As the discussion continued, Samantha's tension leached into Toren. By the time they'd decided the best way to proceed once the auction was underway, he was ready to explode. And worse, he'd been delegated to the sidelines. Dorn and Lucian were going in with Ezekiel, so Toren would have to be on hand in case they needed him.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Sam's muscles ached with the need to go to Kassie. She bit the inside of her jaw, refusing to say more about it. She'd be damned if she got between the archangels catching that demon guy they wanted. But it seemed to her any kind of creature deserving to be called an over lord couldn't possibly be interested in some insignificant human woman, and was highly unlikely to notice if anyone went to that insignificant woman and took her away from a traumatic scene. And still there was nothing she could do. Just wait and pray.
She listened to the men making their plans with half an ear, while the rest of her mind wandered with random memories of Kassie. Dammit, she should have insisted on bringing Kassie with them when they left. Then she wouldn't be sitting here driven to distraction with worry. She really should be listening, in case she had to play some part in the auction.
"Since we have all that settled, now we need to figure out what to do for the situation with Toren's quad. He's on stand-by for the auction, technically freeing him up." Dorn glanced at Samantha. "I suggest he and Samantha go to her ranch and retrieve her family member."
What? Samantha couldn't believe her ears. Had the blue angel really said what she thought he had? "You're serious?" Excitement roared through her blood. "When?"
Dorn flashed something that almost looked like a smile which quickly faded. "You'll have to wait until we're established at the auction and ensure Hetarne's presence. We can't be sure how long that will take. But we figure most of the heavy weight spiritual scum will be focusing their guns on that arms deal, as important as it is."
The excitement ebbed at the angel’s wait word, leaving Samantha tired. No, exhausted.
The meeting broke up and Dorn and Troy had a quick consultation before calling Ezekiel to join them. In a matter of moments they joined hands and all three dematerialized in a cloud of blue haze.
Samantha sighed for what felt like the ten millionth time and stood. "I can't stand doing nothing." She started pacing, taking advantage of the big room. “I can’t stand seeing every damn thing either, it’s creeping me the hell out, I don’t want to see people’s innards, can’t you…zap that out of me? Give me something else more useful and practical? Like a gun or knife?”
The expression Toren suppressed indicated the depth of his amusement at her concept of the powers she'd been blessed with. "I have no control over it. I’m sorry baby. Though if the pattern holds from those who've already gone through this, your new abilities will be specifically matched to some task you'll take on.”
God, he called her baby all the time and it never failed to calm her. And arouse her.
He rose and came to her. “I know waiting is one of the hardest things to do in any situation. And this is worse than most." He slid his arms around her waist from behind. "I'm sorry."
She gave in and let her body relax into his arms. "I'm sorry too. I know you would go ahead if we could."
He drew her back against his chest and dropped his head to let his mouth wonder along the side of her neck, nuzzling her for comfort. "I would. I care for Kassie a great deal. She's a uniquely good person and she seriously smoothed the way for me when I arrived at the ranch. I was so lost, I had no clue what to do."
Despite her worry, a smile tugged at Sam's lips. "I know.” She snickered a little. “The look on your face when you tasted coffee. Hilarious. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where you were from that you'd never had coffee before."
He chuckled. "I made a note for the other archangels to sample coffee before they have it in front of anyone. The taste is truly unique." He rocked her in his arms a little. "Come sit with me?" When she nodded, he led her to one of the couches and sat, patting the seat beside him.
Sam sank into the deep coffee colored cushion, letting his greater weight pull her close against his side. He tucked his arm around her and rested his chin atop her head. The little kiss he planted there morphed into his lips sliding back and forth against the stubble of her regrowing hair in that one bald spot. She knew he kissed there because he loved her and that tempted her to forget the rest of the world. She could easily spend eternity lost in the sensations he created in her body.
Seeming to sense the change he created, his breath exhaled slowly and his fingers on her body went from simple caresses to sensual ones. It took only one second for her body to interpret what that could turn into, making her stomach flip-flop, hard.