.”

After a moment, the thick head of Dash’s cock was at my entrance, and I bore down and pushed against it, taking him inside me in one fluid motion. We both moaned at the feeling of being connected again.

“Make me feel it tomorrow.” I wrapped my legs around Dash’s waist and met him, thrust for thrust. He was pressing all the buttons only he could find, and I couldn’t keep from moaning as his hips flexed and his cockhead slid against my gland.

“Fuck, Dearly. You know exactly what I need. I love you so much.”

Dash sped up his thrusts, and I couldn’t stop the wild sounds I made. The snap of his hips had me racing toward my climax much faster than I wanted. “I don’t want it to be over yet.”

He was flying toward his own orgasm, and the idea that I had him panting made me want to slow down and speed up at the same time. It was like chasing the ultimate high.

“Slow us down, love.” My gasping wasn’t sexy, but it caught Dash’s attention, and he slowed his moves to a sexy pace that continued to send me to new heights of pleasure.

“Give it to me, Dearly.” Dash snapped his fingers again, really getting a feel for it, and the world slowed. He moved, pulling out before sucking my cock into his mouth to the point I was riding the razor’s edge of pleasure and pain. He then slid his thick thumb into my ass and fucked me with it.

Dash’s moves were slow but intentional. He was pulling out his best tricks to drive me mad, and as my climax bore down on me, I gasped. “Faster, please.”

He snapped again, and the pace picked up exponentially. He ran his tongue under the throbbing head as I let go, giving him everything I had as he continued to fuck my ass with his thumb.

Once he had a mouth full of cum, he rested on top of me and slid his cock inside me, his balls slapping against my ass until he collapsed and lit my body on fire as he exploded inside me. The warmth of his release was beautiful.

Dash shared a dirty kiss with me, shoving my own cum between my lips as his tongue painted my mouth with it. It was nasty and sexy as hell, and I couldn’t wait to do it again.

After sliding from my body and hurrying to the bathroom, Dash returned with a warm cloth to clean me up and a soft one to dry. He tossed them into the bathtub and returned, sliding in next to me, again.

“Do you think you want a big wedding or something small? I don’t care either way. I’m just looking forward to calling you husband. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to meet you and have you love me too.”

His words were touching, and when I rested my head on his shoulder and hugged him closer, I knew I’d be happy for the rest of my life. Dashiell Clegg was now my guardian angel, and I knew he’d keep me safe for all our days on earth—and after.

We leftthe Cornstalk Inn before the sun rose on Thanksgiving morning to catch the first flight from Des Moines. We made a pit stop at Morton’s dairy farm on the way, though we didn’t say goodbye to anyone.

We parked by the road and walked to the top of the hill overlooking the milk barn and all the cows waiting their turn inside. Ronald sang to the cows as they made their way to the pen outside the barn, and it made me smile. He was a good man.

“Did you sing to the cows?” Dash was laughing, and I was offended for a second before I laughed with him.

“No. I operated the door to let them in, and at the other end, there was another one to let them out. They’re very docile animals.” Dash only laughed harder at my comment.

“Come on, smartass.” I stood and offered my hand to help him to his feet. We walked hand in hand to the SUV and got inside to head to the airport.

“So, did you and Sibley become close?”

“I mean, we became friends, and she helped me figure out who I was. What about the warlock?”

Dash groaned. “That fucker wanted me to pay him a million dollars to find you. He said he was a paranormal investigator. It’s not hard to investigate a crime you committed yourself.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s like sending a bank robber in to find out who held up the bank. You said he got away. How’d that happen?”

“Nyx interceded on his behalf. I’m guessing the little prick is somewhere in Hell. I wish we could get in touch with Scotty and Jay. We could have them put the hurt on him.” Dash gave a confirming nod of his desire.

“Well, maybe we can. I’ll check with Jonas. We need to come back here after Thanksgiving so you can erase their memories—except maybe Sibley’s. I think it’s important she knows what happened so she can keep it from happening again.” I’d been thinking about it as we’d packed and left the inn, and it had seemed like the best idea.

“Why don’t we just do it now? They’ll be together later today, and it’s best if it’s not a topic of discussion. I can sneak into the barn and take care of Keirnan’s parents right now, and then we can go back to the inn and deal with Keirnan. You can ask Sibley how much her parents know in the meantime, in case we need to erase their memories as well.”

I nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

Dash pulled up the long driveway, and we got out of the SUV. I led him to the milk barn and inside through the small stalls where the bucket calves were housed. They were quiet, which meant Betty must have already fed them.

“Let’s go in this way.” I directed Dash through the feed room and into the milking room where Betty and Ronald were working to finish milking the cows.

“Hi, uh, Mom, Dad. This is a friend of mine from Ames who’s passing through. I wanted to introduce you.”

Dash stepped forward and shook their hands with a smile before he snapped his fingers. “Wait. Let me say goodbye first, please. They were very kind to me.”

Dash released them from his power. “I’m headed back to Ames for work. I just wanted to thank the two of you for everything.” I hugged them each and nodded to Dash, who snapped his fingers again.

He stepped closer and spoke quietly. “You’re waiting for Keirnan and Sibley to come for Thanksgiving. You didn’t get a loan for improvements around the farm. You won a quarter of a million dollars from the state lottery that paid for the improvements, and you’re going to convince Kathy to divorce Darryl.”

Dash looked at me to see if I had anything to add. “Oh yeah. Tell them to talk to Keith about letting Rachel go to California for a job interview.”

Dash rolled his eyes. “Fine. Talk Keith into letting Rachel go to California for a job interview.” He then stared at me. “Anything else?”

“No, we need to go.” Dash and I went to the barn door, and I slipped out. Dash snapped his fingers again and closed the door, the two of us booking it to the SUV to leave before Ronald and Betty finished their morning chores.

“What about Sibley and Keirnan?” Dash was driving toward the Cornstalk Inn.

I sighed heavily. “Let’s not. I believe they’ll be able to maneuver that minefield if they’re the only ones who know what went on. And should something happen, and Shannon comes back around, I want them to know they can count on us.”

I sent off a quick text to Sibley.

Dash & I are headed home. If you ever need us, call Dearly & Son. Keir

Dash and I were on our way to Des Moines to turn in the rental and catch our flight to Monterey. It almost seemed like things were working out, but a little voice inside me said, “Don’t get too comfortable.”