Heart Bound Read online

  She sucked along his tongue and his moans answered her, a shiver of pleasure racing through him. When her teeth pressed against his flesh, his arms tightened around her, gripping her hard and possessively.

  Slowly, she broke the kiss and blinked up at him as he nuzzled his nose against hers. “I want to get you home and fuck you so hard you forget your name,” she whispered into his ear, smiling as he groaned low in his throat.

  “Princess! You make me so crazy.”

  She squirmed in his hold. “Let’s go home. I want to leave. Please!”

  “Of course, sweetheart. What about your—”

  “N-no. Just… I’ll tell you everything in the car. Okay? Please? Take me home.”

  He searched her eyes a moment before his lips brushed hers, featherlight. “Of course, love.” The kiss that warmed her lips was soft and adoring. It told her without words that he trusted her and understood. In the back of her mind, the green twinkled with approval and a deepening relief. Safe. Safe. Safe. The words beat softly in time with her heartbeat.

  Chapter 2

  March 1, 2016

  Ursa jolted bolt upright in bed, her heart pounding.

  In the back of her mind, she felt and heard the now-familiar thrum, Safe! Safe! Safe! It came from Victorious. The silvery affection touched her like a warm kiss between her eyes before curling around to shield her.

  She fumbled at the bedside table for her notebook and pen and turned on the light to scribble down details of the dream. It was just a replay of the holiday party. That was unusual. Most nights since Victorious had come into her life were filled with adventures that staggered the imagination.

  Marcie suggested she start writing them down, so now she seriously recorded all her dream-ventures. Spirit walks.

  Vans thought she should start writing novels.

  Ursa might share details of her elaborate dreams with her friends, but she couldn’t imagine sharing those stories with strangers. She barely wanted to share them with Vans. It made her skin crawl thinking of Travis still being under the control of Beatrix. She tried to remind herself that he wasn’t working with her; he was a spy. It didn’t make her feel better about it.

  Vans definitely didn’t want Travis working for the adversary as she called Beatrix. Is that why events of the party followed her into her dreams?

  The sound of water running filtered through her thoughts in mid-scribble. Leo had slipped out of bed without waking her. It was unusual to discover him showering without her. Shocking actually. Since moving in, it was part of their morning ritual.

  There is nothing to worry about, she told herself, squinting at the closed bathroom door. She tried to focus on her memories of the dream, but the water stopped, and she couldn’t help but watch the door for the delicious glimpse of her man wrapped only in his towel with water gleaming off his dark skin.

  He didn’t step out of the room for a long time.

  Leo was dressed when he came out of the bathroom. Equally strange.

  He glanced to the bed and their gazes met and an expression of guilt flickered in his dark gaze. “Morning, beautiful. I didn’t wake you, did I?” He walked to her and cupped her cheek in his big palm, smoothing his thumb along her lower lip. The smell of soap was clean and fresh, lightly overlaying the chocolatey warmth of his natural scent.

  “You showered without me,” she accused sleepily and nuzzled into the fingers.

  He didn’t say anything, just gazed at her adoringly, as though he couldn’t quite believe his good luck at finding her in his bed.

  “I’m sorry, love. I have to be in the office early.” There was something else, though. Something he held back. She saw his yearning to return to bed with her and steal into the warm spot beside her, but he didn’t even sit down at the edge of the mattress.

  “Your commute is so long,” she murmured. “When are you going to move?” It was a question she hated to even think about. She blamed her sleepy brain for allowing it to come to her lips. It would be too soon. How many hours did she have left with this perfect man? Was he showering without her now to break the habit?

  He searched her eyes, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk about that,” he said.

  She held her breath and realized she was trembling when he leaned in and brushed a soft kiss to her lips.

  “Not now, though. I really need to go. Come put my tie on, love?” he asked, voice soft, a warm plea in his tone.

  She uncurled from the bed and went to him, naked. His arms slid around her, and he walked her toward the vast wardrobe where he kept his suits and the drawer of lovely ties. Oh, the ties. Part of her new beloved mornings included the ritual tie selection and fastening. A modern-day act of bondage. This was her way to send him into the world in her knots.

  “Don’t look so worried,” he whispered into her sleep-tousled hair.

  She brushed a kiss to his throat and fastened the top button before drawing out the golden tie, one she had gotten for him last week. “I’m f-fine.” The tightness of the stammered word gave proof to her lie.

  “Princess,” he purred to her as she slid the silken fabric into place. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  She kept her attention fixed on the tie as she knotted it and then smoothed his collar into place and ran her fingers down to the end, smoothing it over his broad chest.

  His arms tightened around her and he pulled her against him, palms warm and fingers slowly tracing her curves. Tracking over all the spots he usually enjoyed, following up with licks and kisses. No time now, she knew, but those touches eased the tightness in her chest. She would savor every moment she had with him.

  “I’ll see you tonight,” he whispered and tipped her chin up and kissed her, following his promise of a safe return with the deep, passionate kiss.

  I’ll see you tonight.

  It was going to be a very long day.

  Chapter 3

  Leo

  Lunch

  “Leo?” Marcie’s amused voice cut into his thoughts and he blinked, looking up from his lunch and realized he’d completely tuned out what Marcie was saying.

  Warmth rose in his face as Marcie fixed him with a knowing smile. “Ah, sorry.”

  “No problem, darling.” Marcie pushed her salad around her plate without actually eating a bite of it.

  “You should try to actually eat.” He motioned to her still-full plate.

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you start in on me, too.”

  He returned the knowing smile. “I am a concerned friend.”

  Marcie nibbled at the salad with a disappointed sigh. “We should have eaten at Three Compasses. This is horrible,” she whispered under her breath.

  “You’re getting spoiled. Morning sickness?”

  “Don’t look so smug. One day this will be your lady.”

  A thrill of anticipation ran up his spine. “I hope so.”

  “All right, Leo, what is going on with you? As your friend and best friend of Ursa…”

  He couldn’t meet her gaze. The tingle of worry was building beneath his ribs again and it put him off the rest of his meal. “I’m going to ask Ursa to marry me.”

  Marcie let out an enthusiastic cry of joy and reached over to cup his face in both her hands. “Yes! Finally! I’m so happy! Wait, what’s wrong?”

  “I can’t seem to keep it in when I think about it. It’s like a compulsion to just sing it out. I don’t want to screw this up.”

  “Oh, Leo. I expected you to pop the question before Christmas. Seriously, is that what’s holding you back?”

  “It must be absolutely perfect, Marcie. Since I started this job, she’s been on edge.” He pushed his plate away. “She acts as if she expects me to break up with her. I overheard her calling about apartments yesterday.”

  Marcie’s eyes shone with emotion. “Leo. You didn’t tell her you needed her to pick out her future house? That would have been a perfect time to drop to your knee and propose to her.”

  He shook hi
s head. “My princess needs to be swept off her feet. I’m not going to pop the question in my kitchen.”

  His friend laughed merrily. “Oh, Leo. Leo, Leo, Leo. You’re making this too hard on yourself.”

  “So you say. You’re lucky that you haven’t had to do this. I’m terrified she’s going to refuse me.”

  Marcie spun her enormous engagement ring around on her finger and smiled dreamily. The expression she never wore before Christmas was commonplace now. Marcie was deeply in love. “Maybe you should ask Mano about the proper way to propose,” she teased.

  “That fiancé of yours has done quite enough already. You are going to have your hands full with that one.”

  “I know,” Marcie answered with fierce pride and leaned back into her seat, giving up the pretense of eating. “He was right about the jeweler, though. Wasn’t he?”

  “You knew. All this time, you knew I’ve been wrestling with this?”

  “Darling. Of course. Who introduced you two?” Her smile softened. “Mano only mentioned that he told you about the jeweler.”

  “Yes.” Leo rubbed his face again and then adjusted his tie. “Apparently there’s a long history of the men in this town purchasing their jewelry there. They do damn fine work.”

  Marcie smiled impishly and extended her hand to admire the glinting stones on her finger.

  Leo couldn’t help but chuckle at her admiration of her ring. It was inspired. A piece to be proud of, without question. The story was that Mano had purchased the ring years ago in anticipation of meeting Marcie. Theirs was one of the most romantic relationships he knew.

  But it wouldn’t hold a candle to how he wanted to propose to his Ursa.

  “I am going to need some help pulling this off, Marcie. I think she’s convinced I’m never going to ask her.”

  Marcie smiled knowingly. “I am yours to command, Leo. Whatever you need. Better do it before she puts a deposit down on an apartment in Oakland.”

  That prospect made his stomach churn. The memory of her previous studio still bothered him. Sure, she could take care of herself. She was strong and tough, and he was proud of her for that, but she deserved better and more. He wanted to be the one to provide it. All of it.

  “This weekend. We’re all going to see Travis surprise Vans with the horses, right? Ursa will be so focused on Vans that she will never expect this,” Leo said.

  “Sounds good. So, what do you need from us?”

  With his throat dry and tight, he explained his grand scheme to Marcie, outlining just what he needed.

  Chapter 4

  Ursa

  Bookstore

  “What are you still doing working here?” The lean blonde woman’s question rang through the empty bookstore over the bell chime. Vans pushed rain-damp hair back as she came sauntering up to Ursa. She looked great. Not just thanks to a few weeks healing since her accident, but the set of her shoulders seemed relaxed and she was smiling. Really smiling.

  The smile fell away as she noticed the classified section of the newspaper Ursa was focused on.

  “I have to work,” Ursa said, trying to fold up the paper but Vans, as usual, was faster.

  The paper crinkled as it was whisked off the counter and the taller woman eyed the circled selections. “Oh, not Fourteenth Avenue! Ursa!” Honey-brown eyes narrowed over the top of the paper. “All right, spill, Myller!”

  Ursa frowned at her friend but didn’t try to wrestle the paper back. “I let my apartment go so I need a new place now,” she answered. “I want to stay somewhere closer to work so I can—”

  “What?” Vans actually crumpled the paper up and threw it on the floor. “Explain your logic to me in small words.”

  “Vans…” Ursa sighed in dismay, watching all her research scatter across the floor. “Leo got a job in Yountville. There’s nothing for me there.”

  “Right. Except the gorgeous man who loves you.” Vans crossed arms over her chest. “Smaller words. I’m not following.”

  “I don’t have a job there. I can’t let him support me. I can’t move there.” The tightness in her tone made Vans’s expression soften.

  “Afraid of the country?” she guessed, her expression warm. “Funny, but I wish more than anything that Travis would come home and tell me he told his stone-cold-bitch boss where to stuff her job and move us out to the country. It’s peaceful. Nice. Take a chance, Ursa.”

  Ursa shook her head. “I can’t—”

  “Why?”

  The question seemed so simple. Sadly, the answer was a minefield of emotions and the old stammer come rattling up behind her teeth as she stared at her hands rather than her friend and tried to force out the words.

  Vans didn’t press her. She stayed silent, waiting patiently.

  At last the words came. “I am not g-g-good enough for Leo Wolfe.”

  “Goodness, Ursa, you don’t know what a relief that is. I seriously beat myself up for attempting to break you two up when you first got together. So, you’re not actually serious about him?” Vans spoke the words without passion, but they were cutting.

  Ursa gasped at the question, shocked. “I am serious about him!”

  “No, you’re not. If you were serious, you would be looking for houses in Yountville and packing instead of this.” She kicked the crumpled paper with her toe.

  “I can’t!” Ursa cried.

  “Bullshit.”

  “I’m just a human, Vans. I don’t have—”

  “Ursa!” Vans’s voice was sharp and she slapped both hands on the counter. “I am in the exact same spot you are. In love with a guy who’s way too good? Me, too! Guy with wings? Me, too! I am just a human, too. Like you! Unlike you, my guy is still working for the evil, Valkyrie bitch. He is attempting to convince her he’s on her side while he tries to find her son. A plot that could get him hurt, or worse. I’m no hero, Ursa. I am terrified!”

  “I’m no hero either, Vans,” Ursa whispered, voice trembling.

  “Sure you are. Selfless, check. Nobel, check. Strong, check. Badass sword, also a check.”

  When Ursa made a small stammer of protest Vans just rolled her eyes.

  “I don’t mean muscle strong, I mean mental and heart strong. It took me getting hit by a car to open my eyes and see what you have seen all along. Didn’t you ever freak out?”

  Ursa blinked at the question and shook her head. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “It just felt right. N-normal.”

  Vans looked thoughtful. “See. You have something…” She wiggled her fingers to indicate mystical. “You are exactly what heroes are made from. You have outrageous dream-ventures, Ursa! If you let this moment go, you’re going to regret it forever. You will wake up alone a year from now, drag yourself to this dump and wonder why you didn’t take a risk.”

  The words hit her as Vans intended, right in the heart. “R-right.”

  With a smile, Vans performed a curtsy befitting a high-society debutante. Her forehead nearly swept the ground before she straightened. The movement was all elegance and poise. Her eyes gleamed with emotion. “You are my best friend, Ursa. Your moving won’t change that.”

  “I don’t want to leave you here alone,” Ursa murmured.

  “See? Hero!” Vans lifted a hand and waved off the concern. “I am not alone. I have Travis. I can come see you every damn day because I am free to do as I please.”

  Ursa smiled, and she walked around the counter so she could hug her friend. “I guess you have a point.”

  “Oh, I do.” She squeezed Ursa tightly and then stood back and winked before digging into her purse. She pulled out a small bundle of papers. Ursa knew before Vans even put them down what they would be. Real estate listings. “I took the liberty. See this one? It would be the perfect place for my wedding. Look at the view.”

  “You’re so selfish!” Ursa laughed but she looked at the page. When her eyes went directly for the price, she saw it was blacked out.

  “Ah, all the prices have bee
n redacted. Oops.” Vans toyed with a lock of blonde hair and pushed the page toward Ursa.

  It looked like a castle. The views in the photos were spectacular and there were lawns and gardens, a pool and stables, groomed riding trails and acres of property. Inside were expansive rooms with vaulting ceilings and hardwood. Marble and stone counters, stainless appliances. Most importantly, there was a huge library.

  “I knew you’d love it.” Vans pulled herself onto the counter and swung her legs lazily back and forth.

  Ursa certainly did. Love at first sight, actually. “It’s lovely. Why don’t you sweet-talk Travis into getting this place?” she asked, tapping the agent’s name and number that Vans had not only circled but highlighted in bright yellow.

  Vans looked thoughtful and then shook her head. “Nah.” She tapped the finger on the image of the library. “This one is all you. Call the number. Let’s go on a field trip.”

  “I’m working.” Ursa didn’t want to argue that she was confident the house was way out of her budget but knew from the stubborn set of Vans jaw that the cost shouldn’t be an issue.

  “Quit. You don’t want to commute anyway. You can spend your full time doing wedding planning. You’re great at it. Better yet, you enjoy it.” Vans smiled at her, waiting to see what her next protest might be. She seemed to have an answer for everything.

  “Leo might not want—”

  Vans gave her a look as if she thought she might have lost her mind. “Have you even asked him?”

  That made Ursa blink a couple times. “What?”

  “You are the top in the relationship. Maybe he wants you to sweep him off his feet. Could be he thinks you don’t want him since you aren’t all over him with the hints and signals. Get him a ring, fall on your knees and propose to him.”