“I was just thinking how much I like Johanna and Cris.” Snuggling her behind against him, she felt Lucian’s growing arousal.

  “Liar,” he whispered. “You like Johanna, but Cris intimidates you.”

  “He’s just got that lord-of-the-manor air about him. I feel like I should curtsy or something every time he enters the room.” Her panties were getting damper by the minute as Lucian spread his hands across her stomach and pulled her tighter against the bulge in his pants.

  His entire body shook with laughter. “He’d love that.”

  “Don’t you dare tell him,” she admonished. That certainly wouldn’t make a good impression on his family and she did want them to like her.

  At first she’d been worried about Cris reading her thoughts. It was one thing for Lucian to be able to know what she was thinking, but quite another for his brother to be privy to her innermost thoughts.

  Lucian had assured her they respected one another’s privacy and would only trespass in a dire emergency. He was also teaching her how to build mental walls to block the others from accidentally getting a glimpse inside her mind without her permission. It was slow going but she was getting the hang of it. It was more difficult when it came to keeping her husband out. She and Lucian slipped in and out of each other’s thoughts so easily now that it was beginning to feel normal to her.

  In spite of her doubts, both his family and hers seemed to be getting along well, considering one was filled with vampires and the other was all human. Cristofor had taken an immediate liking to Chase and the two of them talked art for hours on end. All three Dalakis men, who could be extremely charismatic when they put their minds to it, had charmed Miss Nadine. She’d given all of them her stamp of approval.

  Looking around the drawing room of the Grande, Delight felt a glow of happiness emanate from deep inside her. The B&B had been emptied of guests so they could hold the event with no worries about outsiders crashing the party. Classical music played softly in the background and white pillar candles burned on every table and all across the fireplace mantel. A small table with refreshments, including a wedding cake Miss Nadine had made for them, had been set up in the corner. Vases of wildflowers filled the room with their heady scent.

  It was a simple and small reception, but she couldn’t have loved it more if it had been held in the grandest venue and cost a fortune She had all she needed—her family and Lucian.

  The only outsider, except for the minister, who had left immediately after the ceremony, was Sam Cassidy. Delight had been surprised when Lucian had asked him to the wedding, but she was pleased he’d come. He’d played such a large part in what had happened—including handling everything with the police so there would be no fallout and no questions—it wouldn’t have felt right for him not to be there. It seemed the detective had been adopted into their tightly knit group whether he liked it or not.

  “A toast.” Cristofor’s deep, compelling voice filled the room, drawing every eye his way. “To my brother and his beautiful wife, Delight. It is indeed a delight to welcome you to the family.” Cristofor paused until the laughter died away. “I also want to welcome Miss Nadine, Chase, and Cassidy to the family.”

  Cassidy looked startled by the inclusion and opened his mouth as if to object. But one look at Cristofor’s face and he relented. The older brother’s word was law, and whether Cassidy liked it or not, he was now considered part of their family.

  The detective gazed around the room, and when he caught Delight’s attention, he gave her a quick wink, raised his wineglass, and saluted her. “To Delight and Lucian.”

  Delight sipped on her red wine, noting her husband’s possessive hold got tighter when Cassidy laid down his glass and approached them. “Thank you for coming.” She held out her hand, hoping he’d accept her gesture of friendship.

  He did, his grip firm and sure. And he didn’t stop there. He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. Lucian emitted a low growl from behind her, but the detective wasn’t disturbed at all. If anything, the devil looked as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself. “You’re a lucky man, Dalakis. Protect her well.”

  “What we have, we hold.” Still keeping one arm wrapped tight around her, Lucian offered his other hand to Cassidy. “That is the Dalakis way.”

  “Just let me know if you ever need any help.” The two men shook hands. “I’ve got to get going. Be happy.” He left them and said his good-byes to the others on his way out the door.

  Delight watched him leave, thinking he looked lonely. There was something solitary about Sam Cassidy for all his good-natured façade. It was like a mask he wore to keep others at bay. The insight startled her. She wondered if it had come from her or from him. Had she picked up on some stray thought?

  No time to think about it as Miss Nadine strolled up to her. The older woman looked lovely in a vibrant orange dress—no muted colors for Miss Nadine. She’d taken on the role of mother of the bride, because that’s essentially what she’d become over the years. Delight was happy to have shared this moment with her.

  “You look so beautiful and happy, child.”

  “I am.” The simple three-quarter-length dress she wore with its off-white color and simple cut fit her to perfection. The bodice was fitted and beaded, making it fancy enough for a wedding dress without being fussy. It had frustrated Lucian no end when she’d chosen an off-the-rack dress at a small local boutique, paying for it with her own money. He had wanted to buy her a designer dress, but had finally given in when he’d realized this was the dress she’d truly wanted.

  Delight leaned over and kissed Miss Nadine’s cheek. “Thank you for letting us have the wedding here. It means the world to me.”

  “As if I’d let you have it somewhere else,” she scolded. She turned her shrewd gaze on Lucian and pinned him with a glare. “You take care of my girl or you’ll answer to me.”

  “You have my word,” he promised. Lucian took no offense at her admonishment. Delight knew that he thought the world of Miss Nadine and treated her with a courtly manner at all times. As far as he was concerned she was Delight’s family, therefore she was now under his and his brothers’ protection.

  “I’m heading upstairs now, but you all feel free to stay as late as you want.” It was after midnight and Delight knew Miss Nadine had an early morning. The B&B had guests arriving early tomorrow morning, and by nightfall the Grande would be filled to capacity.

  Delight watched, slightly melancholy, as the other woman walked out of the room and disappeared up the stairs. For the first time in a decade, she wouldn’t be on hand to help Miss Nadine greet their guests.

  “You can still see her every day.” As always, Lucian was fully aware of her mood, if not her actual thoughts.

  “I know, but it’s not the same.” She shook off her sadness. This was a night for happiness. A future filled with possibility loomed before her. Looking up at her dark, brooding husband, Delight smiled. “I’m fine, really.”

  He looked as if he didn’t believe her, but didn’t contradict her. Thankfully, Cristofor and Johanna approached, putting an end to the discussion, at least for the time being. She had no doubt Lucian would revisit it later when they were alone at home.

  “We will say good night.” Cristofor had his arm securely around his wife’s shoulder. It seemed to be a trait of the men in this family to keep their women close. “We will fly home tomorrow. You will come and visit after the honeymoon.” It was more a command than an invitation and Delight found herself nodding.

  Johanna laughed and swatted her husband’s arm. “Ignore him, Delight. You come for a visit whenever you’re ready. You’re welcome anytime for as long as you want to stay. Believe me, there’s plenty of room in the castle.”

  “Thank you.” Delight couldn’t imagine actually living in a castle. She was looking forward to visiting. For someone who’d never been outside her own country, it was exciting to imagine traveling all that distance. Scary too, but not as bad as it could be considering the Dalakis family had a private jet.

  She wanted to explore Lucian’s childhood home, to see where he’d lived all these years. She was eager to learn more about him and the Dalakis family and knew her new sister-in-law would be a font of information.

  “We’ll talk,” Johanna assured her. She gave them both a quick hug, and when it appeared as though Cristofor planned to linger, she grabbed his arm and tugged her husband from the room.

  Delight muffled a laugh as Cristofor’s voice drifted back. “Woman, that’s no way to treat your lord and master.” His disgruntled tone was at odds with Johanna’s laughter.

  “Lord and master.” Stefan shook his head in disgust as he approached them. “Johanna has our hard, ruthless brother twisted around her little finger. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”

  Stefan looked even more somber than usual in the austere black suit he’d donned for the wedding. Delight had been surprised to see him in something other than jeans, but he certainly cleaned up good. She’d been so wrapped up in Lucian that she had forgotten what a devastatingly handsome man he really was.

  She still had a hard time looking Stefan in the eye without blushing. But not once, by word or action, had he betrayed any hint of what had occurred that memorable night upstairs. It was as though it had never happened.

  “It is a disgrace to the family.” Cradling her face with his large hands, Stefan brushed a soft, light kiss on her lips. “And now you have done the same to Lucian. Alas, I am the only sensible brother left to uphold the family honor.”

  Delight sensed the underlying sadness and hurt buried beneath his words. He was alone now that his brothers were mated. Impulsively, she flung her arms around him and hugged him. “I’m so glad you’re my brother now.”

  Stefan swallowed hard and clung to her for several seconds, his grip almost desperate. As if realizing what he was doing, he suddenly released her. He faced his brother. “I am leaving tonight.”

  He ignored her gasp of surprise and continued to address Lucian. “It will be up to you to check out this Zane York that Cassidy mentioned and make sure he is no threat to the family. He seems to have an unhealthy interest in our comings and goings.

  “I don’t know when I will be back. If you have need of me, you have only to call and I will come.”

  “I will take care of it,” Lucian assured his brother.

  Moving so swiftly it looked as if he had vanished into thin air, Stefan left. A lone tear slipped down Delight’s cheek. With her heightened senses, she couldn’t help but feel the deep despair and pain that filled him.

  “I wish I could find a way to ease his suffering.” Lucian sighed heavily and tucked her under his shoulder. She nodded, saying nothing. Stefan’s pain was beyond words and only time would help him find his equilibrium again. “If he is gone too long, we will find him and bring him home,” he assured her.

  Delight grasped and held Lucian’s promise tight, trusting him to know what was best for his brother right now. But she couldn’t help being worried about him all the same.

  “Well, it’s time for me to say goodnight as well.” Chase rose from the chair where he’d been sitting and observing everyone for the last hour and strolled toward them. He halted in front of them and smiled. “Be happy, Delight.” He raised his gaze and addressed his new brother-in-law. “I’m trusting you to take care of her.” There was an edge to Chase’s voice, something that hadn’t been there before the attack. Her brother seemed to have aged years almost overnight.

  “It is my honor and privilege.” Lucian held out his hand to Chase and the men seemed to come to some mutual understanding as they shook. Delight watched the two men she loved most in the world, her heart swelling with pride.

  Then they were alone.

  Lucian smiled and her insides melted. The familiar heat surged through her veins as he scooped her up into his arms and walked down the hallway and out through the front door and into the night. “I am taking you home.”

  Delight wrapped her arms around his strong neck and leaned in to nuzzle it. “I’m already there.”

  • • •

  The night swallowed the happy couple up and then they were gone. Stefan stepped from the shadows where he’d been watching them. He felt more alone at that moment than at any other time in his five hundred years of existence. Forcing himself to leave, he turned and walked away. The night wrapped its arms around him, embracing him, as he escaped into its inky depths.

  • • •

  Sam Cassidy sat on a bar stool and twirled the long-necked bottle between his hands. The whole basis of his belief system had been turned topsy-turvy in the past week. If he weren’t so damned sane, he’d figure he was crazy. “Vampires?” He gave a sharp bark of laughter.

  “What’s so funny?”

  He eyed the man who’d slipped onto the bar stool next to him. Zane York was a fellow cop who worked the night shift. He knew him by reputation, but not personally. York had a reputation for being single-minded in pursuit of the truth. Hard, but fair, he was not a man to cross.

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Tipping up the bottle, he took a swallow and set it back on the bar.

  “Try me.” Zane’s dark eyes watched him unwaveringly.

  Cassidy had to fight the urge to spill the entire story. He shook his head, suddenly feeling as if he’d drunk way too much even though he was on his first beer. “Maybe another time.” He pushed off the stool, saluted York, and sauntered from the smoky confines of the bar.

  “Bet on it,” Zane murmured under his breath. He tracked Cassidy’s progress across the room, out through the door, and into the night.

  Books by N. J. Walters

  See all of N. J. Walters’s books at Kobo!

  The Dalakis Passion Series

  Harker’s Journey

  Lucian’s Delight

  Stefan’s Salvation

  Eternal Brothers

  Endless Chase

  The Summersville Secrets Series

  Uncovering Annabelle

  Enticing Emma

  Lily’s List

  The Salvation Pack Series

  Wolf at the Door

  Wolf in her Bed

  Wolf on the Run

  Wolf from the Past

  Wolf on the Hunt

  The Hades’ Carnival Series

  Night of the Tiger

  Mark of the Bear

  Pride of the Lion

  Howl of the Wolf

  Heart of the Serpent

  Flame of the Phoenix

  Lure of the Jaguar

  The Spells, Secrets & Seductions Series

  A Touch of Magick

  Dreams of Seduction

  Love in Flames

  The Legacy Series

  Alexandra’s Legacy

  Isaiah’s Haven

  Legacy Found

  Quinn’s Quest

  Finding Chrissten

  Damek’s Redemption

  Craig’s Heat-Legacy

  The Jamesville Series

  Discovering Dani

  The Way Home

  The Return of Patrick O’Rourke

  The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke

  A Legal Affair

  By the Book

  Past Promises

  The Gift of Shayla

  About the Author

  Once upon a time, N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years. One Friday morning she gave notice at her job; on Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first romance novel, and her life has never been the same.

  N. J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Summersville Secrets series, the Legacy series, and the Salvation Pack series, among others. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

  You can visit N. J. at:

  Website: http://www.njwalters.com

  Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com

  Newsletter Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/

  Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor

  Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters

 

 

  N. J. Walters, Lucian's Delight

 

 

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